State Court Administrator’s Office
The State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) has named former court administrator James McGrail as the new Region 6 administrator, effective February 5. In this role, McGrail will serve as SCAO’s liaison to 26 courts (circuit, probate, and district) in Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, and St. Clair counties. For the past seven years, McGrail has served as court administrator/attorney magistrate for the 41B District Court in Clinton Township.
McGrail’s primary responsibilities as Region 6 administrator will include monitoring and providing management assistance to all trial courts within the region, directing the judicial assignment program, mediating funding and policy disputes, investigating complaints, and acting as a resource to judges and court staff as the State Court Administrator’s executive representative to courts in the region. McGrail will also develop and implement plans and goals and directs the personnel and operational activities of the Regional Office.
In his most recent position at 41B District Court, McGrail managed dockets for three judges, supervised more than 40 employees, managed the court budget under three funding units, and more. Prior to working in the court system, McGrail served as the city attorney and assistant city attorney for the City of Utica. In these roles, he represented the City of Utica in all litigation and advised city officials on legal matters. As a private practice attorney for more than 16 years, McGrail performed pre-litigation, litigation, appellate, and criminal defense work. He also served as an adjunct professor at Baker College, where he taught classes in the paralegal program.
“I am excited to bring my proven track record of integrity and innovation to this new role working alongside the trial courts in Region 6,” McGrail said. “In this capacity, I aim to strengthen my existing relationships and build new ones among courts in the region, while helping to improve access and efficiency in our branch.”
McGrail earned a law degree from Wayne State University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University.
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Office of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointment of Joni Thrower Davis to the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
Davis is the owner and operator of four Metro Detroit McDonald’s restaurants and the managing partner for Jamjomar Inc. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Emory University School of Law. Davis is reappointed to represent Democrats for a term commencing January 4, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2027.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board shall ensure the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of the citizens of the state of Michigan. The Board provides Detroit commercial casinos gaming operations licensing and regulation, licenses and regulates online gaming and sports betting operators, platform providers and suppliers, regulates pari-mutuel horse racing and casino-style charitable gaming, and audits tribal gaming compact agreement compliance.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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Collins Einhorn Farrell PC
Collins Einhorn Farrell PC is pleased to announce that attorney Reine H. Hamdar has joined the firm.
As part of the Professional Liability Team, Hamdar focuses on the defense of professionals across a spectrum of industries including legal, insurance, accounting, architectural, engineering, and real estate. She currently serves a leadership role in the American Bar Association as the Litigation and Trial Practice Committee vice chair of TIPS. Before joining Collins Einhorn, Hamdar was a legal extern for both the Michigan Court of Appeals and the City of Detroit.
Hamdar earned her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She is also bilingual, speaking both English and Arabic.
Collins Einhorn is also pleased to announce that attorney Zeina I. Hamadeh has joined the firm.
Hamadeh focuses her practice on defense litigation for the firm’s General and Automotive Liability practice group. Her practice includes the defense of personal injury, general and automotive liability, and construction defect claims. Hamadeh has experience with all types of automotive and general liability claims through all phases of litigation. Prior to joining Collins Einhorn, she served as in-house counsel at a national insurance carrier.
Hamadeh is bilingual, speaking both English and Arabic.
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Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, P.C.
Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman is pleased to announce that Liza Brooks has been named a shareholder of the firm.
Brooks is based in the firm’s Detroit office and focuses her practice on supply chain operations, health information technology and clinical research compliance. From vendor contracting to distribution, she advises clients on sourcing and procurement strategies that aim to mitigate risks, create efficiencies and reduce operational costs.
Brooks received her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 2013.
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Varnum LLP
Varnum is proud to announce that partner Brendan Best was recently re-appointed to the Board of Directors of the Detroit Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association. He previously served on the board from 2015 to 2021, including as president. He is based in Varnum’s Birmingham office.
Best has more than 20 years of experience representing clients in insolvency-related matters across a wide array of industries. A partner on Varnum’s Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors’ Rights Team, his practice focuses on representing senior secured lenders, debtors, other creditors and other stakeholders in complex Chapter 11 restructurings, out-of-court workouts and insolvency-related transactions and litigation.
Best is routinely recognized by Top Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America® and Super Lawyers®. He is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and is a volunteer attorney for Access to Bankruptcy Court.
Varnum is also pleased to announce the addition of three new associates to its Birmingham office. They are Lindsay Randolph, Margaret Reaume, and Chanel Taylor.
Randolph is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School. She graduated from the University of Michigan.
Reaume graduated from Wayne State University Law School. She graduated from the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business.
Taylor is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She attended Wayne State University for her undergraduate degree.
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Dykema
Dykema recently announced today that its Executive Board elected several new members to the firm effective January 1. Dykema’s local new members, their resident office, and practice descriptions are listed below.
Nina Gavrilovic – Product Liability and Class Action Litigation; Bloomfield Hills
Gavrilovic represents domestic and international clients across a broad range of industries, including automotive, manufacturing, technology, consumer products, and professional services. Her diverse practice focuses on complex litigation involving recall and warranty cost-recovery matters, automotive supplier disputes, product liability cases, premise liability actions, and medical malpractice matters.
Gavrilovic received a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and a B.A. from the University of Michigan.
Brett M. Gelbord – Labor and Employment; Detroit
Gelbord focuses his practice on providing practical and efficient guidance to employers on all manner of workforce-related issues. He provides day-to-day employment counseling and also represents employers in administrative proceedings and lawsuits at both the state and federal levels on issues ranging from claims of employment discrimination and wrongful termination to the enforcement of non-competition agreements and the protection of trade secrets. Gelbord has represented clients in a variety of industries, with a particular focus on the cannabis, automotive, and technology sectors.
Additionally, Gelbord is spearheading Dykema’s work in the emerging psychedelics industry, advising clients on the risks and legality of doing business in the space and advocating for legislative and policy changes.
Gelbord earned a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and B.A.s in English and Anthropology from Queens College, City University of New York.
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Plunkett Cooney
Plunkett Cooney recently named three attorneys as the firm’s newest partners.
Plunkett Cooney’s Board of Directors approved the promotion of Maura B. Battersby, Eric T. Ramar, and Glenn C. Ross to partners of the firm with their changes in status effective on Jan. 1.
A member of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills, Michigan office, Battersby focuses her practice primarily in the area of automobile liability. She represents national and regional insurance providers and their policyholders in first- and third-party automobile negligence matters. She also has experience litigating business, general liability, premises liability, product liability, wrongful death, property, workers’ compensation, and subrogation matters.
A 2009 graduate of Marquette University Law School, Battersby is licensed to practice in the state and federal courts in Michigan and Wisconsin. She is a member of the Michigan and Wisconsin bar associations, the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and the Incorporated Society of Irish American Lawyers. Battersby received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 2006.
Ramar is a member of the firm’s Detroit office who concentrates his practice on the defense of physicians, dentists, chiropractors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, hospitals, urgent care facilities, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and other health care providers in medical malpractice matters. He also represents health care providers in state licensing and regulatory matters.
Ramar is a member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Negligence Law and Litigation sections. He is also active in ALFA International, a global consortium of law firms, serving on the Professional Liability Practice Group Steering Committee and participating in the organization’s International Practice Group and Future Leaders Forum.
A former judicial intern for U.S. District Court Judge Sean Cox, Eastern District of Michigan, Ramar received his law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law in 2013. He received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 2010.
A member of the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, Ross serves as co-leader of Plunkett Cooney’s Business Transactions & Planning Practice Group. He represents clients in business and commercial matters, including mergers and acquisitions and complex financial transactions.
Named a 2020 Rising Star in Real Estate Law by Michigan Super Lawyers magazine, Ross is a member of the State Bar of Michigan. He received his law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 2011 and his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 2005.
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Bodman PLC
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that Alissa B. Kelso has joined the firm as a conflicts attorney and a member of the firm’s loss prevention team.
Based in Bodman’s Detroit office, Kelso helps manage the potential ethical conflict issues presented with new client and business opportunities and lateral hires.
Before joining Bodman, Kelso was in-house compliance counsel to a healthcare services organization where she developed and administered the organization’s compliance program, which included drafting compliance policies, providing regulatory compliance advice, crisis management, and developing and overseeing the compliance training program.
Kelso spent several years in private practice as a litigation attorney representing clients in a variety of industries in complex commercial disputes. She also has experience representing high level executives in antitrust actions and civil and criminal investigations by the Department of Justice and representing public entities and municipalities in condemnation actions.
Kelso is a graduate of Duke University School of Law and received an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.
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Kitch Drutchas Wagner Valitutti & Sherbrook
Tim Brady is currently serving as the president of the Association of Defense Trial Counsel. This is a particularly personal honor for Brady as his father, Edmund M. Brady Jr., was one of the original members of the ADTC and a past president.
Tim Brady is a principal in Kitch’s Detroit office who focuses his practice on third-party automobile liability defense and No-Fault litigation with a particular focus on coordinated/excess medical policies, fraud/SIU matters, trucking liability, and complicated/severe medical injuries by the Plaintiffs. He also has considerable experience with complex litigation including construction, premises and product liability, professional liability, toxic torts, collections and commercial litigation. Brady is also a frequent arbitrator and case evaluator, and has begun facilitating cases.
In addition, Kaitlyn Elias was recently published in the January issue of the Oakland County Bar Association Laches Magazine. Her article examines the issue of federal bankruptcy protection exclusions for cannabis companies.
Elias is an associate principal in the Kitch’s Detroit office. She focuses her practice on real estate, landlord tenant, and commercial litigation, as well as marijuana and industrial hemp and telecommunications and broadband infrastructure. Elias was recognized as One to Watch in Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers in America®. She has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2023.
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Brooks Kushman P.C.
Brooks Kushman is pleased to announce that Amy Leshan and Alena Vackova Marconi have earned a place as the newest shareholders through election of their peers.
Leshan works with clients to develop and implement intellectual property enforcement strategies, online and offline. These strategies include all aspects of brand enforcement from cease-and-desist letters to reporting infringing activity on online marketplaces, Internet Service Providers, and payment processors. Leshan works closely with Customs officials to raise brand awareness to ensure counterfeit goods are seized. When clients need a larger scale approach, she works with them to set up streamlined technical solutions incorporating artificial intelligence and automated procedures.
Marconi focuses her practice on patent drafting, patent prosecution, and patent portfolio management in the U.S. and worldwide. Her background is in chemistry and materials science, which allows Marconi to counsel clients of all sizes in a wide range of industries with focus on green technologies, horticultural applications, environmental remediation products, electrochemical cells, and coatings. Marconi enjoys volunteering in STEAM activities for girls such as organizing and facilitating IP Patch programs for the Girl Scouts of Southeast Michigan.
In addition, Brooks Kushman shareholder Christopher Smith was recently re-appointed as the vice chair of IP Licensing and Related Issues for the Intellectual Property Owner Association (IPO) Patent Licensing Committee for 2024 by the IPO Board.
The Patent Licensing Committee includes several members from across the country who focus on intellectual property licensing and related matters and issues.
As vice chair, Smith will help prepare and promote programming offered by the committee. During previous terms, he participated on panels that examined licensing issues such as: best practices for supplier agreements; issues pertaining to standard essential patents for 5G; and unintended consequences of certain IP licensing provisions/language. Smith has been a member of the IP Licensing Committee for 7 years and has also held the role of secretary in the committee.
Smith concentrates his practice on intellectual property litigation, with a primary emphasis on patent litigation. In addition to litigation, Smith is involved with the preparation of invalidity and infringement opinions and licensing disputes. He has represented clients from Fortune 500 companies to startups and individual inventors in a wide variety of industries and technologies including: (1) automotive, including infotainment; (2) medical devices; (3) internet, including content delivery networks; and (4) telecommunications, including fiber optics.
The State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) has named former court administrator James McGrail as the new Region 6 administrator, effective February 5. In this role, McGrail will serve as SCAO’s liaison to 26 courts (circuit, probate, and district) in Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, and St. Clair counties. For the past seven years, McGrail has served as court administrator/attorney magistrate for the 41B District Court in Clinton Township.
McGrail’s primary responsibilities as Region 6 administrator will include monitoring and providing management assistance to all trial courts within the region, directing the judicial assignment program, mediating funding and policy disputes, investigating complaints, and acting as a resource to judges and court staff as the State Court Administrator’s executive representative to courts in the region. McGrail will also develop and implement plans and goals and directs the personnel and operational activities of the Regional Office.
In his most recent position at 41B District Court, McGrail managed dockets for three judges, supervised more than 40 employees, managed the court budget under three funding units, and more. Prior to working in the court system, McGrail served as the city attorney and assistant city attorney for the City of Utica. In these roles, he represented the City of Utica in all litigation and advised city officials on legal matters. As a private practice attorney for more than 16 years, McGrail performed pre-litigation, litigation, appellate, and criminal defense work. He also served as an adjunct professor at Baker College, where he taught classes in the paralegal program.
“I am excited to bring my proven track record of integrity and innovation to this new role working alongside the trial courts in Region 6,” McGrail said. “In this capacity, I aim to strengthen my existing relationships and build new ones among courts in the region, while helping to improve access and efficiency in our branch.”
McGrail earned a law degree from Wayne State University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University.
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Office of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointment of Joni Thrower Davis to the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
Davis is the owner and operator of four Metro Detroit McDonald’s restaurants and the managing partner for Jamjomar Inc. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Emory University School of Law. Davis is reappointed to represent Democrats for a term commencing January 4, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2027.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board shall ensure the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of the citizens of the state of Michigan. The Board provides Detroit commercial casinos gaming operations licensing and regulation, licenses and regulates online gaming and sports betting operators, platform providers and suppliers, regulates pari-mutuel horse racing and casino-style charitable gaming, and audits tribal gaming compact agreement compliance.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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Collins Einhorn Farrell PC
Collins Einhorn Farrell PC is pleased to announce that attorney Reine H. Hamdar has joined the firm.
As part of the Professional Liability Team, Hamdar focuses on the defense of professionals across a spectrum of industries including legal, insurance, accounting, architectural, engineering, and real estate. She currently serves a leadership role in the American Bar Association as the Litigation and Trial Practice Committee vice chair of TIPS. Before joining Collins Einhorn, Hamdar was a legal extern for both the Michigan Court of Appeals and the City of Detroit.
Hamdar earned her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She is also bilingual, speaking both English and Arabic.
Collins Einhorn is also pleased to announce that attorney Zeina I. Hamadeh has joined the firm.
Hamadeh focuses her practice on defense litigation for the firm’s General and Automotive Liability practice group. Her practice includes the defense of personal injury, general and automotive liability, and construction defect claims. Hamadeh has experience with all types of automotive and general liability claims through all phases of litigation. Prior to joining Collins Einhorn, she served as in-house counsel at a national insurance carrier.
Hamadeh is bilingual, speaking both English and Arabic.
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Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, P.C.
Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman is pleased to announce that Liza Brooks has been named a shareholder of the firm.
Brooks is based in the firm’s Detroit office and focuses her practice on supply chain operations, health information technology and clinical research compliance. From vendor contracting to distribution, she advises clients on sourcing and procurement strategies that aim to mitigate risks, create efficiencies and reduce operational costs.
Brooks received her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 2013.
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Varnum LLP
Varnum is proud to announce that partner Brendan Best was recently re-appointed to the Board of Directors of the Detroit Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association. He previously served on the board from 2015 to 2021, including as president. He is based in Varnum’s Birmingham office.
Best has more than 20 years of experience representing clients in insolvency-related matters across a wide array of industries. A partner on Varnum’s Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors’ Rights Team, his practice focuses on representing senior secured lenders, debtors, other creditors and other stakeholders in complex Chapter 11 restructurings, out-of-court workouts and insolvency-related transactions and litigation.
Best is routinely recognized by Top Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America® and Super Lawyers®. He is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and is a volunteer attorney for Access to Bankruptcy Court.
Varnum is also pleased to announce the addition of three new associates to its Birmingham office. They are Lindsay Randolph, Margaret Reaume, and Chanel Taylor.
Randolph is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School. She graduated from the University of Michigan.
Reaume graduated from Wayne State University Law School. She graduated from the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business.
Taylor is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She attended Wayne State University for her undergraduate degree.
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Dykema
Dykema recently announced today that its Executive Board elected several new members to the firm effective January 1. Dykema’s local new members, their resident office, and practice descriptions are listed below.
Nina Gavrilovic – Product Liability and Class Action Litigation; Bloomfield Hills
Gavrilovic represents domestic and international clients across a broad range of industries, including automotive, manufacturing, technology, consumer products, and professional services. Her diverse practice focuses on complex litigation involving recall and warranty cost-recovery matters, automotive supplier disputes, product liability cases, premise liability actions, and medical malpractice matters.
Gavrilovic received a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and a B.A. from the University of Michigan.
Brett M. Gelbord – Labor and Employment; Detroit
Gelbord focuses his practice on providing practical and efficient guidance to employers on all manner of workforce-related issues. He provides day-to-day employment counseling and also represents employers in administrative proceedings and lawsuits at both the state and federal levels on issues ranging from claims of employment discrimination and wrongful termination to the enforcement of non-competition agreements and the protection of trade secrets. Gelbord has represented clients in a variety of industries, with a particular focus on the cannabis, automotive, and technology sectors.
Additionally, Gelbord is spearheading Dykema’s work in the emerging psychedelics industry, advising clients on the risks and legality of doing business in the space and advocating for legislative and policy changes.
Gelbord earned a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and B.A.s in English and Anthropology from Queens College, City University of New York.
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Plunkett Cooney
Plunkett Cooney recently named three attorneys as the firm’s newest partners.
Plunkett Cooney’s Board of Directors approved the promotion of Maura B. Battersby, Eric T. Ramar, and Glenn C. Ross to partners of the firm with their changes in status effective on Jan. 1.
A member of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills, Michigan office, Battersby focuses her practice primarily in the area of automobile liability. She represents national and regional insurance providers and their policyholders in first- and third-party automobile negligence matters. She also has experience litigating business, general liability, premises liability, product liability, wrongful death, property, workers’ compensation, and subrogation matters.
A 2009 graduate of Marquette University Law School, Battersby is licensed to practice in the state and federal courts in Michigan and Wisconsin. She is a member of the Michigan and Wisconsin bar associations, the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and the Incorporated Society of Irish American Lawyers. Battersby received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 2006.
Ramar is a member of the firm’s Detroit office who concentrates his practice on the defense of physicians, dentists, chiropractors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, hospitals, urgent care facilities, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and other health care providers in medical malpractice matters. He also represents health care providers in state licensing and regulatory matters.
Ramar is a member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Negligence Law and Litigation sections. He is also active in ALFA International, a global consortium of law firms, serving on the Professional Liability Practice Group Steering Committee and participating in the organization’s International Practice Group and Future Leaders Forum.
A former judicial intern for U.S. District Court Judge Sean Cox, Eastern District of Michigan, Ramar received his law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law in 2013. He received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 2010.
A member of the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, Ross serves as co-leader of Plunkett Cooney’s Business Transactions & Planning Practice Group. He represents clients in business and commercial matters, including mergers and acquisitions and complex financial transactions.
Named a 2020 Rising Star in Real Estate Law by Michigan Super Lawyers magazine, Ross is a member of the State Bar of Michigan. He received his law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 2011 and his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 2005.
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Bodman PLC
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that Alissa B. Kelso has joined the firm as a conflicts attorney and a member of the firm’s loss prevention team.
Based in Bodman’s Detroit office, Kelso helps manage the potential ethical conflict issues presented with new client and business opportunities and lateral hires.
Before joining Bodman, Kelso was in-house compliance counsel to a healthcare services organization where she developed and administered the organization’s compliance program, which included drafting compliance policies, providing regulatory compliance advice, crisis management, and developing and overseeing the compliance training program.
Kelso spent several years in private practice as a litigation attorney representing clients in a variety of industries in complex commercial disputes. She also has experience representing high level executives in antitrust actions and civil and criminal investigations by the Department of Justice and representing public entities and municipalities in condemnation actions.
Kelso is a graduate of Duke University School of Law and received an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.
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Kitch Drutchas Wagner Valitutti & Sherbrook
Tim Brady is currently serving as the president of the Association of Defense Trial Counsel. This is a particularly personal honor for Brady as his father, Edmund M. Brady Jr., was one of the original members of the ADTC and a past president.
Tim Brady is a principal in Kitch’s Detroit office who focuses his practice on third-party automobile liability defense and No-Fault litigation with a particular focus on coordinated/excess medical policies, fraud/SIU matters, trucking liability, and complicated/severe medical injuries by the Plaintiffs. He also has considerable experience with complex litigation including construction, premises and product liability, professional liability, toxic torts, collections and commercial litigation. Brady is also a frequent arbitrator and case evaluator, and has begun facilitating cases.
In addition, Kaitlyn Elias was recently published in the January issue of the Oakland County Bar Association Laches Magazine. Her article examines the issue of federal bankruptcy protection exclusions for cannabis companies.
Elias is an associate principal in the Kitch’s Detroit office. She focuses her practice on real estate, landlord tenant, and commercial litigation, as well as marijuana and industrial hemp and telecommunications and broadband infrastructure. Elias was recognized as One to Watch in Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers in America®. She has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2023.
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Brooks Kushman P.C.
Brooks Kushman is pleased to announce that Amy Leshan and Alena Vackova Marconi have earned a place as the newest shareholders through election of their peers.
Leshan works with clients to develop and implement intellectual property enforcement strategies, online and offline. These strategies include all aspects of brand enforcement from cease-and-desist letters to reporting infringing activity on online marketplaces, Internet Service Providers, and payment processors. Leshan works closely with Customs officials to raise brand awareness to ensure counterfeit goods are seized. When clients need a larger scale approach, she works with them to set up streamlined technical solutions incorporating artificial intelligence and automated procedures.
Marconi focuses her practice on patent drafting, patent prosecution, and patent portfolio management in the U.S. and worldwide. Her background is in chemistry and materials science, which allows Marconi to counsel clients of all sizes in a wide range of industries with focus on green technologies, horticultural applications, environmental remediation products, electrochemical cells, and coatings. Marconi enjoys volunteering in STEAM activities for girls such as organizing and facilitating IP Patch programs for the Girl Scouts of Southeast Michigan.
In addition, Brooks Kushman shareholder Christopher Smith was recently re-appointed as the vice chair of IP Licensing and Related Issues for the Intellectual Property Owner Association (IPO) Patent Licensing Committee for 2024 by the IPO Board.
The Patent Licensing Committee includes several members from across the country who focus on intellectual property licensing and related matters and issues.
As vice chair, Smith will help prepare and promote programming offered by the committee. During previous terms, he participated on panels that examined licensing issues such as: best practices for supplier agreements; issues pertaining to standard essential patents for 5G; and unintended consequences of certain IP licensing provisions/language. Smith has been a member of the IP Licensing Committee for 7 years and has also held the role of secretary in the committee.
Smith concentrates his practice on intellectual property litigation, with a primary emphasis on patent litigation. In addition to litigation, Smith is involved with the preparation of invalidity and infringement opinions and licensing disputes. He has represented clients from Fortune 500 companies to startups and individual inventors in a wide variety of industries and technologies including: (1) automotive, including infotainment; (2) medical devices; (3) internet, including content delivery networks; and (4) telecommunications, including fiber optics.
