Overview
Maxwell Czerniawski is a litigation attorney with Foley & Lardner LLP. He primarily represents manufacturing and automotive companies in contentious disputes with suppliers and original equipment manufacturers. Maxwell helps clients secure successful outcomes in state and federal contract, supply chain, recall and warranty actions through motion practice and alternative dispute resolution.
In addition to his litigation practice, Maxwell conducts internal investigations on behalf of public and private clients. His investigative experience includes internal investigations and responses to Grand Jury subpoenas related to corruption, intellectual property theft and state and federal offenses. These skills complement Maxwell’s litigation practice to offer clients integrated service with a focus on rigorous fact development.
Maxwell also maintains an active pro bono practice. He has represented asylum seekers in defensive immigration proceedings, securing asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the United Nations Convention Against Torture. Maxwell also serves as a volunteer mediator for the Eastern District of Michigan’s Pro Se Prisoner Civil Rights Early Mediation Program.
Prior to joining Foley, Maxwell was a litigation associate with a leading business law firm based in the Midwest. There, he represented automotive, healthcare and retail companies in contract disputes and antitrust actions. Before entering private practice, Maxwell was a judicial clerk to the Honorable Ralph B. Guy, Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and Justice Mary Beth Kelly of the Michigan Supreme Court.
Representative Matters
- Conducted internal investigation into IP theft on behalf of international auto electronics supplier, culminating in security remediation and favorable settlement with automaker
- Argued pretrial motions for industrial manufacturer, obtaining dismissal of toxic tort class action
- Represented international labor union in internal investigation in response to federal Grand Jury subpoena
- Authored and argued pretrial motions in commercial bankruptcy adversary proceedings
- Led fact development, deposition preparation, and dispositive briefing in automotive recall litigation, culminating in favorable settlement
Recognition
Maxwell was selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch list for 2021. He has twice been included in the State Bar of Michigan’s Pro Bono Honor Roll, recognizing contributions to support access to justice for low-income individuals and families throughout Michigan.
Education
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University of Michigan (J.D., 2012)
- Book Awards: Constitutional Litigation, Fourteenth Amendment and Election Law
- Eastern Michigan University (B.S., summa cum laude, 2010)
- Majors: Political Science and Philosophy
Admissions
- Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois