Kellie L. Howard
Kellie L. Howard
248-663-7715
Summary
Kellie is a native Ann Arborite turned proud Spartan alumni. When she was at Georgetown for law school, one of her classmates exclaimed “wow, you must have done really well” when she explained she was from the “other” Michigan Big Ten school. At times like those, Kellie’s enduring humor and humility have served her well.
Some people want to be a lawyer because they enjoy making arguments. For Kellie, it has always been about figuring it out. She finds the most enjoyment in identifying all the pieces of a matter and developing a strategy to make them fit her client’s needs.
If you ask Kellie’s clients to describe her, they would say that Kellie works with them as a business partner who is committed to understanding and achieving their overarching goals. Her charismatic personality and engaging speaking style have also made Kellie her client’s choice of a skilled trial attorney.
Kellie’s career began with the representation of clients involved in complex commercial and general liability litigation matters but has evolved over time. Kellie now also advises clients regarding risk strategy, complex discovery matters and a wide range of contract and indemnity matters. Kellie’s clients include Fortune 500 companies in the public utility, automotive and health care sectors.
In addition to her legal work, Kellie currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Collins Einhorn. Kellie’s election was historically significant when she became the only and youngest ethnic minority to hold this position at a majority owned law firm in the State of Michigan. Kellie was honored but not surprised stating “that’s how our firm is. It’s a place where anyone with the will and talent can succeed.” Kellie and her co-managing partner are focused on strategic expansion of the firm reaching new markets, fortifying longstanding client relationships and bolstering a culture of progress and inclusion.
In her spare time, Kellie hides snacks from her children and imagines a number of home DIY projects that she has neither the skill nor the time to complete.
Practice Areas
Credentials
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center (J.D. 2005)
- Michigan State University (B.A. with honors, 2001)
Admissions
- State Bar of Michigan
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
Professional Activities
- Detroit Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute
- National Bar Association
- Straker Bar Association
- Wolverine Bar Association
- National African American Insurance Association
- Claims Legal Management
Accomplishments
- CLM Professional of the Year
- Young Outside Counsel (2019)
- Super Lawyers™
- Professional Liability – Defense (2024)
- Rising Star (2016-2019)
- Michigan Lawyers Weekly
- Managing Partners in the Spotlight (2024)
- Leaders in the Law (2022)
- Women Leaders in the Law (2017)
Prominent Outcomes
Obtained summary disposition in Wayne County Circuit Court on behalf of a public school district and the school itself, cutting off a multimillion dollar liability exposure.
Successful first chair trial representation in first party no-fault auto litigation.
Successful first chair trial representation in breach of contract litigation.
Successful trial representation in premises liability litigation.
Won summary disposition in the Oakland County Circuit Court in a legal malpractice case on behalf of the attorney defendant pursuant to a complex causation argument.
Won summary disposition in the Wayne County Circuit Court on behalf of the defendant apartment complex in a premises liability case in which plaintiff claimed that the defendant allowed a nuisance to exist on the premises.
Won summary disposition in the Wayne County Circuit Court on behalf of the defendant storage unit owner on a breach of contract claim.
Won summary disposition in the Oakland County Circuit Court on behalf of the attorney defendant in a legal malpractice case involving claims by a criminal defendant against his appellate counsel.
Won summary disposition in the Macomb County Circuit Court (later affirmed by the Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court) on behalf of the employer in a case involving the exclusive remedy provision of the Workers Compensation Disability Act.
Won summary disposition in the St. Joseph County Circuit Court on behalf of a real estate agency and its agent in a professional liability action including claims by a home purchaser of misrepresentation and fraud.
Won summary disposition in the Midland County Circuit Court on behalf of the defendant hotel owner on the issue of a release relative to the hotels private fitness center.
Won summary disposition in the Wayne County Circuit Court on behalf of the defendant bank on the issue of release and waiver of claim by the plaintiff following an injury.
Won multiple summary disposition motions and sanctions against plaintiff in the Wayne County Circuit Court on behalf of the attorney-client who was being harassed by repetitive litigation regarding her conservatorship of an estate in which plaintiff was involved.
Won summary disposition in the Kent County Circuit Court on behalf of defendant packaging company in a product liability case involving failure to warn and breach of warranty claims.
Publications & Speaking Engagements
The Path to Diversity: A View From the Road, OCBA LACHES (September 2016)
Autonomous Vehicle Liability and Insurable Risks for the 2018 London Insurance Markets Conference.
Cyber Liability and Data Privacy- A Public Entity Perspective for the 2019 Claims Legal Management Conference.
Autonomous Vehicle Liability Presentation Regarding Emerging Risks Issues and Technological Advancements for the 2018 Risk Management Society Annual Conference.
Large Loss Exposure Management Panel Presentation Regarding Managing Cases and Claims Involving Catastrophic Injuries and Large Loss Exposure for the 2018 Americas Claims Events Annual Conference.
Kellie has spoken to various groups on the topic of risk prevention and management.
News & Insights
Collins Einhorn Farrell PC is pleased to announce that 21 of our firm’s lawyers have been included in the 2024 editions of Super Lawyers. Five of the 21 recognized lawyers have been included in the Rising Stars edition, which recognizes attorneys who are early in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an integral part of our daily lives, whether we realize it or not. Despite ongoing speculation about AI having the capacity to replace us all, we assure you it does not. There is, however, an ongoing enthusiasm to harness the technology, which has been around for decades, but has recently become…
CEF is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion as an internal priority. We believe that investing in our local community is part and parcel of our commitment. Developing pipelines of diverse talented young people ensures that our legacy of diversity will continue into the future. We are pleased to share that attorneys Kellie Howard-Goudy, Nicole…
Collins Einhorn Farrell PC is pleased to announce that sixteen attorneys have been named to the 2021 “Top Lawyers” list by DBusiness magazine: David C. Anderson Legal Malpractice Law Professional Malpractice Law Product Liability Joshua I. Arnkoff Legal Malpractice Law Professional Malpractice Law Theresa M. Asoklis Legal Malpractice Law Professional Malpractice Law Donald D. Campbell…
In litigation, there are limited circumstances that require an attorney to withdraw from representation of a client. Barring these circumstances, most of which commonly involve illegal or fraudulent conduct on the part of the client, the attorney may still find herself seeking termination of the attorney-client relationship. With the permission of the court, the attorney…
On Monday, April 17, 2018, attorney Kellie L. Howard-Goudy will be speaking at the Risk Management Society, RIMS, Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Ms. Howard-Goudy will speak at one of the conference’s “innovation hubs,” which are focused on cutting-edge developments in topics related to risk management. Ms. Howard-Goudy’s session is entitled Autonomous Vehicles: The Present, the Future, and Insurable Risks. The presentation contains a detailed analysis of technical developments in the autonomous-vehicle industry and an outline of risk issues affecting insurers. Ms. Howard-Goudy will be joined by Timothy D. Crawley, Esq. (Anderson, Crawley & Burke, PLLC) who will discuss current regulatory efforts in the autonomous-vehicle industry. Information covered will include emerging issues with data privacy and ethical issues related to artificial intelligence.
We are pleased to announce that our partner Kellie L. Howard-Goudy has been named a 2017 Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Women in the Law Award recipient. The selection criteria included commitment to excellence in the practice of law, inspiring and accomplished leadership in the profession, mentoring and significant contributions of time and effort to volunteer and pro bono activities. Howard-Goudy is one of 30 distinguished lawyers who were chosen to receive this prestigious award. Click on the headline to read the full announcement.
Attorneys Kellie L. Howard-Goudy and Michael J. Cook obtained summary disposition on behalf of a public school district and the school itself, cutting off a multimillion dollar liability exposure. The plaintiff, arguing the case in Wayne County Circuit Court, asserted negligence and gross negligence claims based on a paralyzing injury he suffered during football practice. He claimed that the operation of the school football team was negligent and unauthorized. Howard-Goudy and Cook asserted and the Court agreed that the school district, which was an “educational authority” instead of a typical school district, was entitled to governmental immunity.