With certain limited exceptions, only "final"
decisions are appealable as a matter of right. In Michigan, that
typically means "the first judgment or order that disposes of
all the claims and adjudicates the rights and liabilities of all
the parties." MCR 7.202(6)(a)(i). In the federal system, a
decision is final if it "ends the litigation on the merits and
leaves nothing for the court to do but execute the judgment."
Catlin v United States, 324 US 229, 233 (1945). A recent
decision from the Sixth Circuit illustrates the danger of parties
stipulating to a "final" judgment or order that purports
to "reserve" certain issues for further proceedings,
including potential future appeals.
