Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith, PC
Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC welcomes two lateral associate hires to the firm: Dina D. Kashat and Reed K. Powers.
Kashat joins the Employer Services practice group. She will split her time between the firm’s Lansing and Southfield offices. Her practice focuses on representing insurances carriers, third party administrators and employers against workers’ compensation claims.
Kashat received her B.S. in Criminal Justice from Wayne State University prior to attending the University of Illinois College of Law where she received her law degree.
Powers joins the firm’s Southfield office as a civil litigation attorney, focusing his practice on insurance defense litigation, tort and automobile liability, product liability and general liability matters.
Powers graduated in 2022 from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Prior to that, he received his B.A. in Political Theory & Constitutional Democracy from Michigan State University.
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Dykema
Dykema recently announced that Len Wolfe was re-elected to serve for a second three-year term as the firm’s chair and CEO. Wolfe’s next term commences on January 1, 2024.
During his first term, Wolfe led Dykema through several accomplishments, including consecutive record year-end earnings, the firm’s expansion into the Milwaukee and Houston markets, Dykema’s Mansfield Certification Plus Classification, the promotion of the firm’s first chief diversity officer, the initiation of a Leadership Institute for emerging firm leaders, reigniting the firm’s Client Interview Program, and improvements to firm profitability. Just a few months into his first term, Wolfe had to quickly guide the firm through the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually develop the firm’s modern flexible work policies.
“I’m humbled and honored to be re-elected by my colleagues for a second term,” Wolfe said. “We have accomplished a lot in the past two-and-a-half years under some trying circumstances, and I look forward to implementing our shared goals of strategically growing the firm and ensuring the firm’s client service standards are helping our clients achieve their business priorities.”
Moving into his second term, Wolfe is leading a refresh of Dykema’s five-year strategic plan, the continuation of improvements to the firm’s DE&I initiatives, profitability, and client service offerings, and continued focus on the expansion of the firm’s geographic footprint and practices.
For 30 years, Wolfe has practiced government policy and regulatory law, helping clients implement significant public policy initiatives. He first joined Dykema as a summer associate before quickly ascending into leadership roles within the firm. Prior to his election as chair and CEO, Wolfe served as a twice-elected member of the firm’s Executive Board and served as the board’s liaison to the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. He also previously served as director of Dykema’s Regulated Industries Department and Leader of the firm’s Government Policy and Practice Group for nearly 10 years.
Wolfe is known nationally for his work with public charter schools and was selected as a member of the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame in 2022 and has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America each year since 2007.
Outside of Dykema, Wolfe serves or has served on a number of community and business organizations’ governing boards, including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Detroit Economic Club.
Wolfe earned a law degree from the Indiana University McKinney School of Law and a B.A. from the James Madison College at Michigan State University. Before joining Dykema, he worked in the Michigan Legislature, United States Senate, and the Michigan governor’s office.
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Butzel Long
Butzel has added Brian Patrick Morley to its growing team of attorneys. Morley joins the firm as a shareholder. His primary focus is in the areas of Family Law, Criminal Law, and Professional Licensing. Prior to joining the firm, he served as past president of the Board of Directors at a large full-service Michigan law firm. His past experience also encompasses several years in law enforcement.
He is admitted to the State Bar of Michigan, State Bar of North Carolina, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
Morley is a member of the American Bar Association, Ingham County Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan: Criminal Law Section; Litigation Section; and, Family Law Section, Criminal Defense Association of Michigan, State Bar of Michigan District E. Character and Fitness Committee, past Chair; and State Bar of Michigan Standing Committee on Character and Fitness, past member.
He has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America, DUI/DWI Defense in Lansing, 2010, 2013; Michigan Super Lawyers, Criminal Defense, 2018-2022; and, Leading Lawyers, 2022 Leading Michigan Lawyer, Criminal Defense Law: DUI and Criminal Defense Law, Felonies & Misdemeanors. He was first named to this list in 2014.
Morley earned a law degree 1999 from Michigan State University College of Law. He also received a B.A. from Michigan State University in 1992.
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Warner, Norcross, + Judd LLP
Lawrence J. Murphy and Laura N. You, partners in the Detroit office of Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, have been named Fellows of the American Bar Foundation. Murphy and You were nominated by peers and elected by the ABF board.
Murphy has three decades of business litigation experience in state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels and in alternative dispute resolution proceedings, including mediation, arbitration and facilitation. Murphy focuses his practice on automotive supply chain litigation and counseling, business contract disputes, class action defense and bankruptcy adversary proceedings. He is a member of the firm’s Automotive Industry Group and Supply Chain Industry Group.
Murphy is a member of the Federal Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, and Oakland County Bar Association. He is consistently recognized by Best Lawyers in America© and Michigan Super Lawyers and has been rated among the Top Lawyers by DBusiness.
You is a business litigation specialist and member of the firm’s Automotive Industry Group, Supply Chain Industry Group and Business Breakup and Ownership Disputes Group. You concentrates her practice on supply chain and other complex commercial disputes in the automotive, aerospace and industrial manufacturing industries, as well as shareholder disputes in closely held businesses.
You is a member of the Federal Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, and Oakland County Bar Association. She was named by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of its Women in the Law honorees in 2021 and one of its Top Women Lawyers in 2018. She has been recognized as a Rising Star by Michigan Super Lawyers each year since 2016. You was named to Crain’s Detroit Business 40 under 40 list in 2022.
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Plunkett Cooney
Plunkett Cooney partner Howard B. Goldman was recently named to the 2023 Class of Go To Lawyers for Commercial Real Estate as determined by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
A member of Plunkett Cooney’s Business Transactions & Planning Practice Group in the Bloomfield Hills office, Goldman has more than 35 years of experience negotiating and representing borrowers, lenders, landlords and tenants in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions. He handles finance, sale-leaseback and commercial leases and build to suit transactions, and he assist clients with the purchase and financing of commercial properties and the creation and renovation of corporate campuses and relocations. Goldman also negotiated with lenders regarding COVID-19 and its impact on hospitality and retail properties. He also works with a number of clients in Michigan’s cannabis industry.
Admitted to practice in Michigan, Illinois, and New York, Goldman received his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1985. He is a member of the Illinois and New York State bar associations and the Real Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. He also serves as the Michigan chair of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys. He received his undergraduate degree from Loyola University Chicago in 1982.
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Brooks Kushman P.C.
Reza Roghani Esfahani of Brooks Kushman PC has been selected by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (“LCLD”) as a Detroit City Lead.
LCLD is a national organization committed to advancing diversity issues in the legal profession and preparing the future generation of diverse legal professionals for positions of leadership. Reza is an alumnus of the 2022 LCLD Pathfinder program.
As City Lead, Esfahani will be responsible for tailoring programming toward region-specific interests and industries to provide networking, career-building, and engagement opportunities with the regional membership. The City Leads are dedicated to both fostering relationships among current LCLD members and growing LCLD participation in the local area. Esfahani will also help facilitate access to role models and support for diverse legal professionals in the Detroit community.
Esfahani is an intellectual property attorney, with a focus on patent and trade secret litigation involving a wide range of technologies including mechanical, chemical, and computer sciences. He is also a member of Brooks Kushman’s post-grant practice group.
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Maddin, Hauser, Roth, & Heller PC
Maddin Hauser is thrilled to announce that Michigan Lawyers Weekly selected shareholder Gary A. Kravitz as a “Go To Lawyer” in commercial real estate.
Kravitz is the current co-chair of Maddin Hauser’s Real Estate practice group. He is also active in the Corporate and Business, Franchise and Distribution, Lending and Finance, and Tax practice groups. As chair of the firm’s Success Through Empowerment and Engagement committee, Kravitz is dedicated to continuously cultivating a work environment where all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully.
Gary’s decades of experience helps guide clients through commercial real estate property acquisitions and dispositions; office, retail, and industrial lease agreements; option agreements; and real estate-related litigation support. He is fluent in the business law matters that permeate commercial real estate and ably navigates clients through the structuring of LLCs and corporations to ensure tax and other economic benefits; structuring, negotiating, and closing asset and stock purchase transactions; and preparing employment, confidentiality, non-compete, and shareholder agreements, among many other examples. He also advises commercial real estate clients on the legalities of their financial matters, such as lending, foreclosures, workouts, and refinancings.
Kravtz has been a member of the Commercial Real Estate Committee for the U.S. Green Building Council and the Law Related Education and Public Outreach Committee of the State Bar of Michigan and served as the former president of the BNI Business Executive Network Chapter.
In support of the communities where he lives and works, Kravitz serves as vice president of the Six Rivers Land Conservancy, which helps conserve, sustain, and connect natural areas, lands, and waters. In addition, he has been active in the MS charity bike ride for the past three decades, including chairing its planning committee and raising nearly $100,000 over years of participation.
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Dickinson Wright PLLC
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Michael Lusardi (member and Real Estate Practice Group chair, Troy) has been named a “Go To Lawyer” for Commercial Real Estate by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
“I am honored to be selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a ‘Go To Lawyer’ for Commercial Real Estate. It is a privilege to be included with such a talented and accomplished group of attorneys,” said Lusardi.
Lusardi provides counsel to companies and individuals in the acquisition, disposition, leasing, development, construction, and financing of office, retail, industrial, mixed-use, and residential projects throughout the United States. He frequently works as real estate counsel for corporate clients, representing them in the acquisition, development, and leasing of real estate and assisting in day-to-day real estate affairs.
Lusardi is recognized as a leader in his field by Legal 500, Best Lawyers in America, Michigan Super Lawyers, and DBusiness Top Lawyers. He received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
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McDonald Hopkins LLC
McDonald Hopkins is proud to congratulate member Stephen Gross on his selection to the 2023 Lawdragon 500 Leading Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers Guide.
Gross is a member in McDonald Hopkins’ Strategic Advisory and Restructuring Department, chair of the Automotive Practice Group, and was the original managing partner of the firm’s Detroit office. For more than 35 years, he has been involved in assisting clients address complex business issues, including creative strategic solutions to liquidity, pricing, and other issues requiring contract renegotiation, restructuring, acquisitions or divestitures, especially in the automotive industry, other manufacturing businesses and large regional franchisees.
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Taft
Taft partner Elizabeth Rogers has been recognized as a “Michigan Go-To-Lawyers” for Commercial Real Estate.
Rogers, of Taft’s Detroit office, focuses her practice on real estate, business, and general civil litigation matters and advises her clients concerning multi-million-dollar, multi-state commercial real property and other asset-based transactions, leasing, construction, development, zoning, capitalization, and corporate governance.
