Butzel Long
Butzel attorney and shareholder Leslie “Les” Glick gave a lecture at his alma mater, Cornell Law School, on October 18. The event was presented as part of the law school’s Berger International Legal Studies Program. Glick’s lecture was titled, “Trump and Biden: Is This the End of Free Trade As We Know it?”
Glick is co-chair of Butzel’s International Trade and Customs Specialty Team. He has experience in the areas of international trade and customs law. He has handled major international trade cases before the U.S. International Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and the Court of International Trade.
Glick assists U.S. and foreign clients with compliance with laws and regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in relation to food products, meat and poultry, plants, medical devices and the importation of pharmaceutical and biological materials as well as consumer product safety and automotive product regulation and recalls (NHTSA and FMVSA).
Glick has been active in developing customs compliance programs for many U.S. corporations. He is the author of books on customs law and NAFTA and most recently on the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) and has been widely consulted by companies and trade associations regarding U.S./Mexico legal questions involving imports, exports, investment, transportation, to name a few.
He was recently appointed co-chair of the International Trade Committee, American Bar Association (ABA), International Law Section, which is comprised of more than 450 members. Previously, Glick served as vice-chair of programs for the International Trade Committee, where he organized numerous seminars and webinars.
Glick has been an adjunct professor of Law at the George Mason University Law School (University of Virginia) and the University of Baltimore (University of Maryland).
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Western Michigan University Cooley Law School
Western Michigan University Cooley Law School Associate Dean Erika Breitfeld will be honored on Dec. 2 as a member of the 2022 Class of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Leaders in the Law.
Breitfeld serves as assistant dean of students at WMU-Cooley. She joined the law school’s full-time faculty in 2013, teaching Criminal Law, Advocacy, Research and Writing, and Appellate Advocacy/Moot Court.
Before joining the law school, Breitfeld was an assistant prosecuting attorney for Macomb County and associate attorney for Ward, Anderson, Porritt, & Bryant, PC in Bloomfield Hills.
In addition, WMU-Cooley is pleased to announce that graduate Paul J. Millenbach will also be honored on Dec. 2 as a member of the 2022 Class of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Leaders in the Law.
Millenbach, a 1989 graduate of WMU-Cooley, is a litigator and co-leader of the General and Commercial Litigation Practice Group at Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith in Southfield. His practice includes Michigan No-Fault, transportation and logistics, mass tort defense and commercial litigation.
Millenbach began his career at a boutique firm in Bloomfield Hills specializing in transportation regulatory cases.
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McDonald Hopkins LLC
Christa Kumming has joined McDonald Hopkins LLC as an associate in the Litigation Department, adding her experience to the firm’s national Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group.
Kumming’s expertise in data privacy and cybersecurity stems from her time as deputy attorney general in the Consumer Litigation Unit for the Office of Indiana Attorney General. In her role there, she lead numerous multistate and internal investigations for violations of state and federal trade practice and data privacy laws by nationwide companies, specifically operating in telecommunications, technology, and mobile applications.
Kumming was also responsible for drafting confidentiality and tolling agreements, negotiating document productions, conducting extensive document review, and drafting injunctive and monetary settlement terms, in addition to conducting research and analysis for data privacy and tech reform legislation. She was also the leading attorney for a number of investigations into global technology and social media platforms concerning violations resulting from platforms’ algorithmic modifications, the collection and use of location data and personal information, and development and implementation of internal security and policy guidelines.
Kumming also conducted numerous investigations into nonprofit organizations and procured assurances of voluntary compliances establishing adherence to state law requirements concerning corporate structure, standards of conduct for directors and officers, asset distribution, and dissolution.
Kumming earned her law degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in studio art with minors in fine arts – history of art, and African languages, and certificates in journalism and African culture studies.
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Varnum LLP
Varnum partner Julia Perkins has been named to the Class of 2022 Leaders in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Perkins is a family law attorney and leads Varnum’s Family Law Practice Team. She also serves on the firm’s Executive Committee and as a practice management leader. Outside the firm, her professional involvement includes serving on the Detroit Bar Association Board of Directors since 2017. She is a member of the Oakland County and Wayne County bar associations, and of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. She additionally volunteers as a mediator for Lakeshore Legal Aid, which provides legal services to low income families, seniors and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Perkins’ contributions to the legal community include serving as a presenter on various aspects of Family Law for the Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) and serving as an adjunct professor at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
Perkins is an active volunteer in the non-legal community as well, serving on the advisory committee for Kids Talk Children’s Advocacy Center since 2005. She served on the City of Canton Planning Commission from 2015-2020 and on the Culinary Challenge Core Committee from 2010-2018. She previously served on the Board of Directors of Girls Rock Detroit, a nonprofit community organization that provides a variety of music opportunities for girls and women.
Among her honors and recognitions, Perkins has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America®, DBusiness‘ Top Lawyers and Michigan Super Lawyers since 2018. She was recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly in the Class of 2016 Women in the Law, and received a National Law Review Thought Leader Award for Family Law in 2020.
Perkins is a graduate of Michigan State University College of Law. She received her undergraduate degree from Indiana University.
In addition, Varnum is pleased to announce that the firm has achieved Mansfield Rule Certification 5.0, following a year-long process.
“We’re very pleased to be among the 160 law firms across the country who achieved certification this year,” said Varnum Chair Ron DeWaard. “We understand the value of the program and we will continue to participate in the coming year.”
DeWaard noted that the process was intensive and worthwhile.
“This isn’t a ‘check the box’ exercise; it’s an ongoing process throughout the year with the intended result of broadening awareness of everything from how we staff matters to who we promote for leadership and recognition,” DeWaard said.
Varnum Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Chair Luis Avila said he is excited about the firm’s continued participation in the program.
“Because of the certification requirements, firms that take part in the program are making notable gains across aspects of firm culture and leadership,” Avila said. “I’m pleased with our certification this year and proud that the firm is continuing its commitment to this measurement of our diversity efforts.”
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Honigman LLP
Honigman is pleased to announce that the firm has earned Mansfield 5.0 Certification. The firm is proud of this achievement which demonstrates that it took deliberate steps to expand the list of those considered for leadership positions within the organization.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental in our culture at Honigman,” said David Foltyn, chair and CEO of Honigman. “DEI brings a broader perspective to our thinking, our client relationships, and our work product. More importantly, it fosters an atmosphere of collegiality and respect, which is at the core of our firm’s values.”
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Miller Canfield
Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that Kimberly Coschino has joined the law firm’s Employment and Labor Group.
Coschino has experience advising municipal, corporate, and individual clients in commercial litigation and employment-related matters. She has counseled clients in breach of contract and employment-related tort claims, including defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and interference with contract or business relations.
Coschino has also helped obtain injunctive relief in non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality nondisclosure disputes. Additionally, she has experience with complex commercial litigation, cannabis litigation, civil fraud, class action defense, municipal and governmental matters, and other high-stakes litigation.
Coschino previously served as a judicial intern for U.S. District Court Judge Arthur J. Tarnow, Eastern District of Michigan. She earned her law degree from Wayne State University Law School and her Bachelor of Arts from Western Michigan University.
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Dykema
Dykema recently announced that the firm has achieved Mansfield 5.0 certification and achieved Mansfield Certification Plus status after completing a 12-month certification process in collaboration with Diversity Lab. The 5.0 Certification process marked Dykema’s first time participating in Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Certification process.
“The Mansfield Certification process both complements and augments the firm’s efforts in promoting diversity and creating opportunities for underrepresented lawyers,” said Len Wolfe, Dykema’s chair and CEO. “Achieving Mansfield Certification and earning Certified Plus distinction is a great accomplishment for the firm. We spent a lot of time working as a team toward meeting and exceeding requirements in order to improve our firm.”
“It’s not about numbers, it is about transformation,” said Sherrie L. Farrell, chair of Dykema’s Diversity and Inclusion Board. “Mansfield has allowed us to look at our firm and its business practices in a holistic way and codify those business practices in a way that skews toward increased diversity and inclusion.”
Dykema recently announced its continued commitment to the program through the firm’s participation in the Mansfield Rule 6.0 Certification process. Just as it did through the 5.0 Certification process, the 6.0 Certification process will be led by Dykema’s Mansfield Task Force, made up of professionals across the firm’s offices and practice groups. The task force is co-chaired by Farrell and Peter Kellett, chairman emeritus.
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Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C.
Michigan Lawyers Weekly recently named Sam Schiffer, attorney and partner at Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss, a member of the 2022 class of “Leaders in the Law.” Jaffe CEO Mark Cooper made the announcement.
As the chair of Jaffe’s Real Estate practice group, Schiffer has developed expertise in real estate law—concentrating on acquisitions, dispositions, financing and leasing of commercial, retail and hospitality properties. Throughout his career, he has represented various clients, including a national co-working company, national and regional developers and investors, and more, in real estate transactions throughout the United States.
In addition, Schiffer has supported emerging talent, serving as a mentor to several Jaffe associates since becoming a firm partner in 2018. His mentorship has guided young attorneys through the early stages of their careers by offering professional counsel and support.
Schiffer graduated from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business with a Bachelor of Arts in Finance. He later earned his law degree from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Outside of the office, Schiffer serves on Michigan State University’s Hillel Board of Directors.
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Collins Einhorn Farrell PC
Elona Asimetaj has joined Collins Einhorn Farrell PC as a member of the firm’s general and automotive liability group. She focuses her practice on complex antifraud matters in the context of first-party insurance claims involving healthcare abuse.
Asimetaj is an analytical litigator devoted to examining the details of each case and claim in order to offer clients strategic guidance formulated to achieve positive outcomes.
Asimetaj started her legal career assisting with corporate transaction compliance in the legal department of a Fortune 500 company and a UK Global 200 law firm. Her experience includes the defense of personal injury, No-Fault/third party automobile injury cases, immigration law, and commercial litigation.
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Plunkett Cooney
Michigan Lawyers Weekly (MiLW) recently named Plunkett Cooney partner Michael S. Bogren to its 2022 Class of “Leaders in the Law.”
Bogren, who has served as chair of Plunkett Cooney’s board of directors since 2012 and a member since 2003, is a member of the firm’s Governmental Law Practice Group. He focuses his practice in the areas of municipal law, civil rights, police liability and employment law.
A 1982 graduate of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Bogren has experience representing municipalities in both state and federal court claims involving due process matters, first amendment issues, Michigan Open Meetings and Freedom of Information Act violations, zoning disputes and employment law disputes, including cases involving the Americans with Disabilities Act, gender discrimination and sexual harassment.
Bogren is a member of the Public Corporations Section of the State Bar of Michigan and the Civil Rights Section of the Federal Bar Association.
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Clark Hill PLC
Clark Hill has achieved Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification in recognition of the firm’s commitment and work to increase diversity and inclusion in leadership roles within the firm. Diversity Lab is an incubator focused on boosting diversity and inclusion in law.
“We are proud of the firm’s accomplishment in reaching Mansfield Certification, a notable industry recognition of our successful strategy to advance diversity across the firm’s leadership,” said John Hensien, CEO of Clark Hill. “As a firm, we value diverse perspectives across all levels of the firm’s leadership and across client teams. This was our first year to apply for Mansfield Certification and we couldn’t be happier to have this recognition affirming our work.”
Created and administered by Diversity Lab, Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification requires that law firms consider at least 30% women, underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities and senior lateral positions.
“Achieving Mansfield Certification is a reflection of our collective efforts to move the needle toward a more diverse workplace,” said Linda Watson, co-chair of Clark Hill’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee. “In recent years, we’ve launched initiatives and created new internal protocols to advance our goals. Our focus is on increasing the representation of historically underrepresented lawyers in firm management and leadership.”
As a reflection of its commitment to continuing to advance diversity and inclusion at the highest levels of firm leadership, Clark Hill has committed to the Mansfield Rule 6.0 Certification Process which is currently underway.
