Legal People ...


Warner Norcross + Judd LLP recently announced that the firm has moved to new offices in Macomb County at 12900 Hall Road in Sterling Heights.

The new space provides additional attorney offices and collaborative areas that will enhance the firm’s ability to serve individual clients as well as the growing commercial and industrial businesses in Macomb, the state’s third most-populated county. Warner opened its first Macomb County office in 2006 and is the only major Michigan law firm to have offices in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties.

“Macomb County is a thriving community with consistent population growth, incredible natural resources and a strong, collaborative business sector,” said Matthew K. Casey, executive partner of Warner’s Macomb County office. “Yet the county is underserved by local professional service providers needed to support its growth and industries. Warner’s office is staffed with many lifelong Macomb residents like myself, who are fully invested in the county’s success and know how to get things done.”

Warner’s suite is on the second floor of the Sterling Town Center building and features approximately 20 attorney offices, three private conference rooms and informal gathering spaces to promote collaboration. Enhanced security, cutting-edge technology and convenient parking will help to create an engaging and welcoming atmosphere for attorneys, staff, and clients.  

“This new office is a reflection of Warner’s long-standing commitment to Macomb County and will meet our immediate need for additional offices while keeping us on a strong path forward,” Casey explained. “Macomb County is growing, and Warner is here to help it keep growing and to grow with it. We look forward to welcoming our clients and community into our new space.”

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Attorney Shanel T. Thomas recently joined the Labor and Employment Law Practice Group of Plunkett Cooney.

A member of the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, Thomas focuses her practice primarily in the area of employment litigation. Her expertise includes the defense of claims of alleged discrimination and harassment, as well as disputes involving wage and hour issues and violations of the Family and Medical Leave and Americans with Disabilities acts, among others.

Thomas, who is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts in Michigan, has experience with medical malpractice and commercial litigation. Her expertise also includes business matters involving governance issues, real estate and tax law, mergers and acquisitions, and complex purchase and buy-sell agreements.

A 2022 graduate of Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, Thomas previously served as a law clerk to the chief judge at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the Federal Defender’s Office, and the Washtenaw Public Defenders Office. Thomas, who received her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 2019, is also a certified mediator through the state of Michigan.

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Matthew J. Lund, a partner in Troutman Pepper’s Business Litigation Practice Group was recently named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Class of 2023 “Leaders in the Law.”

At Troutman Pepper, Lund’s practice principally focuses on prosecuting and defending business disputes across various industry groups, representation of officers and
directors, and environmental litigation. Lund utilizes his litigation and trial experience, along with his commitment to public interest, to handle diverse complex civil litigation matters, including federal securities disputes, high-value contract and business tort claims, as well as federal CERCLA and state law environmental matters.

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Kotz Sangster has been recognized in Michigan’s regional-specific areas by U.S. News – Best Law Firms®, ranked by Best Lawyers. Additionally, the firm’s attorneys have been recognized in the 30th Edition of Best Lawyers in America® and the 4th Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

For 2024, the firm is ranked in three Metropolitan Tier Levels and eight areas of law.  

—Regional Tier 1

DETROIT
• Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
• Construction Law
• Litigation – Construction

TROY
• Health Care Law

—Regional Tier 2

DETROIT
• Corporate Law
Kalamazoo
• Family Law

—Regional Tier 3

TROY
• Commercial Litigation
• Litigation – Securities

Furthermore, Best Lawyers in America® announced that 13 attorneys from Kotz Sangster have been recognized in the 30th Edition and are included in the publication’s 2024 publication.  In addition, four attorneys have been honored in the 4th Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch.

The attorneys being honored in the 2024 publications are:  

—Best Lawyers in America®

R. Edward Boucher - Construction Law; Litigation – Construction
George F. Curran III - Insurance Law
Jovan Dragovic - Health Care Law
Timothy P. Dugan - Construction Law
Mowitt S. Drew III - Family Law
Dennis K. Egan - Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Securities
Walter B. Fisher Jr. - Commercial Litigation
Robert C. Kotz - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law; Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Jeffrey M. Sangster - Construction Law; Litigation – Construction
Keith J. Soltis - Health Care Law
Jeffrey S. Sternberg - Trusts and Estates
Bethany S. Sweeny - Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment
Gregory L. Wysocki - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses; Corporate Law

—Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch – 4th Edition

Evan M. Lumley - Construction Law; Commercial Litigation
Bruce A. Margulis - Banking and Finance Law; Corporate Law
Amber D. Peters - Family Law
Tyler P. Phillips - Nonprofit/Charities Law

•            •            •
Personal injury and civil rights law firm Moss & Colella is pleased to announce that firm co-founders David M. Moss and A. Vince Colella have been named 2024 DBusiness Top Lawyers. Both attorneys were selected in the personal injury category and devote 100% of their practice to litigation.

Moss has spent his nearly 40-year legal career entirely devoted to his clients in personal injury law representing victims and their families in a variety of injury cases against insurance companies, national corporations, hospitals, municipalities, and individual defendants.  Moss has successfully argued at the appellate level, both before the Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. Moss is sought after by both plaintiff and defense attorneys seeking to retain outside counsel to advocate their cases. He received his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

For more than two decades, Colella has tried and won cases in state and federal courts throughout Michigan. His trial experience includes automobile negligence, police brutality and misconduct, premises liability, trucking accidents, insurance disputes, medical malpractice, sexual harassment, sexual assault, discrimination, and wrongful death. In recent years, Colella has gained a reputation for his trailblazing litigation efforts in government liability, recreational accidents and civil rights cases. Colella received his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, where he established in 2020 the A. Vince Colella Scholarship to support law students considering a career in civil rights.

The DBusiness honor comes on the heels of other legal awards for the duo this year including The Best Lawyers in America® and Michigan Super Lawyers.  Most recently, Moss was recognized as a Go To Lawyer in negligence law by the legal publication Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

In addition, the firm is pleased to announce it has been designated as a Tier 1 law firm by Best Lawyers® in the 14th edition of the United States Best Law Firms®. In the newly released annual publication, the firm made its inaugural debut with a Tier 1 ranking at the metropolitan level in the Personal Injury Litigation–Plaintiffs category.

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Detroit-based management-side labor and employment law firm Nemeth Bonnette Brouwer PC is pleased to announce the firm has again been named a tier-ranked law firm by Best Lawyers® in the 14th edition of the United States Best Law Firms®.  In the newly released annual publication, the firm has repeated its Tier 1 ranking at the metropolitan level in two categories:

Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Labor & Employment

In August, three firm attorneys were recognized by Best Lawyers® for 2024. Managing Partner Deborah Brouwer and firm founder Patricia Nemeth, Of Counsel, were selected as Best Lawyers® in three practice areas: Employment Law–Management, Labor Law–Management, and Litigation–Labor and Employment. Additionally, partner Nick Huguelet made his inaugural debut as a Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®, named in the category of Labor and Employment Law–Management.

•            •            •

Foley, Baron, Metzger, & Juip, PLLC is pleased to welcome James Frisch as the newest member of its Medical Malpractice Practice group. Frisch, who recently joined the firm as an associate attorney, focuses his practice on defending healthcare professionals and organizations in complex medical-malpractice claims, as well as other personal injury and insurance claims. Enrico Tucciarone, member, made the announcement.

Prior to joining FBMJ, Frisch practiced at a Metro-Detroit law firm defending auto insurance claims, as well as a national insurance company as in-house counsel. He is also experienced in handling complex trust and estate litigation, guardianship, and conservatorship matters. Prior to his legal career, Frisch was employed at a level II trauma hospital as an emergency room paramedic and worked in private EMS for seven years.

Frisch is a 2019 graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and earned his Bachelor of Science in Administration in 2015 from Central Michigan University.

•            •            •

Seven Dobrusin attorneys were recently named by DBusiness to its list of Top Lawyers.  Those attorneys and their areas of recognition are:

Eric Dobrusin – Intellectual Property and Patent Law

Dobrusin, with more than 30 years of experience, focuses on patent counseling and prosecution, particularly in materials science, biomedical, food processing, and automotive technologies. He’s also an author in the field and has played key roles in intellectual property dispute resolution. Recognized for his contributions, he has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his entire career, including being named to the Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Hall of Fame in 2023 .

Kristen Pursley – Intellectual Property and Patent Law

Pursley, managing shareholder at The Dobrusin Law Firm, is a recognized attorney focusing on patent, trademark, and copyright law. She is known for her practical problem-solving approach, extensive client base in automotive, medical, and consumer product industries, and her leadership roles in various legal associations and community organizations.

Erin Klug – Intellectual Property and Patent Law

Klug is an attorney focusing on patent, trademark, and copyright law, serving clients across various industries. With a practical approach, she offers strategic counsel, excelling in translating complex technical concepts for business purposes. Klug’s expertise and cost-conscious approach have earned her recognition from publications like WTR 1000 and Crain’s Detroit Business.

Katherine Pacynski – Intellectual Property and Patent Law

Pacynski, a patent attorney, focuses on mechanical, chemical, and materials science, particularly nonwoven materials, consumer goods, and automotive applications. She helps her clients navigate patent processes and develop their intellectual property portfolios. Her background in chemical engineering and her commitment to community involvement make her a well-rounded and trusted advisor in the field.

Paul Palinski – Intellectual Property and Patent Law

Palinski, a registered patent attorney, focuses his legal practice on patent counseling and strategic prosecution, particularly in mechanical, electromechanical, and biomedical technologies. With a background in Manufacturing Operations and Mechanical Engineering, he serves a diverse clientele, ranging from multinational corporations to individual inventors. Prior to his legal career, he worked as an automotive engineer, contributing to the design and quality of interior and exterior automotive components.

Daniela Walters – Intellectual Property and Patent Law

Walters, an experienced attorney with expertise in intellectual property, focuses on patents, trademarks, copyrights, and IP agreements. Focusing on mechanical and electromechanical fields, she serves a wide range of clients, from startups to established corporations. Her background in engineering and practical experience as an automotive engineer enable her to provide valuable counsel to clients across various industries. Beyond her legal career, she is passionate about community development, historic preservation, and promoting STEAM education.

Rebecca Wilson – Copyright Law

Wilson focuses her practice on helping businesses build, protect, and enforce their brands, focusing on copyright protection and trademark prosecution. Her background, including working for a Tier 1 automotive supplier, positions her to understand and address various industries’ needs and risks.

•            •            •

Varnum attorney Aaron Roberson Jr. has been named to the Founders Junior Council of the Detroit Institute of Arts, an auxiliary board for young professionals.

Founders Junior Council is dedicated to introducing young adults to the DIA and encouraging a lifelong involvement through a variety of fundraisers and social events organized around the museum’s world-class collection and special exhibitions.

Roberson is a member of Varnum’s Corporate Practice Team. His experience centers on mergers and acquisitions, lending deals, commercial real estate transactions and a diverse range of other commercial activities.

Roberson is a graduate of University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. During law school, he served as a legal extern to U.S. District Court Judge Victoria A. Roberts, Eastern District of Michigan. He received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the College of Wooster.

•            •            •

Howard & Howard has been ranked in the fourteenth edition of “Best Law Firms” by Best Lawyers, with 20 metro rankings nationally.  The Royal Oak office was ranked:

Tier 1 for  Commercial Litigation
Tier 1 for  Litigation - Intellectual Property
Tier 1 for  Litigation - Patent
Tier 1 for  Patent Law
Tier 1 for  Trademark Law
Tier 2 for  Energy Law
Tier 3 for  Corporate Law

•            •            •

Secrest Wardle is proud to announce that seven of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the “2024 Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit” list by DBusiness magazine. All seven attorneys recognized practice out of Secrest Wardle’s headquarters in Troy:

Thomas J. Azoni is a senior partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Amusement and Leisure, General Negligence, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups. Azoni has been recognized by DBusiness in the Food and Beverage Law category.

Derk W. Beckerleg is an executive partner and managing partner of Secrest Wardle’s Municipal Law Practice Group.  He is a member of the Governmental Litigation and Real Estate Practice Groups, of which he also serves as chair. Beckerleg has been recognized by DBusiness in the Municipal Law category.

Nathan J. Edmonds is a senior partner and co-managing partner of Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Amusement and Leisure, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, and Property, Fire and Casualty Practice Groups. Edmonds has been recognized by DBusiness in the Litigation – Insurance category.

Justin A. Grimske is an executive partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member and serves as the chair of the Amusement and Leisure Practice Group. He is also a member of the firm’s Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups. Grimske has been recognized by DBusiness in the Insurance Law category.

Daniel P. Makarski is a senior partner and member of Secrest Wardle’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group.  He serves as chair of the group. He has been recognized by DBusiness in the Arbitration and Mediation categories.

Mark F. Masters is a senior partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Commercial and Business Law, Construction, General Negligence,
Malpractice/Professional Liability, Motor Vehicle Litigation, and Product Liability Practice Groups. Masters is a member and serves as the chair of the Premises Liability Practice Group. He has been recognized by DBusiness in the Personal Injury category.

Anthony A. Randazzo is a senior partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Commercial and Business Law, Construction, Environmental and Toxic Tort, Governmental Litigation, Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury, and Trucking Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups. Randazzo is also a member and serves as chair of the Motor Vehicle Litigation Practice Group. He has been recognized by DBusiness in the Litigation – Insurance category.

In addition, Secrest Wardle is pleased to announce that the firm has been named in the Best Lawyers listing of 2024 Best Law Firms in the following categories:

—Metropolitan Tier 1

TROY
• Commercial Litigation
• Insurance Law
• Legal Malpractice Law — Defendants
• Litigation – Insurance
• Personal Injury Litigation — Defendants
• Product Liability Litigation — Defendants

—Metropolitan Tier 2

TROY
• Land Use & Zoning Law
• Litigation — Municipal
• Municipal Law

—Metropolitan Tier 3

TROY
• Arbitration
• Litigation — Land Use & Zoning