Published on Dec 20, 2017

Miller Law Firm attorneys, Sharon Almonrode and Martha Olijnyk were recently named among the most notable women lawyers in Michigan by Crain’s Detroit Business.

Sharon S. Almonrode

When Sharon Almonrode wins, she wins big.

“Ms. Almonrode is a brilliant, tenacious trial lawyer, and you want her on your side and never against you,” said Norman Lippitt, a former Oakland County circuit judge.

Almonrode oversees more than 90 class action lawsuits related to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, pension funds, financial services, consumer protections, securities, antitrust and more.

Almonrode, who currently sits on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the highly publicized Epipen consumer pricing controversy, also is a member of numerous legal associations and on the board of advisers of the Detroit Urban Debate League.

In the past two years, she has been lead or co-lead counsel in two class action suits netting 100 percent recovery of attorneys’ fees and damages, with one suit awarded more than $51 million. In five years, Almonrode has played a role in recovering more than $500 million.

She also set a legal precedent by successfully litigating an unusual case against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan claiming that highly compensated retirees could assert claims when their employer erred in applying tax liability.

Martha J. Olijnyk

Martha Olijnyk, barrister of the Oakland County Bar Association, began leading her firm’s automotive litigation and counseling practice group in 2012.

Over the past two years, she has defended an $80 million dispute involving a tier two supplier and was the lead attorney for two successful trials, valued at $12 million, involving two tier one automotive suppliers. She also prevailed at a jury trial involving intellectual property and trade secrets.

“She is exceptionally well-organized, thoughtful and doesn’t back down when she knows she’s on the right side,” said Marc Newman, a senior partner at Miller Law.

Said Miller Law partner Kevin O’Shea: “I’ve often marveled at Martha’s enviable ability to remain calm and focused, even in the midst of the most intense litigation hurricanes. Her unique combination of skills has made her that rare lawyer — successful in the extreme, yet well-liked and respected by all.”

Besides her legal cases, Olijnyk worked with outside vendors and trained attorneys and staff when she led her firm’s transition to a new electronic case management system.