Jennifer A. Engelhardt

Jennifer joined Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, in 2015 after devoting more than a decade of her legal career to the defense of medical professionals and institutions. Jennifer’s experience defending malpractice claims affords her a unique perspective on how to effectively represent catastrophically injured individuals.

Throughout her career, Jennifer has litigated a variety of matters in state and federal court. She is also an experienced appellate advocate.

Jennifer is a frequent Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) contributor, where she has authored and edited numerous publications involving torts and health care malpractice. She also serves as the medical malpractice co-chair of the Michigan Association for Justice’s Amicus Committee.

Jennifer has repeatedly been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers in the field of medical malpractice, among other professional honors.

Professional Experience

• Attorney and Counselor (January 2015–Present)
  Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, Ann Arbor, MI
  Areas of Practice: Catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, appeals
• Attorney and Shareholder (2011–2015)
  Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, PC, Troy, MI
  Areas of Practice: Catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, appeals, family law
• Associate Attorney (2005–2011)
  Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, PC (f/k/a Cox, Hodgman, Giarmarco PC), Troy, MI
  Areas of Practice: Catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, appeals, family law
• Associate Attorney (2003–2005)
  Wulfmeier & Ottenwess, PLC, Detroit, MI
  Areas of Practice: Catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, appeals
• Associate Attorney (2003)
  Mellon, McCarthy and Pries, PC, Troy, MI
  Areas of Practice: Medical malpractice, municipal law

Education

• Juris Doctor (2002)
  Wayne State University Law School, Detroit, MI
  Editor-in-Chief, Moot Court program
  Recipient, Walter Nussbaum Award
• Bachelor of Arts (1995)
  University of Michigan Residential College, Ann Arbor, MI

Publications

• Michigan Bar Journal (February 2024)
  Best Practices in Pleading and Proving Exemplary Damages
• Michigan Bar Journal (June 2022)
  Daubert Challenges to Expert Testimony: Legal Overview and Best Practices
• Michigan Bar Journal (April 2022)
  Danger Ahead: Pitfalls and Landmines in Medical Malpractice Expert Witness Requirements
• Michigan State Bar Negligence Law Section E-News (Spring 2016)
  A Time of Grace – Michigan’s Disability Tolling Statute
• Institute of Continuing Legal Education
  Michigan Causes of Action Formbook (Book)
  Chapter 31: Health Care Provider Malpractice
• Institute of Continuing Legal Education (March 2020)
  Initial Disclosure Timeline – A Practical Tool for Litigators
• Institute of Continuing Legal Education Practice Forms:
  • Medical Malpractice Complaint
  • Medical Malpractice Affidavit of Merit
  • Sample Initial Disclosures (Plaintiff)
  • Medical Malpractice Notice of Intent
  • Interrogatories to Defendant Doctor (Medical Malpractice)
  • Affidavit of Meritorious Defense (Medical Malpractice Action)
  • Plaintiff’s Calendaring Worksheet for Medical Malpractice Claim
  • Sample Interrogatories to Defendant Hospital (Obstetrical Medical Malpractice)
  • Affidavit of Noninvolvement (Medical Malpractice Action)
  • Interrogatories to Defendant Doctor’s Professional Corporation (Medical Malpractice)
  • Noneconomic and Economic Damages Worksheet
  • Defendant’s Calendaring Worksheet for Medical Malpractice Claim
  • Nursing Home Malpractice and Negligence Complaint
  • Petition for Taking Deposition Before Action
• Institute of Continuing Legal Education
  How To Kit: File a Complaint for Wrongful Death (Feb 2023)
• Institute of Continuing Legal Education
  Michigan Causes of Action Formbook, Second Edition (Book)
  Chapter 8: Professional Malpractice Actions
• Institute of Continuing Legal Education
  Torts: Michigan Law and Practice, September 2025 Update (Book)
  Editor and Author of the following Chapters:
  • Chapter 7: Medical Malpractice
  • Chapter 18: Wrongful Death
  • Chapter 19: Damages and Shared Liability Principles
• Institute of Continuing Legal Education
  Torts: Michigan Law and Practice, October 2023 Update (Book)
  Editor and Author of the following Chapters:
  • Chapter 7: Medical Malpractice
  • Chapter 18: Wrongful Death
  • Chapter 19: Damages and Shared Liability Principles
• Institute of Continuing Legal Education
  Torts: Michigan Law and Practice, Third Edition (Book)
  Editor and Author of the following Chapters:
  • Chapter 7: Medical Malpractice
  • Chapter 18: Wrongful Death
  • Chapter 19: Damages and Shared Liability Principles
• Institute of Continuing Legal Education
  Torts: Michigan Law and Practice, Second Edition (Book)
  Chapter 6: Healthcare Malpractice

Professional Presentations

Professional Recognition

• Mary Foster Award, Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, Washtenaw Region (December 2025)
• Michigan Association for Justice Women’s Caucus Award of Excellence (May 2025)
• Michigan Lawyers Weekly Women in the Law 2021 Honoree
• SuperLawyer 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
• SuperLawyer Rising Star 2010, 2012, 2013
• DBusiness Top Lawyers 2010, 2012, 2013, 2022
• Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating

Professional Associations/Memberships

• American Association for Justice (Member)
• Appellate Law Section, State Bar of Michigan (Member)
• Character & Fitness Committee, State Bar of Michigan (Member, Incoming District Chair)
• Civil Procedure & Courts Committee, State Bar of Michigan (Member)
• Litigation Counsel of America (Fellow)
• Michigan Association for Justice (Medical Malpractice Co-Chair, Amicus Committee)
• Michigan Foundation for Judicial Refugees (President/Chair)
• Michigan State Bar Foundation (Fellow)
• National Association of Women Judges (Member)
• Negligence Section, State Bar of Michigan (Member)
• Washtenaw Association for Justice (Member)
• Washtenaw County Bar Association (Member)
• Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (Member)

Bar Admissions

• State Bar of Michigan
• United States District Court (Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan)