Michigan adheres to the American rule which states that a prevailing party in a lawsuit can be awarded actual attorney fees if there is a contract between the parties that sets that out or if there is a direct statute on point. Examples of Michigan statutes that award attorney fees are lemon law for new vehicles; eminent domain where private property is being taken by a municipality; conversion where someone takes property from another and converts it to their own use; consumer protection act where businesses engage in deceptive practices towards consumers. Without an express contract or direct Michigan statute a party to a lawsuit, even if they win, cannot be awarded actual attorney fees.