Michigan Equine Law

Lisa Pinkos Howle, PLLC

Services

  • Equine Law encompasses all legal issues related to horses, covering matters like litigation, contracts, disputes, and transactions. Equine Liability involves legal responsibility for injuries or damages arising from horse-related activities which may be avoided or minimized by the use of carefully drafted documents.

  • Equine litigation covers a wide range of matters, including breach of contract claims, fraud and misrepresentation claims, veterinary malpractice claims, violations of the Michigan Consumer Protection Act, ownership disputes, conversion (civil theft) claims, and more.

  • Sales or Lease disputes refer to conflicts or disagreements that arise between parties involved in a horse sale or lease. These disputes can occur at various stages of the sale or lease process and may be resolved prior to litigation. Comprehensive knowledge of the Uniform Commercial Code, a standardized set of laws governing commercial transactions in the United States, including sales and leases of Horses, is important to resolution of any horse-related sale or lease dispute.

  • Negotiate and prepare personalized contracts to clearly express the client's intentions and to anticipate and address potential issues or disputes that may arise during the course of the contractual relationship. Careful custom contract drafting is meant to minimize the possibility of litigation. Contracts include boarding contracts, training agreements, purchase and sales agreements, and more.

  • Real Estate transactions include the legal processes and documentation associated with the transfer of property, by sale or lease, to ensure that the horse-related property issues and concerns are addressed.

  • With respect to any horse-related dispute, mediation is the least expensive and most effective way in which to resolve conflicts and avoid litigation. The process is fairly informal and generally takes less than a day and can lead to a win-win resolution for all parties to the dispute.

  • A pet trust is a legal arrangement that allows an individual to provide for the care and well-being of their pets in the event of their disability, incapacity, or death. This type of trust is specifically designed to address the unique needs and concerns associated with pet ownership.

Lisa Pinkos Howle, Attorney

Lisa Pinkos Howle founded and manages Michigan Equine Law and has been litigating equine-related claims representing plaintiffs and defendants throughout Michigan for over 20 years, with a focus on efficiency and successful outcomes.

Lisa is actively involved in the equestrian world currently showing her dressage horse to qualify and compete at USDF Region 2 finals in 2023.  Experienced at managing her own horses and her own farm, such experience enhances her ability to swiftly address your equine legal needs. Lisa has represented clients in a variety of different disciplines practicing in numerous courts in lower Michigan, mostly litigating horse-related matters while also performing transactional work for clients in Kentucky, Illinois and Ohio.  

Lisa assists horse owners, buyers, sellers, businesses, lessees and lessors, professionals, farriers, breeders, and stables as well as AKC dog owners and breeders with similar animal-related issues.  Lisa also drafts purchase and sale agreements, leases, liability waivers and releases, boarding contracts and more and can further assist you in setting up appropriate limited liability companies or in drafting and reviewing real estate documentation. Her practice specifically includes equine-related litigation especially fraud and misrepresentation claims in horse sales and leases.

  • • Michigan
    • E.D. Michigan
    • W.D. Michigan
    • N.D. Ohio
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
    • Admitted pro hac vice in Ohio

  • • University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Juris Doctor
    • Oakland University, Master of Arts
    • University of Michigan, Bachelor of Arts

Experience and expertise you can trust.

Testimonials

“Anyone who's had the pleasure of working with Lisa, or even opposed her, would join me in praise for her brilliance and dedication as legal counsel. For me, Lisa's services went far beyond that. She had true empathy for what I was experiencing and kept me grounded through one of the worst times in my life. I truly don't know what I would have done without her and will never be able to thank her enough.”

R. R. – Eaton County, MI

“Lisa has been my attorney for years in reference to our equestrian business. Most recently Lisa assisted me with a large equestrian related real estate transaction. She did an amazing and thorough job. Her knowledge was an asset to me in the transaction and I would highly recommend her for anyone. ”

A. K. – Oakland County, Michigan

“Lisa never stopped advocating for me. Without her support I doubt I would have taken on what I knew was a very legitimate (and ultimately successful) action. If I ever find myself needing legal services again, Lisa will be my only choice for counsel.”

L.L. – Oakland County, MI

“Mrs. Howle is an excellent attorney who is very knowledgeable in all aspects of equine law. [She] took the time to hear all of my concerns and clearly, and concisely outlined all the different courses of action including the positives and negatives with each choice. I could not have asked for better representation. I highly recommend her for any equine law.”

M. F. – Washtenaw County, MI

“Lisa is the best equine law attorney I have ever worked with. From our first meeting, she explained everything to me in terms I could easily understand and is always very responsive when I have questions. If anyone is looking for a knowledgeable equine attorney that gets the results Lisa is amazing.”

J. M. – Kent County, MI and Clark County, KY

“I retained Lisa to represent me in a horse sale “gone wrong”. This was a complex case which involved two states, legal jurisdiction and the validity of sale procedures and documents. Lisa, as an equine attorney, was able to formulate a defense which resulted in an equitable settlement. I wish I would have consulted with Lisa prior to marketing my horse. She could have drawn up an agent contract which would have specified the exact role and obligations of the agent marketing the horse. This contract would have prevented possible misrepresentation of the horse when speaking with prospective buyers. Lisa is knowledgeable, fair and puts her clients’ best interests forward. I recommend using Lisa to formulate your horse sale documents.”

J. F. – Grand Traverse County, MI.