When Clarkston Attorney Art Greenstone believes in a person’s case, and agrees to take on that case, then he puts his heart and soul into the case.
‘I’m selective about the cases I take,? said Greenstone. ‘I had one client nickname me ‘The Equalizer? around 1990. He even sent me a bunch of business cards with that name on them.?
Throughout his long career, Greenstone is most well-known for his work with the Rushing vs. County of Wayne case beginning in 1976.
In that case, Greenstone defended Linda Rushing, who was wrongly arrested and incarcerated. While in the county’s custody, authorities removed her clothing on the premise of possible suicide and kept her naked in the Wayne County Jail for four days without necessary medical attention.
‘They made her into a peep show for the viewing pleasure of the other male inmates and officers,? explained Greenstone.
‘Originally, I took that case just to get her medical bills paid,? he added, ‘but the county said drop dead. They claimed legal governmental immunity ? which is another way of saying you can’t get justice against them.?
Greenstone twice took the case all the way to the Michigan Supreme Court. He finally won when the court asked him to argue his case before them a second time in 1992, 16 years after the violation of Ms. Rushing’s rights. The case was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which refused to reverse the decision.
‘The case nationally stands for the principle that anybody in government custody is entitled to reasonable privacy and medical care,? said Greenstone.
‘I never intended for that case to take 16 years of my life, and drain me financially. I didn’t do it for the money ? that was not what motivated me. What motivated me was to right a horrible wrong.?
Greenstone carries this level of passion into all areas of his practice. He focuses primarily on personal injury cases, particularly serious auto accidents, but does also handle medical malpractice suits regarding mishandled births.
‘People who have been in auto accidents don’t always realize the potentially tremendous benefits they are entitled to from their insurance company,? said Greenstone.
‘On a side note, there are a lot of happy people in the Clarkston area whose cases I’ve handled,? Greenstone added with a smile.
Not only does Greenstone’s reputation carry well locally and throughout southeast Michigan, he is also often requested for out-of-state cases.
‘I’ve been brought in on cases in Alabama, Washington D.C., New Orleans and Charlevoix,? said Greenstone. ‘My focus is really Clarkston and the surrounding areas, but I still do some traveling.?
Before moving his office to Clarkston, Greenstone worked in Birmingham from 1980-2000.
He decided to pare down and then transfer his office in 1999, when he met a beautiful, fabulous Clarkston woman with big blue eyes.
‘I met my wife Barbara and knew I was going to be moving my practice,? Greenstone remembers fondly.
Greenstone does not charge clients on injury cases unless he recovers for them. Cases are accepted on a contingency fee.
‘I accept clients on a case by case basis,? said Greenstone. ‘People can feel free to give me a call and discuss their case.?
To discuss your case with Art Greenstone, ‘The Equalizer,? please call 248-922-5758.