LEGAL PEOPLE

Foley & Lardner LLP is pleased to announce that Judy O'Neill, partner in the firm's Detroit office, has been accepted as a member of Leadership Detroit Class XXXIII. Leadership Detroit is a year-long community program established to enhance leadership skills and create awareness of key regional issues among senior-level executives in southeast Michigan. Among her distinguished professional recognitions, O'Neill has been named one of the top "100 Most Influential Women in Business" by Crain's Detroit Business as well as among the "Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan" by Michigan Super Lawyers. She has also been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® guide for 17 consecutive years. In addition to her professional accomplishments, O'Neill maintains a dedication to regional community involvement and regularly volunteers her time on a pro bono basis to local organizations including the Michigan Innocence Clinic at the University of Michigan Law School. She has also worked closely with local businesses, charities, and educators in leadership development programs established for the benefit of students at Detroit Public Schools. * * * Twenty-six of Howard & Howard's attorneys were recently named to Michigan Super Lawyers® and Michigan Rising Stars 2011 as a result of a survey by Law & Politics Media, Inc. The local Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice areas under which they are listed in Michigan Super Lawyers 2011 are as follows: Royal Oak Office: * Henry J. Brennan III, Mergers & Acquisitions. * Mark A. Davis - president & CEO, Real Estate. * Joseph J. DeVito, Mergers & Acquisitions. * Robert E. Graziani, Insurance Coverage. * Lisa S. Gretchko, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights (Recognized among the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan). * Sam J. Haidle, Intellectual Property. * Michael V. Kell, General Litigation. * Rodger A. Kershner, Energy & Natural Resources. * David M. LaPrairie, Intellectual Property. * Richard M. Miettinen, Mergers & Acquisitions. * Mark W. Peyser, Business Litigation. * Brad A. Rayle, Employment Litigation: Defense. * Jeffrey A. Sadowski, Intellectual Property Litigation (Recognized among the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan). * John A. Wise, Business & Corporate. * Timothy M. Wittebort, Real Estate. The Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice areas under which they are listed in Michigan Rising Stars 2011 are as follows: Royal Oak Office: * Stephen P. Dunn, Business Litigation. * Trent K. English, Intellectual Property. * Michael O. Fawaz, Business Litigation. * Jeffrey A. Hoover, Mergers & Acquisitions. * J. Patrick Howe, Administrative Law. * Kristopher K. Hulliberger, Intellectual Property. * Michael E. McKee, Intellectual Property. * Brenna D. Pelerin, Estate Planning & Probate. * Matthew B. Woodworth, Business Litigation. Additionally, Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC hosted an Intellectual Property Seminar on Patent Reform recently at the Iroquois Club in Bloomfield Hills. The topic was the, "America Invents Act." President Obama signed the America Invents Act into law on Friday, Sept. 16. * * * Best Lawyers has named Butzel Long President Justin G. Klimko as the "Detroit Best Lawyers Corporate Governance Law Lawyer of the Year" for 2012, and Butzel Long shareholder Robert A. Boonin as the "Ann Arbor Best Lawyers Litigation - Labor & Employment Lawyer of the Year" for 2012. Both are also recognized as Best Lawyers in other categories, as well. "It is fitting and quite an honor that both Justin and Rob have been recognized by their peers as Best Lawyers' 2012 Lawyers of the Year," said Richard E. Rassel, Chairman, Butzel Long. "This recognition speaks very highly of their abilities and the respect that both of them have earned in the legal profession. Their colleagues at Butzel Long have long known of their skills and integrity, and it is appropriate that both Justin and Rob are being recognized publicly by their peers throughout the broader profession as leaders." Rassel continued, "We are honored that many of our attorneys are recognized annually through publications like Best Lawyers in America." Thirty-seven Butzel Long attorneys have been chosen by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2012 edition. Klimko has experience in securities regulation, corporate financing, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and general corporate matters, fields in which he has practiced since 1980. Klimko graduated from Duke University Law School (1980) and Ohio University (B.A., 1977). Boonin's practice is largely concentrated in the areas of labor, employment discrimination, wage and hour and education law. Boonin is a graduate of The University of Michigan Law School (1985), and he earned his undergraduate degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (B.S. Economics 1976). He earned a Masters Degree in Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University (M.L.I.R. 1980). Additionally, Butzel Long attorney George B. Donnini participated in a panel presentation during a Society of Automotive Analysts (SAA) seminar on Oct. 26, 2011 in Southfield. The program addressed two topics: (1) the impact of "Mergers & Acquisitions" and (2) "Price Fixing & Collusion" in the automotive industry. Donnini will be a presenter on the second panel. Based in Butzel Long's Detroit office, Donnini's practice is focused on white-collar criminal defense, antitrust investigations, SEC enforcement actions and also routinely conducts corporate internal investigations. Prior to joining Butzel Long, Donnini served as a Judge Advocate for the United States Marine Corps from 1999 to 2003. Donnini also served as law clerk to United States District Court Judge William H. Pauley III, S.D.N.Y., New York, New York from 1998 to 1999. Donnini is a 1995 graduate of The George Washington University and a 1998 graduate of the Duke University School of Law. Donnini is admitted to practice in Michigan (2003), New York (1998) and California (2000). Donnini is affiliated with the American Bar Associations (ABA), Criminal Justice Section, White Collar Crime Committee, Young Lawyers' Division; National co-chair (2006-2009); ABA, Criminal Justice Section, White Collar Crime Committee; Midwest Regional co-chair (2005-2011); and, ABA, Criminal Justice Section, Book Board, appointed member (2008-2011). He presents at conferences on various topics involving white-collar criminal defense. In 2008, Donnini was named to the Up and Coming Michigan Lawyers by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Also, Butzel Long attorney Rebecca S. Davies was a featured speaker during the North American Transportation Employee Relations (NATERA) Annual Conference from Oct. 23-25, 2011 in St. Petersburg, Fla. Davies, a board member of NATERA, co-presented a program titled, "Leave Management Workshop: The Most Frequent and Challenging Leave Management Problems Employers Must Solve." Based in Butzel Long's Detroit office, Davies concentrates her practice primarily in the areas of employment law and commercial litigation. She represents employers in federal and state court litigation and before state and federal administrative agencies. She regularly counsels employers regarding compliance under federal and state employment laws (including FLSA, FMLA, ADA and Title VII), drafts policies and procedures, and advises on preventative strategies. Davies' objective is to assist clients in implementing preventative strategies. She is a frequent author and lecturer, not only for client in-house trainings and publications, but also for outside organizations, including: Walsh College, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Automation Alley and the American Society of Employers. Davies earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan at Dearborn; and her law degrees from the Detroit College of Law and Wayne State University Law School. * * * Recently, Ven Johnson announced that Johnson Law PLC will be moving to downtown Detroit from its current law office located in Southfield. "We are excited to finally announce that we will make our new home in Detroit's beautiful and historic Buhl Building," said Ven Johnson. According to the firm's founder, Ven Johnson "Johnson Law specializes in the areas of personal injury including product liability, medical malpractice, automobile negligence and police misconduct." Johnson Law first looked in the Oakland County suburbs for permanent space when the firm was formed earlier this year, but decided that the momentum of the area's shifting demographics towards urban office space, client convenience and personal nostalgia of the Buhl Building eventually won over the firm's founder and its associates. "In 1984, when Ven was a second year law student at the University of Detroit- Mercy Law School, his first law clerk job was at the Buhl Building and he has had a passion for downtown Detroit ever since," according to Tom Gross, Johnson Law's business director. Over the years Johnson has built a trial attorney reputation by securing and winning several multi-million dollar verdicts for his clients during his years as the leading partner at the Fieger Law Firm. Johnson earned his undergraduate degree at Kalamazoo College and his law degree at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Upon graduation, Johnson worked at Gromek, Bendure and Thomas in downtown Detroit, and later for Kohl, Secrest in Farmington Hills and concentrated his practice in personal injury and product liability. Johnson joined the Fieger Firm in 1995 and within six years became partner and shareholder. * * * Lawrence R. Jordan, a partner with Southfield-based Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss PC, has been named to the selective list of America's Most Honored Professionals. Jaffe CEO Richard Zussman made the announcement. The award, new in 2011, includes only the top 10 percent of professionals in all disciplines. Qualification is determined by five consecutive years of publicly recognized excellence in their respective fields. Jordan serves as coordinator of the firm's Intellectual Property Practice Group with more than 30 years experience focusing in the areas of trademark, copyright, licensing, information technology, Internet, publishing and entertainment law. Consecutively listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2005 and in Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine since 2006, Jordan is a lifetime Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation, past chair of the Computer Law section and the State Bar of Michigan Arts, Communications, Entertainment and Sports section. In addition, Holli Targan, partner with Jaffe Raitt, has been selected for inclusion in Michigan Super Lawyers for 2011 for her work in banking law. Jaffe CEO Richard Zussman made the announcement. Targan is chairperson of the firm's Finance Law Group, specializing in credit and debit card processing, mobile payments, stored value, merchant cash advance and payment systems law. She earned her Bachelor's degree from James Madison College at Michigan State University and is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School. Targan has also been selected for Best Lawyers in America for three consecutive years. She is the immediate past president of the Electronic Transaction Association and the founder and past president of W-net: Women Networking in Electronic Transactions. * * * Lindsay Kandow, an associate in the Troy office of Cantor Colburn LLP, has been named to the Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star list as one of the top attorneys in intellectual property for 2011. Kandow concentrates her practice on intellectual property matters associated with the software and electrical arts, which comprise the preparation and prosecution of patent applications, performing product clearance and infringement investigations and related opinions, and advising clients regarding patent portfolio strategy and development and the patent portfolios of competitors. Kandow's law degree and B.S. in computer science and engineering are from Michigan State University. She is admitted in Michigan and registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. * * * Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC welcomes Ray H. Littleton as their newest addition. Littleton is an associate for the law firm's Farmington Hills office and is a member of the General Litigation Practice Group. His experience consists of handling litigation matters, such as commercial disputes, employment and labor disputes, insurance matters and bankruptcy matters. Littleton also has experience in automotive supplier disputes. Additionally, he represents businesses and individual clients concerned with day to day litigation and discovery issues. Littleton is a graduate of Yale University and earned his law degree from Marquette University Law School. In addition to his practice, he is a board member of the Floyd Skinner Bar Association, Legal Aid of Western Michigan and Canvassers for the City of Grand Rapids. * * * Honigman, Miller, Schwartz, and Cohn LLP is pleased to announce that Kenneth R. Marcus, a partner in the firm's Health Care Department, recently addressed attendees at the Eastern Michigan Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association's 58th Annual Fall Conference in Southfield. His presentation, titled "Medicare Payment Principles Related to Change of Ownership Transactions," focused on the unique, frequently misunderstood Medicare payment, enrollment and certification factors necessary to take into account to avoid adverse payment consequences resulting from change of ownership transactions involving hospitals and other types of Medicare provider entities. Marcus is a nationally-recognized authority on Medicare and Medicaid payment appeal issues. He has successfully represented numerous hospitals in individual and group appeals before the Provider Reimbursement Review Board and the federal courts. Marcus serves on the Board of Directors for the Eastern Michigan Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association. He is also the founder and inaugural chair of the Chapter's Compliance Committee. Marcus has been named in Best Lawyers in America from 2008 to 2012 and in Michigan Super Lawyers from 2007 to 2011. Additionally, DBusiness named him a "Top Lawyer" in 2010 and 2011. He earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School. He also earned an M.H.S.A. from the University of Michigan and a B.A. from the State University of New York. * * * For the second consecutive year, Best Lawyers® has named Collins, Einhorn, Farrell & Ulanoff Shareholder and President Michael J. Sullivan as the "Detroit Best Lawyers Professional Malpractice Lawyer of the Year" for 2012. Sullivan has nearly 30 years of litigation and trial experience. In the professional liability arena, he has defended attorneys, physicians, accountants, architects, engineers, real estate appraisers, real estate brokers and title agents in defense of significant claims involving personal injury, property damage and business loss. The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law alumnus also has experience in product liability litigation, and maintains an active general civil litigation practice, including business disputes, insurance disputes, and personal injury defense. In the field of business litigation, Sullivan represents parties in commercial disputes, including Tier One and Tier Two automotive suppliers in disputes with vendors and purchasers. * * * Sarida Scott of Community Legal Resources was selected to participate in the Leadership Detroit Class XXXIII and was also recruited for the Detroit Revitalization Fellows Program. Scott will remain in her position as chief program officer at Community Legal Resources while participating in both programs. * * * Best Lawyers has named Gail Haefner Straith as the "Detroit Best Lawyers Mergers & Acquisitions Law Lawyer of the Year" for 2012. Throughout her 26-year career, Straith has enjoyed guiding business owners and management teams through the process of buying or selling a business. Straith has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2003. Straith is a 1978 graduate of the University of Michigan and a 1985 graduate of Cornell Law School. She currently serves as president of Straith Law, a firm based in Birmingham. * * * Eight attorneys from Williams, Williams, Rattner, & Plunkett PC in Birmingham have been selected for inclusion in Thomson Reuters' list of SuperLawyers 2011. The attorneys include: Robert S. Bick, a partner whose law practice focuses on corporate law, mergers & acquisitions law, corporate governance and business planning; Robert B. Labe, a partner whose law practice focuses on business law, estate planning, estate and trust administration, tax law and tax planning; and Richard D. Rattner, a partner whose law practice focuses on real estate, land use, zoning and corporate law. * * * Easter Seals Michigan has appointed Bloomfield Hills based Witzke, Berry, & Carter PLLC attorney Christopher J. Berry to its board of directors. His responsibilities as a three-year board member include governing and upholding the nonprofit agency's mission to serve people with disabilities and other special needs so that they can successfully live, learn, work and play in their communities. In addition to attending requisite meetings, Easter Seals Michigan board members duties include participating in strategic planning and policy decisions, securing financial resources and monitoring program outcomes and operations. Berry earned a Certification of Completion for the Estate Planning and Probate Program co-sponsored by the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan and the Institute of Continued Legal Education. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan Probate Section and the Elder Law and Disability section; Wealth Counsel, a national collaborative of top estate planning attorneys; the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA); Elder Counsel; the Elder Care Alliance Matters; and the National Care Planning Counsel. * * * Southfield-based Maddin, Hauser, Wartell, Roth, & Heller PC is pleased to announce 10 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 18th edition of The Best Lawyers in America® 2012. Of the 10, Shareholders Richard J. Maddin, Harvey R. Heller and Steve M. Wolock were recognized in multiple practice areas. The recipients and the respective categories in which they were honored include: * Mark R. Hauser, managing director and Executive Management Committee member; Real Estate Law. * Harvey R. Heller, shareholder and Executive Management Committee member; Insurance Law and Legal Malpractice Law -- Defendants. * John E. Jacobs, shareholder; Real Estate Law. * Charles M. Lax, shareholder; Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. * Michael S. Leib, shareholder; Litigation -- Bankruptcy. * Michael W. Maddin, president Emeritus and Executive Management Committee Member; Real Estate Law. * Richard J. Maddin, shareholder; Construction Law, Land Use & Zoning Law, Litigation -- Construction, Litigation -- Land Use and Zoning, Litigation -- Real Estate, and Real Estate Law. * Lowell D. Salesin, shareholder and Executive Management Committee Member; Real Estate Law. * Steven D. Sallen, president, CEO and Executive Management Committee Member; Real Estate Law. * Steven M. Wolock, shareholder; Legal Malpractice Law -- Defendants, Professional Malpractice Law, and Professional Malpractice Law -- Defendants. * * * Rader, Fishman, & Grauer PLLC is pleased to announce that partner Charles Bieneman has been elected to serve as 2011-2012 chair of the State Bar of Michigan Information Technology (IT)Law Section. Bieneman uses his special expertise in computer software to prepare patent applications and to litigate for clients in a variety of sectors. Charles also has experience in patent and software licensing transactions, as well as transactions involving software development. Prior to joining Rader, Fishman, & Grauer He was a patent examiner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office, where he examined claimed inventions in the areas of computer software, databases, and the World Wide Web. Bieneman previously served as treasurer, secretary, and chair-elect of the IT Law Section. He also has served as moderator at the information Technology Seminars presented by the IT Section of the State Bar of Michigan in cooperation with the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) for the past four years. * * * Dykema Gossett PLLC is pleased to announce that Jeanne M. Moloney, an associate in the firm's Corporate Finance Department and resident in the firm's Bloomfield Hills office, has been elected by unanimous voice vote of members to the Council of the State Bar of Michigan's Information Technology Law Section. Moloney was elected at the section's annual meeting on Sept. 21. At Dykema, Moloney focuses her practice on general corporate and securities matters, with an emphasis on public and private company mergers and acquisitions and technology transactions. She has a Computer Science Engineering degree from the University of Michigan and interned at Microsoft Corporation in the Developer Tools Division. She has also taught computer courses at Orchard Lake St. Mary's and has served as an instructor at Sylvan Learning Center. In addition, Dykema Gossett PLLC also announces the addition of associate Lindsey Wilson to the firm's Business and Commercial Litigation practice group in Bloomfield Hills. Prior to joining Dykema, Wilson was an associate in the Antitrust Group at the law firm of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich, & Rosati PC, in Washington, D.C. Wilson focuses his practice in the areas of antitrust regulation, including Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) compliance, foreign regulatory and merger notification processes, antitrust counseling and litigation, and agency investigations. He is experienced in subpoena, Second Request and Civil Investigative Demand compliance. Beyond his experience in private practice, Wilson has served as a trial attorney for the United States Department of Justice in the Antitrust Division, where he investigated and reviewed mergers and business conduct in various finance, software, technology and telecommunications markets. Wilson also has experience working as a Special Assistant United States Attorney, prosecuting federal felonies and misdemeanors in the Eastern District of Virginia. At Dykema, Wilson will continue to focus his practice in business and commercial litigation. Wilson earned his bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Michigan and went on to earn his law degree from the Michigan State University College of Law in 2002. Published: Mon, Oct 31, 2011