John P. Jacobs

Approaching $3 Billion in Judgments Reversed on Appeal

John P. Jacobs

John P. Jacobs

jpj@jacobsdiemer.com


University of Detroit
(B.A. Cum Laude 1967)


University of Detroit
School of Law, J.D.,
(Magna Cum Laude 1970)
(First in Law Class Rank)

Successful Reversal Of Judgment With More Than $2 Billion At Stake

When a major American company was tagged with a multi-billion dollar exposure in a major health care regulatory matter, Mr. Jacobs was retained to seek a reversal of this staggering liability. Mr. Jacobs′ appeal resulted in the “bet the company” judgment being completely wiped off the books as the award was vacated by the Michigan Appellate Courts. The staggering liability was completely eliminated, when John Jacobs was Lead Counsel. See In re 1987 88 Medical Doctor Provider Class Plan, 203 Mich App 707; 514 NW2d 471 (1994), lv den, 448 Mich 869, 530 NW2d 748 (1995).


$20 Million Wrongful Death Verdict Eliminated, New Trial Ordered

The elimination of this enormous verdict owes to Mr. Jacobs′ active participation in the early stages of this trial, beginning with jury selection where the error that ultimately compelled a reversal in the Michigan Supreme Court was committed. Mr. Jacobs worked hand in hand with the trial attorney to preserve the issue that ultimately carried the day in the Supreme Court of Michigan, which held that plaintiff′s counsel and the trial court committed a constitutional error by using race as a criteria during the jury selection process. The benefit of Mr. Jacobs′ early involvement in this case is further reflected in his fleshing out of the error during post-trial motions where the trial court made a number of inflammatory statements on the record, which were used to help convince the Supreme Court to reverse the $20 million judgment. See Pellegrino v Ampco Sys Parking, 486 Mich 330; 785 NW2d 45 (2010).


$38 Million Medical Malpractice Verdict Vacated on Appeal

Mr. Jacobs vigorous advocacy on behalf of an OB-GYN who specialized in high-risk labor and deliveries resulted in the Supreme Court of Michigan ultimately vacating the jury verdict and compelling entry of a Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict. The judgment was staggering, but ultimately held to be have been predicated on an invalid causation theory that did not pass the requisite Davis-Frye standard for admissibility. For this appellate reversal, Mr. Jacobs was honored by Michigan Lawyer′s Weekly as “Lawyer of the Year”. See Craig v. Oakwood Hospital, 471 Mich 67; 684 NW2d 296 (2004). Click here to read the profile of Mr. Jacobs′ published by Michigan Lawyers Weekly which named him a Lawyer of the Year for his reversal in the Craig decision