Butzel attorney Debra A. Geroux was a co-presenter
during a Michigan Primary Care Association (MPCA) webinar on Wednesday,
November 13. Geroux along with Scott Wrobel, managing member, N1
Discovery, presented a program titled, “The Nuts & Bolts of
Cybersecurity and Incident Response-Preparation, Identification and
Remediation of the Inevitable Cyber Attack.”
Geroux is co-chair of Butzel’s Health Care Industry Team. Her health care practice focuses on health care compliance, cybersecurity and privacy, and statutory reporting obligations. She has assisted health care practitioners in defense of state and federal debarment, fraud, waste and abuse investigations and litigation, licensing and credentialing, government and commercial payor audits and a host of other health care issues. She has experience in supply chain and source contracting for a large Michigan-based health system, including negotiations of its IT contracts.
Geroux earned her Certified in Healthcare Privacy Compliance (CHPC) designation from the Compliance and Certification Board. She also earned a Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) designation.
In addition, Butzel has received national recognition in the 2025 “Best Law Firms,” rankings by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®.
Butzel is ranked in multiple legal specialties in the Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Troy offices.
Below is a list of Butzel’s nation and local 2025 Best Law Firm rankings:
—National Tier 2
Securities Regulation
—National Tier 3
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Employment Law – Management
—Metropolitan Tier 1
• Detroit
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Employment Law – Management
Immigration Law
International Trade and Finance Law
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Defendants
Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Securities Regulation
Grand Rapids
Commercial Litigation
Mediation
Lansing
Litigation – Construction
• Troy
Appellate Practice
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Employment Law – Management
Environmental Law
Health Care Law
Immigration Law
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Antitrust
Litigation – Environmental
Litigation – Health Care
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Real Estate Law
Trusts and Estates
Geroux is co-chair of Butzel’s Health Care Industry Team. Her health care practice focuses on health care compliance, cybersecurity and privacy, and statutory reporting obligations. She has assisted health care practitioners in defense of state and federal debarment, fraud, waste and abuse investigations and litigation, licensing and credentialing, government and commercial payor audits and a host of other health care issues. She has experience in supply chain and source contracting for a large Michigan-based health system, including negotiations of its IT contracts.
Geroux earned her Certified in Healthcare Privacy Compliance (CHPC) designation from the Compliance and Certification Board. She also earned a Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) designation.
In addition, Butzel has received national recognition in the 2025 “Best Law Firms,” rankings by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®.
Butzel is ranked in multiple legal specialties in the Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Troy offices.
Below is a list of Butzel’s nation and local 2025 Best Law Firm rankings:
—National Tier 2
Securities Regulation
—National Tier 3
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Employment Law – Management
—Metropolitan Tier 1
• Detroit
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Employment Law – Management
Immigration Law
International Trade and Finance Law
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Defendants
Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Securities Regulation
Grand Rapids
Commercial Litigation
Mediation
Lansing
Litigation – Construction
• Troy
Appellate Practice
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Employment Law – Management
Environmental Law
Health Care Law
Immigration Law
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Antitrust
Litigation – Environmental
Litigation – Health Care
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Real Estate Law
Trusts and Estates
—Metropolitan Tier 2
• Detroit
Appellate Practice
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Construction Law
Corporate Compliance Law
Corporate Governance Law
Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law
Health Care Law
International Mergers & Acquisitions
Litigation – Construction
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Securities/ Capital Markets Law
• Troy
Banking and Finance Law
Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Corporate Governance Law
Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tax Law
—Metropolitan Tier 3
• Detroit
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Litigation – Trusts & Estates
Tax Law
Grand Rapids.
Arbitration
• Troy
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Butzel is also pleased to announce that attorney and shareholder Thomas A. Kabel has been named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Leaders in the Law” Class of 2024.
Kabel, who serves on Butzel’s Board of Directors and is a former chair of the firm’s Corporate/ Real Estate Practice Department, concentrates his practice in the area of commercial real estate and real estate-related finance. He has been involved in all facets of acquisition, disposition, leasing, financing and development of real property throughout his career.
His real estate practice spans a range of areas and clients, representing developers, automotive companies, manufacturing companies, and colleges and universities in all aspects of their real estate needs. He also has experience representing commercial lenders in conventional financing and has served as bank counsel on numerous industrial revenue and other tax-exempt financings.
Kabel is certified by the Small Business Administration to close SBA loans under the SBA’s 504 loan program. He is the author of “Equitable Subrogation: Why the Refinance Lender’s Security Interest May Not be as Secure as it Thinks” (Michigan Real Property Review) and has participated as a speaker and/or author in numerous seminars and other continuing legal education programs over the years.
He is the former chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Real Property Law Section. Kabel is a member of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys and of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the American Bar Association.
Kabel’s honors include recognition by The Best Lawyers in America®, Real Estate Law, 2016-2025; Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 Under 40, Class of 2014; Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Senior Statesperson Real Estate, 2015, 2018-2023; Michigan Super Lawyers, Rising Star in Real Estate, 2012; Michigan Super Lawyers, Real Estate, 2013-2024; and, DBusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit, Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law, 2011-2012, 2014, 2016-2018, 2020-2023; Banking & Financial Service Law, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021.
Kabel is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School (1999) and Grand Valley State University (B.S. 1995).
• • •
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP has been named as one of the 2025 “Best Law Firms” by Best Lawyers®.
Warner’s Bloomfield Hills and Detroit offices were recognized as top-tier law firms.
In Troy, Warner’s Bloomfield Hills office was recognized for bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization, commercial litigation, corporate, family, intellectual property litigation, real estate and trusts and estates.
The Detroit office was recognized for bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization, bankruptcy litigation, closely held companies and family businesses, commercial litigation, corporate, employee benefits, environmental, health care law and litigation, mass tort litigation/class actions, patent law, regulatory enforcement litigation, tax law and trust and estates.
Warner also had 120 attorneys listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025. Attorneys from each of the firm’s nine offices were featured in the 2025 listings, which were released earlier this year.
• • •
Michigan-based business law firm Williams, Williams, Rattner, & Plunkett PC is pleased to announce that five firm attorneys have been named to DBusiness magazine’s Top Lawyers list for 2025.
The WWRP attorneys acknowledged for their excellence, followed by their respective Top Lawyers category, include:
Robert B. Labe – Trusts and Estates
Jason C. Long – Real Estate Law
Jerome P. Pesick – Land Use & Zoning
Richard D. Rattner – Land Use & Zoning
C. Kim Shierk – Real Estate Law
The Top Lawyers recognition follows other legal accolades for these attorneys earlier this year, including 2024 Super Lawyers and 2025 Best Lawyers.
In another firm distinction from DBusiness, President and Managing Partner John W. Crowe was included in the magazine’s annual Detroit 500.
WWRP is also pleased to announce that the firm has again been highlighted among top-tier law firms by Best Lawyers® in the 15th edition of the United States Best Law Firms®. In the newly released annual rankings, the firm is pleased to announce it has been recognized with Tier 1 placement in seven legal areas:
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Family Law
Land Use and Zoning Law
Litigation – Real Estate
Real Estate Law
To be eligible for 2025 Best Law Firms, there must have been at least one lawyer listed in the current edition of The Best Lawyers in America and be in a Best Law Firms ranked practice area/metro area. In August, WWRP announced that 13 partners were named 2025 Best Lawyers with additional “Lawyer of the Year” honors awarded to C. Kim Shierk.
• • •
Management-side labor and employment law firm Nemeth Bonnette Brouwer PC is pleased to announce that the firm has been recognized as one of Metropolitan Detroit’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® in 2024. With this current announcement, Nemeth Bonnette Brouwer has achieved Best and Brightest accolades for 23 years.
“We are incredibly proud and honored to celebrate our 23-year legacy of being recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For,” Managing Partner Deborah Brouwer said. “From working with employers, we’ve learned the importance of prioritizing a positive workplace culture that has supportive policies and practices and fosters an environment that makes employees feel productive and fulfilled. This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to those values, and we look forward to continuing this tradition of excellence for years to come.”
Nemeth Bonnette Brouwer was also recently named among Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Best Women-Led Law Firms.
• • •
Senior attorney L. Jeffrey Zauberman recently joined the Business Transactions & Planning Practice Group of Plunkett Cooney.
A business attorney for nearly 40 years, Zauberman focuses his practice on the representation of borrowers and lenders in matters involving revolving lines of credit, term debt, real estate secured loans, and senior, mezzanine and acquisition financing. He also advises clients in connection with multifamily projects, hotels, shopping centers and self-storage facilities in Michigan and other states.
In addition, Zauberman has experience in all aspects of real estate law, including development, acquisitions, sales, leasing, sale-leaseback transactions, letter of credit transactions, and workouts.
Zauberman received his law degree from the University of Detroit School of Law in 1986. He completed the Bar Admission Course at the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1983 and 1984. In 1982, Zauberman received his Bachelor of Law degree from the Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto.
• • •
The Dobrusin Law Firm is honored to announce that it has been named a Metropolitan Tier 1 firm, the highest rating available for Troy in Copyright Law, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, and Trademark Law in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms®.
Earlier this year, Eric Dobrusin, Erin Klug, Kristen Pursley, and Rebecca Wilson were recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, and Katherine Pacynski, Paul Palinski, and Daniela Walters were recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America—each for the fifth year running.
• • •
Foster Swift is pleased to announce that DBusiness Magazine has included Julie Fershtman in its 2025 edition of the “Top Lawyers” in Metropolitan Detroit. Fershtman is listed in the magazine’s Insurance Law category.
Fershtman practices out of Foster Swift’s Southfield office. A lawyer for 38 years, she has tried cases before juries in four states. Michigan Super Lawyers lists her among the “Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers” and “Top 50 Michigan Women Super Lawyers.” She has been included in The Best Lawyers in America in categories of Commercial Litigation and Insurance Law for several years.
Fershtman is a past president of the State Bar of Michigan and has been a speaker at conferences in 29 states. She is also the author of four law-related books, including two books published by the American Bar Association.
• • •
McDonald Hopkins is proud to welcome Hannah Babinski as a new associate in the Detroit office. She previously worked at the firm as a clerk during her law school years.
Babinski is a part of McDonald Hopkins’ Litigation Department and the firm’s national Data Privacy and Cybersecurity team. She focuses her practice on helping clients proactively manage personal, sensitive and confidential information to minimize the risk of a data privacy incident. She also counsels clients on efficient and effective incident response service. Additionally, Babinski ensures compliance on the ever-evolving state, federal and international privacy and breach notification laws.
“I chose McDonald Hopkins for multiple reasons, with the primary reason being that during my time clerking with the firm, I was able to watch the associates and members interact in a way that broke down the feeling of separateness between the two levels of seniority and resulted in an approachable atmosphere. It’s a close-knit team and I am thrilled to be a part of it,” Babinski said.
• • •
Kemp Klein has been recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms®:
—Regional Tier 1
• Troy
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Elder Law
Family Law
Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Real Estate Law
Tax Law
Trusts and Estates
—Regional Tier 2
• Troy
Litigation – Construction
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Litigation and Controversy – Tax
—Regional Tier 3
• Troy
Appellate Practice
Arbitration
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Land Use and Zoning Law
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
In addition, Kemp Klein is pleased to announce that 24 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the DBusiness Magazine 2025 list of Top Lawyers.
Amanda Afton Martin was recognized for Tax Law
Robert S. Zawideh was recognized for his work in Trust and Estates
Richard C. Bruder was recognized for his work in Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Raymond L. Morrow was recognized for his work in Litigation – Construction
Ralph A. Castelli was recognized for his work in Corporate Law
Norman D. Orr was recognized for his work in Bankruptcy and Creditor / Debtor Rights Law
Neal Nusholtz was recognized for Tax Law
Michael D. Umphrey was recognized for Tax Law
Matthew W. Frank was recognized for Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Mark R. Filipp was recognized for Labor and Employment Law
Joseph P. Buttiglieri was recognized for Mediation and Trust & Estates
James P. Davey was recognized for Litigation – Construction
Faith M. Gaudaen was recognized for Litigation – Construction
Edward M. Nahhat was recognized for Appellate Law
David D. Marsh was recognized for Real Estate Law
Cynthia L. Umphrey was recognized for Trust & Estates and Corporate Law
Casey W. Callahan was recognized for Trusts and Estates
C. Leslie Banas was recognized for Real Estate Law
Brian H. Rolfe was recognized for Litigation – Commercial
Brian R. Jenney was recognized for Trusts and Estates
Austin W. Probst was recognized for Trusts and Estates
Amy W. Stawski was recognized for Family Law
William B. Acker was recognized for his work in Tax Law
Alan A. May was recognized for Trusts and Estates
• • •
Varnum partner J. David Garcia has been named to the 2024 Class of Leaders in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
As a member of Varnum’s Litigation and Trial Practice Team, Garcia handles multimillion-dollar cases and has trial experience in state and federal courts and arbitration forums. He litigates cases involving contractual and partner/shareholder disputes, misappropriation of trade secrets and intellectual property claims, accounting malpractice and other complex commercial matters.
Garcia’s courtroom successes include representing a publicly traded Tier-1 automotive supplier in a dispute with a Fortune 100 manufacturer over a terminated merger agreement. Following a partial seven-week federal jury trial, he secured a $20 million settlement in the client’s favor – the largest reported settlement in Michigan that year.
He also routinely advises and defends large accounting and consulting firms against claims concerning tax and attest services. Recently, Garcia obtained a complete dismissal and a substantial six-figure award of attorneys’ fees for an accounting firm client accused of malpractice and breach of fiduciary duties.
Varnum is also pleased to announce Kathryn Ahlbrand has joined the firm’s Tax Planning, Compliance and Litigation Practice Team as an associate in the Birmingham office.
Ahlbrand’s practice includes tax compliance and audit support, as well as planning engagements for large multinational corporations and partnerships, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, integrations and operating model effectiveness. Prior to joining Varnum, she began her career with two “Big 4” accounting firms focusing on International Tax and Transactions.
She has overseen quarterly international tax reporting and audit engagements for multinational corporations in accordance with U.S. GAAP. She has experience in tax compliance matters including returns and informational reporting for international entities. Ahlbrand has also supported the tax-free spin-off of a major automotive mobility company, providing guidance through complex transitions.
Ahlbrand earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wayne State University in 2015 and her law degree from Michigan State University Law School in 2019.
• • •
Dawda Mann is proud to announce that 21 attorneys have been recognized in the 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. This year’s honored attorneys include (rising Star designations noted with *):
Kristen L. Baiardi* (Business Litigation)
Kylie E. Bergmann* (Real Estate)
Alfredo Casab (Business/Corporate, 6th year)
Randal R. Cole (Employment & Labor, 11th year)
Brian J. Considine (Environmental, 8th year)
Edward C. Dawda (Business/Corporate, 19th year)
Daniel M. Halprin (Real Estate, 5th year)
Samuel Kokoszka* (Real Estate)
Christopher R. Martella (Real Estate, 1st year)
Jeffrey D. Moss (Tax, 8th year)
John Mucha III (Civil Litigation: Defense, 15th year)
Michael Piggins* (Civil Litigation: Defense)
Glenn G. Ross (Estate & Probate, 8th year)
Susan J. Sadler (Environmental, 19th year)
Marc K. Salach (Business/Corporate, 5th year)
Wayne S. Segal (Real Estate, 18th year)
Richard M. Selik (Real Estate, 14th year)
Tyler D. Tennent (Land Use/Zoning, 11th year)
Erin Bowen Welch* (Real Estate)
Frances Belzer Wilson (Business Litigation, 4th year)
John F. Youngblood (Franchise/Dealership, 17th year)
• • •
For the 15th year in a row, Honigman has been named as one of the nation’s leading law firms in multiple practice areas by Best Lawyers® on the “Best Law Firms” list. Honigman’s Insurance and Real Estate Departments were recognized with National Tier 1 honors, 19 national rankings in total, and 49 regional rankings across seven of the firm’s offices.
Honigman’s national and local rankings include:
—National Tier 1
Insurance Law
Real Estate Law
—National Tier 2
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions
Litigation - Real Estate
Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Securities Regulation
Trademark Law
—National Tier 3
Appellate Practice
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Environmental Law
Health Care Law
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Securities / Capital Markets Law
—Metropolitan Tier 1
• Detroit
Antitrust Law
Appellate Practice
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
Corporate Compliance Law
Corporate Governance Law
Corporate Law
Employment Law - Management
Environmental Law
Government Relations Practice
Health Care Law
Immigration Law
Information Technology Law
Insurance Law
International Mergers and Acquisitions
Land Use and Zoning Law
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
Litigation - Antitrust
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions
Litigation - Real Estate
Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
Litigation - Securities
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Real Estate Law
Securities / Capital Markets Law
Securities Regulation
Tax Law
• Bloomfield Hills
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Copyright Law
Corporate Law
Family Law
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions
Litigation - Patent
Litigation - Securities
Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Nonprofit / Charities Law
Patent Law
Real Estate Law
Tax Law
Trademark Law
Trusts and Estates
—Metropolitan Tier 2
• Detroit
Banking and Finance Law
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Franchise Law
Privacy and Data Security Law
—Metropolitan Tier 3
• Detroit
Litigation - Labor and Employment
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that 57 of the firm’s attorneys have been included in DBusiness 2025 Top Lawyers.
Below is a list of local Dickinson Wright lawyers included in this year’s list:
• Detroit
Allison R. Bach, Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Aaron V. Burrell, Labor and Employment Law
Christopher A. Cornwall, Construction Law
David R. Deromedi, Labor and Employment Law
Phillip J. DeRosier, Appellate Law
Patrick B. Green, Litigation - Commercial
K. Scott Hamilton, Appellate Law
Mark R. High, Corporate Law
Steven G. Howell, Banking & Financial Services Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights Law
Timothy H. Howlett, Labor and Employment Law
Andrew W. MacLeod, Tax Law
Sharon R. Newlon, Environmental Law
James A. Plemmons, Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights Law
William P. Shield Jr., Banking & Financial Services Law
Theodore B. Sylwestrzak, Banking & Financial Services Law
Bruce C. Thelen, International Trade Law
L. Pahl Zinn, Antitrust Law
• Troy
Roger H. Cummings, International Trade Law
J. Benjamin Dolan, Litigation – Real Estate
Deborah L. Grace, Employee Benefits Law
Roberta P. Granadier, Employee Benefits Law
Eric W. Gregory, Employee Benefits Law
Craig W. Hammond, Public Finance Law
Erin A. Johnson, Real Estate Law
Monica J. Labe, Real Estate Law
Elise S. Levasseur, Immigration Law
Elizabeth L. Luckenbach, Trusts & Estates
Michael J. Lusardi, Real Estate Law
Christopher C. Maeso, Real Estate Law
James A. Martone, Litigation – Commercial
Eric McGlothlin, Public Finance Law
Cynthia A. Moore, Employee Benefits Law
Joseph R. Owens, Trusts & Estates
Edward H. Pappas, Arbitration
Ariana Deskins Pellegrino, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Joseph J. Pytel, Intellectual Property and Patent Law
Daniel D. Quick, Commercial Law
Michael T. Raymond, Mergers & Acquisitions Law
William L. Rosin, Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Kimberly J. Ruppel, Health Care Law
AnnMarie Sanford, Environmental Law
Dawn Faxon Singer, Real Estate Law
Lynn Capp Sirich, Family Law
Joan Cripe Skrzyniarz, Trusts & Estates
Kimberly M. Slaven, Intellectual Property and Patent Law
Michael Vogt, Land Use & Zoning Law
Peter H. Webster, Land Use & Zoning Law
Mark E. Wilson, Health Care Law
Kathryn S. Wood, Labor and Employment Law
Katheryne L. Zelenock, Real Estate Law
• • •
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that the firm has been ranked in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms® both nationally and in multiple Michigan markets.
Best Law Firms ranked Bodman as a leader in the following national and local areas:
—National
Banking and Finance Law
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
—Metropolitan Tier 1
• Detroit
Banking and Finance Law
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Litigation-Banking & Finance
Litigation-Bankruptcy
Litigation-Environmental
Litigation-Trusts & Estates
Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
Nonprofit/Charities Law
Real Estate Law
Trusts & Estates Law
• Troy
Banking and Finance Law
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employment Law-Management
Labor Law-Management
Litigation-Banking and Finance
Litigation-Trusts & Estates
Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Real Estate Law
Trusts & Estates Law
Bodman is also pleased to share that Reem S. Aburukba, Yasmine H. Choucair, Carson V. Garguilo, Tatianna A. Gore, Grace N. Heidorn, and Tara L. Zrepskey have joined the firm as associate attorneys.
Garguilo, Gore, Heidorn, and Zrepskey are based in the Detroit office and Aburukba and Choucair in the Troy office. All six new associates participated in Bodman’s 2023 summer associate program.
Aburukba is an associate in Bodman’s Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group. She represents clients involved in commercial litigation matters. Aburukba is a graduate of University of Michigan Law School and also received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan. As a law student, she served as a law clerk for Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Tracy Van den Bergh.
Choucair is an associate in the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group. She represents businesses and financial institutions in connection with commercial and industrial real estate transactions and in real estate finance matters. Choucair graduated from University of Michigan Law School and received her undergraduate degree from University of Michigan-Dearborn.
Garguilo is an associate in the firm’s Banking Practice Group. She focuses her practice on representing financial institutions in connection with commercial loan originations. She graduated from Michigan State University College of Law and received her undergraduate degree from University of Michigan-Dearborn.
Gore is an associate in Bodman’s Enterprise Procurement Group. She represents business clients in connection with a variety of commercial transactions, including the drafting and negotiation of vendor contracts for a broad range of goods and services. Gore graduated from Wayne State University Law School and also received her undergraduate degree from Wayne State University.
Heidorn is an associate in the firm’s Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group. She represents clients involved in complex commercial litigation matters. Heidorn graduated from Chicago-Kent College of Law and received her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University.
Zrepskey is an associate in the Business and Exempt Organizations and Impact Investing practice groups. She represents a variety of corporate clients in connection with the structuring and negotiation of complex transactions and on general organizational and business matters. Zrepskey graduated laude from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and received her undergraduate degree from Oakland University. While in law school, she interned with Michigan Supreme Court Justice Brian K. Zahra.
• • •
Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that Joshua M. Carlisle has joined the firm as an associate in the firm’s Corporate and Transactions Group, where he will focus on supporting clients in the areas of export controls and sanctions. With a background in customs compliance and trade regulations, Carlisle brings experience from his work in both the automotive and trade advisory industries.
Carlisle joins Miller Canfield from General Motors, where he served as a customs analyst and, on an interim basis, customs counsel. In these roles, he developed and implemented global compliance protocols across supply chains and provided strategic guidance on U.S. antidumping and countervailing duties. He also brings experience from his prior positions with Buckland Customs Brokers and Sandler & Travis Trade Advisory Services, where he developed processes to enhance compliance and transparency for international trade.
Carlisle earned his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. He is also a licensed customs broker and holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Michigan State University.
• • •
Dykema recenty announced that the firm was nationally ranked in 15 practice areas in the 2025 Best Law Firms list and received a total of 153 metropolitan rankings representing various areas of law.
Dykema’s nationa dn local recognized practices are listed below:
—National Tier 1
Commercial Litigation
Land Use & Zoning Law
—National Tier 2
Banking and Finance Law
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Corporate Law
Financial Services Regulation Law
Litigation - Real Estate
Patent Law
Real Estate Law
—National Tier 3
Environmental Law
Insurance Law
Litigation - Intellectual Property
Litigation and Controversy – Tax
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Securities / Capital Markets Law
—Metropolitan Tier 1
• Bloomfield Hills
Arbitration
Banking and Finance Law
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Immigration Law
Land Use & Zoning Law
Litigation - Antitrust
Litigation - Banking & Finance
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Litigation - Land Use & Zoning
Litigation - Real Estate
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Real Estate Law
Trusts & Estates Law
• Detroit
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Corporate Law
Employment Law - Management
Environmental Law
Labor Law - Management
Land Use & Zoning Law
Litigation - Environmental
Litigation - Labor & Employment
Litigation - Real Estate
Litigation - Securities
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Mediation
Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Privacy and Data Security Law
Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Tax Law
—Metropolitan Tier 2
• Bloomfield Hills
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Employment Law - Management
Energy Law
Immigration Law
Litigation - Antitrust
Litigation - Labor & Employment
Litigation - Patent
Patent Law
Project Finance Law
• Detroit
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Education Law
Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
Real Estate Law
Securities / Capital Markets Law
—Metropolitan Tier 3
• Bloomfield Hills
Litigation - Patent
• • •
Taft Detroit Technology and Artificial Intelligence Chair and Partner Jeremy Bisdorf will speak at the DBusiness Breakfast Series 2024 at the Book
Tower Detroit on Dec. 4. Bisdorf will speak on a panel discussing how individuals can leverage AI for business and career success.
Bisdorf provides strategic legal and business advice to clients to maximize the value of their patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other proprietary information. He serves as general counsel and a trusted advisor to a variety of privately-held businesses in different industry segments where technology and know-how are key business assets.
In his practice, Bisdorf counsels clients on contracts, national and international intellectual property protection, business negotiations, licensing matters, business formation issues, corporate governance, ownership transfers, and tax planning strategies.
• • •
Giarmarco, Mullins, & Horton PC has been recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms®.
Giarmarco, Mullins, & Horton PC received the following rankings in the 2025 Best Law Firms®:
—Regional Tier 1
• Troy
Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Education Law
Family Law
Health Care Law
Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Real Estate Law
Tax Law
Trusts and Estates
—Regional Tier 2
• Troy
Litigation – Insurance
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Litigation – Mergers and Acquisitions
—Regional Tier 3
• Troy
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Litigation – Real Estate
Litigation – Trusts and Estates
• • •
Collins Einhorn Farrell PC is pleased to announce that ten of its colleagues have been named to the 2025 “Top Lawyers” list by DBusiness magazine:
David C. Anderson – Legal Malpractice Law
Theresa M. Asoklis – Legal Malpractice Law
Donald D. Campbell – Legal Malpractice Law
Trent B. Collier – Appellate Law
Michael J. Cook – Appellate Law
Jeffrey R. Hicks – Legal Malpractice Law
Clayton F. Farrell – Product Liability
James J. Hunter – Legal Malpractice Law
Michael J. Sullivan – Product Liability
Nicole E. Wilinski – Insurance Law
In addition, CEF’s Appellate Practice Group has been recognized nationally for the 9th year in a row. CEF received the following rankings in the 2025 U.S. News-Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms”:
—National Tier 3
David C. Anderson – Legal Malpractice Law
Theresa M. Asoklis – Legal Malpractice Law
Donald D. Campbell – Legal Malpractice Law
Trent B. Collier – Appellate Law
Michael J. Cook – Appellate Law
Jeffrey R. Hicks – Legal Malpractice Law
Clayton F. Farrell – Product Liability
James J. Hunter – Legal Malpractice Law
Michael J. Sullivan – Product Liability
Nicole E. Wilinski – Insurance Law
In addition, CEF’s Appellate Practice Group has been recognized nationally for the 9th year in a row. CEF received the following rankings in the 2025 U.S. News-Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms”:
—National Tier 3
Appellate Practice
—Metropolitan Tier 1
• Detroit
Appellate Practice
Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law
Insurance Law
Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
Litigation – Insurance
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
—Metropolitan Tier 2
• Detroit
Commercial Litigation
—Metropolitan Tier 3
• Detroit
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• • •
Maddin Hauser is pleased to be recognized for its work across several practice areas in the newly released 2025 edition of Best Law Firms©. The firm is ranked regionally in 16 practice areas and proudly notes that ten areas received Tier 1 recognition, the highest tier possible.
—Metropolitan Tier 1
• Detroit
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employment Law – Individuals
Franchise Law
Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
Real Estate Law
Trusts and Estates
—Metropolitan Tier 2
• Detroit
Commercial Litigation
Insurance Law
—Metropolitan Tier 3
• Detroit
Corporate Law
Employment Law – Management
Land Use and Zoning Law
Tax Law
• • •
Intellectual property law firm Fishman Stewart PLLC is pleased to announce that two firm attorneys have been recognized as DBusiness Top Lawyers for 2025.
Receiving Top Lawyers honors, followed by category of distinction, are:
Barbara L. Mandell: 2025 Top Lawyer in “Litigation–Intellectual Property”
Mandell has more than 35 years of experience in complex litigation. Her practice is focused on litigating, arbitrating and counseling her clients on patent, trademark and licensing matters as well as antitrust law.
Michael B. Stewart: 2025 Top Lawyer in “Intellectual Property & Patent Law”
A co-founder of the firm, master’s level engineer, and registered patent attorney, Stewart has more than 30 years of experience as a valued strategic adviser to CEOs and senior executives across the globe. He led the firm’s targeted recruiting campaign this year, which attracted top IP talent to Fishman Stewart from across the country and answered increased client demand with strengthened capabilities in Artificial Intelligence, chemistry, and electrical and computer arts.
In addition to DBusiness Top Lawyers accolades, the pair was included on 2024 Leading Lawyers, 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers, and 2025 Best Lawyers lists along with other attorneys from the firm.
Fishman Stewart is also pleased to announce the firm has again earned recognition as a tier-ranked law firm in Best Lawyers® newly-minted 15th edition of the United States Best Law Firms®. In this current release, Fishman Stewart repeated Tier 1 rankings at the metropolitan level in two categories:
Litigation – Intellectual Property
—Metropolitan Tier 1
• Detroit
Appellate Practice
Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law
Insurance Law
Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
Litigation – Insurance
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
—Metropolitan Tier 2
• Detroit
Commercial Litigation
—Metropolitan Tier 3
• Detroit
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• • •
Maddin Hauser is pleased to be recognized for its work across several practice areas in the newly released 2025 edition of Best Law Firms©. The firm is ranked regionally in 16 practice areas and proudly notes that ten areas received Tier 1 recognition, the highest tier possible.
—Metropolitan Tier 1
• Detroit
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employment Law – Individuals
Franchise Law
Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
Real Estate Law
Trusts and Estates
—Metropolitan Tier 2
• Detroit
Commercial Litigation
Insurance Law
—Metropolitan Tier 3
• Detroit
Corporate Law
Employment Law – Management
Land Use and Zoning Law
Tax Law
• • •
Intellectual property law firm Fishman Stewart PLLC is pleased to announce that two firm attorneys have been recognized as DBusiness Top Lawyers for 2025.
Receiving Top Lawyers honors, followed by category of distinction, are:
Barbara L. Mandell: 2025 Top Lawyer in “Litigation–Intellectual Property”
Mandell has more than 35 years of experience in complex litigation. Her practice is focused on litigating, arbitrating and counseling her clients on patent, trademark and licensing matters as well as antitrust law.
Michael B. Stewart: 2025 Top Lawyer in “Intellectual Property & Patent Law”
A co-founder of the firm, master’s level engineer, and registered patent attorney, Stewart has more than 30 years of experience as a valued strategic adviser to CEOs and senior executives across the globe. He led the firm’s targeted recruiting campaign this year, which attracted top IP talent to Fishman Stewart from across the country and answered increased client demand with strengthened capabilities in Artificial Intelligence, chemistry, and electrical and computer arts.
In addition to DBusiness Top Lawyers accolades, the pair was included on 2024 Leading Lawyers, 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers, and 2025 Best Lawyers lists along with other attorneys from the firm.
Fishman Stewart is also pleased to announce the firm has again earned recognition as a tier-ranked law firm in Best Lawyers® newly-minted 15th edition of the United States Best Law Firms®. In this current release, Fishman Stewart repeated Tier 1 rankings at the metropolitan level in two categories:
Litigation – Intellectual Property
Trademark Law
In addition, Fishman Stewart is pleased to welcome John McGrath Jr. to the firm to serve in the new role of supervising relationship manager. The announcement was made by Managing Partner Michael Stewart.
McGrath brings a variety of complementary career experiences to the new role, including organizational development, HR, marketing and branding, sales strategy, enterprise software implementation and workplace culture-building endeavors. At Fishman Stewart, he works with attorneys on business development initiatives that support firm growth and strengthen client and firm relationships. Additionally, he oversees select firm operational efforts, including the coordination of internal resources and external agencies to maximize firm communications, recruiting efforts, and overall operational efficiency.
Active in the community, McGrath is a board member, Macomb County Habitat for Humanity, and a board member, Advancing Macomb, where he also serves as the board treasurer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida.
• • •
Roy Sexton, director of Marketing at Clark Hill and 2024 international immediate past president of the Legal Marketing Association, has been named to the INvolve Outstanding 100 LGBTQ+ Executives Role Model List for 2024. This is his second year in a row that Sexton has been recognized by the organization.
The Outstanding LGBTQ+ Role Model Lists supported by YouTube showcase LGBTQ+ business leaders and allies who are breaking down barriers and creating more inclusive workplaces across the world. They aim to represent the wide range of impactful and innovative work being done for inclusion across different countries, organizations and sectors, and celebrate the diverse range of inspiring individuals who have made it their personal mission to make a difference.
In their recognition, INVolve wrote, “Roy Sexton leads Clark Hill PLC’s marketing, branding and communications efforts. In 2024, Roy was named one of Corp! Magazine’s ‘Most Valuable Professionals in Michigan.’ He was listed in Crain’s Detroit ‘Notable LGBTQ in Business’ in 2021 and ‘Notable Leaders in Marketing’ in 2023. In 2022, Clark Hill’s marketing campaign received Best Marketing Campaign from Managing Partners’ Forum in London, celebrating professional services organizations. The campaign was noted for its focus on values, diversity, inclusion. Roy hosts the monthly Expert Webcast series All the World’s YOUR Stage: Authentic Culture Drives Authentic Growth, discussing the importance of inclusion, allyship, authenticity, personal/professional branding with nationally recognized executives and thought leaders. Each episode has a monthly reach of at least 20,000 impressions. In 2023, Roy was the international president of the 4,000-member Legal Marketing Association. Throughout his tenure, Roy prioritized DEI issues, putting them front and center on all education and messaging efforts.”
INvolve is a consultancy and global network driving diversity and inclusion in business. Through the delivery of advisory solutions, awareness workshops, talent development programs, INvolve drives cultural change and create inclusive workplaces where all individuals can succeed.
About the recognition, Sexton said, “I’m thrilled to have been named amongst these incredible LGBTQIA+ leaders for the second year in a row. People often fail to realize the importance of visibility and representation. These awards aren’t about the momentary personal ‘sugar rush’ of recognition. Rather they demonstrate to the business community the essential value of celebrating those willing - and brave enough - to integrate the personal and professional sides of their lives. And more importantly, to talk about it. As a young gay man in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, such a list would have given me far greater confidence that there would be a place for me in this world. I’m grateful – and hopeful – that I in turn can serve some small role in helping send that message to the LGBTQIA+ community today.”
In addition, Fishman Stewart is pleased to welcome John McGrath Jr. to the firm to serve in the new role of supervising relationship manager. The announcement was made by Managing Partner Michael Stewart.
McGrath brings a variety of complementary career experiences to the new role, including organizational development, HR, marketing and branding, sales strategy, enterprise software implementation and workplace culture-building endeavors. At Fishman Stewart, he works with attorneys on business development initiatives that support firm growth and strengthen client and firm relationships. Additionally, he oversees select firm operational efforts, including the coordination of internal resources and external agencies to maximize firm communications, recruiting efforts, and overall operational efficiency.
Active in the community, McGrath is a board member, Macomb County Habitat for Humanity, and a board member, Advancing Macomb, where he also serves as the board treasurer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida.
• • •
Roy Sexton, director of Marketing at Clark Hill and 2024 international immediate past president of the Legal Marketing Association, has been named to the INvolve Outstanding 100 LGBTQ+ Executives Role Model List for 2024. This is his second year in a row that Sexton has been recognized by the organization.
The Outstanding LGBTQ+ Role Model Lists supported by YouTube showcase LGBTQ+ business leaders and allies who are breaking down barriers and creating more inclusive workplaces across the world. They aim to represent the wide range of impactful and innovative work being done for inclusion across different countries, organizations and sectors, and celebrate the diverse range of inspiring individuals who have made it their personal mission to make a difference.
In their recognition, INVolve wrote, “Roy Sexton leads Clark Hill PLC’s marketing, branding and communications efforts. In 2024, Roy was named one of Corp! Magazine’s ‘Most Valuable Professionals in Michigan.’ He was listed in Crain’s Detroit ‘Notable LGBTQ in Business’ in 2021 and ‘Notable Leaders in Marketing’ in 2023. In 2022, Clark Hill’s marketing campaign received Best Marketing Campaign from Managing Partners’ Forum in London, celebrating professional services organizations. The campaign was noted for its focus on values, diversity, inclusion. Roy hosts the monthly Expert Webcast series All the World’s YOUR Stage: Authentic Culture Drives Authentic Growth, discussing the importance of inclusion, allyship, authenticity, personal/professional branding with nationally recognized executives and thought leaders. Each episode has a monthly reach of at least 20,000 impressions. In 2023, Roy was the international president of the 4,000-member Legal Marketing Association. Throughout his tenure, Roy prioritized DEI issues, putting them front and center on all education and messaging efforts.”
INvolve is a consultancy and global network driving diversity and inclusion in business. Through the delivery of advisory solutions, awareness workshops, talent development programs, INvolve drives cultural change and create inclusive workplaces where all individuals can succeed.
About the recognition, Sexton said, “I’m thrilled to have been named amongst these incredible LGBTQIA+ leaders for the second year in a row. People often fail to realize the importance of visibility and representation. These awards aren’t about the momentary personal ‘sugar rush’ of recognition. Rather they demonstrate to the business community the essential value of celebrating those willing - and brave enough - to integrate the personal and professional sides of their lives. And more importantly, to talk about it. As a young gay man in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, such a list would have given me far greater confidence that there would be a place for me in this world. I’m grateful – and hopeful – that I in turn can serve some small role in helping send that message to the LGBTQIA+ community today.”
