Getting to Know: Matthew Klakulak

Personal injury attorney Matthew Klakulak, a resident of Lathrup Village, leads the appellate practice of the Southfield law firm of Giroux Amburn, P.C.  He joined the firm following five years handling appeals for the Fieger Law Firm.

Klakulak, who earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and his J.D., cum laude, from Wayne State University Law School, has handled more than 60 appeals to the Michigan Court of Appeals, Michigan Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and other appellate courts.

He has more than 17 years of litigation experience focusing on briefing and arguing dispositive motions in both state and federal trial courts. These cases provided the opportunity to represent individuals who have been wronged and have suffered serious personal injury. 

Many of his cases have involved extremely complex, research-intensive issues and multi-million dollar injuries and jury verdicts.

Issues addressed involved personal injury, governmental immunity, medical malpractice, insurance coverage, vicarious liability, employment law, criminal defense, and many others.

In 2012, Klakulak — who clerked for Justice Marilyn Kelly of the Michigan Supreme Court — was named a fellow to the Michigan State Bar Foundation, which extends fellowship to lawyers who demonstrate “outstanding legal ability and devotion to community.” 

Fellow membership is limited and may not exceed five percent of the total active membership of the State Bar of Michigan.

By Jo Mathis
Legal News

What is your proudest moment as a lawyer? Obtaining a reversal of a criminal conviction on appeal for an individual who was being railroaded by the prosecution.

My client’s family was suing the police department for their use of excessive force in killing a young family member and the prosecution — in retaliation —came up with incredible jailhouse snitch testimony to charge (and convict, at least initially) my client with aiding and abetting an earlier crime.
I was able to demonstrate the jury in its deliberations was confused and/or compromised to reach its verdict and on that basis obtained a new trial.

What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received? That I’m compassionate and have a big heart. Sometimes in my day-to-day life I can be intense, serious and competitive.

I think many people think attorneys — particularly trial attorneys — are really tough fighters.

Well, we are. But it comes from a place of passion and caring for our clients. I want to do the right thing for people that can’t fight for themselves and are struggling with an injustice or just trying to live, or return to, a normal life.

When you were considering law school, what was Plan B? If not law school, I would have gone to graduate school for English.

I think many attorneys share my passion for the English language. We have to be detailed and articulate.

Specializing in appeals requires a great deal of research, writing, analysis and organization and these are all skills I developed in obtaining my B.A. in English from the University of Michigan  and have, of course, continued to develop.

Favorite local hangouts?  Mt. Chalet II in Birmingham; Tacqueria Mi Pueblo in Mexican Town; LaFayette Coney Island in Detroit.

I’m a bit of a foodie ... and not just the fancy stuff. I like to try anything spicy, ethnic or unusual. I recently tried menudo — a traditional Mexican tripe soup. It was not for me, but I gave it go!

Favorite websites?  allmusic.com (online music encyclopedia); gameknot.com (chess); theonion.com (satire).

When you look back into the past, what do you miss most? Memory. (Just kidding.)

What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been?  Smith River Canyon, Mont. I’m very passionate about the outdoors, the environment, and ensuring our finite resources are preserved for future generations, rather than used-up and polluted in short-sighted, selfish corporate gain.

The Smith River State Park is near Missoula, Mont., and has gorgeous scenery in a remote setting. It’s renowned for trout fishing and limited access (only two public
access points over a 59-mile stretch of river).

Before it became so popular as to require a permit lottery to float it, I was able to take a five-day float trip down through Smith River Canyon with my father and a renowned guide. It’s one of my fondest memories. 

What is one thing you would like to learn to do?  I would like to learn to surf.  (“I’m going to learn to surf or break my neck.”—Keanu Reeves, “Point Break.”)

What is the best advice you ever received? Don’t sweat the small stuff (and it’s all small stuff). This is hard advice to follow, however.