Attorney Rating
Bishop & Heintz, P.C. holds the highest possible rating ("AV") for attorneys, by the preeminent listing authority, Martindale Hubbell (www.martindale.com). The firm has held this rating for many years, and that rating was renewed for 2007. The "AV" rating is awarded to attorneys who have been recognized for very high legal ability and very high ethical standards.

Pat Heintz
Pat Heintz’s extensive civil litigation experience in both commercial cases and personal injury actions. Commercial litigation victories include the successful construction of the Grand Traverse Mall despite injunctive relief sought by the competing Mall owner (Cherryland), along with opposition by others. Other notable representation involve Munson Healthcare (premises liability and property law questions), Traverse City State Bank, Washington Mutual Insurance (WAMU) and Irwin Union Bank. Personal injury recoveries have generated millions in awards for firm clients, with one of his early victories resulting in the highest jury verdict ever awarded in Leelanau County Circuit Court for a pedestrian hit and run accident. Recently, the skilled negotiation through alternate dispute resolution processes (facilitative mediation) has generated settlements nearing $3 million for a client suffering quadriplegia, $1 million for a client experiencing blunt trauma to the face (with resulting eye orbital trauma and eye injury) and $750,000.00 for a traumatic brain injury and $125,000.00 was awarded to the victim of a dog bite.

Doug Bishop
Mr. Bishop was recently re-elected as a Trustee of Northwestern Michigan College and will continue to serve a six year term through December 31, 2012.

Mr. Bishop has been successful in obtaining patents for numerous clients of Bishop & Heintz, including, but not limited to, U.S. 6,695,533 B1, for a Boat Hoist Hydraulic Device; 5,599,035, for an Automatic Boat to Trailer Latch; 6,101,871, for an In-Ground Vapor Monitoring Device & Method; 6,205,726 B1, for an Insulated Masonry Block & Wall; 6,260,323 B1, for a Wall Panel Support Unit & Wall System; 6,146,317, 6,312,333 B1, and 5,730,688, all for Exercising Devices related to Abdominal Lumbar Conditioning; 6,233,879 B1, for a Landscaping Block; 5,466,089, for a Ground and Floor Block; 5,592,997, for a Pediatric Wheelchair; 5,845,448, for a Masonry Block Assembly; and 5,946,925, for a Self-Contained Refrigeration System & Method of High Temperature Operation.

Mr. Bishop has also been successful in enforcing trademark rights and obtaining appropriate injunctive relief for firm clients in a number of cases, including GFR, Ltd. (Grand Funk Railroad) v. Mark Farner, Federal District Court File No. 1:03CV0432; Grandview Restaurants, Inc. v. George Falaras, R.F.K. of Saginaw, Inc. and T.C. Ops, Inc, Grand Traverse County Circuit Court File No. 03-23335-CZ; Kenneth Gum, M.D. v. Martin S. Arkin, M.D., Ph.D., Grand Traverse Circuit Court Case No. 03-22703-CZ.

Mr. Bishop has assisted innumerable clients in obtaining federal trademark protection, including, but not limited to, Munson Medical Center, Cherry Republic, The National Memorial Day Parade, Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, Food for Thought, Opti Temp, Inc., Bitter Rivals, Inland Seas Education Assocation and FIM Group.

Dave Cvengros
Mr. Cvengros has been successful in resolving a number of cases in favor of Bishop & Heintz clients. Mr. Cvengros has become one of the most knowledgeable road liability attorneys in Michigan.