Plunkett Cooney recently expanded its business law department with the addition of attorney Adel Fakhouri.
A member of the firm's Bloomfield Hills office, Fakhouri focuses his practice in the area of business transactions, start-ups and formation, real estate law, healthcare law, cannabis law and trademark filing. He has represented entrepreneurial start-ups to small and mid-size companies for over 12 years. Fakhouri has particular expertise in finance law, mergers and acquisitions, contract drafting (including purchase/supply, OEM, marketing, employee, supplier/distributor agreements, licensing, joint-ventures and more), negotiation and corporate governance, leasing, real estate acquisition and civil litigation.
Admitted to practice law in state and federal courts in Michigan and Florida, Fakhouri is a member of the state bar associations of Florida and Michigan, the Chaldean American Bar Association and the Oakland County Bar Association. He also holds a Michigan Real Estate and Series 6 and 7 Brokerage license.
Fakhouri received both his undergraduate and law degrees from Michigan State University in 2003 and 2006, respectively. He spent nearly two years practicing law on the international level in both Kuwait and Dubai.
In addition, attorney Stacy L. Kelly recently joined the Labor & Employment Law Practice Group of Plunkett Cooney.
A member of the firm's Bloomfield Hills office, Kelly primarily focuses her practice in the areas of labor and employment law with particular expertise in litigation involving academic institutions.
Kelly has worked in higher education administration on various-size campuses with university systems and athletics conference offices for more than 12 years. She has experience with educational policy and NCAA Division I, II and III rules compliance. Kelly counseled universities and colleges on the investigation and adjudication of student and employee conduct matters, compliance audits and rules education programs.
In addition, Kelly has experience interpreting state policies and federal regulations, such as those related to Title IX, Clery Act, Violence Against Women Act and Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act reporting requirements. She previously served on the NCAA Eligibility Center Advisory Committee and traveled nationally as a facilitator with the NCAA Leadership Development program.
Kelly's employment law practice also includes handling discrimination, retaliation and civil rights claims on behalf of employers. She works with public- and private-sector clients on contract and handbook reviews and employment-related matters involving the Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Family Medical Leave Act, Title VII and Michigan's Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act.
Admitted to practice law in North Carolina and Michigan, Kelly is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, the North Carolina Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan and the Washtenaw County Bar Association.
Kelly received her law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2017.
She also received her master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2004 and her undergraduate degree from Wartburg College in 2002.
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Mark Lezotte, a southeast Michigan health care attorney with Butzel Long, will serve as one of the moderators during the Crain's Health Care Leadership Summit from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, October 15, at The Henry in Dearborn. The theme for the event is: "Michigan's $2 Billion Question: How to Best Coordinate Mental and Physical Health."
Lezotte has experience in corporate, health care, tax, and exempt organization matters, including corporate and nonprofit governance, business transactions, tax-exempt issues, hospital-physician ventures, and regulatory investigations. He also has served in leadership roles on many other civic and nonprofit boards.
He has been active in numerous bar and professional organizations. He has been recognized in "The Best Lawyers in America" (health care law), published by Woodward/White Inc. since 2013; and has been selected to Michigan Super Lawyers, published by Thomson Reuters, since 2008.
Lezotte is a devoted volunteer; last month he was recognized by Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services as he completed 13 years of services on the board of this statewide organization, and in 2017 he received the Richard L. Beer Volunteer Award from United Cerebral Palsy of Metropolitan Detroit (UCP/Detroit) for his longstanding commitment to the UCP/Detroit and the disability community.
In addition, Jennifer Dukarski, Butzel Long attorney, shareholder and leader of the firm's connected car working group, will discuss cybersecurity and privacy at several programs focused on automotive and healthcare, respectively, in southeast Michigan in October including:
- October 16 Speaker: Marsh & McLennan Companies Automotive and Manufacturing Symposium. Marsh & McLennan.
- October 19 Keynote: United Cerebral Palsy Many Ann Greenawalt Memorial Awards Luncheon. UCP Detroit and UCP Michigan. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mary-ann-greenawalt-memorial-awards-luncheon-by-ucpdetroit-ucpmichigan-tickets-49350482622
- October 23 Panelist: Autonomous Vehicle Safety Regulation World Congress. https://autonomousregulationscongress.com/en/conference-programme.php
- October 24 Keynote and Panelist: Autonomous Vehicle Safety Regulation World Congress. https://autonomousregulationscongress.com/en/conference-programme.php
Dukarski focuses her practice at the intersection of technology and communications with an emphasis on emerging and disruptive issues: digital media, cybersecurity, infotainment, vehicle safety and connected and autonomous cars.
In her practice, she has negotiated contracts for autonomous vehicle components, reviewed contracts involving wireless updates to in-vehicle technology, assisted companies in achieving successful Petitions for Inconsequential Noncompliance with NHTSA and has addressed multiple vehicle component recalls. Dukarski has become a national leader in legal issues facing emerging automotive technology and is the leader of Butzel Long's connected car working group. She also has spearheaded the reporting efforts for two national data breaches and focuses on the threat vectors facing automotive component design.
A self-titled "recovering engineer," Dukarski serves as Counsel to the OESA's Product Development Council and has spoken on First Amendment issues ranging from newsgathering in the digital age to the impact of the FBI iPhone strategy. She has been a panelist at the North American International Auto Show for the last two years, covering a broad variety of legal concerns focused on the autonomous and connected car. She has appeared on several television programs, including Autoline and AutoBeat, and in many print interviews (including CIO Magazine, PC World, Bridge Magazine, Computer World and Automotive News) discussing automotive technology and its related legal issues.
Prior to joining Butzel, she gained automotive manufacturing and design experience as a result of high-level quality management and engineering positions. She has worked extensively on successful automotive product launches, managing vendors and Tier One manufacturing facilities. A Six Sigma Master Black Belt, she applies her experience to create innovative approaches to the protection of IP assets and disruptive technology.
Dukarski has experience with field recalls and was a representative to the University of Michigan's CIREN (Crash Injury Research & Engineering Network) and UMPIRE (University of Michigan Program for Injury Research and Education). Working as a design engineer, she received multiple Record of Invention Awards for contributions to patents and trade secrets.
Notably, Dukarski has attained the distinction of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Senior member status, the highest grade for which IEEE members can apply.
Further, she was named a "2016 Honoree for Michigan Women in the Law" by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. She also is among Michigan Super Lawyers "Rising Stars" and DBusiness "Top Lawyers." She is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). She is the IEEE Southeastern Michigan Vehicle Technology Society Treasurer and serves as a Working Group member with IEEE PAR 1912 (Privacy and Security Architecture for Consumer Wireless Devices) which is focused on setting standards for privacy and security protocols. She also coaches and mentors' women engineers.
At the same time, she is a co-chair of the Women in Communication Law committee of the American Bar Association's (ABA) Forum on Communications Law and serves on the Forum's Governing Committee. Moreover, Dukarski is an adjunct professor in the Paralegal Program, teaching Intellectual Property at Baker College.
She is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law (2010). She's also a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy College of Engineering and Science, (B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1996).
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The law firm of Rotter & Stone, PC of Franklin announced that Harriet B. Rotter has been named to The Best Lawyers in America for the 26th consecutive year. This recognizes her work in the practice of Family Law.
Rotter was also featured on the cover of the latest issue of Leading Lawyers which was accompanied with an article extolling her many awards, including Super Lawyers list of the top 50 Women Lawyers in the State of Michigan and one of the top 25 Consumer Lawyers.
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Bloomfield Hills based Lipson Neilson PC, a national law firm with offices in Michigan, Nevada and Arizona, is proud to announce that four lawyers in the firm's Bloomfield Hills office have been selected to the 2018 Michigan Super Lawyers list: Jeffrey T. Neilson, Phillip E. Seltzer, Sandra D. Glazier and Mary T. Schmitt Smith.
- Jeffrey T. Neilson: Selected for his work in Estate & Trust Litigation, he is also recognized for his work in Family Law and Professional Liability. This is his twelfth consecutive year on the Michigan Super Lawyers' list.
- Phillip E. Seltzer: Selected for his work in Professional Liability Defense Litigation, he is also recognized for his work in Business Tort Litigation. This is his sixth consecutive year on the Michigan Super Lawyers' list.
- Sandra D. Glazier: Selected for her work in Estate and Trust Litigation, she is also recognized for her work in Family Law, Estate Planning and Probate. This is her second consecutive year on the Michigan Super Lawyers' list.
- Mary T. Schmitt Smith: Selected for her work in Elder Law, she is also recognized for her work in Estate Planning and Probate, and Estate and Trust Litigation. This is her twelfth consecutive year on the Michigan Super Lawyers' list.
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Bodman PLC recently announced that Larry R. Shulman has been appointed chairman of the firm by Bodman's executive management committee. He succeeds Ralph E. McDowell who decided earlier this year to transition from firm leadership following nearly nine years of service as chairman.
McDowell will return to the full-time practice of law with Bodman as a member of the Banking and Bankruptcy and Debtor-Creditor Rights practice groups.
"We are extremely thankful for Ralph's service and leadership," Shulman said. "He will continue to be a big part of Bodman for many years to come."
During McDowell's tenure as chairman, Bodman maintained and grew its market-leading position in core areas, added several new areas of practice, and expanded geographically with the opening of its Grand Rapids office.
"It has been a privilege to have served as Bodman's Chairman for the past nine years," states McDowell "we have a tremendous group of talented attorneys and staff and I look forward to the continued success of the firm under Larry's leadership."
Shulman previously served as Bodman's chairman from 2000 to 2009 and is one of Michigan's most respected banking lawyers, having earned multiple Best Lawyers in America "Lawyer of the Year" accolades and exclusive ranking as a "Star Performer" for Banking Law from the prestigious Chambers USA. He will continue to practice law as a member of Bodman's Banking Practice Group while serving as chairman.
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Maddin, Hauser, Roth, & Heller PC is pleased to announce that President and CEO Steven D. Sallen has been selected for inclusion in the Top Attorneys of North America 2018-2019 edition of The Who's Who Directories.
Joining the firm in 1983 as a law clerk, Sallen now serves as the firm's president and chief executive officer, head of its Environmental Law Practice Group, and co-chairman of its Real Estate Practice Group. Concentrating his practice in the areas of real estate law, environmental law and corporate law, Sallen's clients include some of Michigan's most successful manufacturing firms, real estate developers, general contractors, and commercial real estate brokers.
Sallen has written many publications including: "From Lemons to Lemonade: Successful Management of Lease Termination Negotiations Can Lead to New Opportunities for Commercial Property Owners" (Michigan Lawyers Weekly, April 21, 2008) and "New IRS Rules for Lenders May Help Troubled Commercial Borrowers" (Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Nov. 2, 2009).
In 2009, Sallen developed the Commission-Safe® Marketing Program, a system of re-useable tools and checklists, training and consulting for commercial real estate brokers, making him a go-to resource for many of southeast Michigan's premier commercial brokers.
Sallen has been continuously selected by his peers for inclusion in the annual edition of Best Lawyers in America® since 2010 in the area of real estate law. He has also been named a Michigan Super Lawyer©, a Top Lawyer by DBusiness Magazine© and a Michigan Leading Lawyer.
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FisherBroyles LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Jeremy R. Cnudde as a partner and corporate and tax attorney in the firm's Detroit office.
Cnudde said, "I am very excited to join FisherBroyles and be a part of the firm's innovative cloud-based partnership model that delivers exceptional value and a high level of service to clients. The level of partner talent and broad reach of practice areas and office locations will be a great benefit to my clients and practice."
Cnudde helps clients navigate complex mergers and acquisitions, business succession planning, tax planning and reorganizations, and other corporate and financial transactions. In addition, he helps clients identify key concerns and negotiate with partners and investors on operating and shareholder agreements, shareholder disputes, buy-sell agreements, and drafting of supplier, customer and representative agreements. He has represented companies on corporate finance and capital acquisition matters, including private equity investments, recapitalizations, bank financing, and private placement issuance. Cnudde also has experience with federal, state, and local tax planning, Michigan property tax appeals, and nonprofit/tax-exempt formation and governance matters.
Cnudde's clients include middle-market entrepreneurial businesses in industries including engineering, manufacturing, aerospace and defense, distribution, professional services and retail grocery.
Prior to joining FisherBroyles, Cnudde was a shareholder with Kemp Klein Law Firm in Troy. Previously, he also was an attorney with Butzel Long PC and Kotz, Sangster, Wysocki PC.
Cnudde received his law degree from the Michigan State University (MSU) Detroit College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts in accounting from MSU.
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University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Professor Lawrence Dubin received the State Bar of Michigan's John W. Reed Michigan Lawyer Legacy Award during the annual State Bar of Michigan NEXT Conference in Grand Rapids in September.
The John W. Reed Michigan Lawyer Legacy Award is presented periodically to an educator from a Michigan law school whose influence on lawyers has elevated the quality of legal practice in the state. The award is named after the late University of Michigan Law Professor John Reed who, over the course of his decades-long career, earned a reputation as a preeminent scholar, teacher and community member.
Dubin, who joined the faculty at Detroit Mercy Law in 1975, has taught courses in Civil Procedure, Evidence, Trial Practice and Professional Responsibility.
His expertise on ethics in the legal profession led to his appointments by the Michigan Supreme Court as a member and chair of the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, an entity that prosecutes lawyers for acts of professional misconduct. He also served for many years on the State Bar of Michigan's Standing Committee on Grievance and is currently the co-chair for the State Bar's Lawyers and Judges Assistance Committee.
Dubin has produced a number of public television programs about civil rights lawyers, which included interviews with Rosa Parks, former U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Jordan of Texas and Martin Luther King Jr.'s lawyer, Fred Gray. For his work on these programs, Dubin was twice awarded the State Bar of Michigan's Wade H. McCree Jr. Award for the Advancement of Justice.
Dubin has written many books, law review articles and journal articles on the subjects of legal ethics, evidence and trial practice. He is also a frequently consulted legal expert on radio and television programs, and has been quoted many times in local and national newspapers, including the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune and the National Law Journal.
Dubin received his B.A. and law degree from the University of Michigan. Prior to becoming a law professor, he practiced law for several years. Dubin will retire from Detroit Mercy Law in May 2019.
Published: Mon, Oct 15, 2018
