Special to The Oakland Press

A Michigan gem has turned twenty years old. It is the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor and associates.  This small law firm has quietly developed a reputation of being one the leading forces in Michigan. Unlike his boastful counterparts, Trainor lets his reputation and a scowling picture of himself, on the yellow pages, do most of his advertising.

Trainor started this firm in downtown Detroit after practicing law at Neighborhood Family Legal Services, while attending The Detroit College of Law, and then a brief stint in another small law office. He decided he could do a better job for the people he was representing if he had total control over his cases. Trainor felt that his supervisors had lost touch and that he understood his clients better than they did.

This was the beginning of The Law Offices of Christopher Trainor. "It wasn't pretty at all," said Trainor. "My office was the size of a walk-in closet, it was a desk and two chairs, and when you opened the door it smacked into the chair the clients sat in," he said.   "It was so small I had to go out in the hall to change my mind," joked Trainor.

From these meager beginnings The Law Offices of Christopher Trainor and Associates has evolved into one of the most influential legal practices in the State of Michigan, specializing in personal injury law. Trainor, primarily a personal injury lawyer, has fought insurance companies, police departments, hospitals and major corporations, to protect the rights of his clients that needed him most and winning against these giant machines that too often trample on the rights of the people.

"It wasn't easy," said Trainor, "but when you're able to help a person that has been wronged during one of the worst in their lives, it makes all the difference in the world!" he said.  "You have to understand, when I meet with a client for the first time they usually feel there is no hope left," he said.  "These people need my help and that is why I practice law."

He and his team of lawyers are extremely good at helping people in need, winning millions of dollars a year for their clients each year.  "I have been extremely lucky and blessed with the best lawyers, employees, mentors, family and friends," said Trainor, "without them none of this could have happened."

The Law Offices of Christopher Trainor and Associates has become so influential within Michigan, that people from other states have sought out their expertise.  It has allowed this small Michigan business to expand their services into other states to assist other people that have been wronged.  Trainor is excited about expanding his legal services to other states but will not allow the quality of his firm's legal representation to waver at all.

"I have built my reputation on providing the best legal representation possible," said Trainor.  His office manager and right arm, Susan Stepanski said, "We definitely go through several lawyers and office staff before we find the right one to fit our organization.  We only hire the highest quality of person to work with our team."

Trainor's philosophy is no one person is more important than the next. "From the bottom to the top of this firm everyone is an intricate part of this organization," he said.

Whatever the secret of this Michigan gem is, we wish The Law Offices of Christopher Trainor and Associates continued success in the years to come.  It is nice write about a Michigan company that is doing well during these tough economic times.