On June 28, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointment of Robert Chiaravalli to the Michigan Employment Relations Commission.
Chiaravalli is a practicing labor and employment attorney. He is also president of Strategic Labor and Human Resources that he has operated for almost 25 years. He is a recognized expert in labor relations, combining experience in union and non-union environments, in addition to experience in large businesses and government. Chiaravalli received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, a Master of Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, and his law degree from Suffolk University Law School. Chiaravalli is reappointed to represent independents for a term commencing June 28, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2027.
The Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) resolves labor disputes involving public and private sector employees by appointing mediators, arbitrators, and fact finders, conducting union representation elections, determining appropriate bargaining units, and adjudicating unfair labor practice cases. The Commission, supported by the staff of the Bureau of Employment Relations, administers The Public Employment Relations Act (PERA), The Labor Relations and Mediation Act (LMA), and The Compulsory Arbitration Act (312).
In addition, Whitmer appointed Natalie King to the Michigan Early-Stage Venture Investment Corporation Board of Directors.
King is the founder and CEO of Dunamis Clean Energy Partners LLC and Dunamis Charge. King received a Bachelor of Arts in English language and literature from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. King is appointed to represent the nominee of the Speaker of the House for a term commencing June 28, 2024, and expiring June 13, 2026. King succeeds Scott Idle whose term has expired.
The Michigan Early Stage Venture Investment Corporation Board of Directors works to promote a healthy economic climate by fostering job creation, retention, and expansion through the promotion of investment in venture capital businesses specializing in early stage and seed investments. The Venture Michigan Fund invests only in venture capital companies that have a significant presence in Michigan and focuses on companies that will invest in Michigan-based, start-up companies that are engaged in research, technology, and new product development.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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The Michigan State Bar Foundation has announced its 2024 award recipients.
Reginald M. Turner, member emeritus at Clark Hill, is receiving the Founders Award, which recognizes a lawyer who exemplifies professional excellence and outstanding commitment to serving the community. Wendy W. Richards, principal, and pro bono counsel at Miller Canfield, is receiving the Access to Justice Award, which honors an individual who significantly advances access to justice for low-income individuals in Michigan.
Turner is an accomplished litigator and government affairs advocate. With a career spanning more than 30 years, he has consistently exemplified professional excellence and outstanding contributions. Turner is passionate about access to justice and diversity and inclusion.
Once describing himself as a “serial volunteer,” Turner has a list of civic, community and cultural involvement. Turner served as the president of the American Bar Association from 2021-2022 and president of the State Bar of Michigan from 2002-2003. Turner served as a White House Fellow under President Bill Clinton. From 2000-2003, Turner represented Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer on the Detroit Board of Education. In 2003, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Turner to the Michigan State Board of Education, and he won a state election for a full term in 2006. Turner also served on several boards, including Comerica, Hudson-Webber Foundation, Detroit Institute of Arts, and Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.
Turner is a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and the American Bar Foundation. Turner also provided leadership to the development of the Access to Justice Campaign.
Richards has advanced access to justice through her skilled advocacy efforts and pro bono. In her role as Miller Canfield’s pro bono counsel, she leads the firm’s nationally recognized pro bono program. In addition, her career as a commercial litigator includes working on class actions and other complex matters. Richards has led work involving high-impact immigration litigation matters, community development projects, and entrepreneurship opportunities for individuals living in disadvantaged communities. Richards also has pro bono experience related to voting rights.
Richards is a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and serves as a member of the Access to Justice Campaign Steering Committee and the Statewide Fundraising Committee.
The Michigan State Bar Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization, established in 1947 and provides leadership and grants to improve access for all to the justice system, including support for civil legal aid to the poor, law-related education, and conflict resolution. The Foundation administers the Access to Justice Campaign. Additional information about the Foundation can be found at www.msbf.org.
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Plunkett Cooney attorney Jeffrey Schroder was recently named by Michigan Lawyers Weekly to its 2024 list of Go To Lawyers for Cannabis Law in Michigan.
“Working in the state’s cannabis industry has been very interesting. In many ways, I’ve been a part of the industry’s evolution, which of course, comes with a lot of legal and regulatory challenges,” said Schroder, who helped co-found Plunkett Cooney’s Cannabis Industry Group. “We represent cannabis clients across the state who are working hard every day to ensure their own profitability and the industry’s long-term viability.”
A former Michigan assistant attorney general and assistant city attorney in Warren, Schroder provides a blend of expertise to clients seeking to secure and renew cannabis business licenses, to purchase land and facilities for operations and to remain compliant with the state’s complex regulatory requirements.
Schroder is also called upon for counsel and advice by municipalities throughout the state that are considering whether to opt-in on allowing recreational cannabis businesses to operate within their jurisdictions. He has additional expertise assisting with the preparation of ballot proposals by groups seeking to prompt local officials to allow recreational cannabis businesses to operate within their communities, and he works alongside public officials to create cannabis business licensing processes, procedures and regulatory frameworks in compliance with state requirements.
• • •
Foley, Baron, Metzger, & Juip PLLC is pleased to announce that Nicholas Tatro, a partner of the firm, has been named one of 17 “Go to Lawyers” for Cannabis law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Tatro represents clients in the cannabis industry, as well as clients in broader industries in connection with environmental, toxic tort, mass tort and products liability litigation, permitting and compliance with environmental regulations, and defending against alleged violations of environmental regulations. He also has experience in real property litigation, injury law and default servicing litigation.
• • •
Kevin Washburn, the chair of McDonald Hopkins’ Cannabis and Psychedelics Practice Group, was chosen by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a “Go-To Lawyer for Cannabis Law.”
Washburn has more than 20 years of industry-agnostic experience in capital markets and mergers and acquisitions leading both buyers and sellers through the entire transactional process and advising on the multitude of legal issues that can arise along the way. He assists clients in a broad range of matters from formation and governance to licensing and strategic partnerships to compliance and IP protection.
Washburn was one of the first attorneys in Michigan to work in the cannabis field when medical marijuana was legalized in 2008. Since then, he has continued to be a highly sought-after cannabis attorney, working in nearly every state that has legalized and helping numerous entities from formation, to capital raising rounds, to debt financing and through multi-state expansion.
• • •
Alexander Leonowicz of Howard & Howard Attorneys, has been named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly “Michigan’s Go to Lawyers” for cannabis law 2024.
For nearly a decade, Leonowicz has worked in the cannabis industry, counseling clients through every stage of business. In 2019, he joined a Michigan-based cannabis company as general counsel and chief operating officer. For five years, Leonowicz was hands-on with the daily business matters in addition to large-scale projects. He was responsible for the formation and governance of over 10 entities across multiple states, obtained and maintained licenses across three different states, drafted and negotiated acquisition of retail and cultivation facilities in multiple jurisdictions, and more. Additionally, he helped grow the business from four employees to over 200, developed key business roles and expectations, and collaborated with the CFO to reduce bottom line expenses.
As a corporate attorney with Howard & Howard, Leonowicz continues to focus his practice on cannabis assisting companies and ancillary service provides working in and around the ever-evolving industry.
Most recently, he has focused his efforts on the rescheduling of cannabis and the related legislation that would impact financial institutions lending and banking cannabis companies.
• • •
Giarmarco, Mullins, & Horton PC is pleased to announce that Sean L. Parent has joined the firm as an associate in the Business Litigation Group.
Parent’s professional background includes experience in insurance defense, where he excelled in reviewing and summarizing medical records and managing discovery processes. His previous work at a general practice firm aided his diverse legal experience in estate planning, probate and trust administration, general civil and business litigation, and corporate transactional work.
Parent is admitted to practice in all Michigan courts, the United States District Court and Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
Parent graduated from Cooley Law School in 2022.
Chiaravalli is a practicing labor and employment attorney. He is also president of Strategic Labor and Human Resources that he has operated for almost 25 years. He is a recognized expert in labor relations, combining experience in union and non-union environments, in addition to experience in large businesses and government. Chiaravalli received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, a Master of Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, and his law degree from Suffolk University Law School. Chiaravalli is reappointed to represent independents for a term commencing June 28, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2027.
The Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) resolves labor disputes involving public and private sector employees by appointing mediators, arbitrators, and fact finders, conducting union representation elections, determining appropriate bargaining units, and adjudicating unfair labor practice cases. The Commission, supported by the staff of the Bureau of Employment Relations, administers The Public Employment Relations Act (PERA), The Labor Relations and Mediation Act (LMA), and The Compulsory Arbitration Act (312).
In addition, Whitmer appointed Natalie King to the Michigan Early-Stage Venture Investment Corporation Board of Directors.
King is the founder and CEO of Dunamis Clean Energy Partners LLC and Dunamis Charge. King received a Bachelor of Arts in English language and literature from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. King is appointed to represent the nominee of the Speaker of the House for a term commencing June 28, 2024, and expiring June 13, 2026. King succeeds Scott Idle whose term has expired.
The Michigan Early Stage Venture Investment Corporation Board of Directors works to promote a healthy economic climate by fostering job creation, retention, and expansion through the promotion of investment in venture capital businesses specializing in early stage and seed investments. The Venture Michigan Fund invests only in venture capital companies that have a significant presence in Michigan and focuses on companies that will invest in Michigan-based, start-up companies that are engaged in research, technology, and new product development.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
• • •
The Michigan State Bar Foundation has announced its 2024 award recipients.
Reginald M. Turner, member emeritus at Clark Hill, is receiving the Founders Award, which recognizes a lawyer who exemplifies professional excellence and outstanding commitment to serving the community. Wendy W. Richards, principal, and pro bono counsel at Miller Canfield, is receiving the Access to Justice Award, which honors an individual who significantly advances access to justice for low-income individuals in Michigan.
Turner is an accomplished litigator and government affairs advocate. With a career spanning more than 30 years, he has consistently exemplified professional excellence and outstanding contributions. Turner is passionate about access to justice and diversity and inclusion.
Once describing himself as a “serial volunteer,” Turner has a list of civic, community and cultural involvement. Turner served as the president of the American Bar Association from 2021-2022 and president of the State Bar of Michigan from 2002-2003. Turner served as a White House Fellow under President Bill Clinton. From 2000-2003, Turner represented Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer on the Detroit Board of Education. In 2003, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Turner to the Michigan State Board of Education, and he won a state election for a full term in 2006. Turner also served on several boards, including Comerica, Hudson-Webber Foundation, Detroit Institute of Arts, and Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.
Turner is a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and the American Bar Foundation. Turner also provided leadership to the development of the Access to Justice Campaign.
Richards has advanced access to justice through her skilled advocacy efforts and pro bono. In her role as Miller Canfield’s pro bono counsel, she leads the firm’s nationally recognized pro bono program. In addition, her career as a commercial litigator includes working on class actions and other complex matters. Richards has led work involving high-impact immigration litigation matters, community development projects, and entrepreneurship opportunities for individuals living in disadvantaged communities. Richards also has pro bono experience related to voting rights.
Richards is a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and serves as a member of the Access to Justice Campaign Steering Committee and the Statewide Fundraising Committee.
The Michigan State Bar Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization, established in 1947 and provides leadership and grants to improve access for all to the justice system, including support for civil legal aid to the poor, law-related education, and conflict resolution. The Foundation administers the Access to Justice Campaign. Additional information about the Foundation can be found at www.msbf.org.
• • •
Plunkett Cooney attorney Jeffrey Schroder was recently named by Michigan Lawyers Weekly to its 2024 list of Go To Lawyers for Cannabis Law in Michigan.
“Working in the state’s cannabis industry has been very interesting. In many ways, I’ve been a part of the industry’s evolution, which of course, comes with a lot of legal and regulatory challenges,” said Schroder, who helped co-found Plunkett Cooney’s Cannabis Industry Group. “We represent cannabis clients across the state who are working hard every day to ensure their own profitability and the industry’s long-term viability.”
A former Michigan assistant attorney general and assistant city attorney in Warren, Schroder provides a blend of expertise to clients seeking to secure and renew cannabis business licenses, to purchase land and facilities for operations and to remain compliant with the state’s complex regulatory requirements.
Schroder is also called upon for counsel and advice by municipalities throughout the state that are considering whether to opt-in on allowing recreational cannabis businesses to operate within their jurisdictions. He has additional expertise assisting with the preparation of ballot proposals by groups seeking to prompt local officials to allow recreational cannabis businesses to operate within their communities, and he works alongside public officials to create cannabis business licensing processes, procedures and regulatory frameworks in compliance with state requirements.
• • •
Foley, Baron, Metzger, & Juip PLLC is pleased to announce that Nicholas Tatro, a partner of the firm, has been named one of 17 “Go to Lawyers” for Cannabis law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Tatro represents clients in the cannabis industry, as well as clients in broader industries in connection with environmental, toxic tort, mass tort and products liability litigation, permitting and compliance with environmental regulations, and defending against alleged violations of environmental regulations. He also has experience in real property litigation, injury law and default servicing litigation.
• • •
Kevin Washburn, the chair of McDonald Hopkins’ Cannabis and Psychedelics Practice Group, was chosen by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a “Go-To Lawyer for Cannabis Law.”
Washburn has more than 20 years of industry-agnostic experience in capital markets and mergers and acquisitions leading both buyers and sellers through the entire transactional process and advising on the multitude of legal issues that can arise along the way. He assists clients in a broad range of matters from formation and governance to licensing and strategic partnerships to compliance and IP protection.
Washburn was one of the first attorneys in Michigan to work in the cannabis field when medical marijuana was legalized in 2008. Since then, he has continued to be a highly sought-after cannabis attorney, working in nearly every state that has legalized and helping numerous entities from formation, to capital raising rounds, to debt financing and through multi-state expansion.
• • •
Alexander Leonowicz of Howard & Howard Attorneys, has been named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly “Michigan’s Go to Lawyers” for cannabis law 2024.
For nearly a decade, Leonowicz has worked in the cannabis industry, counseling clients through every stage of business. In 2019, he joined a Michigan-based cannabis company as general counsel and chief operating officer. For five years, Leonowicz was hands-on with the daily business matters in addition to large-scale projects. He was responsible for the formation and governance of over 10 entities across multiple states, obtained and maintained licenses across three different states, drafted and negotiated acquisition of retail and cultivation facilities in multiple jurisdictions, and more. Additionally, he helped grow the business from four employees to over 200, developed key business roles and expectations, and collaborated with the CFO to reduce bottom line expenses.
As a corporate attorney with Howard & Howard, Leonowicz continues to focus his practice on cannabis assisting companies and ancillary service provides working in and around the ever-evolving industry.
Most recently, he has focused his efforts on the rescheduling of cannabis and the related legislation that would impact financial institutions lending and banking cannabis companies.
• • •
Giarmarco, Mullins, & Horton PC is pleased to announce that Sean L. Parent has joined the firm as an associate in the Business Litigation Group.
Parent’s professional background includes experience in insurance defense, where he excelled in reviewing and summarizing medical records and managing discovery processes. His previous work at a general practice firm aided his diverse legal experience in estate planning, probate and trust administration, general civil and business litigation, and corporate transactional work.
Parent is admitted to practice in all Michigan courts, the United States District Court and Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
Parent graduated from Cooley Law School in 2022.
