Brooks Kushman is pleased to announce that associate Rachel A. Smith has been selected as a member of the 2016 Oakland County Executive's Elite 40 Under 40 class, one of 40 individuals L. Brooks Patterson is recognizing for their innovation, talent and leadership. Patterson will recognize the 2016 Oakland County Executive's Elite 40 Under 40 class on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at the Auburn Hills Marriott in Pontiac prior to the State of the County Address. She will also be recognized as the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM) Member of the Month in honor of her acceptance in the 2016 Oakland Executive's Elite 40 Under 40.
Smith was honored for her efforts with the Girls Scouts of Southeast Michigan and contributions to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Smith has helped pioneer the IP Patch events for Girl Scouts troops in Michigan, where she educates Girl Scouts on the importance and protection of intellectual property. The IP Patch was created by the Girl Scouts as a supplement to the Innovation badge series with the help of industry partners like the Intellectual Property Owners Educational Foundation and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Smith specializes in preparing and prosecuting patent applications in the mechanical and electrical arts. She represents clients in the consumer electronics, automotive, medical device and IT network industries. Her practice further includes drafting patentability, infringement, validity and freedom to operate opinions.
Smith earned her law degree from Wayne State University in Detroit and a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Ohio Northern University in Ada. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Oakland County Bar Association, the Women's Bar Association of Oakland County, and the United State Patent and Trademark Office.
She is also the secretary of the Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association and serves on the Women in IP Law Committee for the American Intellectual Property Law Association.
According to Oakland County, nearly 450 applications and nominations were reviewed by an independent panel of judges, looking for the top 40 young professionals and thought leaders who live or work in Oakland County. The 40 honorees were selected for displaying excellence in their field and contributing to the quality of life in their communities.
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Weltman, Weinberg, & Reis Co. LPA is proud to announce the election of David A. Wolfe as a new shareholder
Wolfe, who serves as the firm's office managing attorney for its Michigan office, handles commercial collection matters and also works closely with area credit unions. He is a frequent lecturer on topics affecting financial institutions, having presented for the Michigan Credit Union League as well as the Institute for Continuing Legal Education. Wolfe also presents regularly at credit union chapter meetings and various firm-hosted credit union educational seminars.
Licensed in Michigan and Oregon, he is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan. Wolfe earned his B.A. in Economics from Wayne State University in 1995 and his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 1999.
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An article by Dickinson Wright attorney James P. Spica, titled "Means to an End," appears in the most recent issue of The ACTEC Law Journal, the scholarly journal of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
The article concerns electively forcing future interests to vest, under the laws of states that have enacted liberal perpetuities reform, in order to comply with federal tax rules against perpetuities.
Spica, an ACTEC Fellow, is a nationally recognized authority on the article's subject, having drafted the perpetuities reform proposal enacted as the Michigan Personal Property Trust Perpetuities Act of 2008, having published several articles on tax rules against perpetuities in the American Bar Association's (ABA's) Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Journal (2006, 2009, and 2013) as well as The Wayne Law Review (2014), and having spoken on the rule against perpetuities in estate planning as a featured speaker, sponsored by Brown Brothers Harriman Trust Company, at the North Carolina Bar Association's 34th Annual Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Program (2013) and as a regular member of the faculty of the Annual Probate and Estate Planning Institute of the Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE).
In addition to being a member of the ACTEC State Law Committee, Spica is the ABA Advisor to the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws' Drafting Committee on Divided Trusteeships, a member of the Michigan ICLE Probate and Estate Planning Advisory Board, and a recent past member (2006-2015) of the Council (governing body) of the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan. He clerked for United States Tax Court Judge Richard C. Wilbur and taught taxation, trusts, and decedents' estates as an assistant/associate professor of law at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law (1989-2000, tenured 1996).
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Fishman Stewart PLLC is pleased to announce that Nivita Beri has been named as a partner of the firm.
Beri focuses her practice on domestic and international trademark prosecution, unfair competition, copyright and e-commerce matters for multinational companies as well as small businesses.
Beri earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from The Ohio State University and her law degree from The John Marshall Law School. She is a member of the State Bar of Illinois, the State Bar of Ohio and the State Bar of Michigan. She is also an elected board member of the South Asian Bar Association Michigan Chapter.
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Giarmarco, Mullins, & Horton, PC is pleased to announce several new shareholders with the firm.
Victoria J. Lehman is now a shareholder with the firm.
Lehman manages all aspects of litigation and serves as trial counsel for the defense of hospitals and healthcare providers in medical malpractice litigation, premises liability and general negligence claims. Her practice focuses primarily on the defense of healthcare providers and health systems in all facets of litigation, from initial investigation through trial. She has significant experience managing high exposure claims, with a strong emphasis on pre-suit resolution and alternative dispute resolution.
Lehman regularly counsels and works with her clients on a wide variety of corporate risk management and loss prevention issues. Her practice also includes representing healthcare providers in administrative matters, including state licensure investigations, administrative complaints and hearings before medical disciplinary boards and the attorney general.
Lehman frequently lectures and presents to healthcare providers on varying medical legal topics including: electronic medical records, trends in medical malpractice litigation, durable powers of attorney and end of life care. She also serves as a mentor to law students and young attorneys within the community and firm.
Lehman is licensed to practice law in Michigan, as well as the U.S. District Court of Eastern Michigan.
Lehman received her law degree from Wayne State University. She also earned a B.A. from the University of Michigan in both Psychology and Spanish. Lehman is proficient in Spanish.
Lehman has an "AV" Peer Review rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Lehman has also been nominated as a Super Lawyers Rising Star Attorney in the State of Michigan based upon peer recognition and professional achievement within the field of Medical Malpractice Defense.
J. Travis Mihelick is now a shareholder with the firm.
Mihelick focuses his practice in the area of defending municipalities, schools and other employers against a wide range of claims, including discrimination claims, labor and employment disputes, civil rights actions, police liability claims, negligence, intentional torts, and other general liability claims. Mihelick has successfully represented his clients at all levels of litigation in both state and federal courts, including appellate courts.
Mihelick is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan. In addition, he has been admitted to practice in the Western District of Michigan, the Northern District of Ohio, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Mihelick graduated from Michigan State University, James Madison College. He received his law degree from Ave Maria School of Law.
Christopher J. Ryan is now a shareholder with the firm.
Ryan is a part of the firm's litigation practice group. He practices many types of litigation, but focuses his practice on medical malpractice defense and corporate litigation. He has experience in all stages of litigation including representing individual and corporate clients at alternative dispute resolution proceedings, trial, and before the Court of Appeals.
Ryan graduated from the Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University. He attended law school at the Michigan State University College of Law.
Ryan is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Oakland County Bar Association, American Health Lawyer's Association, Michigan Society of Healthcare Risk Management, Detroit Economic Club, and the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel.
Ryan was recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2012, 2014 and 2015. He holds a Martindale-Hubbell rating of AV Preeminent. He was also selected as a DBusiness Top Lawyer, and was selected as one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly's Up & Coming Lawyers for 2015.
Jared M. Trust is now a shareholder with the firm.
Trust focuses his practice primarily on the defense of hospitals and health care providers in medical malpractice litigation. He also represents clients in defense of automobile accidents, licensing issues and other areas of general negligence defense including premises liability.
Trust received his B.S.in Psychology from Florida State University and his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
Trust has been named as a Rising Star Attorney in the State of Michigan based upon his peer recognition and professional achievement within the field of Medical Malpractice Defense. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and is an active member of the Oakland County Bar Association. Trust is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan, as well as the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan.
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Butzel Long attorney and shareholder Bernard (Bernie) J. Fuhs was a featured panelist during the 33rd Annual National CEL Conference in Vail, Colo. on January 9.
The presentation was titled, "Common Evidentiary Issues in Employment Litigation: What Are They, And Best Tactics to Limit the Harm and Maximize the Benefit."
Based in Butzel Long's Detroit office, Fuhs concentrates his practice in the areas of business and commercial litigation. He has experience in non-compete, non-disclosure, and trade secret disputes, business and financial services industry disputes, franchise and dealerships, transportation and logistics industry disputes, construction, real estate, securities, and sales representative matters. He also advises start-up and closely held businesses, as well as sports and fitness industry members.
He is co-chair of Butzel Long's Recruiting Committee, and is a member of the firm's Diversity & Retention Committee.
Fuhs was named to Crain's Detroit Business' "40 under 40" class which honors "the best and brightest in Southeast Michigan. He also was named to L. Brooks Patterson's Elite 40 Under 40 Class of 2013. Moreover, he was selected as a Top Young Lawyer (one of only six attorneys selected in Michigan), as well as a Business Litigation, and Top Franchise and Trade Secret Lawyer by DBusiness magazine. He also was named a Michigan Super Lawyer in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Fuhs also serves as a television color analyst for NCAA and MHSAA Basketball.
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Daniel M. Ungar has joined Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss PC as an associate in the firm's electronic payments and corporate practice groups. Jaffe CEO William Sider made the announcement.
As an associate in Jaffe's electronic payments and corporate practice groups, Ungar will focus on corporate, commercial and intellectual property matters. This includes drafting and negotiating business contracts, technology licensing, mergers and acquisitions, securities law, and startup/emerging company matters such as entity formation and venture financing. He has advised clients on a variety of commercial agreements including development and outsourcing agreements, software and patent licensing (inbound and outbound), supply and procurement agreements, NDAs and website terms/privacy policies.
Prior to joining Jaffe, Ungar served as a law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Mark A. Goldsmith, Eastern District of Michigan, and a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. In addition to his position at Jaffe, Ungar is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Congregation Young Israel of Southfield, and is involved with the startup community in the metro Detroit area.
Ungar earned his bachelor's degree from Ner Israel Rabbinical College, his master's degree from John Hopkins University, and his law degree from Harvard Law School.
In addition, Brian L. Brodsky has joined Jaffe as an associate in the firm's corporate practice group and privacy, data breach & data security practice group. Jaffe CEO William Sider made the announcement.
As an associate in Jaffe's corporate practice group and privacy, data breach & data security practice group, Brodsky will focus on the area of general corporate law, mergers & acquisitions, securities and finance. Prior to joining Jaffe, Brodsky worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers out of New York, through which he became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Brodsky earned his Bachelor of Business Administration at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. After earning his CPA, he returned to the University of Michigan to earn a joint degree-obtaining his Master of Business Administration and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.
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Dykema recently announced that its Executive Board elected several new members to the firm effective January 1, 2016. Local Dykema new partners, and descriptions of their practices, are listed below.
- Jong-Ju Chang is a member of Dykema's Business Litigation Practice Group and is based in the firm's Bloomfield Hills office. She has successfully represented clients in many areas of litigation, including complex commercial, contract, and Uniform Commercial Code disputes; consumer finance litigation; bankruptcy litigation; real estate litigation; and disputes related to other business torts.
Chang earned a law degree from the University of Wisconsin, as well as an M.S.W. and a B.A. from the University of Michigan.
- Eric S. Klein is a member of Dykema's Health Care Practice Group and is based in the firm's Bloomfield Hills office. His practice is devoted to representing clients in the health care sector with respect to corporate and regulatory issues, including compliance and reimbursement matters, health facility acquisitions and other changes of ownership, licensure and Medicare/Medicaid certification matters, and issues relating to fraud and anti-kickback prohibitions.
Klein earned a law degree from George Washington University, and a B.A. from Yale University.
- William C. Lentine is a member of Dykema's Taxation Practice Group and is based in the firm's Bloomfield Hills office. He is experienced in corporate, partnership and mergers & acquisitions tax matters, as well as estate planning for executives and high net worth individuals. His experience includes acting as outside general counsel, including advising on corporate governance issues, compliance and other general corporate law matters with significant experience advising foreign companies on inbound startup formations and acquisitions.
A licensed CPA, Lentine earned a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law and a B.A. in accounting from MSU.
- Monica B. Wilkinson is a member of Dykema's Health Care Practice Group and is based in the firm's Detroit office. She practices in the field of health care law, focusing on regulatory, compliance, operations and licensed professional matters. She has experience in hospital law and operations, physician issues, integrated health care systems, and nonprofit foundations.
She earned a law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center, and a B.A. from Michigan State University.
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Maddin, Hauser, Roth, & Heller PC is pleased to announce the promotion of Thomas W. Werner to shareholder.
Prior to joining the firm, Werner concentrated his practice on commercial litigation, insurance coverage, and defense of product liability actions throughout the country. He is a published author and has made several professional presentations, including seminars teaching clients how to properly communicate and draft contracts, in order to avoid litigation.
In 2004, Werner graduated from the Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington, Ind. He also served as clerk to the City of Bloomington legal department, where he aided in municipal litigation before multiple courts, including the Indiana Supreme Court.
Werner is admitted to practice before all courts in the State of Michigan, and before the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Michigan, the Western District of Michigan, the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the Northern District of Indiana. He was named a 2011 Rising Star by Michigan Super Lawyers.
In June, 2015, Werner was elected for a three-year term to the Board of Directors for the Michigan Youth Arts, an organization that provides opportunities for young people across the state to participate in choral, instrumental, visual, film, dance and written arts.
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National consulting firm BTI has recognized Clark Hill as a leader in client service among more than 600 corporate law firms evaluated, Clark Hill CEO John Hern announced recently. BTI ranked Clark Hill in the top 100 firms in the United States.
Clark Hill was recognized in the following categories:
- Client focus
- Commitment to help
- Understands the client's business
- Quality products
- Provides value for the dollar
- Meets core scope
- Keeps clients informed
- Deals with unexpected changes
- Handles problems
- Breadth of services
- Unprompted communication
- Brings together national resources
- Anticipates the client's needs
- Innovative approach
"At Clark Hill, we are committed to being 'all in' for our clients. It is engrained in our culture," Hern said. "This most recent BTI ranking underscores that we are delivering on that promise and we continue to put client service at the forefront of our legal practice," he added.
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Collins, Einhorn, Farrell PC is pleased to announce that attorneys Brian A. Catrinar, Margaret A. Cernak, and Christopher R. Schaedig have joined the firm.
Brian A. Catrinar is an attorney within the firm's Insurance Coverage practice group. He has represented insurance companies in state and federal courts, on a wide variety of matters, including coverage disputes, contract enforcement, product and premises liability, fraud claims, and uniform commercial code litigation.
Catrinar also possesses appellate experience which he has used to obtain successful results for clients in front of the Michigan Court of Appeals.
Catrinar obtained his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and a B.A. from Michigan State University. He is a member in the Association of Defense Trial Counsel, and a council member in the Arts, Communications, Entertainment and Sports Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Catrinar enjoys volunteering for the Oakland County Prosecutor's Foundation for Kids.
Margaret (Meg) A. Cernak has also joined the firm's Insurance Coverage practice group. Cernak devotes a significant portion of her practice to coverage analysis, drafting coverage position letters, counseling insurance carriers on complex insurance coverage disputes, and commencing and defending insurance coverage actions in both state and federal courts.
In addition to her experience in private practice, Cernak has served as a legal practice professor at the University of Michigan Law School. She earned her law degree from U-M Law and her B.A. from U-M.
Christopher R. Schaedig joins the firm's Asbestos and Toxic Tort practice group. Before joining the firm, he worked as a prehearing attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals, conducting extensive research for civil and criminal appeals and drafting reports and bench briefs for judicial panels.
Schaedig earned his law degree from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He earned his B.S. from Eastern Michigan University.
Schaedig volunteers his time as a judge for high school Mock Trial tournaments and serves as an assistant coach to a high school Mock Trial team.
Published: Mon, Feb 08, 2016
