Plunkett Cooney
Attorney Jamerika Ramsey recently joined Plunkett Cooney as a member of its Torts & Litigation Practice Group.
A member of the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, Ramsey maintains a litigation defense practice that includes premises liability, transportation liability, and governmental law claims.
Ramsey represents clients through their insurance carriers in slip, trip and fall claims, first- and third-party auto negligence litigation, and labor and employment law matters. She also represents municipalities in police liability claims involving alleged assault and battery, excessive force, search and seizure, and vicarious liability.
A member of the State Bar of Michigan, Ramsey graduated from Wayne State University Law School in 2023. She earned her undergraduate degree from Bethune-Cookman University in 2020.
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Office of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Attorney Marc Rehmann will be transitioning to a new advisor role in the executive office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, where he will lead the administration’s efforts on key issues, including economic development and the state budget.
Rehmann joined the Executive Office of the Governor in 2021 as the policy director. Before joining the administration, he served as the deputy chief of staff to U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO), a senior campaign manager at the Center for American Progress, and a legislative aide to U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas).
Rehmann received both his law degree and undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 2012 and 2006, respectively.
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BSP?Law
BSP Law congratulates Member Roger P. Meyers for being named president-elect of the Detroit Bar Association. He will serve in this position for the 2024-2025 term.
Meyers leads the firm’s complex business and commercial litigation practice and serves as the firm’s general counsel. He handles disputes involving business ownership and governance, mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracts, fraud and fiduciary duties, securities, health care, employee mobility and unfair competition, and trade secrets. He also has experience in appeals, arbitrations, class actions, and internal investigations, and has tried or arbitrated several disputes to final judgment. In addition to handling major business and governance disputes across industries, Meyers has a background in the health care, private equity and financial services, and technology / telecommunications industries.
BSP Law is also proud to congratulate Member Derek J. Linkous for his inclusion in Benchmark Litigation’s 9th edition of 40 & Under.
Linkous focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation and leads BSP Law’s embedded appellate counsel practice. He frequently represents manufacturers in state and federal courts throughout the country, assisting with presenting the most persuasive legal arguments and preserving the record. He has experience with a range of business litigation, including class actions, contract disputes, environmental issues, and product liability.
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Fishman Stewart PLLC
Ranked by Managing IP as leaders in their firm and jurisdictions, intellectual property law firm Fishman Stewart PLLC is pleased to announce that four firm attorneys have been named 2024 IP Stars. Recognized on the annual list are: co-founding member and managing partner Michael Fishman – Trademark Star; co-founding member and managing partner Michael B. Stewart – Patent Star; partner John Guenther – Patent Star and Trademark Star; and partner Michelle Visser – Copyright Star and Trademark Star.
IP STARS is an annual publication based on a six-month research project, starting in September each year. The research covers a variety of IP practice areas and more than 70 jurisdictions. Rankings are based on a weighted review of information submitted by firms, publicly available information, and market feedback. IP Stars is not a compilation of all firms and individuals offering IP services, and participation in the research does not guarantee a ranking.
The attorneys crowned IP Stars are senior practitioners who serve as partners or the equivalent in their firms. Upon selection, at least one practice area rating is designated to each individual to reflect a main area of expertise.
In addition to its IP Stars, Fishman Stewart received an overall firm rating of highly recommended once again in the area of Trademarks in 2024.
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Dykema
Dykema is proud to share that Sherrie Farrell, Dykema’s chief diversity officer, and Laura Baucus, director of the firm’s Automotive Industry Group, each participated in the Diversity Lab’s “Moments to Movements Hackathon” held on July 11 at NYU School of Law. Both Farrell’s and Baucus’ respective teams received formal recognition from Diversity Lab for their innovative ideas.
The Hackathon brought together more than 100 leaders from law firms and corporate legal departments to address critical challenges in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) within the legal profession.
Farrell and Baucus, along with other leaders, worked in small teams from March to July 2024 to collaborate, ideate, and offer sustainable and scalable solutions to the following Hackathon challenges:
• Community — How can we defend and fortify DEI across the profession and in each organization to withstand downturns, leadership changes, anti-DEI rhetoric, and other headwinds?
• Inclusive Talent Systems — How can we improve workplace practices and processes to ensure fair and equal access to high-quality work, sponsors, and business/clients to level the playing field for all talent, including historically underrepresented lawyers?
Baucus participated on the Bias Busters team, which was listed as a Top Winner and secured second place with its innovative solution, “Inclusion Hub,” a work allocation app designed to ensure equitable distribution of assignments among attorneys. This proposal was recognized for its potential to significantly impact the legal profession.
“It was an honor to participate in the 2024 Hackathon and work with such a dedicated and talented team,” said Baucus. “Our work allocation app addresses a crucial need for fairness in assigning work, and I am thrilled that our proposal was recognized. This experience helped to reinforce my commitment to advancing DE&I in the legal field. It is my hope that it may inspire the same in others.”
Farrell served as the DEI advisor for the Inclusion Superstars team, whose pitch was recognized as an Honorable Mention, was highly praised by the judges, and is set to be implemented by Diversity Lab. The group’s proposal is a credential program that leverages gamification to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion amongst legal professionals.
“I was extremely honored to join the Hackathon as one of 10 DEI experts,” said Farrell. “The energy, initiatives, and ideas that each of the teams brought to the Hackathon were impactful. I’m proud that some of the ideas my team brought to the Hackathon will be put into action.”
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Clark Hill PLC
At its firmwide retreat in July in Las Vegas, Clark Hill announced the recipients of its internal distinctions for 2024. Among the honorees was Linda Watson, Executive Committee member, co-leader of the global litigation practice, and chair of the Automotive and Manufacturing Industry group, was named Mentor of the Year.
Watson, of the firm’s Birmingham office, represents businesses and public corporations in business and commercial litigation, supply chain matters, contractual actions, property issues, and copyright and trademark law. She was also the first woman elected to Clark Hill’s executive committee, leads the firm’s DEI initiatives, and has co-chaired Clark Hill BOLD, which champions the professional growth and promotion of women in the firm.
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Brooks Kushman P.C.
Brooks Kushman is pleased to announce that Shareholder Abha Fadipe was asked to serve as a Council member on the State Bar of Michigan Intellectual Property Law Section Board. Brooks Kushman has had the privilege of being involved with the State Bar or Michigan Intellectual Property Law Section for many years, with many of its attorneys serving in leadership roles over the years.
In her role as Council member, Fadipe will work with the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) to organize and host continued legal education seminars in IP.
Fadipe focuses her practice on domestic and foreign patent preparation and patent prosecution in electrical and computer technologies. She is experienced in a variety of technology areas including thermal systems, 5G-antenna systems, electric drive systems, electric power systems, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Fadipe has experience in consulting with international counsel, especially in Japan, China, Germany, and across Europe, on how to respond to actions by foreign patent offices to provide a comprehensive international portfolio. Prior to entering the legal profession, she was a product engineer for more than three years at a tier-1 automotive supplier.
Fadipe earned a law degree from Wayne State University Law School as well as a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from WSU.
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Butzel
Butzel continues to grow its Michigan footprint while doubling down on its commitment to the state and region. The firm recently relocated its Ann Arbor office to a larger space at 101 North Main Street, Suite 200.
“Our new Ann Arbor location confirms our commitment to the City of Ann Arbor and the State of Michigan. This new office is in the center of downtown, provides us additional room to continue to grow and add excellent new attorneys, all while providing our attorneys with a state-of-the-art space with all of the amenities a modern office can provide,” said Paul Mersino, Butzel president and CEO. “It offers a premier work environment for collaborating with colleagues and further facilitates our single-minded focus on providing excellent service to meet our clients’ needs. And it does so in a city where we have a long history of providing a full-service legal option to the universities, hospitals, tech startup and venture capital community, and countless other companies to whom we’ve proven our abilities.”
Butzel’s new office reflects function, flexibility, and culture. Collaborative spaces will allow employees enhanced flexibility and functionality to work from different areas. The office is centrally located across from and within walking distance to the state and federal courts.
Individual offices are a focal point of Butzel’s office updates that have occurred in the past couple of years. Offices are identically equipped and furnished to enable plug-and-play use both for those with assigned offices and for visiting attorneys. The office is bright, filled with light, and promotes a sense of community while still offering individual, quiet office space. Butzel also has remote options for attorneys and staff.
“Butzel’s vision as a law firm of the future is reflected in every detail of our office transformation,” said Claudia Rast, Butzel attorney and office managing shareholder of the firm’s Ann Arbor office. “We are enjoying our beautiful new office space and look forward to welcoming clients to our new home in downtown Ann Arbor.”
Attorney Jamerika Ramsey recently joined Plunkett Cooney as a member of its Torts & Litigation Practice Group.
A member of the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, Ramsey maintains a litigation defense practice that includes premises liability, transportation liability, and governmental law claims.
Ramsey represents clients through their insurance carriers in slip, trip and fall claims, first- and third-party auto negligence litigation, and labor and employment law matters. She also represents municipalities in police liability claims involving alleged assault and battery, excessive force, search and seizure, and vicarious liability.
A member of the State Bar of Michigan, Ramsey graduated from Wayne State University Law School in 2023. She earned her undergraduate degree from Bethune-Cookman University in 2020.
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Office of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Attorney Marc Rehmann will be transitioning to a new advisor role in the executive office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, where he will lead the administration’s efforts on key issues, including economic development and the state budget.
Rehmann joined the Executive Office of the Governor in 2021 as the policy director. Before joining the administration, he served as the deputy chief of staff to U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO), a senior campaign manager at the Center for American Progress, and a legislative aide to U.S. Representative Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas).
Rehmann received both his law degree and undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 2012 and 2006, respectively.
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BSP?Law
BSP Law congratulates Member Roger P. Meyers for being named president-elect of the Detroit Bar Association. He will serve in this position for the 2024-2025 term.
Meyers leads the firm’s complex business and commercial litigation practice and serves as the firm’s general counsel. He handles disputes involving business ownership and governance, mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracts, fraud and fiduciary duties, securities, health care, employee mobility and unfair competition, and trade secrets. He also has experience in appeals, arbitrations, class actions, and internal investigations, and has tried or arbitrated several disputes to final judgment. In addition to handling major business and governance disputes across industries, Meyers has a background in the health care, private equity and financial services, and technology / telecommunications industries.
BSP Law is also proud to congratulate Member Derek J. Linkous for his inclusion in Benchmark Litigation’s 9th edition of 40 & Under.
Linkous focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation and leads BSP Law’s embedded appellate counsel practice. He frequently represents manufacturers in state and federal courts throughout the country, assisting with presenting the most persuasive legal arguments and preserving the record. He has experience with a range of business litigation, including class actions, contract disputes, environmental issues, and product liability.
—————
Fishman Stewart PLLC
Ranked by Managing IP as leaders in their firm and jurisdictions, intellectual property law firm Fishman Stewart PLLC is pleased to announce that four firm attorneys have been named 2024 IP Stars. Recognized on the annual list are: co-founding member and managing partner Michael Fishman – Trademark Star; co-founding member and managing partner Michael B. Stewart – Patent Star; partner John Guenther – Patent Star and Trademark Star; and partner Michelle Visser – Copyright Star and Trademark Star.
IP STARS is an annual publication based on a six-month research project, starting in September each year. The research covers a variety of IP practice areas and more than 70 jurisdictions. Rankings are based on a weighted review of information submitted by firms, publicly available information, and market feedback. IP Stars is not a compilation of all firms and individuals offering IP services, and participation in the research does not guarantee a ranking.
The attorneys crowned IP Stars are senior practitioners who serve as partners or the equivalent in their firms. Upon selection, at least one practice area rating is designated to each individual to reflect a main area of expertise.
In addition to its IP Stars, Fishman Stewart received an overall firm rating of highly recommended once again in the area of Trademarks in 2024.
—————
Dykema
Dykema is proud to share that Sherrie Farrell, Dykema’s chief diversity officer, and Laura Baucus, director of the firm’s Automotive Industry Group, each participated in the Diversity Lab’s “Moments to Movements Hackathon” held on July 11 at NYU School of Law. Both Farrell’s and Baucus’ respective teams received formal recognition from Diversity Lab for their innovative ideas.
The Hackathon brought together more than 100 leaders from law firms and corporate legal departments to address critical challenges in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) within the legal profession.
Farrell and Baucus, along with other leaders, worked in small teams from March to July 2024 to collaborate, ideate, and offer sustainable and scalable solutions to the following Hackathon challenges:
• Community — How can we defend and fortify DEI across the profession and in each organization to withstand downturns, leadership changes, anti-DEI rhetoric, and other headwinds?
• Inclusive Talent Systems — How can we improve workplace practices and processes to ensure fair and equal access to high-quality work, sponsors, and business/clients to level the playing field for all talent, including historically underrepresented lawyers?
Baucus participated on the Bias Busters team, which was listed as a Top Winner and secured second place with its innovative solution, “Inclusion Hub,” a work allocation app designed to ensure equitable distribution of assignments among attorneys. This proposal was recognized for its potential to significantly impact the legal profession.
“It was an honor to participate in the 2024 Hackathon and work with such a dedicated and talented team,” said Baucus. “Our work allocation app addresses a crucial need for fairness in assigning work, and I am thrilled that our proposal was recognized. This experience helped to reinforce my commitment to advancing DE&I in the legal field. It is my hope that it may inspire the same in others.”
Farrell served as the DEI advisor for the Inclusion Superstars team, whose pitch was recognized as an Honorable Mention, was highly praised by the judges, and is set to be implemented by Diversity Lab. The group’s proposal is a credential program that leverages gamification to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion amongst legal professionals.
“I was extremely honored to join the Hackathon as one of 10 DEI experts,” said Farrell. “The energy, initiatives, and ideas that each of the teams brought to the Hackathon were impactful. I’m proud that some of the ideas my team brought to the Hackathon will be put into action.”
—————
Clark Hill PLC
At its firmwide retreat in July in Las Vegas, Clark Hill announced the recipients of its internal distinctions for 2024. Among the honorees was Linda Watson, Executive Committee member, co-leader of the global litigation practice, and chair of the Automotive and Manufacturing Industry group, was named Mentor of the Year.
Watson, of the firm’s Birmingham office, represents businesses and public corporations in business and commercial litigation, supply chain matters, contractual actions, property issues, and copyright and trademark law. She was also the first woman elected to Clark Hill’s executive committee, leads the firm’s DEI initiatives, and has co-chaired Clark Hill BOLD, which champions the professional growth and promotion of women in the firm.
—————
Brooks Kushman P.C.
Brooks Kushman is pleased to announce that Shareholder Abha Fadipe was asked to serve as a Council member on the State Bar of Michigan Intellectual Property Law Section Board. Brooks Kushman has had the privilege of being involved with the State Bar or Michigan Intellectual Property Law Section for many years, with many of its attorneys serving in leadership roles over the years.
In her role as Council member, Fadipe will work with the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) to organize and host continued legal education seminars in IP.
Fadipe focuses her practice on domestic and foreign patent preparation and patent prosecution in electrical and computer technologies. She is experienced in a variety of technology areas including thermal systems, 5G-antenna systems, electric drive systems, electric power systems, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Fadipe has experience in consulting with international counsel, especially in Japan, China, Germany, and across Europe, on how to respond to actions by foreign patent offices to provide a comprehensive international portfolio. Prior to entering the legal profession, she was a product engineer for more than three years at a tier-1 automotive supplier.
Fadipe earned a law degree from Wayne State University Law School as well as a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from WSU.
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Butzel
Butzel continues to grow its Michigan footprint while doubling down on its commitment to the state and region. The firm recently relocated its Ann Arbor office to a larger space at 101 North Main Street, Suite 200.
“Our new Ann Arbor location confirms our commitment to the City of Ann Arbor and the State of Michigan. This new office is in the center of downtown, provides us additional room to continue to grow and add excellent new attorneys, all while providing our attorneys with a state-of-the-art space with all of the amenities a modern office can provide,” said Paul Mersino, Butzel president and CEO. “It offers a premier work environment for collaborating with colleagues and further facilitates our single-minded focus on providing excellent service to meet our clients’ needs. And it does so in a city where we have a long history of providing a full-service legal option to the universities, hospitals, tech startup and venture capital community, and countless other companies to whom we’ve proven our abilities.”
Butzel’s new office reflects function, flexibility, and culture. Collaborative spaces will allow employees enhanced flexibility and functionality to work from different areas. The office is centrally located across from and within walking distance to the state and federal courts.
Individual offices are a focal point of Butzel’s office updates that have occurred in the past couple of years. Offices are identically equipped and furnished to enable plug-and-play use both for those with assigned offices and for visiting attorneys. The office is bright, filled with light, and promotes a sense of community while still offering individual, quiet office space. Butzel also has remote options for attorneys and staff.
“Butzel’s vision as a law firm of the future is reflected in every detail of our office transformation,” said Claudia Rast, Butzel attorney and office managing shareholder of the firm’s Ann Arbor office. “We are enjoying our beautiful new office space and look forward to welcoming clients to our new home in downtown Ann Arbor.”
