Jenna Wright Greenman is pictured with her husband, Milt Greenman. Both attorneys are members of ABOTA, the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates.
By Tom Kirvan
Legal News
The proverb “if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it” seems counterintuitive until you come across the likes of Jenna Wright Greenman, an attorney with Kitch in Detroit who has a track record of distinction in the legal world and in community service circles.
A University of Michigan alumna, Wright Greenman has spent the bulk of her career with Kitch, serving in a leadership role in its birth trauma and medical malpractice defense practice group, successfully defending professional liability claims against doctors, hospitals, and medical care providers. A sought-after speaker in the fields of obstetrics, pediatrics, neurology, and physician practice guidelines, Wright Greenman also is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), a select group of attorneys who have elevated the standards of integrity, honor, and civility in the legal profession.
In addition to her legal responsibilities, Wright Greenman has been a force for good in the community, serving for six years as president of the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit while also founding and organizing the annual “Escape to Belle Isle” race series each July to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provides convenient lodging for families of children undergoing medical treatment in Metro Detroit.
This year’s event – the 17th annual – is planned for Saturday, July 19 and will feature a 1-mile fun run for kids as well as 2-mile, 5-kilometer, and 10-km races, which may sport a special pink glow in light of another leadership role that Wright Greenman recently undertook.
On January 1, Wright Greenman began her volunteer role as president of the Shades of Pink Foundation, a Birmingham-based nonprofit that helps local breast cancer patients with pressing financial needs as they undergo treatment. She succeeds Mary Pat Meyers, a personal injury attorney with Meyers Law PLLC in Dearborn, with whom she served as co-president during the final half of 2024.
Meyers, who formerly served on the Board of Governors for Cranbrook Schools for 10 years, is one of the founding members of Impact100 of Oakland County, an organization of women who share a vision of “making a big difference in Oakland County through large-scale charitable giving.” Her philanthropic efforts continued at Shades of Pink, which she has headed since 2021.
Now, as Shades of Pink celebrates its 20th year of helping breast cancer patients in the Southeast Michigan community, Meyers is enthused about having Wright Greenman at the helm.
“Jenna is woman of integrity, self-awareness and passion with the gift of conversation and empowering others,” Meyers said of her successor. “She has great insight, a great sense of humor, and energy like no other.
“Many are surprised to learn that Jenna and I are adversaries in the legal forum,” Meyers noted. “She represents her clients zealously yet is respectful and compassionate in her work and interactions with the opposing parties. It has been an honor to work side-by-side with Jenna as she joined the SOPF in July 2024 as Co-President and hit the ground running. She brings that same passion and respect, insight, and forward-thinking vision to her SOPF position.”
In fact, Wright Greenman is “perfectly suited” for the challenge of taking Shades of Pink to the “next level” in terms of making an impact in the lives of cancer victims, Meyers declared.
“Jenna is no stranger to the nonprofit world and the balancing act of work and giving back,” Meyers indicated. “Jenna leads by example. As a shareholder at Kitch, she mentors young associates. She sits on numerous boards associated within the legal community and has extensive nonprofit board experience. I could not have been more thrilled to learn of Jenna’s interest in the president position at SOPF. The board has set ambitious goals for 2025 as the organization celebrates 20 years of giving back.
“Jenna brings the perfect blend of talent and energy to work with the amazing board and staff in place to help achieve those goals while generating new ideas, new direction, and cultivating new board members and donors,” Meyers added. “I truly look forward to working with Jenna in the upcoming year and I know, she will knock it out the park. It is just who she is!”
Wright Greenman said her interest in helping SOPF fulfill its mission stems from the toll that cancer has taken on those around her.
“We all have someone in our lives who has been impacted by cancer, whether it be a friend, a colleague, or a loved one,” said Wright Greenman. “Cancer knows no bounds and I really felt compelled to get involved in making a difference for cancer patients and their families. The need is so great, which is one of the reasons I’ve been so impressed with Shades of Pink and how fast we can address a specific need. We get money into the hands of people as soon as we can.”
Married and the mother of one son, Wright Greenman comes from a family of attorneys. Her father, Mel Paunovich, has spent 45-plus years in the legal profession after working the first half of his career in various law enforcement roles (see related story).
Her younger brother, Joe Paunovich, is a patent attorney and partner with Quinn Emanuel, a firm with 35 offices in 12 countries around the globe. Her husband, Milt Greenman, is a noted plaintiff’s attorney specializing in medical malpractice and has practiced for 40 years, and is with the Sam Bernstein Law Firm.
“We’re on opposite sides of the legal fence, but we’re each other’s biggest cheerleader,” Wright Greenman proclaimed. “People see us as the James Carville-Mary Matalin of med-mal, but it works.”
The couple, who fittingly met at the Wayne County Courthouse, have been married for 16 years, and renew their wedding vows each anniversary, dispelling any notion that legal opposites don’t attract.
Wright Greenman’s son, Grant, has opted for a different career path. A Birmingham Brother Rice grad, Grant is pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Detroit Mercy with plans to eventually become a physician assistant.
While her son was a student at Brother Rice, Wright Greenman wasn’t content to take a mere spectator’s role in his school activities.
“He was on the ski and soccer teams there, so I helped run the booster clubs for both teams,” she said matter-of-factly.
She then took her involvement as a soccer mom one step further, becoming a referee for the United States Soccer Federation while also playing the sport competitively.
“When I decide to get involved in something, I go all-in,” she said with a smile.
Legal News
The proverb “if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it” seems counterintuitive until you come across the likes of Jenna Wright Greenman, an attorney with Kitch in Detroit who has a track record of distinction in the legal world and in community service circles.
A University of Michigan alumna, Wright Greenman has spent the bulk of her career with Kitch, serving in a leadership role in its birth trauma and medical malpractice defense practice group, successfully defending professional liability claims against doctors, hospitals, and medical care providers. A sought-after speaker in the fields of obstetrics, pediatrics, neurology, and physician practice guidelines, Wright Greenman also is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), a select group of attorneys who have elevated the standards of integrity, honor, and civility in the legal profession.
In addition to her legal responsibilities, Wright Greenman has been a force for good in the community, serving for six years as president of the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit while also founding and organizing the annual “Escape to Belle Isle” race series each July to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provides convenient lodging for families of children undergoing medical treatment in Metro Detroit.
This year’s event – the 17th annual – is planned for Saturday, July 19 and will feature a 1-mile fun run for kids as well as 2-mile, 5-kilometer, and 10-km races, which may sport a special pink glow in light of another leadership role that Wright Greenman recently undertook.
On January 1, Wright Greenman began her volunteer role as president of the Shades of Pink Foundation, a Birmingham-based nonprofit that helps local breast cancer patients with pressing financial needs as they undergo treatment. She succeeds Mary Pat Meyers, a personal injury attorney with Meyers Law PLLC in Dearborn, with whom she served as co-president during the final half of 2024.
Meyers, who formerly served on the Board of Governors for Cranbrook Schools for 10 years, is one of the founding members of Impact100 of Oakland County, an organization of women who share a vision of “making a big difference in Oakland County through large-scale charitable giving.” Her philanthropic efforts continued at Shades of Pink, which she has headed since 2021.
Now, as Shades of Pink celebrates its 20th year of helping breast cancer patients in the Southeast Michigan community, Meyers is enthused about having Wright Greenman at the helm.
“Jenna is woman of integrity, self-awareness and passion with the gift of conversation and empowering others,” Meyers said of her successor. “She has great insight, a great sense of humor, and energy like no other.
“Many are surprised to learn that Jenna and I are adversaries in the legal forum,” Meyers noted. “She represents her clients zealously yet is respectful and compassionate in her work and interactions with the opposing parties. It has been an honor to work side-by-side with Jenna as she joined the SOPF in July 2024 as Co-President and hit the ground running. She brings that same passion and respect, insight, and forward-thinking vision to her SOPF position.”
In fact, Wright Greenman is “perfectly suited” for the challenge of taking Shades of Pink to the “next level” in terms of making an impact in the lives of cancer victims, Meyers declared.
“Jenna is no stranger to the nonprofit world and the balancing act of work and giving back,” Meyers indicated. “Jenna leads by example. As a shareholder at Kitch, she mentors young associates. She sits on numerous boards associated within the legal community and has extensive nonprofit board experience. I could not have been more thrilled to learn of Jenna’s interest in the president position at SOPF. The board has set ambitious goals for 2025 as the organization celebrates 20 years of giving back.
“Jenna brings the perfect blend of talent and energy to work with the amazing board and staff in place to help achieve those goals while generating new ideas, new direction, and cultivating new board members and donors,” Meyers added. “I truly look forward to working with Jenna in the upcoming year and I know, she will knock it out the park. It is just who she is!”
Wright Greenman said her interest in helping SOPF fulfill its mission stems from the toll that cancer has taken on those around her.
“We all have someone in our lives who has been impacted by cancer, whether it be a friend, a colleague, or a loved one,” said Wright Greenman. “Cancer knows no bounds and I really felt compelled to get involved in making a difference for cancer patients and their families. The need is so great, which is one of the reasons I’ve been so impressed with Shades of Pink and how fast we can address a specific need. We get money into the hands of people as soon as we can.”
Married and the mother of one son, Wright Greenman comes from a family of attorneys. Her father, Mel Paunovich, has spent 45-plus years in the legal profession after working the first half of his career in various law enforcement roles (see related story).
Her younger brother, Joe Paunovich, is a patent attorney and partner with Quinn Emanuel, a firm with 35 offices in 12 countries around the globe. Her husband, Milt Greenman, is a noted plaintiff’s attorney specializing in medical malpractice and has practiced for 40 years, and is with the Sam Bernstein Law Firm.
“We’re on opposite sides of the legal fence, but we’re each other’s biggest cheerleader,” Wright Greenman proclaimed. “People see us as the James Carville-Mary Matalin of med-mal, but it works.”
The couple, who fittingly met at the Wayne County Courthouse, have been married for 16 years, and renew their wedding vows each anniversary, dispelling any notion that legal opposites don’t attract.
Wright Greenman’s son, Grant, has opted for a different career path. A Birmingham Brother Rice grad, Grant is pursuing a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Detroit Mercy with plans to eventually become a physician assistant.
While her son was a student at Brother Rice, Wright Greenman wasn’t content to take a mere spectator’s role in his school activities.
“He was on the ski and soccer teams there, so I helped run the booster clubs for both teams,” she said matter-of-factly.
She then took her involvement as a soccer mom one step further, becoming a referee for the United States Soccer Federation while also playing the sport competitively.
“When I decide to get involved in something, I go all-in,” she said with a smile.
A marathoner and triathlete, Jenna Wright Greenman shares a love of fitness with her son, Grant Wright.
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