Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the the appointment of Jamia Davis to the Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council.
Davis is a special counsel for the U.S. Small Business Administration. Over the course of her career, she has also volunteered for the Spark of Hope Gala Fundraising Committee and the D. Augustus Straker Bar Assocation. Davis received her Bachelor of Arts in political science from Michigan State University and her law degree from Cooley Law School.
Davis is reappointed to represent individuals with disabilities for a term commencing January 11, 2024, and expiring on December 31, 2026.
The Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council is charged with developing the state plan as provided in Section 704(a)(2) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC 796c(a)(2). The Council may work with centers for independent living to coordinate services with public and private entities to improve services provided to individuals with disabilities and conduct resource development activities to support the Council and the provision of independent living services by centers for independent living.
This appointment is not subject to advice and consent of the Senate.
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Eftiola Greco and Connor Hoffman have joined Harvey Kruse as associates and will practice in the Troy office.
Greco began her career with the City of Detroit, starting as an assistant corporation counsel and rising to senior policy advisor to the Detroit City Council. During her time with the city, she provided legal guidance to the City Council and litigated matters concerning commercial, municipal, and governmental immunity issues.
Greco is a graduate of Wayne State University (2015) and Michigan State University College of Law (2019).
Hoffman is a graduate of Michigan State University College of Law (2023). He graduated from the State University of New York at Fredonia with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Communication (2017).
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Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce the election of three attorneys as member attorneys in the firm’s Detroit and Troy offices, effective January 1, 2024.
Below are Dickinson Wright’s new member attorneys for 2024:
Myles Baker is a member in the firm’s Detroit office. He practices in the areas of regulatory cannabis, complex business litigation, and labor and employment litigation. His ultimate goal is to utilize his wide range of skills and knowledge to provide effective legal counsel and achieve the best possible outcome for his clients.
He was named to Lawyers of Color 2020 Hot List. He is the chair of the Diversity Committee of the State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyer Section. He is co-chair of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel’s Litigation Section and serves on the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s Young Lawyers and Commercial Litigation Advisory Boards. Baker received his B.A. from Michigan State University and his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.
Emily Burdick is a member in the firm’s Detroit office. Her professional training as a Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Public Accountant in Michigan enables her to bring acute investigative and analytical skills to her work as a commercial litigator and member of tax controversy team. Her client-first strategic mindset incorporates her experience in tax controversy as well as fraud detection and investigation, financial statement analysis, complex data analysis, financial modeling, quantification of economic damages in commercial disputes, and lost profit calculations. Burdick received her B.S. in Accounting from Central Michigan University and her law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.
Brandon Debus is a member in the firm’s Troy office. He focuses his practice on assisting and advising entities and individuals in a wide variety of complex matters including commercial litigation, live music and entertainment, and complex insurance coverage and bad faith actions. He is recognized as a leader in his field by Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch” and Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars. Debus received his B.S. from Central Michigan University and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.
Angelina Delmastro is a member in the firm’s Detroit office. She focuses her practice on labor and employment litigation, including discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour, disability, unemployment insurance benefits, and FMLA matters. She also advises entities and individuals regarding employment matters and regulatory compliance and has experience in negotiating complex severance and settlement agreements on terms advantageous to her clients. She is recognized as a leader in her field by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch,” and Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars. Delmastro received her B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.
Alison Duffy is a member in the firm’s Troy office. She focuses her practice on probate litigation. Previously, she handled civil litigation matters at a Michigan-based personal injury firm, gaining extensive experience in Medicare, Medicaid, and ERISA issues and litigating numerous cases before state and federal court juries. She is recognized as a leader in her field by Best Lawyers in America, Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars, and named an “Up and Coming Lawyer” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Duffy received her B.A. in Journalism from Michigan State University and her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
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Schneiderman & Sherman PC (SSPC) announced the opening of their newest office location in Minnesota, located at 1602 Selby Ave., # 8, St. Paul, MN 55104. The location is set to service the entire State of Minnesota and supports their expanding regional market presence.
The new Minnesota office marks SSPC’s first law office outside of the State of Michigan. Sherman Holdings Group, parent company to SSPC, has experience managing a multi-state footprint as its other subsidiary, Best Homes Title Agency (BHT) has 9 offices and is licensed in 13 states.
“The opening of SSPC’s second state operation was in the planning stages pre-pandemic. We are so excited that our vision has come to fruition and are so appreciative of our supportive clients through this process,” said SSPC President, Neil Sherman.
The new St. Paul office is fully operational as of November 1, 2023.
“We are thrilled about this next chapter in our firm’s story. The St. Paul location will allow the firm to provide additional legal services to our expanding client base, supported by our 30 years of history in the non-judicial, default legal services space,” said Operations Manager Renee O’Donnell.
SSPC is a full-service real estate law firm founded in 1996 and headquartered in Farmington Hills. SSPC is a member of the USFN, Legal League and ALFN and a long-standing advocate for the mortgage servicing community.
• • •
The shareholders of Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC have elected Michael A. Cassar a shareholder as the firm enters 2024. Cassar has both been with Foster Swift since 2016 when he participated in the firm’s Summer Associate program.
Cassar practices in both the firm’s Lansing and Southfield offices as a member of the firm’s Workers’ Compensation practice group, focusing on representing employers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators. He has experience advising clients on various employment law issues and has a growing interest in Name Image & Likness (NIL) Law.
• • •
Taft partner Jon Sriro will serve as a panelist at the “Outsmart Chaos” – Cyber Security for Business Panel / Breakfast with Auxiom on Jan. 23. Cyber experts will
discuss what C-Level executives should know about cyber security and provide insights on how business leaders can protect their companies from the negative outcomes caused by a cyber incident.
Sriro represents companies in technology transactions and data privacy and data security matters. He has experience counseling clients on a wide range of privacy, cybersecurity, and information management issues in the context of vendor/vendee agreements, data and data security issues related to mergers and acquisitions, compliance, business strategy, technology transactions, litigation, incident response preparation, insurance, data breach/incident, and regulatory compliance issues.
Sriro is a Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US) with the International Association of Privacy Professionals.
• • •
Howard & Howard is pleased to announce Brett G. Garwood as the firm’s newest shareholder.
Garwood practices with the firm’s Business & Corporate group, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, in addition to real estate transactions and corporate governance matters. He advises and supports clients through all stages of business transactions and develops strategic solutions to solve clients’ diverse needs.
Garwood earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School. Prior to that, he earned his B.A. in Business from Kalamazoo College. Garwood has been with Howard & Howard since 2019.
• • •
John Clark, chairman of the Municipal Law Section at Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, was invited to teach at Oakland University. He will instruct students in The Master of Public Administration Program, focusing on Public Sector Labor and Employee Relations.
This course delves into advanced practices related to managing and facilitating productive labor/management relationships in Michigan’s public sector. It specifically addresses the responsibilities of public sector supervisors/managers handling labor and employee relations in a unionized workforce.
Clark specializes in labor and employment law, serving clients in both the public and private sectors since 1995. Additionally, he is a certified employment arbitrator through the American Arbitration Association, overseeing complex employment matters for both public and private sector claimants.
With experience in labor and employment law, including contract negotiations, arbitrations, and handling various legal proceedings, Clark has authored papers and presented on labor and employment topics. He has also addressed the intricate processes surrounding the appointment of emergency managers.
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To submit an announcement for the next Legal People section, e-mail: editor@legalnews.com
Davis is a special counsel for the U.S. Small Business Administration. Over the course of her career, she has also volunteered for the Spark of Hope Gala Fundraising Committee and the D. Augustus Straker Bar Assocation. Davis received her Bachelor of Arts in political science from Michigan State University and her law degree from Cooley Law School.
Davis is reappointed to represent individuals with disabilities for a term commencing January 11, 2024, and expiring on December 31, 2026.
The Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council is charged with developing the state plan as provided in Section 704(a)(2) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC 796c(a)(2). The Council may work with centers for independent living to coordinate services with public and private entities to improve services provided to individuals with disabilities and conduct resource development activities to support the Council and the provision of independent living services by centers for independent living.
This appointment is not subject to advice and consent of the Senate.
• • •
Eftiola Greco and Connor Hoffman have joined Harvey Kruse as associates and will practice in the Troy office.
Greco began her career with the City of Detroit, starting as an assistant corporation counsel and rising to senior policy advisor to the Detroit City Council. During her time with the city, she provided legal guidance to the City Council and litigated matters concerning commercial, municipal, and governmental immunity issues.
Greco is a graduate of Wayne State University (2015) and Michigan State University College of Law (2019).
Hoffman is a graduate of Michigan State University College of Law (2023). He graduated from the State University of New York at Fredonia with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Communication (2017).
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce the election of three attorneys as member attorneys in the firm’s Detroit and Troy offices, effective January 1, 2024.
Below are Dickinson Wright’s new member attorneys for 2024:
Myles Baker is a member in the firm’s Detroit office. He practices in the areas of regulatory cannabis, complex business litigation, and labor and employment litigation. His ultimate goal is to utilize his wide range of skills and knowledge to provide effective legal counsel and achieve the best possible outcome for his clients.
He was named to Lawyers of Color 2020 Hot List. He is the chair of the Diversity Committee of the State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyer Section. He is co-chair of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel’s Litigation Section and serves on the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s Young Lawyers and Commercial Litigation Advisory Boards. Baker received his B.A. from Michigan State University and his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.
Emily Burdick is a member in the firm’s Detroit office. Her professional training as a Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Public Accountant in Michigan enables her to bring acute investigative and analytical skills to her work as a commercial litigator and member of tax controversy team. Her client-first strategic mindset incorporates her experience in tax controversy as well as fraud detection and investigation, financial statement analysis, complex data analysis, financial modeling, quantification of economic damages in commercial disputes, and lost profit calculations. Burdick received her B.S. in Accounting from Central Michigan University and her law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.
Brandon Debus is a member in the firm’s Troy office. He focuses his practice on assisting and advising entities and individuals in a wide variety of complex matters including commercial litigation, live music and entertainment, and complex insurance coverage and bad faith actions. He is recognized as a leader in his field by Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch” and Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars. Debus received his B.S. from Central Michigan University and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.
Angelina Delmastro is a member in the firm’s Detroit office. She focuses her practice on labor and employment litigation, including discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour, disability, unemployment insurance benefits, and FMLA matters. She also advises entities and individuals regarding employment matters and regulatory compliance and has experience in negotiating complex severance and settlement agreements on terms advantageous to her clients. She is recognized as a leader in her field by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch,” and Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars. Delmastro received her B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.
Alison Duffy is a member in the firm’s Troy office. She focuses her practice on probate litigation. Previously, she handled civil litigation matters at a Michigan-based personal injury firm, gaining extensive experience in Medicare, Medicaid, and ERISA issues and litigating numerous cases before state and federal court juries. She is recognized as a leader in her field by Best Lawyers in America, Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars, and named an “Up and Coming Lawyer” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Duffy received her B.A. in Journalism from Michigan State University and her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
• • •
Schneiderman & Sherman PC (SSPC) announced the opening of their newest office location in Minnesota, located at 1602 Selby Ave., # 8, St. Paul, MN 55104. The location is set to service the entire State of Minnesota and supports their expanding regional market presence.
The new Minnesota office marks SSPC’s first law office outside of the State of Michigan. Sherman Holdings Group, parent company to SSPC, has experience managing a multi-state footprint as its other subsidiary, Best Homes Title Agency (BHT) has 9 offices and is licensed in 13 states.
“The opening of SSPC’s second state operation was in the planning stages pre-pandemic. We are so excited that our vision has come to fruition and are so appreciative of our supportive clients through this process,” said SSPC President, Neil Sherman.
The new St. Paul office is fully operational as of November 1, 2023.
“We are thrilled about this next chapter in our firm’s story. The St. Paul location will allow the firm to provide additional legal services to our expanding client base, supported by our 30 years of history in the non-judicial, default legal services space,” said Operations Manager Renee O’Donnell.
SSPC is a full-service real estate law firm founded in 1996 and headquartered in Farmington Hills. SSPC is a member of the USFN, Legal League and ALFN and a long-standing advocate for the mortgage servicing community.
• • •
The shareholders of Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC have elected Michael A. Cassar a shareholder as the firm enters 2024. Cassar has both been with Foster Swift since 2016 when he participated in the firm’s Summer Associate program.
Cassar practices in both the firm’s Lansing and Southfield offices as a member of the firm’s Workers’ Compensation practice group, focusing on representing employers, insurance carriers, and third-party administrators. He has experience advising clients on various employment law issues and has a growing interest in Name Image & Likness (NIL) Law.
• • •
Taft partner Jon Sriro will serve as a panelist at the “Outsmart Chaos” – Cyber Security for Business Panel / Breakfast with Auxiom on Jan. 23. Cyber experts will
discuss what C-Level executives should know about cyber security and provide insights on how business leaders can protect their companies from the negative outcomes caused by a cyber incident.
Sriro represents companies in technology transactions and data privacy and data security matters. He has experience counseling clients on a wide range of privacy, cybersecurity, and information management issues in the context of vendor/vendee agreements, data and data security issues related to mergers and acquisitions, compliance, business strategy, technology transactions, litigation, incident response preparation, insurance, data breach/incident, and regulatory compliance issues.
Sriro is a Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US) with the International Association of Privacy Professionals.
• • •
Howard & Howard is pleased to announce Brett G. Garwood as the firm’s newest shareholder.
Garwood practices with the firm’s Business & Corporate group, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, in addition to real estate transactions and corporate governance matters. He advises and supports clients through all stages of business transactions and develops strategic solutions to solve clients’ diverse needs.
Garwood earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School. Prior to that, he earned his B.A. in Business from Kalamazoo College. Garwood has been with Howard & Howard since 2019.
• • •
John Clark, chairman of the Municipal Law Section at Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, was invited to teach at Oakland University. He will instruct students in The Master of Public Administration Program, focusing on Public Sector Labor and Employee Relations.
This course delves into advanced practices related to managing and facilitating productive labor/management relationships in Michigan’s public sector. It specifically addresses the responsibilities of public sector supervisors/managers handling labor and employee relations in a unionized workforce.
Clark specializes in labor and employment law, serving clients in both the public and private sectors since 1995. Additionally, he is a certified employment arbitrator through the American Arbitration Association, overseeing complex employment matters for both public and private sector claimants.
With experience in labor and employment law, including contract negotiations, arbitrations, and handling various legal proceedings, Clark has authored papers and presented on labor and employment topics. He has also addressed the intricate processes surrounding the appointment of emergency managers.
————————
To submit an announcement for the next Legal People section, e-mail: editor@legalnews.com
