Kmiec, Steven G.

David B. Klein

A shareholder with Blake, Symonds, Larson, Kennedy & Smith, P.C., David B. Klein counsels corporate clients, insurers and individuals in liability litigation involving:

• Worker's compensation litigation;
• Insurance coverage litigation;
• Contract litigation; 
• Commercial litigation;
• Negligence/Tort litigation.

Mr. Klein's 15 years of experience in litigating complex coverage, contract, commercial and negligence/tort litigation in conjunction with tort litigation provides unique experience which transcends forums, allowing him to aggressively, creatively and cost effectively defend interests of employers in workers compensation litigation.  Mr. Klein currently defends employers in workers compensation litigation, with focus on the waste hauling, transportation, construction, health care, nursing care and assisted living industries.  He aggressively defends employers in litigated workers compensation claims, yet maintains a pragmatic approach, focusing on well defined, clearly articulated strategic goals.  Mr. Klein's strength is in promptly analyzing legal and factual issues, assessing exposure and formulating a forward thinking, result-oriented defense strategy, calling upon his clients to actively participate in defending all aspects of the claim.  Mr. Klein has successfully defended waste haulers, construction companies and health care providers in many high exposure claims, by thoroughly leveraging factual and legal defenses while maintaining utmost integrity.  Mr. Klein will promptly identify your strategic goals and work pragmatically towards resolving claims within well-articulated parameters.

Mr. Klein has counseled and represented local and national insurance carriers relative to policy application for the past 15 years.  Mr. Klein's insurance coverage practice focuses on application of general liability, employer liability, errors and omissions, pollution, officers and directors, home owners and executive risk policies, together with specialty policies.  Mr. Klein has pursued and obtained summary judgment on behalf of his clients on several key policy issues, including trigger of coverage, flow through liability exposure, bad faith, conditional violations and application of exclusionary provisions.  Approximately 25% of Mr. Klein's practice is devoted to insurance coverage counseling and litigation.  

Mr. Klein has successfully defended a variety of construction contractors, pavers, franchisers, mortgage brokers, mortgage banks, developers, nursing homes, attendant care facilities, and home health care providers in commercial, breach of contract/indemnification, fraud and general negligence litigation.  Mr. Klein's resourceful approach in identifying, illuminating and leveraging relevant facts and legal defenses has earned him the reputation of an aggressive, yet pragmatic advocate.  Mr. Klein's vast experience in civil and administrative law provides him with the unique ability to promptly identify relevant factual and legal issues, instantly assess the impact those issues have on exposure and refine the evolving defense strategy through discovery.  Approximately 25% of Mr. Klein's practice is devoted to commercial, negligence, construction/contract litigation.

Mr. Klein will maintain primary, hands-on involvement in all litigated claims while promoting the Blake Kirchner philosophy of staffing claims with appropriate professionals and paraprofessionals to assist our clients in reaching their cost reduction goals.  Mr. Klein is always available to discuss claim merits, status, directives, exposure and resolution options.  Mr. Klein clearly recognizes that his continued success is entirely dependent on his client's complete satisfaction.

Mr. Klein earned his B. A. in English Literature with distinction and met requirements for a B. S. in Political Science, from Michigan State University in 1987.  Mr. Klein earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Detroit School of Law in 1990.

Mr. Klein is a member of the Negligence and Workers Compensation law sections of the Michigan Bar Association.  He also holds memberships in the Metropolitan Detroit Bar Association and Defense Research Institute.  Mr. Klein is admitted to practice law in all Michigan State courts and administrative forums together with the U. S. Federal District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan.