About Martha J. Olijnyk

Martha J. Olijnyk focuses her efforts in the areas of business and commercial litigation, including complex litigation, complex contracts, automotive supplier counseling and litigation, non-competition agreements, and shareholder and partnership disputes. She also practices in the areas of class action litigation (plaintiff and defense) and bankruptcy (creditor and debtor). Since 2012, Ms. Olijnyk has led the firm’s Automotive Supplier Dispute Resolution and Litigation Practice area. Ms. Olijnyk has achieved excellent results at trial and arbitration, as well as in negotiating settlements. Her clients range from Fortune 500 companies to small local businesses and individuals.

Ms. Olijnyk’s work has been recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly and Crain’s Detroit Business. Michigan Lawyers Weekly named Ms. Olijnyk to its list of Women in the Law, Class of 2019 for her commitment to excellence in the practice of law. Crain’s Detroit Business named Ms. Olijnyk as one of its inaugural Notable Women Lawyers in Michigan for 2017 and she was recognized again for 2024. Michigan Super Lawyers magazine has also honored Ms. Olijnyk, naming her to its lists of Michigan’s Top 100 Lawyers, Top 50 Business Lawyers, top 50 Women Lawyers, and Top 25 Women Business Lawyers. In 2014, she became a Fellow with the Oakland County Bar Foundation.

Ms. Olijnyk is active in several professional and community organizations. She was President of the Rochester Bar Association and was the Dean for the Metropolitan Detroit Alumni Senate of Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity International. Ms. Olijnyk has been a Barrister member of The Oakland County Bar Association Americans Inns of Court. She also serves on the Paint Creek Trailways Commission and has volunteered as a mock trial judge for the Michigan Center for Civic Education.

Representative Matters

Ms. Olijnyk practices in the State and Federal trial courts throughout Michigan and has argued before the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York. Ms. Olijnyk is admitted to practice in Michigan, the Eastern and Western District Courts of Michigan, including the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Obtained Preliminary Injunction to Enforce Auto Supply Agreement

Secured a preliminary injunction to enforce an automotive supply agreement as to the allocation of tariff obligations.

Defense of Breach of Tooling Contract Action

Obtained full dismissal of a tool maker’s claims for damages exceeding $500,000 dollars against a Tier 1 automotive supplier.

Enforcement of Auto Supply Contract Rights and Defense of Breach of Contract and Misappropriation of Trade Secrets Counterclaim

Successfully defended a claim for tens of millions of dollars brought by a Tier 2 automotive supplier against the replacement Tier 2 supplier and the Tier 1. The original Tier 2 alleged misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract, theft, and tortious interference with contract. Obtained an arbitration award that the replacement Tier 2 and the Tier 1 were not liable on any of the claims and the claimant was awarded nothing.

Settlement of Breach of Acquisition Agreement

Defended and settled an arbitration by a private equity firm against the prototyping company that it had acquired. Claims included breach of warranties as to the condition of the business and defenses included mismanagement by the new managers of the company, poor customer service, and poor quality under the new management.

Settlement of Automotive Raw Material Supply Agreement

Settled a case for a Tier 1 automotive supplier, obtaining six figures from its raw material supplier who refused to honor purchase orders to supply raw material. The settlement was reached after Miller Law successfully proved liability against the raw material supplier at trial.

Obtained Temporary Restraining Orders (TRO) to Enforce Auto Supply Agreements

Obtained temporary restraining orders in several matters over the years, ordering Tier 2 suppliers to continue to supply at contract prices after their attempt to extract higher prices due to fluctuations in raw material prices and other reasons.

Represented a Tier 1 automotive supplier who set off over $700,000 in charge backs for expedited supply due to Tier 2 delay. Obtained a total victory in favor of client at arbitration, with the arbitrator validating the set off.

Enforcement of Contract for Consumer Packaged Good

Obtained a jury verdict in favor of client manufacturer on a liability issue related to product raw materials and successfully defended verdict on appeal.

Enforcement of Distribution Agreement

Obtained over $2 million award on behalf of international supplier of HVAC equipment.

Drafting and Revising Automotive Supplier Documents

Drafted and updated purchasing terms and conditions, award letters, exit agreements, and license agreements.

Dispute Resolution

Negotiated and advised clients on pre-litigation dispute resolutions

Professional Activities

  • Oakland County Bar Association
  • Oakland County Bar Association Inns of Court
  • Oakland County Bar Association, Business Court and Counsel Committee
  • Oakland County Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Rochester Bar Association (President, 2016-2017)
  • Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity International, Metropolitan Detroit Alumni Senate (Dean, 2006 and Officer and Board of Governor Member, 2004-2020)