Legal People

Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Tracey A. Yokich was sworn in by Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Stephen J. Markman as the new president of the Michigan Judges Association (MJA) during the MJA Annual Conference in August. Yokich will begin her one-year term as president on December 1.

MJA is one of three judges associations sanctioned by the Michigan Supreme Court, the other two being the Michigan Probate Judges Association and the Michigan District Judges Association. Yokich became a member of the Michigan Probate Judges Association prior to her election to the circuit court.

Appointed to the Macomb County Probate Court by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2003, Yokich was subsequently elected to the Macomb County Circuit Court in 2004 and re-elected in 2011.

In addition to her work with MJA over the last 12 years, she is an active member of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Board of Trustees, the State Bar of Michigan, Macomb County Bar Association, the Michigan State Bar Foundation, the Michigan Air Guard Historical Association, and the Selfridge Air Force Base Community Council. 

A 1982 James Madison College at Michigan State University and 1985 University of Detroit School of Law graduate, Yokich first clerked for U.S. Court of Appeals Judge George Clifton Edwards Jr., Sixth Circuit.

She returned to Michigan and joined then-Macomb County Prosecutor, and current Circuit Court Judge, Carl J. Marlinga’s staff as an assistant prosecuting attorney. She next served as Macomb County assistant corporation counsel and left in 1990 upon her election to the Michigan House of Representatives. She served three terms on behalf of her constituents in St. Clair Shores, Eastpointe, Lake Township, and Harrison Township. She subsequently returned to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office until her appointment to the Probate Court.  

Yokich served as an officer in the Michigan Air National Guard from 1995 to 2006 and in the Air Force Reserve until being honorably discharged in 2014.

The Michigan Judges Association is a professional organization whose membership includes active and former Court of Appeals, circuit court, probate, and district court judges, as well as former judges who have been assigned to serve in the circuit court. MJA celebrated its 90th Anniversary this year with record attendance at its annual conference.

This 212-member organization was first been established in 1927 to improve the administration of justice, professional excellence and the general welfare of its members. Today, MJA works closely with the State Bar of Michigan, the Michigan Supreme Court, the Supreme Court Administrative Office, the Office of the Governor, the Michigan Legislature, and a myriad of other legal and law enforcement organizations for the benefit of their constituents. For additional information, visit www.mijudge.org.
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Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that 73 of the firm’s attorneys have been named 2017 Michigan Super Lawyers. Thirty-six Dickinson Wright attorneys have been named 2017 Michigan Super Lawyers “Rising Stars.”

Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Michigan Super Lawyers list include:

Detroit
• Michelle L. Alamo, Business Litigation
• Dennis W. Archer, Business Litigation
• Allison R. Bach, Creditor Debtor Rights
• Richard M. Bolton, Mergers & Acquisitions
• William T. Burgess, Bankruptcy: Business
• Lawrence G. Campbell, ADR
• James N. Candler Jr., Real Estate
• Bernadette M. Dennehy, Business/Corporate
• David R. Deromedi, Employment & Labor
• Phillip J. DeRosier, Appellate
• K. Scott Hamilton, Business Litigation
• Mark R. High, Business/Corporate
• Edgar C. Howbert, Bankruptcy: Business
• Steven G. Howell, Bankruptcy: Business
• Timothy H. Howlett, Employment & Labor
• W. Anthony Jenkins, Real Estate
• Thomas G. McNeill, Business Litigation
• Sharon R. Newlon, Environmental
• Francis R. Ortiz, Appellate
• James B. Perry, Employment & Labor
• James A. Plemmons, Creditor Debtor Rights
• William P. Shield Jr., Banking
• James P. Spica, Estate & Probate
• Theodore B. Sylwestrzak, Bankruptcy: Business
• L. Pahl Zinn, Business Litigation

Troy
• Timothy L. Andersson, Business/Corporate
• Margaret A. Coughlin, Environmental
• Stephen E. Dawson, Real Estate
• J. Benjamin Dolan, Business Litigation
• Terence M. Donnelly, Government Finance
• Deborah L. Grace, Employee Benefits
• Roberta P. Granadier, Employee Benefits
• Henry M. Grix, Estate & Probate
• Hanley M. Gurwin, Family Law
• Craig W. Hammond, Government Finance
• Robert P. Hurlbert, Criminal Defense: White Collar
• Monica J. Labe, Real Estate
• Christopher C. Maeso, Business/Corporate
• Anna M. Maiuri, Environmental
• Cynthia A. Moore, Employee Benefits
• Gregory W. Moore, Health Care
• Mahesh K. Nayak, Business Litigation
• John H. Norris, Energy & Resources
• Edward H. Pappas, Business Litigation
• Richard W. Paul, Business Litigation
• Daniel D. Quick, Business Litigation
• Peter H. Webster, Eminent Domain
• J. Bryan Williams, Business/Corporate
• Mark E. Wilson, Health Care
• Kathryn S. Wood, Employment & Labor
• Katheryne L. Zelenock, Real Estate

Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Michigan Rising Stars list include:

Detroit
• Farayha Arrine, Civil Litigation: Defense
• Eric S. Bergeron, Banking
• Aaron V. Burrell, Business Litigation
• Frederick Dewey, Business Litigation
• Patrick Green, Business Litigation
• Salina M. Hamilton, Business Litigation
• Daniel J. Phillips, Business Litigation
• Rachel L. Wolock, Banking

Troy
• Jeffrey E. Ammons, Employment & Labor
• Eric C. Bartley, Real Estate
• Peter J. Domas, Health Care
• Eric W. Gregory, Employee Benefits
• Steven C. Hurles, Intellectual Property
• Rachel Hutton, Business/Corporate
• Michael J. Lusardi, Real Estate
• James A. Martone, IP Litigation
• Kelly M. Martorano, Environmental
• Eric McGlothlin, Government Finance
• Heather M. Olson, Real Estate
• Erin M. Pawlowski, IP Litigation
• Scott A. Petz, Business Litigation
• Bryan J. Schomer, Intellectual Property
• Kimberly M. Slaven, Intellectual Property
• Benjamin M. Sobczak, Entertainment & Sports
• Rosanna J. Willis, Health Care

Dickinson Wright is also pleased to announce that seven of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized in Michigan Super Lawyers 2017 Top Lists.

Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Michigan Super Lawyers Top Lists include:

• Allison R. Bach – Creditor Debtor Rights, is ranked among the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan.

• Henry M. Grix – Estate & Probate, is ranked among the Top 50 Consumer Lawyers in Michigan and the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan.

• Timothy H. Howlett – Employment & Labor, is ranked among the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan.

• Monica J. Labe – Real Estate, is ranked among the Top 25 Women Business Lawyers in Michigan and the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan.

• Thomas C. McNeill – Business Litigation, is ranked among the Top 50 Business Lawyers in Michigan and the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan.

• Edward H. Pappas – Business Litigation, is ranked among the Top 10 Lawyers in Michigan, the Top 50 Business Lawyers in Michigan, and the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan.

• Daniel D. Quick – Business Litigation, is ranked among the Top 50 Business Lawyers in Michigan and the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan.

In addition, Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that attorneys Eric C. Bartley, Heather M. Olson, Brian P. Foley, and Chelsey L. Marsh have joined the firm’s Troy office.

Eric C. Bartley joins Dickinson Wright as a member. He specializes in complex commercial real estate finance transactions for national bank and non-bank lenders on both portfolio investments as well as investments intended for securitization in the capital markets. He specifically has served as lead counsel for clients in commercial mortgage originations – both senior and subordinate lien positions, mezzanine financing, preferred equity investments, and the related negotiation of intercreditor and participation agreements on projects across the country. He also represents lenders on the sale and acquisition of whole loans and loan portfolios, and has handled the workout and restructuring of distressed commercial real estate investments in excess of $1 billion secured by a wide range of property types including multifamily, office, retail, industrial, manufactured housing, and hospitality.

Bartley is a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bars of Michigan and California, the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and the Oakland County Bar Association. He is recognized as a leader in his field by Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star. Mr. Bartley received his B.S. from Illinois State University and his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.

Heather M. Olson joins Dickinson Wright as a member. She has experience representing lenders, special servicers and receivers in commercial real estate loan workouts, foreclosures, receiverships, and real estate sales throughout Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. She handles all stages of multimillion-dollar commercial loan workout and foreclosure matters including both litigation and transactional matters, such as, judicial and non-judicial foreclosures, receiver appointments and sales, forbearance, deed-in-lieu, deed-in-escrow, note sale and loan modification agreements and other related issues. Her work experience includes all property types, including office, retail, shopping malls, industrial, multi-family, mobile home parks and hospitality.

Olson is a Fellow of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys and is a nationally recognized speaker on commercial mortgage workout and foreclosure strategies. She is co-author of the Lexis-Nexis Michigan Real Estate Litigation Practice Guide on Foreclosure of Mortgages and Land Contracts; Receiverships. She is a Lifetime Fellow of the Oakland County Bar Foundation and a member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Real Property Law Section, the Oakland County Bar Association, Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) and the Commercial Real Estate Finance Council. She is also a member of the State Bars of New York, Ohio, and Illinois. She is recognized as a leader in her field by Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star. Olson received her B.A. from Hamilton College and her law degree from Wayne State University Law School.

Brian P. Foley joins Dickinson Wright as Of Counsel. His practice is concentrated in transactional commercial real estate matters, with a focus on representing lenders in all aspects of commercial real estate finance transactions. He has experience in commercial real estate workouts and foreclosures, loan sales (performing and distressed), purchases and sales and leasing transactions. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Indiana State Bar Association.

Foley received his B.A. from Kalamazoo College, his M.S. from Michigan State University, and his law degree from Wayne State University Law School.

Chelsey L. Marsh joins Dickinson Wright as an associate. She focuses her practice on commercial real estate finance transactions, and represents national, regional and local financial institutions in commercial mortgage originations and construction financing across the country. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the State Bar of California.

Marsh received her B.A. from the University of Michigan and her law degree from Wayne State University Law School.

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Nine attorneys at McDonald Hopkins have been named to the Michigan Super Lawyers list as among the top attorneys in Michigan for 2017 and two attorneys were recognized on the Michigan Rising Stars list.

Michigan Super Lawyers:
• John E. Benko, member, Litigation Department
• James J. Boutrous II, managing member, Detroit Office; Co-Chair, Trade Secret, Non-Compete and Unfair Competition Practice; Member, Labor and Employment Practice Group
• James J. Giszczak, chair, Litigation Department; Co-Chair, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group
• Stephen M. Gross, member, Business Restructuring Department; Chair, Automotive Practice Group
• Patrick A. Karbowski, member, Real Estate Practice Group
• Michael G. Latiff, co-chair, Business Litigation Practice Group
• Timothy J. Lowe, member, Litigation Department
• Miriam L. Rosen, chair, Labor and Employment Practice Group
• Michael P. Witzke, chair, Estate Planning and Probate Practice Group

Michigan Rising Stars:
• Joshua Gadharf, associate, Business Restructuring Department
• Dominic A. Paluzzi, co-chair, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group

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Dinsmore & Shohl LLP’s Andrey Tomkiw has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), Detroit Chapter.

A partner in Dinsmore’s Detroit office, Tomkiw has been on the Programs Committee of the ACG Detroit Chapter for the past three years. Established in 1984, the Detroit Chapter has grown to include more than 400 members and has won Chapter of the Year for two consecutive years.

“The Detroit ACG chapter has proven year after year to be a great organization, and I am honored to have been elected to the Board of Directors. I look forward to the upcoming year” said Tomkiw.

A member of Dinsmore’s Employment, Labor, and Benefits Department, Tomkiw’s practice focuses on representing employers in labor and employment law cases as well as in business matters. He concentrates much of his practice on assisting human resource professionals tasked with drafting and implementing policies to be fully compliant with the permutations of the ADA, FLSA, and FMLA.

Tomkiw has litigation experience, including wage and hour class actions, enforcement of restrictive covenants, defense of all employment claims, and creative resolutions to shareholder disputes. He is an executive council member of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and has been selected as a Michigan Super Lawyer since 2009. Tomkiw earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School.

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Dawda, Mann, Mulcahy, & Sadler recently announced that 10 of its attorneys have been recognized by Best Lawyers as 2018 “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’ 2018 edition of “Best Lawyers in America” and the practice areas they were honored for:

• Edward C. Dawda: Corporate Law, Real Estate Law

• Dana Glencer: Real Estate Law

• Theresa 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

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Numerous Butzel Long attorneys have been named to the 2017 Super Lawyers list. Notably, David J. DeVine, Debra A. Geroux, Lynn F. McGuire and Claudia Rast have been named to the 2017 Michigan Super Lawyers list for the first time. In addition, Alexander DeWitt has been named among the 2017 Michigan Rising Stars for the first time.

The local Butzel Long attorneys included in the 2017 Michigan Super Lawyers list are:

2017 Rising Stars
• Alexander DeWitt, Business Litigation
• Ziyad I. Hermiz, Business Litigation
• Brian E. McGinty, Business Litigation.
• Paul M. Mersino, Business Litigation
• Brett J. Miller, Employment & Labor
• Robert M. Nemzin, Estate & Probate
• Donald V. Orlandoni, Business Litigation
• Joseph E. Richotte, Criminal Defense: White Collar
• Roxana G. Zaha, Real Estate

List of local Butzel Long 2017 Michigan Super Lawyers:

Bloomfield Hills office
• Stephen A. Bromberg, Real Estate
• Carey A. DeWitt, Employment & Labor
• Debra A. Geroux, Health Care
• Beth S. Gotthelf, Environmental
• D. Stewart Green, Real Estate
• David W. Hipp, Real Estate
• Robert A. Hudson, Business/Corp.
• Susan L. Johnson, Environmental
• Thomas A. Kabel, Real Estate
• Sheldon H. Klein, Antitrust Litigation
• Robin Luce Herrmann, Media/Advertising
• Daniel P. Malone, Business Litigation
• Max J. Newman, Bankruptcy: Business
• Thomas B. Radom, Bankruptcy: Business
• Richard E. Rassel, Business Litigation
• Dennis B. Schultz, Construction Litigation
• Craig S. Schwartz, Employment & Labor
• Robert H. Schwartz, Health Care
• Thomas C. Simpson, Real Estate
• David W. Sommerfeld, Estate & Probate
• Daniel B. Tukel, Employment Litigation: Defense

Detroit office
• James C. Bruno, Business/Corp.
• Clara DeMatteis Mager, Immigration: Business
• David J. DeVine, Business Litigation
• George B. Donnini, Criminal Defense: White Collar
• Arthur Dudley II, Mergers & Acquisitions
• David F. DuMouchel, Criminal Defense: White Collar
• Bernard J. Fuhs, Business Litigation
• Cynthia J. Haffey, Business Litigation
• John P. Hancock Jr., Employment & Labor
• Justin G. Klimko, Mergers & Acquisitions
• Gary W. Klotz, Employment & Labor
• Phillip C. Korovesis, Business Litigation
• Mark R. Lezotte, Health Care
• Donald B. Miller, Employment Litigation: Defense
• Reginald A. Pacis, Immigration: Business
• James S. Rosenfeld, Employment & Labor
• Daniel R.W. Rustmann, Business Litigation
• Bruce L. Sendek, Business Litigation
• James E. Wynne, Business Litigation

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Southfield law firm Maddin, Hauser, Roth, & Heller PC is pleased to announce that 14 of its attorneys have been selected to the 2017 Michigan Super Lawyers list.

Following is a list of the Maddin Hauser attorneys named to the 2017 Michigan Super Lawyers (name, title, practice area and years selected):

• Jonathan B. Frank, Of Counsel; Business Litigation (2013-2017)

• David E. Hart, shareholder, Executive Committee member and co-chair of Consumer Finance/Regulatory Compliance and Real Property Litigation Group; Real Estate (2007-2017)

• Mark R. Hauser, firm co-founder, CFO and Executive Committee member; Real Estate (2007-2017)

• Harvey R. Heller, shareholder, Executive Committee member, and chairman of Defense and Insurance Coverage Practice Group; Professional Liability: Defense (2006-2017)

• Robert D. Kaplow, shareholder; Estate Planning and Probate (2006, 2010-2017)

• Kathleen H. Klaus, shareholder; Professional Liability: Defense (2013-2017)

• Charles M. Lax, shareholder; Employee Benefits (2006-2017)

• Richard F. Roth, shareholder; Business and Corporate (2007-2013, 2015-2017)

• Stewart C.W. Weiner, shareholder; Family Law (2017)

• Steven M. Wolock, shareholder; Professional Liability: Defense (2007-2017)

Additionally, four attorneys were named to the 2017 Michigan Rising Stars List, an exclusive list recognizing no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state:

• Kaitlin A. Brown, associate; Employment and Labor (2014-2017)

• R.J. Cronkhite, associate; Business Litigation (2014-2017)

• Evan H. Kaploe, shareholder; Tax (2014-2017)

• James M. Reid IV, shareholder; Employment and Labor (2015-2017)

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Secrest Wardle is pleased to announce that nine attorneys have been named by Super Lawyers magazine to the 2017 Michigan Super Lawyers list.

The nine include:

• Mark F. Masters, Mark E. Morley—Civil Litigation Defense

• William D. Shailor—Construction Litigation

• Bruce A. Truex—General Litigation

• Derk W. Beckerleg—State/Local/Municipalities

• Thomas J. Azoni, Justin L. Cole, Nathan J. Edmonds, John L. Weston—Personal Injury General Defense

Secrest Wardle is also pleased to announce that 13 attorneys have been named by Super Lawyers magazine to the 2017 Michigan Rising Stars list. 

The 13 include:

• Drew W. Broaddus—Appellate.

• Anthony A. Randazzo, Matthew J. Consolo—Business Litigation

• Kellie C. Joyce, Mark C. Vanneste—Civil Litigation Defense

• Trevor Zamborsky—Civil Litigation Plaintiff

• Javon R. David, Devon R. Glass, Krystal D. Hermiz, Renee T. Townsend, Sarah L. Walburn, Javon L. Williams—Personal Injury General Defense

• Amanda B. Fopma—Insurance Coverage

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The National Law Journal (NLJ) recently named Plunkett Cooney among the best in the nation for female attorney diversity.

The firm’s 79th place rank within the top 100 is based on statistical data obtained as part of the NLJ’s annual survey of the 500 largest law firms in the nation.

“Obviously, we’re pleased to rank this highly in the NLJ survey, but we can do even better,” said Plunkett Cooney President & CEO Thomas P. Vincent “Our focus on diversity over the years has
been very successful. It’s particularly gratifying to see so many of our women attorneys now in firm leadership positions.”

According to the report, which was published in the July edition of the NLJ magazine, Plunkett Cooney has a “Women in the Law Score” of 57.7. This statistic is determined by adding the percentage of female attorneys and percentage of female partners. The firm has 33.60% female attorneys with 22.10% female partners and 44.30% female associates.

In addition to its ranking for female diversity, Plunkett Cooney ranked 268 out of the 500 largest firms nationally with 149 attorneys firm wide.

Since 2002, Plunkett Cooney has maintained a formal diversity program focused on attracting and retaining attorneys and staff from diverse backgrounds. Many of these efforts have been coordinated by the firm’s Diversity Committee, which includes partners, associate attorneys and members of the administrative support staff.

For more about the firm’s diversity efforts, visit www.plunkettcooney.com/diversity.html.

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Sixteen attorneys in the Southfield office of the law firm Warner, Norcross, & Judd LLP have been recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine.

Twelve partners have been named Michigan Super Lawyers.  Those recognized are:

• Michael G. Brady

• Kurt M.  Brauer

• Sean H. Cook

• Homayune A. Ghaussi

• William R. Jansen

• Steven C. Kohl

• Mary Jo Larson

• Thomas J. Manganello

• Linda Paullin-Hebden

• Alan T. Rogalski

• Brian D. Wassom

• Lisa B. Zimmer

Southfield attorneys who have been named Rising Stars are:

• Roquia K. Draper

• Wyatt J. Istvan-Mitchell

• Katherine L. Pullen

• Laura N. You

In addition, four attorneys in the Macomb County office of Warner, Norcross, & Judd LLP have been recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine.

Matthew K. Casey, David C.C. Eberhard, and Frank E. Henke were recognized as Michigan Super Lawyers.  Additionally, Joseph R. Owens has been recognized as a Rising Star.

The Southfield and Macomb County attorneys are among the 57 Warner Norcross attorneys who have been named Super Lawyers and 25 attorneys who have been named Rising Stars.

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Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that 51 of the firm’s attorneys have been included in the 2017 edition of Michigan Super Lawyers, a nationally recognized journal that lists outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas.

Local Bodman attorneys listed in Michigan Super Lawyers (by office location, including practice area) are:

Detroit
• Marc M. Bakst (Bankruptcy: Business)
• Anthony P. Cracchiolo (Estate Planning & Probate)
• Andrew H. Curoe (Estate Planning & Probate)
• Laurence B. Deitch (Business/Corporate)
• Robert J. Diehl Jr. (Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights)
• Fredrick J. Dindoffer (Environmental)
• Stephen I. Greenhalgh (Banking)
• David M. Hempstead (Estate Planning & Probate)
• Kathleen O’Callaghan Hickey (Banking)
• George G. Kemsley (Business Litigation)
• Joseph J. Kochanek (Banking)
• David P. Larsen (Estate Planning & Probate)
• Marguerite Munson Lentz (Estate Planning & Probate)
• Dennis J. Levasseur (Securities Litigation)
• Ralph E. McDowell (Bankruptcy: Business)
• Jeffrey G. Raphelson (Business Litigation)
• Maureen Rouse-Ayoub (Employment & Labor)
• Nicholas P. Scavone Jr. (Real Estate)
• Joseph J. Shannon (Business Litigation)
• E. William S. Shipman (Health Care)
• Larry R. Shulman (Banking)
• Brian R. Trumbauer (Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights)

Troy
• Courtland W. Anderson (Intellectual Property)
• John C. Cashen (Employment & Labor)
• Michelle Thurber Czapski (Business Litigation)
• Christopher P. Mazzoli (Employment & Labor)
• Karen L. Piper (Employment & Labor)
• Andrew Z. Spilkin (Real Estate)
• Thomas J. Tallerico (Business Litigation)
• Thomas Van Dusen (Business Litigation)
• David B. Walters (Employee Benefits/ERISA)
• Wendy L. Zabriskie (Banking)
Local Bodman attorneys selected for the 2017 Michigan Rising Stars list are:

Detroit
• Celeste E. Arduino (Nonprofit Organizations)
• Sarah L. Cylkowski (Business Litigation)
• Amanda J. Frank (Civil Lit: Defense)
• Maria L. Martinez (Business Litigation)
• Thomas J. Rheaume Jr. (Business Litigation)
• Maya K. Watson (Banking)
• Jaimee L. Witten (Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights)

Troy
• Jonathan S. Berg (Business/ Corporate)
• Timothy P. Bliss (Real Estate)
• Danielle C. Lester (Employment & Labor)
• Charles M. Russman (Employment & Labor)
• Andrew J. Schuster (Technology Transactions)

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State Court Administrator and former Wayne County Probate Court Chief Judge Milton L. Mack Jr. will be honored with the Snyder-Kok Award by the Mental Health Association in Michigan at their 2017 Tribute Dinner on September 14 in Livonia.

The award recognizes contributions to mental health by a public official and highlights Mack’s strong advocacy for improved mental health services. 

Mack’s leadership on mental health issues will also be recognized in a white paper he is authoring at the request of the Conference of State Court Administrators.  The paper, “A System in Crisis….Mental Illness and the Justice System,” calls for reform of the way mental illness is handled in the civil and criminal justice system to make treatment more timely and reduce incarceration of persons with mental illness.

“As a judge, I know firsthand that dealing with mental illness is one of the toughest challenges a family can face.  I believe the judiciary has a key role to play in enabling Michigan’s families to get timely help for loved ones facing mental health issues,” said Mack.

Mack has served on the state’s Mental Health Diversion Council since his 2015 appointment by Governor Rick Snyder.  The council is housed within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and works to strengthen the state’s mental health system.  Mack was also appointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm to the Michigan Mental Health Commission.