Photo of Attorney Adam C. Sturdivant

Adam C. Sturdivant

Partner

Paralegal
Biography

After earning his law degree from The Ohio State University and practicing in Columbus, Ohio, Adam returned to Michigan and joined Drew, Cooper & Anding in 2008. He was named Partner in 2011.

Adam’s blend of litigation and transactional work concentrates in the areas of labor-employment, catastrophic injuries, and contract matters involving real estate and business transactions. A fierce competitor and strategist, Adam helped achieve multi-million dollar results across his disciplines since joining DCA in cases involving construction site injuries, sexual harassment in the workplace, and wrongful death.

Adam has annually been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star since 2013 and by National Trial Lawyers as a Top 40 Under 40 attorney since 2014.

Bar Admissions
  • State Bar of Michigan
  • United States District Court – Western and Eastern Districts of Michigan
  • Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • State Bar of Ohio
  • United States District Court – Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio
Notable Cases

Selected reported cases include:

  • Denhollander, et al. v. Michigan State University, Lawrence Nassar,– $500 Million: Partnered with Manly, Stewart, Finaldi (Irvine, CA) White Law PLLC (Okemos, MI), and Dalton & Associates (Wilmington, DE), representing 180 plaintiffs who are survivors of sexual abuse by former U.S. Olympic and Michigan State physician Larry Nassar. A historic settlement was reached with Michigan State University for $500 Million. The case has increased national awareness of institutional and culturally normalized sexual abuse.
  • John Doe, et al. v. The University of Michigan, et al. - $490 Million: Partnered with Manly Stewart Finaldi, Grewal Law, and Dalton & Associates, representing over 200 claimants who are survivors of sexual abuse and assault by former University of Michigan doctor Robert Anderson, the parties reached a global settlement of $490 million for 1,072 survivors. The case has continued to move forward the conversation regarding sexual assault and abuse of student athletes, college students, and other vulnerable populations.
  • Denhollander, et al. v. USA Gymnastics, United States Olympic Committee, Twistars USA, et al. – $380 Million: Partnered with MSF, White Law, and Dalton & Associates, representing 137 claimants who are survivors of sexual abuse by Larry Nassar. The case resolved in 2021 following a 2018 bankruptcy filing by USA Gymnastics and several rounds of mediation. Importantly, the settlement provided funding and commitment for extensive non-monetary reforms including a comprehensive restorative justice plain aimed to target athlete safety and wellness.
  • Waldo v. Consumers Energy – $7.9 Million: As a journeyman in a male-dominated field, Plaintiff suffered several years of sex/gender-based discrimination, harassment, and unfair treatment which went unaddressed by the company. A jury returned a verdict of $7.9 Million for Ms. Waldo’s harassment in the workplace.
  • Mullins v. Pearson Construction Company, et al. – $4.05 Million: While attempting to help a co-worker lay roofing membrane near an uncovered, unprotected 11-foot-by-11-foot opening on the roof of a facility, Mr. Mullins, a military veteran, fell approximately 23 feet from the roof onto a concrete floor suffering serious injury including a life-threatening traumatic brain injury. The case was settled prior to trial for the plaintiff for $4.05 Million.
  • McKinley v. County of Muskegon, et al. – $1.55 Million: During a struggle with deputies at the Muskegon County Jail, Mr. McKinley was handcuffed to a restraint chair, pepper sprayed with no decontamination of the spray residue, had a spit-hood placed over his face, and was left alone for a period of time, during which he asphyxiated and died. The wrongful death police misconduct case was settled prior to trial for $1.55 Million.
  • Hayes v. Enviro-Clean Services - $1.25 Million: While assisting a friend with a stalled vehicle, Mr. Hayes, a pedestrian, was struck from behind by a distracted driver and suffered catastrophic injuries including multiple debilitating fractures to his legs and feet amongst other severe injuries.
  • The Estate of Jonathan Sper v. Kent County, Michigan - $975,000.00: A wrongful death lawsuit brought on behalf of the estate of a 30-year-old man who needed mental health assistance, but was instead shot and killed by law enforcement. After extensive discovery and summary judgment briefing, the District Court for the Western District of Michigan issued an opinion denying the shooting deputy qualified immunity. While pending on appeal before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the case settled for $975,000.00.
  • Estate of William Griffin v. City of Muskegon, et. al. – $775,000.00: While in custody of Muskegon police officers, Mr. Griffin died after being pepper sprayed and denied medical attention. The wrongful death police misconduct case was settled prior to trial for $775,000.00.
  • The Estate of Joseph Jerome Falarski v. Grand Rapids Home for Veterans – $775,000.00: A wrongful death lawsuit brought on behalf of the estate an 88-year-old World War II veteran who suffered multiple falls, the final fall causing facial fractures and leading to Mr. Falarski’s death. The Estate argued that the GRHV did not have sufficient staff to care for its patients, and that those assigned to care for Falarski failed to regularly check on him, ignored fall alarms, and failed to assist him during transfers. After several attempts to have the case dismissed, including multiple motions for summary disposition filed by the GRHV, and appeals to the MCOA and MSC following summary disposition denials, the case was settled for $775,000.00.
  • Doe, et al. v. United States Professional Tennis Assoc., Minges Creek Racquet Club, Jason Bettuo, etc. – Confidential settlement for sexual abuse of minors who were sexually abused by their tennis coach.
  • Estate of Tyler Barker v. Seney Snowmobile Association, et al.Confidential settlement: A wrongful death lawsuit was settled confidentially for the estate of a 20-year-old man who, while attempting to repair a hydraulic cylinder, suffered a fatal crush injury by a 2,000-pound wing of a snow Groomer.
  • Semelbauer v. Muskegon County– Co-counsel with the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of 12 female inmates who faced gender-based harassment and mistreatment by guards while incarcerated. The case resulted in a monetary settlement and policy reforms requiring jail guards to announce themselves before entering housing units of the opposite sex, limiting the entry of male staff and trustees into female housing units (e.g., not during shower times), requiring distribution of feminine hygiene products regularly at the same time as medication, allowing women to request gym access, and, limiting cell lock-downs to 15 hours.
  • Sanders, et al. v. City of Benton Harbor, et al. – Confidential settlement for 14 individuals in a multi-plaintiff lawsuit against the City of Benton Harbor and former Benton Harbor Police officers who falsified evidence and lied during criminal proceedings to secure Plaintiffs’ wrongful arrests and convictions.
  • Tarratt-Hill v. Shape Corp. – Confidential settlement for employee who suffered a catastrophic crush injury to his right arm as a result of the company’s failure to provide proper safety and staffing during repair of a dock-leveler.
  • Birru, et al v. Metro Cab of Detroit, et al. – Confidential settlement for 14 cab drivers (of Ethiopian, Jordanian, and Eritrean descent) who experienced discrimination and harassment based on their religion and color/race including unequal pay, unfair assignments of vehicles, scheduled runs resulting in longer work hours for lower pay, and other inequities.
Professional Associations
  • Grand Rapids Bar Association (Board Member - Trustee)
  • Co-chair GRBA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
  • Women’s Resource Center (Board Member)