Our History
Nearly 40 Years of Protecting Policyholders
Liss + Earls Property Insurance Attorneys has its roots in one of Michigan’s most established property insurance claims practices. For nearly four decades, the attorneys of this firm—past and present—have represented homeowners, businesses, and commercial property owners whose insurance claims have been denied, delayed, or underpaid. Along the way, the firm’s attorneys have recovered an estimated $500 million in verdicts, settlements, and insurance claim payments for policyholders.*
Founded in 1986
The firm was founded in 1986 by Michael H. Fabian and Stuart A. Sklar, who recognized that Michigan policyholders needed attorneys who specialized exclusively in property insurance claims. At a time when few attorneys focused on this area of law, Fabian and Sklar built a practice devoted entirely to representing property owners against insurance companies that denied or underpaid legitimate claims. Over the following decades, the firm earned a reputation as one of the most experienced and effective property insurance claims practices in Michigan.
Growing the Practice
As the firm’s caseload and reputation grew, additional attorneys joined the practice. The firm handled increasingly complex property loss matters—including multi-million dollar commercial and homeowners fire, explosion, water loss, storm damage, and business interruption cases. The firm’s attorneys developed deep expertise in first-party property insurance law and became recognized authorities in the field, shaping Michigan’s insurance law through significant appellate decisions, published articles, and leadership in professional organizations including the Insurance & Indemnity Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and the Michigan Association for Justice.
A New Chapter: Liss + Earls
Today, the firm is led by Managing Shareholder Jason J. Liss, who has practiced property insurance claims law for over 30 years. Licensed in both Michigan and Ohio, and regularly appearing pro hac vice in courts across the country, Jason has built a nationally respected practice focused exclusively on representing policyholders in complex property insurance disputes. Under his leadership, the firm continues its founding mission of holding insurance companies accountable when they fail to honor their obligations to policyholders.
Strengthening the Team
In a move that further strengthened the firm’s capabilities, attorneys Ann-Marie E. Earls and Joseph L. Milanowski, former shareholders at Melamed, Levitt, Milanowski & Earls, P.C., joined the practice, bringing with them decades of additional experience in property insurance claims litigation. Ann-Marie, a shareholder in the firm, has been recognized as a Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star and was named one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Up & Coming Lawyers.” Joe, who has practiced law since 1992, is an experienced trial attorney who regularly represents policyholders in complex insurance disputes involving fire, water, storm, and explosion losses. Together, they bring a depth of knowledge and trial experience that makes the firm one of the most formidable property insurance claims practices in the state.
What We Do Today
Liss + Earls represents policyholders in every type of property insurance claim, including fire damage, water damage, storm and wind damage, explosions, business interruption, and insurance agent errors and omissions. The firm’s attorneys guide clients through every stage of the claims process—from initial claim preparation and Examinations Under Oath through trial and appeal. Headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, the firm has attorneys licensed in Michigan and Ohio and handles select high-value property insurance claims nationwide through pro hac vice admission.
Honoring Our Founders
Michael H. Fabian has retired from the firm. Stuart A. Sklar continues to serve the firm in an Of Counsel capacity, providing guidance informed by decades of experience in property insurance claims. The contributions of the firm’s founding attorneys established the foundation upon which Liss + Earls continues to build. Their dedication to protecting policyholders’ rights set the standard that drives the firm’s work today.
Talk to our experienced property insurance claim lawyers
If your property insurance claim has been denied, delayed, or underpaid, contact our experienced property insurance claims attorneys for a complimentary consultation.