Joel Finnell

Joel T. Finnell concentrates his practice on appellate matters, primarily focusing on personal injury, auto accident, motorcycle accident, semi-truck accident, and wrongful death claims, to name a few. As an appellate specialist at Sinas Dramis Law Firm, headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, Joel works closely with the firm?s senior attorneys, meticulously researching the law and drafting innovative legal arguments that best serve not only his clients, but also other Michigan residents who may one day find themselves facing similar circumstances.

Joining Sinas Dramis in 2011, Joel?s tenacity for knowledge and exceptional legal research and writing skills were quickly evident. In fact, the very first appeal he handled out of law school won a favorable published appellate decision. In addition, he won the 2019 Thomas M. Cooley Law Review Distinguished Brief Award. Joel was named a ?Rising Star? by Michigan Super Lawyers every year since 2015, a designation only awarded the top 2.5% of all qualifying attorneys in the state. In 2017 and 2018, The National Trial Lawyers named him a ?Top 40 Under 40? and in 2019, he was recognized as a ?Top 100.?

Significant Appellate Victories

A few of Joel?s most notable appeals:

• Joel?s work resulted in an unprecedented appellate decision requiring Michigan auto no-fault insurance companies to pay out work loss benefits for the loss of ?flow through? income of small business owners under the state?s Auto No-Fault Act.
• Obtained a significant decision that ultimately prevents Michigan no-fault insurers from denying benefits to minors who are incapable of complying with the one-year statute of limitations under the Michigan No-Fault Act due to serious injury or other catastrophic circumstances.
• Joel helped defend the rights of a Michigan bicyclist who was ticketed for ?impeding traffic? when, in fact, the officer?s own dash cam revealed he was driving too close to the cyclist.
• Overturned an incorrect dismissal of a Flint water case on behalf of a woman who fatally contracted Legionnaires? disease.