Legal People

Fabrizio & Brook P.C.

Fabrizio & Brook is pleased to announce the hiring of attorney Paul J. Santi.  Santi brings seven years of experience in litigation, creditors’ rights and real estate law to the firm.

Santi is a member of the State Bar of Michigan; admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, as well as the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

He earned his B.S. in Political Science from Western Michigan University and his law degree from Wayne State University Law School.

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Foley & Lardner LLP

John R. Trentacosta, a longtime partner with Foley & Lardner LLP, has been named the recipient of the 12th Annual Stephen H. Schulman Outstanding Business Lawyer Award by the State Bar of Michigan Business Law Section.

In his role at Foley & Lardner, Trentacosta has been actively involved in drafting and litigating contracts commonly used in the manufacturing and automotive industries. He frequently represents clients in supply chain disputes, particularly automotive and supplier-manufacturer contract cases in the automotive and manufacturing industries. Trentacosta was one of the founding partners of the firm’s Detroit office in 2000.

A 1980 graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, Trentacosta received his undergraduate degree in finance from Michigan State University in 1977. He has been named one of the 25 Leaders in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly and also was named to DBusiness magazine’s list of Top Lawyers in the areas of commercial law and commercial litigation. Recently he was named to BTI Consulting Group’s coveted Client Service All Star Team in 2017.

Trentacosta has served as chairperson (1995-96) and council member (1990-95) of the Business Law Section. He has served as chairperson of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Committee (1987-98). He has more than 35 years of commercial, contract, and supply chain litigation experience. Having published three books in this area, he is recognized as one of Michigan’s leading experts in Article Two of the Uniform Commercial Code involving commercial transactions.

As an experienced litigator for more than 35 years, Trentacosta wrote the treatise Michigan Contract Law. He published a second book of forms under UCC Article 2. He has also published numerous articles on UCC issues and commercial litigation in a wide range of publications from the Michigan Bar Journal and OESA Supplier News to Material Handing Management and Inside Supply Management.

“I was very flattered and honored,” said the Northville resident when asked about being named the 2017 recipient of the Schulman Award. “When you look at the previous recipients who have been honored, you are looking at some of the biggest names in business law in the state of Michigan over the past few decades. It is very humbling.

“I made it a goal of mine early in my career to be published in legal and trade journals whenever I could and to write books,” Trentacosta said. “I have been fortunate that being published has allowed me to become known in the industry as a thought leader, which is what you strive for professionally.”

Trentacosta will be introduced at the Schulman Award Ceremony, held in conjunction with the Business Law Institute and the Section’s Annual Meeting on October 6 in Grand Rapids.

Trentacosta said he first became involved in the Business Law Section as a young attorney in the late 1980s and considers the time he has spent as a section member and board member invaluable. He recommends that all young attorneys spend time contributing to the State Bar of Michigan in whatever specialty he or she is involved in.

“I was able to interact with some of the most experienced and accomplished attorneys in the state because of my work with the section. That experience served me well in my professional development,” Trentacosta said.

The Outstanding Business Lawyer Award was named after Prof. Schulman, who taught several business law courses during a lengthy tenure at Wayne State University Law School in Detroit.

The Business Law Section established the Stephen H. Schulman Outstanding Business Lawyer Award in 2006, to be presented annually. The award honors Michigan business lawyers who consistently exemplify the characteristics the Business Law Section seeks to foster and facilitate: the highest quality of professionalism, the highest quality of practice, and an unwavering dedication to service, ethical conduct, and collegiality within the practice of law.

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Collins &?Collins PC

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder recently announced the appointment of Jeffrey Collins to the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission.

The commission was created to improve legal representation for low-income criminal defendants. In October 2011, Snyder issued Executive Order 2011-12, establishing the initial Indigent Defense Advisory Commission, responsible for recommending improvements to the state’s legal system. These recommendations served as the basis for legislation to address this need as well as called for the 15-member Indigent Defense Commission that the Governor signed into law in July 2013.

Collins is a partner at Collins & Collins PC and previously served as the deputy Wayne County executive. He has taught various law classes at Wayne County Community College, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University Law School, and authored the book, “Do the Right Thing: Make Ethics Your Brand,” published in 2014.

Collins earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northwestern University and a law degree from Howard University School of Law. He will serve as a nominee of the Senate Majority Leader and replace Shela Motley.

Collins will serve a four-year term expiring April 1, 2021. His appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

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Collins, Einhorn, Farrell PC

Collins, Einhorn, Farrell PC is pleased to announce that attorney Jeffrey R. Hicks has joined the firm’s Professional Liability practice group. Hicks will focus his practice on professional liability defense. He has litigation experience, including all phases of the litigation process. He also has experience in preparing and successfully arguing motions for summary disposition and appeals on behalf of clients. In addition to his current professional liability work, Hicks has also handled auto/negligence liability, complex real property litigation, commercial litigation, and pharmaceutical liability defense.

In 2007, Hicks graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then went on to obtain his law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 2010.

Hicks currently holds licensures with the State Bar of Missouri, the State Bar of Michigan, and the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. He is an active member of the Henry Ford College Paralegal Program Advisory Committee.

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Plunkett Cooney

The shareholders of Plunkett Cooney have elected their colleague, attorney Thomas P. Vincent, as the firm’s new president and chief executive officer.

A trial attorney and former Oakland County prosecutor, Vincent works in the firm’s corporate headquarters in Bloomfield Hills. He succeeds Dennis G. Cowan who returns to the full-time practice of law at Plunkett Cooney and will continue to lead the firm’s Government Affairs Practice Group.

“This is a tremendous honor, and I look forward to the challenge,” said Vincent, who was elected by acclamation to a three-year term, effective Sept. 1. “Plunkett Cooney is an outstanding law firm, and it’s my privilege to help build on our more than a century of service to our clients and community.”

Vincent is a member of Plunkett Cooney’s Torts & Litigation and Labor & Employment Law practice groups. With more than 100 cases tried to jury verdict, he is one of the firm’s most experienced trial attorneys with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to financial institutions and their insurance providers. His areas of expertise include commercial litigation, employment litigation, professional liability and general liability.

Prior to joining Plunkett Cooney, Vincent served as chief trial attorney in the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. He then joined the firm in 1985 and became a shareholder four years later. In 1999, he was elected to serve as a trustee of Plunkett Cooney’s board of directors, a position to which he was re-elected six more times.

In addition to his legal practice, Vincent finds time to give back to several religious and community organizations, including Gesu Parish in Detroit, St. Fabian Catholic Church in Farmington Hills, University of Detroit Jesuit High School, Angela Hospice, and Mercy High School.

Licensed to practice in the state and federal courts in Michigan, Vincent received his law degree in 1981 from Michigan State University College of Law. His professional affiliations include the Oakland County Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, American Bar Association, and American Association for Justice, formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.

Vincent, who received his undergraduate degree from Wayne State University in 1977, has received several honors, including selection by DBusiness magazine as a Top Lawyer in the areas of business litigation, employment law and general litigation. Martindale-Hubbell has honored Vincent with its highest rating of AV-Preeminent. He has also received recognition by Best Lawyers in America and Leading Lawyers for his expertise in the areas of commercial litigation, as well as by Michigan Super Lawyers for his work in the area professional liability.

In addition, Plunkett Cooney attorney Jeffrey Schroder was among the featured speakers tomorrow at a public meeting sponsored by Clinton Township on the topic of medical cannabis last week at the Macomb County Community College, Center Campus.

Schroder, who is a member of Plunkett Cooney’s Government Affairs Practice Group and Cannabis Industry Group, is a former Michigan assistant attorney general.

In 2008, Michigan voters approved a ballot measure to allow the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. In 2016, the state’s Legislature passed the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act (MMMA) to establish parameters for the growth, distribution and use of medical cannabis.

Municipalities are now at a decision point – they must decide whether to allow medical cannabis businesses to operate within their borders or to prohibit them. For those choosing to allow such businesses, they will do so following regulations currently under development by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). 

“This is a crucial time for municipalities, and there is a lot to consider, including income tax land use, public safety, and community revenue implications,” said Schroder of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office. He said his goals in speaking “are to help residents and elected officials understand the potential implications of a medical cannabis business in their community.”

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Dickinson Wright PLLC

 Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that attorney Michelle L. Alamo has been reappointed chair of DRI’s Intellectual Property Litigation Committee. She was originally appointed chair in 2016 and her second one-year term goes into effect on November 1, 2017.

Alamo is a member in the firm’s Detroit office where she focuses her practice on intellectual property and patent litigation, complex commercial and business litigation, and eDiscovery. She counsels clients in a wide range of industries including automotive, insurance, telecommunications, technology, and construction. She also assists clients in litigation matters involving antitrust, trade secrets, RICO, False Claims Act, supplier contracts, tortious interference, business defamation, and more.

Alamo is a member of the Defense Research Institute (DRI), the State Bar of Michigan, the Federal Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Litigation Counsel of America. She is recognized as a leader in her field by Benchmark Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, National Academy of Jurisprudence (formerly the American Academy of Trial Attorneys), Michigan Super Lawyers, and DBusiness Top Lawyers.

She received her B.S.E.E. from Kettering University and her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

Dickinson Wright is also pleased to announce that the firm’s real estate practice has been ranked as the #3 law practice in the “2017 Best of the Best” published by Midwest Real Estate News.

More than 60 commercial real estate law practices in the Midwest participated in the rankings. Rankings were calculated based on the total dollar volume of transactions completed in 2016, according to Midwest Real Estate News. Dickinson Wright has been ranked in the top three for the past three years.

“We are honored to be named the number three law firm practice in this year’s Midwest Real Estate News 2017 Best of the Best,” says Harlan W. Robins, practice department manager for real estate, environmental, and energy & sustainability. “For three years in a row, we’ve been among the top three law firms and that is a testament to our outstanding team of real estate attorneys that work alongside our clients, day in and day out, to provide them with superior client service and expertise.”

More than 60 Dickinson Wright lawyers are actively involved in real estate matters, regularly representing a wide variety of clients in all aspects of real estate investment and development. Many of the firm’s clients have portfolios that span North America, and they rely on the firm’s experience in nearly every U.S. state and Canadian province to help them maximize value and increase management efficiency.
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Bodman PLC

Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that the firm has been named to the 2017 State Bar of Michigan Pro Bono Circle of Excellence at the “Leadership Level” for its commitment to providing free legal services to low-income individuals and organizations that serve them. 

The Leadership Level is a designation given to firms that contributed an average of at least 30 hours of pro bono work per attorney or made at least $500 per attorney in financial donations to Access to Justice organizations within the past year. 

Bodman’s pro bono efforts are diverse, including direct representation of low-income individuals through referrals from legal and non-legal aid organizations, participation in free legal clinics, service to non-profit organizations, and service to organizations that seek to defend individual civil and constitutional rights.

The State Bar recognition is the second significant accolade that Bodman’s Pro Bono program has garnered in recent weeks. In July, the Detroit Bar Association Barristers named Senior Associate Sarah L. Cylkowski as its Pro Bono Attorney of the Year in recognition of her extraordinary accomplishments through participation in pro bono activities, highlighting her work seeking the resentencing of inmates who received life sentences as juveniles. Other recent highlights of Bodman’s pro bono service include its partnership with ProsperUS to provide legal assistance to low-income entrepreneurs, assistance with legal issues involved in the construction of a Fisher House serving veterans and their families at Ann Arbor’s VA Hospital, and assistance to nonprofit Life Remodeled to support its efforts to improve Detroit neighborhoods, among many others.

Bodman maintains a standing Pro Bono Committee chaired by firm members Susan M. Kornfield and Christopher J. Dine. Bodman is one of only three major law firms in Michigan to have a dedicated pro bono counsel, Kimberly A. Paulson. Paulson joined the firm in 2012 to coordinate the firm’s pro bono efforts and to provide legal services directly to individuals and qualifying organizations.

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McKeen & Associates PC

McKeen & Associates (www.mckeenassociates.com) is pleased to announce that founder and managing partner Brian McKeen and associate attorney, Norman Rosen have been selected to the 2017 Michigan Leading Lawyers list.

McKeen was ranked number one on three of its Top 10 lists: All Areas of Law; Consumer Lawyer; and Plaintiff Lawyer lists. Rosen was named on the Top 100 Consumer Lawyers list.

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Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC

Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC is pleased to announce that twenty-five of its attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2018.

The local Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice area under which they are listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2018 are as follows:

• Daniel H. Bliss, Patent Law and Trademark Law

• Joseph J. DeVito, Corporate Law

• Trent K. English, Patent Law

• Lisa S. Gretchko, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law; and Commercial Litigation

• Andrew (Jake) Grove, Litigation - Intellectual Property

• Kristopher K. Hulliberger, Litigation - Intellectual Property; Litigation - Patent; Patent Law; and Trademark Law

• Michael V. Kell, Commercial Litigation

• Rodger A. Kershner, Energy Law

• Jon D. Kreucher, Utilities Law

• Henry P. Lee, Trusts and Estates

• Miles T. Macik, Commercial Litigation

• Gerald E. McGlynn III, Litigation – Intellectual Property; Litigation – Patent; and Patent Law

• Brad A. Rayle, Labor Law – Management

• Jeffrey A. Sadowski, Litigation – Intellectual Property; Litigation – Patent; Patent Law; and Trademark Law

In addition, Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC has been named to the State Bar of Michigan’s 2017 Pro Bono Circle of Excellence at the Excellence Level.

The award honors lawyers’ contributions of pro bono service and the firms whose lawyers have demonstrated compliance with the Pro Bono Voluntary Standard set by the State Bar. Howard & Howard was recognized at the Excellence Level. This distinction is reserved for law firms/corporations of two or more attorneys with 100% aggregate contributions at the Bro Bono Voluntary Standard level of 30 hours or $300 per attorney average in financial donations. These contributions support access to justice efforts for low-income individuals and families in Michigan.