Services
Education
University of California School of Law at Davis, J.D., 1970
Calvin College, A.B., 1967
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Court Admissions
U.S. Courts of Appeals
- 5th Circuit
- 6th Circuit
U.S. District Courts
- Western District of Michigan
- Northern District of Ohio
- Southern District of Ohio
- Southern District of Texas
Robert DeJong’s specialty is commercial litigation and civil litigation.This includes contract disputes, non-compete agreements, trade secret disputes, employment issues, real estate lease and easement disputes, construction law, family firm disputes, products liability law, condemnation law and negligence law.
Bob has also worked extensively with jury consultants, including “Dr. Phil” before his television fame.
Bob takes a collaborative approach in partnering with his clients. He believes in working toward a mutually acceptable and early resolution whenever possible, but is not afraid of “going to the mat” if circumstances so dictate. Bob also believes in offering his clients 24/7 availability.
Representative Matters
Bob successfully prosecuted a multimillion-dollar international arbitration claim against a Northern European machine manufacturer under the International Commerce Commission, obtained a "no cause" in a Michigan handicappers' jury trial, successfully prosecuted and defended sexual harassment and discrimination claims, obtained favorable verdicts for municipalities in major condemnation cases, and prosecuted and defended wrongful death claims involving product liability, premises liability and general negligence.
In a recent policy coverage dispute, he guided a client to recover $750,000 when an attorney from another firm advised the client not to bother with submitting a claim.
Bob led the litigation team for the owners of the East Bank Building (now known as Plaza Towers) in Grand Rapids, Mich., when it closed down for two years for complete reconstruction. Millions of documents were exchanged among the parties in what was described by then-Chief Judge Kolenda as the largest lawsuit in the history of Kent County Circuit Court. Mediation took a full week with settlement among 29 of 32 defendants. The client recovered a sum well into eight figures.
Honors
Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2007-present; Construction Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Trusts & Estates Litigation, and Personal Injury Litigation, 2012-present; 2015 Grand Rapids Trusts and Estates Litigation Lawyer of the Year; 2012 Grand Rapids Real Estate Litigation Lawyer of the Year
Michigan Super Lawyers, General Litigation, 2007-present
Leading Lawyers in Michigan, Class Action/Mass Tort Defense; Commercial Litigation; Products Liability Defense; Probate & Estate Litigation, 2022
Grand Rapids Business Journal, Top Lawyers, Litigation, 2022
Grand Rapids Magazine,Top Lawyers, Commerical Litigation, 2022
Professional Activities
American Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan, Negligence Law Section
Grand Rapids Bar Association
Michigan Defense Trial Counsel, Inc.
American Trial Lawyers' Association
Michigan Trial Lawyers' Association
Civic, Cultural & Social Activities
Cascade Township Planning Commission, served for 14 years
University Club, Former Board of Trustees and Chairman of Membership Committee
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Board of Directors
LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, Past President of the Council and Chairman of the Executive Committee
Cascade Township Zoning Board of Appeals
Faith, Inc., Board of Directors
Peninsular Club
Macatawa Bay Yacht Club, Holland, Michigan, Judge Advocate
Speeches
"What Litigators Want (From Facilitative Mediators)," U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan Voluntary Facilitative Mediation Training, Grand Rapids, Michigan, March 22, 2024
