Andrew Blum focuses his practice in complex business litigation, particularly eminent domain and land use litigation, oil and gas rights disputes, business fraud/tort cases, and material supply agreement disputes in the automotive industry.
Before joining Bodman in May 2024, Andrew was a Principal with a large Michigan-based business law firm where he served as Resident Director of the Grand Rapids office.
Andrew has represented both landowners and condemning authorities in eminent domain cases involving public improvements as diverse as natural gas pipelines, downtown development authorities, railroad crossings, road improvements, storm water treatment plants, bike trails, consolidated drains, electrical lines, sidewalk easements, parks, and ice rinks. He also has served as litigation counsel for financial institutions involved in Article III and Article IV Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) related disputes.
He has represented numerous material purchasers in negotiations with their suppliers over whether these material cost increases would be passed on to the purchasers. He also has served as litigation counsel for Tier-2 and Tier-3 automotive clients in disputes with material suppliers which could not be resolved through negotiations up to and including appellate litigation in the Michigan Supreme Court.
As a component of his litigation practice, Andrew has repeatedly confronted situations in which material suppliers have refused to ship material to their clients because of price disputes. These ‘No Ship’ cases have required Andrew to provide strategies and litigation support to his clients to resolve those disputes quickly with minimal disruption to their operations.
Andrew represented a rail services provider in connection with the closure of private crossings across a multi-county stretch of track in Michigan, and represented a natural gas utility in transmission and distribution line projects. He was the principal architect of the legal strategy for defeating various conversion claims brought against a national oil and gas producer regarding segments of its Michigan oil and gas production, preventing multi-million dollar losses to this client. Recently, Andrew was involved in cutting-edge constitutional litigation in which achieved a nationwide stay and then a nationwide preliminary injunction for his client.
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America 2021-2024, Commercial Litigation
- Leading Lawyers, 2021-2023, Commercial Litigation, Land Use, Zoning & Condemnation Law
- Grand Rapids Magazine Top Lawyers 2022-2023, Commercial Litigation
- Samaritas Ambassador Award, 2020
- Notre Dame Club of Grand Rapids, 2017 “Person of the Year”
Civic, Cultural, and Community Activities
- Samaritas, Board of Directors, 2018—present
- Executive Committee, 2023—present
- Basilica of St. Adalbert Knights of Columbus Officer, 2013-present
- Conductive Learning Center of North America, Board of Directors, 1999—2010; 2022—present
- Diocese of Grand Rapids
- Diocesan-wide School Board, 2017—2023
- Chair, 2022—2023
- Vice-Chair, 2020—2022
- Development Committee, 2017—2023
- Chair, 2020—2023
- New School Feasibility Study Committee, 2017
- Notre Dame Summer Shakespeare Festival
- Board of Directors, 2002-present
- Chair, Executive Committee, 2002-present
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Litigation Section
- State Bar of Michigan
- Litigation and Real Property Law sections
- Federal Bar Association
- Grand Rapids Bar Association
Publications
- Recent Development Update for Michigan Laches Law, LexisNexis, 2017-present
- Co-Author, Michigan Real Estate Litigation Practice Guide, LexisNexis, 2016
- “Making Sense of the U.C.C. Statute of Frauds,” Michigan Bar Journal, 50th Anniversary of the U.C.C. issue, 2014Co-Author, Michigan Real Estate Litigation Practice Guide, LexisNexis, 2016
Pro Bono
- State Bar of Michigan 2020-2023 A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll
- University of Notre Dame Law School, J.D., magna cum laude
- University of Notre Dame, B.A.
- Michigan