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Lance R.
Zoerhof

  • Senior Counsel

As litigation can be very high-stakes and adversarial, I think clients appreciate my calm personality. I am naturally even keel. But my confidence also stems from significant experience in all phases of the litigation process – from pre-dispute risk mitigation to trial; and from my preparation to make the pivot, entering each situation with a Plan B, Plan C or Plan D. This helps clients feel more confident that we will get the desired result.  

Lance Zoerhof is a litigator specializing in supply chain and real estate disputes. He regularly counsels suppliers of parts and products in such industries as automotive, furniture, agriculture, heavy machinery, prefab construction, hand tools, consumables (including, dietary supplements) and scores of other consumer products. Lance also counsels developers, governmental entities, associations, and individuals on zoning, easements, boundary lines, leases, restrictive covenants, riparian, mineral, oil and gas and other rights related to their Michigan and regional real estate projects.

Supply Chain

  • Defended a Tier 1 supplier in a $20 million plus, month-long arbitration proceeding where the OEM sought to recoup its costs for the voluntary recall of engine air filters.
  • Represented a Canadian-based manufacturer of outdoor wood-burning furnaces against a $10 million claim brought by its Michigan distributor and settled claim on exact terms client demanded.
  • Settled for nuisance value a $2 million claim brought against a global maker of commercial door systems.
  • Secured the return of a Tier 1 supplier’s production line and tooling from its plastic parts supplier.
  • Successfully obtained dismissal of 3 suits (2 in Illinois and 1 in Pennsylvania) against a national manufacturer of commercial solvents.

Supply Chain

  • Defended a Tier 1 supplier in a $20 million plus, month-long arbitration proceeding where the OEM sought to recoup its costs for the voluntary recall of engine air filters.
  • Represented a Canadian-based manufacturer of outdoor wood-burning furnaces against a $10 million claim brought by its Michigan distributor and settled claim on exact terms client demanded.
  • Settled for nuisance value a $2 million claim brought against a global maker of commercial door systems.
  • Secured the return of a Tier 1 supplier’s production line and tooling from its plastic parts supplier.
  • Successfully obtained dismissal of 3 suits (2 in Illinois and 1 in Pennsylvania) against a national manufacturer of commercial solvents.
  • Obtained pre-discovery dismissal of a multimillion-dollar suit against an aftermarket parts manufacturer.
  • Regularly represents clients on supply chain and product related issues in a wide variety of industries.  That includes, for example, a global maker of multivitamin and nutritional supplements, craft beer makers and suppliers, commercial tool manufacturers, and auto suppliers (at all tiers).

Real Property

  • Trial counsel for a national title company for all titleholder actions filed on the west side of Michigan.
  • Obtained summary judgment for the buyer in a land contract forfeiture action over the sale of a $10 million property.
  • Obtained summary judgment dismissal of 5 lawsuits filed against a national bank for its affiliation with an equity stripping mortgage scheme.
  • Successfully quieted title to a homeowners association’s rights to a substantial stretch of Lake Michigan beach.
  • Obtained summary judgment establishing a company’s easement, flow, and drainage rights in neighboring property.
  • Regularly represents developers, homeowners associations, and other private landowners with issues related to zoning, easements, boundary lines, leases, restrictive covenants, riparian rights, and other state and federal proceedings deciding rights related to property.

Regulatory and Compliance

  • Regularly provides advice to a global maker of appliances on its warranty and advertising issues.
  • Regularly serves as counsel for several Tier 1 and 2 suppliers regarding terms and conditions for purchase, sale, and tooling acquisition.
  • Provided advice for an international supplier of a broad range of products (including spray foam, football pads, and surge protectors) regarding its terms and conditions of sale related to its product lines.
  • Prepared the manual (including, related warranties) for a luxury automaker’s electric vehicle line.
  • Developed company-wide eDiscovery and record retention policies and procedures for clients in a wide variety of industries.
  • Regularly provides advice and handling issues related to regulatory reporting and compliance (e.g., CPSC, FMVSS, FDA) and private party certifications (e.g., ANSI, UL, and IAPMO).
  • Protecting Yourself Against Consumer and Visitor Claims During COVID-19,” Warner Webinar, May 21, 2020
  • “Game of Drones,” Real Property Law Conference, Traverse City, Michigan, July 2017
  • “Preparing for Increased Warranty and Recall Risks,” OESA West Michigan Regional Supplier Meeting, December 2016
  • “Top Five Warranty and Indemnity Concerns in Buyer and Seller Terms and Conditions,” Seminar, April 2014
  • Protecting Yourself Against Consumer and Visitor Claims During COVID-19,” Warner Webinar, May 21, 2020
  • “Game of Drones,” Real Property Law Conference, Traverse City, Michigan, July 2017
  • “Preparing for Increased Warranty and Recall Risks,” OESA West Michigan Regional Supplier Meeting, December 2016
  • “Top Five Warranty and Indemnity Concerns in Buyer and Seller Terms and Conditions,” Seminar, April 2014
Image for Lance R. Zoerhof

Lance R.
Zoerhof

  • Senior Counsel
Grand Rapids

My admin

As litigation can be very high-stakes and adversarial, I think clients appreciate my calm personality. I am naturally even keel. But my confidence also stems from significant experience in all phases of the litigation process – from pre-dispute risk mitigation to trial; and from my preparation to make the pivot, entering each situation with a Plan B, Plan C or Plan D. This helps clients feel more confident that we will get the desired result.  

Lance Zoerhof is a litigator specializing in supply chain and real estate disputes. He regularly counsels suppliers of parts and products in such industries as automotive, furniture, agriculture, heavy machinery, prefab construction, hand tools, consumables (including, dietary supplements) and scores of other consumer products. Lance also counsels developers, governmental entities, associations, and individuals on zoning, easements, boundary lines, leases, restrictive covenants, riparian, mineral, oil and gas and other rights related to their Michigan and regional real estate projects.

  • Protecting Yourself Against Consumer and Visitor Claims During COVID-19,” Warner Webinar, May 21, 2020
  • “Game of Drones,” Real Property Law Conference, Traverse City, Michigan, July 2017
  • “Preparing for Increased Warranty and Recall Risks,” OESA West Michigan Regional Supplier Meeting, December 2016
  • “Top Five Warranty and Indemnity Concerns in Buyer and Seller Terms and Conditions,” Seminar, April 2014
  • Protecting Yourself Against Consumer and Visitor Claims During COVID-19,” Warner Webinar, May 21, 2020
  • “Game of Drones,” Real Property Law Conference, Traverse City, Michigan, July 2017
  • “Preparing for Increased Warranty and Recall Risks,” OESA West Michigan Regional Supplier Meeting, December 2016
  • “Top Five Warranty and Indemnity Concerns in Buyer and Seller Terms and Conditions,” Seminar, April 2014