LEGAL PEOPLE

Thomas J. Kelly has joined Wolfson Bolton PLLC as an attorney. Kelly graduated from Michigan State University College of Law. While attending law school, Kelly accepted a publication offer from the American Bankruptcy Law Journal for an article he authored titled "A Method of Protecting Pensions in Chapter 9: Defining the Interest as a Property Right." The article is set for publication in 2015. Kelly obtained his B.A in Political Science from Michigan State University. - - - Rick Snyder recently announced one new appointment to the Governor's Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect. Kelly Ann Ramsey, a referee with the family division of the Wayne County Circuit Court, has been appointed to tbe baord. She is the co-founder of For The Seventh Generation, a charitable program providing life enrichment to disadvantaged children. Ramsey earned an associate degree in mental health from Oakland Community College, a bachelor's degree in psychology and sociology from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. She represents judges and attorneys and replaces Lisa Wenger. The 11-person board promotes the health, safety and welfare of Michigan's children and families by funding local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect. - - - When State Tax Notesâ?¢ created its annual reflection of 2014, it singled out Honigman, Miller, Schwartz and Cohn LLP partner Lynn A. Gandhi as one of the best in the tax profession. Of the five people recognized in the publication on December 15, Gandhi was the only private practice attorney chosen from a pool of practitioners, scholars and government officials. Noted were her chairmanship of the State Bar of Michigan Taxation Section and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce Tax Policy Committee, particularly during a time of unprecedented tax litigation and legislation. In addition, she was lauded for her key role in creating a better business tax policy environment for Michigan taxpayers both large and small. Gandhi advises clients on a national basis regarding multistate tax strategies, tax disputes and litigates state tax cases. Her areas of concentration are state income and gross receipts taxes, sales and use taxes, Michigan business taxes and other excise taxes. Gandhi is also experienced in unclaimed property processes and audits, from both the preventive and defensive postures, and is deeply involved in investment incentive opportunities. She is a Certified Public Accountant recognized in Michigan and Illinois. Gandhi has been named in Best Lawyers in America since 2010, in Michigan Super Lawyers since 2011, and as a DBusiness "Top Lawyer" since 2013. Gandhi earned law degrees from Wayne State University Law School and New York University School of Law. She received a B.A. from Kalamazoo College. - - - Natalie O'Keefe has joined Southfield-based Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss PC as an associate in the firm's Corporate Practice Group. Jaffe CEO Bill Sider made the announcement. In her role with the Corporate Practice Group, O'Keefe will focus her practice on all aspects of general corporate law, ranging from emerging and growing businesses, securities, finance and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to becoming an associate, she served as a summer intern with the firm, where she assisted with Regulation D offering, editing and reviewing confidentiality contracts, and assisted in liquidating an insolvent limited liability company. She has held multiple internships throughout the state of Michigan, including the Prima Civitas Foundation and with the Michigan Supreme Court for Justice Marilyn Kelly. O'Keefe earned her law degree in 2014 from Michigan State University College of Law. She received her bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University. - - - Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that Maya K. Watson was named a 2014 "Up and Coming" Lawyer by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Watson is a member of Bodman's Banking Practice Group. She concentrates her practice on loan originations, commercial real estate transactions, and multi-state financing. Her practice also includes multi-state middle-market lending and asset-based loans. Watson is the co-chair of the State Bar of Michigan Equal Access Initiative. She also serves on the State Bar of Michigan Justice Initiatives Committee, which supports many justice initiatives that help make available high quality civil legal services to all Michigan citizens. Watson has served as co-chair of the Wolverine Bar Association Membership Committee, the Barristers of the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, and the Greater Corktown Development Corporation. In 2009, she was a member of Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's Crisis Turnaround Team. Published: Mon, Dec 29, 2014