Stephen P. Brown, a partner of Plunkett Cooney was recently selected for membership in the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC), an international organization whose members dedicate their practice to the representation of corporations and insurance companies in the defense of civil litigation.
A member of the Plunkett Cooney’s Insurance Law Practice Group, Brown’s practice focuses exclusively on the representation of insurance companies in complex coverage disputes involving a wide spectrum of issues, including insurance coverage for underlying product liability and environmental contamination claims, among others. He has also represented corporate entities in complex product liability litigation.
In addition, Brown, who is a member in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, has experience handling bad faith and failure to settle claims on behalf of insurance companies. His insurance coverage practice also includes a number of defense cost disputes where the reasonableness and necessity of such costs incurred by an insurance policyholder were at issue.
Brown has successfully defended a number of key insurance coverage issues and has authored numerous coverage opinions for insurance carrier clients on a range of topics such as coverage for advertising injury claims, sexual harassment, racial and sexual discrimination, assault and battery, defective products, and claims made/claims reported issues.
Admitted to practice law in several federal courts and pro hac vice in nine states, Brown earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 1993 and his undergraduate degree from University of Michigan in 1990.
Additionally, Chiara Mattieson has joined Plunkett Cooney as a member of the firm’s Litigation and Commercial Litigation practice groups. Mattieson will concentrate her practice on litigation defense in the areas of retail law, business law, and premises, motor vehicle and general liability.
An attorney in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, Mattieson’s clients include insurance companies, national retail chains, financial institutions and other businesses involved in litigation ranging from standard collection cases to complex claims seeking multi-million dollar awards.
Recognized as a “Rising Star” in the areas of creditors’ rights and litigation by “Michigan Super Lawyers,” Mattieson is admitted to practice in Michigan’s state and federal courts. She also has experience in such varied practice areas as criminal law, family law, municipal law and bankruptcy.
Mattieson is a member of the Oakland County Bar Association’s Membership Committee and is a Barrister in the Association’s Inn of Court. She also serves as the vice chair of Membership of the Oakland County Bar Association’s New Lawyers’ Committee.
Mattieson earned her law and undergraduate degrees from Wayne State University. Mattieson is fluent in French and conversant in German.
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Butzel Long attorney and shareholder David F. DuMouchel was a featured speaker on Sept. 28 during a program presented by the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA). His presentation focused on corporate fraud and internal investigations.
Based in Butzel Long’s Detroit office, DuMouchel chairs the firm’s Corporate Compliance, Internal Investigations and Criminal Defense practice.
DuMouchel’s practice is limited to white collar criminal defense, professional licensure and criminal health care, criminal IRS investigations of both taxpayers and professionals, SEC enforcement of corporate executives, public corruption, as well as grand jury investigations, internal corporate investigations and compliance. He has particular expertise in the Clery Act regarding safety and security on campus at higher education institutions.
DuMouchel is a recipient of the Leonard Gilman Award from the Federal Bar Association as the outstanding criminal law practitioner in the Eastern District of Michigan. He has been named by Best Lawyers as the “2010 Detroit Criminal Defense: White-Collar Lawyer of the Year.” He has been listed in each “Best Lawyers” edition for the last 25 years, up to and including the most recent. He also is listed in “Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers,” and in “Michigan Super Lawyers.” From 1978 to 1985, DuMouchel served as chairperson of the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission.
DuMouchel is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School (1975) and the University of Detroit (M.A., 1972).
Additionally, Butzel Long attorneys Justin Klimko and Patrick Dreisig were featured speakers on Oct. 5 during a program presented by the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA). The theme of the program was “Automotive M&A: Getting Ready for the Next Wave.”
Butzel Long was a sponsor of the program.
Klimko, president of Butzel Long, co-presented a program with Andy Wilson, national managing partner, divestiture services, Deloitte LLP, titled “Money and Borders: Cross-Border Investments in a Changing Global Marketplace.” They delivered a balanced perspective on how foreign buyers are likely to play a major role in this new M&A environment.”
Dreisig was one of several speakers who offered perspective on supply chain consolidation, capital markets and family ownership.
Klimko has experience in securities regulation, corporate financing, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and general corporate matters, fields in which he has practiced since 1980. Klimko has substantial experience in securities regulation matters for publicly and privately held companies.
Dreisig is co-chair of Butzel Long’s Global Automotive Industry Group and a member of the firm’s Business Law Practice. Dreisig focuses his practice in general business law and transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, recapitalizations, debt and equity finance transactions, venture capital transactions, supply agreements, intellectual property development and licensing transactions, customer and supplier workouts, entity selection and formation, corporate governance and business succession.
Also, Butzel Long attorney William J. Kohler had a special opportunity recently to introduce Nate Young, president, NewNorth Center Design in Business, as one of the featured speakers during the 12th Annual Automotive Suppliers Symposium on September 22 in Grand Rapids.
Kohler co-chairs Butzel Long’s Global Automotive Practice Group in Detroit. He has extensive domestic and international experience in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, distribution arrangements, supply arrangements, supplier and customer workouts and bankruptcies, intellectual property arrangements, and general corporate matters.
In addition, Butzel Long attorney and shareholder Robert T. Wilson was elected to a one-year term as the new chairperson of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan on September 23. His goal as chairperson is to help the Section fulfill its strategic plan while finding ways for the Section to help improve the climate for businesses in Michigan.
Wilson formerly served as treasurer, secretary, vice-chairperson and Publications director of the Business Law Section. Wilson also serves on the Business Law Section Council.
Based in Butzel Long’s Bloomfield Hills office, Wilson has experience in a wide variety of complex transactions, with a specific concentration in mergers and acquisitions and commercial contracts.
Wilson is a graduate of Boston College (1994), Indiana University (M.A., 1982) and Denison University (B.A., 1981).
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Dykema recently announced that the firm has been selected to receive the National Legal Aid & Defender Association’s (NLADA) 2010 Beacon of Justice Award, which recognizes the firm’s significant commitment to pro bono representation in the area of immigration. Dykema was honored at the NLADA’s Exemplar Award Dinner in Washington, D.C. on Oct.r 6.
Between 2009 and April 2010, the law firm has accepted cases for clients seeking asylum, special immigrant juvenile status, U-Visas, VAWAs, T-Visas and withholding of removal claims. The firm’s current partner organizations include Freedom House, the National Immigrant Justice Center, Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, Immigration Equality, Center for the Abolition of Slavery and Trafficking, as well as other nationally recognized agencies.
“We are honored that the National Legal Aid & Defender Association has recognized Dykema for its dedication to pro bono immigration cases,” said Rex E. Schlaybaugh Jr., Dykema’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Dykema has a strong commitment to pro bono work and I commend all of our attorneys for their considerable amount of time and effort providing legal services for those who otherwise might go without representation.”
In the last year and a half alone, Dykema has handled more than 50 immigration cases and dedicated nearly 2,900 hours of professional time.
Lawyers involved in Dykema’s pro bono immigration rights work include attorneys from both its transactional and litigation practices, partners and associates.
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The Michigan State University College of Law Board of Trustees welcomed several new members to its ranks on September 29, 2010.
Among the new trustees is Elaine Fieldman, ‘76, currently Of Counsel to the Detroit firm of Barris, Sott, Denn, & Driker, with which she has been affiliated since 1979. She graduated from Detroit College of Law (DCL) and earned an LL.M. from Wayne State University Law School in 1986. Before joining Barris Sott, Fieldman clerked for Michigan Court of Appeals Judge John H. Gillis and Michigan Supreme Court Judge Charles L. Levin. Fieldman has served on the executive boards of Lighthouse PATH and JVS, nonprofit social service agencies.
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Gary Remer of Maddin, Hauser, Wartell, Roth, & Heller PC was appointed the chair for the 2011 Annual State Bar of Michigan Taxation Conference. The conference will be held May 12, 2011 at the St.
John’s Inn and Conference Center located in Plymouth and will feature many speakers focusing on current tax issues. Remer introduced the idea of webcasting the conference to expand the accessibility to tax practitioners across the State of Michigan.
The firm also announced that attorneys Michael K. Hauser, Courtney D. Roschek, and Rebecca M. Turner have been recognized in Law & Politics Michigan SuperLawyers® 2010 issue as “Rising Stars.”
Super Lawyers was created as a resource to aid attorneys and consumers in the search for legal counsel.
Honored for his work in tax law, Hauser focuses his practice on partnership and corporate tax, state and federal taxation of estate transactions, gift and estate tax and general business matters. A CPA,
Hauser received his B.A. from Dartmouth College and gradated from Wayne State University Law School. An adjunct professor in the Cooley Law School LLM program, he is a frequently published author on tax issues.
Roschek is noted as a “Rising Star” for her work in business litigation. The Royal Oak resident received her B.A. from Western Michigan University and her law degree from the Michigan State University College of Law. Roschek has worked with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in developing and conducting the certification program for trial attorneys wishing to use the shared advanced technology courtroom. She concentrates her practice on litigation and corporate and business matters.
Turner was also selected as a “Rising Star,” being honored in the Franchise/Dealership category. She received her B.B.A. in Accounting from Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business and her law degree from the Syracuse University College of Law. Turner focuses her practice in the areas of franchise law, corporate and business law and real estate transactions.
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Deborah S. Rubin has joined Southfield-based Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, Weiss PC as an associate in the firm’s insolvency and reorganization practice group. Jaffe CEO Richard Zussman made the announcement.
Rubin earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Oakland University. She is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Rubin is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and the International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation.
She previously served as an associate with Silverman Morris PLLC where her practice concentrated in bankruptcy law.
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Zana Tomich, partner at the Bloomfield Hills-based law firm Dalton, Tomich, & Pensler PLC, was selected to participate in Leadership Detroit Class XXXII. Leadership Detroit is a yearlong community leadership program to enhance leadership skills and gain insight and knowledge of regional issues among senior-level executives in southeast Michigan.
Tomich is one of 63 local leaders selected to participate in the program this year. Participants represent a cross-section of the community, including business, organized labor, government, education, media, civic groups, health services and community organizations.
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Avant Advisors PLLC is proud to announce it has become a community partner of the Southeast Michigan program of LEAVE A LEGACY®. Through their partnership, Avant Advisors PLLC maintains its commitment to the community by supporting and promoting the need for individuals to support their favorite charities through a charitable bequest in their wills or estate plans.
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Honigman, Miller, Schwartz, and Cohn LLP is pleased to announce that Alexander G. Domenicucci, a partner in the firm’s Tax Department, recently moderated an Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) panel entitled “Successfully Handling Partnership Tax Issues.” The panel included Joni D. Larson, Thomas M. Cooley Law School Professor and Assistant Director of its Graduate Tax Program, and Dean A. Rocheleau, partner, Plante & Moran PLLC, Southfield. In addition, Domenicucci spoke about “Partnership Mergers and Division and Carried Interest Legislation.” The seminar was cosponsored by the Taxation Section of the State Bar of Michigan.
Domenicucci concentrates his practice on counseling individuals and businesses on a wide range of matters involving federal, state and local taxation with particular emphasis on the taxation of pass-through entities such as partnerships, limited liability companies, S corporations and real estate investment trusts.
He is the chair of the State Bar of Michigan Tax Section’s Business Entities Committee. He is also a member of the Partnerships and LLCs Committee and the Real Estate Committee of the Tax Section of the American Bar Association, and a member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts.
Domenicucci earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School. He also earned his B.B.A. in accounting from the University of Michigan.
In addition, Honigman also recently announced that seven of the firm’s practice areas received national rankings in the inaugural U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers “2010 Best Law Firms” and 32 practice areas received metropolitan rankings. Honigman was the only Michigan law firm to be recognized in the national rankings for Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Venture Capital, Securities/Capital Markets and Tax .
The firm’s Bankruptcy and Creditor Debt/Insolvency Reorganization Law, Corporate and General Commercial Litigation practices also were ranked nationally.
In addition, 32 of its practice areas received metropolitan rankings, which recognized practice areas in specific geographic areas, in this case, in Michigan cities. Honigman was the only Michigan firm to be recognized in the Michigan metropolitan rankings for its Venture Capital and Private Equity practices.
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James W. Low has been elected as secretary-treasurer of the State Bar of Michigan – Young Lawyers Section. The Young Lawyers Section, composed of more than 10,000 members, is the oldest and largest section of the State Bar of Michigan. It is committed to providing activities of particular interest and value to young lawyers in Michigan, including service to the profession and service to the community.
Low is an attorney at Sullivan, Ward, Asher, & Patton PC in their specialty litigation division. He represents doctors and hospitals in medical malpractice cases and represents lawyers in legal malpractice cases.
Low graduated from Michigan State University in 1998, and earned his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law in 2001. He is involved in numerous bar leadership activities, including serving a two-year term as Michigan’s District Representative to the American Bar Association – Young Lawyers Division, serving as chair-elect of the Oakland County Bar Association – New Lawyers Committee, and serving as a barrister in the American Inns of Court.
Low has published numerous articles on professional liability and technology for the Defense Research Institute and has lectured on professional liability and bar leadership for the State Bar of Michigan – Young Lawyers Section.
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On Oct. 1, the Michigan Association Justice hosted the nationally renowned “ABA Tech Roadshow” Seminar.
The all-day, two-track seminar showcased the latest tech and tips from both Michigan and national experts.
In the spirit of the ‘paperless office’ all seminar material was provided on USB thumb drives.
Presentations included: Going paperless—digital dictation; PDFing for lawyers—Speech recognition software; Failsafe backups; Popular software tips/tricks—E-faxing, Skype; Dual monitors; Video conferencing; latest courtroom tech tools; Social networks—Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, etc; 7 tech-must haves—for superlative client service; Office management—Needles, Time Matters, World Dox and more; Mobile office and remote access.”
The co-moderators were Jason Waechter and Michael Morse who were also seminar presenters. Other speakers included Paul Unger, Affinity Consulting, Columbus OH, and Brett Burney, Burney Consultants LLC, Cleveland OH.
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Gail M. Wilson is the new vice president of human resources for the Legal Aid and Defender Association Inc., according to Deierdre L. Weir, president and CEO.
Prior to joining Legal Aid and Defender, Wilson was director of human resources and labor relations for Southfield Public Schools, director of human resources for the 36th District Court in Detroit, and a division human resources manager for Home Depot, U.S.A.
Wilson is also an attorney who practiced labor and employment law, including practice with the law firm of Miller Cohen PLLC.
Wilson is a graduate of University of Detroit-Mercy where she earned a B.A. in business administration and her law degree from the School of Law. She also earned an L.L.M. from Wayne State University Law School.
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Farmington Hills-based Zausmer, Kaufman, August, Caldwell, & Tayler PC is pleased to announce that Mischa Boardman and Nicole Wright have been named shareholders in the firm. Both were previously associate attorneys at the firm.
The announcement was made by managing partner, Mark Zausmer.
Boardman represents clients in an array of matters such as complex civil litigation, commercial litigation, eminent domain, appellate, and commercial landlord tenant disputes. Throughout her career,
Boardman has focused in the area of eminent domain, representing both public and private agencies as well as property owners. She has represented clients of all sizes – ranging from municipalities, publicly traded REITs, utility companies and small business owners.
Boardman earned her B.A. from the University of Michigan. She later obtained her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School She is currently admitted to practice in all Michigan and Illinois courts.
Wright has concentrated her practice in the areas of general civil litigation and employment litigation. Her practice includes representing some of the nation’s largest corporations on liability issues and insurance coverage matters.
Wright graduated from Michigan State University College of Law.
