Practice areas: Civil Litigation, Employment & Labor, Entertainment & Sports
Licensed in Michigan since: 2000
Education: The Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2017 - 2026 CMDA Law
17436 College ParkwayLivonia, MI 48152 Phone: 734-261-2400 Email: James R. Acho Visit website
James R. Acho is a partner at the law firm of Cummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho, P.L.C. where he concentrates his practice on sports and entertainment law, labor and employment law, law enforcement defense and plaintiff’s personal injury.
Mr. Acho, a nationally respected sports law attorney and professor of sports law, has been representing retired Major League Baseball players and current and retired National Football League players for 25 years.
In January 2015, out of respect for the work he has done on behalf of NFL alumni, a prominent group of respected NFL Hall of Famers nominated Mr. Acho to run for the position of National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Executive Director.
In 2013, Mr. Acho was named top sports law attorney in metro Detroit by dBusiness Magazine and multiple respected periodicals have run features on him. He has been consistently named a Super Lawyer, every year, 2017-2025.
First Admitted: 2000, Michigan
Professional Webpage: https://cmda-law.com/attorney/james-r-acho/
Bar / Professional Activity
- State Bar of Michigan, 2000
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority v New Concepts (3rd Circuit, Oakland County Circuit Court). Mr. Acho represented Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority in a fraud case and obtained a mid-to-high six-figure settlement.
- National Football League (NFL) Alumni. Mr. Acho has handled numerous matters for various NFL alums throughout the country. His more notable clients include NFL Hall of Famer, actor and broadcaster, Lem Barney, whom he has represented for nearly a decade. Mr. Acho appeared on ESPN radio in the summer of 2008 to discuss the death of NFLPA president Gene Upshaw; in 2009, Jim appeared on ESPN radio and Sporting News Radio regarding the hire of new NFLPA President DeMaurice Smith. In 2010, Jim appeared on multiple sports radio shows and in multiple periodicals regarding a pension suit he filed against the NFLPA and the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle Pension Plan Administrators. The case, Rosema v NFLPA et al, was featured as the “spotlight case of the week” in the July 28 issue of Michigan Lawyer’s Weekly.
- Kelly, et al v Comerica (6th Circuit, Wayne County Circuit Court, Detroit, MI). This was an age discrimination case. Mr. Acho obtained a mid-to-high six figure settlement for his two clients.
- People v Foote (Washtenaw County Circuit Court). Mr. Acho represented Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker Larry Foote against criminal charges – he had all charges dropped after discovery. He continues to serve as legal counsel for Foote, LaMarr Woodley, as well as other current and retired NFL players.
- Kelly, et al v Comerica (6th Circuit, Wayne County Circuit Court, Detroit, MI). This was an age discrimination case. Mr. Acho obtained a mid-to-high six figure settlement for his two clients.
- Fazio, et al v Major League Baseball (Los Angeles District Court; 9th Circuit United States Court of Appeals). This case involved 1,500 retired MLB players who sued MLB for pensions denied. Mr. Acho handled the case with a firm in Los Angeles, and the case was featured on ESPN, HBO, CNN and every major newspaper in America. Mr. Acho was also featured in the New York Times and on ESPN and Sporting News Radio regarding this case. MLB paid the class Mr. Acho represented $10,000 for two years as recognition for the contribution to the game.
- Gibbons v First Federal (6th Circuit, Wayne County Circuit Court, Detroit, MI). This was a pregnancy discrimination case. Jim obtained a six figure settlement for his client.
Educational Background
- St. Francis College, Ft. Wayne, IN, Bachelor of Arts, 1993
- Letterman and Co-Captain- Men’s Basketball, St. Francis College, Ft. Wayne, IN, 1989-1993
Honors
- Bono Award- USDC-Eastern District, 2006, 2007
- Top Rated Lawyer in the Entertainment and Sports Field- dBusiness, 2013 Federal Court Pro
Office location for James R. Acho
17436 College Parkway
Livonia, MI 48152
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2017 - 2026