Joel Alpert
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
1969 – 1970 | Michigan State University
1970 – 1973 | Wayne State University
Received Bachelor of Arts Degree
1973 – 1976 | Detroit College of Law
Received Juris Doctor Degree
1977 – Present | Continuing Legal Education
Studies in the area of Civil Litigation and Procedure, Workers’ Disability Compensation, Negligence, Michigan No-Fault Insurance Law, Litigation Strategies, Depositions
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
1974 – 1976 | Lopatin, Miller, Bindes & Freedman
Detroit, Michigan
Position Held: Law Clerk
Duties included preparation of cases for trial, research and writing of appellate briefs, client contact, and assisting attorneys in court.
1977-1985 | Lopatin, Miller, Bindes & Freedman
Detroit, Michigan
Position Held: Associate Attorney Specializing in Workers’ Disability Compensation and Social Security Disability Law.
Duties included trial preparation, trials, and appellate practice.
1985 – Present | Law Offices of Alpert & Alpert
Southfield, Michigan
Position Held: Owner and Principle Attorney
Duties include trial preparation, trials and appellate practice, organizing and controlling a law office with one full-time attorney, several Of Counsel attorneys, and several paralegals, clerks, and secretaries. Responsible for all aspects of the practice from administrative functions through, and including, engaging in all aspects of civil litigation.
Practice has included workers’ compensation, general negligence, motor vehicle negligence, first party no-fault practice, counseling of disabled individuals, Social Security Disability law, trial and appellate practice, investigation and preparation of products liability and professional negligence cases, corporate employment affairs counseling, and commercial and residential real estate. Most recently practice has been limited exclusively to representing claimants in workers’ compensation proceedings.
ELECTED POSITIONS
June 2009
Chairperson of the State Bar of Michigan, Workers Disability Compensation Section Council.
June 2008
Vice-Chair of the State Bar of Michigan, Workers Disability Compensation Section Council.
June 2007
Secretary of the State Bar of Michigan, Workers Disability Compensation Section Council.
June 2006
Treasurer of the State Bar of Michigan, Worker’s Disability Compensation Section Council.
APPOINTMENTS
Chairman, Workers’ Compensation Committee of the Executive Board of the Michigan Association for Justice (formerly Michigan Trial Lawyer’s Association), 2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012
Co-Chairman, Workers’ Compensation Committee of the Executive Board of the Michigan Association for Justice (formerly Michigan Trial Lawyer’s Association) 1998-1999; 1999-2000; 2000-2001; 2001-2002; 2002-2003; 2003-2004
Co-Chairman, Listserv Committee of the Executive Board of the Michigan Association for Justice, 2007-2008; 2008-2009; 2009-2010
Member, Listserv Committee of the Executive Board of the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association 2000-2001
Member, Amicus Committee of the Executive Board of the Michigan Association for Justice (formerly Michigan Trial Lawyer’s Association), 2005-2006, 2006-2007
Member, Worker’s Compensation Committee of the Executive Board of the Michigan Trial Lawyer’s Association 2004-2005, 2012 -present
Member, Governor’s Workers’ Compensation Efficiency Initiative Task Force, January, 2010
Member – Board of Directors of the Workplace Injury Law & Advocacy Group 2012 – present
Member – Federal Legislative Committee of the Workplace Injury Law & Advocacy Group 2009-2016
Member – Advisory Board of the Workplace Injury Law & Advocacy Group 2010
State Captain, Workplace Injury Law & Advocacy Group 2010-present
Member – Workplace Injury Law & Advocacy Group, 25th Anniversary Convention Committee Membership Hall of Fame, Workplace Injury Law & Advocacy Group
CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
Decisions on cases published in the Michigan Reports, Michigan Court of Appeals Reports, Workers’ Compensation Appellate Commission Reporter, Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board Opinion Reporter, Trial Magazine, and Michigan Lawyer’s Weekly.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Fellow – College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
Member – State Bar of Michigan
Admitted to practice in State of Michigan – May, 1977- Present
Admitted to practice before United States Courts – May, 1977 – Present
Sustaining Member – Michigan Association for Justice
Member – Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Member – American Association for Justice
Board Member – Workplace Injury Litigation Group