Butzel attorney and shareholder Mitchell ("Mitch") Zajac has been appointed vice chair of Western Michigan University (WMU) Cooley Law School Board of Directors. He was named to the Board in 2020.
Zajac is a member of Butzel's Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group, one of the firm's largest practices areas. His practice also includes a focus on automotive, intellectual property, regulatory and emissions compliance, and sports law, to name a few. He is a registered patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
He has practiced in six federal courts, the U.S. Patent Office, the Court of International Trade, and the U.S. International Trade Commission. Zajac has helped several clients manage and craft IP portfolios in other unique industries, like medicine, light-weighting, and industrial manufacturing. He also has experience in complex patent, trade secret and commercial litigation cases.
Earlier this year, Zajac was named to DBusiness magazine's 2022 Class of "30 in Their Thirties," which profiles metro Detroit business professionals who have achieved notable success in their respective fields. He also was named to DBusiness magazine's Top Lawyers of Metro Detroit, Intellectual Property and Patent Law, 2021 and 2022.
Zajac attended Western Michigan University Cooley Law School (2017) after graduating from WMU with Bachelors' degrees in Mechanical Engineering and German (2012) and a Master's in Mechanical Engineering (2013). He was a Rhodes Scholar finalist (2012); interned for Congressman Fred Upton; and was a four-year starter on the Division 1 football team at WMU. Zajac was named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly's 2020 Class of Up & Coming Lawyers. He received the Detroit Bar Association's "One to Watch" Award in 2019. Zajac has been named to Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, 2022 and 2023.
In addition, Butzel has received national recognition in the 2023 "Best Law Firms," rankings by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®.
Butzel is ranked in multiple legal specialties in the Ann Arbor, Detroit, Troy, Lansing, and Washington, D.C. offices.
Below is a list of Butzel's national and local rankings:
National Tier 2
• Securities Regulation
National Tier 3
• Commercial Litigation
• Corporate Law
• Employment Law Management
• Environmental Law
Metropolitan Tier 1
DETROIT
• Appellate Practice
• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Commercial Litigation
• Corporate Law
• Criminal Defense: White-Collar
• Employment Law Management
• Immigration Law
• International Trade and Finance Law
• Labor Law Management
• Litigation Labor & Employment
• Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions Defendants
• Mergers & Acquisitions Law
• Product Liability Litigation Defendants
• Securities Regulation
LANSING
• Construction Law
• Litigation Construction
TROY
• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law
• Corporate Law
• Employment Law Management
• Health Care Law
• Immigration Law
• Litigation Antitrust
• Litigation Environmental
• Litigation Labor & Employment
• Litigation Real Estate
• Real Estate Law
• Trusts & Estates Law
Metropolitan Tier 2
DETROIT
• Bet-the-Company Litigation
• Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
• Construction Law
• Corporate Compliance Law
• Corporate Governance Law
• Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
• Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law
• International Mergers & Acquisitions
• Personal Injury Litigation Defendants
• Securities/ Capital Markets Law
TROY
• Appellate Practice
• Banking and Finance Law
• Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
• Corporate Governance Law
• Environmental Law
• Family Law
• Labor Law Management
• Litigation Construction
• Litigation Trusts & Estates
• Tax Law
Metropolitan Tier 3
DETROIT
• Health Care Law
• Litigation Trusts & Estates
• Tax Law
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Warner Norcross + Judd LLP has been recognized as one of the "Upmarket Movers" in litigation by BTI Consulting Group. Warner is the only Michigan-based law firm on the list.
"Warner takes the time to know our clients' industries and understands the challenges they face from both a legal and an operational standpoint," said Amanda Fielder, a partner at Warner and chair of the firm's Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group. "We like to meet complex challenges head-on with sound, actionable legal counsel personalized to achieve the desired results. We're proud to have earned this BTI recognition, especially since it's based on client input."
BTI has previously recognized Warner as a "Litigation Powerhouse" and as one of the nation's "Most Feared" litigation firms.
In addition, Warner Norcross + Judd LLPhas been ranked one of the 2023 "Best Law Firms" by Best Lawyers® and U.S. News & World Report.
The firm has been recognized for its litigation work in the areas of regulatory enforcement and environmental law. Additionally, six of its offices have received top-tier ratings in multiple practice areas.
Locally, Warner's Bloomfield Hills and Detroit offices were recognized as top-tier law firms.
The Bloomfield Hills office was recognized for bankruptcy and creditors rights/insolvency and reorganization, corporate, real estate, trusts and estates, family law and intellectual property litigation.
The Detroit office was recognized for bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization, business organizations, including LLCs and partnerships, closely held companies and family businesses, commercial, corporate, employee benefits, environmental, health care, trust and estates, bankruptcy litigation, tax law and regulatory enforcement litigation.
Warner also had 108 attorneys listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023. Attorneys from each of the firm's nine offices were featured in the 2023 listings, which were released earlier this year.
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Collins Einhorn Farrell PC is pleased to announce that attorney Brian Frasier has joined the firm.
Frasier is a member of the firm's general and automotive liability group. He focuses his practice on the defense of general and first and third party automobile liability claims.
Frasier offers clients litigation strategies in several areas of law, including personal injury, product liability, premises liability, consumer protection, employment, in addition to no-fault/third party automobile injury cases. He focuses much of his practice on complex antifraud investigations and litigation, including insurance defense and healthcare abuse.
Frasier's experience in the legal industry also includes covering Michigan and federal appeals courts for a Michigan-based legal newspaper and several years in marketing and business development for three AmLaw 200 law firms.
Frasier obtained his law degree from Wayne State University Law School. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from WSU.
Collins Einhorn Farrell PCis also pleased to announce that thirteen of its colleagues have been named to the 2023 "Top Lawyers" list by DBusiness magazine:
David C. Anderson, Legal Malpractice Law, Professional Malpractice Law, Product Liability
Joshua I. Arnkoff, Legal Malpractice Law
Theresa M. Asoklis, Legal Malpractice Law, Professional Malpractice Law
Donald D. Campbell, Legal Malpractice Law, Professional Malpractice Law
Michael J. Cook, Appellate Law
Katherine A. Crowley, Product Liability
Brian D. Einhorn, Legal Malpractice Law, Professional Malpractice Law
Clayton F. Farrell, Product Liability
Melissa E. Graves, Professional Malpractice Law
Deborah A. Hebert, Appellate Law, Insurance Law
Sean P. Murphy, Product Liability
Michael J. Sullivan, Legal Malpractice Law, Product Liability
Nicole E. Wilinski, Insurance Law
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Varnum is pleased to announce that the firm has achieved Mansfield Rule Certification 5.0, following a year-long process.
The Mansfield Rule is a program for law firms designed to boost the representation of historically underrepresented lawyers in firm leadership. The program measures whether women, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ lawyers and lawyers with disabilities have been considered for leadership opportunities, promotions, lateral positions and career-enhancing work opportunities.
"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 added.
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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Secrest Wardle is proud to announce that five of the firm's attorneys have been named to the "2023 Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit" list by DBusiness magazine. All five attorneys recognized practice out of Secrest Wardle's headquarters in Troy.
Thomas J. Azoni is a senior partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm's Amusement and Leisure, General Negligence, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups. Azoni has been recognized by DBusiness in the Food and Beverage Law category.
Derk W. Beckerleg is an executive partner and managing partner of Secrest Wardle's Municipal Law Practice Group. He is a member of the Governmental Litigation and Real Estate Practice Groups, of which he also serves as Chair. Beckerleg has been recognized by DBusiness in the Land Use & Zoning and Municipal Law categories.
Nathan J. Edmonds is a senior partner and co-managing partner of Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the Firm's Amusement and Leisure, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, and Property, Fire and Casualty Practice Groups. Edmonds has been recognized by DBusiness in the Litigation Insurance category.
Daniel P. Makarski is a senior partner and member of Secrest Wardle's Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group. He serves as chair of the group. Makarski has been recognized by DBusiness in the Arbitration and Mediation categories.
John L. Weston is an executive partner and member of the Firm's Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, Product Liability, Property, Fire & Casualty Litigation Practice Groups as well as a member and co-chair of the Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Group. Weston has been recognized by DBusiness in the Personal Injury category.
Secrest Wardle is also pleased to announce that the firm has been named in the U.S. News-Best Lawyers listing of 2023 "Best Law Firms" in the following categories:
Metropolitan Tier 1
TROY
• Commercial Litigation
• Insurance Law
• Legal Malpractice Law Defendants
• Personal Injury Litigation Defendants
• Litigation Insurance
Metropolitan Tier 2
TROY
• Litigation - Land Use & Zoning
• Litigation Municipal
• Product Liability Litigation Defendants
Metropolitan Tier 3
TROY
• Arbitration
• Land Use & Zoning Law
• Municipal Law
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For the 13th consecutive year, Honigman has been ranked among the nation's most prominent law firms in several key practice areas in the U.S. News Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms." Honigman's Insurance Department earned a National Tier 1 recognition. In total, Honigman was ranked nationally in 17 practice areas, and regionally in 77 practice areas.
Honigman's national rankings include:
National Tier 1
• Insurance Law
National Tier 2
•Corporate Law
• Litigation - Mergers & Acquisitions
• Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
• Litigation - Tax
• Real Estate Law
• Securities Regulation
National Tier 3
• Appellate Practice
• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Commercial Litigation
• Environmental Law
• Health Care Law
• Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
• Litigation - Intellectual Property
• Litigation - Real Estate
• Mergers & Acquisitions Law
• Securities / Capital Markets Law
Metropolitan Tier 1
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
• Bet-the-Company Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Family Law
• Litigation - Intellectual Property
• Litigation - Mergers & Acquisitions
• Litigation - Securities
• Litigation - Trusts & Estates
• Nonprofit / Charities Law
• Real Estate Law
• Tax Law
• Trademark Law
• Trusts & Estates Law
DETROIT
• Antitrust Law
• Appellate Practice
• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Bet-the-Company Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Corporate Compliance Law
• Corporate Governance Law
• Corporate Law
• Environmental Law
• Health Care Law
• Immigration Law
• Insurance Law
• International Mergers & Acquisitions
• Land Use & Zoning Law
• Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
• Litigation Antitrust
• Litigation - Bankruptcy
• Litigation - Environmental
• Litigation - Mergers & Acquisitions
• Litigation - Real Estate
• Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
• Litigation - Securities
• Litigation - Tax
• Mergers & Acquisitions Law
• Real Estate Law
• Securities / Capital Markets Law
• Securities Regulation
• Tax Law
Metropolitan Tier 2
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
• Copyright Law
• Patent Law
DETROIT
• Construction Law
• Franchise Law
• Government Relations Practice
• Information Technology Law
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ALFA International (ALFAI), a law firm referral network, has selected Plunkett Cooney as its "2022 Law Firm of the Year."
ALFAI's leadership team announced the firm's selection as its top law firm during the organization's annual business meeting held recently in Dublin, Ireland.
"We are truly honored to receive this award," said Plunkett Cooney's President & CEO Thomas P. Vincent. "I am proud of our firm's ALFAI team members, all of whom have worked tirelessly to advance this outstanding organization and to help deliver training, information and resources to ALFAI clients and other member firms."
In selecting the firm, ALFAI noted Plunkett Cooney's attorneys serve on nine practice group steering committees, including the organization's Business Litigation, Construction, Hospitality & Retail, Insurance, Labor & Employment, Product Liability & Complex Torts, Professional Liability, Transportation and the Women's Initiative practice groups. Plunkett Cooney attorneys and staff are also involved in ALFAI's special interest groups, including the Future Leaders Forum, Marketing Managers Group, and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Forum.
In addition, many Plunkett Cooney attorneys hold leadership positions within ALFAI. Matthew J. Stanczyk of the firm's Detroit office recently completed his three-year term on ALFAI's Board of Directors, and he serve as chair emeritus of the Product Liability & Complex Torts Practice Group. Jeffrey S. Hengeveld chairs ALFAI's Professional Liability Practice Group. Courtney L. Nichols, who accepted the Law Firm of the Year Award on behalf of the firm in Dublin, is the current program chair and vice-chair of the Labor & Employment Practice Group.
Plunkett Cooney was also instrumental in helping ALFAI exceed its fundraising goal this year in support of Ukraine by matching the individual donations of the firm's attorneys and staff.
"Our attorneys and staff made this possible by being invested in various levels of ALFAI," said Stanczyk. "Attorneys serve as speakers at seminars and editors of several compendiums, and they have participated in round tables, mini regionals and multiple practice groups. Our directors of diversity and marketing also participate in quarterly meetings to help with ALFAI projects and to help achieve the network's diversity objectives. This is teamwork at its best."
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Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce it received 27 national rankings and 65 rankings in Southeast Michigan in the "2023 Best Law Firms" report by U.S. News and Best Lawyers. The firm received 117 first-tier rankings overall.
Besides the national and Southeast Michigan rankings, the firm was recognized for legal excellence for practices in its Grand Rapids and Lansing, Mich.; Austin and El Paso, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Columbus, Ohio; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Las Vegas and Reno, Nev.; Lexington, Ky.; Nashville, Tenn.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Silicon Valley, Calif.; and Washington, D.C. offices.
National Rankings
Tier 1
Appellate Practice
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Litigation Real Estate
Real Estate Law
Tax Law
Tier 2
Banking and Finance Law
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Corporate Law
Employment Law Management
Land Use & Zoning Law
Litigation Bankruptcy
Litigation Construction
Litigation Labor & Employment
Trademark Law
Tier 3
Environmental Law
Labor Law Management
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Litigation Banking and Finance
Litigation Environmental
Litigation Intellectual Property
Litigation Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Litigation Securities
Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Securities Regulation
Technology Law
Trusts & Estates Law
State/Metropolitan Rankings
Tier 1
DETROIT
Appellate Practice
Banking and Finance Law
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Corporate Governance Law
Corporate Law
Employment Law Management
Environmental Law
International Mergers & Acquisitions
Labor Law Management
Land Use & Zoning Law
Litigation Banking & Finance
Litigation Bankruptcy
Litigation Labor & Employment
Litigation Securities
Municipal Law
TROY
Arbitration
Banking and Finance Law
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Health Care Law
Immigration Law
Litigation Banking & Finance
Litigation Construction
Litigation Intellectual Property
Litigation Patent
Litigation Real Estate
Mediation
Patent Law
Real Estate Law
Trusts & Estates Law
Tier 2
DETROIT
International Trade and Finance Law
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Litigation Antitrust
Litigation Environmental
Litigation Mergers & Acquisitions
Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Real Estate Law
TROY
Land Use & Zoning Law
Nonprofit/Charities Law
Securitization and Structured Finance Law
Trademark Law
Tier 1
DETROIT
Litigation Tax
TROY
Family Law
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Kemp Klein has been ranked in the 2023 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" list regionally in 14 practice areas.
Kemp Klein received the following rankings:
Regional Tier 1
TROY
• Corporate Law
• Elder Law
• Litigation - Trusts & Estates Real Estate Law
• Real Estate Law
• Tax Law
• Trusts & Estates Law
Regional Tier 2
TROY
• Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
• Commercial Litigation
• Litigation - Tax
• Securities Regulation
Regional Tier 3
TROY
• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
• Family Law
• Litigation - Labor & Employment
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Lee Hornberger announced that he has received a First Tier ranking in Northern Michigan for Mediation by U.S. News Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms in 2023; and that he has received a Second Tier ranking in Northern Michigan for Arbitration by U.S. News Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms in 2023.
Hornberger is a former chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Michigan, editor emeritus of The Michigan Dispute Resolution Journal, former member of the State Bar's Representative Assembly, former president of the Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association, and former chair of the Traverse City Human Rights Commission.
He is a member of the Professional Resolution Experts of Michigan (PREMi) and a diplomate member of The National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He is also a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation.
Hornberger has received the Distinguished Service Award from the State Bar's ADR Section in recognition of significant contributions to the field of dispute resolution. He has received the George Bashara Award from the ADR Section in recognition of exemplary service. He has received Hero of ADR Awards from the ADR Section.
Hornberger is included in The Best Lawyers of America 2018 and 2019 for arbitration, and 2020 to 2023 for arbitration and mediation. He is on the 2016 to 2022 Michigan Super Lawyers lists for alternative dispute resolution. He received a First Tier ranking in Northern Michigan for Mediation by U.S. News Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms in 2022 and 2023; and he received a Second Tier ranking in Northern Michigan for Arbitration by U.S. News Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms in 2022 and 2023. He received a Second Tier ranking in Northern Michigan for Mediation by U.S. News Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms in 2020. He received a First Tier ranking in Northern Michigan for Arbitration by U.S. News Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms in 2019.
While serving with the U.S. Army in Vietnam, Hornberger was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Army Commendation Medals. The unit he was in was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm.
He earned his B.A. from the University of Michigan and his his law degrees from U-M Law School and Wayne State University Law School.
