Legal People

Plunkett Cooney

Marc P. Jerabek was recently elected president of the Oakland County Bar Foundation (OCBF). His one-year term began on July 1.

The OCBF is dedicated to ensuring access to justice and to promoting an understanding of the law in the local community. The Foundation partners with the Oakland County Bar Association (OCBA) and community members and organizations to support worthy causes in Oakland County. The OCBF promotes and funds programs through fundraising and grants that are designed to increase access, affordability and understanding of the law and legal system.

Jerabek is a member of the Banking, Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights and Commercial Litigation practice groups of Plunkett Cooney. He has experience in financial services, commercial and real estate litigation.

Jerabek handles matters involving commercial loan workouts and restructuring, negotiable instruments, lender liability, bankruptcy and real estate law, including landlord-tenant, foreclosure, quiet title, boundary disputes. Jerabek represents financial institutions, mortgage servicers, small businesses and individuals, helping them achieve the best result when facing legal obstacles and litigation.

Selected by Michigan Super Lawyer magazine as a “Rising Star” in Bankruptcy & Creditor / Debtor Rights, Jerabek is licensed to practice in the state and federal courts in Michigan and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Jerabek received his law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 2004 and his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 2000.

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Bodman PLC

Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that attorney Brigid D. Fox has joined the firm as a member in the Troy office.

Fox joins Bodman’s High Net Worth Practice Group. She advises clients on estate planning, asset protection, and wealth preservation matters.

She helps individuals, families, and businesses protect and transfer their assets to achieve wealth preservation in the most tax efficient way possible. She provides clients with comprehensive and tailored estate planning documents, including revocable and irrevocable trusts, wills, and powers of attorney. Fox also handles a variety of probate and estate and trust administration matters. She has experience in the preparation of state and federal tax returns.

Before joining Bodman, Fox practiced in the trusts and estates group in the Chicago office of a large national law firm. She began her legal career as a trust administrator with JPMorgan Chase in the high net worth group in its private bank.

Fox is a graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology. She earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.

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Dykema

Dykema recently announced the addition of Sean F. Darke to its Labor and Employment Practice Group as a member in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office. Darke joins Dykema after practicing in Chicago for the past 17 years.

In his practice, Darke represents businesses in all aspects of labor and employment litigation, including defending them in class actions. His practice focuses on litigating employment matters under Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, and all other federal and state employment laws.

Darke’s class action experience includes defending businesses under Consumer Fraud Laws, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, credit unions membership agreements, Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, and the Federal Highway Administration’s Truth in Leasing regulations.

Darke earned a law degree from the Michigan State University College of Law and a B.A. in Business Economics from the State University of New York, Potsdam.

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Brooks Kushman P.C.

Brooks Kushman is proud to announce that the firm is being recognized as a gold-standard firm once again in Intellectual Asset Management’s (IAM) annual IAM Patent 1000. Eight Brooks Kushman attorneys were also recognized as recommended IP practitioners.

In addition to the firm’s recognition, Frank Angileri, Sangeeta Shah, Michael Brodbine, Tiffany Fidler, Marc Lorelli, John LeRoy, Benjamin Stasa, and Martin Sultana were honored as patent leaders in Michigan. Angileri, LeRoy, and Lorelli were honored for their work in IP litigation, while Brodbine, Fidler, Stasa, and Sultana were recognized for their excellence in patent prosecution.  Shah was acclaimed as a leader in both litigation and prosecution. Angileri, Shah, Brodbine, Fidler, Lorelli, and LeRoy have all been recognized in the guide for the past several years while this is the first year for Stasa and Sultana.

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Maddin, Hauser, Roth, & Heller PC

After more than ten years in leadership roles with Jewish Family Services of Metropolitan Detroit (JFS), Maddin Hauser shareholder Julie Teicher recently concluded her term as chair of the board of directors. She proudly led the active 36-member board, which provides oversight to the organization. She was elected to the position in 2019 and will continue serving as immediate past chair.

Established in 1928, JFS provides compassionate, personalized services to the Jewish community and to the broader Detroit community. Its services are uniquely tailored to the specific needs of each individual or family and center on three core areas: services for older adults, mental health and wellness, and safety net services.  Inspired by Jewish values of strengthening lives through service to others, some of the specialized JFS support includes suicide prevention education for the LGBTQ+ community, Holocaust survivor support, a postpartum support group for new mothers with children under six months of age, and a Legal Referral Service.

Devoted to JFS and its mission, Teicher has held various responsibilities since 2012, including treasurer, vice-chairperson, and chair of the finance and audit committees.

Teicher’s law practice centers on business-related insolvency and bankruptcy issues and handling cases in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, other federal courts, state courts, and dispute resolution forums. Her clients include debtors, creditors, receivers, purchasers, and parties of interest in bankruptcy and receivership matters at the federal and state levels.

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Varnum LLP

Varnum is pleased to announce that its Birmingham office has relocated to 480 Pierce Street. 

Situated amidst downtown Birmingham, the firm’s new quarters span more than 18,000 square feet—occupying the entire third floor—initially with 28 individual offices, six conference rooms, an outdoor patio and a dedicated client reception space.  

Banking and finance partner Michael Romaya has served as leader of the Birmingham office since its opening in 2019.

“The past three years have been exciting, and it’s gratifying to be part of a great group of attorneys who all share an unwavering commitment to client service,” Romaya said. “With six attorneys added in the past year alone, we’ve seen significant growth and remain optimistic about this market and our role in the community.”

The Birmingham office features practices in banking and finance, corporate law, intellectual property, commercial litigation, M&A, real estate, tax, trust and estate services and restructuring, insolvency, and creditors’ rights.

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Dickinson Wright PLLC

Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Monica J. Labe (member, Troy) has been named a “Go To Lawyer” for Real Estate and Condo Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

“I am honored to be selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a ‘Go To Lawyer’ for Real Estate and Condo law. It is a privilege to be included with such a talented and accomplished group of attorneys,” said Labe.

Labe has experience representing large multinational corporations, developers, real estate private equity firms, lenders and real estate investment companies in the acquisition, development, leasing, financing, construction and disposition of industrial, commercial, office, mixed-use and entertainment projects throughout the U.S.

Labe is recognized as a leader in her field by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, Best Lawyers in America, Michigan Super Lawyers, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Crain’s Detroit Business, and DBusiness. She is a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, State Bar of California, and the Detroit and Oakland County bar associations.

Labe received her B.A. from the University of Michigan and her law degree from Northwestern University School of Law.

In addition, Dickinson Wright attorney Scott A. Petz (member, Detroit) has been selected among America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators® for 2022. 

Petz is a member in the firm’s Troy office where he focuses his practice in the areas of commercial and business litigation, class and collective actions, labor litigation, consumer protection, and condemnation and land use. He regularly litigates high stakes and complex matters, and consults on non-litigation matters.

Petz received his B.A. from Kalamazoo College and his law degree from The John Marshall Law School.

 Dickinson Wright is also pleased to announce that John S. Artz and William Honaker have been ranked in the 2022 Edition of the IAM Patent 1000. The firm also received a Bronze ranking for its Patent practice in Michigan.  Artz was listed under Litigation: Recommended.  Honaker was listed under Prosecution and Litigation: Recommended.

 Dickinson Wright also recently announced that Henry Grix (member, Troy) has been listed as a “Leader in their Field” by Chambers 2022 High Net Worth (HNW) Guide.  Grix was listed under Private Wealth Law.