Michael J. Watt
Senior Partner
Farmington Hills Office
41430 Grand River Ave, Suite D
Novi, Michigan 48375
Michael J. Watt is a senior partner in the Farmington Hills Hub of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. Mr. Watt practices all forms of insurance defense litigation including the handling of claims involving general liability, commercial litigation, first- and third-party motor vehicle cases, general liability, premises liability, insurance coverage, construction defects, wrongful death, agent errors and omissions, and property, fire, and casualty. He frequently sits as a defense arbitrator and serves as a facilitative mediator on request.
A seasoned first-chair trial attorney, Mr. Watt is valued for his strategic and meticulous preparation, along with his commitment to delivering practical litigation outcomes. His practice spans a broad spectrum of insurance-related matters, including personal injury protection (PIP), uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) claims, provider reimbursement, fraud defense and examinations under oath (EUOs), bad faith litigation, and both commercial and residential premises liability. He also handles cases involving agent errors and omissions, contract disputes, and excess liability claims, regularly advising on layered coverage strategies in complex, high-exposure litigation.
Beyond the courtroom, Mr. Watt frequently serves as a defense arbitrator and facilitative mediator, offering alternative dispute resolution solutions to clients seeking to manage risk and resolve matters efficiently. His balanced approach to combining aggressive representation with opportunities for resolution, has made him a trusted partner to insurers and corporate clients.
Mr. Watt is a trusted presenter and educator in the industry. He regularly speaks nationwide on trial preparation, claims handling, and deposition strategy, and has delivered specialized training for insurance professionals and national organizations. Before entering the legal field, Mr. Watt held leadership roles in the food manufacturing industry, where he worked closely with regulatory agencies on food safety issues and gained experience that sharpened his analytical skills and detail-oriented approach to litigation.
Mr. Watt is admitted to practice in Michigan and before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Mr. Watt earned his Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University.
When he's not in the courtroom, Mr. Watt is likely exploring new countries with his wife or enjoying outdoor pursuits like hiking, cycling, and snorkeling.
Memberships & Affiliations:
- State Bar of Michigan
- Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
- Insurance and Indemnity Law Section
- Litigation Section
- Negligence Law Section
Presentations & Publications:
- "Claim File Production in the Age of Initial Disclosure," ICLE No-Fault Summit (May 2020)
- "What Happens When Something Goes Wrong During Trial (And How to Fix It)," Michigan Defense Trial Counsel Winter Meeting (2018)
- "Anatomy of a Lawsuit"
- "Update on Recent Appellate Decisions"
- "Food Processing Plant Control of Food Borne Pathogens"
- "Food Safety Regulations
Representative Cases:
- Clark v. Jones, (Saginaw County Circuit Court | 2023)
- Kapsokavathis PLLC v. Auto Owners, (Macomb County Circuit Court | 2023)
- Layher v. Sorensen, (Jackson County Circuit Court | 2021)
- Katto v. GEICO, (Wayne County | 2019)
- Total Toxicology LLC v. Auto Owners, (44th District Royal Oak | 2018)
- Prilipp v. Home Owners, (Lenawee County, 2018)
- Hearns v. State Farm, (Oakland County, 2017)
- Darnell Mandy & VHS v. John Doe and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance
- Company, (Wayne County | 2017)
- Carla Torongo v. Pienta and Farm Bureau General Insurance Company, (Oakland County | July 24, 2017)
- Asima Khan v. Prashant Patel, (Oakland County | April 13, 2017)
- Jesus Moreno v. City of Detroit, (Wayne County | 2016)
- Penfil v. Home Owners Insurance Co, (Oakland County | December 14, 2016)
- Sonny Homasi v. State Farm, (Wayne County | 2016)
- Darla Dane v. Michael Umfress, (Monroe County | 2015)
- Donald Quick v. Joel Wallinga, (Washtenaw County | 2015)
- Mallory-Bey, Losonbey, Hammound, P.C. v. State Farm, (Wayne County | 2014)
- Hensley-Panicaccia v. State Farm, (Washtenaw County | 2014)
- Allen v. State Farm, (Washtenaw County | 2013)
- Perry v. Robinson, (Wayne County | 2013)
- Maye v. State Farm, (Wayne County | 2013)
- Hall v. State Farm, (Wayne County | 2013)
- Asset Acceptance v. Bill Rann, (65A District Court | 2013)
- Jones, Springer, Holmes v. State Farm, (Wayne County | 2013)
- Kotovska v. State Farm, (Macomb County | 2013)
- Mutke (Miller) v. State Farm Strive Rec Therapy v State Farm, (Washtenaw County | 2012)
- Neufer v. State Farm, (Wayne County | 2012)
- Bobby White v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, (Wayne County | February 28, 2012)
- Johnson v. Robinson, (Wayne County | 2011)
- Ankawi v Hatch, (Oakland County | 2011)
- Gomez-Garrison v. Piper, (Jackson County | 2011)
- Lee v. State Farm, (Genesee County | 2011)
- Clardy v. Friedland, (Jackson County | 2011)
- Little v. Farm Bureau, (Genesee County | 2011)
- Anderson-Bennett v. State Farm, (Washtenaw County | 2010)
- Carignan v. State Farm, (Washtenaw County | 2010)
- Brown v. State Farm, (Wayne County | 2010)
- Burton v. Sherman, (Macomb County | 2010)
- State Farm/Brandon Gavin v. ABC Warehouse, (61st District Court | 2010)
- Robertson v. State Farm, (Wayne County | 2010)
- Mansoob v. Polidori, et al, (Wayne County | 2010)
- Elliott v. State Farm, (Shiawassee County | 2009)
- Walters v. State Farm, (Wayne County | 2009)
- Harding v. State Farm, (Jackson County | 2009)
- James v. State Farm, (Monroe County | 2009)
- Brown v. Farm Bureau, (Wayne County | 2009)
- Clark v. ABC Appliance, (Macomb County | 2009)
- Marszalek v. Skotzke, (Macomb County | 2009)
- Barbier v. Cosby, (Monroe County | 2009)
- Sackett v. State Farm, (Hillsdale County | 2008)
- Warnaar v. Davis, (Ingham County | 2008)
- Geovic V. State Farm, (Macomb County | 2008)
- Schwab v. State Farm, (Lenawee County | 2008)
- Staten v. State Farm, (Monroe County | 2008)
- Moore v. State Farm, (54-A District | 2008)
- Brewster v. State Farm, (Macomb County | 2008)
- Griffith v. Johnson, (22nd District Inkster | 2008)
- Progressive v. Mickey Shorr, (Oakland County | 2007)
- Ford v. Simons, (Wayne County | 2007)
- Brabbs v. Wallace, (Genesee County | 2007)
- Garner v. Callan, (Wayne County | 2007)
- Hughson v. State Farm, (Monroe County | 2007)
- Grobaski v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance, (Jackson County | August 28, 2007)
- Edwards v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance, (Genesee County | 2007)
- Msheik v. Johnson, et al, (Wayne County | December 3, 2007)
- Hope v. ABC Appliance, (Muskegon County | 2007)
- Angela Brooks v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance, (Genesee County | September 29, 2006)
- Beverly Snodgrass v. Susan Nielson and Roger Lajiness, (Monroe County | April 4, 2006)
- Lavack v. ABC Warehouse, (28th District Southgate | 2006)
- Ritter v. ABC Warehouse, (Genesee County | 2006)
- Foremost v. Mickey Shorr, (Livingston County | 2006)
- White v. Stockton, (Isabella County | 2006)
- Nash v. Smith, (Monroe County | 2005)
- Lee v. Teets, (Wayne County | 2005)
- Schultz v. Gross, (Livingston County | 2005)
- Kupiec v. State Farm, (23rd District Taylor | 2005)
- Waller v. ABC Appliane, (44th District Royal Oak | 2005)
- Citizens v. ABC Appliance, (Muskegon County | 2005)
