Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the appointment of Kevin Kales to the Workers Compensation Board of Magistrates.
Kales has served as a magistrate on the Workers’ Compensation Commission Board of Magistrates since 2021. Previously, he was an attorney with Legghio & Israel PC where he was the department head of worker’s compensation and social security law.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and law degree from Wayne State University Law School.
Kales is designated as chair for a term commencing August 17, 2023, and expiring at the pleasure of the governor. He succeeds Luke McMurray who has resigned.
Chair designations are not subject to advice and consent of the Senate.
• • •
Wayne State University Law School Dean Richard Bierschbach has been named one of the 2023 Notable Leaders in Higher Education by Crain’s Detroit Business.
Wayne Law School’s national ranking rose to 56th from 100th in six years under Bierschbach’s deanship. “Richard Bierschbach stands out as the most impactful dean in over 50 years,” said Wayne Law Professor Alan Schenk. “He energized his staff, the faculty, and students to achieve the very ambitious goals he set when he arrived.”
Bierschbach launched new partnerships and programs, including a “holistic defense partnership” between the law school and school of social work.
He also created additional revenue sources with a new law department for non-JD programs, like a master of studies in law degree, an undergraduate minor in law, and a Bachelor of Arts in law.
Bierschbach received his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Michigan (1994) and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School (1997). He has held various leadership positions within the American Bar Association and is an elected member of the American Law Institute and a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He previously taught at Yeshiva University’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, where he also served as vice dean.
• • •
Thirty-one Plunkett Cooney attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.
Below is a list of local Plunkett Cooney attorneys who have received the 2024 Best Lawyers designation:
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Michael P. Ashcraft (partner) – Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
Douglas C. Bernstein (partner) – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law / Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law / Real Estate Law
Matthew J. Boettcher (partner) – Litigation – Banking and Finance
Charles W. Browning (partner) – Insurance Law
Dennis G. Cowan (partner) – Government Relations Practice
Michael A. Fleming (partner) – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Jeffrey C. Gerish (partner) – Appellate Practice
Howard B. Goldman (partner) – Real Estate Law
Mark S. Kopson (partner) – Health Care Law
David A. Lerner (partner) – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Scott K. Lites (partner) – Corporate Law / Real Estate Law
Mary Massaron (partner) – Appellate Practice
Lauren B. McMillen (partner) – Insurance Law
Kenneth C. Newa (partner) – Insurance Law
Elaine M. Pohl (partner) – Insurance Law / Insurance Litigation
Scott H. Sirich (partner) – Construction Law and Litigation
Thomas P. Vincent (partner) – Commercial Litigation
Michael D. Weaver (partner) – Commercial Litigation / Labor and Employment Litigation / Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Patrick E. Winters (partner) – Insurance Law / Insurance Litigation
DETROIT
D. Jennifer Andreou (partner) – Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
Laurel F. McGiffert (partner) – Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
Claudia D. Orr (Of Counsel) – Employment Law, Labor and Employment Litigation
Stanley A. Prokop (Of Counsel) – Insurance Law
Mary Catherine Rentz (partner) – Insurance Law
Matthew J. Stanczyk (partner) – Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants / Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
David R. Stechow (partner) – Construction Law and Litigation / Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
In addition, 17 Plunkett Cooney attorneys, who are earlier in their careers, were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ for outstanding professional excellence.
Below are the local Plunkett Cooney attorneys who have received 2024 Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch in America™” recognition:
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Arturo Alfaro – Immigration Law and Transportation Law
Ryan M. Bates – Insurance Law
Ryan P. Bourjaily – Estate & Trust Litigation and Trusts and Estates
Stephanie M. Brochert – Insurance Law
Michael C. Dennis – Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation: Defendants
Ashley S. Dickey – Personal Injury: Defendants and Transportation Law
John S. Gilliam – Commercial Litigation, Labor and Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment,
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Professional Malpractice Law
Justin J. Hakala – Medical Malpractice Law: Defendants and Product Liability Litigation: Defendants
Tanya M. Murray – Insurance Law
Nicole C. Ruggirello – Insurance Law
Matthew J. Zmijewski – Transportation Law
DETROIT
Emily M. Coyle – Personal Injury Litigation: Defendants
Aleasha Hester – Transportation Law
Michael A. Osman – Personal Injury Litigation: Defendants
Eric T. Ramar – Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defendants
• • •
Butzel continues to grow with the addition of attorney Michael G. Sarafa. He joins the law firm as Counsel. He has 35 years of experience in business, law, finance, and public affairs.
Sarafa helps clients navigate issues in the governmental sector as well as in the realm of outside counsel services. He is a member of the firm’s Government Relations and Regulatory Specialty Team and General Counsel Services Practice Department.
Sarafa began his career in the governmental arena as a legislative aide in the Michigan House of Representatives and later served as an executive assistant to Dennis Archer during his tenure as mayor of Detroit.
Sarafa’s leadership, financial management, and negotiation skills were honed during his years spent as CEO of a Michigan bank and a large multi-state franchise. As managing partner of a Michigan private equity firm, he led the analysis of business and investment opportunities, all related due diligence, negotiations, and management of the firm’s legal team.
His experience includes assembling teams of finance, human resources, operations, marketing, and legal professionals to support a $100 million business platform. He successfully led the private equity firm through COVID pandemic-related shutdowns and re-openings in seven states. As CEO of Bank of Michigan, Sarafa navigated the bank through the 2008-2010 real estate recession and honed his skills in banking regulations, safety and soundness exams, compliance, and interactions with state and federal banking regulators.
As a community leader, Sarafa has served on numerous boards of directors and nonprofit organizations, including Bloomfield Brother Rice High School, Bank of Ann Arbor, Chaldean Community Foundation, and the Michigan Association of Beauty Professionals and Supercuts Franchisee Association.
Sarafa’s past board service includes Covenant House of Michigan, Farmington Hills Economic Development Corporation, St. Fabian Parish Finance Committee, and Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. He also served as chairman of the Board of Covenant Academy Charter School Management Company and as chairman of the Chaldean Diocese of North American Finance Council. He is a frequent columnist for the Chaldean News.
Sarafa is a member of the State Bar of Michigan. He has been recognized by the American Bankers Association Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Wayne State University’s Center for Peace & Conflict Studies Community Peacemaker, and Crain’s Detroit Business’ 40 Under 40.
Sarafa earned a law degree from Wayne State University Law School, M.P.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. from James Madison College at Michigan State University.
The firm is also proud to announce that 42 Butzel attorneys have been named to the 2023 Michigan Super Lawyers list. In addition, Daniel B. Tukel has been named to the Michigan Super Lawyers Top 100 list and Steven Eatherly and Sarah Nirenberg have been named “Rising Stars” for the first time.
The local Butzel attorneys included in the 2023 Super Lawyers list are:
2023 RISING STARS
Javon R. David, Business Litigation
Michael C. Decker, Construction Litigation
Steven Eatherly, Business Litigation
Laura E. Johnson, Business/Corp.
Amany Kasham, Immigration: Business
Jonathan L. Kirkland, Real Estate
Paul M. Mersino, Business Litigation
Sarah Nirenberg, Employment & Labor
Ivonne Soler, Business Litigation
2023 Michigan Super Lawyers
DETROIT OFFICE
James C. Bruno, Business/Corp.
Clara DeMatteis Mager, Immigration: Business
Darius W. Dynkowski, Eminent Domain
Bernard J. Fuhs, Business Litigation
Cynthia J. Haffey, Business Litigation
John P. Hancock Jr., Employment & Labor
Justin G. Klimko, Mergers & Acquisitions
Phillip C. Korovesis, Business Litigation
Mark R. Lezotte, Health Care
Reginald A. Pacis, Immigration: Business
James S. Rosenfeld, Employment & Labor
Daniel R.W. Rustmann, Business Litigation
Bruce L. Sendek, Business Litigation
TROY OFFICE
Carey A. DeWitt, Employment & Labor
George B. Donnini, Criminal Defense: White Collar
David F. DuMouchel, Criminal Defense: White Collar
Debra A. Geroux, Health Care
Robert A. Hudson, Business/Corp.
Thomas A. Kabel, Real Estate
Robin Luce Herrmann, Media/Advertising
Daniel J. McCarthy, Appellate
Max J. Newman, Bankruptcy: Business
Robert P. Perry, Estate & Probate
Richard E. Rassel, Business Litigation
Joseph E. Richotte, Appellate
Daniel B. Tukel, Employment Litigation: Defense
• • •
Barnes & Thornburg recently announced that Joseph R. Morrison Jr. has joined the firm’s Southeast Michigan office as a partner in the Corporate Department. He is the latest addition to Barnes & Thornburg’s Corporate Department this year,
Morrison serves as outside general counsel for entrepreneurs, investors, and high-growth companies located throughout the United States, helping them navigate legal and business challenges. He also advises on technology and intellectual property licensing, venture and institutional financing rounds, governance matters and employment and real estate issues.
Morrison joins Barnes & Thornburg from a large Michigan-based law firm.
Before private practice, Morrison was an information technology (IT) consultant for an international business consulting company and corporate counsel and consulting manager for a Michigan-based IT startup.
An active member of the venture community in Michigan and across the country, Morrison regularly presents to startup groups and students of the University of Michigan on legal issues facing high-growth companies and entrepreneurs.
In addition to the firm’s Southeast Michigan office, Morrison will be spending time in the firm’s Los Angeles office to support clients on the West Coast.
Morrison earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.S. in business administration from the University of Richmond Robins School of Business.
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that several of the firm’s attorneys have been included in Best Lawyers in America® 2024 edition including those listed as “Lawyer of the Year” or “Ones to Watch.”
The following local Dickinson Wright lawyers were selected as Best Lawyers in America 2024:
DETROIT
Allison R. Bach, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Richard M. Bolton, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and
Acquisitions Law
William T. Burgess, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
Dawn R. Copley, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Christopher A. Cornwall, Construction Law
David R. Deromedi, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
Phillip J. DeRosier, Appellate Practice
Patrick B. Green, Commercial Litigation
K. Scott Hamilton, Appellate Practice
Mark R. High, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law
Steven G. Howell, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law,
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Timothy H. Howlett, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
John K. Lawrence, Banking and Finance Law
Andrew W. MacLeod, Corporate Law, International Mergers & Acquisitions, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Private Funds/Hedge Funds Law
Sharon R. Newlon, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
James A. Plemmons, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation,
Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Bankruptcy
William P. Shield Jr., Banking and Finance Law
Theodore B. Sylwestrzak, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Bruce C. Thelen, International Trade and Finance Law
L. Pahl Zinn, Litigation – Antitrust
TROY
Roger H. Cummings, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law
Joseph W. DeLave, Litigation – Construction
J. Benjamin Dolan, Litigation – Real Estate
Alison F. Duffy, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
John P. Gonway, Real Estate Law
Deborah L. Grace, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Roberta P. Granadier, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Eric W. Gregory, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Henry M. Grix, Nonprofit/Charities Law, Trusts and Estates
Craig W. Hammond, Banking and Finance Law, Public Finance Law
William H. Honaker, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law
Richard A. Jones, Patent Law
Mark Jotanovic, Patent Law
Michael R. Kramer, Corporate Law
Monica J. Labe, Real Estate Law
Elise S. Levasseur, Immigration Law
Elizabeth L. Luckenbach, Trusts and Estates
Michael J. Lusardi, Real Estate Law
Michael N. MacCallum, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Patent Law
Christopher C. Maeso, Corporate Law
Scott A. McBain, Patent Law
Eric McGlothlin, Public Finance Law
Cynthia A. Moore, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Gregory W. Moore, Health Care Law
Mahesh K. Nayak, Commercial Litigation
Shannon M. Nichols, Banking and Finance Law
Edward H. Pappas, Arbitration, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Real Estate, Mediation
Erin M. Pawlowski, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law
Scott A. Petz, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants
Daniel D. Quick, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Paul Rodriguez, Patent Law
William L. Rosin, Corporate Law
Kimberly J. Ruppel, Commercial Litigation
Lynn Capp Sirich, Family Law
Joan Cripe Skrzyniarz, Trusts and Estates
Kimberly M. Slaven, Patent Law
Robert L. Stearns, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Peter H. Webster, Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law
Mark E. Wilson, Health Care Law
Kathryn S. Wood, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Katheryne L. Zelenock, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Securitization and Structured Finance Law
“Lawyer of the Year”
DETROIT
Phillip J. DeRosier, Appellate Practice
Mark R. High, Corporate Governance Law
Steven G. Howell, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Timothy H. Howlett, Labor Law - Management
James A. Plemmons, Litigation - Bankruptcy
TROY
Henry M. Grix, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Trusts and Estates
Craig W. Hammond, Banking and Finance Law
Edward H. Pappas, Mediation
Daniel D. Quick, Litigation - Banking and Finance
“Ones to Watch”
DETROIT
Max A. Aidenbaum, Commercial Litigation
Angelina Delmastro, Labor and Employment – Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Ariana D. Pellegrino, Commercial Litigation
Kory M. Steen, Commercial Litigation
M. Katherine VanderVeen, Banking and Finance Law
Adam J. Wallace, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law
TROY
Juliet R. Boyd, Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Brandon Debus, Commercial Litigation
Erick W. Hosner, Corporate Law
William J. Hurles, Intellectual Property Law
Erin A. Johnson, Real Estate Law
Charles W. Kocher, Intellectual Property Law
James A. Martone, Commercial Litigation
Corey Neil, Patent Law
Alma Sobo, Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants, Municipal Law
Alexandra A. Vallee, Health Care Law
• • •
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that Donovan S. Asmar, Nathan D. Dupes, and Thomas J. Rheaume Jr., all members of the firm’s Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group, have been named to Benchmark Litigation’s 2023 “40 & Under Hot List.”
Asmar, of Bodman’s Troy office, represents clients involved in complex commercial litigation matters. He has represented clients in a variety of settings, including before the U.S. Supreme Court. Asmar serves on the board of directors of the Notre Dame Club of Detroit. He is involved in pro bono and was recognized as the 2016 recipient of the Detroit Bar Association Barristers’ Pro Bono Award.
Dupes, of Bodman’s Detroit office, represents clients in complex commercial and environmental litigation and counsels clients on a wide variety of environmental matters, including permitting, regulatory compliance, and environmental risk in real estate transactions. He is a former assistant city attorney for the City of Grosse Pointe Park. Dupes serves as an executive board member of the Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter, and as vice president and treasurer of the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center. He is the co-chair or Bodman’s Environmental Practice Group.
Rheaume, of Bodman’s Detroit office, practices complex commercial and insurance litigation. He represents clients in all stages of litigation and focuses on antitrust cases, class actions, and constitutional litigation. He also is a leader in the firm’s appellate practice. He serves as local counsel for national and international law firms. He is president of the Michigan Chapter of the Federalist Society and is a member of the Detroit Economic Club’s Young Leader Board. He is the co-chair of Bodman’s Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group.
• • •
Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that several of its lawyers have been recognized in the Michigan edition of Super Lawyers 2023. Six local Miller Canfield lawyers were also named on the Super Lawyers top lists. They are:
Matthew Allen, Top 100 Michigan, Business Litigation
Thomas Cranmer, Top 100 and Top 10 Michigan, Criminal Defense: White Collar
Gerald Gleeson II, Top 100 Michigan, Criminal Defense: White Collar
Amy Johnston, Top 50 Women Michigan, Business Litigation
Megan Norris, Top 100 and Top 10 Michigan, Top 50 Women Michigan, Employment and Labor
Miller Canfield is also pleased to announce that numerous Miller Canfield attorneys in Michigan have been named “Best Lawyers 2024,” and several were listed as “Ones to Watch.”
Additionally, local Miller Canfield attorneys earned Lawyer of the Year designations:
Thomas G. Appleman, Corporate Governance Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
Thomas W. Cranmer, Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Megan P. Norris, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Stephen J. Ott, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
Jerry T. Rupley, Public Finance Law
Richard A. Walawender, International Trade and Finance Law
• • •
Dykema recently announced that 25 of its attorneys from the firm’s Michigan offices were named to the 2023 Super Lawyers list by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine. Additionally, 21 of the firm’s attorneys were named to the 2023 Michigan Rising Stars list.
Of those recognized, Brian Moore was also included on Super Lawyers Top 100 list
Local Dykema attorneys named on the 2023 Michigan Super Lawyers list, identified by office and the practice area(s) for which they are being recognized, are:
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Laura C. Baucus – Business Litigation; Creditor Debtor Rights
Brendan J. Cahill – Business & Corporate; Mergers & Acquisitions; Securities & Corporate Finance
James P. Feeney – Products Liability; Civil Litigation; Class Action & Mass Torts
Adam M. Fishkind – Real Estate; Banking; Creditor Debtor Rights
Alan M. Greene – Land Use & Zoning; Eminent Domain; Construction Litigation
Kyle R. Hauberg – Real Estate
Howard B. Iwrey – Antitrust Litigation; Franchise & Dealership
Mark G. Malven – Technology Transactions; Mergers & Acquisitions; Business & Corporate
Bonnie Mayfield – Employment Litigation; Products Liability; Class Action & Mass Torts
Brian M. Moore – Business Litigation; General Litigation; Real Estate
Sheryl L. Toby – Business & Corporate; Creditor Debtor Rights
DETROIT
Robert A. Boonin – Employment & Labor; Employment Litigation
James R. Case – Construction Litigation; Surety
Michael P. Cooney – Products Liability; Business Litigation; Class Action & Mass Torts; Intellectual Property Litigation
Grant P. Gilezan – Environmental; Environmental Litigation; Lobbying
James F. Hermon – Employment Litigation; Employment & Labor
Peter M. Kellett – Class Action & Mass Torts; Business Litigation; Products Liability
Jin-Kyu Koh – Mergers & Acquisitions; Business & Corporate
Cameron H. Piggott – Real Estate
Thomas M. Schehr – Business Litigation
Local Dykema attorneys named on the 2023 Michigan Rising Stars list, identified by office and the practice area(s) for which they are being recognized, are:
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
John D. Black – Products Liability; Class Action & Mass Torts
Nardeen Dalli – Tax
Nina Gavrilovic – Products Liability
Kelly R. Houk – Products Liability
Samuel Kilberg – Real Estate
Scott R. Kocienski – Tax; Business & Corporate; Estate Planning & Probate
Igli Psari – Business & Corporate
Connor Walby – Class Action & Mass Torts; Products Liability; Business Litigation
Ryan Warsh – Real Estate
DETROIT
Igli Psari – Business Litigation; Construction Litigation; Products Liability
Giuliano D. Mancini – Real Estate
Nasseem S. Ramin – Business Litigation
John F. Rhoades – Business Litigation
E. Carolina Rodriquez-Hatt – Real Estate
Bryce Rucker – Products Liability; Personal Injury; Business Litigation; Class Action & Mass Torts; Transportation/Maritime
Ryan J. VanOver – Appellate; Business Litigation
• • •
Clark Hill is pleased to announce the following local attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best
Lawyers in America®, with several individuals recognized with the “Lawyer of the Year” distinction.
Lawyer of the Year
Andrew A. Ayar has been named Troy, Michigan’s 2024 Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) “Lawyer of the Year.”
Daniel J. Bretz has been named Detroit, Michigan’s 2024 Employment Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year.”
Kevin S. Hendrick has been named Detroit, Michigan’s 2024 Arbitration “Lawyer of the Year.”
J. Thomas MacFarlane has been named Troy, Michigan’s 2024 Litigation – Trusts & Estates “Lawyer of the Year.”
Michael P. Nowlan has been named Detroit, Michigan’s 2024 Immigration Law “Lawyer of the Year.”
Best Lawyers in America
BIRMINGHAM
Dana L. Abrahams – Education Law and Real Estate Law
Andrew A. Ayar – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Corporate Law
William B. Dunn – Real Estate Law
Thomas E. F. Fabbri – Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Kevin A. Fanning – Commercial Litigation
John L. Gierak – Education Law, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
Randi P. Glanz – Family Law
Jennifer Green – Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Banking and Finance
Edward C. Hammond – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Douglas R. Kelly – Commercial Litigation
Peter B. Kupelian – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Insurance, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Thomas MacFarlane – Litigation – Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates
Paul S. Magy – Bankruptcy and Creditor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Real Estate Law
Daniel H. Minkus – Corporate Law
Linda M. Watson – Commercial Litigation
Anne-Marie V. Welch – Employment Law – Management
DETROIT
Anthony A. Agosta – Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
John E. Berg – Commercial Litigation
Jay M. Berger – Commercial Litigation and Construction Law
Jennifer A. Bielfield – Banking and Finance Law
Daniel J. Bretz – Employment Law-Management and Labor Law – Management
Connie M. Cessante – Employment Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment
David M. Cessante – Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation -Labor and Employment
Paul W. Coughenour – Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Martin E. Crandall – Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Litigation – Labor and Employment
Dennis M. Devaney – Employment Law – Management and Labor Law – Management
Thomas M. Dixon – Construction Law, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates
Daniel J. Dulworth – Commercial Litigation
Maria Fracassa Dwyer – Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Cynthia M. Filipovich – Appellate Practice
Jeffrey M. Gallant – Construction Law and Litigation – Construction
Scott D. Garbo – Construction Law and Litigation – Construction
David M. Hayes – Construction Law and Litigation – Construction
Kevin S. Hendrick – Arbitration, Construction Law, Litigation – Construction, Mediation
John P. Hensien – Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law
John J. Hern Jr. – Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Edward J. Hood – Construction Law and Litigation – Construction
Thomas M. Keranen – Construction Law and Litigation – Construction
William A. Moore – Employment Law – Management and Labor Law – Management
Michael P. Nowlan – Immigration Law
Daniel J. Scully – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Richard A. Sundquist – Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law
Duane L. Tarnacki – Corporate Law and Nonprofit/Charities Law
Christopher M. Trebilcock – Employment Law – Management, Government Relations Practice, Litigation – Labor and
Employment
Timothy D. Wittlinger – Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Construction
Ones to Watch
BIRMINGHAM
Lauren K. Burton – Environmental Law, Municipal Law, Natural Resources Law
Mallory A. Kallabat – Trusts and Estates
Loukas Kalliantasis – Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions
Nicholas Papasifakis – Trusts and Estates
DETROIT
Robert N. Dare – Labor and Employment Law – Management
Theodore L. Degenhardt IV – Litigation – Construction and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Steven R. Pacynski – Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions
Hannah K. Reisdorff – Labor and Employment Law – Management
Vince C. Sallan – Labor and Employment Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment
Brian D. Shekell – Labor and Employment Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment
• • •
Fifteen attorneys in Taft’s Detroit office were named to Michigan Super Lawyers 2023.
Following are the Taft honorees:
Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers 2023
Jordan S. Bolton
Paul R. Hage
Mark L. Kowalsky
Michigan Super Lawyers 2023
Peter M. Alter (Business Litigation)
Jeremy Bisdorf (Intellectual Property)
Jordan S. Bolton (Business Litigation)
Mark G. Cooper (Business Litigation)
Paul R. Hage (Bankruptcy: Business)
Ethan R. Holtz (Business Litigation)
Mark L. Kowalsky (Securities Litigation)
Mark P. Krysinski (Real Estate)
Susan S. Lichterman (Family Law)
Jonathan H. Schwartz (Business Litigation)
Stuart M. Schwartz (Business Litigation)
Aaron H. Sherbin (Estate & Probate)
David Steinberg (Franchise & Dealership)
Jay L. Welford (Creditor Debtor Rights)
Wendy L. Zabriskie (Banking)
In addition, 12 attorneys in Taft’s Detroit office were selected to Michigan Rising Stars 2023. Following are the Taft honorees:
Salvatore Amodeo (Business Litigation)
Fatima M. Bolyea (Business Litigation)
Joshua M. Borson (Business/Corporate)
Michael N. Emmer (Real Estate)
Justin A. Hanna (Business/Corporate)
James Kresta (Business Litigation)
Nicole A. MacWilliams (Estate & Probate)
Emily M. Mayer (Business Litigation)
Max A. Mittleman (Real Estate)
Michelle A. Rubin (Estate & Probate)
Paige M. Szymanski (Business Litigation)
Natalie A. Watkins (Business/Corporate)
• • •
Kitch Attorneys & Counselors is proud to announce that John Sier has been honored as a Top 10 Michigan Super Lawyer.
Sier heads the firm’s commercial litigation practice. With more than three decades of experience, He concentrates his practice on dispute avoidance and resolution of commercial, healthcare and construction contract issues. Next month Sier will be honored with The Roberts P. Hudson Award, the State Bar of Michigan’s highest honor.
In addition, several Kitch attorneys were recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. The honorees include:
Gregory G. Drutchas – Health Care Law
Jenna Wright Greenman – Medical Malpractice Law: Defendants
John M. Sier – Lawyer of the Year: Construction Law and Litigation – Construction
Craig S. Thompson – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law and Litigation – Construction
Ralph F. Valitutti – Medical Malpractice Law: Defendants
Ronald E. Wagner – Product Liability Litigation: Defendants
Mark A. Wisniewski – Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants
Kaitlyn Elias – “Ones to Watch” honoree for: Commercial Litigation
• • •
Eleven Howard & Howard attorneys have been named to the 2023 class of Michigan 2023 Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars.
The attorneys named to the 2023 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars and their recognized practice areas are as follows:
Super Lawyers
Andrew (Jake) M. Grove – IP Litigation
Miles T. Macik – Business Litigation
Patrick M. McCarthy – Business Litigation
Gerald E. McGlynn III – Intellectual Property
Rising Stars
Dan Chojnowski – Intellectual Property
Ali Fardoun – Business/Corporate
Sam Fares – Intellectual Property
Kristine A. Horn – Business Litigation
Dane M. Lepola – business Litigation
Rui Lu – Mergers & Acquisitions
Alexander McGee – Intellectual Property
• • •
Brooks Kushman is proud to announce that seven of the firm’s shareholders have been named “IP Stars” for 2023 by Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) Magazine. Brooks Kushman was also recognized in the top tier as a “Highly Recommended” firm in the United States for Patent Disputes, Patent Prosecution, and Trademarks.
Managing IP recognized Brooks Kushman attorneys Frank Angileri, Sangeeta Shah, Robyn Lederman, Mark Cantor, Elizabeth Janda, John LeRoy, and Marc Lorelli as IP Stars. Cantor was recognized as both a Trademark Star and Patent Star; Angileri, Shah, Lorelli, and LeRoy were recognized as Patent Stars; and Lederman and Janda were recognized as Trademark Stars.
Angileri serves as the president of Brooks Kushman. He focuses his practice on IP litigation. He has been named an “IP Star” since 2013 and has been recognized as Michigan’s “IP Litigator of the Year” in prior years.
Shah is Brooks Kushman’s CEO and co-chair of the firm’s Post-Grant Proceedings Practice Group. Her practice is primarily focused on post-grant challenges and patent opinions. She represents several Fortune 500 clients for whom she provides strategic counseling and guidance on their global IP portfolios. She has been on the list of “IP Stars” since 2014.
Lederman serves on the Executive Committee and is co-chair of the firm’s Trademark practice. She has experience representing worldwide trademark portfolios for her multi-national clients. Lederman counsels on pre-filing strategies, global enforcement efforts, and brand protection programs. She works closely with clients to help the business adopt trademark use practices to bolster and support registered and common law trademark rights.
Cantor is one of the founders of the firm. His practice focuses on complex litigation matters in all technology areas, and he has been named an “IP Star” since 2013. In 2016, he was lead counsel for the team of trial attorneys who secured the largest trademark verdict in Michigan history.
Janda serves as co-chair of Brooks Kushman’s Trademark practice, managing substantial trademark portfolios both domestically and internationally in a variety of industries. She has been on the list of “IP Stars” since 2013.
LeRoy serves as the co-chair of the firm’s Patent Litigation practice as well as the chair of the firm’s Standard Essential Patent Practice. His practice focuses on patent, trade secret, and copyright litigation in the software and electrical arts, and he also started the firm’s Open-Source Software Compliance practice. LeRoy was recognized as Michigan’s “IP Litigator of the Year” in 2018 and has been recognized as an IP Star since 2016.
Lorelli is the co-chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation practice. His practice focuses on patent, trademark, trade secret, and copyright litigation in courts throughout the United States. In addition to litigation, Lorelli is heavily involved in strategic counseling involving patent procurement and trademark protection. Lorelli was recognized as Michigan’s “IP Litigator of the Year” in 2020.
Brooks Kushman is also proud to announce that five attorneys were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America©.
Frank Angileri was also recognized as 2024 “Lawyer of the Year.” Angileri was recognized for Patent Law and Intellectual Property Litigation in Detroit.
Those included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© are:
Frank Angileri (president)
Mark Cantor (chairman emeritus & general counsel)
John LeRoy (co-chair litigation)
Marc Lorelli (co-chair litigation)
Hope Shovein (shareholder)
Four Brooks Kushman attorneys were also recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. Those included are:
Anna Robinson (shareholder)
Chelsea Pasquali (shareholder)
Isheeta Patel Laxmanan (shareholder)
Alena Vackova Marconi (associate)
In addition, Brooks Kushman is proud to announce that six of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the 2023 Michigan Super Lawyers list for their accomplishments in intellectual property law by Super Lawyers Magazine. Those recognized were:
Frank Angileri
Mark Cantor
Chanille Carswell
Thomas Lewry
Marc Lorelli
Hope Shovein
Chelsea Pasquali was also named to the 2023 Rising Stars list, which honors lawyers who are under 40 years old, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less.
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Twenty Kerr Russell members were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024. In addition, six Kerr Russell attorneys were recognized as 2024 Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch.
Kerr Russell’s 2024 The Best Lawyers in America include:
Robert S. Anderson – Immigration Law
Jason W. Bank – Bankruptcy & Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency & Reorganization Law; Litigation – Bankruptcy
Kevin T. Block – Commercial Transactions; Corporate Law
James R. Cambridge – Corporate Law
Michael D. Carroll – Construction Law; Litigation – Construction
Mark M. Cunningham – Construction Law
Catherine Edwards – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
Daniel J. Ferris – Commercial Litigation
John D. Gatti – Corporate Law; Tax Law
Patrick J. Haddad – Health Care Law; Insurance Law
Fred K. Herrmann – Antitrust Law
Mark C. Knoth – Employment Law – Management
Eric I. Lark – Corporate Law; Insurance Law
Kate M. McCarroll – Immigration Law
Stephen D. McGraw – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Miroslava Orduño Rincón – Immigration Law
Daniel J. Schulte – Health Care Law
Joanne Geha Swanson – Appellate Practice; Litigation – Antitrust
James E. Tamm – Land Use and Zoning Law; Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants; Municipal Law
Kurt R. Vilders – Real Estate Law
Kerr Russell’s 2024 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch include:
Cody Attisha – Corporate Law; Tax Law
Kevin A. McQuillan – Civil Rights Law; Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants
Kathleen A. Westfall – Health Care Law; Insurance Law
Olivia Hankinson – Corporate Law; Labor and Employment Law – Management
Nezar Habhab – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Paul M. Indyk – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
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Warner Norcross + Judd LLP welcomes Carlotta C. Gmachl to its business development team.
At Warner, Gmachl will leverage her unique background in automotive, bankruptcy, supply chain, technology, academia and nonprofit sectors to cultivate key relationships and develop new business. She will work in the firm’s Detroit office.
Gmachl was most recently director of business development North America for ADASTEC Corp., an automated driving software developer, where she was responsible for business development and forging relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
She previously worked in Michigan State University’s International Business Center where she managed and executed government contracts and supported exports, trades and business operations. Gmachl also worked in development for the Detroit Regional Partnership where she supported domestic and international businesses interested in investing in metro Detroit. At DRP, she led over 70 projects creating more than $100M in investment and 500 new jobs in the region.
Gmachl earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies from American University and her Masters of Business Administration from Central Michigan University. Gmachl’s native language is German and she is fluent in English and intermediate in both Chinese and Italian.
