Plunkett Cooney President & CEO Jeffrey C. Gerish recently named Bartman Jannette to the position after her many years of service as a member of the firm’s DEI Committee. In accepting the role, Bartman Jannette said she has been honored to lead related efforts over the years such as the Plunkett Cooney Women’s Leadership Committee and an award-winning firm centennial celebration in 2013 that focused on giving back to the community with over 100 Acts of Kindness performed by firm members.
“I look forward to fostering and promoting the inclusivity aspects of the firm’s DEI initiatives, focusing on remembering that we need to walk in the other person’s shoes to truly understand their perspective, to have a conversation about our differences and to work toward mutual understanding, compromise, and growth,” Bartman Jannette said.
A member of Plunkett Cooney’s DEI Committee since 2002, Bartman Jannette is now responsible for leading the firm’s efforts to create and retain a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce. She will work alongside the firm’s management team, diversity committee members and administrative department leaders to accomplish this goal.
Bartman Jannette, who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1984 and Wayne State University Law School in 1988, joined the firm in 2001. Her practice includes the defense of clients in professional liability, premises and general liability, asbestos litigation, and insurance coverage litigation.
A member of the State Bar of Michigan and the American Bar Association, Bartman Jannette is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Michigan.
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Three attorneys have been appointed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to state panels.
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“Making an award-winning commercial isn’t just about creativity. It’s about sharing real-life accounts of Metro Detroiters that resonates and connects with the people,” said Mike Morse of Mike Morse Law Firm. “It’s the emotional impact that truly makes a campaign unforgettable.”
The commercial, titled “Actavia,” spotlights a woman whose family member was injured in a pedestrian hit and run accident.
For the last 12 years, Mike Morse Law Firm has collaborated with Michigan-based Lerner Advertising to produce their commercials. In 2020, the firm won a Golden Gavel Award for a :30 second TV commercial titled “Ambulance Chaser.” In 2021, they won for a :60 second TV commercial titled “Masked Mike,” and in 2022, they won for a :30 second TV commercial titled “Sharpies.” In 2023, they won for Best Public Relations Ad featuring the firm’s annual Project Backpack program. In 2004, they won for Best :30 Second Commercial titled “What Matters.”
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Schumacher concentrates her practice on representing physicians, mid-level medical providers, nurses, and pharmacists in medical malpractice and civil rights defense litigation. Her representation of clients in 42 USC 1983 civil rights defense litigation focuses on healthcare in county jails and state prisons.
Previously, Schumacher worked on medical malpractice defense matters at a Detroit law firm. Additionally, she served as associate labor counsel at one of the Big Three auto companies, where she had direct involvement in negotiations with the UAW at the national level and gained experience in alternative dispute resolution, including negotiating and arbitration.
She earned her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and her B.A. in political science from the undergraduate arm of the same institution. During law school, she interned for United States District Court Magistrate Judge Mona K. Majzoub, Eastern District of Michigan.
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Based in Butzel’s Troy office, McCarthy focuses his practice in appellate and commercial litigation for both state and federal courts. He is sought after for appellate litigation as well as arbitration matters.
McCarthy has authored thousands of legal briefs during his career and has garnered many victories in the appellate and circuit courts, as well as multiple arbitration awards in favor of his clients.
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Partner
Associate
LCLD’s flagship Fellows Program engages managing partners of LCLD Member Firms and general counsel of major corporations to create an intensive, year-long leadership training, professional development, and networking program for diverse mid-career attorneys looking to become leaders within their organization. The LCLD Pathfinder Program is designed to provide early-career, high-potential diverse attorneys with practical tools for creating durable internal networks, foundational leadership skills, and career development strategies critical to their professional advancement.
Founded in 2009, LCLD is a national organization of more than 400 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners dedicated to creating a more open and diverse legal profession. Dickinson Wright has been a member of LCLD since 2021.
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Based in Bodman’s Detroit office, Lockman represents banks and other financial institutions in real estate financing transactions and represents both buyers and sellers in connection with complex commercial and industrial real estate transactions. On top of her real estate finance practice, she also advises clients in the buying, selling, and leasing of real estate with an emphasis on commercial properties such as industrial buildings and warehouses.
Lockman has been recognized in publications including Michigan Rising Stars 2024 under Real Estate, DBusiness Magazine “Top Lawyers” 2025 under Real Estate Law, and The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch 2025 under Real Estate Law and Banking and Finance Law.
Bodman is also pleased to announce that member
Seguin-Skrabucha, along with co-chair John David Gardiner of the firm’s Grand Rapids office, succeed Aaron D. Graves who served as chair or co-chair for nearly ten years and remains an active member of the Group.
Seguin-Skrabucha is based in the Troy office and concentrates her practice in advising employers, including municipal governments and businesses of all sizes, on compliance with state and federal employment and labor laws. She handles a variety of employment matters and helps employers establish best practices for all stages of employment, including hiring and onboarding, disciplinary actions and termination procedures, and leave administration.
Seguin-Skrabucha also conducts workplace investigations and management training. She was previously the vice-chair of the Workplace Law Practice Group.
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Baker is a member of the firm’s immigration practice. She has experience in employment-based immigration, advising and counseling large, multinational clients regarding H-1B and LCA compliance, and conducting employer immigration training sessions. She represents and advises Fortune 500 clients, start-ups, and small business owners in the banking, utilities, IT, automotive, manufacturing, engineering, construction, and architecture industries.
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In addition to this most recent honor, Sallen was recognized as a Michigan Lawyers Weekly “Go To” lawyer in commercial real estate for the second time. He was previously selected in 2021 and named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Hall of Fame in 2020. He has also been listed in several peer-reviewed listings including Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, and DBusiness Top Lawyers.
Sallen concentrates his practice in real estate, environmental, and corporate law. His clients include some of Michigan’s most successful manufacturing firms, real estate developers, general contractors, and commercial real estate brokers.
Sallen has also dedicated significant time to firm leadership. He serves as president, CEO, Environmental Law Group chair, and Real Estate Practice Group co-chair.
