Legal People for October 3

Butzel Long BUTZEL LONG attorney PAUL M. MERSINO has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Barristers Section of the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association (DMBA). The Barristers Section is the young lawyers' division of the DMBA, providing new lawyers with opportunities to expand their leadership skills, partake in community service projects, attend practice area specific educational seminars, and participate in networking activities designed with young lawyers in mind. Mersino was elected to a two-year term. In addition, Mersino will be inducted to the Detroit chapter of the American Inns of Court (AIC), which is designed to improve the skills, professionalism and ethics of the bench and bar. An American Inn of Court is an amalgam of judges, lawyers, and in some cases, law professors and law students. They meet once a month and hold programs and discussions on matters of ethics, skills and professionalism. Based in Butzel Long's Detroit office, Mersino is a member of the firm's Commercial Litigation Practice Group where he represents public and private companies, both as plaintiff's attorney and defendant's attorney, in a number of areas including complex commercial litigation, contract disputes, construction litigation, automotive supplier disputes, and landlord-tenant disputes. Mersino's practice has included all levels of state and federal court, including appeals to the Michigan Court of Appeals. He is admitted to the State Bar of Michigan, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. Mersino is a graduate of Ave Maria School of Law (2008) and he earned his undergraduate degree from Northwood University (B.A., 2005). Mersino is a Licensed Realtor of the State of Michigan. His memberships include the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan, and Delta Mu Delta, Honorary Business Fraternity. Additionally, Butzel Long attorney and shareholder SCOTT T. PATTERSON will discuss social media in the workplace during a program presented by the American Society of Employers (ASE) on Oct. 4 in Livonia. Patterson will address human resources-related issues arising out of social media in the workplace. His presentation will cover the use of social media in recruiting and investigating employees and applicants; how to control and manage the use of social media in the workplace; how to apply existing laws to these new communication tools; the relation of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), National Labor Relations Act and social media; and, how to develop and implement effective social media policies. Based in Butzel Long's Bloomfield Hills office, Patterson represents employers in labor and employment law and business-related immigration matters. He has experience representing employers in state and federal courts and before government agencies in defense of employment-related claims such as those involving allegations of sexual harassment, race, age, gender and disability discrimination, wrongful discharge and alleged violations of various state and federal statutes. Patterson also represents employers in arbitration proceedings and collective bargaining negotiations. In addition to litigating employment-based lawsuits, Patterson is involved in advising clients on compliance with federal, state and local laws affecting the employment relationship and assisting employers in developing employment policies and practices designed to comply with applicable laws and avoid employment claims. He also represents employers and employees in business-related immigration matters such as temporary employment visas, including H-2B visas for seasonal workers in the hospitality and construction industries, and in obtaining permanent residency status for employees. Patterson is a lecturer on employment-related matters and conducts training for employers on various issues including sexual harassment prevention, avoiding discharged-related claims, and Family Medical Leave Act compliance. He is a member of the Labor Law Section of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Michigan Chapter. Patterson is a graduate of the Detroit College of Law (1986) and the University of Virginia (B.A., 1983). ---------- Howard & Howard The HOWARD & HOWARD attorneys and the practice areas for which they were named in the Super Lawyers - Business Edition 2011 are as follows: Business & Transactions: HENRY J. BRENNAN III, Mergers and Acquisitions; LISA S. GRETCHKO, Bankruptcy (Recognized among the Top 50 Women); and JOHN A. WISE, Business/Corporate. Construction & Real Estate: MARK A. DAVIS (president & CEO), Real Estate; and TIMOTHY M. WITTEBORT, Real Estate. Employment: BRAD A. RAYLE, Employment Litigation Defense. Intellectual Property: JEFFREY A. SADOWSKI, Intellectual Property Litigation. Litigation: ROBERT E. GRAZIANI, Insurance Coverage; and MARK W. PEYSER, Business Litigation. ---------- Global Resolutions, PLLC TRACY ALLEN, founder of GLOBAL RESOLUTIONS, PLLC, is proud to announce she has become a community partner of the Southeast Michigan program of LEAVE A LEGACY®. Through their partnership, Allen maintains her commitment to the community by supporting and promoting the need for individuals to support their favorite charities in their wills or estate plans. Allen is an internationally recognized mediator, arbitrator and educator. As a former business and tax attorney, Allen has been recognized for her work in dispute resolution as well as family succession planning and wealth management in "Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America," "Top Wealth Managers" and Dbusiness. Allen is an adjunct professor at Pepperdine Law School Straus Institute and Lipscomb University. She is a lecturer and teacher of conflict resolution for multiple other professional institutions and associations. She maintains her offices in southeast Michigan. ---------- Maddin, Hauser, Wartell, Roth, & Heller P.C. MADDIN, HAUSER, WARTELL, ROTH, & HELLER PC shareholder and attorney CHARLES M. LAX will serve as co-chair and presenter at the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) Annual Conference, Oct. 23-26 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. On the final day of the conference, Oct. 26, Lax will be presenting with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Director of Employee Plans Examinations Monika Templeman, the second highest official at the IRS in the retirement plan area. The topic of the discussion, "A Frank Discussion with the Director of Employee Plans Examinations," will focus on issues of interest to retirement plan professionals. The presentation also will be repeated at a later date and made available as an ASPPA webcast. Lax focuses his practice on employee benefits, taxation, corporate law and mergers and acquisitions. He has authored numerous articles appearing in legal and public accounting journals. The University of Michigan Law School alumnus also lectures on qualified retirement plans and other tax topics before the Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries and other professional groups. He presently serves as a member of the IRS Great Lakes TE/GE Council, and as co-chair of the IRS-ASPPA Annual Conference for 2011. He is a Fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel and recognized by his peers by inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America (Best Lawyers' 2011 Detroit Area Benefits Lawyer of the Year), Chambers USA and Super Lawyers (one of the top 100 lawyers in the State of Michigan for 2008). Lax has experience in representing clients in tax controversy matters before the Internal Revenue Service and Tax Court of the United States. ---------- Miller Canfield MILLER CANFIELD principal, ANNA MAIURI was recently elected to serve as chair of the Environmental Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. At Miller Canfield, Maiuri serves as chair of the firm's Energy, Environmental and Regulatory Group specializing in air, water and land environmental law issues and has years of experience representing companies with interests in the global marketplace. Her expertise also includes helping corporations, business owners and operators assess environmental liabilities when purchasing, selling or leasing assets both across the country and around the world. Maiuri earned her law degree and B.A. from Wayne State University and is named a Michigan Best Lawyer and recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan by Super Lawyers for her work in Environmental Law. Miller Canfield also announces that principal MICHAEL P. McGEE has been elected to serve on the board of directors for the Citizens Research Council of Michigan for the 2011-2012 term. As a board member, McGee will be replacing his Miller Canfield colleague, Amanda Van Dusen, who served on the board for the past 18 years, serving as board chair for three of those years, and will now retain a position as a trustee. ---------- Michael A. Robbins MICHAEL A. ROBBINS, a sole practitioner in Bloomfield Hills who practices exclusively in divorce and family law, was recently included in the 2012 edition of "The Best Lawyers in America" in the area of family law. Robbins was also named in 2011 by the New York Times and Super Lawyers as one of the top 100 attorneys in Michigan. Robbins is also past president of the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and past chairperson of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. ---------- Dykema Gossett PLLC DYKEMA is pleased to announce that ALEKSANDRA A. MIZIOLEK, leader of the firm's Automotive Industry Group, was named Treasurer of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan's (CRC) Board of Directors for the 2012 term. Miziolek was elected to her new role at the CRC's 95th annual meeting on Sept. 16. Miziolek's national practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and SEC disclosure matters, primarily for companies in the automotive and transportation industries. She also regularly advises public and private companies in general corporate matters, joint ventures and other strategic alliances. She founded the Dykema Automotive Institute, a monthly forum for industry experts who share information about current automotive industry trends and topics. In addition to leading the firm's Automotive Industry Group, Miziolek has held a number of leadership roles, including having served on the firm's Executive Board and as director of the firm's Business Services Department. ---------- Wachler & Associates PC ANDREW B. WACHLER of WACHLER & ASSOCIATES PC, along with Mark Reagan, an attorney with Hooper, Lundy, & Bookman in San Francisco, presented "MICs, MACs and RACs: Emerging Issues and Appeal Strategies" at the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living Annual Convention & Expo, Sept. 18-21 in Las Vegas. Wachler has been practicing health care law for more than 25 years. He counsels health care providers and organizations nationwide in a variety of health care legal matters. In addition, he writes and speaks nationally to professional organizations and other entities on health care law topics such as Medicare appeals, Stark and fraud and abuse, HIPAA, and other topics. ---------- Varnum A total of 48 VARNUM attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in "The Best Lawyers in America" 2012. Varnum has offices across Michigan in Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, Kalamazoo, Lansing and Novi. Local Varnum attorneys listed in Best Lawyers include: Novi: THOMAS H. BERGH, MARLA S. CAREW, RICHARD A. HOOKER, PAUL L.B. MCKENNEY, DAVID K. MCLEOD, and ERIC M. NEMETH. ---------- Bodman PLC BODMAN PLC attorney SUSAN M. KORNFIELD spoke at the 4th Annual Information Technology Law Seminar presented by the State Bar of Michigan in cooperation with The Institute of Continuing Legal Education on Sept. 21 at the Inn at St. John's in Plymouth. Her presentation, "Angry Birds and Killer Apps: Software Copyright for Business Lawyers," addressed potential legal pitfalls associated with the use of technology in business. Attendees learned how the failure to properly structure and document collaborations could land them in court, how to enhance the value of software and website assets through copyright registration, and how to avoid software development issues that will surely be uncovered in investment due diligence. Kornfield chairs Bodman's Intellectual Property Group and is a member of the Workplace Law Group and the High Tech Team. She assists clients in intellectual property matters, including information systems acquisition, copyrights, trademarks, e-commerce, and non-compete agreements and other post-employment restrictions. She handles transactional and litigation matters, and has been lead counsel in national intellectual property litigation. Kornfield is a member of Bodman's Executive Committee and co-chairs the Pro Bono Committee. She has served as adjunct professor of copyright law at the University of Michigan Law School and School of Information, and as an adjunct professor of intellectual property law with the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Kornfield is listed in The Best Lawyers in America under Technology Law and in Michigan Super Lawyers under Intellectual Property. She serves on an Advisory Committee to Stanford University on matters involving libraries and academic information resources and lectures frequently at universities, legal conferences, and business workshops on IP issues. ---------- Warner, Norcross, & Judd LLP Ten attorneys in the Southfield law office of WARNER, NORCROSS, & JUDD LLP have been named "Super Lawyers" in the sixth annual publication of Michigan Super Lawyers magazine, while one attorney was recognized as a "Rising Star." MICHAEL G. BRADY, MICHAEL G. CRUSE, HOMAYUNE GHAUSSI, WILLIAM R. JANSEN, STEVEN C. KOHL, MARY JO LARSON, LINDA PAULLIN-HEBDEN, ALAN T. ROGALSKI, FREDRIC A. SMITH, and LISA B. ZIMMER were among 61 Warner Norcross attorneys named to Michigan Super Lawyers. Jansen and Larsen have been named as Super Lawyers since the publication began. Larson was recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Michigan Super Lawyers and Jansen was named one of the Top 100 Super Lawyer. DEBORAH J. WILLIAMSON was recognized as Rising Stars. In addition, seven attorneys in the Southfield office of Warner Norcross have been selected for The Best Lawyers in America® 2011. The peer-review award individually recognized: * KURT M. BRAUER, listed for three years, was acknowledged for his work in environmental law. * MICHAEL G. CRUSE, who has also been listed for three years, was recognized for his work in bankruptcy and debtor-creditor rights law and bankruptcy litigation. * WILLIAM R. JANSEN, the partner in charge of the Southfield office, was selected for the 10th consecutive year for his work in commercial litigation and regulatory enforcement litigation. * STEVEN C. KOHL, listed for three years, was acknowledged for environmental law. * MARY JO LARSON, who has been on the list for 11 consecutive years, was selected for her work in employee benefits law. * ALAN T. ROGALSKI, listed for seven years, was selected for his work in health care law. * Lisa B. Zimmer, listed for the second year, was recognized for her work in employee benefits law. Warner Norcross was ranked the top law firm in Southfield for employee benefits, health care, environmental and regulatory enforcement litigation. Additionally, 11 partners in the Southfield and Sterling Heights offices of Warner Norcross have been rated Top Lawyers by Dbusiness. Attorneys from the Southfield and Sterling Heights offices who will be recognized are: * MICHAEL G. BRADY, who concentrates his practice in commercial litigation. * KURT M. BRAUER, who focuses his practice in environmental law. * MATTHEW K. CASEY, who concentrates his practice in banking and financial services law. * FRANK E. HENKE, who focuses his practice in trusts and estates. * WILLIAM R. JANSEN, the partner in charge of the Southfield office, who focuses his practice in commercial and business litigation. * JAY A. KENNEDY, who concentrates his practice in tax law. * STEVEN C. KOHL, who focuses his practice in environmental law. * MARY JO LARSON, who concentrates her practice in employee benefits law. * LINDA PAULLIN-HEBDEN, who focuses her practice in securities law. * ALAN T. ROGALSKI, who concentrates his practice in health care law. * NAZLI G. SATER, who focuses her practice in family law. ---------- Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP LINDA S. ROSS, a partner and chair of the Health Care Department at HONIGMAN, MILLER, SCHWARTZ, AND COHN LLP, has been named a Fellow by the State Bar of Michigan's Health Care Law Section. According to the Health Care Law Section, this new program recognizes those individuals who have made sustained, outstanding contributions to the Section and are generally regarded as top health care attorneys in Michigan. The inaugural class of Fellows was announced at the Health Care Law Section's annual meeting on Sept. 21. In her practice, Ross represents hospitals, physicians and other health care systems and providers regarding affiliations, acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, reorganizations and joint ventures. She also advises health care providers about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, as well as information technology and compliance matters, including the Stark Law, the Anti-kickback Statute, and laws and regulations affecting tax-exempt entities. Ross has been named in Best Lawyers in America from 2005 to 2012 and Michigan Super Lawyers from 2007 to 2011 as well as one of its top 50 women from 2007 to 2011. She also was recognized as a "Top Lawyer" by DBusiness in 2010, 2011 and 2012. She earned her law degree from Wayne State University Law School. Ross earned an M.S. in Dental Public Health from Boston University and a B.S. in Dental Hygiene from the University of Michigan. ---------- Sommers Schwartz PC DANIEL D. SWANSON has been elected as treasurer to the State Bar of Michigan, Labor and Employment Law Section. Swanson is a senior shareholder and president of SOMMERS SCHWARTZ. He focuses his practice on Employment and Commercial Litigation. ROBERT B. SICKELS has been elected to the Executive Committee of the Michigan Association for Justice. Sickels is a senior shareholder and the chairperson of the Personal Injury Department focuses his practice on Personal Injury Litigation. Robert H. Darling has been appointed to the Michigan Association for Justice State Delegate to the American Associates for Justice. Darling is a senior shareholder and focuses his practice on Personal Injury Litigation. ---------- Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C. Super Lawyers magazine has recognized several lawyers from Southfield-based JAFFE, RAITT, HEUER, & WEISS PC as some of the top Michigan attorneys. Jaffe CEO Richard Zussman made the announcement. The publication included the following Jaffe attorneys in listing its 2011 Michigan Super Lawyers: Detroit. * DAVID GRIEM - Criminal Defense: White Collar. Southfield. * JOEL ALAM - Securities & Corporate Finance. * PETER ALTER - Business Litigation. * CHRISTOPHER ANDREOFF - Criminal Defense. * ELIZABETH LUCKENBACH - Estate Planning & Probate. * THOMAS COUGHLIN - Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights * JEFFREY HEUER - Business Litigation. * MICHAEL JACOBSON - Business Litigation. * IRA JAFFE - Business/Corporate. * SHIRLEY KAIGLER - Estate Planning & Probate. * MICHAEL KHOURY - Information Technology/Outsourcing. * MARK KOWALSKY - Securities Litigation. * MARK KRYSINSKI - Real Estate. * ELI MAROKO - Immigration. * JUDITH GREENSTONE MILLER - Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights. * HAROLD POPE - Employment & Labor. * LOUIS ROCHKIND - Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights. * MARK RUBENFIRE - Real Estate. * BRIAN SHANNON - Appellate. * WILLIAM SIDER - Tax. * PETER SUGAR - Securities & Corporate Finance. * HOLLI TARGAN - Banking. * SCOTT TORPEY - Aviation. * ARTHUR WEISS - Tax. * JAY WELFORD - Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights. * RICHARD ZUSSMAN - Real Estate. Published: Mon, Oct 3, 2011

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