Jason T. Hanselman

Gamrat v. McBroom, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (2020). Achieved dismissal of lawsuit alleging constitutional violations and civil counts against legislators and legislative staff which was upheld on appeal.

AFT v. Public School Employee Retirement System, Michigan Court of Appeals (2020). Serving as Special Assistant Attorneys General, achieved reversal of Michigan Court of Claims’ $40+ million interest award on $550 million verdict.

Daunt v. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Docket Nos. 19-2377/2420 (2020).  On behalf of the Michigan Republican Party, sued Michigan’s Secretary of State to block implementation of Michigan’s Redistricting Commission because it violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution by blocking the Party from selecting its standard bearers to the commission and unlawfully burdening the speech and associational freedoms of applicants and their relatives and associates, commissioners, and others.

Fair and Equal Michigan, et al v. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, et al, Michigan Court of Claims, Case No 20-000095 (2020). As a result of COVID-19’s impact on petition circulators’ ability to gather signatures, assisted a ballot question committee seeking to amend the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include protection for gay, lesbian and transgender employees from workplace discrimination to obtain a temporary restraining order against Michigan’s Secretary of State requiring that signatures must be gathered within 180 days.

Bauer v. House of Representatives, Michigan Supreme Court, Docket No. 160774 (2020). On behalf of the Michigan House of Representatives, successfully defended appeal by former legislator challenging dismissal of lawsuit regarding the legislature removing her from office.

In re Application of Indiana Michigan Power Company to Increase Rates, Michigan Supreme Court, Docket No. 160290 (2020).  On behalf of public utility, challenged the Michigan Public Service Commission’s order regarding impact of statutory deadlines on rate case.

Gamrat v. McBroom, et al, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Docket No. 19-2364 (2020).  Defeated a lawsuit by a former legislator contending that legislative staff had conspired with her husband to remove her from office following an affair with a fellow legislator.

Robert Davis v. Wayne County Elections Commission, Michigan Court of Appeals, Docket No. 354315 (2020).  On behalf of Congressional candidate, successfully defeated attempt to remove a candidate from the ballot.

Wayne County Board of Commissioners v. Wayne County Election Commission, Wayne County Circuit Court, Case No. 20-008436-AW (2020).  Intervened on behalf of ballot question committee seeking to provide after school funding to children in Wayne County in order to block the Wayne County Board of Commission from removing the ballot question from the ballot.

William Beaumont Hospital v. Michigan Certificate of Need Commission, Michigan Court of Claims, Case No. 19-000183-MZ (2020).  Represented a hospital seeking to construct a new hospital in Oakland County in appealing the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ denying a Certificate of Need following the Department changing its interpretation of rules to conclude a hospital is unnecessary in an area the Department had previously identified as a local access area.

Todd Courser v. Michigan House of Representatives, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (2020).  Defended Michigan House of Representatives, individual legislators, and legislative staff against a lawsuit by a former legislator contending that the Michigan House had engaged in a vast conspiracy to constructively remove him from office.  Achieved dismissal of all counts through a Motion to Dismiss, which was upheld on appeal.

Chatfield v. League of Women Voters, United States Supreme Court, 19-220 (2019). On behalf of the Michigan Senate, obtained a reversal by the US Supreme Court of a three judge US District Court panel’s order requiring the State of Michigan to jettison legislative and congressional district maps, redraw those maps, and for certain Michigan Senators to run for office in a manner contrary to the Michigan Constitution’s 4-year term.

Protect Michigan Jobs v. State of Michigan, Michigan Court of Appeals Docket No. 346441 (2019). On behalf of State Representative Jason Wentworth, moved to intervene in Court of Claims case seeking to declare unconstitutional legislative processes regarding immediate effect of legislation repealing Michigan’s prevailing wage law (2018 PA 171). The Court of Claims upheld the Legislature’s actions with regard to granting immediate effect and including an appropriation in the law.

Michigan Electric Cooperative Association v. Michigan Public Service Commission, Michigan Court of Appeals (2018). On behalf of Michigan Electric Cooperative Association, challenged the Michigan Public Service Commission’s interpretation of the public utility assessment statute as applied to electric cooperatives that transitioned to member regulation under the Michigan Electric Cooperative Member Regulation Act.

Protecting Michigan Taxpayers v. Board of State Canvassers, Michigan Supreme Court Case No. 157761 (2018). Represented ballot question committee to obtain Order of Mandamus compelling the Board of State Canvassers to certify prevailing wage ballot question following 2-2 deadlock.

Gamrat v Allard, et al, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (2018). Defended Michigan House of Representatives, individual legislators, and legislative staff in lawsuit by former legislator who was removed from office. Achieved dismissal of all counts through Motion to Dismiss.

AFT Michigan v. State of Michigan, Michigan Supreme Court Case No. 148748 (2017). Represented Governor Snyder in defending Michigan’s retirement law providing for public school employees to contribute toward retiree health care. Mr. Hanselman served as a Special Assistant Attorney General at the appellate level in this case after the court ordered the State to place the $554 million in dispute in escrow.

Trump v. Board of State Canvassers, Michigan Supreme Court Case No. 154886 (2016). Represented President-Elect Donald Trump to sue Board of State Canvassers to stop recount of Michigan's presidential election.

Stein v. Board of State Canvassers, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (2016). Intervened in opposition to Green Party Presidential Candidate Jill Stein's request for injunction to compel commencement of recount and ultimately succeeded in dissolving TRO.

Taylor v. Secretary of State, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (2016). Represented local governments as amicus curiae in obtaining injunction against Secretary of State enforcing prohibition against certain speech during 60-days before elections.

In re City of Benton Harbor Mayoral Recall Petition, Michigan Supreme Court Case No. 150019 (2014).  Obtained emergency reversal of lower court decision directing City Clerk to count duplicate recall petition signatures.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Detroit Branch, et al v. Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, et al., United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (2012). Represented Intervening Defendant Romney for President in repulsing an attempt to keep Detroit polls open later than statutory poll closing time.

Protect Our Jobs v. Board of State Canvassers, Michigan Supreme Court Case No. 145748 (2012). Following a deadlock by the Board of State Canvassers, litigation ensued regarding whether petition language for a proposed constitutional amendment satisfied Constitutional and statutory prerequisites for placement on the ballot.

NAACP, et al. v. Snyder, et al.,United States District Court  for the Eastern District of Michigan (2012), Case No. 2:22-cv-15385. On behalf of the Michigan Secretary of State, defeated a claim that Michigan's redistricting plan violated the United States Constitution and Voting Rights Act.

Michigan v. United States, United States District Court for the District of Columbia, (2012), Case No. 1:11-cv-01938. On behalf of Michigan Secretary of State, obtained preclearance of Michigan's congressional and legislative redistricting plans under the Voting Rights Act.

Scott v. Christopher Thomas, Michigan Director of Elections, 490 Mich. 888, 804 N.W.2d 119 (2011). Dispute regarding interpreting various Michigan election law provisions involving recalling public officials from office. The Michigan Court of Appeals directed the trial court to enjoin placing the candidate on the ballot and was reversed by the Michigan Supreme Court.

DHT Transportation v. Detroit Public Schools, United States District Court (2010). Enjoined Detroit Public Schools from entering into $115 million bus contract alleging flawed procurement process.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, 558 U.S. 50 (2010). Amicus curiae of Michigan Chamber of Commerce in support of overturning the corporate independent expenditure ban that was upheld in the groundbreaking campaign finance case Austin v. Michigan State Chamber of Commerce, 494 U.S. 652 (1990).

Democratic National Committee, et al. v. Republican National Committee, et al., United States District Court (2008). Defeated injunction request related to poll challengers contemplated under the Michigan Election Law.

Martin v. Secretary of State, 755 N.W.2d 153 (Mich 2008). Dispute regarding interpretation of Michigan election law involving injunction compelling Secretary of State to place judicial candidate on ballot.

Michalak v. Ruth Johnson, Michigan Supreme Court Case No. 136618 (2008). Successfully defended judicial candidate against attempt to compel county clerk to remove candidate from ballot.

MotorCity Casino v. Michigan Gaming Control Board, et al, Wayne County Circuit Court No. 07-726167-PZ, Michigan Court of Appeals Case No. 280898. Enjoined Michigan Gaming Control Board from closing Detroit casinos during state government shutdown.

In re Request for Advisory Opinion Regarding Constitutionality of 2005 PA 71, 721 NW2d 799 (2006). Assisted in drafting Advisory Opinion request by Michigan House of Representatives and in preparing Amicus brief regarding constitutionality of photo identification requirement in Michigan Election Law.

Michigan Educ Ass'n v. Superintendent of Public Instruction, 272 Mich App 1, 2006 WL 2141383 (2006). Successfully defended challenge to constitutionality of Bay Mills Community College as charter school authorizing body.

Marion, et al v. Saline Township, Washtenaw Circuit Court No. 06-440-CZ (2006). Enjoined township from placing millage proposal on ballot.

Senate Republican Campaign Committee v. Michigan Secretary of State and Senate Democratic Fund, United States District Court (2006). Sought Temporary Restraining Order to prevent violation of contribution limits under Michigan Campaign Finance Act.

Michigan Republican Party v. Michigan Secretary of State and Michigan Democratic Party, Wayne County Circuit Court Case No. 06-631346-AW; Michigan Supreme Court Case No. 132409 (2006). Enjoined Michigan Democratic Party from violating Michigan Election Law.

Freman Hendrix and Kilpatrick For Mayor v. Jackie L. Currie, Wayne County Circuit Court Case No. 05-53354-AW; Michigan Court of Appeals (2005). Obtained Temporary Restraining Order compelling City Clerk to disclose election records fairly to City of Detroit mayoral candidates Freman Hendrix and Kwame Kilpatrick.

Bay County Democratic Party and Michigan Democratic Party v. Michigan Secretary of State and Director of Elections, United States District Court Case No. 04-CV-10257-BC (2004). Represented intervening township and county clerks in challenge against constitutionality of provisional ballot section of Michigan Election Law.

Michigan United Conservation Clubs v. Secretary of State and State Board of Canvassers, 464 Mich 359, 630 NW2d 297 (2001). Amicus on behalf of individual Senator and Representatives regarding whether legislative enactment was subject to the power of referendum under State Constitution.