Taft Detroit Partner Marguerite Donahue has been named the recipient of the 18th Annual Stephen H. Schulman Outstanding Business Lawyer Award by the State Bar of Michigan’s Business Law Section.
This award honors Michigan business lawyers who consistently exemplify the characteristics the Business Law Section seeks to foster and facilitate: the highest quality of professionalism, the highest quality of practice, and an unwavering dedication to service, ethical conduct, and collegiality within the practice of law.
“(Schulman) was very immersed in corporate law and was great with students,” Donahue said. “He was really the godfather of business law in the state. Many firms hired him as a consultant. To be (the recipient) of an award in his name and with so many other influential business lawyers is truly an honor for which I am grateful.”
Donahue’s practice includes mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, private equity and more. During her career, Donahue has managed a variety of transactions, including asset sales, stock and membership interest sales, public and private securities offerings, exchange offers and reorganizations.
At Taft, she is a member of the firm’s Venture Capital and Emerging Companies practice group. Before that she was a shareholder with Seyburn Kahn and an associate with Dykema.
Throughout her career, Donahue has counseled a wide range of corporate clients from small businesses to mid-sized and large organizations in a variety of industries.
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that 43 of the firm’s attorneys have been named 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers. Fifteen Dickinson Wright attorneys have been named 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers “Rising Stars.”
Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Michigan Super Lawyers list include:
—Detroit
Richard M. Bolton, Mergers & Acquisitions
Aaron V. Burrell, Business Litigation
David R. Deromedi, Labor & Employment
Phillip J. DeRosier, Appellate, Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan
K. Scott Hamilton, Business Litigation
Mark R. High, Business/Corporate
Steven G. Howell, Bankruptcy: Business, Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan
Timothy H. Howlett, Labor & Employment
Sharon R. Newlon, Environmental
James A. Plemmons, Creditor Debtor Rights
William P. Shield Jr., Banking
Theodore B. Sylwestrzak, Bankruptcy: Business
L. Pahl Zinn, Business Litigation
—Troy
J. Benjamin Dolan, Business Litigation
Deborah L. Grace, Employee Benefits
Henry M. Grix, Estate & Probate
Craig W. Hammond, Government Finance
Monica J. Labe, Real Estate, Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan, Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan
Elizabeth L. Luckenbach, Estate & Trust Litigation, Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan, Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan
James A. Martone, Business Litigation
Cynthia A. Moore, Employee Benefits
Edward H. Pappas, Business Litigation, Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan
Scott A. Petz, Business Litigation
Daniel D. Quick, Business Litigation, Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan
William L. Rosin, Business/Corporate
Kimberly J. Ruppel, Health Care
Lynn C. Sirich, Family Law
Benjamin M. Sobczak, Business Litigation
Peter H. Webster, Eminent Domain
Kathryn S. Wood, Employment Litigation: Defense
Katheryne L. Zelenock, Real Estate
Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars list include:
—Detroit
Max Aidenbaum, Business Litigation
Myles Baker, Business Litigation
Angelina R. Delmastro, Labor & Employment
Rebecca S. Papi, Mergers & Acquisitions
Ariana Pellegrino, Business Litigation
M. Katherine VanderVeen, Banking
Adam J. Wallace, Business/Corporate
—Troy
Juliet R. Boyd, Estate & Trust Litigation
Brandon L. Debus, Business Litigation
Kaitlyn Elias, Real Estate
Eric W. Gregory, Employee Benefits
Alma Sobo, Business Litigation
Dickinson Wright is also pleased to announce that 218 of the firm’s attorneys have been included in the Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, and Ones to Watch 2025 editions.
Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Best Lawyers in America® list include:
—Detroit
Allison R. Bach, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Richard M. Bolton, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
William T. Burgess, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
Aaron V. Burrell, Commercial Litigation, Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Christopher A. Cornwall, Construction Law
David R. Deromedi, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
Phillip J. DeRosier, Appellate Practice
Patrick B. Green, Commercial Litigation
K. Scott Hamilton, Appellate Practice
Mark R. High, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law
Steven G. Howell, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
Timothy H. Howlett, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
John K. Lawrence, Banking and Finance Law
Andrew W. MacLeod, Corporate Law, International Mergers & Acquisitions, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Private Funds/Hedge Funds Law
Sharon R. Newlon, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
James A. Plemmons, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Bankruptcy
William P. Shield Jr., Banking and Finance Law
Theodore B. Sylwestrzak, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Bruce C. Thelen, International Trade and Finance Law
L. Pahl Zinn, Litigation – Antitrust
—Troy
Roger H. Cummings, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law
J. Benjamin Dolan, Litigation – Real Estate
Alison F. Duffy, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
John P. Gonway, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law
Deborah L. Grace, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Roberta P. Granadier, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Eric W. Gregory, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Henry M. Grix, Nonprofit/Charities Law, Trusts and Estates
Craig W. Hammond, Banking and Finance Law, Public Finance Law
William H. Honaker, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law
Richard A. Jones, Patent Law
Mark Jotanovic, Patent Law
Michael R. Kramer, Corporate Law
Monica J. Labe, Real Estate Law
Elise S. Levasseur, Immigration Law
Elizabeth L. Luckenbach, Trusts and Estates
Michael J. Lusardi, Real Estate Law
Michael N. MacCallum, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Patent, Patent Law
Christopher C. Maeso, Corporate Law
Scott A. McBain, Patent Law
Eric McGlothlin, Public Finance Law
Cynthia A. Moore, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Mahesh K. Nayak, Commercial Litigation
Shannon M. Nichols, Banking and Finance Law
Edward H. Pappas, Arbitration, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Real Estate, Mediation
Erin M. Pawlowski, Corporate Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property
Scott A. Petz, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants
Daniel D. Quick, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Paul Rodriguez, Patent Law
William L. Rosin, Corporate Law
Kimberly J. Ruppel, Commercial Litigation
Lynn Capp Sirich, Family Law
Joan Cripe Skrzyniarz, Trusts and Estates
Kimberly M. Slaven, Patent Law
Robert L. Stearns, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Michael R. Vogt, Litigation - Real Estate, Real Estate Law
Peter H. Webster, Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law
Mark E. Wilson, Health Care Law
Kathryn S. Wood, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Katheryne L. Zelenock, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Securitization and Structured Finance Law
Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” list include:
—Detroit
Timothy H. Howlett, Employment Law - Management
Sharon R. Newlon, Environmental Law
Bruce C. Thelen, International Trade and Finance Law
—Troy
Eric W. Gregory, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Shannon M. Nichols, Banking and Finance Law
Edward H. Pappas, Arbitration
Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch list include:
—Detroit
Max A. Aidenbaum, Commercial Litigation
Angelina Delmastro, Labor and Employment – Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Ariana D. Pellegrino, Commercial Litigation
M. Katherine VanderVeen, Banking and Finance Law
Adam J. Wallace, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law
—Troy
Juliet R. Boyd, Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Brandon Debus, Commercial Litigation
Kaitlyn Elias, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate, Real Estate Law
Erick W. Hosner, Corporate Law
William J. Hurles, Intellectual Property Law
Erin A. Johnson, Real Estate Law
Charles W. Kocher, Intellectual Property Law
James A. Martone, Commercial Litigation
Corey Neil, Patent Law
Alma Sobo, Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Litigation - Real Estate, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants, Municipal Law
• • •
Four attorneys from the Southfield office of Foster Swift have been selected to the 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers list while two others have been selected as “Rising Stars.”
2024 Michigan Super Lawyers and their area(s) of practice:
Dirk H. Beckwith - Transportation/Maritime
Michael R. Blum - Employment & Labor
Julie I. Fershtman - Civil Litigation: Defense
Paul J. Millenbach - Business Litigation
2024 “Rising Stars” and their area(s) of practice:
Robert A. Hamor - Business Litigation
Rachel G. Olney - General Litigation
Along with being listed in Super Lawyers, Julie Fershtman was also listed in the “Top 50 Women Michigan Super Lawyers.”
In addition, five attorneys from Foster Swift’s Southfield office were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2025.
Two others were listed as “Ones to Watch.”
Listed attorneys and their areas of practice are as follows:
—2025 Best Lawyers
Dirk H. Beckwith, Construction Law
Michael R. Blum, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
Julie I. Fershtman, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law
Paul J. Millenbach, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants
Brian J. Renaud, Administrative/Regulatory Law
—2025 “Ones to Watch”
Stefania Gismondi, Commercial Litigation
Rachel G. Olney, Commercial Litigation
• • •
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP attorneys have been awarded multiple honors by the 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine.
Honors included:
Michigan Super Lawyers, which highlighted 35 attorneys in dozens of practice areas in eight of Warner’s offices for the peer-review award that recognizes attorneys who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Top 100 Lawyers, which recognized three attorneys from the firm among all Michigan Super Lawyers.
Rising Stars, which recognized 18 attorneys who are under the age of 40 or have been in practice for 10 years or less and have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Local Warner attorneys by office are (unless otherwise noted, all are Super Lawyers):
—Bloomfield Hills
Roquia K. Draper
Nazli G. Sater
—Detroit
Michael Brady
Kurt M. Brauer
Sean H. Cook
Homayune A. Ghaussi
Mary Jo Larson
Thomas J. Manganello
Lawrence J. Murphy, also Top 100
Linda Paullin-Hebden
Ashley E. Racette, Rising Star
Adam T. Ratliff, Rising Star
Alan T. Rogalski
Zainab H. Sabbagh, Rising Star
Jeffrey S. Segal, Rising Star
Lisa B. Zimmer
—Macomb County
Matthew K. Casey
Frank E. Henke
Nina E. Lucido, Rising Star
John A. MacKenzie, Rising Star
Brian D. Wassom
• • •
Michigan Super Lawyers magazine has named eight attorneys from Plunkett Cooney to its 2024 list of “Super Lawyers.”
Receiving special recognition by the magazine this year with inclusion among the state’s top 50 female lawyers are D. Jennifer Andreou and Mary Massaron. Andreou joins the top 50 list of attorneys practicing in the area of medical malpractice defense for the 10th time in 15 years. For 18 consecutive years, Massaron has been on the top women lawyers list for her appellate expertise. Health care attorney Mark S. Kopson and business litigation attorney Douglas C. Bernstein were also listed among the “Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers.”
Below is a list of local Plunkett Cooney partners who received the 2024 Michigan Super Lawyer designation:
—Bloomfield Hills office
Douglas C. Bernstein - Bankruptcy: Business
Matthew J. Boettcher - Business Litigation
Charles W. Browning - Insurance Coverage
Mark S. Kopson - Health Care
Mary Massaron - Appellate
Scott H. Sirich - Construction Litigation
—Detroit office
D. Jennifer Andreou - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense
Matthew J. Stanczyk - Personal Injury - Products: Defense
In addition, seven attorneys from Plunkett Cooney have been named by Michigan Super Lawyers magazine to its list of “Rising Stars” for 2024.
Below is a list of local Plunkett Cooney attorneys who have received the 2024 Michigan Super Lawyer Rising Star designation:
—Bloomfield Hills office
Stephanie M. Brochert - Insurance Coverage
Aleasha Hester - Civil Litigation: Defense
Brian K. Mitzel - Employment & Labor
Mark W. Oszust - Business Litigation
—Detroit office
Eric T. Ramar - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defendants
• • •
Employee benefits and ERISA law firm J.J. Conway Law is pleased to announce that principal attorney, founder and litigator John Joseph (J.J.) Conway has again been named to the Michigan Super Lawyers list in 2024 for demonstrating excellence in employee benefits law.
This award honors Michigan business lawyers who consistently exemplify the characteristics the Business Law Section seeks to foster and facilitate: the highest quality of professionalism, the highest quality of practice, and an unwavering dedication to service, ethical conduct, and collegiality within the practice of law.
“(Schulman) was very immersed in corporate law and was great with students,” Donahue said. “He was really the godfather of business law in the state. Many firms hired him as a consultant. To be (the recipient) of an award in his name and with so many other influential business lawyers is truly an honor for which I am grateful.”
Donahue’s practice includes mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, private equity and more. During her career, Donahue has managed a variety of transactions, including asset sales, stock and membership interest sales, public and private securities offerings, exchange offers and reorganizations.
At Taft, she is a member of the firm’s Venture Capital and Emerging Companies practice group. Before that she was a shareholder with Seyburn Kahn and an associate with Dykema.
Throughout her career, Donahue has counseled a wide range of corporate clients from small businesses to mid-sized and large organizations in a variety of industries.
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that 43 of the firm’s attorneys have been named 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers. Fifteen Dickinson Wright attorneys have been named 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers “Rising Stars.”
Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Michigan Super Lawyers list include:
—Detroit
Richard M. Bolton, Mergers & Acquisitions
Aaron V. Burrell, Business Litigation
David R. Deromedi, Labor & Employment
Phillip J. DeRosier, Appellate, Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan
K. Scott Hamilton, Business Litigation
Mark R. High, Business/Corporate
Steven G. Howell, Bankruptcy: Business, Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan
Timothy H. Howlett, Labor & Employment
Sharon R. Newlon, Environmental
James A. Plemmons, Creditor Debtor Rights
William P. Shield Jr., Banking
Theodore B. Sylwestrzak, Bankruptcy: Business
L. Pahl Zinn, Business Litigation
—Troy
J. Benjamin Dolan, Business Litigation
Deborah L. Grace, Employee Benefits
Henry M. Grix, Estate & Probate
Craig W. Hammond, Government Finance
Monica J. Labe, Real Estate, Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan, Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan
Elizabeth L. Luckenbach, Estate & Trust Litigation, Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan, Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan
James A. Martone, Business Litigation
Cynthia A. Moore, Employee Benefits
Edward H. Pappas, Business Litigation, Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan
Scott A. Petz, Business Litigation
Daniel D. Quick, Business Litigation, Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan
William L. Rosin, Business/Corporate
Kimberly J. Ruppel, Health Care
Lynn C. Sirich, Family Law
Benjamin M. Sobczak, Business Litigation
Peter H. Webster, Eminent Domain
Kathryn S. Wood, Employment Litigation: Defense
Katheryne L. Zelenock, Real Estate
Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars list include:
—Detroit
Max Aidenbaum, Business Litigation
Myles Baker, Business Litigation
Angelina R. Delmastro, Labor & Employment
Rebecca S. Papi, Mergers & Acquisitions
Ariana Pellegrino, Business Litigation
M. Katherine VanderVeen, Banking
Adam J. Wallace, Business/Corporate
—Troy
Juliet R. Boyd, Estate & Trust Litigation
Brandon L. Debus, Business Litigation
Kaitlyn Elias, Real Estate
Eric W. Gregory, Employee Benefits
Alma Sobo, Business Litigation
Dickinson Wright is also pleased to announce that 218 of the firm’s attorneys have been included in the Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, and Ones to Watch 2025 editions.
Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Best Lawyers in America® list include:
—Detroit
Allison R. Bach, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Richard M. Bolton, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
William T. Burgess, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
Aaron V. Burrell, Commercial Litigation, Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Christopher A. Cornwall, Construction Law
David R. Deromedi, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
Phillip J. DeRosier, Appellate Practice
Patrick B. Green, Commercial Litigation
K. Scott Hamilton, Appellate Practice
Mark R. High, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law
Steven G. Howell, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
Timothy H. Howlett, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
John K. Lawrence, Banking and Finance Law
Andrew W. MacLeod, Corporate Law, International Mergers & Acquisitions, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Private Funds/Hedge Funds Law
Sharon R. Newlon, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
James A. Plemmons, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Bankruptcy
William P. Shield Jr., Banking and Finance Law
Theodore B. Sylwestrzak, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Bruce C. Thelen, International Trade and Finance Law
L. Pahl Zinn, Litigation – Antitrust
—Troy
Roger H. Cummings, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law
J. Benjamin Dolan, Litigation – Real Estate
Alison F. Duffy, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
John P. Gonway, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law
Deborah L. Grace, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Roberta P. Granadier, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Eric W. Gregory, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Henry M. Grix, Nonprofit/Charities Law, Trusts and Estates
Craig W. Hammond, Banking and Finance Law, Public Finance Law
William H. Honaker, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law
Richard A. Jones, Patent Law
Mark Jotanovic, Patent Law
Michael R. Kramer, Corporate Law
Monica J. Labe, Real Estate Law
Elise S. Levasseur, Immigration Law
Elizabeth L. Luckenbach, Trusts and Estates
Michael J. Lusardi, Real Estate Law
Michael N. MacCallum, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Patent, Patent Law
Christopher C. Maeso, Corporate Law
Scott A. McBain, Patent Law
Eric McGlothlin, Public Finance Law
Cynthia A. Moore, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Mahesh K. Nayak, Commercial Litigation
Shannon M. Nichols, Banking and Finance Law
Edward H. Pappas, Arbitration, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Real Estate, Mediation
Erin M. Pawlowski, Corporate Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property
Scott A. Petz, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants
Daniel D. Quick, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Paul Rodriguez, Patent Law
William L. Rosin, Corporate Law
Kimberly J. Ruppel, Commercial Litigation
Lynn Capp Sirich, Family Law
Joan Cripe Skrzyniarz, Trusts and Estates
Kimberly M. Slaven, Patent Law
Robert L. Stearns, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Michael R. Vogt, Litigation - Real Estate, Real Estate Law
Peter H. Webster, Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law
Mark E. Wilson, Health Care Law
Kathryn S. Wood, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Katheryne L. Zelenock, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Securitization and Structured Finance Law
Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” list include:
—Detroit
Timothy H. Howlett, Employment Law - Management
Sharon R. Newlon, Environmental Law
Bruce C. Thelen, International Trade and Finance Law
—Troy
Eric W. Gregory, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Shannon M. Nichols, Banking and Finance Law
Edward H. Pappas, Arbitration
Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch list include:
—Detroit
Max A. Aidenbaum, Commercial Litigation
Angelina Delmastro, Labor and Employment – Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Ariana D. Pellegrino, Commercial Litigation
M. Katherine VanderVeen, Banking and Finance Law
Adam J. Wallace, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law
—Troy
Juliet R. Boyd, Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Brandon Debus, Commercial Litigation
Kaitlyn Elias, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate, Real Estate Law
Erick W. Hosner, Corporate Law
William J. Hurles, Intellectual Property Law
Erin A. Johnson, Real Estate Law
Charles W. Kocher, Intellectual Property Law
James A. Martone, Commercial Litigation
Corey Neil, Patent Law
Alma Sobo, Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Litigation - Real Estate, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants, Municipal Law
• • •
Four attorneys from the Southfield office of Foster Swift have been selected to the 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers list while two others have been selected as “Rising Stars.”
2024 Michigan Super Lawyers and their area(s) of practice:
Dirk H. Beckwith - Transportation/Maritime
Michael R. Blum - Employment & Labor
Julie I. Fershtman - Civil Litigation: Defense
Paul J. Millenbach - Business Litigation
2024 “Rising Stars” and their area(s) of practice:
Robert A. Hamor - Business Litigation
Rachel G. Olney - General Litigation
Along with being listed in Super Lawyers, Julie Fershtman was also listed in the “Top 50 Women Michigan Super Lawyers.”
In addition, five attorneys from Foster Swift’s Southfield office were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2025.
Two others were listed as “Ones to Watch.”
Listed attorneys and their areas of practice are as follows:
—2025 Best Lawyers
Dirk H. Beckwith, Construction Law
Michael R. Blum, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
Julie I. Fershtman, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law
Paul J. Millenbach, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants
Brian J. Renaud, Administrative/Regulatory Law
—2025 “Ones to Watch”
Stefania Gismondi, Commercial Litigation
Rachel G. Olney, Commercial Litigation
• • •
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP attorneys have been awarded multiple honors by the 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine.
Honors included:
Michigan Super Lawyers, which highlighted 35 attorneys in dozens of practice areas in eight of Warner’s offices for the peer-review award that recognizes attorneys who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Top 100 Lawyers, which recognized three attorneys from the firm among all Michigan Super Lawyers.
Rising Stars, which recognized 18 attorneys who are under the age of 40 or have been in practice for 10 years or less and have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Local Warner attorneys by office are (unless otherwise noted, all are Super Lawyers):
—Bloomfield Hills
Roquia K. Draper
Nazli G. Sater
—Detroit
Michael Brady
Kurt M. Brauer
Sean H. Cook
Homayune A. Ghaussi
Mary Jo Larson
Thomas J. Manganello
Lawrence J. Murphy, also Top 100
Linda Paullin-Hebden
Ashley E. Racette, Rising Star
Adam T. Ratliff, Rising Star
Alan T. Rogalski
Zainab H. Sabbagh, Rising Star
Jeffrey S. Segal, Rising Star
Lisa B. Zimmer
—Macomb County
Matthew K. Casey
Frank E. Henke
Nina E. Lucido, Rising Star
John A. MacKenzie, Rising Star
Brian D. Wassom
• • •
Michigan Super Lawyers magazine has named eight attorneys from Plunkett Cooney to its 2024 list of “Super Lawyers.”
Receiving special recognition by the magazine this year with inclusion among the state’s top 50 female lawyers are D. Jennifer Andreou and Mary Massaron. Andreou joins the top 50 list of attorneys practicing in the area of medical malpractice defense for the 10th time in 15 years. For 18 consecutive years, Massaron has been on the top women lawyers list for her appellate expertise. Health care attorney Mark S. Kopson and business litigation attorney Douglas C. Bernstein were also listed among the “Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers.”
Below is a list of local Plunkett Cooney partners who received the 2024 Michigan Super Lawyer designation:
—Bloomfield Hills office
Douglas C. Bernstein - Bankruptcy: Business
Matthew J. Boettcher - Business Litigation
Charles W. Browning - Insurance Coverage
Mark S. Kopson - Health Care
Mary Massaron - Appellate
Scott H. Sirich - Construction Litigation
—Detroit office
D. Jennifer Andreou - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense
Matthew J. Stanczyk - Personal Injury - Products: Defense
In addition, seven attorneys from Plunkett Cooney have been named by Michigan Super Lawyers magazine to its list of “Rising Stars” for 2024.
Below is a list of local Plunkett Cooney attorneys who have received the 2024 Michigan Super Lawyer Rising Star designation:
—Bloomfield Hills office
Stephanie M. Brochert - Insurance Coverage
Aleasha Hester - Civil Litigation: Defense
Brian K. Mitzel - Employment & Labor
Mark W. Oszust - Business Litigation
—Detroit office
Eric T. Ramar - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defendants
• • •
Employee benefits and ERISA law firm J.J. Conway Law is pleased to announce that principal attorney, founder and litigator John Joseph (J.J.) Conway has again been named to the Michigan Super Lawyers list in 2024 for demonstrating excellence in employee benefits law.
Conway, who has been honored as a Michigan Super Lawyer since 2013, adds this recognition to several other Super Lawyers titles including Michigan Super Lawyers’ list of “Rising Stars” 2008–2011 and the Top 50: Michigan Consumer Super Lawyers for 2016 and 2017.
As his firm celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, the nationally recognized trial attorney has navigated the legal complexities of disability, employee health benefits, and ERISA law—ranging from wins in autism services coverage for children to employee benefits protection during the City of Detroit bankruptcy, to mental health coverage for children suffering from life-threatening severe behavioral health conditions.
• • •
Elizabeth Hohauser is this year’s winner of the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly’s Unsung Hero Award. The award honors an attorney who has exhibited the highest standards of practice and commitment for the benefit of others.
Hohauser is this year’s winner for her work with children in the Michigan foster care system, her dedication to helping her clients, and the service she provides for her community.
A 2000 graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Hohauser, who also earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Michigan State University, decided to become a lawyer to make a positive impact on her community. Since then, she has continued that mission in not only her career but her personal life.
Throughout her career Hohauser has developed a reputation for going above and beyond the call of duty as an attorney. One of her former pro bono clients, a victim of domestic abuse with three children, said of Hohauser, “I am extremely grateful for her, not only for fighting hard and representing me in this very difficult matter, but also for being there to support me emotionally. It is because of her that I am truly a thriving survivor of domestic violence.”
Hohauser served as director of Legal Services and Policy for The New Foster Care, and as an attorney for Collins Einhorn Farrell PC, Hohauser Kuchon, and Eagle Automation Services where she was also business manager.
In 2018, she opened her own solo litigation practice, and her level of dedication can be seen through an anecdote she likes to tell: When she established her solo litigation practice in 2018, her husband humorously asked her to promise it wouldn’t turn into a non-profit. (She has since successfully demonstrated that she can sustain herself financially while still serving her community.)
In addition to her legal career, Hohauser is active in her community. She volunteers with elementary students for Mock Trial, offers pro bono legal services to underserved communities, and co-hosts an annual “youth law conference” for high school students.
She said she feels deeply honored to have her contributions recognized by the Representative Assembly.
When she is not working, she spends time gardening, chasing chickens out of the garage, and camping with her family and two dogs.
• • •
Foley, Baron, Metzger, & Juip PLLC (FBMJ) is pleased to announce that seventeen FBMJ attorneys have been honored by Super Lawyers in their 2024 rankings of top Michigan attorneys. Ten of its lawyers have been named by Super Lawyers magazine to the 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers list, and seven of its lawyers to the Michigan Rising Stars list. Randy Juip was also honored as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan, the fourth straight year he has earned this distinction.
FBMJ lawyers named to the 2024 Super Lawyers list include:
Richard Baron
Cathy Bowerman
Carole Empey
Randy Juip
Joseph McGill
Clyde Metzger
Tony Pignotti
Brian Richtarcik
Kim Sveska
Brian Whitelaw
FBMJ lawyers named to the 2024 Rising Stars list include:
Sarah Cherry
James Frisch
Hussein Houjaij
Nicole Joseph-Windecker
Silvia Mansoor
Lauren Rhoads
Catherine Rodey
• • •
The Dobrusin Law Firm is proud to announce that eight of our attorneys have been distinguished in the 2024 Super Lawyers rankings.
Four intellectual property attorneys from The Dobrusin Law Firm were selected for inclusion in the 2024 Super Lawyers list:
Eric Dobrusin serves as the founding shareholder of The Dobrusin Law Firm. This marks his 19th consecutive selection for the annual Super Lawyers list.
Kristen Pursley is the managing shareholder of The Dobrusin Law Firm. This is her sixth consecutive year of being selected to the Super Lawyers list, following six consecutive years of being named a Rising Star.
Rebecca Wilson is a shareholder of The Dobrusin Law Firm. 2024 marks her fifth consecutive year of being selected to the Super Lawyers list.
Paul Palinski is a shareholder of The Dobrusin Law Firm. This is his second consecutive Super Lawyers selection, following seven consecutive Rising Star distinctions.
Four intellectual property attorneys at The Dobrusin Law Firm were selected for the 2024 Rising Stars list.
The Dobrusin Law Firm shareholders Erin Klug and Daniela Walters both received their eighth consecutive selections to the annual Rising Stars list. Shareholder Katherine Pacynski was selected to the Rising Stars list for the sixth year in a row. The Dobrusin Law Firm associate Eric Hydorn was chosen for the 2024 Rising Stars list, making this his third consecutive selection.
• • •
Miller Johnson attorneys have been selected as 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers and several have been selected as 2024 Michigan Rising Stars.
Local Miller Johnson 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers include:
—Detroit
Todd A. Holleman - Business Litigation
Emily C. Palacios - Land Use/Zoning
Local Miller Johnson 2024 Michigan Rising Stars include:
—Detroit
Josh Apel - Business Litigation
Ali Fardoun - Business / Corporate
• • •
Seven attorneys at McDonald Hopkins have been selected to the 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers list and three McDonald Hopkins attorneys have been selected to the 2024 Michigan Rising Stars list.
Michigan Super Lawyers:
John E. Benko, member, Litigation Department
James J. Giszczak, firm co-president; co-chair, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group
Stephen M. Gross, member, Strategic Advisory and Restructuring Department; chair, Automotive Practice Group
Patrick A. Karbowski, member, Real Estate Practice Group
Michael G. Latiff, chair, Litigation Department
Miriam L. Rosen, member, Labor and Employment Practice Group; Detroit managing member
Michael P. Witzke, chair, Estate Planning and Probate Practice Group
Michigan Rising Stars:
Adam Baginski, associate, Business Department
Vanessa L. Bailey, associate, Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group
Mitchell Capp, associate, Business Department
• • •
Zausmer is pleased to announce that four attorneys have been named 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers. Additionally, 12 Zausmer attorneys were honored as Rising Stars.
2024 Michigan Super Lawyers:
Mischa M. Boardman - Business Litigation, 2017-2024
Michael L. Caldwell - Environmental Litigation, 2015-2024
Nicole M. Wright - Civil Litigation: Defense, 2013-2024
Mark J. Zausmer - Civil Litigation: Defense, 2006-2024
2024 Michigan Rising Stars:
Dylan M. Beadle - Insurance Coverage, 2019-2024
Theresa A. Bodwin - Insurance Coverage, 2018-2024
Danielle R. DePriest - Insurance Coverage, 2023-2024
Cristy M. DeVos - Personal Injury General Defense, 2020-2024
Elena Djordjeski - Personal Injury General: Defense, 2023-2024
Chad M. Duschinsky - Insurance Coverage, 2022-2024
Daniel I. Jedell - Civil Litigation: Defense, 2015-2024
Michael H. Jernukian - Insurance Coverage, 2023-2024
Nicole B. Lockhart - Business Litigation, 2024
Breanne M. Patton - Land Use/Zoning, 2023-2024
Kyle A. Warwick - Insurance Coverage, 2020-2024
Amanda P. Waske - Appellate, 2024
• • •
BSP Law is proud to congratulate the 13 BSP Law attorneys included among the 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.
—Super Lawyers:
Bishop A. Bartoni
Stephanie A. Douglas
Roger P. Meyers
Moheeb H. Murray
Patrick G. Seyferth
Justin B. Weiner
—Rising Stars:
Mahde Y. Abdallah
Lena M. Gonzalez
Dylan G. Goodwin
Brian D. King
Derek J. Linkous
William E. McDonald III
Michael A. Ohly
In addition, BSP Law is proud to announce that nine of its attorneys are featured in the 2025 edition of “The Best Lawyers.”
Mahde Y. Abdallah, Litigation - Insurance
Bishop A. Bartoni, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Stephanie A. Douglas, Appellate Practice and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Amy Bice Larson, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Derek J. Linkous, Commercial Litigation
William E. McDonald, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Roger P. Meyers, Commercial Litigation
Moheeb H. Murray, Insurance Law
Patrick G. Seyferth, Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
BSP Law also congratulates three attorneys for their inclusion in the 2025 edition of “The Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch.”
Lena M. Gonzalez, Commercial Litigation
Brian D. King, Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants and Transportation Law
Ryan J. Vanderford, Commercial Litigation
• • •
Cummings, McClorey, Davis, & Acho PLC is proud to announce that several attorneys from the firm have been selected for inclusion in the 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers & Rising Stars list.
The following attorneys have been selected to the 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers list:
Jim Acho, Top Rated Civil Litigation Defense
Jeff Clark, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal
Tim Ferrand, Top Rated State, Class Action & Mass Torts
Haider Kazim, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal
Norman Richards, Top Rated Elder Law
Christopher Schultz, Top Rated Business and Corporate
Allan Vander Laan, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal
The following attorneys have been selected to the 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars list:
Matthew Cross, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal
Stephen Johnston, Top Rated Estate Planning & Probate
Carol Smith, Top Rated Personal Injury Defense
Matthew Wayne, Top Rated Business and Corporate
• • •
FisherBroyles LLP is proud to announce that 55 of its attorneys have been named to The Best Lawyers in America® for 2025.
The following Detroit FisherBroyles attorneys are included in the 2025 Best Lawyers lists:
Jess A. Bahs - Tax Law
Michael S. Khoury - Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Corporate Law; Information Technology Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Douglas P. LaLone - Litigation - Intellectual Property; Patent Law
• • •
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that 58 of the firm’s attorneys have been included in the 2024 edition of Michigan Super Lawyers.
The local Bodman attorneys listed in Michigan Super Lawyers 2024 (by office location, including practice area) are:
—Detroit
Marc M. Bakst (Bankruptcy: Business)
Andrew H. Curoe (Estate & Probate)
Laurence B. Deitch (Business/Corporate)
Robert J. Diehl Jr. (Creditor-Debtor Rights)
Kathleen O’Callaghan Hickey (Banking)
David P. Larsen (Estate & Probate)
Ralph E. McDowell (Bankruptcy: Business)
Jeffrey G. Raphelson (Business Litigation)
Nicholas P. Scavone Jr. (Real Estate)
Joseph J. Shannon (Business Litigation)
Larry R. Shulman (Banking)
Jaimee L. Witten (Creditor-Debtor Rights)
—Troy
Adam Behrendt (Business Litigation)
John T. Below (Employment & Labor)
John C. Cashen (Employment & Labor)
Steven R. Cole (Tax)
Michelle Thurber Czapski (Business Litigation)
Stephen P. Dunn (Business Litigation)
Gary S. Fealk (Employment Litigation: Defense)
Thomas J. Tallerico (Business Litigation)
Thomas Van Dusen (Business Litigation)
The local Bodman attorneys selected for the 2024 Michigan Rising Stars list are:
—Detroit
Sarah L. Cylkowski (Business Litigation)
Fawzeih H. Daher (Business Litigation)
Nathan D. Dupes (Business Litigation)
Michelle L. Kolkmeyer (Business Litigation)
Kelly M. Lockman (Real Estate)
Alexandra C. Markel (Business Litigation)
Chelsey L. Jones (Real Estate)
Julia C. Massaro (Estate & Probate)
Nashara A. L. Peart (Business Litigation)
Christopher J. Rambus (Estate & Probate)
Noel J. Ravenscroft (Bankruptcy: Business)
Thomas J. Rheaume Jr. (Business Litigation)
Erica J. Sarver (Real Estate)
Matthew A. Slipchuk (Mergers & Acquisitions)
Alexis A. Smith-Scott (Mergers & Acquisitions)
—Troy
Donovan S. Asmar (Business Litigation)
Ryan M. Olson (Business/Corporate)
Rebecca C. Seguin-Skrabucha (Employment & Labor)
Melissa M. Tetreau (Employment & Labor)
Kyle Traver (Business/Corporate)
• • •
Dykema announced that 26 of its attorneys from the firm’s Michigan offices - and from multiple practice areas - were named to the 2024 Super Lawyers list by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine. Additionally, 21 of the firm’s attorneys were named to the 2024 Michigan Rising Stars list.
The local Dykema attorneys named on the 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers list, identified by office and the practice area(s) for which they are being recognized, are:
—Bloomfield Hills
Laura C. Baucus - Business Litigation; Creditor Debtor Rights
Brendan J. Cahill - Business & Corporate; Mergers & Acquisitions; Securities & Corporate Finance
Mark D. Chutkow - White Collar Crimes; Business Litigation
James P. Feeney - Products Liability; Civil Litigation; Class Action & Mass Torts
Adam M. Fishkind - Real Estate; Banking; Creditor Debtor Rights
Alan M. Greene - Land Use & Zoning; Eminent Domain; Construction Litigation
Kyle R. Hauberg - Real Estate
Howard B. Iwrey - Antitrust Litigation; Franchise & Dealership
Mark G. Malven - Technology Transactions; Mergers & Acquisitions; Business & Corporate
Bonnie Mayfield - Employment Litigation; Products Liability; Class Action & Mass Torts
Brian M. Moore - Business Litigation; General Litigation; Real Estate
Sheryl L. Toby - Bankruptcy; Business & Corporate; Creditor Debtor Rights
—Detroit
Robert A. Boonin - Employment & Labor; Employment Litigation
James R. Case - Construction Litigation; Surety
Michael P. Cooney - Products Liability; Business Litigation; Class Action & Mass Torts; Intellectual Property Litigation
Sherrie L. Farrell - General Litigation; Business Litigation; Bankruptcy
Grant P. Gilezan - Environmental; Environmental Litigation; Lobbying
James F. Hermon - Employment Litigation; Employment & Labor
Peter M. Kellett - Class Action & Mass Torts; Business Litigation; Products Liability
Thomas M. Schehr - Business Litigation
The local Dykema attorneys named on the 2024 Michigan Rising Stars list, identified by office and the practice area(s) for which they are being recognized, are:
—Bloomfield Hills
John D. Black - Products Liability; Class Action & Mass Torts
Nardeen Dalli - Tax
Joseph Duffy - Business Litigation; Antitrust Litigation; Appellate
Nina Gavrilovic - Products Liability
Samuel Kilberg - Real Estate
Scott R. Kocienski - Tax; Business & Corporate; Estate Planning & Probate
Igli Psari - Business & Corporate
Victoria E. Remus - Estate Planning & Probate; Tax
Connor Walby - Class Action & Mass Torts; Products Liability; Business Litigation
Ryan Warsh - Real Estate
Robert Zak - Estate Planning & Probate
—Detroit
Matthew R. Cassar - Business Litigation; Construction Litigation; Products Liability
Mark J. Makoski - Business Litigation
Giuliano D. Mancini - Real Estate
Nasseem S. Ramin - Business Litigation
John F. Rhoades - Business Litigation
Ryan J. VanOver - Appellate; Business Litigation
• • •
Clark Hill is pleased to announce the following local attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, with 14 individuals recognized with the “Lawyer of the Year” distinction.
Daniel J. Bretz has been named Detroit, Michigan’s 2025 Labor Law – Management “Lawyer of the Year.”
Kevin S. Hendrick has been named Detroit, Michigan’s 2025 Litigation – Construction and Mediation “Lawyer of the Year.”
Thomas M. Keranen has been named Detroit, Michigan’s 2025 Construction Law “Lawyer of the Year.”
Best Lawyers in America:
—Birmingham
Dana L. Abrahams - Corporate Law, Education Law, Real Estate Law
John B. Alfs Jr. - Commercial Litigation
Andrew A. Ayar - Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law
William B. Dunn - Real Estate Law
Thomas E.F. Fabbri - Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Kevin A. Fanning - Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate
John L. Gierak - Education Law, Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management
Randi P. Glanz - Family Law
Jennifer Green - Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking and Finance
Edward C. Hammond - Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Douglas R. Kelly - Commercial Litigation
Peter B. Kupelian - Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Insurance, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Thomas MacFarlane - Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
Paul S. Magy - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Real Estate Law
Jonathan Martone - Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Daniel H. Minkus - Corporate Law
Ronald M. Stern - Real Estate Law
Linda M. Watson - Commercial Litigation
Anne-Marie V. Welch - Employment Law - Management
—Detroit
Anthony A. Agosta - Commercial Litigation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Stephon B. Bagne - Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Jay M. Berger - Commercial Litigation, Construction Law
Jennifer A. Bielfield - Banking and Finance Law
Daniel J. Bretz - Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management
Jason R. Canvasser - Commercial Litigation
Connie M. Cessante - Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
David M. Cessante - Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Paul W. Coughenour - Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Martin E. Crandall - Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Thomas M. Dixon - Construction Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates
Daniel J. Dulworth - Commercial Litigation
Maria Fracassa Dwyer - Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Cynthia M. Filipovich - Appellate Practice
Jeffrey M. Gallant - Construction Law, Litigation - Construction
Scott D. Garbo - Construction Law, Litigation - Construction
David M. Hayes - Construction Law, Litigation - Construction
Kevin S. Hendrick - Arbitration, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction, Mediation
John P. Hensien - Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
John J. Hern Jr. - Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Edward J. Hood - Arbitration, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction
Thomas M. Keranen - Construction Law, Litigation - Construction
William A. Moore - Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management
Michael P. Nowlan - Immigration Law
Daniel J. Scully - Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Richard A. Sundquist - Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
Duane L. Tarnacki - Corporate Law, Nonprofit/Charities Law
Christopher M. Trebilcock - Employment Law - Management, Government Relations Practice, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Timothy D. Wittlinger - Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Construction
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch:
—Birmingham
Lauren K. Burton - Environmental Law, Municipal Law, Natural Resources Law
Mallory A. Kallabat - Trusts and Estates
Loukas Kalliantasis - Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions
Nicholas Papasafakis - Trusts and Estates
Jonathan Roffe - Commercial Litigation
—Detroit
Robert N. Dare - Labor and Employment Law - Management
Theodore L. Degenhardt IV- Litigation - Construction, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Steven R. Pacynski - Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions
Hannah K. Reisdorff - Labor and Employment Law - Management
Stephanie V. Romeo - Litigation - Labor and Employment
Vince C. Sallan - Labor and Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Brian D. Shekell - Labor and Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
• • •
Kitch Attorneys & Counselors congratulates its attorneys who have been nominated and evaluated by their peers, and selected for recognition by Super Lawyers. Below are our honorees:
—Super Lawyers
Jenna Wright Greenman - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense
Carina Kraatz - Intellectual Property Litigation
John M. Sier - Construction Litigation
Richard Suhrheinrich - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense
Mark A. Wisniewski - Personal Injury-Products: Defense
—Rising Stars
Arooj Anjum - Civil Litigation: Defense
Brian Boehne - Personal Injury General: Defense
Katharine Gostek - Appellate
Farah Israel - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense
Ahndia Mansoori - Immigration: Business
Laura Sherbrook - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense
In addition, Kitch congratulates its attorneys who were recognized by their peers for their hard work and leadership. The Kitch 2025 honorees are:
Gregory G. Drutchas - Health Care Law
Meghan Kennedy Riordan - Immigration Law
Jenna Wright Greenman - Medical Malpractice Law: Defendants
John M. Sier - Construction Law and Litigation - Construction
Craig S. Thompson - Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation - Construction
Ralph F. Valitutti - Medical Malpractice Law: Defendants
Michael Vecchioni - Tax Law
Ronald E. Wagner - Product Liability Litigation: Defendants
Mark A. Wisniewski - Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants
• • •
Brooks Kushman attorneys Isheeta Patel Laxmanan, Abha Fadipe, and Muhammad Siwani have been named to serve on the board of the South Asian Bar Association (SABA) of Michigan. Isheeta Patel Laxmanan was appointed as president, Abha Fadipe as secretary, and Muhammad Siwani as Communications/Social Media director.
The SABA Michigan Chapter organizes business and professional networking opportunities to promote the advancement and development of South Asian attorneys. The organization supports, guides, and mentors South Asian law students as well as providing referral services and supporting the provision of legal services to the South Asian community.
Laxmanan is a registered patent attorney who has experience working with a range of clients that vary in size, from Fortune 100 companies to small start-ups. She focuses her practice on preparing and prosecuting domestic patent applications in the chemical engineering and materials arts. She also advises her clients on various IP-related strategies, such as whether they have freedom to operate and by assessing the validity of patents. She provides insight to clients regarding business-critical decisions and has experience supporting IP negotiations, settlements, and litigation.
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, Fadipe was a product engineer for more than three years at a tier-1 automotive supplier. Fadipe earned a law degree, as well as a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering, all from Wayne State University (WSU).
Siwani focuses his practice on patent prosecution and covers a wide range of technologies from advanced material compositions to automotive innovations. Siwani as a registered patent agent is experienced in conducting patent searches, drafting patent applications, writing responses to first through final office actions, and drafting patentability memos for clients. Siwani earned a law degree Wayne State University Law School. He also holds an MBA from the Mike Ilitch School of Business and received a Bachelor of Engineering in Materials Science from the University of Michigan. Prior to working at Brooks Kushman, Siwani gained working experience in the legal department of a multinational Tier 1 automotive supplier in metro Detroit and also worked in the field as an engineer. During this time, he gained experience verifying and validating perception software that gives a vehicle a view of surrounding objects through sensor data fusion. He also spent time as a project manager where he conducted a range of automotive testing for both component and vehicle levels.
• • •
Maddin Hauser is thrilled to announce the addition of four new attorneys, David B. Deutsch, Steven H. Malach, Michael Curhan, and Carly R. Kolo, as well as paralegals Debra L. Alster and Megan E. Fisher.
Deutsch and Malach join as shareholders. They will be instrumental in enhancing the firm’s capabilities in estate planning, probate and trust administration, probate litigation, corporate, mergers and acquisitions, and tax. Deutsch specializes in business and tax law matters, including estate and business succession planning, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate transactions. Malach oversees the Center for Estate Planning and has a remarkable breadth of experience handling probate litigation, complex trusts, wills, and estate plans.
Curhan joins the firm as Of Counsel. A veteran litigator, his experience comprises employment litigation, business divorce, and commercial litigation matters. Kolo, an associate, has distinguished herself in estate planning, probate, and trust administration.
• • •
Seventy-six Butzel attorneys have been chosen by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025. Seventeen firm attorneys have been named to Best Lawyers in America® 2025 Ones to Watch. In addition, seven attorneys have been named “Lawyer of the Year.”
The following local Butzel attorneys have been named “Lawyer of the Year” – Jennifer E. Consiglio (Business Organizations – including LLCs and Partnerships) – Troy; George B. Donnini (Criminal Defense: White-Collar) – Troy; W. Patrick Dreisig (Corporate Governance Law) – Troy; Justin G. Klimko (Securities/ Capital Markets Law) – Detroit; Bushra A. Malik (Immigration Law) – Troy; and Reginald A. Pacis (Immigration Law) – Detroit.
The following local Butzel attorneys have been named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch: Steven Eatherly (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit;
Jonathan L. Kirkland (Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions) – Troy; Joseph Kuzmiak (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; Nicholas Nahat (Litigation – Labor and Employment) – Troy; Sarah Nirenberg (Labor and Employment -Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment – Troy; Shanika A. Owens (Corporate Law and Real Estate Law) Detroit; Blake Padgett (Labor and Employment Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment) – Troy; James J. Pierce (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; Quendale G. Simmons (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; Ivonne M. Soler (Family Law) – Detroit; Blaine A. Veldhuis (Commercial Litigation and Labor and Employment Law – Management – Troy; and Barrett Young (Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation) – Detroit.
The following local Butzel attorneys were selected for the 2025 edition:
—Detroit office
Geaneen Arends, Real Estate Law
Frederick Berg, Commercial Litigation, Construction Litigation, Real Estate Law
James C. Bruno, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law, International Mergers and Acquisitions, International Trade and Finance Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Rebecca S. Davies, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Arthur Dudley II, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Darius Dynkowski, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Real Estate Law
Eric J. Flessland, Construction Law, Litigation – Construction
Bernard J. Fuhs, Commercial Litigation
Cynthia J. Haffey, Commercial Litigation
John P. Hancock Jr., Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management , Litigation – Labor and Employment
Justin G. Klimko, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation
Phillip C. Korovesis, Commercial Litigation, Mediation
Mark R. Lezotte, Health Care Law, Tax Law
Clara DeMatteis Mager, Immigration Law
Paul Mersino, Commercial Litigation
Brett Miller, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
Donald B. Miller, Commercial Litigation , Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Reginald A. Pacis, Immigration Law
James S. Rosenfeld, Employment Law – Management , Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Daniel R.W. Rustmann, Commercial Litigation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Bruce L. Sendek, Commercial Litigation
Nicholas J. Stasevich, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
John C. Valenti, Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Kurtis T. Wilder, Appellate Practice, Arbitration, Commercial Litigation, Employment Law – Management, Mediation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
—Troy office
Linda J. Armstrong, Immigration Law
D. Scott Brinkmann, Real Estate Law
Barbara E. Buchanan, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Jennifer E. Consiglio, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Michael C. Decker, Litigation – Construction
David J. Devine, Commercial Litigation
Carey A. DeWitt, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment , Trade Secrets Law
George B. Donnini, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar
W. Patrick Dreisig, Banking and Finance Law, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Damien DuMouchel, Criminal Defense: White-Collar
David F. DuMouchel, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law, Health Care Law
Geoffrey S. Gallinger, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
Debra A. Geroux, Commercial Litigation, Electronic Discovery and Information Management Law, Health Care Law, Litigation – Health Care
Amy L. Glenn, Trusts and Estates
Beth S. Gotthelf, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
David W. Hipp, Real Estate Law
Robert A. Hudson, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Laura Johnson, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law
Susan L. Johnson, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
Thomas A. Kabel, Real Estate Law
Sheldon H. Klein, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Antitrust
William J. Kliffel, Commercial Litigation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Bushra A. Malik, Immigration Law
Daniel J. McCarthy, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Mediation
Max J. Newman, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation
Scott T. Patterson, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Robert P. Perry, Trusts and Estates
Steven R. Pohl, Corporate Law
R. Peter Prokop, Corporate Law, Tax Law
Thomas B. Radom, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation
Richard E. Rassel, Commercial Litigation
Joseph Richotte, Appellate Practice
Craig S. Schwartz, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Robert H. Schwartz, Health Care Law, Litigation – Health Care
David W. Sommerfeld, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates
Daniel B. Tukel, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Roxana Zaha, Real Estate Law
Mallory A. Kallabat - Trusts and Estates
Loukas Kalliantasis - Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions
Nicholas Papasafakis - Trusts and Estates
Jonathan Roffe - Commercial Litigation
—Detroit
Robert N. Dare - Labor and Employment Law - Management
Theodore L. Degenhardt IV- Litigation - Construction, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Steven R. Pacynski - Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions
Hannah K. Reisdorff - Labor and Employment Law - Management
Stephanie V. Romeo - Litigation - Labor and Employment
Vince C. Sallan - Labor and Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Brian D. Shekell - Labor and Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
• • •
Kitch Attorneys & Counselors congratulates its attorneys who have been nominated and evaluated by their peers, and selected for recognition by Super Lawyers. Below are our honorees:
—Super Lawyers
Jenna Wright Greenman - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense
Carina Kraatz - Intellectual Property Litigation
John M. Sier - Construction Litigation
Richard Suhrheinrich - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense
Mark A. Wisniewski - Personal Injury-Products: Defense
—Rising Stars
Arooj Anjum - Civil Litigation: Defense
Brian Boehne - Personal Injury General: Defense
Katharine Gostek - Appellate
Farah Israel - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense
Ahndia Mansoori - Immigration: Business
Laura Sherbrook - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense
In addition, Kitch congratulates its attorneys who were recognized by their peers for their hard work and leadership. The Kitch 2025 honorees are:
Gregory G. Drutchas - Health Care Law
Meghan Kennedy Riordan - Immigration Law
Jenna Wright Greenman - Medical Malpractice Law: Defendants
John M. Sier - Construction Law and Litigation - Construction
Craig S. Thompson - Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation - Construction
Ralph F. Valitutti - Medical Malpractice Law: Defendants
Michael Vecchioni - Tax Law
Ronald E. Wagner - Product Liability Litigation: Defendants
Mark A. Wisniewski - Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants
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Brooks Kushman attorneys Isheeta Patel Laxmanan, Abha Fadipe, and Muhammad Siwani have been named to serve on the board of the South Asian Bar Association (SABA) of Michigan. Isheeta Patel Laxmanan was appointed as president, Abha Fadipe as secretary, and Muhammad Siwani as Communications/Social Media director.
The SABA Michigan Chapter organizes business and professional networking opportunities to promote the advancement and development of South Asian attorneys. The organization supports, guides, and mentors South Asian law students as well as providing referral services and supporting the provision of legal services to the South Asian community.
Laxmanan is a registered patent attorney who has experience working with a range of clients that vary in size, from Fortune 100 companies to small start-ups. She focuses her practice on preparing and prosecuting domestic patent applications in the chemical engineering and materials arts. She also advises her clients on various IP-related strategies, such as whether they have freedom to operate and by assessing the validity of patents. She provides insight to clients regarding business-critical decisions and has experience supporting IP negotiations, settlements, and litigation.
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, Fadipe was a product engineer for more than three years at a tier-1 automotive supplier. Fadipe earned a law degree, as well as a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering, all from Wayne State University (WSU).
Siwani focuses his practice on patent prosecution and covers a wide range of technologies from advanced material compositions to automotive innovations. Siwani as a registered patent agent is experienced in conducting patent searches, drafting patent applications, writing responses to first through final office actions, and drafting patentability memos for clients. Siwani earned a law degree Wayne State University Law School. He also holds an MBA from the Mike Ilitch School of Business and received a Bachelor of Engineering in Materials Science from the University of Michigan. Prior to working at Brooks Kushman, Siwani gained working experience in the legal department of a multinational Tier 1 automotive supplier in metro Detroit and also worked in the field as an engineer. During this time, he gained experience verifying and validating perception software that gives a vehicle a view of surrounding objects through sensor data fusion. He also spent time as a project manager where he conducted a range of automotive testing for both component and vehicle levels.
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Maddin Hauser is thrilled to announce the addition of four new attorneys, David B. Deutsch, Steven H. Malach, Michael Curhan, and Carly R. Kolo, as well as paralegals Debra L. Alster and Megan E. Fisher.
Deutsch and Malach join as shareholders. They will be instrumental in enhancing the firm’s capabilities in estate planning, probate and trust administration, probate litigation, corporate, mergers and acquisitions, and tax. Deutsch specializes in business and tax law matters, including estate and business succession planning, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate transactions. Malach oversees the Center for Estate Planning and has a remarkable breadth of experience handling probate litigation, complex trusts, wills, and estate plans.
Curhan joins the firm as Of Counsel. A veteran litigator, his experience comprises employment litigation, business divorce, and commercial litigation matters. Kolo, an associate, has distinguished herself in estate planning, probate, and trust administration.
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Seventy-six Butzel attorneys have been chosen by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025. Seventeen firm attorneys have been named to Best Lawyers in America® 2025 Ones to Watch. In addition, seven attorneys have been named “Lawyer of the Year.”
The following local Butzel attorneys have been named “Lawyer of the Year” – Jennifer E. Consiglio (Business Organizations – including LLCs and Partnerships) – Troy; George B. Donnini (Criminal Defense: White-Collar) – Troy; W. Patrick Dreisig (Corporate Governance Law) – Troy; Justin G. Klimko (Securities/ Capital Markets Law) – Detroit; Bushra A. Malik (Immigration Law) – Troy; and Reginald A. Pacis (Immigration Law) – Detroit.
The following local Butzel attorneys have been named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch: Steven Eatherly (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit;
Jonathan L. Kirkland (Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions) – Troy; Joseph Kuzmiak (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; Nicholas Nahat (Litigation – Labor and Employment) – Troy; Sarah Nirenberg (Labor and Employment -Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment – Troy; Shanika A. Owens (Corporate Law and Real Estate Law) Detroit; Blake Padgett (Labor and Employment Law – Management and Litigation – Labor and Employment) – Troy; James J. Pierce (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; Quendale G. Simmons (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; Ivonne M. Soler (Family Law) – Detroit; Blaine A. Veldhuis (Commercial Litigation and Labor and Employment Law – Management – Troy; and Barrett Young (Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation) – Detroit.
The following local Butzel attorneys were selected for the 2025 edition:
—Detroit office
Geaneen Arends, Real Estate Law
Frederick Berg, Commercial Litigation, Construction Litigation, Real Estate Law
James C. Bruno, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law, International Mergers and Acquisitions, International Trade and Finance Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Rebecca S. Davies, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Arthur Dudley II, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Darius Dynkowski, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Real Estate Law
Eric J. Flessland, Construction Law, Litigation – Construction
Bernard J. Fuhs, Commercial Litigation
Cynthia J. Haffey, Commercial Litigation
John P. Hancock Jr., Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management , Litigation – Labor and Employment
Justin G. Klimko, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation
Phillip C. Korovesis, Commercial Litigation, Mediation
Mark R. Lezotte, Health Care Law, Tax Law
Clara DeMatteis Mager, Immigration Law
Paul Mersino, Commercial Litigation
Brett Miller, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
Donald B. Miller, Commercial Litigation , Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Reginald A. Pacis, Immigration Law
James S. Rosenfeld, Employment Law – Management , Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Daniel R.W. Rustmann, Commercial Litigation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Bruce L. Sendek, Commercial Litigation
Nicholas J. Stasevich, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
John C. Valenti, Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Kurtis T. Wilder, Appellate Practice, Arbitration, Commercial Litigation, Employment Law – Management, Mediation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
—Troy office
Linda J. Armstrong, Immigration Law
D. Scott Brinkmann, Real Estate Law
Barbara E. Buchanan, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Jennifer E. Consiglio, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Michael C. Decker, Litigation – Construction
David J. Devine, Commercial Litigation
Carey A. DeWitt, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment , Trade Secrets Law
George B. Donnini, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar
W. Patrick Dreisig, Banking and Finance Law, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Damien DuMouchel, Criminal Defense: White-Collar
David F. DuMouchel, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law, Health Care Law
Geoffrey S. Gallinger, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
Debra A. Geroux, Commercial Litigation, Electronic Discovery and Information Management Law, Health Care Law, Litigation – Health Care
Amy L. Glenn, Trusts and Estates
Beth S. Gotthelf, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
David W. Hipp, Real Estate Law
Robert A. Hudson, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Laura Johnson, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law
Susan L. Johnson, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
Thomas A. Kabel, Real Estate Law
Sheldon H. Klein, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Antitrust
William J. Kliffel, Commercial Litigation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Bushra A. Malik, Immigration Law
Daniel J. McCarthy, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Mediation
Max J. Newman, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation
Scott T. Patterson, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Robert P. Perry, Trusts and Estates
Steven R. Pohl, Corporate Law
R. Peter Prokop, Corporate Law, Tax Law
Thomas B. Radom, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation
Richard E. Rassel, Commercial Litigation
Joseph Richotte, Appellate Practice
Craig S. Schwartz, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Robert H. Schwartz, Health Care Law, Litigation – Health Care
David W. Sommerfeld, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates
Daniel B. Tukel, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Roxana Zaha, Real Estate Law
