LEGAL PEOPLE

Nineteen attorneys in the Southfield and Macomb offices of the law firm Warner Norcross + Judd LLP have been recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine.

The following 12 attorneys from the Southfield office have been named to the 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers list:

• Michael G. Brady: class action litigation
• Kurt M. Brauer: energy and resources
• Sean H. Cook: tax
• Homayune A. Ghaussi: business litigation
• William R. Jansen: business litigation
• Steven C. Kohl: environmental
• Mary Jo Larson: employee benefits
• Thomas J. Manganello: business litigation
• Linda Paullin-Hebden: mergers and acquisitions
• Alan T. Rogalski: health care
• Nazli G. Sater: family law
• Lisa B. Zimmer: employee benefits

Mary Jo Larson was also named to Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine’s 2020 Top Lawyers list.  She was named in the Top 50: 2020 Women Michigan Super Lawyers list for her work in employee benefits.

The following three attorneys from the Macomb office have been named to the 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers list:

• Matthew K. Casey: business litigation
• Frank E. Henke: estate and probate law
• Brian D. Wassom: intellectual property litigation

The following four attorneys have been named to the 2020 Rising Stars list:

• Roquia K. Draper: family law
• Wyatt J. Istvan-Mitchell: intellectual property
• Katherine L. Pullen: business litigation
• Laura N. You: business litigation

Eighteen Warner Norcross ttorneys have also been named Lawyers of the Year by The Best Lawyers in America® 2021.

Local attorneys named as 2021 Lawyers of the Year are:

• Susan M. Cook: Troy Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Lawyer of the Year
• Rozanne M. Giunta: Troy Bankruptcy Litigation Lawyer of the Year
• Mary Jo Larson: Detroit Employee Benefits Lawyer of the Year

Four attorneys in the Southfield offices of Warner Norcross have also been named to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch list.

Local attorneys named as Ones to Watch 2021 are:

• Daniel G. Bonucchi: Southfield corporate law, mergers and acquisitions law
• Zainab S. Hazimi: Southfield labor and employment litigation
• John C. Muhs: Southfield corporate governance and compliance law, corporate law
• Adam T. Ratliff: Southfield appellate practice

Seventeen Warner attorneys in Southfield have been selected for The Best Lawyers in America® 2021.

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, tax law
• Homayune A. Ghaussi: commercial litigation
• William R. Jansen: commercial litigation, regulatory enforcement litigation
• Jay A. Kennedy: closely held companies and family business law, tax law, trusts and estates
• Kurt A. Kissling: environmental law
• Steven C. Kohl: environmental law
• Mary Jo Larson: employee benefits law
• Dennis W. Loughlin: bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law
• Thomas J. Manganello: commercial litigation
• Linda Paullin-Hebden: corporate law
• Alan T. Rogalski: health care law
• James E. Romzek: corporate law
• Nazli G. Sater: family law, family law arbitration
• Brian D. Wassom: advertising law, intellectual property litigation
• Lisa B. Zimmer: employee benefits law

Larson was also named Lawyer of the Year in Detroit for employee benefits law.

Four partners in the Macomb County office of Warner have been selected for The Best Lawyers in America® 2021.

The peer-review award individually recognized:

• Susan M. Cook: bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law
• David C. C. Eberhard: corporate law, real estate law
• Rozanne M. Giunta: bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law, bankruptcy litigation
• Frank E. Henke: trusts and estates

Cook and Giunta were named Lawyers of the Year in Troy for bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law and bankruptcy litigation, respectively.

A total of 102 Warner attorneys have been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2021.

In addition, Crain’s Detroit Business has recognized Warner Norcross + Judd LLP as one of its “Cool Places to Work” for the ninth consecutive year.

Warner, which is the highest ranked law firm on the list, was selected for its commitment to work-life balance, its workplace flexibility, and its compensation and benefits package. As one of the largest law firms in Michigan, Warner’s more than 230 attorneys work in 14 industry groups and 26 practice areas that cover virtually every aspect of law.

Employers benefit from the summarized feedback from the survey completed by employees, which allows them to see areas where they are excelling, as well as areas for improvement. Additionally, winners receive benchmarking materials to see how they stack up against other organizations.

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For the second consecutive year, Plunkett Cooney has been named by Crain’s Detroit Business as one of its Cool Places to Work in Michigan!

“We’re really excited to be selected by Crain’s as a Cool Place to Work, and this year’s honor is particularly special,” said Plunkett Cooney President & CEO Thomas Vincent. “Everyone was thrown a curveball by the pandemic, so as a firm, we had to strike the right balance between providing uninterrupted service to our clients while protecting the welfare of our employees. This award lets us know we’re doing the right things, and that our employees appreciate being part of what I consider to be one of the best law firms in the country!”

The Cool Places to Work program includes a two-part evaluation process consisting of company and employee surveys. The combined scores determine the top companies and final rankings. Best Companies Group, a research firm for more than 70 Best Places to Work programs worldwide, manages the Cool Places process for Crain’s, including analysis of the survey data.

Plunkett Cooney maintains a firm wide “Great Place to Work” program to enhance the work experience for all employees. This program goes beyond compensation and the traditional benefits packages offered by most companies. The program includes opportunities for continuing education, special events, employee convenience services, diversity recruitment and retention, mentoring, wellness programs and much more.

Plunkett Cooney has also been recognized by other organizations for its ongoing efforts to create a better workplace, including the Detroit Free Press, which previously named the firm to its list of “Top Places to Work” and the Michigan Business & Professional Association, which previously named the firm one of its “101 Best & Brightest Places to Work For.”

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On August 3, Michigan Lawyers Weekly held a celebratory awards presentation for its Class of 2020 “Leaders in the Law” via Zoom. Anthony A. Randazzo, a senior partner located in Secrest Wardle’s Troy office, was among the 30 honorees recognized at the event.

Randazzo has been with Secrest Wardle since 2006. He became a partner in 2009, an executive partner in 2015, and a senior partner in 2019. He is chair of the firm’s Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Group and serves as a chair of the Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury Practice Group. He is additionally a member of the Environmental and Toxic Tort, Commercial and Business Law, Construction, Governmental Litigation, and Motor Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups.

Randazzo earned his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Psychology from Oakland University. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, the United States District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Randazzo is a member of the State Bar of Michigan. He is also an active member of the Transportation Lawyers Association.

Secrest Wardle is also pleased to announce that seven of the firm’s attorneys were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2021. The firm congratulates Thomas J. Azoni, Derk W. Beckerleg, Nathan J. Edmonds, Daniel P. Makarski, Mark E. Morley, Anthony A. Randazzo, and Bruce A. Truex. All seven attorneys are located in the firm’s Troy office and have been listed in their respective categories in Troy.

Thomas J. Azoni is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2021 in the Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants categories.  Azoni is a senior partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Amusement and Leisure, General Negligence, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups. Azoni serves as chair of the General Negligence Practice Group and as a chair of the Motor Vehicle Litigation Practice Group.

Derk W. Beckerleg is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2021 in the Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Litigation – Municipal, and Municipal Law categories. Beckerleg is an executive partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member and chair of the firm’s Governmental Litigation, Municipal, and Real Estate Practice Groups. Beckerleg serves as the managing partner of the Municipal Law Practice Group. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for 10 years and is also the recipient of the Best Lawyers 2020 Litigation – Land Use and Zoning-Troychigan “Lawyer of the Year” Award.  

Nathan J. Edmonds is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2021 in the Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Insurance categories. Edmonds is a senior partner and co-managing partner of Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Amusement and Leisure, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, and Property, Fire and Casualty Practice Groups.

Daniel P. Makarski is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2021 in the Arbitration, Insurance Law, and Litigation – Insurance categories. 

Makarski is a senior partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group and serves as Chair of the Group. Additionally, Makarski is the recipient of the Best Lawyers 2020 Litigation - Insurance-Troy“Lawyer of the Year” Award.

Mark E. Morley is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2021 in the Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Litigation – Insurance, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants categories.  Morley is a senior partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution, Employment, Insurance Coverage, Malpractice/Professional Liability, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Product Liability, and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups. Morley serves as chair of the Insurance Coverage and Malpractice/Professional Liability Practice Groups. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for 5 years.

Anthony A. Randazzo is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2021 in the Commercial Litigation category.  Randazzo is a senior partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Commercial and Business Law, Construction, Environmental and Toxic Tort, Governmental Litigation, Intellectual Property / Advertising Injury, Motor Vehicle Litigation, and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups.  Randazzo serves as a chair of the Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Group.

Bruce A. Truex is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2021 in the Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants categories.  Truex is a senior partner, president, and co-managing partner of Secrest Wardle.

He is a member and serves as chair of the firm’s Commercial and Business Law, Employment, Environmental and Toxic Tort, and Product Liability Practice Groups. He additionally serves as a chair of the Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury Practice Group and is a member of the Construction Practice Group.

Secrest Wardle is also proud to announce that four of the firm’s attorneys have received 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognitions. The firm congratulates Partner Justin A. Grimske, Associate Daniel S. Schrode II, Executive Partner Renee T. Townsend, and Executive Partner Javon L. Williams. All four attorneys are located in the firm’s Troy office and have been listed in their respective categories in Troy.

Justin A. Grimske has received a 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Insurance Law in Troy.  Grimske is chair of the firm’s Amusement and Leisure Practice Group and a member of the Commercial and Business Law, Construction, General Negligence, Motor Vehicle Litigation and Premises Liability Practice Groups.  Grimske has been instrumental in many mock interview programs with law students at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and also participates in Law Day Detroit as well as for other organizations in the Metro area. In 2019, he was named to Super Lawyers Magazine’s list of Michigan Rising Stars in the area of Insurance Coverage.

Daniel S. Schrode II has received a 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Troy.  Schrode is a member of the firm’s Motor Vehicle Litigation Practice Group.  Schrode earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School and received his Bachelor of Science degree in International Relations with a specialty in Political Economy and Business from James Madison College at Michigan State University.  As a law student, he provided legal representation to Wayne County’s elderly and indigent populations through Wayne Law’s Free Legal Aid Clinic. Additionally, Schrode was awarded a Certificate of Pro Bono Service for his exceptional work with the Free Legal Aid Clinic.

Renee T. Townsend has received a 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Troy.  Townsend is a chair of the firm’s Motor Vehicle Litigation Practice Group and a member of the Amusement and Leisure, General Negligence, Insurance Coverage, and Premises Liability Practice Groups. From 2013 through the present, Townsend has been named to Super Lawyers Magazine’s list of Michigan Rising Stars in the area of Personal Injury General – Defense. In 2017, Townsend was named to the Michigan Lawyers Weekly list of “Up & Coming Lawyers.” Additionally, she has received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell.

Javon L. Williams has received a 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Troy.  Williams is a member of the firm’s General Negligence, Motor Vehicle Litigation, and Premises Liability Practice Groups.  Williams received the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel’s (MDTC) Golden Gavel Award in 2019. Williams was also named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Up & Coming Lawyers” Class of 2019. Since 2013, Williams has been named to Super Lawyers Magazine’s list of Michigan Rising Stars in the area of Personal Injury General – Defense.

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Butzel Long attorney and shareholder Angela Emmerling Shapiro has been named as one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Women in the Law” for 2020.

Shapiro is one of 30 female attorneys who will be honored during a virtual ceremony on October 8 and profiled in an upcoming edition of Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

Shapiro is a litigation attorney with a focus on electronic discovery. She helps clients overcome the technological and legal challenges presented during civil litigation and governmental investigations where large volumes of potential evidence have been electronically created and stored.

Electronic discovery is a constantly evolving field and companies face serious legal consequences when evidence is not adequately preserved or when preserved data is not defensibly collected and reviewed during the litigation discovery process.

Shapiro was one of the first attorneys in the state to develop a deep practice in the area of electronic discovery. She is an advocate for using technology, including predictive analytics and other artificial intelligence, to efficiently and effectively assess Terabytes of data to find the key records necessary for successful legal advocacy.

Earlier this year, Shapiro earned the prestigious Certified Information Privacy Professional/US (CIPP/US) credential through the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

Shapiro previously earned the Certified Electronic Discovery Specialist (CEDS) certification through the Academy of Certified Electronic Discovery Specialists, demonstrating her skills in all aspects of electronic discovery. With her CIPP/US and CEDS certifications, combined with her years of experience practicing in the field of electronic discovery, she is uniquely qualified to guide clients through the identification, preservation, collection, review and production of electronic data from sources across the globe.

Shapiro has been named a DBusiness Magazine “Top Lawyer” in the Information Management and eDiscovery category repeatedly since the category was first introduced in 2014. She is one of only 25 Michigan women named to Crain’s Detroit Business’ “Notable Women in Tech.”

In addition, seventy Butzel Long attorneys have been chosen by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2021 (copyright 2021 by Woodward/White, Inc. of Aiken, SC). Moreover, seven firm attorneys have been named to Best Lawyers in America® 2021 Ones to Watch.

The following local attorney has been named Lawyer of the Year: R. Peter Prokop (Tax Law) – Bloomfield Hills

The following firm attorneys have been named to Best Lawyers for the first time: Maura Corrigan (Appellate Practice) – Detroit; George B. Donnini (Criminal Defense: White Collar) – Detroit; Susan L. Johnson (Litigation – Environmental) – Bloomfield Hills; Kaveh Kashef (Litigation – Labor and Employment) – Bloomfield Hills; Daniel J. McCarthy (Appellate Practice) – Bloomfield Hills; Scott Patterson (Employment Law – Management) – Bloomfield Hills; Daniel Rustmann (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; Kurtis T. Wilder (Appellate Practice) – Detroit; Roxana Zaha (Real Estate Law) – Bloomfield Hills.

The following local attorneys have been named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch: Javon R. David (Commercial Litigation) – Bloomfield Hills; Damien DuMouchel (Criminal Defense: White-Collar) – Bloomfield Hills; Michael R. Griffie, (Commercial Litigation/ Litigation – Labor and Employment) – Detroit; Rebecca Klein (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; Shanika A. Owens (Real Estate Law) – Detroit; Ivonne M. Soler (Family Law); and Hannah E. Treppa (Litigation – Labor and Employment) – Detroit.

The following local Butzel Long attorneys were selected for the 2021 edition:

Bloomfield Hills office
• Alexander B. Bragdon, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Litigation – ERISA
• Stephen A. Bromberg, Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law
• Carey A. DeWitt, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• W. Patrick Dreisig, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, Corporate Governance Law
• Geoffrey S. Gallinger, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
• Debra A. Geroux, Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law
• Michael F. Golab, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law
• Beth S. Gotthelf, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
• David W. Hipp, Real Estate Law
• Susan L. Johnson, Litigation – Environmental
• Thomas A. Kabel, Real Estate Law
• Kaveh Kashef, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Sheldon H. Klein, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Antitrust
• Bushra A. Malik, Immigration Law
• Daniel J. McCarthy, Appellate Practice
• Allan Nachman, Real Estate Law
• Max J. Newman, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Scott Patterson, Employment Law – Management
• William A. Penner, Trusts and Estates
• Robert P. Perry, Trusts and Estates
• R. Peter Prokop, Corporate Law, Tax Law
• Thomas B. Radom, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Richard E. Rassel, Commercial Litigation
• Brett A. Rendeiro, Commercial Litigation
• Dennis B. Schultz, Construction Law, Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Real Estate
• Robert H. Schwartz, Health Care Law
• T. Gordon Scupholm II, Family Law
• John D. Selesko, Trusts and Estates
• 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
• Roxana Zaha, Real Estate Law

Detroit office
• Linda J. Armstrong, Immigration Law
• James C. Bruno, Corporate Law, International Mergers and Acquisitions, International Trade and Finance Law
• Maura Corrigan, Appellate Practice
• David Devine, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• George B. Donnini, Criminal Defense: White-Collar
• 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, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• William Kliffel, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• 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
• Phillip C. Korovesis, Commercial Litigation
• Mark R. Lezotte, Health Care Law, Tax Law
• Clara DeMatteis Mager, Immigration Law
• Donald B. Miller, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Reginald A. Pacis, Immigration Law
• James S. Rosenfeld, Employment Law – Management , Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Daniel Rustmann, Commercial Litigation
• Bruce L. Sendek, Commercial Litigation
• Nicholas J. Stasevich, Corporate Law
• Kurtis T. Wilder, Appellate Practice
• James E. Wynne, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants

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Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that Aaron Burrell, member in the firm’s Detroit and Troy offices, has been named to Diversity MBA’s 2020 Top 100 Under 50 Emerging and Executive Leaders list.

The Top 100 Under 50 Emerging and Executive Leaders list honors 100 talented professionals who have made a tremendous impact on leadership in their companies and communities. Honorees were selected based upon their position within their company, their scope of responsibility, civic achievement and their advanced degree and/or certification. The honorees will be honored at a virtual awards ceremony on September 18.

“I’m honored to be part of Diversity MBA’s 2020 Top 100 Under 50 list. This list is filled with exceptional leaders who are making an impact in business and our communities,” says Burrell.

Burrell is a business lawyer who focuses his practice in the areas of complex commercial litigation, appellate law, labor and employment law, and minority business enterprises. He has prevailed in numerous complex, commercial-litigation cases in a number of state and federal trial courts and courts of appeals. He has also successfully defended clients in a wide range of discrimination and unfair-labor-practice claims in state and federal courts and administrative agencies, and he has counseled clients on all aspects of the employment relationship.

Burrell is recognized as a leader in his field by Crain’s Detroit Businesschigan Lawyers Weekly, DBusiness Magazine, and Michigan Super Lawyers.
In addition, Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that 113 of the firm’s attorneys in Michigan have been included in Best Lawyers in America® 2021 edition.

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

DETROIT
Dennis W. Archer, Commercial Litigation, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Allison R. Bach, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
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, International Mergers & Acquisitions, Litigation – Bankruptcy
Lawrence G. Campbell, Commercial Litigation, International Mergers & Acquisitions
James N. Candler Jr., Gaming Law, Real Estate Law
Dawn R. Copley, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Christopher A. Cornwall, Construction Law
David R. Deromedi, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
Phillip J. DeRosier, Appellate Practice
Patrick B. Green, Commercial Litigation
K. Scott Hamilton, Appellate Practice
Mark R. High, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate 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
John K. Lawrence, Banking and Finance Law
Andrew W. MacLeod, International Mergers & Acquisitions
Kenneth J. McIntyre, Commercial Litigation
Thomas G. McNeill, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Mergers and Acquisitions, Litigation – Securities
Sharon R. Newlon, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
James B. Perry, Employment Law – Management
James A. Plemmons, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Bankruptcy
Robert F. Rhoades, Litigation and Controversy – Tax
William P. Shield Jr., Banking and Finance Law
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
Eric C. Bartley, Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law, Real Estate Law
Ari M. Charlip, Commercial Litigation
Margaret A. Coughlin, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
Roger H. Cummings, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law
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
John P. Gonway, Real Estate Law
Deborah L. Grace, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Roberta P. Granadier, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Eric W. Gregory, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Henry M. Grix, Nonprofit/Charities Law, Trusts and Estates
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 A. Jones, Patent Law
Robert B. Joslyn, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
Michael R. Kramer, Corporate Law
Monica J. Labe, Real Estate Law
Judith Fertel Layne, Trusts and Estates
Elise S. Levasseur, Immigration Law
Elizabeth L. Luckenbach, Trusts and Estates
Michael J. Lusardi, Real Estate Law
Christopher C. Maeso, Corporate Law
Anna M. Maiuri, Environmental Law, Litigation – Regulatory and Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
Scott A. McBain, Patent Law
Cynthia A. Moore, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Mahesh K. Nayak, Commercial Litigation
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
Richard W. Paul, Commercial Litigation
Robert V. Peterson, Real Estate Law
Scott A. Petz, Commercial Litigation
Elissa N. Pinto, Immigration Law
Daniel D. Quick, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Intellectual Property
William L. Rosin, Corporate Law
Sara B. Rubino, Trusts and Estates
Kimberly J. Ruppel, Commercial Litigation
Robert L. Schwartz, Public Finance Law
Lynn Capp Sirich, Family Law
Robert L. Stearns, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Peter H. Webster, Land Use and Zoning Law
Rhonda D. Welburn, Municipal Law, Public Finance Law
J. Bryan Williams, Corporate Law, International Merger & Acquisitions
Mark E. Wilson, Health Care Law
Laurence E. Winokur, Real Estate Law
Katheryne L. Zelenock, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Securitization and Structured Finance Law
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Seven attorneys from Foster Swift’s Southfield office were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021. Firm-wide, 44 attorneys were included. Each year’s new edition is launched for the following calendar year.

Listed local attorneys and their areas of practice are as follows:

Dirk H. Beckwith, Construction Law
Michael R. Blum, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
Julie I. Fershtman, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law
Gilbert M. Frimet, Health Care Law
Paul J. Millenbach, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants
Brian J. Renaud, Administrative/Regulatory Law
Bruce A. Vande Vusse, Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants

In addition, Southfield attorneys Stefania Gismondi,Commercial Litigation, and Rachel G. Olney, Commercial Litigation, have been named to the inaugural Best Lawyers® “Ones to Watch” list.  “Ones to Watch” awards are given to attorneys that are early in their careers, for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the U.S. Recipients typically have been in practice for 5-9 years.

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Sixteen Kerr Russell members were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2021. Eleven of the named attorneys have been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for more than five years.

Kerr Russell also had three attorneys recognized as 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch in the practice areas of corporate law, leveraged buyouts and private equity law, commercial litigation, and insurance law.

Kerr Russell’s 2021 The Best Lawyers in America:

Robert S. Anderson – Immigration Law
Jason W. Bank – Bankruptcy & Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency & Reorganization Law
James R. Cambridge – Corporate Law
Michael D. Carroll – Construction Law; Litigation – Construction
Mark M. Cunningham – Construction Law
Curtis J. DeRoo – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
John D. Gatti – Tax Law
Patrick J. Haddad – Health Care Law
Fred K. Herrmann – Antitrust Law
Mark C. Knoth – Employment Law – Management
Eric I. Lark – Corporate Law
Brandy Mathie – Real Estate Law
Stephen D. McGraw – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Daniel J. Schulte – Health Care Law
Joanne Geha Swanson – Appellate Practice; Litigation – Antitrust
Kurt R. Vilders – Real Estate Law

Kerr Russell’s 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch:

Caleb D. Erbert – Corporate Law / Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Ashley E. Racette – Commercial Litigation
Kathleen A. Westfall – Insurance Law

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Harness Dickey is pleased to announce that a local intellectual property attorneys was named “Lawyer of the Year” 2021 by Best Lawyers®.

The local attorney who received the designation includes:

• Glenn Forbis – 2021 Copyright Law “Lawyer of the Year,” Troy

Forbis was also included in the 2021 “Best Lawyers in America” list, along with 30 additional Harness Dickey attorneys selected for their expertise in one or more practice areas. The local attorneys include:

Metro Detroit Office
• Geoffrey Aurini – Trademark Law
• Lisabeth Coakley – Copyright Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Trade Secrets Law, Trademark Law
• Michael Doerr – Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law
• Stan Erjavac – Patent Law
• Monte Falcoff – Litigation – Intellectual Property, Patent Law, Trademark Law
• Glenn Forbis – Copyright Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law
• Stephen Foss – Patent Law, Trade Secrets Law
• Paul Keller – Copyright Law, Patent Law
• Joe Lafata – Patent Law
• Robert Lenihan – Litigation – Intellectual Property
• Tim MacIntyre – Patent Law
• Michael Malinzak – Patent Law
• George Moustakas – Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent
• Michael Nye – Patent Law
• Stephen Olson – Patent Law
• Jessica Sachs – Trademark Law
• Gregory Schivley – Patent Law
• Robert Siminski – Patent Law
• Jeffrey Snyder – Patent Law
• W.R. Duke Taylor – Patent Law
• David Utykanski – Litigation – Intellectual Property Law, Patent Law

In addition to the “Lawyer of the Year” and “Best Lawyer” designations, Best Lawyers introduced the “Ones to Watch” award for 2021. This award recognizes attorneys who demonstrate outstanding professional excellence early in their careers. The recipients typically have been in practice for 5-9 years.

The following local attorney received this inaugural award for patent law:

• Chris Bond – Metro Detroit Office

•            •            •

Troutman Pepper is pleased to announce that several of the firm’s attorneys were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America.  Those recognized include:

Lawyer of the Year
Thomas P. Wilczak, Environmental Law, Detroit
Todd C. Fracassi, Litigation - Environmental, Detroit

Best Lawyer Awards
Todd C. Fracassi, Environmental Law, Litigation - Environmental, Southfield
René M.L. Hansemann, Corporate Law, Southfield
Robert S. Hertzberg, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Southfield
Deborah Kovsky-Apap, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Southfield
Kay Standridge Kress, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Bankruptcy, Southfield
Matthew J. Lund, Commercial Litigation, Southfield
Sean P. McNally, Litigation - Construction, Southfield
Thomas P. Wilczak, Environmental Law, Litigation - Environmental, Southfield

Ones to Watch
Brett M. Gelbord, Commercial Litigation, Southfield
Joshua L. Zeman, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Southfield
Joshua L. Zeman, Litigation - Construction, Southfield

•            •            •

Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that 61 of its attorneys have been listed in the 2021 edition of the peer-review publication The Best Lawyers in America.

Local Bodman attorneys listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2021, including the practice areas under which they are listed, are:

DETROIT
Marc M. Bakst (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation-Bankruptcy)
Andrew H. Curoe (Trusts and Estates, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law)
Herold M. Deason (Corporate Law)
Laurence B. Deitch (Corporate Law)
Robert J. Diehl Jr. (Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Litigation-Banking and Finance, Litigation-Bankruptcy)
Forrest O. Dillon (Corporate Law)
Fredrick J. Dindoffer (Environmental Law, Litigation-Environmental)
Christopher J. Dine (Non-Profit / Charities Law)
Anthony T. Finn (Banking and Finance Law)
David M. Hempstead (Trusts and Estates)
Kathleen O’Callaghan Hickey (Banking and Finance Law)
George G. Kemsley (Commercial Litigation)
Joseph J. Kochanek (Banking and Finance Law)
David P. Larsen (Litigation-Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates)
Marguerite Munson Lentz (Trusts and Estates)
Dennis J. Levasseur (Commercial Litigation, Litigation-Banking and Finance, Litigation-Intellectual Property)
Carla S. Machnik (Banking and Finance Law)
Ralph E. McDowell (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Litigation-Bankruptcy)
Adam B. Norlander (Banking and Finance Law)
Joseph G. Nuyen Jr. (Health Care Law)
Michael B. Peterman (Banking and Finance Law, Real Estate Law)
Jane Derse Quasarano (Commercial Litigation)
Jeffrey G. Raphelson (Commercial Litigation)
Damali A. Sahu (Banking and Finance Law)
Nicholas P. Scavone Jr. (Banking and Finance Law, Real Estate Law)
Joseph J. Shannon (Commercial Litigation)
Bonnie S. Sherr (Banking and Finance Law)
E. William S. Shipman (Health Care Law)
Larry R. Shulman (Banking and Finance Law)
David C. Stone (Corporate Law)
Brian R. Trumbauer (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation-Bankruptcy)
Jaimee L. Witten (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law)

TROY
J. Adam Behrendt (Litigation-Banking and Finance)
David C. Bosman (Banking and Finance Law)
Barbara A. Bowman (Banking and Finance Law, Municipal Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law)
John C. Cashen (Employment Law-Management, Labor Law-Management, Qui Tam Law)
Steven R. Cole (Corporate Law)
Michael G. Costello (Commercial Litigation)
Anthony P. Cracchiolo (Trusts and Estates)
Michelle Thurber Czapski (Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law)
Steven J. Fishman (Labor Law-Management)
Gregory J. Gamalski (Real Estate Law)
Catherine Kavanagh Kokotovich (Real Estate Law)
Michael B. Lewiston (Commercial Litigation, Litigation-Real Estate, Litigation-Trusts and Estates)
Mark W. Peters (Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law)
Karen L. Piper (Labor Law-Management)
Mara Letica Saad (Commercial Litigation)
Andrew Z. Spilkin (Real Estate Law)
Thomas J. Tallerico (Commercial Litigation)
Thomas Van Dusen (Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation-Trusts and Estates)
David B. Walters (Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law)
Glen M. Zatz (Real Estate Law)

•            •            •

Kemp Klein celebrates 19 attorneys for their inclusion in the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.

Kemp Klein would like to congratulate the following attorneys named to 2021 The Best Lawyers in America list:

William B. Acker – Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Real Estate Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
C. Leslie Banas – Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
Richard D. Bisio – Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate
Cynthia E. Brazzil – Corporate Law
Joseph P. Buttiglieri – Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Ralph A. Castelli Jr. – Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
Mark R. Filipp – Litigation - Labor and Employment
Brian R. Jenney – Elder Law, Trusts and Estates
Christopher R. Martella – Real Estate Law
Alan A. May – Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates
Norman D. Orr – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Corporate Law
Thomas C. Rauch – Real Estate Law
Brian H. Rolfe – Commercial Litigation
Stuart Sinai – Securities Regulation
Amy A. Stawski – Family Law
Thomas V. Trainer – Elder Law, Trusts and Estates
Michael D. Umphrey – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Trusts and Estates
Robert S. Zawideh – Litigation – Trusts and Estates

In addition, Kate L. Ringler was included in the inaugural edition of the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for her work in Trusts and Estates.