Michael Guss

Profile Michael leads the Harvey Kruse, P. C., Grand Blanc / Flint office where his practice has been almost entirely in civil defense litigation including trial court and appellate practice. At Harvey Kruse, Michael developed his trial and appellate skills in a diverse field of practice, while primarily working for insurance carriers, and self-insureds. Michael has litigated cases involving employment law, retaliatory discharge, discharge against public policy, Whistleblowers Act, sexual harassment, age, gender, race discrimination, handicappers liability, FMLA liability, product liability, fire and explosion loss, first and third party automobile liability, premises liability, dramshop law, insurance coverage, negligence, indemnity, fraud, misrepresentation, contractual liability, environmental liability, swimming pool liability, over-the-counter drug liability, covenants not to compete, business entity dissolution, business transaction liability, consumer and warranty law, construction and trucking, excessive force, civil rights, and constitutional claims. Michael has handled regulatory and administrative law situations involving MIOSHA, the MDEQ, the LCC, the MDCR, and the EEOC. Michael tried two lengthy death cases, one involving an auto accident/products liability claim, and one involving allegations of malpractice in emergency medical services, both to No-Cause jury verdicts. In addition to trying cases in multiple circuit courts and district courts across the state, Michael has also engaged in a significant appellate court practice. Michael has drafted, contributed to and/or argued appellate cases involving issues of environmental law, swimming pool liability, over-the-counter drug liability, premises liability, first and third-party automobile negligence, excessive force/police misconduct, and employment/constitutional. Since Michael was time-eligible, he was selected and has served as a defense case evaluator on the Civil Tort and several Other Case designation panels for Genesee County. Trusted and respected by his peers and firms competitors, Michael has long served as defense arbitrator in tort and contract cases. Michael has composed and drafted seminar treatises and compendiums and presented educational seminars in employment law, premises liability, first and third party Michigan no-fault law, uninsured/underinsured motorist law, scar evaluation, dog bite law, deposition taking and mediation/case evaluation briefing and argument. Mike has lived in rural Rose Township in Northern Oakland County for over 25 years where he resides with his wife Rita Lauer-Guss (also an attorney) and their ten-year-old son, Damien. Mike has three older adult children. When not vigorously litigating, Mike enjoys as hobbies dirt and road motorcycling and wrenching, shooting, house projects and travel - particularly in South and Central America. Employment Board of Directors at Harvey Kruse, P. C. (2017-Present) Shareholder at Harvey Kruse, P. C. (1997-Present) Associate Attorney at Harvey Kruse, P. C. (1990-1997) Honors and Awards Michigan Super Lawyers, 2024 Publications and Speeches Michael has composed and drafted seminar treatises and compendiums and presented educational seminars in employment law, premises liability, first and third-party Michigan no-fault law, uninsured/underinsured motorist law, scar evaluation, dog bite law, deposition taking and mediation/case evaluation briefing and argument.