As part of his successful practice of the law for over 50 years, Daniel P. Makarski has earned a solid reputation in alternative dispute resolution. Mr. Makarski is routinely appointed as an arbitrator, case evaluator, facilitator, and mediator in a wide variety of cases involving personal injuries, medical malpractice, as well as property and business disputes.

Mr. Makarski’s stature in the alternative dispute resolution field is recognized statewide and locally. Mr. Makarski was recently honored by the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel when he was awarded their President’s Special Recognition Award in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to civil litigation. In addition, the State Bar of Michigan Negligence Law Section  awarded Mr. Makarski the Earl J. Cline and Sherwin Schreier Award for Excellence in 2021. He has also been awarded the prestigious Respected Advocate Award from the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association, received the Civility Award from the Macomb County Bar Association and has maintained Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating of “AV” for over 30 years. From 2018 to the present, Mr. Makarski has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© and for 2021 has been listed in the Arbitration, Insurance Law, and Litigation – Insurance categories in Troy, Michigan.

Additionally, Dan Makarski was named Best Lawyers^® 2024  “Lawyer of the Year” in Troy, Michigan in the categories of Arbitration, Insurance Law, and Litigation – Insurance. He  was previously selected as Best Lawyers^®  “Lawyer of the Year” in 2021 and 2020. “Lawyer of the Year” recognitions are presented to individual attorneys with the highest overall peer-feedback for a specific practice area and geographic location.

Mr. Makarski has also been included in dbusiness Magazine’s list of “Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit” from 2010-2014, 2016, and 2018 through the present. In 2020, he was listed in the Arbitration and Mediation categories. Mr. Makarski has also been voted by his peers to Super Lawyers Magazine‘s list of Michigan Super Lawyers from 2018 through the present in the area of Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Mr. Makarski has been with Secrest Wardle since 1979. He became a Partner in 1986, and a Senior Partner in 1994. He currently serves as Chair of the Firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group. Mr. Makarski earned his Juris Doctor Degree from Wayne State University Law School. He also received a Master of Education Degree from Wayne State College of Education and a Bachelor of Philosophy Degree from Wayne State University Monteith College.

Mr. Makarski is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Mr. Makarski is a member of the following associations:

• State Bar of Michigan – Alternative Dispute Resolution and Negligence Law Sections
• American Arbitration Association
• Macomb County Bar Association
• St. Clair County Bar Association
• Polish American Legal Society