Royal Oak-based law firm Howard & Howard is pleased to announce that thirty of its attorneys were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021 and five of its attorneys were included in the inaugural edition of Best Lawyers®-Ones to Watch.
The local Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice area(s) under which they are listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2021 are:
Daniel H. Bliss-Patent Law, Trademark Law; Joseph J. DeVito-Corporate Law, Real Estate Law; Trent K. English-Patent Law; Lisa S. Gretchko-Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation; Andrew (Jake) Grove-Litigation-Intellectual Property; Sam J. Haidle-Patent Law; Amanda E. Hill-Trademark Law; Kristopher K. Hulliberger-Litigation-Intellectual Property, Litigation-Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law; Michael V. Kell-Commercial Litigation; Rodger A. Kershner-Energy Law; Jon D. Kreucher-Utilities Law; Miles T. Macik-Commercial Litigation; Patrick M. McCarthy-Commercial Litigation, Litigation-Intellectual Property; Gerald E. McGlynn III-Litigation-Intellectual Property, Litigation-Patent, Patent Law; R. Saleha Mohamedulla-Trademark Law; and Jeffrey A. Sadowski-Litigation-Intellectual Property, Litigation-Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law.
The Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice area(s) under which they are listed in Best Lawyers-Ones to Watch 2021 are:
Aaron Beresh-Health Care Law; Paul S. Mazzola-Patent Law; Adrianna Agosta Nichol-Tax Law; and Marcus Smetka-Intellectual Property Law, Patent Law.
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Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that 19 of the firm's attorneys in Michigan have been included in Best Lawyers in America® "Ones to Watch" 2021 edition.
The local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on the Best Lawyers in America "Ones to Watch" list include:
DETROIT
Max A. Aidenbaum, Commercial Litigation
Michael L. Dallaire, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Ariana D. Pellegrino, Commercial Litigation
Julie Rhoades, Nonprofit/Charities Law, Tax Law
M. Katherine VanderVeen, Banking and Finance Law
Adam J. Wallace, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law
TROY
Andrea L. Arndt, Patent Law
Jessica L. Busch, Health Care Law
Peter E. Doyle, Commercial Litigation, Litigation Intellectual Property
Erin A. Johnson, Real Estate Law
Lauren A. Kwapis, Commercial Litigation
Chelsey L. Marsh, Real Estate Law
James A. Martone, Commercial Litigation
Alexandra A. Vallee, Health Care Law
In addition, Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that 17 of the firm's lawyers in Michigan have been identified as the leading practitioner in their practice areas as a Best Lawyers in America® 2021 "Lawyer of the Year."
The following local Dickinson Wright lawyers were selected as Best Lawyers in America 2021 "Lawyer of the Year:"
DETROIT
Phillip J. DeRosier, Appellate PracticeMark R. High, Corporate Governance Law
Steven G. Howell, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Timothy H. Howlett, Employment Law Management
James A. Plemmons, Bet-the-Company Litigation
William P. Shield Jr., Banking and Finance Law
Bruce C. Thelen, International Trade and Finance Law
TROY
Deborah L. Grace, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Craig W. Hammond, Public Finance Law
John H. Norris, Energy Law
Daniel D. Quick, Litigation Banking and Finance
Edward H. Pappas, Mediation
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Barris, Sott, Denn, & Driker PLLC is pleased to announce that its member Daniel M. Share has been named "Lawyer of the Year" for Real Estate Law in the metropolitan Detroit area for 2021. "Lawyer of the Year" awards are presented annually by Best Lawyers® to a single outstanding lawyer in each practice area and metropolitan region.
Share has a broad practice with an emphasis on real estate, general corporate affairs, and resolution of business disputes. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a law degree cum laude from Harvard Law School.
The other BSDD attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers® are Eugene Driker, William Barris, Sharon Woods, Stephen Glazek, Robert Kass, Morley Witus, James Fontichiaro, Daniel J. LaCombe, C. David Bargamian, Todd Mendel, and State Bar President Dennis Barnes.
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Farmington Hills-based Young & Associates PC, a law firm specializing in complex business litigation, has announced the launch of a new service offering, Appellate Consultation and Mock Oral Arguments, giving attorneys the opportunity to consult and prepare with former Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Henry William Saad, who is Of Counsel with the firm.
"Even the most experienced attorneys need to follow an intense preparation regimen prior to arguing an appeal, especially when millions of dollars are at stake," said Saad. "Putting appeals through the rigors of oral argument to best position cases for a positive ruling is the key to success. It is virtually impossible to anticipate all the probing questions that will be posed by a panel of experienced appellate jurists and thus doing a mock appellate argument prepares the attorney for these complex questions which can be decisive in an appeal."
Headed up by Saad, former chief judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Appellate Consultation and Mock Oral Argument program prepares experienced appellate lawyers to anticipate and answer the tough and perhaps unanticipated questions of appeal. Saad's 20 years of experience as an appellate litigator and 24 years on the appellate bench give him the authority to conduct rigorous mock oral arguments which will give appellate lawyers unique insight into cases to improve their clients' chances of success on appeal. Saad has heard thousands of oral arguments over the course of his career, making him an expert in appellate litigation.
As part of the firm's Appellate Consultation and Mock Oral Argument program, Saad will meet with participants to prepare them for probing questions from the bench, review and re-frame legal briefs, identify potential problem areas in arguments and render a final opinion. By putting a case through the rigors of oral argument before a seasoned judge, attorneys are best prepared to argue cases with conviction, resulting in a positive ruling.
The program has already had its first participants who have identified the program and Saad's expertise as an effective tool in their case preparation. Under current social distancing recommendations, Saad is currently offering full virtual consultations and arguments via videoconferencing.
To schedule a consultation or to learn more about Young & Associates, contact the firm by visiting www.youngpc.com.
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Detroit-based management side labor and employment law firm Nemeth Law PC is pleased to announce that attorneys Deborah Brouwer and Patricia Nemeth have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 27th edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. Best Lawyers annually recognizes legal talent in more than 70 countries worldwide.
In her inaugural appearance as a Best Lawyers honoree, firm co-managing partner Brouwer has been recognized in the practice categories of Labor LawManagement and LitigationLabor and Employment. Her labor and employment practice includes the defense of lawsuits against employers involving claims of race, age, religion, national origin, gender and disability discrimination, and harassment and retaliation, as well as FLSA, FMLA and non-competition suits. She provides employer training and conducts discrimination and harassment investigations on behalf of employers. Brouwer has extensive experience appearing before the EEOC, MDCR, MIOSHA, OSHA and the NLRB, in addition to frequently appearing before the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Brouwer earned a law degree from the Wayne State University School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts degree, both from the University of Michigan. In 2019, she was recognized by Crain's Detroit Business as a 2019 Notable Women in Law honoree, has been named a Michigan Super Lawyer in 2019 and 2020, and was named a 'Woman in the Law' honoree in 2018 by the legal trade publication, Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Brouwer is active in a number of professional and community organizations. She is vice president, Board of Directors, Michigan Defense Trial Counsel; member, State Bar of Michigan Appellate Section and Labor and Employment Law Section; member, American Bar Association, Litigation Section; member, DRI; chair of the Board of Directors of Assured Family Services; president, Board of Trustees, Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation; and a member of the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society/Advocates Guild.
Nemeth, Of Counsel, founded Nemeth Law in 1992 and has been included on the Best Lawyers' list since 2010. She has been recognized as a 2021 Best Lawyer in the practice areas Employment LawManagement, Labor LawManagement, and LitigationLabor and Employment. Nemeth is a certified mediator for all types of civil litigation matters, including employment, and also serves as an employment arbitrator and commercial arbitrator.
Nemeth earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and law degrees from Wayne State University School of Law. She was named a recipient of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel Excellence in Defense Award for 2020, recognized in the category of Excellence in Defense. The honor acknowledges civil defense counsel who through their professionalism, intelligence, creativity, judgement, civility, advocacy skills, community involvement and efforts to educate younger attorneys, promote the practice of the defense bar and the representation of their clients in and outside of the courtroom. In April 2016, she received a Treasure of Detroit Distinguished Alumni award from the Wayne State University School of Law, honoring those who have made significant contributions to the practice of law as well as to the growth and success of the WSU Law School. In addition to Best Lawyers, Nemeth has been named a Michigan Super Lawyer since 2006 and has been included in Super Lawyers 2020 Women's edition. She is also a multiple Leading Lawyers honoree, and appeared in the April 2020 issue of Leading Lawyers MagazineMichigan Edition. In 2009, Nemeth was named a Leader in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly and is an ABA Foundation Fellow and a College of Labor and Employment Lawyers Fellow. Nemeth is also a member of the Michigan, Illinois, Federal and the United States Supreme Court Bar.
Nemeth is a member of the Board of Directors, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, where she served as vice chair secretary from 2017 to 2020 and worked with the organization for the past 15 years in additional capacities and board member positions. In 2011, Nemeth received an award from Vista Maria for Outstanding Board Leadership, and in 2005, was presented with the Distinguished Volunteer Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals for her work with the organization. She is also a Graduate, Leadership Detroit XXVI Class, 20042005.
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Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that eight of its attorneys have been listed in the 2021 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, a new publication of The Best Lawyers in America.
Local Bodman attorneys listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, including the practice areas under which they are listed, are:
DETROIT
Sarah L. Cylkowski (Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law)
Nathan D. Dupes (Commercial Litigation)
Kelly M. Lockman (Real Estate Law)
Rebecca C. Seguin-Skrabucha (Labor and Employment Law Management)
Katelyn M. Young (Commercial Litigation)
In addition, Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that seven of its attorneys have been named "Lawyers of the Year" for 2021 by the publisher of The Best Lawyers in America.
Local Bodman attorneys included as 2021 Lawyers of the Year, with metropolitan area and practice area designation are:
John C. Cashen: Troy, Michigan Lawyer of the Year Labor Law-Management
Dennis J. Levasseur: Detroit, Michigan Lawyer of the Year Litigation-Banking and Finance
Ralph E. McDowell: Detroit, Michigan Lawyer of the Year Litigation-Bankruptcy
Thomas Van Dusen: Troy, Michigan Lawyer of the Year Litigation-Trusts and Estates
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Grand Rapids-based Miller Johnson recently announced the strategic acquisition of Detroit-based Lusk Albertson, a law firm focused on serving the education sector. The acquisition is set to close August 31, 2020. Miller Johnson Managing Member Robert D. Wolford made the announcement.
The combined firm is comprised of 105 practicing attorneys across three offices statewide, and represents an opportunity for Miller Johnson to establish an even stronger foothold in the greater Detroit market.
"Miller Johnson has been radiating out of West Michigan for 60 years. Bob Wolford's position as External Managing Member was established in part to strengthen our focus on acquisitions such as this that fit within our strategic plan and fuel growth through key client relationships in markets where we have been active for decades," said Craig H. Lubben, Miller Johnson internal managing member.
The existing Lusk Albertson team is joining with Miller Johnson's full-service platforms, creating immediate service lines and expanded resources for clients of both firms. It is expected the firm will add attorneys to the office in their traditional business/corporate, employment & labor, and litigation counsel practice areas. Kevin T. Sutton will lead the Detroit office as office managing member.
"After a decade of successfully representing education clients all over Michigan, we are thrilled to partner with Miller Johnson to provide our clients with even greater support going forward," said Sutton. "In making this move, we wanted to find a group that not only had incredible legal talent, but even better people. We've found that rare combination with Miller Johnson and we look forward to continuing our commitment to education in Michigan as part of their team."
Terms of the acquisition will not be disclosed. Miller Johnson is committed to a diverse, growth-minded approach that will further strengthen the firm's standing as a destination law firm for professionals and clients alike.
"This is an exciting step forward in implementing our strategic plan. We are gaining exceptional attorneys and staff who have developed strong relationships and are bringing them together into Miller Johnson's down to earth, down to business culture," added Wolford.
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Several Kerr Russell members were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2021. Kerr Russell also had one member named as Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year;" James E. Tamm was named the Best Lawyers 2021 Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year" in Troy.
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On behalf of the firm, the Secrest Wardle Executive Committee is pleased to announce that effective July 26, Daniel S. Schrode II was promoted to partner.
Schrode is a member of the firm's Motor Vehicle Litigation Practice Group. Schrode has significant experience representing insurance companies and their insureds in first-party no-fault and third-party auto negligence actions from the initial discovery phase through trial. He has additional experience handling criminal matters including traffic violations, misdemeanors, and felonies. Schrode received a 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Troy, Michigan.
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.
Schrode is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan and is a member of the State Bar of Michigan's Young Lawyers Section.
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McKeen & Associates attorneys were recently named as Leading Lawyers for 2020 and Best Lawyers for 2021.
This is the seventh year in a row that Brian McKeen, managing partner of McKeen & Associates; Jody Aaron; and Norman Rosen were chosen for the Leading Lawyers recognition. All three were named in the categories of Personal Injury Law: General and Personal Injury Law: Professional Malpractice. Additionally, McKeen was named under the category of Personal Injury Plaintiff's Law: Product Liability.
Aaron, McKeen, and Rosen were also named as Best Lawyers for 2021. All three were recognized under the Medical Malpractice Law: Plaintiffs category. Additionally, McKeen was also named under Personal Injury Law: Plaintiffs.
It is the third year in a row John LaParl Jr. earned the Leading Lawyers distinction. He was named in the category Personal Injury Law: Professional Malpractice.
This is the inaugural year as a Leading Lawyer for Paul Broshay and J. Kelly Carley. Both were named under the category Personal Injury: Professional Malpractice. Additionally, Broshay was named under the category Civil Rights/Constitutional Law and Carley under Personal Injury: General.
