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Michael J. (Mike) Nichols is a nationally known OWI defense attorney and on his 3rd term as the task force chair for the forensic science committee for the National College for DUI Defense. Mike also just authored the 15th update of his well-known practice guidebook: “The Michigan OWI Manual,” by Thomson Reuters West publishing.  Mike recently co-counselled an OWI-by-Marijuana-Causing-Death trial in Gaylord (Otsego County) and the jury found the client “Not Guilty” on both counts of OWI-Causing-Death and Reckless-Driving-Causing-Death. The client, a widow and U.S. Marine Corps Vet, faced up to 15 years in prison and she likely could have served at least 7 years.

Other recent acquittals include a horrific fatal accident involving a semi-truck that crossed 6 lanes of traffic into the oncoming lanes of travel on I-94 and a harrowing story about a client who was accosted by an angry neighbor in an area where the client was cutting trees, only to have that neighbor then accuse the client of viciously assaulting him when the client only defended himself.

Mike “wrote the book” on drunk driving defense in Michigan, as author of the Thomson Reuters West “OWI Manual,” which is now in its 2nd decade of updates. He is also the co-chair of the task force on forensic science for the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) and chairs the autonomous vehicles task force for the NCDD. Mike also co-authored a chapter update for the West Publication ‘‘Inside the Minds’’ with Dr. Andreas Stolz, PhD and Ted Vosk called ‘‘DUI Mathematics.’’ Mike and attorney Jeremy Brehmer, Esq. also collaborated with Dr. Stolz on measurement uncertainty, limits of detection and validation for the same publication. Mike has presented several times at national conferences for the NCDD, the DUI Defense Lawyers of America, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the Cannabis Law Section for the State Bar of Michigan, the Criminal Law Section for the State Bar of Michigan, and the Michigan Association of OWI Attorneys (MIAOWIA) which he helped found in 2011.

Mike Nichols is an adjunct professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School’s Lansing campus, focusing on DUI Law and Practice and Forensic Evidence in Criminal Law.

Mike will also handle complex litigation matters, including contingency fee cases, on a case-by-case basis. An example is a recent case in which Mike lead a team of lawyers against the Saginaw Police Department and several of its officers. The officers failed to do their duty to protect Mike’s client and her 4-month-old daughter, and they died as a result. Mike’s team achieved a multi-million-dollar verdict in Federal Court in this matter.

He also focuses on complex forensic issues and other limited litigation matters. For example, in the fall of 2021, Mike and Wendy Schiller-Nichols settled a personal injury accident for a young client, who was hurt severely in an ATV accident in Roscommon County for $635,000.00. “It was super hard work to get this result without a trial, but it was oh so rewarding,” he says. You will find reviews from the family and clients elsewhere on our webpage. In another example, Mike Nichols defended the driver-accused in what is believed to be the first ever black box vehicular homicide case and won a not guilty verdict in People v Wood. He is a founding member of the Nichols Law Firm, PLLC in East Lansing. The firm was launched by Mike and Wendy Schiller-Nichols in 2006 while Mike was co-counsel that year on one of the most notorious murder trials in Michigan history - People v Holland.

Mike has been an active member of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM) since 2000, serving on the Rules and Laws legislative committee. He was a CDAM Trial College Faculty member in 2010 and 2011. Mike helped launch the Michigan Association of OWI Attorneys (MIAOWIA) in 2012. He is also very active in the National College for DUI Defense. Mike is chair of the forensic science task force for the college, a member of the faculty, and as a sustaining member. Mike is also a member of the Michigan Association of Justice (MAJ). Mike and Wendy live in East Lansing. They have 3 kids, Lauren, Christian and Morgan, who are at various stages of life.  He is a proud graduate of Michigan State University.