Paul M. Mersino, president and CEO of Butzel, has been named to DBusiness magazine's Detroit 500 2023 list of the Most Powerful Business Leaders in Metro Detroit, for the first time.
Mersino was elected president and CEO of Butzel at the firm's annual meeting earlier this year. He is responsible for the operations and management of the 150+ attorney firm, including budgeting, setting strategic goals, and more. He was elected to the firm's Board of Directors in 2020.
As a recognized business leader in metro Detroit, Mersino was named to Crain's Detroit Business magazine's 2021 Class of "40 Under 40" list. In 2020, he was named to DBusiness magazine's "30 in Their Thirties."
Mersino has been recognized as a Top Lawyer by DBusiness magazine, as a Michigan Super Lawyer, as one of Oakland County's Elite 40 under 40, and as an "Up and Coming Lawyer" by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
He represents public and private companies, in a number of areas including complex commercial litigation, contract disputes, non-compete and trade secret disputes, automotive supplier disputes, construction litigation, and First Amendment litigation. He has seen a number of successes in trials and cases across the country, having obtained jury verdicts, summary judgment rulings, dismissal of cases against his clients, and settlements favorable to his clients in state and federal courts throughout the nation.
Mersino also represents and advises a number of startup companies, assisting them with their legal needs and matching them with potential venture capital funding. He handles appeals in the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court, and in federal courts across the country.
Mersino formerly served as Butzel's Litigation Practice Department chair. He was responsible for the management and oversight of the firm's Commercial Litigation attorneys who reported to him as well their strategic goals, budgeting, forecasting, and direction of the practice group. Mersino also has served as trustee of the Butzel Charitable Trust.
He has served on the Board of Directors of the Detroit Bar Association and as an advisor to the Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education's Litigation Advisory Board.
Mersino is a 2008 graduate of Ave Maria School of Law. He earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Northwood University (2005).
In addition, 75 Butzel attorneys have been chosen by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024. Moreover, 14 firm attorneys have been named to Best Lawyers in America® 2024 Ones to Watch. In addition, five attorneys have been named "Lawyer of the Year."
The following local Butzel attorneys have been named "Lawyer of the Year" Debra A. Geroux (Health Care Law) Troy and R. Peter Prokop (Tax Law) Detroit.
The following local Butzel attorneys have been named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch: Ashley Aldea (Corporate Law; Real Estate) Troy; Javon R. David (Commercial Litigation) Troy; Steven Eatherly (Commercial Litigation) Detroit; Scott J. Fishwick (Commercial Litigation) Detroit; Rebecca Klein (Commercial Litigation) Detroit; Joseph Kuzmiak (Commercial Litigation) Troy; Sarah Nirenberg (Labor and Employment Law Management; Litigation Labor and Employment) Troy; Shanika A. Owens (Corporate Law and Real Estate Law) Detroit; Blake Padget (Labor and Employment Law Management; Litigation Labor and Employment) Troy; Louis Ronayne (Construction Law, Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation) Detroit; Quendale G. Simmons (Commercial Litigation) Detroit; Ivonne M. Soler (Family Law) Detroit; Bill Quan Yang (Commercial Litigation) Detroit; Barrett Young (Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation) Detroit; and, Mitchell Zajac (Commercial Litigation) Detroit.
The following local Butzel attorneys were selected for The Best Lawyers in America® 2024:
DETROIT OFFICE
Frederick Berg, Commercial Litigation
James C. Bruno, Corporate Law, International Mergers and Acquisitions, International Trade and Finance Law
Arthur Dudley II, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Corporate Law
Darius Dynkowski, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Eric J. Flessland, Construction Law, Litigation Construction
Cynthia J. Haffey, Commercial Litigation
John P. Hancock Jr., Employment Law Management, Labor Law Management , Litigation Labor and Employment
Justin G. Klimko, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities/ Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation
Phillip C. Korovesis, Commercial Litigation
Mark R. Lezotte, Health Care Law, Tax Law
Clara DeMatteis Mager, Immigration Law
Paul Mersino, Commercial Litigation
Brett Miller, Employment Law Management
Donald B. Miller, Employment Law Management, Labor Law Management, Litigation Labor and Employment, Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation Defendants
Reginald A. Pacis, Immigration Law
James S. Rosenfeld, Employment Law Management , Labor Law Management, Litigation Labor and Employment, (more)
Daniel R.W. Rustmann, Commercial Litigation
Bruce L. Sendek, Commercial Litigation
Nicholas J. Stasevich, Corporate Law
John C. Valenti, Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions Defendants
Kurtis T. Wilder, Appellate Practice
TROY OFFICE
Linda J. Armstrong, Immigration Law
Barbara E. Buchanan, Labor Law Management, Employment Law Management, Litigation Labor and Employment
Jennifer E. Consiglio, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Governance Law
Michael C. Decker, Litigation Construction
David J. Devine, Commercial Litigation, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Carey A. DeWitt, Employment Law Management, Litigation Labor and Employment
George B. Donnini, Criminal Defense: White-Collar
W. Patrick Dreisig, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, Corporate Governance Law
Damien DuMouchel, Criminal Defense: White-Collar
David F. DuMouchel, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law
Geoffrey S. Gallinger, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
Debra A. Geroux, Litigation Health Care, Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law
Michael F. Golab, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law
Beth S. Gotthelf, Environmental Law, Litigation Environmental
David W. Hipp, Real Estate Law
Robert A. Hudson, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Laura Johnson, Corporate Governance Law
Susan L. Johnson, Environmental Law, Litigation Environmental
Thomas A. Kabel, Real Estate Law
Sheldon H. Klein, Commercial Litigation, Litigation Antitrust
William J. Kliffel, Product Liability Litigation Defendants, Robin Luce Herrmann, First Amendment Law
Bushra A. Malik, Immigration Law
Daniel J. McCarthy, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation
Allan Nachman, Real Estate Law
Max J. Newman, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Scott T. Patterson, Employment Law Management
William A. Penner, Trusts and Estates
Robert P. Perry, Trusts and Estates
Steven R. Pohl, Corporate Law
R. Peter Prokop, Corporate Law, Tax Law
Thomas B. Radom, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Richard E. Rassel, Commercial Litigation
Joseph Richotte, Appellate Practice
Craig S. Schwartz, Employment Law Management , Labor Law Management
Robert H. Schwartz, Health Care Law
T. Gordon Scupholm II, Family Law
David W. Sommerfeld, Litigation Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates
Paul L. Triemstra, Trusts and Estates
Daniel B. Tukel, Employment Law Management, Labor Law Management, Litigation Labor and Employment
Roxana Zaha, Real Estate Law
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Honigman LLP recently announced that Rana Sadek Roumayah has joined its Labor and Employment Department as a partner in the firm's Detroit office.
Roumayah joins Honigman after working for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for 23 years. At the NLRB, she developed an expertise in traditional labor law and other aspects of employment law. Specializing in case analysis, strategic planning, negotiations and compliance, Roumayah has litigated, negotiated, and tried hundreds of cases.
Roumayah earned her law degree from Wayne State University Law School and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan.
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Bodman PLC in pleased to announce that Jennifer M. Hetu has been appointed to serve on the State Bar of Michigan's Intellectual Property Law Section Council.
In this role, Hetu will be an active voice in ensuring that proposed policies, projects, and services prepared by the Intellectual Property Law Section Council members are aimed to further advance the overall member growth as IP lawyers.
Hetu is a member of Bodman's Intellectual Property Practice Group and is based in the firm's Troy office. Her practice focuses on trademark law and brand protection. She advises businesses of all sizes on a wide range of trademark matters in the U.S. and international markets, collaborates with foreign law firms on worldwide trademark protection, and provides counseling regarding U.S. use and registration.
Hetu also counsels businesses in the rapidly growing cannabis industry on how to navigate trademark protection strategies in the current landscape. She is a former trademark attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Bodman is also pleased to announce that the firm has been ranked in Tier 1, the highest level possible, for Banking and Finance and M&A services in IFLR1000 2023. IFLR1000 also recognized eight individual Bodman lawyers as "Highly Regarded Practitioners" in their respective legal fields.
Bodman is the only Michigan law firm ranked in Tier 1 for both Banking and Finance and M&A work. Bodman also has more individual attorneys listed in IFLR1000's Michigan rankings than any other law firm.
The local Bodman lawyers recognized as "Highly Regarded Practitioners," with area of legal specialty, are:
Gene P. Bowen (M&A)
Laurence B. Deitch (M&A)
Robert J. Diehl Jr. (Banking, Restructuring)
Joseph J. Kochanek (Banking)
Kathleen O'Callaghan Hickey (Banking)
Larry R. Shulman (Banking)
In addition, Bodman is pleased to announce that the firm, and 31 current Bodman attorneys, have been included in the State Bar of Michigan's 2023 A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll.
Bodman was recognized for achieving a per-attorney average of between 30 and 49 hours of pro bono service during 2022. Bodman was also one of only two law firms recognized at the highest "Tier 1" level for cumulative firm hours devoted to pro bono matters for the year.
Individual attorneys are recognized for having devoted at least 30, 50, or 100 hours to pro bono service during 2022. The following local Bodman attorneys are included in the 2023 A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll.
100+ HOURS OF SERVICE
Barbara A. Bowman (Troy Office)
50-99 HOURS OF SERVICE
Celeste E. Arduino (Troy Office)
Gregory J. Gamalski (Troy Office)
Jennifer M. Hetu (Troy Office)
Emily P. Jenks (Detroit Office)
Angela M. Quinn (Detroit Office)
Alexis A. Smith-Scott (Detroit Office)
Glen M. Zatz (Troy Office)
30-49 HOURS OF SERVICE
Jacqueline W. August (Troy Office)
Rebecca El Badaoui (Detroit Office)
Michelle L. Kolkmeyer (Troy Office)
Alexandra C. Markel (Detroit Office)
Jane Derse Quasarano (Detroit Office)
Emily J. Kwolek (Troy Office)
Thomas J. Tallerico (Troy Office)
Melissa M. Tetreau (Troy Office)
Kris Thavarajah (Detroit Office)
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Miller Canfield attorney Thomas Colis has been elected as a fellow of the American College of Bond Counsel.
Colis leads Miller Canfield's nationally recognized Public Finance Group, which is the largest group of municipal finance attorneys in Michigan. He has represented governmental organizations in hundreds of bond issues totaling billions of dollars for economic development and infrastructure projects, including buildings and equipment, water and sewer utilities, roads, parking facilities and brownfield redevelopment.
Colis is recognized by Best Lawyers in America, and in 2019 was named its Detroit Public Finance Lawyer of the Year. He is also named in Michigan Super Lawyers and DBusiness magazine's Top Lawyers in Public Finance. He has served on the boards of directors for the Michigan Government Finance Officers Association and the Bond Club of Detroit.
Colis will be recognized at the American College of Bond Counsel Annual Dinner held during the National Association of Bond Lawyers Bond Attorney's Workshop in Chicago in October.
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Dykema recently announced that Todd Schebor was elected as the chair of the Environmental Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, beginning October 2023.
Schebor's clients are in the energy, waste disposal, petroleum, manufacturing, and other sectors that deal with the unique challenges of ever-changing regulatory requirements and law. He defends clients in civil proceedings or regulatory actions, including those involving cleanups (CERCLA, RCRA, and Michigan's Part 201 and 213 programs), underground storage tanks, waste management, water discharge, wetlands, eminent domain, land use, and restrictive covenant matters.
Schebor received law degrees from Lewis and Clark Law School and Case Western Reserve University, and a B.S. from the University of Michigan.
In addition, Dykema announced that 194 of its attorneys, in multiple practice areas and markets, have been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 guide and the Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch" list. Additionally, attorneys from the firm have earned 13 Best Lawyers 2024 "Lawyer of the Year" distinctions.
The local Dykema attorneys named Best Lawyers 2024 "Lawyers of the Year," identified by office location and the practice area for which they are being recognized, are:
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Brendan J. Cahill – Mergers and Acquisitions Law
James P. Feeney – Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
DETROIT
Todd G. Gattoni – Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Cameron H. Piggott – Real Estate Law
Cameron H. Piggott – Litigation - Real Estate
The local Dykema attorneys listed in the 2024 Best Lawyers in America guide, identified by office location and the practice areas for which they have been recognized, are:
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
James G. Aldrich Jr. – Immigration Law
Laura Baucus – Commercial Litigation; Litigation - Banking and Finance; Banking and Finance Law
Jennifer L. Beidel – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
John D. Black – Commercial Litigation; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Brendan J. Cahill – Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Amy M. Christen – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Michael G. Cumming – Trusts and Estates
Joseph DeHondt – Corporate Law
James P. Feeney – Arbitration; Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Corporate Law; Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Adam M. Fishkind – Real Estate Law
Douglas J. Fryer – Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law; Commercial Litigation
Alan M. Greene – Land Use and Zoning Law; Litigation - Land Use and Zoning; Litigation - Real Estate
Clay Guise – Commercial Litigation; Product Liability Litigation Defendants
Nazneen S. Hasan – Trusts and Estates
Kyle R. Hauberg – Project Finance Law; Real Estate Law
Joseph H. Hickey – Banking and Finance Law; Commercial Litigation; Litigation - Banking and Finance; Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
Howard B. Iwrey – Antitrust Law; Litigation Antitrust
Courtney Kissel – Energy Law
Bonnie Mayfield – Litigation - Labor and Employment; Employment Law - Management
Thomas T. Moga – Litigation - Patent; Patent Law; Technology Law
Brian M. Moore – Commercial Litigation
Paul Nystrom – Commercial Litigation; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants; Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions Defendants
Valerie Rup – Health Care Law
Todd C. Schebor – Environmental Law
Christyn M. Scott – Commercial Litigation
Brian Smith – Product Liability Litigation Defendants; Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Sheryl L. Toby – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Litigation Bankruptcy
Scott A. Steinhoff – Real Estate Law
DETROIT
Michael Bernard – Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Robert A. Boonin – Education Law; Employment Law - Management; Labor Law - Management; Litigation - Labor and Employment
Lisa A. Brown – Commercial Litigation; Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
James R. Case – Construction Law
Michael P. Cooney – Commercial Litigation; Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants; Product Liability Litigation Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Sherrie L. Farrell – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Commercial Litigation; Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Todd G. Gattoni – Commercial Litigation; Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants; Product Liability Litigation Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Grant P. Gilezan – Environmental Law; Litigation - Environmental
James F. Hermon – Employment Law - Management; Litigation - Labor and Employment
Mark D. Jacobs – Environmental Law
Peter M. Kellett – Commercial Litigation; Litigation - Securities; Mediation; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Jin-Kyu Koh – Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Securities / Capital Markets Law; Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Rochelle Lento – Real Estate Law
Cameron H. Piggott – Litigation - Real Estate; Real Estate Law
Harold D. Pope – Product Liability Litigation Defendants; Commercial Litigation
Rasul M. Raheem – Banking and Finance Law; Financial Services Regulation Law; Litigation - Banking and Finance
Carl Rashid Jr. – Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law; Land Use and Zoning Law; Litigation - Real Estate; Litigation and Controversy - Tax; Real Estate Law; Tax Law
Daniel J. Schairbaum – Real Estate Law; Construction Law
Thomas M. Schehr – Commercial Litigation; Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
Dante A. Stella – Commercial Litigation; Privacy and Data Security Law
Thomas S. Vaughn – Corporate Law; Mergers & Acquisitions Law; Securities / Capital Markets Law
Boyd White III – Commercial Litigation; Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
The local Dykema attorneys listed as 2024 Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch," identified by office location and the practice area for which they are being recognized are are:
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Erica L. Berezny – Tax Law; Trusts and Estates
Nina Gavrilovic – Product Liability Litigation - Defendants; Commercial Litigation
Kelly R. Houk – Commercial Litigation; Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Erin Katz – Litigation - Banking and Finance
Samuel Kilberg – Real Estate Law
Igli Psari – Mergers and Acquisitions Law; Corporate Law
Victoria Remus – Tax Law
Connor Walby – Commercial Litigation; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Ryan Warsh – Real Estate Law
DETROIT
Mark Makoski – Commercial Litigation; Litigation - Real Estate
Giuliano Mancini – Litigation - Real Estate
Nasseem S. Ramin – Commercial Litigation; Litigation - Banking and Finance
Bryce Rucker – Commercial Litigation; Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants; Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Ryan VanOver – Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation; Litigation - Banking and Finance
• • •
Taft is pleased to announce that numerous attorneys were recognized in Best Lawyers in America® 2024, as “Lawyer of the Year,” and as “Ones to Watch.” The following local Taft attorneys were cited:
Best Lawyers in America 2024
Peter Alter, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Real Estate
Jordan S. Bolton, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance
Trey Brice, Land Use and Zoning Law
Mark G. Cooper, Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance
Joel Golden, Trusts and Estates
Jeffrey Heuer, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction
Michael Jacobson, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Real Estate
Shirley Kaigler, Trusts and Estates
Lee B. Kellert, Corporate Law
Mark Kowalsky, Litigation – Securities
Mark Krysinski, Real Estate Law
Susan Lichterman, Family Law, Family Law Arbitration
Eli Maroko, Immigration Law
Judith Greenstone Miller, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Brian Raznick, Real Estate Law
James Rose, Appellate Practice
Mark Rubenfire, Real Estate Law
Aaron Sherbin, Trusts and Estates, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
William Sider, Tax Law
Arthur Siegal, Litigation – Environmental
Peter Sugar, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation
Susan Sutton, Trusts and Estates
Holli Hart Targan, Information Technology Law
Arthur A. Weiss, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law, Tax Law
Jay Welford, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
Richard Zussman, Real Estate Law
“Lawyer of the Year”
Susan S. Lichterman, Family Law.
“Ones to Watch”
Justin A. Hanna, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
James L. Kresta, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Real Estate
Emily M. Mayer, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law
Kate L. Ringler, Trusts and Estates
Paige M. Szymanski, Litigation – Securities
Daniel M. Ungar, Technology Law
Natalie A. Watkins, Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• • •
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
In addition, 45 Howard & Howard attorneys have been named to the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers in America© and Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch.”
The local Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice area(s) under which they are listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2023 are:
Kevin C. Backus, Corporate Law
Daniel H. Bliss, Patent Law
Andrew (Jake) M. Grove, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Sam Haidle, Patent Law
Kristopher K. Hulliberger, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Michael V. Kell, Commercial Litigation
Rodger A. Kershner, Energy Law
Brian A. Kreucher, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Jon D. Kreucher, Commercial Litigation
Miles T. Macik, Commercial Litigation
Patrick M. McCarthy, Commercial Litigation
Gerald E. McGlynn III, Patent Law
The local Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice area(s) under which they are listed in The Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” 2024 are:
Aaron Beresh, Real Estate Law
William Blancke, Intellectual Property Law
Richard J. Cantor, Litigation – Patent
Daniel R. Chojnowski, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Ali Fardoun, Real Estate Law
Brett G. Garwood, Corporate Law
William R. Hancock, Intellectual Property Law
Kristine Horn, Litigation – Construction
Jonathan F. Karmo, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Dane M. Lepola, Commercial Litigation
Rui Lu, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Paul S. Mazzola, Patent Law
Adrianna Agosta Nichol, Tax Law
Marcus Smetka, Intellectual Property Law
Michael D. Solt, Intellectual Property Law
• • •
Best Lawyers has named the following lawyers from Giarmarco, Mullins, & Horton as The Best Lawyers in America (2024 Edition):
John A. Anderson
Thomas P. Cavanaugh
George A. Contis
Elizabeth Favaro
Kara Ferrara
Julius H. Giarmarco
Bruce W. Haffey
William H. Heritage III
William H. Horton
Keela Johnson
Victoria S. Lehman
Adam Levitsky
Timothy J. Mullins
Ryan L. Perry
Dennis M. Rauss
Paul Thursam
Jared Trust
Matthew S. Weaver
LeRoy H. Wulfmeier III
John R. Fleming
Lauren M. Studley
Best Lawyers has also named LeRoy H. Wulfmeier III as the “Best Lawyers Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants Lawyer of the Year” for 2024.
• • •
For the ninth consecutive year, Brooks Kushman has been recognized as a WTR 1000 firm by the World Trademark Review.
In addition to recognition of the firm, WTR also distinguished shareholders Robyn Lederman, Chanille Carswell, Molly Crandall, Elizabeth Janda, Hope Shovein, Erica Klein, and Rebecca Cantor as top trademark leaders in Michigan.
• • •
Secrest Wardle is pleased to announce that several of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024. The firm congratulates Senior Partner Thomas J. Azoni, Executive Partner Derk W. Beckerleg, Senior Partner and Co-Managing Partner Nathan J. Edmonds, Senior Partner Daniel P. Makarski, Senior Partner Mark F. Masters, Senior Partner Mark E. Morley, Senior Partner Anthony A. Randazzo, and Senior Partner, President, and Co-Managing Partner Bruce A. Truex of the Troy office.
Secrest Wardle is also proud to announce that Makarski has received Best Lawyers 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” award in the Insurance Law category for Troy.
In addition, Secrest Wardle is pleased to announce that eight of the firm’s attorneys have received 2024 Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” recognitions: Matthew J. Consolo, Justin A. Grimske, Matthew C. Lindgren, Kaitlynn M. Milroy, Daniel S. Schrode II, Cleveland B. Simmons, Renee T. Townsend, and Javon L. Williams. All eight attorneys are located in the firm’s Troy office and have been listed in their respective categories in Troy.
• • •
Maddin Hauser proudly congratulates shareholder Kathleen H. Klaus for being welcomed into the Michigan State Bar Foundation 2023 Class of Fellows.
Klaus is a member of Maddin Hauser’s defense and insurance coverage group, specializing in complex professional liability defense, employment defense, and appellate cases. She represents lawyers, accountants, and insurance agents. Additionally, Klaus is a leader within the firm, serving on the executive committee. She has earned numerous awards, including Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year,” Super Lawyers “Top 50 Women in Michigan,” and DBusiness Top Lawyers.
The MSBF Fellows Program supports the foundation in providing leadership and grants to improve the administration of justice and the delivery of civil legal aid to low-income individuals and families. For additional information, visit www.msbf.org.
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A trio of attorneys from Ottenwess Law have been designated 2023 Michigan Super Lawyers.
Founding Partner David Ottenwess has been named in the category of Medical Malpractice – Defense. He has been listed as a Michigan Super Lawyer since 2007.
Managing Partner Stephanie Ottenwess has been named as a Michigan Super Lawyer in the area of Health Care Law.
John Monnich Sr., Of Counsel, has also been selected as a Michigan Super Lawyer since 2006. He was listed in the category of Insurance Coverage.
• • •
Varnum attorney Eric Nemeth has been named to the 2023 Tax Authority Federal Editorial Advisory Board for Law360. The board provides feedback on Law360’s coverage and expert insight on how best to shape future coverage. Nemeth previously served on the advisory board in 2020.
Nemeth leads the tax planning, compliance and litigation team at Varnum. A former senior trial lawyer for the IRS, he has experience in tax law with a focus on all aspects of related civil and criminal law, as well as complex financial investigative and litigation matters.
Nemeth has led or assisted in matters for clients on five continents and over most of the United States. He routinely provides legal advice and counsel to clients regarding the tax implications of assets held outside of the United States.
Varnum is also pleased to announce that Rana Eid has joined Varnum’s Corporate Practice Team. She is based in the firm’s Birmingham office.
Eid focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions, representing private equity firms and strategic acquirers across industries including health care, technology, automotive, metals, manufacturing, real estate and energy.
She joins the firm from the San Francisco office of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich, & Rosati.
Eid is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science and International Studies from the University of Michigan.
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Jason Z. Brainer has joined the firm’s Troy office as Of Counsel.
Brainer is a litigation attorney focusing his practice on creditor rights, government, corporate and nonprofit law. His legal experience spans both the private and public sectors. He has experience in the areas of international business development, risk, compliance, contract negotiation, and government relations.
Prior to joining DW, Brainer represented major banks in complex litigation and disputes. He also served as a transactional, non-profit, criminal defense and bankruptcy attorney, an international business development specialist in Latin America and Southeast Asia, and was a former U.S. diplomat who specialized in cyber, North Korean, and counterterrorism matters. He is also fluent in Spanish and has used his language proficiency in the practice of law and business development.
Brainer received his B.S. from Vanderbilt University and his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.
