Intellectual Property attorney Erin Klug has joined The Dobrusin Law Firm as a shareholder.
A seasoned patent, trademark, and copyright practitioner, Klug helps large corporations, innovative companies, and solo entrepreneurs protect and enforce their intellectual property rights. She offers a range of electrical and mechanical arts experience, such as automotive, chassis systems, brake assemblies, sensors, control systems, medical devices, consumer goods, packaging, and mobile applications.
Klug has also earned the respect of legal and business communities, as demonstrated by various awards and recognition from Crain's Detroit Business, DBusiness Magazine, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, and the Oakland County executive.
Klug also brings large law practice experience to Dobrusin's boutique practice. She previously led the intellectual property department at a 180-attorney, full-service firm with nine offices in Michigan and Florida.
- - -
Patricia Nemeth, founder of Detroit-based management side labor and employment law firm Nemeth Law PC, has been named to the Class of 2021 Michigan Lawyers Weekly (MLW) Hall of Fame. A virtual event honoring the recipients will be held on April 13.
Nemeth founded Nemeth Law as a solo practitioner in 1992. Nationally recognized, the firm is the largest woman-owned law firm in Michigan to exclusively represent management in the prevention, resolution and litigation of labor and employment disputes.
Nemeth is an attorney known to advocate aggressively but civilly for her clients, and has found success as a litigator, investigator, consultant, and certified mediator.
Now serving Of Counsel at Nemeth Law, she has increased her practice commitment to arbitration and mediation, seeking a peaceful resolution to a variety of civil and employment conflicts. While leading Nemeth Law, she gained expertise in a variety of industries including healthcare, gaming, insurance, retail, manufacturing and government entities.
The MLW 2021 Hall of Fame tribute is one of many honors bestowed on Nemeth during her career. In February 2020, she was named a recipient of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (MDTC) Excellence in Defense Award. MDTC is an association of the leading lawyers in the State of Michigan dedicated to representing individuals and corporations in civil litigation.
Nemeth was recognized in the category of Excellence in Defense, honoring 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 November 2019, Nemeth was named a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. In April 2016, Nemeth received a Distinguished Alumni award from the Wayne State University School of Law at its annual Treasure of Detroit celebration, honoring those who have made significant contributions to the practice of law, as well as the growth and success of the Law School. She has been on the U.S. News - Best Lawyers® list since 2010 and is a multiple Michigan Super Lawyer and Leading Lawyer honoree.
In 2009 Nemeth was named a "Leader in the Law" by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. She is also an ABA Foundation Fellow and a member of the Michigan, Illinois, Federal, and the United States Supreme Court Bars.
Nemeth earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and law degrees from Wayne State University Law School.
- - -
The Intellectual Property law firm Reising Ethington is proud to announce that patent attorney Kristen N. Goodman has joined the firm. Goodman's expertise spans a range of technologies, from complex polymer science and battery innovations to mattress coverings and baseball bats. Her experience includes work for a prominent automotive OEM addressing copyright, indemnity, and non-disclosure agreement issues, as well as work in the Intellectual Property group at a national law firm where she prosecuted patents and trademarks, and handled trademark and copyright disputes.
Goodman earned her law degree from the University of Illinois. She earned a Master of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Illinois, and a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Valparaiso University.
In addition to her law practice, Goodman works in her community to promote science and engineering careers to children. She has chaired science fairs and coached Science Olympiad teams.
- - -
Maddin, Hauser, Roth, & Heller PC is pleased to announce that Michelle C. Ruggirello has joined the firm as an associate attorney in the firm's Complex Litigation and Risk Advisory practice group.
The announcement was made by firm President and CEO Steven D. Sallen.
In her practice, Ruggirello handles a broad range of corporate, real estate and employment disputes.
Ruggirello began her legal career as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Detroit, where she first-chaired jury and bench trials for a variety of matters including civil forfeiture, criminal fraud, and property crimes. Moving to private practice, Ruggirello has handled an array of complex litigation cases including insurance and employment matters, most recently concentrating her practice on eminent domain matters.
In 2011, Ruggirello graduated from Notre Dame Law School. In 2006, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame.
Ruggirello was recognized in the inaugural edition of the Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch for her work in Labor and Employment Law.
- - -
Plunkett Cooney recently "accelerated" the growth of its Transportation Law Practice Group with the addition of associate attorneys John M. Kuzmich and Claire D. Vergara.
A member of the firm's Detroit office, Kuzmich focuses his practice primarily on first-party and provider Personal Injury Protection (PIP) litigation under Michigan's No-Fault Act. He also has experience litigating premises liability and general negligence matters.
Admitted to practice law in the state and federal courts in Michigan, Kuzmich received his law degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School in 2014. He received his undergraduate degree in 2009 from the University of Michigan.
Kuzmich, who serves as vice president of the Hellenic Bar Association, is also a member of the Oakland County and American bar associations and the State Bar of Michigan.
Vergara focuses her litigation practice in the areas of first-party No-Fault and third-party motor vehicle negligence. She has also experience handling insurance-related claims involving personal injury, general negligence and medical malpractice.
Licensed to practice law in the state and federal courts in Michigan, Vergara received her law degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School in 2012 and her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 2009. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.
Plunkett Cooney's Transportation Law Practice Group includes the talents of more than 30 attorneys who provide an array of litigation and risk management services, including expertise in the areas of first- and third-party auto liability, cross-border claims with Canada, trucking liability, fraud investigations and emergency accident response.
