Legal People ...

Butzel associate attorney Everardo Tapia has been appointed treasurer-elect of the Hispanic Bar Association of Michigan (HBAM).

“The Hispanic Bar Association of Michigan is an excellent go-to resource providing a voice for Michigan Hispanics,” Tapia said. “I am honored to serve in a leadership role with this important organization.” Tapia already has been active in HBAM over the last several months engaging Hispanic law students and developing programming for young members of the Hispanic bar.

Tapia focuses his practice on the firm’s Automotive, Business and Commercial Litigation, and Intellectual Property Groups. He is very focused on Mexico, specifically as it relates to automotive, supply chain, and other cross-border issues.

His experience also includes serving as national discovery counsel for clients in the automotive industry in addition to representing major telecommunications and energy companies in intellectual property litigation.

Tapia has earned recognition for his pro bono work representing underserved members of the community in family and criminal matters. He was featured on the Automotive Insiders OESA podcast, “Finding footing with ESG.” September 2022.

He received a B.S. in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from Pennsylvania State University and a law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Butzel also announces that it has officially added a Grand Rapids office effective January 1, 2023. The addition of Lee T. Silver, Michael L. Gutierrez, and J. Terrance Dillon, most recently with Silver & Van Essen PC, will expand Butzel’s litigation practice, with the intent to grow the new location into a full-service office with the addition of more attorneys.

“We are excited to start 2023 with the addition of Butzel’s Grand Rapids office,” said Paul Mersino, who takes over as Butzel’s next President and CEO in March 2023 at the firm’s Annual Meeting. “We are focused on growing as a firm. We already have clients who conduct business in west Michigan, and this will allow us to better serve them while also broadening our client base.”

In addition, Butzel labor and employment attorney Brett Miller will discuss the U.S. labor market and more during the webinar “Structuring Training Repayment Agreement Provisions – Overcoming Legal and Regulatory Challenges When Drafting Employee TRAPS and Mitigating Risks” on Wednesday, February 1. The webinar is presented by Strafford Publications Inc.

Miller, based in Butzel’s Detroit office, is the chair of the firm’s Employment Practices Liability Insurance Sub-Practice. He focuses his practice on employment and labor law as well as fair housing litigation.

Miller frequently defends clients in state and federal discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and class action lawsuits. He also defends clients in administrative charges before numerous governmental agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Department of Labor, and the OFCCP. In addition, Miller devotes his practice to representing clients in traditional labor matters such as grievance arbitrations and collective bargaining.

•            •            •

Christina Grossi has been appointed chief legal counsel for Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Grossi served in the Michigan Department of Attorney General for 12 years, most recently as chief deputy attorney general. During her tenure with the department, Grossi worked on several high-profile cases and investigations, including securing the injunction against Michigan’s 1931 abortion law.

An adjunct professor at Michigan State University, Grossi is an MSU graduate and received her law degree at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.

•            •            •

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP recently announced that two attorneys in Metro Detroit have been named partners.

The new partners are Daniel G. Bonucchi, who is based in the firm’s Macomb County office, and Adam T. Ratliff, who is based in Detroit. Both are members of the State Bar of Michigan.

Bonucchi is a corporate attorney who brings a practical, client-focused perspective to his work in mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, corporate governance and general business matters for automotive suppliers and other clients. With firsthand experience having worked in both commercial and legal roles at leading Michigan manufacturers, Bonucchi understands how to navigate the varied and often competing operational and strategic concerns of today’s business leaders. Since 2020, he has been named to the Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch list.  

Bonucchi earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

Ratliff is a trial and appellate litigator whose practice focuses on complex and high stakes matters for the automotive supply chain and other clients. He has experience in appellate litigation before state and federal courts, including as a member of a team who argued in the U.S. Supreme Court. Ratliff is a member of the American Bar Association, Detroit Bar Association, and Oakland Bar Association. He has been named to the Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch list since 2021.  Last year, he was recognized as a Rising Star by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine.

Ratliff earned a bachelor’s degree from MSU and a law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School.

•            •            •

Effective Dec. 31, 2022, Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss, a Detroit-area firm with more than 120 attorneys representing over 25 practice areas, joined Taft.

With this addition, Taft is now comprised of more than 800 attorneys in eight primary Midwest markets and the District of Columbia.

First announced in September 2022, the combination of Jaffe and Taft will offer greater benefits to their clients, bringing together two firms that value a client-first approach, commitment to culture, and collaborative mindset. Founded 54 years ago in 1968, Jaffe has established itself as one of the most respected full-service law firms in Michigan — representing public and private clients throughout the Midwest and United States, and internationally, with a Midwestern rate structure. This expansion not only welcomes new talent and resources to both firms, but it also creates a stronger overall presence across markets and further strengthens Taft’s position as the modern law firm.

“The Jaffe team is excited to embark on this journey, joining with Taft to expand our offering in the Detroit market,” said Mark Cooper, Taft Detroit’s partner-in-charge. “We’ve been working collaboratively as Team Taft to create a seamless transition for our clients, attorneys, and staff while bringing significant enhancements to our current capabilities in the region. We look forward to starting this new, modern chapter.”

Taft operates under a “One Taft” leadership mentality — a structure that offers balanced representation across Taft markets and practice areas in all firm-wide, executive-level decisions. With this combination, Taft Detroit will have four seats on the firm’s executive committee. Each Taft market is empowered to make decisions locally while being supported by the Taft brand, vision, and firm-wide resources.

“At Taft, we are extremely pleased to welcome such incredible talent to our team — sharing a strong commitment to our clients, while also enhancing the way we operate and deliver services as a modern law firm. As a united front, we look forward to continuing to grow, engage, and support the Detroit community,” said Robert J. Hicks, Taft’s chairman and managing partner.

•            •            •

The shareholders of Vandeveer Garzia are pleased to announce the elevation of the following attorneys to executive partners of the firm:

Stephanie L. Arndt
Matthew J. Chapin
Michelle L. Everett
David Q. Houbeck

In addition, the firm is pleased to announce the elevation of Salman Islam to partner.

•            •            •

Plunkett Cooney recently named local attorneys as its newest shareholders. Drew L. Block, Michael C. Dennis, and Jesse A. Zapczynski were promoted by vote of Plunkett Cooney’s Board of Directors, which was based on recommendations by members of the firm’s Shareholder Evaluation Committee, with the change in status effective on Jan. 1.

A member of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills, Michigan office, Block focuses his practice primarily in the area of insurance coverage. He represents property and casualty insurance companies in coverage disputes involving bad faith claims, intellectual property, first-party property loss, construction accidents and sexual abuse and molestation claims. He also has experience handling litigation involving commercial and contract disputes, premises and product liability claims, and medical malpractice claims.

A 2003 graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Block is licensed to practice in the Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio state courts, federal district courts in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois, as well as in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He is a member of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel and DRI. He received his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University in 2000.

Dennis is a member of the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, and he concentrates his practice on the defense of insurers, corporations and individuals in a range of civil litigation matters.  

Former in-house counsel for a Fortune 1000 property and casualty insurance company, Dennis has expertise in first-party no-fault and third-party automobile negligence litigation, insurance coverage disputes and subrogation claims. He is a member of the firm’s Transportation Law Practice Group, and his expertise extends to the defense of personal injury, premises, product and general liability cases throughout Michigan.

Dennis received his law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law in 2011.  He previously clerked for the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office and served as a judicial extern for former 38th District Court Judge Joseph A. Costello Jr.

Zapczynski is a member of the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office and Transportation Law Practice Group who focuses his practice on the defense of first- and third-party auto liability, bodily injury, and uninsured and under insured motorist cases on behalf of national insurance companies and their policyholders. Additionally, he has experience working with ERISA plans and other healthcare coverage potentially affecting these matters, as well as expertise in the investigation and resolution of fraudulent motor vehicle liability claims.

Admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Michigan, Zapczynski is a member of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel and the State Bar of Michigan. He is a 2010 graduate of Western Michigan University Cooley Law School and a 2007 graduate of Michigan State University.

•            •            •

Varnum has elected local attorney William L. Thompson to partnership.

Thompson is a member of the Litigation Team. His practice is primarily focused on complex commercial, tax and insolvency litigation. He also has first chair trial experience litigating civil and criminal tax issues arising under state and federal law.   Thompson served as a judicial intern for U.S. District Court Judge Sean F. Cox, Eastern District of Michigan.

Prior to his legal career, Thompson served with the United States Marine Corps as a staff sergeant from 2004 to 2008, during which time he was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Thompson joined Varnum in 2015 upon graduating from Wayne State University Law School. He earned his undergraduate degree at Wayne State University School of Business Administration.

•            •            •

Bowman and Brooke LLP is pleased to announce that Brandon M. Pellegrino and Shannon L.H. Phillips, both in Detroit, have been named partner.

Pellegrino defends Global 500 companies in product liability litigation throughout the country. He also has experience defending allegations related to automobile negligence, commercial, complex construction and insurance matters.

Phillips is a litigator who counsels multinational businesses in complex commercial, product liability, business tort, consumer warranty, and insurance coverage litigation, including class actions and multidistrict litigation. She handles all aspects of case management, including advising on pre-litigation risk and assessment, developing case strategy, implementing written and eDiscovery practices and procedures, conducting depositions, expert witness management, complex motion practice including discovery and dispositive motions, settlement negotiations and appellate briefing.

•            •            •

Honigman LLP is pleased to announce that the firm’s board of directors has elected the following local attorneys as partners, effective January 1, 2023:

Laura E. Biery (Detroit) is a member of the Litigation department. She focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation. Biery earned her law degree from Wayne State University Law School.

Shannon C. Duggan (Detroit) is a member of the Litigation department. She focuses her practice on white collar criminal defense and investigations, complex contract disputes, data security and privacy litigation, class action defense, and copyright and trademark litigation. Duggan earned her law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School.

Cydney J. McGill (Detroit) is a member of the Corporate department. She focuses her practice on commercial transactions, bankruptcy, and other general corporate matters. McGill earned her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.

David J. Thomas (Detroit) is a member of the Intellectual Property department. He focuses his practice on strategic counseling and guidance regarding intellectual property matters. Thomas earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School.

Mahja D. Zeon (Detroit) is a member of the Labor and Employment department. She focuses her practice on employment counseling, litigation, and strategic workforce planning. Zeon earned her law degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law.

•            •            •

On January 1st of each year,  Kitch promotes those attorneys to the next level who have shown exceptional talents in their field of practice. The firm congratulated the following attorneys on their promotion:

• Principal
Kevin Davis, Mt. Clemens
Thomas Esordi, Detroit
Ahndia Mansoori, Detroit
Alison Krempa, Mt. Clemens
Daniel Palmer, Mt. Clemens
Laura Sherbrook, Detroit    
Jeremy Stoller, Mt. Clemens

• Associate Principal
Nicholas Galea, Mt. Clemens
Francisco Lozano, Mt. Clemens
Andrew McKeachie, Detroit
Justin Rostker, Detroit

• Senior Associate
Christian Graziani, Mt. Clemens
Hannah Roberts, Detroit

•            •            •

Brooks Kushman is pleased to announce that Chelsea E. Pasquali has been promoted to shareholder through election by her peers.

Pasquali focuses her practice on intellectual property litigation with a focus on trademark, trade dress, patent, and unfair competition. Prior to joining Brooks Kushman, Pasquali’s practice focused on litigation in a variety of areas including general liability, product liability, and commercial litigation. She earned her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

Within the firm, Pasquali also serves on the DEI committee to foster growth in the legal field through recruitment and mentoring. She is also active within the community and works closely with other Brooks Kushman attorneys to host charitable events with a focus on children in STEAM.

•            •            •

Cody Attisha was recently named a member (partner) at Kerr Russell. He was selected at the end of 2022 for the promotion effective January 1, 2023.

Attisha joined the firm in 2018. He focuses his practice on taxation law, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, finance, and estate and trust planning. He counsels clients through all aspects of buying and selling businesses, including tax planning and structuring. Attisha’s experience includes entity formation, including evaluating, choosing, and implementing the right partnership, corporate, or non-profit structure depending on the client’s business and tax objectives. He also assists clients in connection with different finance transactions such as conventional lending, bonds, and tax credit transactions.

Attisha earned a B.S. in business administration with a major in accounting from Wayne State University and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School.

•            •            •

Collins Einhorn Farrell is pleased to announce that attorneys Joshua M. Stapp, Ali H. Harajli, Zabbia N. Alholou, Daryle F. Houston, Laura M. McLane, and Christopher J. Petrick have been elected partners in the firm.
Stapp is a partner in the firm’s General and Automotive Liability practice group. He concentrates his practice on defense litigation in first and third-party personal injury claims, including automobile negligence, No-Fault claims, uninsured and under-insured motorist claims, general negligence, and premises liability.  Stapp has experience handling catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims and works as both counselor and advocate on behalf of his clients.  Stapp also has experience in all aspects of the litigation process from the initial discovery phase through trial and works diligently on behalf of his clients to achieve the best result possible.

Harajli is a partner in the firm’s General and Automotive Liability practice group. He has successfully protected the rights of an array of individuals and professionals, including architects, engineers, construction managers, attorneys, and insurance agents. Harajli has also represented businesses and individuals for breach of contract claims, landlord/tenant claims, and complex commercial matters. He has experience in all phases of litigation, including discovery, dispositive motion practice, and trial.

Alholou is a partner in the firm’s General and Automotive Liability practice group. Her practice includes first party No-Fault claims, uninsured and underinsured motorist claims, automobile negligence, and general liability matters. Alholou has experience in litigating general liability, contract, and lemon law.  She has experience in all aspects of the litigation process from the discovery process through trial.  

Houston is a partner in the firm’s Asbestos/Toxic Tort practice group. He has successfully defended equipment and product manufacturers, non-manufacturing sellers and premises owners in courts throughout Michigan. In support of the firm’s role as national coordinating counsel, Houston has assisted in defending cases brought throughout the country.

McLane is a partner in the firm’s Professional Liability practice group. She focuses her practice on the defense of claims asserted against a wide variety of professionals, including health care professionals, dentists, attorneys and insurance estate agents. McLane’s practice also includes defending a wide variety of general liability claims, including premises liability.

Petrick is a partner in the firm’s General and Automotive Liability practice group. He represents insurers, corporations, and individuals in a broad spectrum of general liability and defense matters, including defending first and third party automobile and premises liability cases.  He also devotes a portion of his practice to insurance coverage matters, representing insurance carriers in complex coverage disputes involving all policy types, from opinions to litigation.  Petrick has trial experience, previously serving as a Wayne County assistant prosecutor.  As a prosecutor, he successfully handled hundreds of felony cases including securing jury convictions in several high-profile cases which garnered national media attention.

•            •            •

International law firm Clark Hill PLC recently announced that the firm has combined with Philadelphia-based Larsson & Scheuritzel PC effective January 1, 2023. The move expands Clark Hill’s presence in Philadelphia and New York and adds four lawyers from the well-regarded real estate boutique. David Larsson and Bruce Ritter join Clark Hill as members in the Real Estate practice, Paul Scheuritzel is senior counsel in the Litigation practice and Daniel Gibbon is senior counsel in the Corporate practice.  

Founded in 2005, Larsson & Scheuritzel attorneys developed business partnerships with clients seeking top-flight legal counsel. In combining with Clark Hill, those clients will benefit from the same high-quality service and collegial small firm culture, now with a broader array of services to meet their changing legal needs.

Clark Hill’s Real Estate practice works on matters dealing with every aspect of real estate acquisition, financing, development, and construction in sectors including residential, retail, office, industrial, hospitality, energy, healthcare and manufacturing. The firm is noted for its thought-leadership regarding timely issues facing clients as they manage their real estate matters.

•            •            •

For the fourth year in a row, Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that the firm’s real estate practice is ranked as the number two real estate law group in the “Best of the Best” report, published by Midwest Real Estate News.

“We are thrilled to once again be named the number two law firm in the Best of the Best report. This year’s rankings, once again, demonstrate our success in working side-by-side with our clients to execute their real estate plans from conception to completion,” says Michael Lusardi, Dickinson Wright Real Estate Practice Group Chair.

Dickinson Wright’s real estate practice is sophisticated and varied. More than 80 lawyers are actively involved in real estate matters, regularly representing a wide variety of clients in all aspects of real estate investment, development and financing. Many of its clients have portfolios that span North America, and they rely on our significant experience in nearly every U.S. state and Canadian province to help them maximize value and increase management efficiency.

•            •            •

The American College of Bankruptcy, an honorary association of bankruptcy and insolvency professionals, has invited Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss PC partner Paul R. Hage to become a fellow in its 34th class. Jaffe CEO Mark Cooper made the announcement.

Hage leads Jaffe’s Insolvency & Reorganization practice group and is also a member of the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. He represents debtors, creditors’ committees, secured and unsecured creditors, asset purchasers and trustees in bankruptcy proceedings nationwide.

An active member of the legal community, Hage serves on the Executive Committee for the American Bankruptcy Institute, the largest association of bankruptcy and insolvency professionals in the world. He has been an adjunct professor at the University of Michigan Law School and is also a member of the mediation panel for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Additionally, Hage serves as co-director of the Conrad B. Duberstein National Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition, the largest single-site moot court competition in the country.

Hage also serves as the president of Access to Bankruptcy Court, a non-profit that raises funds to provide experienced bankruptcy counsel, free of charge, to low-income individuals residing in the Eastern District of Michigan. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Credit Abuse Resistance Education, a national nonprofit that provides financial literacy education to students and young adults. Hage also serves as a mentor for City Year Detroit, an organization that places individuals in Detroit public schools to help students obtain the social, emotional and academic skills necessary to succeed.

Hage will be inducted as a fellow of the 34th class of the American College of Bankruptcy at a ceremony to be held at the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery Atrium in Washington, D.C., on March 24.