Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC
Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC is pleased to announce that Erick W. Hosner, Andrew M. Maurer, and Elliot R. Vilders have joined the firm. They will all practice out of the firm’s Royal Oak Office.
Erick W. Hosner concentrates his practice in tax, corporate finance, and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining Howard & Howard, he spent approximately seven years in sales and sales management.
Hosner received his B.A. from Michigan State University in 2002 and his law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 2014. He is licensed to practice in the State of Michigan.
Andrew M. Maurer concentrates his practice in intellectual property law with an emphasis on patent preparation, prosecution, and clearance work primarily in the mechanical arts. He has assisted clients in relation to a wide variety of mechanical and electro-mechanical technologies including automotive transmission shifters, vehicle seats, pedal assemblies, motion transmission cables, differentials, axles, four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive systems, chassis components, window assemblies, weatherseals, antenna systems, building door systems, semi-automatic firearms, and medical devices.
Maurer joined Howard & Howard’s Intellectual Property Intern Program in 2010 where he trained in the practice of patent law under the close supervision of licensed attorneys while attending law school in the evenings. Prior to joining Howard & Howard, Maurer worked for Takata where he was a project engineer and student co-op. During his time with Takata, he worked in product development and engineering of airbags and steering wheels across numerous vehicle platforms for several OEMs. Maurer also worked for Parker Engineering and Design LLC as a project engineer where he designed custom engineering design validation and production validation test equipment.
Maurer received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, from Lawrence Technological University in 2009 and his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2014. He is licensed to practice in the state of Michigan.
Elliot R. Vilders concentrates his practice in business and corporate law. Prior to joining Howard & Howard, he held summer associate positions in the legal department of a systemically important financial institution in New York and at an international law firm in Ho Chi Minh City. He also worked in China as an educational consultant and a visiting lecturer, in Beijing and Chongqing, respectively. He speaks Mandarin Chinese.
During law school, Vilders interned at the Wisconsin Supreme Court, in the chambers of Justice David T. Prosser Jr.
Vilders received his B.G.S, from the University of Michigan in 2008 and his Masters of International Business (M.I.B.) in 2013 from The Fletcher School at Tufts University. He earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2014. Vilders is licensed to practice in the states of Michigan and Wisconsin.
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Demorest Law Firm, PLLC
Demorest Law Firm PLLC is pleased to announce that Melissa Demorest LeDuc has been named one of Michigan Lawyers’ Weekly’s Up & Coming Lawyers for 2014.
LeDuc focuses her practice on business formation, mergers and acquisitions, and other business transactions. She serves as outside general counsel for many small businesses, providing guidance in employment, real estate, contract, and other business matters. LeDuc also has experience with woman-owned businesses. She also leads the firm’s appellate practice.
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Potestivo & Associates P.C.
Potestivo & Associates PC is pleased to announce the hiring of Jordan Segal, the firm’s new supervising bankruptcy attorney. Segal will be serving the Bankruptcy Department at the firm’s Rochester Hills office.
Segal received his B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science from Amherst College in 2002. He earned his law degree at The George Washington University Law School in 2008.
Segal’s most recent position as assistant city solicitor in Baltimore, Maryland included reviewing vendor contracts for accuracy and advising city agencies on matters of municipal governance. He has experience in the areas of bankruptcy, foreclosure, eviction, fair debt collection practices, and real estate litigation.
In addition to being admitted to practice in the state of Michigan, Segal has also been admitted to the Maryland State Bar, the Federal District Court for the District of Maryland, and the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia.
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Michigan Department of Human Services
On Tuesday, Nov. 25, Michigan Department of Human Services Director Maura Corrigan received a statewide award that memorializes a colleague and friend.
Corrigan was surprised with the Daniel J. Wright Lifetime Achievement Award during Michigan Adoption Day ceremonies at the Michigan Supreme Court.
Wright, a Grand Ledge attorney, was credited with the “Michigan Miracle” in 2002 when he worked as a special assistant to then-Chief Justice Corrigan. He led state efforts to upgrade Michigan’s child support enforcement system and meet federally required deadlines. He died in July 2012.
Corrigan left the Michigan Supreme Court in 2011 to become director of the Department of Human Services. She is retiring from that position at the end of this year.
At the ceremony, colleagues credited Corrigan with being a strong advocate for children as a judge and at DHS.
“Maura, you are smart, focused, decisive and tenacious,” said Carl Gromek, former Michigan state court administrator. “Nobody works harder. Nobody cares more.”
Gromek credited Corrigan with turning around the state’s child welfare system, overseeing DHS as the state exceeded federal standards for finding adoptive homes for children in foster care and the success of Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care – which can extend foster care services and benefits until age 21.
He also noted her close relationship with Wright. “Congratulations, he’s smiling down on you,” Gromek said.
Family, friends and DHS coworkers surprised Corrigan by showing up for the ceremony. “I have just been blessed in my life,” Corrigan said. “I’m very, very grateful.”
The Daniel J. Wright Lifetime Achievement Award is to recognize outstanding work for Michigan’s children. The award ceremony came after adoptions of eight children involving five families from three counties – Ingham, Ionia, and Oakland – were finalized.
Corrigan previously served as a judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals and justice of the Michigan Supreme Court for 19 years. She served on the state Supreme Court beginning in 1999, including four years from 2001 to 2005 as chief justice.
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Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C.
Kevin Badgley has joined Southfield-based Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss PC as an associate in the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group. Jaffe CEO Bill Sider made the announcement.
Prior to joining Jaffe as a summer associate, Badgley served as a judicial intern for U.S. District Court Chief Judge Gerald E. Rosen, Eastern District of Michigan.
Badgley earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School.
In addition, Emily Mayer has joined Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer & Weiss PC as an associate in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. Jaffe CEO Bill Sider made the announcement.
Mayer earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan. She is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School.
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Warner, Norcross, & Judd LLP
Kurt M. Brauer, a partner with Warner, Norcross, & Judd LLP, has been selected to serve as chair of the newly created Great Lakes Ag-Tech Business Incubator.
The statewide non-profit organization opened on Dec. 1 to help farmers and entrepreneurs in the agricultural technology industry develop successful business strategies. Through specialized assistance such as validating concepts, obtaining patents and developing markets, the organization breaks down barriers to entry for start-up companies. The incubator also provides an opportunity for farmers and entrepreneurs to collaborate by sharing ideas, giving improvement recommendations and testing prototypes.
“This one-of-a kind Incubator brings a new and innovative dimension to the agriculture industry in Michigan, and I am excited to have a leadership role in its success,” Brauer said. “Our board is pleased with the model that has been developed by Ottawa County, and we look forward to working with our staff, sponsors, member counties and other partners to help entrepreneurs rapidly commercialize their agricultural technology ideas.”
Brauer counsels clients in economic development and environmental compliance and regulatory matters with an emphasis on environmental, brownfield redevelopment and business expansion incentive packages. He also assists them in resolving complex real estate matters. He is recognized in Best Lawyers in America and as a DBusiness Top Lawyer. He is the co-chair of the firm’s Economic Incentives Practice Group.
In addition to the Great Lakes Ag-Tech Business Incubator, Brauer as secretary for the board of the Farmington Hills Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. He is a founding member of the Michigan Wetlands Association and sits on its board of directors. Brauer is also a member of the Michigan Economic Developers Association and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. He is the most recent past chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Environmental Law Section Council.
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Varnum
Varnum is pleased to announce the addition of attorneys Charles F. Gray and Adam M. Linkner who have joined the firm’s Metro Detroit office.
Gray is an intellectual property lawyer with experience drafting and prosecuting patents in various fields, including the automotive and medical industries. He is also experienced in trademark prosecution, IP litigation, and drafting software, trademark and patent license agreements.
Gray joins the firm from McDonald Hopkins LLC. Prior to his legal career, he worked as an electrical engineer at Herman Miller Inc.
Linkner is a corporate attorney with an emphasis on startup companies, contracts and general business law. He has a background in antitrust/competition matters, including assisting with investigations and complex civil litigation.
Linkner also counsels clients in relation to antitrust issues. He joins the firm from Arnold & Porter LLP in Washington, D.C.
A total of 25 attorneys have joined Varnum in the past 22 months. The firm also recently announced the planned opening of a new location in downtown Detroit, bringing the total number of offices across the state to six. The Detroit office is slated to open in the first quarter of 2015.
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Ottenwess, Taweel, & Schenk PLC
In its most recent rankings of top firms in the United States, the Detroit firm of Ottenwess, Taweel, & Schenk PLC was recognized for excellence in the area of Insurance Law by U.S. News and World Report. Senior Partner David Ottenwess was delighted with the news saying “We knew that when John Monnich Sr. joined our firm, we would immediately be recognized as leaders in the insurance field. With Mr. Monnich’s forty years of experience in litigation and his licensing credentials, the recognition is well deserved.”
Monnich joined the Ottenwess firm in January of 2014. In addition to negligence cases and medical malpractice defense, Monnich specializes in insurance litigation. In 1985, he was awarded the designation “Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter” by the American Institute for Property and Liability Underwriters and in 1989 he was awarded the designation “Chartered Life Underwriter” by the American College. In addition to his litigation activities, Monnich has advised and counseled insurance companies and insured’s concerning insurance practices and
coverage issues.
coverage issues.
Just recently, Monnich won a major victory at the Michigan Court of Appeals in Stephens v Worden Insurance Agency and David Shamaly, October 16, 2014, (LC No. 11-001276-NI). In Stephens, the Court of Appeals agreed with Monnich that the proper standard for review in an action for negligent procurement of insurance sounded in tort instead of malpractice. As a result, the claim of injury was subject to a three year statute of limitations instead of a two-year statute, resulting in a reversal and remand.
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Reising Ethington PC
The Intellectual Property law firm of Reising Ethington PC is proud to announce that patent attorney and electrical engineer Shelly L. Hokenstad has joined the firm as Of Counsel.
Hokenstad’s expertise includes helping clients obtain, protect and litigate all aspects of their Intellectual Property across a wide range of technologies including medical devices, cellular, fuel cell systems, collision preparation systems, autonomous driving systems, adaptive cruise control systems, lane keeping systems and human machine interfaces.
Hokenstad received her B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, and her law degree from Franklin Pierce Law Center.
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Alane & Chartier PLC
The longest-serving appellate judge in Michigan’s history, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Michael F. Cavanagh, has announced that he will be joining the Lansing-based law firm of Alane & Chartier PLC following his retirement from the bench at the end of his current term, early next year.
Cavanagh will retire from the state’s highest court upon the completion of his fourth 8-year term, on January 1, 2015. First elected in 1982, Cavanagh was re-elected in 1990, 1998, and 2006, and served as chief justice from 1991-1995. Before joining the state Supreme Court, Cavanagh served as a district court judge and on the Michigan Court of Appeals. In the 1960s, Cavanagh worked on Great Lakes freighters, shoveling coal, in order to pay his tuition at the University of Detroit.
Alane & Chartier PLC is a women-owned law firm founded in 2007 by attorneys Natalie Alane and Mary Chartier. A&C offers litigation and advocacy services in the areas of criminal defense, family law, federal litigation, and appellate advocacy.
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Dykema
Dykema recently announced that it received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2015 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Dykema joins the ranks of 366 major U.S. businesses which also earned top marks this year.
“We are honored and proud to have earned a perfect rating in the Corporate Equality Index,” said Peter Kellett, Dykema’s chairman and chief executive officer. “A truly inclusive environment comes as a result of each person within an organization helping to foster an atmosphere of equality, and I want to thank and congratulate everyone that has helped Dykema achieve this recognition.”
The 2015 CEI rated 971 businesses in the report, which evaluates LGBT-related policies and practices including non-discrimination workplace protections, domestic partner benefits, transgender-inclusive health care benefits, competency programs, and public engagement with the LGBT community. Dykema’s efforts in satisfying all of the CEI’s criteria results in a 100 percent ranking and the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.
For additional information on the 2015 Corporate Equality Index, or to download a free copy of the report, visit www.hrc.org/cei.
