Attorney Michael E. Cavanaugh - Fraser Trebilcock...

Michael E. Cavanaugh

Shareholder / Lansing


  • Phone 517.377.0812
  • Fax 517.482.0887

Education

  • University of Michigan Law School (J.D., cum laude)
  • University of Detroit (B.A., cum laude)

Bar & Court Admissions

  • State Bar of Michigan
  • State Bar of Ohio
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan
  • U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • U.S. Supreme Court
Experience
Show
Hide

A highly experienced litigator, Michael E. Cavanaugh has successfully litigated cases at all levels of the state and federal courts, including two cases before the United States Supreme Court. He has a strong background in commercial, employment, and constitutional matters that, when combined with his exceptional advocacy skills, result in tremendous success for his clients.

Mike's list of accolades is as long as it is well-deserved. Perhaps at the very top, is recognition of his leadership in the Lansing legal community. Mike has been a trusted member of Fraser Trebilcock's Board of Directors, and he is heavily involved in the State Bar of Michigan and the Ingham County Bar Association, for which he has served as a past-president. Mike is also a veteran who served as a captain in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War.

Professional Associations
Show
Hide
  • American Bar Association
  • State Bar of Michigan
    • Labor and Employment Law Council (1997- 2001)
    • Real Property Law Section
    • Litigation Section
    • Labor Law Section
    • Business Law Section
    • Administrative Law Section
    • Regional Character and Fitness Committee, District F (Member, 1985-1993; Chairman, 1988-1993)
  • Ingham County Bar Association
    • President (1993-1994)
    • President-Elect (1992-1993)
    • Vice President (1991-1992)
    • Past Secretary
  • Federal Bar
    • Member of the Local Rules Committee for the U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan (1996-present)
  • Ingham County Bar Foundation, Secretary (2014-present)
  • Completed ICLE 40 hour Facilitative Mediation Course (2003)
  • Michigan Supreme Court Class Action Committee (1980-1981)
  • Ingham County Circuit Court Case Evaluator
  • Federal Court for the Western District of Michigan Case Evaluator
  • Member, Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society (2012)
  • Board of Directors, Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (1993-1998)
  • Rotary Club of Lansing (President, 1989-1990)
  • Easter Seal Society of Mid-Michigan (Past member of the Board of Directors, Volunteer of the Year)
  • Past Chairman, Okemos School District Citizens' Finance Committee
  • Past President, Okemos Athletic Klub (OAKS)
  • Youth Soccer Coach
Honors & Distinctions
Show
Hide
  • Recipient of the 2016 Pro Bono Award from Legal Services of South Central Michigan and the Ingham County Bar Association
  • Achieved an AV© peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of the State's 25 Leaders in the Law (2011)
  • Successfully handled two cases before the United States Supreme Court
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America in Lansing for Administrative/Regulatory Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Litigation-Labor & Employment 2025; first listed in 1989
  • Listed in Super Lawyers every year the list has been published
  • Selected as a '2022 Leading Michigan Lawyer' by Leading Lawyers for Commercial Litigation; Employment Law: Management; Governmental, Municipal, Lobbying & Administrative Law; and Labor Law: Management; first named in 2014
  • Recipient of the 2008 Ingham County Bar Association Outstanding Attorney Award
  • Life Member of the "Fellows of the American Bar Association"
  • Co-captain, University of Michigan National Moot Court Team (1968)
  • Associate Editor, University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform (1967-1969)
  • Won the Henry M. Campbell Moot Court Competition in Law School
  • Order of the Coif
  • Blue Key Honor Society