Goodman Acker recently announced the addition of two new attorneys to its ever-growing team: Scott Fanzini and Nicole McCarthy.
Fanzini received his bachelor of science degree in Economics from Butler University and his law degree from Indiana University School of Law. He is a courtroom veteran and has served as lead counsel on numerous high-exposure cases tried to jury. He has published and lectured in the areas of trial practice, professional liability, risk management, and taxation. Fanzini advises clients in complex litigation including medical, dental, and legal malpractice, catastrophic injury claims, and first and third-party insurance matters.
"When I was offered the opportunity to take the helm of Goodman Acker's bourgeoning medical malpractice department, I jumped at the chance," Fanzini said. "The fact that my existing defense clients came with me, confirms that I made the prudent choice."
McCarthy joins the firm as an associate attorney with 10 years of experience. She has a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Michigan State University and a law degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. Her practice focuses on all area of personal injury. She is a member of the Michigan Association for Justice and the Women Lawyer's Association of Michigan.
"I am very excited to be joining Goodman Acker," McCarthy said. "The firm boasts an excellent reputation both in the state of Michigan as well as with the entire bar association."
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Dykema recently announced the addition of Valerie S. Rup to its Healthcare Practice Group as senior counsel in the firm's Bloomfield Hills office. Rup joins Dykema after spending more than a decade with Beaumont Health and William Beaumont Hospital in several capacities, including as chief counsel, transactions, and senior corporate counsel.
In her practice, Rup focuses on corporate and regulatory healthcare law with an emphasis on business formation, affiliations, acquisitions, joint ventures, real estate, contract negotiation, and regulatory matters. She has experience advising on, drafting, and negotiating multiple types of contracts.
In her previous roles with Beaumont Health, Rup led the transactions team in overseeing a diverse array of matters, such as governance, corporate affiliations, joint ventures, and regulatory and compliance matters. She also provided advice on board- and executive-level projects, initiated internal investigations, and handled strategic expansion initiatives.
Rup earned a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, a B.S. in Psychology from Wayne State University, and Health Care Management Certification from the University of Michigan Health System Leadership Development Program.
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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the appointment of Christopher P. Yates to the Michigan Court of Appeals, District 3.
Yates is currently a judge with the 17th Circuit Court of Kent County. He has been with the circuit court since 2008 where he presides over a specialized business docket and has previously handled civil, criminal, and family dockets.
Prior to his time with the courts, Yates was a partner with Yates, LaGrand, & Denenfeld PLLC and Willey, Chamberlain, & Yates LLP. He has also served as the chief defender for the Federal Public Defender's Office, as an assistant U.S. attorney, and as an attorney and advisor for the U.S. Department of Justice. Yates began his law career as a law clerk to U.S. District Court Chief Judge James Churchill and to U.S. Appellate Judge Ralph Guy.
Yates earned his law degree degree and Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois and bachelor of arts degree from Kalamazoo College. He is the current president of the Michigan Judges Association, vice president of the American College of Business Court Judges, a member and former president of the Grand Rapids Bar Association, and an appointed council member of the Judicial Section of the State Bar of Michigan.
"I am humbled and deeply grateful to Governor Whitmer for giving me the opportunity to serve on the Michigan Court of Appeals," said Yates. "After spending 14 years as a trial judge, I'm enthusiastic about serving my fellow Michiganders in a new role as an appellate judge. My practice always included a large number of appeals, so it will be a familiar pleasure to return to appellate work."
This appointment was made to fill a partial term, which will commence on April 18 and expire at noon on January 1, 2023, after Judge Jane M. Beckering was appointed to the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan effective December 24, 2021. If Yates wishes to serve the remainder of Beckering's term, expiring January 1, 2025, he would be required to run for reelection in November of 2022.
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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the appointment of Sara A. Schimke to the Macomb County Probate Court.
Schimke is currently an attorney with Chalgian & Tripp PLLC where she specializes in probate law, estate planning, and advocacy. Schimke has devoted her career solely to probate and estate planning matters and she regularly presents to both statewide and national audiences, including attorneys and judges, on advancements in the law and the specialized nature of probate and planning work. Schimke has also worked for Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss PC and Barron, Rosenberg, Mayoras, & Mayoras PC. She also previously served as an adjunct professor at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School teaching an estate planning clinic.
Schimke earned her law degree from WMU-Cooley and bachelor of science degree from Northern Michigan University. She is a member of the ICLE Elder Law Advisory Planning Committee, past chair of the State Bar Elder Law & Disability Rights Section, and a member of the Michigan Parkinson's Foundation Board of Directors.
"I am truly honored to be appointed to the Macomb County Probate Court and thankful to the governor for this opportunity to serve my community and the people of Macomb County," said Schimke. "Paramount to the probate court is honoring the choices of our loved ones and protecting our most vulnerable populations. I am humbled by the significance of the work before me and resolve to handle these profoundly personal matters steadfast and with the integrity, compassion, and justice they deserve."
This appointment was made to fill a partial term, which will commence on April 11 and expire at noon on January 1, 2023, after the retirement of Judge Kathryn A. George effective January 2. If Schimke wishes to serve the remainder of George's term, expiring January 1, 2027, she would be required to run for reelection in November of 2022.
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The Michigan Supreme Court has named Monique S. Smith as the new Human Resources director for the MSC, the Michigan Court of Appeals, and the State Court Administrative Office. In this role, Smith oversees personnel policies and procedures for about 500 employees.
Smith's primary responsibilities include developing, implementing and maintaining employment programs, compensation policies, legal compliance, and implementation of personnel policies and procedures. In her previous leadership position as human resources director with the Genesee Intermediate School District, Smith led an HR team serving 1600 employees in a region of nearly 61,000 students, 8,500 educators, 21 public school districts, and 15 public school academies.
Smith has cultivated skills in these areas, among others: policy and procedures; recruitment; contract administration and problem-solving; hiring processes at multiple levels; labor relations; diversity, equity and inclusion training; learning and development; and customer service. She also holds a certification in Lean Management.
"My philosophy is to start early, stay late; learn every aspect of your position possible," Smith said. "That's my plan at the Hall of Justice as the entire team works to together to learn, grow, and evolve into better employees. We owe our best effort to the people we serve."
Smith earned a doctorate of Organizational Leadership degree from Oakland University where she served in key human resources positions for a decade. She also earned a master of science degree in Human Resources Administration from Central Michigan University and a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration from Baker College Auburn Hills.
