Law Firm Overview

Faupel, Fraser & Fessler was founded in 1990 by Marian L. Faupel after years of practice with Hill, Lewis, Adams, Goodrich & Tait (Detroit, MI) and Schlussel, Lifton, Simon, Rand, Galvin & Jackier (Southfield, MI). Faupel & Associates quickly established itself in the legal community as an aggressive firm of attorneys, knowledgeable in many areas of law.

In 1993, Faupel, Fraser & Fessler gained recognition nationally as prevailing counsel in the landmark case In Re Clausen ("Baby Jessica" case) that was successfully argued in the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. Ms. Faupel also obtained a jury verdict of $782,000 in a complex securities fraud case, and, in 1996 the Firm prevailed in U.S. District Court on a First Amendment employment claim after securing a jury verdict of $1.2 million. More recently the firm won a landmark decision in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in an Americans with Disabilities case.

Faupel, Fraser & Fessler recruits attorneys who value scholarship. Ms. Faupel has authored 15 law review Publications in the areas of commercial law, tax law, real estate, trusts, and family law. Attorneys with the firm have clerked with the district trial court, the Michigan Court of Appeals, and the Michigan Supreme Court. Three attorneys have been members of their schools' law review. Areas of practice include the trial courts of Southeastern Michigan, both state and federal; the state and federal appellate courts, including the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals; and the United States Supreme Court. Ms. Faupel was also admitted pro hac vice in Indiana and Florida to represent out-of-state clients there.

Today, Faupel, Fraser & Fessler continues its tradition of quality representation of clients in all manner of legal issues. Increasingly, corporate and individual clients look to an aggressive law firm with a record of success coupled with personal attention that is a Faupel, Fraser & Fessler trademark. The Firm is experienced in dealing with high-profile cases that require sensitivity to the media and public opinion, as well as the no less important responsibility of counseling individuals in sensitive personal and business decisions.

Faupel, Fraser & Fessler welcomes the opportunity to consult with and assist other attorneys. If you would like further information, please browse this website or feel free to contact our offices directly.

Areas of Practice

• Administrative Law
• Business & Commercial Law
• Estate Planning
• Family Law 60%
• Litigation & Appeals 25%
• Real Estate Law 10%

Published Works

• Family Law, 1995 Ann. Survey of Mich. Law, 42 Wayne L. Rev. 897, 1996
• Family Law, 1994 Ann. Survey of Mich. Law, 41 Wayne L. Rev. 939, 1995
• The "Baby Jessica Case" and the Claimed Conflict Between Children's and Rights, 40 Wayne L. Rev. 285, 1994
• : Family Law, 1993 Ann. Survey of Mich. Law, 40 Wayne L. Rev. 793, 1994
• Real Property, 1991 Ann. Survey of Mich. Law, 38 Wayne L. Rev. 1185, 1992
• Family Law, 1990 Ann. Survey of Mich. Law, 37 Wayne L. Rev. 857, 1991
• Family Law, 1989 Ann. Survey of Mich. Law, 36 Wayne L. Rev. 611, 1990
• Commercial Contracts and Contracts, 1988 Ann. Survey of Mich. Law, 35 Wayne L. Rev., 361, 1989
• Taxation, 1987 Ann. Survey of Mich. Law, 34 Wayne L. Rev. 1075, 1988
• Real Property Law, 1986 Ann. Survey of Mich. Law, 33 Wayne L. Rev. 767, 1987

Representative Cases

• Coster v. Booras
• : Davison v. Van Wert, 837 F. Supp. 235
• In re Clausen, 442 Mich. 648
• Johnson v. City of Saline, 151 F.3d 564
• Jotham Clement Johnson v. City of Saline, 151 F.3d 564 (6th Cir. 1998)

West Practice Categories

Administrative Law, Business & Commercial Law, Business Organizations, Estate Planning, Family Law, Litigation & Appeals, Probate & Estate Administration, Real Estate Law