Practice areas: Civil Litigation, Employment & Labor, Entertainment & Sports; view more
Licensed in Michigan since: 2000
Education: The Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2017 - 2026 Attorney James R. Acho serves as an equity partner/shareholder of CMDA Law in Livonia, Michigan, where he represents clients in matters involving complex legal disputes and professional interests. With a practice grounded in litigation and advocacy, she brings a strategic approach to addressing clients’ legal challenges, emphasizing careful analysis, effective representation and solutions tailored to their individual circumstances.
Mr. Acho’s practice focuses on civil litigation, employment and labor law, and entertainment and sports law. His work across these areas requires an understanding of legal principles, dispute resolution strategies and the interests of individuals and organizations navigating challenging circumstances. Through his role at CMDA Law, he works to protect his clients’ rights and advance their interests through informed legal counsel and diligent advocacy.
Admitted to practice in Michigan’s state courts, Mr. Acho is also authorized to appear before the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. His federal court admissions include the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan. Additionally, he is admitted to the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 6th and 9th Circuits and the Supreme Court of the United States. These admissions reflect the breadth of jurisdictions in which he is authorized to represent clients and pursue legal remedies.
Mr. Acho earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Francis College in 1993 before obtaining his Juris Doctor from Cooley Law School in 2000. His educational background provided the foundation for his legal career and subsequent work representing clients in a range of disputes.
Committed to professional engagement and the legal community, Mr. Acho maintains membership in several prominent legal organizations, including the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan, the American Association for Justice, the Michigan Association for Justice and the Chaldean American Bar Association. He has also served as vice president of the Chaldean American Bar Association.
Practice areas
Civil Litigation: Defense, Employment & Labor: Employee, Entertainment & SportsFocus areas
Employment Law - Employee, Entertainment, Sports & Leisure Law
- 50% Civil Litigation: Defense
- 30% Employment & Labor: Employee
- 20% Entertainment & Sports
First Admitted: 2000, Michigan
Professional Webpage: https://cmdalaw.com/attorney/james-r-acho/
Bar / Professional Activity
- State Bar of Michigan, 2000
- United States Supreme Court (Washington, DC)
- Ninth Circuit United States Court of Appeals (San Francisco, CA)
- Sixth Circuit United States Court of Appeals (Cincinnati, OH)
- United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- Michigan Supreme Court
- Michigan Court of Appeals
- Catholic Lawyers Society
- Knights of Columbus, 1st Degree Knight
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.
Pro bono / Community Service
- CYO football, basketball, softball coach, 2002-2015
Educational Background
- St. Francis College, Ft. Wayne, IN, Bachelor of Arts, 1993
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Madonna University, adjunct faculty member and professor of Sports Law 4100, 2009-2022
- Chaldean-American Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2002-2007
Honors
- Federal Court Pro Bono Award, USDC, Eastern District, 2006, 2007
- Three year letterman and co-captain men’s basketball, St. Francis College, Ft. Wayne, IN (1989-1993)
- Avvo, Superb Rating – 10/10
- Michigan Super Lawyers, Top Rated Employment Law Attorney, 2017-2026
- Michigan Super Lawyers, Top Rated Civil Litigation Attorney, 2018-2026
- Top Rated Lawyer in Labor and Employment Law, DBusiness Magazine, 2023
- 2025 Leader in the Law, Michigan Lawyers Weekly
- Top Rated Lawyer in Entertainment and Sports, DBusiness Magazine, 2013
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2017 - 2026
