Bryan Waldman is president of the Sinas Dramis Law Firm, with offices in Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Chicago. He has litigated cases in more than 40 jurisdictions and has been listed in multiple legal publications, such as The Best Lawyers in America and Michigan Super Lawyers.
Waldman, who is AV-rated, was recently selected the 2015 Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers, in the area of personal injury litigation. He devotes a significant part of his practice to protecting the rights of the severely, catastrophically injured. Committed to justice, he is highly-regarded in his field, lecturing extensively on Michigan personal injury and auto no-fault matters.
In 2003-2004, Waldman served as President of the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association (currently Michigan Association for Justice), and in 2008 and 2009, he served as chair of the Michigan Civil Service Commission.
Waldman, who earned his undergrad degree from Michigan State University and his J.D. from Wayne State University, is also a well-known bicycle lawyer, and heads the firm’s Bicycle Law Group, advocating for the rights of cyclists all over Michigan. While he has represented many Michigan cyclists, he also volunteers with a number of organizations focused on advocacy efforts for cyclists’ rights, assisting with their grassroots legislative efforts. He is also a member of the nationally-known Bike Law Network, a collection of like-minded bicycle attorneys who are dedicated to representing cyclists and educating the non-cycling public about cyclists’ rights. In 2013, he received the Bicycle Advocacy Award from the League of Michigan Bicyclists.
In his spare time, he enjoys riding and running with friends, and competes in USA Cycling sanctioned races.
By Jo Mathis
Legal News
Residence: Okemos.
What advice do you have for someone considering law school? Everyone is different, but I certainly don't regret going to law school. I wake up every day and look forward to going to work.
Favorite local hangouts: Soup Spoon Cafe, HopCat, and Dagwoods.
Favorite websites: New York Times, TED, and USA Cycling.
Favorite app: Strava and Pandora.
What is your happiest childhood memory? I have too many to list. Thanks to my parents, I consider my entire childhood to be one fantastic memory.
What’s your most typical mood? Content.
Why did you become a lawyer? To help people. When I entered law school, I thought I would probably work at some type of free legal aid clinic when I graduated. However, in my second year at Wayne State University Law School, I became active in the Trial Advocacy Program and learned that trial work was something I enjoyed.
What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been? I have been fortunate to travel to many awe-inspiring places. Most are national parks: Zion, Brice, the Grand Canyon, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Waterton, and Banff National Parks in Canada. However, I would have to say the most awe-inspiring, in my opinion, has been Glacier National Park.
If you could have one super power, what would it be? What do you mean “if”?
Favorite joke: Maybe not my favorite of all time, but I definitely like “The Tailor,” (a/k/a Marcus Pincus).
What’s your proudest moment as a lawyer? There are a number of jury verdicts that have made me proud: One where the jury awarded my client the exact figure that I asked for in my closing argument, one where the jury awarded my client one dollar more than I asked for (maybe they were trying to tell me something!), and one where the jury awarded very close to what I had asked for but more importantly, the jury asked to meet with my client at the conclusion of the trial and each and every one of them gave her a hug and wished her luck in the future. I truly believe that any time a lawyer tries a case before a jury, they have something to be proud about. They put themselves in a vulnerable position and in the end, they are the only ones who truly know everything that went into that trial. They have also actively participated in a process that is at the foundation of our civil (and criminal) justice system, which should make us all proud.
What do you do to relax? I ride my bicycle, run, or paddle board.
How would you describe your home? Quiet, calm, and relaxing.
What word do you overuse? My kids say I use overuse the words “Thank you.” I don’t think it is possible to overuse those words, but thank you for asking.
What's one thing you would like to learn to do? Kiteboarding looks fun!
If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be? It’s impossible to limit it to three people, but I would definitely pick three people I already know: family and friends. At this very moment, dinner at JR’s Old Packing House Cafe with Barry, Alex, and Max Waldman sounds perfect.
What is the best advice you ever received? “It is more important to like what you do than to do what you like.” This was advice from my grandfather, Bill Avrunin, when I was in college and told him I was having difficulty choosing a career.
Favorite place to spend money? American Cycle & Fitness; the Trek Store of Okemos; Playmakers; and October Moon.
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