Leave A Legacy
George W. Gregory is proud to announce he has become a community partner of the Southeast Michigan program of Leave A Legacy. Through their partnership, Gregory maintains his commitment to the community by supporting and promoting the need for individuals to support their favorite charities in their wills or estate plans.
Gregory practices law in Troy specializing in tax law, estate planning, business law, and probate. He is active in the Taxation Section and the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan. He has presented materials for various professional and civic groups.
He has written about tax related topics in various publications including the Michigan Bar Journal, Michigan CPA, Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Journal, Michigan Tax Lawyer, Oakland County Bar Association's Latches, and Journal of the Institute of Certified Financial Planners.
Gregory has been a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel since 1998. He has been listed in every issue of The Best Lawyers in America since 2000, and every issue of Michigan Super Lawyers since 2006.
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Pepper Hamilton
Pepper Hamilton Corporate Restructuring and Bankruptcy partner Kay Standridge Kress has been elected chair of the Business Bankruptcy Committee of the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association (ABA). Kress's new leadership role began on September 15 and she will serve a three-year term.
As chair, Kress will oversee 38 subcommittees, three working groups and task forces, and four special projects committees. She will also appoint attorneys to leadership positions for the subcommittees.
"It's a very active committee with a great deal of participation," Kress said. "I have been working on those appointments to try and get the right people into the right positions so we can continue the success of our group."
Kress's goals for her tenure as chair include increasing young lawyer and law student involvement in the Business Bankruptcy Committee, creating a subcommittee for leadership training, more collaboration with other ABA sections and bankruptcy and insolvency organizations, and communicating valuable information to members.
Kress has 28 years of experience in representing debtors, creditors' committees, secured creditors, trustees and individual creditors and parties in interest, both as lead counsel and as co-counsel in out-of-court workouts and in bankruptcy courts throughout the country. She is an American College of Bankruptcy Fellow, is named in The Best Lawyers in America, and was selected for the 2013 Michigan Super Lawyers list. She is a graduate of Bowling Green State University (1978) and Wayne State University Law School (1986).
In addition, Pepper Hamilton's Detroit office was recognized for its continued excellence in the legal industry in U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" for 2015. The Detroit office was honored with first and second-tier metropolitan rankings. Firm-wide, Pepper Hamilton LLP received nine national first-tier placements and 39 first-tier metropolitan placements. The firm earned a total of 26 national rankings and 64 metropolitan rankings. The rankings showcase law firms nationally in one or more of 74 practice areas and in metropolitan or state standings in one or more of 120 practice areas.
Pepper Hamilton's Detroit office received metropolitan rankings for:
Tier 1
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Corporate Law
Environmental Law
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Litigation - Environmental
Real Estate Law
Tier 2
Commercial Litigation
Employment Law - Individuals
Employment Law - Management
Labor Law - Management
Litigation - Labor & Employment
Venture Capital Law
Rankings in their entirety are posted online at bestlawfirms.usnews.com.
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Howard & Howard
Howard & Howard has been ranked in the 2015 "Best Law Firms" list by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® in the following local areas:
Metropolitan Tier 1
Detroit
- Litigation Intellectual Property
- Litigation Patent
- Trademark Law
Metropolitan Tier 2
Detroit
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Energy Law
- Patent Law
- Trusts & Estates Law
Metropolitan Tier 3
Detroit
- Corporate Law
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Dawda, Mann, Mulcahy & Sadler PLC
On Thursday, Oct. 30, professionals from Doeren Mayhew, Harvey Hohoauser & Associates, and Dawda, Mann, Mulcahy, & Sadler PLC joined together as a resource for local business people. The focus of the breakfast roundtable they hosted at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham was the current mergers and acquisitions environment and navigating the complexities of selling a business or achieving growth through acquisitions.
The discussion brought dozens of local professionals together to share their expertise and learn from their hosts. Roundtable experts included: Brian Basil, managing director, Doeren Mayhew Capital Advisors; Eric Hohauser, vice president, Harvey Hohauser & Associates; David G. Frauenheim, SVP, manager of Commercial Banking, FirstMerit Bank; Bill Rosin, managing member, Dawda, Mann, Mulcahy & Sadler, PLC; Lawrence A. Simon, shareholder, Doeren Mayhew; Michael J. Acho, private wealth advisor, Lincoln Financial Advisors. The discussion was moderated by Matthew J. Gurwin, director of Business Development at Doeren Mayhew.
The legal focus of the morning was handled by Bill Rosin. Rosin has experience in representing national and multi-national corporations in their business transactions. This representation includes counseling clients in the buying and selling of businesses as well as routinely providing legal advice in many other areas of corporate business law including: selecting and creating the appropriate corporate entity, buy-sell agreements, shareholder agreements, financing transactions, employment agreements, management agreements, supply and distributions agreements, non-compete and confidentiality agreements, purchase orders (including terms and conditions) and joint ventures.
Rosin led a discussion about the necessary steps to take to prep a company for sale, recapitalization, etc. A particular focus was maximizing value when selling one's business. Rosin elaborated on 5 key points:
- Sell before you have to sell-when the business is not in any trouble.
- Don't sign anything until you consult with the deal-team professionals.
- Know your business No surprises for the buyer.
- Continue business as usual through the closing date.
- Maintain a walk away mind-set to protect your leverage as a seller.
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Dickinson Wright PLLC
Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that attorney Eric McGlothlin has joined the firm's Troy office as Of Counsel.
McGlothlin focuses his practice in the areas of public finance, municipal law and education law, with particular expertise in advising governmental entities, underwriters and 501(c)(3) borrowers on complex financial transactions involving the issuance of tax-exempt and taxable debt and on related tax and securities law matters. In addition, he advises governmental entities on all matters affecting daily operations including open meetings and public records, procurement law, elections and utility matters. Mr. McGlothlin also counsels businesses navigating formation issues, complying with Federal Communications Commission licensing requirements and negotiating and resolving contract disputes.
McGlothlin is a member of the State Bar of Arizona and is pending admission to the State Bar of Michigan. He is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and is recognized as a "Rising Star" by Southwest Super Lawyers.
McGlothlin received his B.A. from the University of Michigan and his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
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Maddin, Hauser, Roth & Heller PC
Fourteen attorneys from Southfield-based Maddin, Hauser, Roth, & Heller PC were named to DBusiness' list of 2015 Top Lawyers.
The 2015 Top Lawyers' recipients and respective categories in which they were honored include:
Steven D. Sallen - president and Executive Management Committee member; Real Estate Law.
Mark R. Hauser - CFO and Executive Management Committee member; Real Estate Law.
Harvey R. Heller - shareholder and Executive Management Committee member; Insurance and Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants.
Stuart M. Bordman - shareholder; Franchise Law.
John E. Jacobs - shareholder; Corporate and Real Estate Law.
Robert D. Kaplow - shareholder; Tax, Trusts and Estates Law.
Kathleen H. Klaus - shareholder; Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants.
Charles M. Lax - shareholder; Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Michael W. Maddin - president emeritus; Real Estate Law.
Richard J. Maddin - Of Counsel; Construction Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, and Litigation - Real Estate.
Julie Chenot Mayer - shareholder; Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants.
Richard F. Roth - shareholder; Real Estate, Trusts and Estates Law.
Ronald A. Sollish - shareholder; Employment Law - Individuals.
Steven M. Wolock - shareholder; Legal and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants.
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Foster Swift, Collins & Smith PC
Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC has been included in the U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers® 2015 "Best Law Firm" rankings. Foster Swift was rated a Tier 1 law firm in 24 practice areas.
As a 95-plus attorney law firm with five offices statewide, Foster Swift provides comprehensive services for businesses, organizations, municipalities, families and individuals.
To see the entire list of Foster Swift's rankings, visit http://bestlawfirms.usnews.com/profile/foster-swift-collins-smith-pc/rankings/4331.
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Plunkett Cooney
For the fifth consecutive year, Plunkett Cooney has been ranked as one of the 2015 "Best Law Firms" by Best Lawyers and U.S. News & World Report. Four of the firm's offices received tier-one ratings in multiple practice areas.
Based on a tiered rather than a ranked system, Plunkett Cooney was recognized locally in the following first-tier categories:
Metro Detroit
- Appellate Practice
- Employment Law - Management
- Insurance Law
- Labor Law - Management
- Litigation - Construction
- Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
- Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
- Workers' Compensation Law - Employers
In addition to the Best Lawyers Tier 1 Ranking, Plunkett Cooney has achieved the highest rating (AV) awarded by LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell. Plunkett Cooney has also recently received several awards naming the firm as a top place to work with the legal industry.
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Berry Moorman PC
Berry Moorman PC welcomes Andrea M. Raymond as an associate to the firm.
Raymond focuses her practice in the areas of civil litigation, estate and trust litigation, business and corporate law, municipal law, real estate law, and labor and employment law.
She has three years of combined experience as corporate counsel and as an associate with a Saginaw County law firm.
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Butzel Long
Butzel Long has received national recognition in the 2015 "Best Law Firms," rankings by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®.
Butzel Long is ranked in multiple legal specialties in the Ann Arbor, Detroit, Lansing and Washington, D.C. offices.
Below is a list of Butzel Long's local 2015 Best Law Firm rankings:
National Rankings
Tier 2
- Commercial Litigation
- Immigration Law
- Litigation Labor & Employment
- Litigation Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
Tier 3
- Construction Law
- Corporate Law
- Employment Law Management
- Litigation Construction
- Litigation ERISA
- Litigation Real Estate
- Litigation Securities
Metropolitan Rankings
Tier 1
Detroit
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Law
- Corporate Law
- Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
- Employment Law Individuals
- Employment Law Management
- Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law
- Immigration Law
- International Trade and Finance Law
- Labor Law Management
- Litigation Construction
- Litigation ERISA
- Litigation Labor & Employment
- Litigation Real Estate
- Personal Injury Litigation Defendants
- Product Liability Litigation Defendants
- Real Estate Law
Tier 2
Detroit
- Antitrust Law
- Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law
- Corporate Compliance Law
- Corporate Governance Law
- Criminal Defense: White Collar
- Environmental Law
- Family Law
- Health Care Law
- Litigation Antitrust
- Litigation Trusts & Estates
- Securities / Capital Markets Law
- Securities Regulation
- Tax Law
- Trusts & Estates Law
Tier 3
Detroit
- Litigation Environmental
- Mergers & Acquisitions Law
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Honigman, Miller, Schwartz and Cohn LLP
Honigman, Miller, Schwartz, and Cohn LLP is pleased to announce that its Partner Christopher A. Ballard has been elected to the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. ACTEC is a national professional organization of more than 2,600 lawyers who have made outstanding contributions to the field of trust and estate law.
Ballard concentrates his practice on estate planning, trusts administration, business planning, taxation and nonprofit organizations. He counsels clients on wealth management matters, including estate and inheritance tax issues, preservation of assets, charitable giving and probate administration. Ballard also advises clients on fiduciary, international and partnership tax matters.
He has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2007, Michigan Super Lawyers in 2014 and DBusiness as a "Top Lawyer" since 2012.
Ballard earned a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and a B.A. from the University of Michigan.
Honigman is also pleased to announce that its Partner Deborah (Bea) Swedlow has been appointed co-vice chair of the Women in IP Committee for the American Intellectual Property Law Association. Swedlow will serve a two year term as co-vice chair.
Swedlow is an experienced intellectual property litigator representing clients in patent, copyright, and trademark matters. She also advises clients on social media issues and other emerging forms of digital communication. Swedlow has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America from 2012 to 2015, and as the Best Litigation - Intellectual Property Lawyer in Ann Arbor in the 2013 edition of this publication. She has also been named in Michigan Super Lawyers and DBusiness' list of Top Lawyers.
Swedlow also serves AIPLA as a member of the Professionals Programs, Copyright and Patent Litigation committees. She is a member of the Internet Committee for the Media Law Resource Center Swedlow earned a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law, an M.L.S.P./M.S.S. from Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, and an A.B. from Bryn Mawr College.
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Miller Canfield
The law firm of Miller Canfield announces that Michelle P. Crockett has rejoined the firm as Director of Professional Development-a new position at the firm.
In this new role, Crockett will be focusing on coordinating and overseeing human-capital areas for the firm. She will also be resuming her labor and employment law practice. She defends private and public sector clients in all matters related to employment discrimination, traditional labor, and affirmative action.
As director of Professional Development, Crockett's specific responsibilities will be to manage and provide oversight of firm recruiting and hiring activities, coordinate and implement the firm's diversity and inclusion initiatives, oversee and assist with mentoring and continuing education programs and in general, implement a comprehensive professional development program.
"I'm excited to return to Miller Canfield in this new role to focus on human-capital areas that affect every aspect of the legal profession-especially at large law firms," said Crockett. "The fact that the leadership at Miller Canfield recognizes the importance and necessity of having someone primarily focused on establishing recruitment and hiring pipelines, while simultaneously concentrating on retention efforts which directly link to diversity & inclusion, mentoring and attorney development, is a positive step. I'm honored to have been chosen to help with the implementation of this important, integrated, strategic initiative."
Crockett left Miller Canfield in August 2013 to become general counsel to the Education Achievement Authority (EAA) of Michigan. In the past 1 1/2 years, she gained knowledge working in-house and managing a legal department.
Crockett spent 12 years at Miller Canfield as an employment and labor lawyer. She also served as Diversity Director and as chair of the Women of Miller Canfield.
She is a member of the Leadership Oakland board of directors where she is the treasurer, president-elect of the board of directors for Alternatives for Girls, and a council member of the State Bar of Michigan Labor & Employment Law Council.
