The law firm of Couzens Lansky, located in Farmington Hills, is pleased to announce that Stephen L. Gutman has joined the firm as Of Counsel.
Gutman provides legal services to individuals and entities with regard to tax law, tax litigation, business law, estate planning and mergers and acquisitions. He received a B.A. from Wayne State University and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.
• • •
Ten attorneys from Foster Swift’s Southfield office have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2017 Best Lawyers in America® list.
Listed Southfield attorneys and their areas of practice are:
• Brian J. Renaud, Administrative/Regulatory Law.
• Bruce A. Vande Vusse, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants.
• Dirk H. Beckwith, Construction Law.
• Frank T. Mamat, Labor Law – Management.
• Gilbert H. Frimet, Health Care Law.
• John M. Kamins, Corporate Law.
• Julie I. Fershtman, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law.
• Lisa J. Hamameh, Municipal Law.
• Michael R. Blum, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management.
• Paul Millenbach, Mass Tort Litigation.
• • •
Hilary A. Ballentine, an appellate attorney at Plunkett Cooney, was recently elected president of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (MDTC), a leading defense bar organization.
Ballentine, who was elected to the executive post during the MDTC’s annual meeting at the Atheneum Hotel in downtown Detroit, will serve a one-year term as president.
The MDTC was established in 1979 to enhance and promote the state’s defense bar. The organization was founded on the principle of exchanging views in order to advance the interests of defense attorneys. Its members are
dedicated to representing individuals and corporations in civil litigation.
Ballentine is a member of the MDTC’s Legal Excellence Awards Committee, and she is a past chair of the organization’s Sponsorship Committee. Ballentine served as a member of the MDTC’s Board of Directors in 2011 and
co-chaired its Appellate and Amicus Committee in 2008. In 2012, she was named the MDTC’s Volunteer of the Year.
A member of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, Ballentine concentrates her practice exclusively in the area of appellate law. Her practice includes appellate expertise to such substantive legal areas as Constitutional Law, municipal law, construction liability, medical liability and general civil litigation, among others.
Ballentine is a 2006 graduate from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and a 2003 graduate of the University of Michigan – Dearborn. She is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts in Michigan, as well as in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and in the U.S. Supreme Court.
In addition to her involvement with the MDTC, Ballentine is a member of the Michigan Appellate Bench Bar Planning Committee, the State Bar of Michigan and the DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar.
The motor vehicle liability practice at Plunkett Cooney also announces that is picking up speed with the recent addition of attorney John C. Cahalan.
A member of the firm’s Detroit office, Cahalan is a former in-house attorney for the Farmers Insurance Exchange. His practice includes expertise in the areas of motor vehicle liability, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, medical fraud investigations, attendant care disputes and extra-contractual litigation. He also has experience in the areas of personal injury, premises liability and injuries arising from the ownership of pets.
A 2012 graduate of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Cahalan has obtained numerous case dismissals through his aggressive motion practice. He has served as lead trial counsel in several no fault law, personal injury and uninsured/under-insured motorist cases, and he has successfully defended and obtained reimbursements on behalf of his clients in numerous Michigan Assigned Claims Plan cases.
Cahalan, who received his undergraduate degree in 2008 from Marquette University, is a member of the Association of Defense Trial Counsel, the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Incorporated Society of Irish American Lawyers.
• • •
Fourteen attorneys in the Southfield office of Warner, Norcross, & Judd LLP have been selected for The Best Lawyers in America® 2017.
The peer-review award individually recognized:
• Michael G. Brady, commercial litigation.
• Kurt M. Brauer, environmental law.
• Sean H. Cook, closely held companies and family businesses law.
• Homayune A. Ghaussi, commercial litigation.
• William R. Jansen, commercial litigation, regulatory enforcement litigation including SEC, telecom and energy.
• Jay A. Kennedy, tax law.
• Steven C. Kohl, environmental law.
• Mary Jo Larson, employee benefits and Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or ERISA, law.
• Thomas J. Manganello, commercial litigation.
• Linda Paullin-Hebden, corporate law.
• Alan T. Rogalski, health care law.
• James E. Romzek, corporate law.
• David M. Thoms, litigation – trusts and estates, nonprofit/charities law, tax law, trusts and estates.
• Lisa B. Zimmer, employee benefits and ERISA law.
• • •
Dawda, Mann, Mulcahy, & Sadler PLC announced that 10 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers as 2017 “Best Lawyers in America” in their respected legal practice areas. Managing Member Ed Dawda made the announcement.
The following Dawda Mann attorneys were included in Best Lawyers’ 2017 edition of “Best Lawyers in America” and the practice areas they were honored for:
• Edward C. Dawda: Corporate Law, Real Estate Law.
• Thereasa C. Joswick: Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law.
• Adam B. Kutinsky: Litigation – Insurance.
• Curtis J. Mann: Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law Trusts and Estates.
• Michael D. Mulcahy: Corporate Law, Real Estate Law.
• William L. Rosin: Corporate Law.
• Susan J. Sadler: Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental, Litigation – Real Estate.
• Leon M. Schurgin: Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law.
• Tyler D. Tennent: Environmental Law.
• Suanne Tiberio Trimmer: Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Real Estate.
In addition, founding members Michael Mulcahy and Susan Sadler have been recognized by Best Lawyers as 2017 “Lawyers of the Year.”
Mulcahy and Sadler were recognized for their work in the areas of Corporate Law and Environmental Law respectively. Best Lawyers has also recognized Mulcahy as a “Best Lawyer in America” for his work in the practice areas of Corporate Law and Real Estate Law, while Sadler has been honored seven times in the practice areas of Environmental Law, Litigation – Environment, and Litigation – Real Estate.
Mulcahy is a founding member of Dawda Mann and concentrates his practice on a variety of business and real estate transactional matters. He has nearly 40 years of experience in the industry and has previously been named a Top Lawyer in Metro Detroit in 2010 by DBusiness, and has been named a Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyer since 2009. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.
Sadler, also a founding member of Dawda Mann, is the head of the Environmental, Energy and Sustainability practice group where she concentrates on a broad spectrum of environmental issues. She is currently an active member of the American Bar Association’s Litigation and Natural Resources and Energy and Environmental Law sections and is a Board Member of the Great Lakes Center for Legal Studies. She was previously the vice chair of the American Bar Association’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Committee. Sadler earned her bachelor’s degree from Albion College and her law degree from the University of Toledo.
• • •
Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that 103 of the firm’s attorneys in Michigan have been included in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017.
Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s list include:
Detroit
• Michelle L. Alamo, Litigation – Intellectual Property.
• Dennis W. Archer, Commercial Litigation, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment.
• Richard M. Bolton, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law.
• William T. Burgess, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy.
• Lawrence G. Campbell, Commercial Litigation.
• James N. Candler Jr., Gaming Law, Real Estate Law.
• Christopher A. Cornwall, Construction Law.
• Bernadette M. Dennehy, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law.
• David R. Deromedi, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management.
• Phillip J. DeRosier, Appellate Practice.
• William E. Elwood, Tax Law.
• K. Scott Hamilton, Appellate Practice.
• Mark R. High, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law.
• Edgar C. Howbert, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law.
• Steven G. Howell, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy.
• Timothy H. Howlett, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment.
• W. Anthony Jenkins, Corporate Law, Municipal Law.
• Kathleen A. Lang, Commercial Litigation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants.
• John K. Lawrence, Banking and Finance Law.
• Kenneth J. McIntyre, Commercial Litigation.
• Thomas G. McNeill, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Mergers & Acquisitions, Litigation – Securities.
• Sharon R. Newlon, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental.
• Francis R. Ortiz, Commercial Litigation.
• James A. Plemmons, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Bankruptcy.
• Robert F. Rhoades, Litigation and Controversy – Tax.
• William P. Shield Jr., Banking and Finance Law.
• James P. Spica, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates.
• Theodore B. Sylwestrzak, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law.
• Bruce C. Thelen, International Trade and Finance Law.
• Kathryn S. Wood, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment.
• L. Pahl Zinn, Litigation – Antitrust.
Troy
• Christian S. Allen, Immigration Law.
• Timothy L. Andersson, Corporate Law.
• John A. Artz, Patent Law.
• Kevin M. Bernys, Trusts and Estates.
• Roger H. Cummings, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance.
• Stephen E. Dawson, Real Estate Law.
• Joseph W. DeLave, Litigation – Construction.
• J. Benjamin Dolan, Litigation – Real Estate.
• Terence M. Donnelly, Municipal Law, Public Finance Law.
• Deborah L. Grace, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law.
• Roberta P. Granadier, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law.
• Henry M. Grix, Non-Profit/Charities Law, Trusts and Estates.
• Hanley M. Gurwin, Family Law.
• Craig W. Hammond, Banking and Finance Law, Public Finance Law.
• William H. Honaker, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law.
• Robert P. Hurlbert, Criminal Defense: White-Collar.
• Richard Jones, Patent Law.
• Monica J. Labe, Real Estate Law.
• Judith Fertel Layne, Trusts and Estates.
• Elise S. Levasseur, Immigration law.
• Christopher C. Maeso, Corporate Law.
• Anna M. Maiuri, Environmental Law, Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy).
• Kelly M. Martorano, Environmental Law.
• Cynthia A. Moore, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law.
• John H. Norris, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law, Oil and Gas Law.
• Edward H. Pappas, Arbitration, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Real Estate, Mediation.
• Robert V. Peterson, Real Estate Law.
• Daniel D. Quick, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Intellectual Property.
• Robert L. Schwartz, Public Finance Law.
• Robert L. Stearns, Litigation – Intellectual Property.
• Sara Engle von Bernthal, Real Estate Law.
• Peter H. Webster, Land Use and Zoning Law.
• Rhonda D. Welburn, Municipal Law, Public Finance Law.
• J. Bryan Williams, Corporate Law.
• Mark E. Wilson, Health Care Law.
• Laurence E. Winokur, Real Estate Law.
• Paul M. Wyzgoski, Municipal Law, Public Finance Law.
• Thomas V. Yates, Tax Law.
• Katheryne L. Zelenock, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Securitization and Structured Finance Law.
In addition, ten of the firm’s lawyers in Detroit have been identified as the leading practitioner in their practice area by Best Lawyers in America® 2017.
The following Dickinson Wright lawyers were selected as Best Lawyers in America® 2017 Lawyer of the Year:
Detroit
• Thomas G. McNeill, Litigation – Banking and Finance.
• William P. Shield Jr., Banking and Finance Law.
• Bruce C. Thelen, International Trade and Finance Law.
Troy
• Terence M. Donnelly, Municipal Law.
• Henry M. Grix, Trusts and Estates.
• Craig W. Hammond, Banking and Finance Law.
• Daniel D. Quick, Litigation – Banking and Finance.
• Edward H. Pappas, Arbitration.
• Laurence E. Winokur, Real Estate Law.
• Paul M. Wyzgoski, Public Finance Law.
• • •
Fifty-four Butzel Long attorneys have been chosen by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017. The 2017 edition marks the first time that attorney Linda Kennedy has been named to Best Lawyers.
Moreover, the following firm attorneys have been named Lawyer of the Year (Metro): James E. Wynne (Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants and Product Liability Litigation – Detroit ); and, R. Peter Prokop (Corporate and Tax
Law – Bloomfield Hills).
The following local Butzel Long attorneys were selected for the 2017 edition:
Bloomfield Hills
• Alexander B. Bragdon, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Litigation – ERISA.
• Stephen A. Bromberg, Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law.
• Beth I. DeBaptiste, Real Estate Law.
• Carey A. DeWitt, Employee Law — Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment.
• Gordon W. Didier, Real Estate Law.
• W. Patrick Dreisig, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, Corporate Governance Law.
• Beth S. Gotthelf, Environmental Law.
• D. Stewart Green, Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law.
• Thomas Kabel, Real Estate Law.
• Linda Kennedy (first year listed), Patent Law.
• Sheldon H. Klein, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Antitrust.
• Bushra A. Malik, Immigration Law.
• Daniel P. Malone, Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability – Defendants.
• Allan Nachman, Real Estate Law.
• Max J. Newman, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debt Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law.
• R. Peter Prokop, Corporate Law, Tax Law.
• Richard E. Rassel, Commercial Litigation.
• Dennis B. Schultz, Construction Law, Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Real Estate.
• Thomas L. Shaevsky, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Litigation – ERISA.
• Jack D. Shumate, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental.
• Thomas C. Simpson, Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law.
• David W. Sommerfeld, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates.
• Daniel B. Tukel, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment.
Detroit
• Linda J. Armstrong, Immigration Law.
• James C. Bruno, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law.
• Clifford J. DeVine, Commercial Litigation.
• Arthur Dudley II, Corporate Law.
• David F. DuMouchel, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law.
• Eric J. Flessland, Construction Law, Litigation – Construction.
• John P. Hancock Jr., Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management , Litigation – Labor and Employment.
• Robert A. Hudson, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law.
• Justin G. Klimko, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities/ Capital Markets Law, Securities
Regulation.
• Gary W. Klotz, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management.
• Phillip C. Korovesis, Commercial Litigation.
• Michael J. Lavoie, Commercial Litigation.
• Mark R. Lezotte, Health Care Law.
• Clara DeMatteis Mager, Immigration Law.
• Donald B. Miller, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants.
• Reginald A. Pacis, Immigration Law.
• James S. Rosenfeld, Employment Law – Management , Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment.
• Bruce L. Sendek, Commercial Litigation.
• William B. Slowey, Antitrust Law.
• Nicholas J. Stasevich, Corporate Law.
• James E. Wynne, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation — Defendants.
• • •
Maddin, Hauser, Roth, & Heller PC is pleased to announce that 14 of its attorneys have been named to the 2017 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.
Of the 14, Harvey R. Heller, John E. Jacobs, Robert D. Kaplow, Richard J. Maddin, Richard F. Roth, and Steven M. Wolock were recognized in multiple practice areas.
Maddin Hauser’s 2017 Best Lawyers recipients, respective categories, and years honored, include:
• Stuart M. Bordman, shareholder and chairman of Franchise and Distribution Practice Group; Franchise Law (2013-2017).
• Mark R. Hauser, founder, CFO and Executive Committee member; Real Estate Law (1999-2017).
• Harvey R. Heller, shareholder, Executive Committee member and chairman of Defense and Insurance Coverage Practice Group; Insurance Law and Legal Malpractice Law — Defendants (2003-2017), named Best Lawyers® 2015 Insurance Law “Lawyer of the Year” for Detroit.
• John E. Jacobs, shareholder; Corporate Law and Real Estate Law (2009-2017).
• Robert D. Kaplow, shareholder; Tax Law and Trusts and Estates (2013-2017).
• Kathleen H. Klaus, Shareholder; Legal Malpractice Law — Defendants (2013-2017).
• Charles M. Lax, shareholder; Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2006-2017), named Best Lawyers® 2011 and 2016 Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law “Lawyer of the Year” for Detroit.
• Michael W. Maddin, founder, president emeritus and Executive Committee member; Real Estate Law (2003-2017).
• Richard J. Maddin, Of Counsel; Construction Law, Land Use & Zoning Law, Litigation — Construction, Litigation — Land Use and Zoning, Litigation — Real Estate, and Real Estate Law (2008-2017), named Best Lawyers®
2013 Litigation - Land Use and Zoning “Lawyer of the Year” for Detroit.
• Julie Chenot Mayer, shareholder; Professional Malpractice Law — Defendants (2015-2017).
• Richard F. Roth, shareholder; Real Estate Law and Trusts and Estates (2013-2017).
• Steven D. Sallen, president, CEO, Executive Committee member, and co-chairman of Real Estate Practice Group; Real Estate Law (2010-2017).
• Ronald A. Sollish, shareholder, Executive Committee member and chairman of Corporate/Employment Practice Group; Employment Law — Individuals (2013-2017).
• Steven M. Wolock, shareholder; Legal Malpractice Law — Defendants, and Professional Malpractice Law — Defendants (2008-2017).
• • •
Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak, & Stewart PC is pleased to announce that three attorneys from the firm’s Detroit (Metro) office have been listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2017.
The Detroit (Metro)-based Ogletree Deakins attorneys listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2017 include:
• Margaret Carroll Alli (Education Law, Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment).
• Martin C. Brook (Employment Law - Management).
• Thomas A. Cattel (Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment).
• • •
Best Lawyers® has recognized 24 attorneys at Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss as some of the Best Lawyers in America in their respective legal fields. Jaffe CEO William Sider made the announcement.
The following Jaffe attorneys in the Southfield office were included in the 2017 edition of the Best Lawyers in America:
• Peter M. Alter: Commercial Litigation, Litigation—Banking & Finance, Litigation—Real Estate.
• Christopher A. Andreoff: Criminal Defense—White-Collar.
• Mark G. Cooper: Insurance Law, Litigation—Insurance.
• Joel S. Golden: Trusts & Estates.
• Jeffrey G. Heuer: Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation—Construction.
• Ira J. Jaffe: Closely Held Companies & Family Business Law, Corporate Law.
• Shirley A. Kaigler: Trusts & Estates.
• Mark P. Krysinski: Real Estate Law.
• Elizabeth L. Luckenbach: Trusts & Estates.
• Eli Maroko: Immigration Law.
• Louis P. Rochkind: Bankruptcy & Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency & Reorganization Law.
• Mark D. Rubenfire: Real Estate Law.
• Stephen G. Schafer: Banking & Finance Law, Public Finance Law.
• Brian G. Shannon: Appellate Practice.
• Julianne Cassin Sharp: Immigration Law.
• William E. Sider: Tax Law.
• Arthur H. Siegal: Litigation—Environmental.
• Peter Sugar: Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation.
• Holli Targan: Information Technology Law.
• Arthur A. Weiss: Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law, Tax Law.
• Jay L. Welford: Bankruptcy & Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency & Reorganization Law.
• Richard A. Zussman: Real Estate Law.
