Detroit Hotel Services LLC and Schindler Elevator Corporation have initiated a legal maneuver to shift a civil lawsuit from the Wayne County Circuit Court to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. This procedural move, known as a Notice of Removal, was filed on February 16, 2026, by the defendants through their attorneys at Clark Hill PLC. The case originally commenced on August 29, 2025, involves plaintiffs Yonah Ferder and Michael Abraham seeking damages from Detroit Hotel Services LLC and Schindler Elevator Corporation.
The case stems from an incident involving Yonah Ferder and Michael Abraham who allege negligence on part of Detroit Hotel Services LLC, operating as Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, and Schindler Elevator Corporation. According to court documents, the plaintiffs argue that they suffered injuries due to malfunctioning elevator services managed by these entities. Initially filed in Wayne County Circuit Court under Case No: 25-013517-NZ, the complaint outlined damages exceeding $25,000 but did not meet federal jurisdiction requirements until further developments.
On January 20, 2026, an amended complaint was served upon the defendants detailing further grievances. Following this amendment, on January 30, 2026, defendants sought clarification through Requests for Admissions regarding the extent of damages being pursued by the plaintiffs. It was only upon receiving responses on February 16, 2026—wherein plaintiffs confirmed their pursuit of damages exceeding $75,000—that conditions for federal jurisdiction were satisfied under diversity jurisdiction rules.
The defendants assert that removal is appropriate based on complete diversity of citizenship between parties and an amount in controversy surpassing $75,000 as per Title 28 U.S.C. §1332(a). Specifically, plaintiffs are residents of Oakland County in Michigan while Schindler Elevator Corporation is incorporated in Delaware with its principal office in New Jersey. Similarly, Detroit Hotel Services LLC traces its corporate lineage back to Delaware with operational headquarters in Maryland.
Through this legal maneuvering facilitated by attorney Anthony A. Agosta from Clark Hill PLC’s Detroit office located at Woodward Avenue Suite 3500—defendants seek adjudication within federal courts which they believe possess original jurisdiction over such matters involving diverse parties across state lines coupled with substantial financial stakes involved.
In conclusion: Plaintiffs’ legal counsel remains undisclosed within available documentation while defense representation includes attorney Anthony A Agosta affiliated with prominent firm Clark Hill PLC.
Source: 226cv10532_Yonah_Ferder_v_Detroit_Hotel_Complaint_Eastern_District_of_Michigan.pdf
