Michael B. Serling

Founder, Former Shareholder & Of Counsel

Michael B. Serling is the founder of the law firm and has been practicing law since 1970. He has been handling asbestos-related cancer cases since 1975. He was the first attorney in Michigan to file an asbestos-related wrongful death action on behalf of the family of a victim of mesothelioma cancer. He was also the first attorney in Michigan to win a substantial jury verdict in an asbestos-related disease case. His firm now handles mesothelioma cases throughout the United States and internationally.

Mr. Serling graduated from Michigan State University in 1966 with a degree in history and a secondary education teaching degree. He taught in the city of Detroit while attending law school at night. He graduated from Detroit College of Law in 1970 (now the Michigan State University College of Law).

Mr. Serling has been very passionate in his fight for the rights of asbestos disease victims. “The rights of American workers have been trampled upon. Nowhere is that more glaring than in the tragedy that has befallen the victims of asbestos-related mesothelioma and lung cancer. Each year thousands of men and women die of these dreaded diseases. These deaths could have been avoided if Asbestos manufacturers and suppliers had looked out for and protected the men and women who built our country through their hard work. It has been my mission for the past 45 years to fight for the rights of those men and women and their families victimized by the tragedy of asbestos disease and death.”

He was selected to represent most school districts in the state of Michigan in a class action suit against asbestos manufacturers to help schools with the costs of removing asbestos products from their buildings. The suit was extremely successful in aiding schools in making them safer for students, teachers, custodians, and other staff members.

Sarah Porretta

Legal Assistant to Michael Serling

Member

State Bar of Michigan, American Association for Justice, Michigan Association for Justice, Oakland County and American Bar Associations, Anti-Defamation League Board, Chair, Advisory Board for the MSU Serling Institute for Jewish Studies and Modern Israel, Wayne County Circuit Court Steering Committee for Asbestos Litigation, Trustee, Beaumont Health Foundation, Member of Detroit Sympathy Orchestra Governing Members Cultural Assessment Task Force.

 

Practice Areas

Author

  • “Asbestos and the Law,” Michigan Bar Journal” Asbestos Litigation in Michigan: The Case for Schools,” Michigan School Board Journal” Asbestos Litigation: A Ten-Year Perspective,” Laches (Oakland County Bar Journal)
  • “Asbestos Toxic Tort Litigation,” Laches (Oakland County Bar Journal)
  • “Asbestos Litigation: Toward Toxic Tort Liability,” Michigan Trial Lawyers Association Report
  • “Asbestos Disease Litigation – The American Experience,” Preservation of Our World in the Wake of Change – Jerusalem Israel Conference
  • “Asbestos Litigation in Michigan” – Lawyers Weekly Newspaper
  • “Asbestos Litigation in Michigan” – Building Trades Newspaper
  • “Update on Asbestos Litigation” – Local 58 Electrician Retirees bulletin

Instructor

  • Detroit Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, “The Asbestos Dilemma”
  • Michigan Board of School Administrators Seminar, “Asbestos in the Schools”
  • Michigan Trial Lawyers Association Seminar, “Toxic Torts” Multiple Seminars for Michigan Building Trades
  • Seminar for Michigan Asbestos Insulation Unions at Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak, MI

Visiting Professor

  • Law and Environment – Michigan State University, Law College, and College of Agricultural and Natural Resources
  • Medical and Legal issues related to asbestos exposure and diseases – University of Michigan medical school.

 

Honors

  • Michigan Bar Association 50 years of service
  • Michigan Holocaust Memorial Center honoree
  • Michigan State University Philanthropist Award
  • Michigan State University Distinguished Alumni Award
Firm Highlights

News Articles
Celebrities Who Died from Mesothelioma

8 Celebrities Who Died from Mesothelioma

8 celebrities who fought against mesothelioma, how they were exposed to asbestos, and how their battles made a difference in raising awareness and advocating for those facing the same fate.

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wrongful death attorneys

Does My Case Qualify as a Wrongful Death?

Does my case qualify as a wrongful death? Caring for a loved one suffering from an asbestos-related illness can be both physically and emotionally exhausting. When that loved one passes away, it can leave family members grieving and questioning whether...

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peritoneal mesothelioma

What is Peritoneal Mesothelioma?

Understanding Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Causes, Symptoms, and Legal Support Peritoneal mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer that develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneum. This form of mesothelioma is directly linked to asbestos exposure, with...

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Personal Injury Attorney

Asbestos Personal Injury Attorney

Asbestos Personal Injury Attorney Receiving a mesothelioma or lung cancer diagnosis is an overwhelming experience — don’t let finding an attorney to represent you add to your burden. Using an experienced Michigan asbestos personal injury attorney located in your area...

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mesothelioma treatment

Mesothelioma Treatment

Understanding Mesothelioma Treatment Options: A Comprehensive Guide Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is a life-changing moment. After delivering the news, your physician should discuss the best mesothelioma treatment options for someone with your specific condition. The best course of action usually...

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mesothelioma lawsuits

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Mesothelioma Lawsuits: A Comprehensive Guide When choosing a law firm to represent you in a mesothelioma case, there is much to consider. The location of the law firm, their knowledge of the local laws, and their expertise in asbestos-related illnesses...

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Roosevelt School

Local Resident Concerned About the Safety of Potential Roosevelt School Demolition

Safety of Potential Roosevelt School Demolition OAKLAND COUNTY, MI – The Keego Harbor Community is grappling with the planned demolition of Roosevelt Elementary School by the West Bloomfield School District. Local resident, Eric Abramson is the president and shareholder of...

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Canadian Asbestos

Helping Canadian Asbestos Victims Find Justice In Michigan

Helping Canadian Asbestos Victims Set to open in Fall 2025, the Gordie Howe International Bridge is a new way to let Americans and Canadians travel back and forth across an international border for work and recreation. Earlier options such as...

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Mesothelioma cancer

Resources For Mesothelioma Patients

The isolation you may feel after a mesothelioma cancer diagnosis can be almost as overwhelming as the effects of the illness itself. Fortunately, there are many groups of mesothelioma patients (and their families) who are willing to open up, offer support, and make you feel like part of a larger community.

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