Overview

Fred Dilley has been actively involved in the Grand Rapids and West Michigan legal communities in both state and federal courts as a first chair litigator for more than 35 years. He has worked on a variety of complex and difficult matters ranging from business disputes to divorce cases to personal injury matters. For the last 15 years, he has brought that experience to his facilitative mediation and arbitration practice which now represents the majority of his professional endeavors. Fred is a sought-after facilitative mediator. He completes about 100 mediations each year with a very significant success rate and a large number of return users. Attorneys and clients have come to trust Fred’s judgment and expertise as a litigator; as a mediator; and as an arbitrator.

Dilley was recently interviewed by Michigan Lawyers Weekly about the rising trend of using virtual mediation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article covers aspects of the available technology along with benefits and best practices. See full story here.

Fred is also frequently engaged as local counsel in federal and state courts in matters such as patent and trademark infringement,  securities fraud and energy litigation involving anti-trust claims. His ability to assist out-of-town counsel in navigating through the local rules, procedures and practices has been of great value to a number of Fortune 1000 companies, their general counsel and, outside counsel. 

Honors & Recognitions

Affiliations

Memberships & Affiliations

Legal Affiliations:

• American College of Trial Lawyers
• Judicial Conference of the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, Life Member
• National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
• American Inns of Court, Gerald R. Ford Chapter, Founding Master and Past President (1995)
• Hillman Advocacy Program, Steering Committee, Past Chair
• Civil Justice Advisory Group, Western District Michigan, Past Chair
• Voluntary Facilitative Mediation Advisory Group, Western District Michigan, Past Chair
• Michigan State University College of Law, Trustee Emeritus and Former Vice Chair
• Grand Rapids Bar Association
  • Family Law Section
• State Bar of Michigan
  • Family Law Section
  • Negligence Section
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution Section

News & Events

Speaking Engagements

• Litigation Series: Benefits of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Foster Swift Second Wednesday Morning Break, September 14, 2022
• Virtual Mediation Online, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, March 18, 2022
• New Trends in Mediation And Other ADR, Federal Bar Association, West Michigan Chapter, October 1, 2021
• Mediations by Remote Video Conferencing and Beyond, State Bar of Michigan (SBM), October 16, 2020
• Foster Swift Explains Remote Mediation, Michigan Business Network, April 20, 2020
• REPRESENTING CLIENTS IN MEDIATION: The Art of Effective Mediation Advocacy, SBM: Alternative Dispute Resolution Section Labor & Employment Law; Litigation; Probate & Estate Planning; Real Property Law; and Young Lawyers Section, June 6, 2017

View More

News

• Dilley and Hogan Listed as 2024 Top Lawyers, Grand Rapids Magazine, November 5, 2024
• Five Attorneys Named Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" 2025, Best Lawyers in America, August 15, 2024
• Foster Swift Attorneys Named 2025 Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, August 15, 2024
• 17 Attorneys Selected to 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers and “Rising Stars”, Michigan Super Lawyers, August 12, 2024
• Grand Rapids Attorneys Listed as 2023 Top Lawyers, Grand Rapids Magazine, November 8, 2023
• Foster Swift Attorneys Named 2024 Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, August 17, 2023
• 17 Attorneys Selected to 2023 Michigan Super Lawyers and “Rising Stars”, Michigan Super Lawyers, August 11, 2023

Media

2nd Wednesday Lunch Break

Litigation Series: Benefits of Alternative Dispute Resolution

Other Videos

Alternative Dispute Resolution: Facilitative Mediation

Alternative Dispute Resolution: Selecting a Mediator