Bio

Timothy F. Sheridan is a partner and senior litigator in the firm’s Grand Rapids office. He focuses his practice in civil litigation, with an emphasis in trucking and transportation litigation, construction litigation, premises liability, product liability and professional liability, including legal and accounting malpractice matters. 

Mr. Sheridan’s practice includes litigation on behalf of general contractors and construction managers, law firms and accountants regarding professional malpractice claims, and insurance companies providing coverage to policyholders. These frequently high exposure and complex matters include claims of property damage, including fire loss claims, and personal injury, professional malpractice on behalf of insurance carriers and private companies.

Representative Client Work

  • Defended various trucking firms and their drivers in multiple fatality accidents
  • Defended general contractors, construction managers and various subcontractor trades in personal injury actions and large property damage claims exceeding $2 million
  • Defended lawyers and accountants in west Michigan against claims involving legal and accounting malpractice and professional negligence
  • Obtained summary disposition on behalf of Kalamazoo County law firm regarding claims of legal malpractice and professional negligence involving the handling of a wrongful death claim arising out of a motor vehicle accident
  • Successfully defended numerous dram shop claims on behalf of large national restaurant chains through case evaluation, facilitative mediation and dispositive motions on such issues as failure to comply with the statutory “name and retain” provision or failure to comply with other aspects of Michigan’s dram shop statute 
  • Obtained a favorable verdict following an eight-day Allegan County Circuit Court trial on behalf of residential builder client involving claims of negligence, breach of contract and violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act
  • Obtained no cause of action at a binding arbitration on behalf of concrete subcontractor client on a $1.5 million property damage claim involving alleged defective flooring at a west Michigan high school
  • Obtained numerous dismissals via dispositive motions on behalf of restaurants and bars involving dram shop claims pertaining to serious injuries and death
  • Obtained numerous dismissals via dispositive motions on behalf of several general contractors, construction managers and subcontractors involving the Statute of Repose

Professional Memberships

  • Grand Rapids Bar Association (Pro Bono Committee)
  • State Bar of Michigan
  • Incorporated Society of Irish American Attorneys
  • DRI
  • Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
  • Court Appointed Special Advocates (Member, Board of Directors)

Representative Client Work

  • Defended general contractors, construction managers and various subcontractor trades in personal injury actions and large property damage claims exceeding $2 million
  • Defended lawyers and accountants in west Michigan against claims involving legal and accounting malpractice and professional negligence
  • Obtained summary disposition on behalf of Kalamazoo County law firm regarding claims of legal malpractice and professional negligence involving the handling of a wrongful death claim arising out of a motor vehicle accident
  • Successfully defended numerous dram shop claims on behalf of large national restaurant chains through case evaluation, facilitative mediation and dispositive motions on such issues as failure to comply with the statutory “name and retain” provision or failure to comply with other aspects of Michigan’s dram shop statute
  • Obtained a favorable verdict following an eight-day Allegan County Circuit Court trial on behalf of residential builder client involving claims of negligence, breach of contract and violation of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act
  • Obtained no cause of action at a binding arbitration on behalf of concrete subcontractor client on a $1.5 million property damage claim involving alleged defective flooring at a west Michigan high school
  • Defended various trucking firms and their drivers in multiple fatality accidents
  • Obtained numerous dismissals via dispositive motions on behalf of restaurants and bars involving dram shop claims pertaining to serious injuries and death
  • Obtained numerous dismissals via dispositive motions on behalf of several general contractors, construction managers and subcontractors involving the Statute of Repose

Professional Memberships

  • Grand Rapids Bar Association (Pro Bono Committee)
  • State Bar of Michigan
  • Michigan State Bar Foundation (Fellow, 2024)
  • Incorporated Society of Irish American Attorneys
  • DRI
  • Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
  • National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, Michigan Chapter 

Credentials

Education

  • University of Toledo College of Law, J.D., 1993
  • Michigan State University - James Madison College, B.A., 1988

Admissions

  • Michigan, 1995
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 1997

Honors/Awards

Honors & Recognitions

  • Best Lawyers in America® for Construction Litigation / Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants / Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2024 - 2025
  • Moot Court National Trial Team Member

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