LEGAL PEOPLE

Reiter & Walsh PC is pleased to announce that Emily Grace Thomas and Jennifer Lynne Secorski have both joined the firm as associate attorneys. Thomas has focused her legal career on assisting clients with special needs. She earned her law degree from Wayne State University Law School. Secorski has a long history with the firm as a legal secretary, while studying for the bar at Thomas Cooley Law School. Thomas and Secorski are both members of the Michigan Association for Justice, the American Association for Justice, and the Birth Trauma Litigation Group. * * * Forty-six Butzel Long attorneys have been chosen by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2014. The following local Butzel Long attorneys were selected for the 2014 edition: Bloomfield Hills office * Alexander B. Bragdon, Employee Benefits (ERISA Law), Litigation - ERISA. * Stephen A. Bromberg, Litigation - Real Estate, Real Estate Law. * Gordon W. Didier, Real Estate Law. * W. Patrick Dreisig, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, Corporate Governance Law. * Edward D. Gold, Family Law. * Beth S. Gotthelf, Environmental Law. * D. Stewart Green, Litigation - Real Estate, Real Estate Law. * Patrick A. Karbowski, Litigation - Real Estate, Real Estate Law. * Sheldon H. Klein, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Antitrust. * Daniel P. Malone, Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability - Defendants. * Allan Nachman, Real Estate Law. * R. Peter Prokop, Corporate Law, Tax Law. * Anthony J. Saulino Jr., Real Estate Law. * Dennis B. Schultz, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Real Estate. * Thomas L. Shaevsky, Employee Benefits (ERISA Law), Litigation - ERISA. * Jack D. Shumate, Environmental Law, Litigation - Environmental. * David W. Sommerfeld, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates. Detroit office. * Justin G. Klimko, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships, Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law Securities/ Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation. * Linda J. Armstrong, Immigration Law. * James C. Bruno, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law. * Carey A. DeWitt, Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment. * Arthur Dudley II, Corporate Law. * David F. DuMouchel, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law. * Eric J. Flessland, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction. * John P. Hancock Jr., Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management , Litigation - Labor and Employment. * Robert A. Hudson, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law. * Gary W. Klotz, Employment Law - Management. * Michael J. Lavoie*** (First Year Listed). * Mark R. Lezotte, Health Care Law. * Clara DeMatteis Mager, Immigration Law. * Donald B. Miller, Employment Law - Individuals, Employment Law - Management , Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. * Reginald A. Pacis, Immigration Law. * Richard E. Rassel, Commercial Litigation. * James S. Rosenfeld, Employment Law - Management , Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment. * Bruce L. Sendek, Commercial Litigation. * William B. Slowey, Antitrust Law. * Nicholas J. Stasevich, Corporate Law. * Louis Theros, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment. * Daniel B. Tukel, Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment. * James E. Wynne, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. * * * Nine attorneys from Southfield-based Collins Einhorn Farrell were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 20th edition of The Best Lawyers in America 2014. Noreen L. Slank, Michael J. Sullivan, Brian D. Einhorn, Theresa M. Asoklis, Clayton F. Farrell, Donald D. Campbell, David C. Anderson, Deborah A. Hebert, and Timothy F. Casey were recognized as being among the best attorneys in their respective practice areas. This is the eighth consecutive year Best Lawyers has honored Slank. Sullivan, Farrell, Asoklis and Campbell have been named to this list in each of the past five years. Einhorn and Anderson also are returning honorees. Hebert and Casey earned their first recognition from Best Lawyers. Slank was honored for her work in Appellate Practice and Insurance Law. Since 1980, the Wayne State University Law School alumna has practiced in the state and federal appellate courts with an emphasis on the defense of medical and legal malpractice actions, insurance coverage disputes, and the defense of catastrophic personal injury cases. Sullivan was selected for his work in both Legal Malpractice Law--Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law--Defendants. He has 30 years of litigation experience. In the professional liability arena, the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law alumnus 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. Einhorn joins Sullivan among the lawyers named in Legal Malpractice Law--Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law--Defendants. He also was recognized for his work in Product Injury Litigation--Defendants and Product Liability Litigation--Defendants. For more than four decades, the Wayne State University Law School alumnus has been at the forefront of legal issues affecting lawyers, judges, courts, businesses and insurers. Einhorn has litigated numerous cases and disciplinary proceedings that have shaped Michigan law with issues ranging from lawyers' potential liability to clients for defamation, to judicial candidates' free speech rights. Asoklis appears among the Best Lawyers with Sullivan and Einhorn in Professional Malpractice Law--Defendants. She has focused her practice on the professional liability claims, and attorney and judicial disciplinary proceedings for more than 20 years. The Wayne State University Law School alumna also maintains an active general liability defense practice, including claims arising out of auto and trucking accidents. Farrell, who represents the firm on this list in the area of Products Liability Litigation--Defendants, concentrates his practice on multi-party, complex litigation, including litigation in the areas of environmental torts, product liability, toxic torts and emerging claims. The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law alumnus' trial experience spans four decades and includes service as national counsel for a number of clients who have litigation needs throughout the country. Campbell was honored for his work in Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law. The Wayne State University Law School alum focuses his practice on attorney grievance defense, representation, judicial tenure matters and legal malpractice defense. In addition to his law practice, he has served as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law for more than a decade, teaching courses in ethics and criminal law. Anderson earned recognition in Legal Malpractice Law--Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law--Defendants. He focuses his practice on the defense of professional liability claims. For more than 15 years, he has defended lawyers, accountants and a variety of insurance and real estate professionals. The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law alumnus also maintains an active general liability defense practice with a special emphasis in product liability litigation. Hebert represents Collins Einhorn in the areas of Appellate Practice and Insurance Law. The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law alumna has served for nearly 30 years as lead counsel in hundreds of appeals at both the state and federal levels. A considerable portion of her practice today also is devoted insurance coverage work, including coverage litigation. Casey also was recognized for his work in insurance law. The St. Louis University School of Law alumnus has more than three decades of experience in insurance coverage and indemnity contract matters, including coverage analysis, declaratory judgment actions and other litigation, appeals and alternative dispute resolution. His coverage practice includes a range of general liability, construction, environmental, asbestos, toxic torts, automobile, homeowners, professional liability, umbrella/excess, and other specialty coverage matters. * * * Southfield-based Maddin, Hauser, Wartell, Roth, & Heller PC announced that 14 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 20th edition of The Best Lawyers in America 2014. Of the 14, shareholders Harvey R. Heller, John E. Jacobs, Robert D. Kaplow, Richard J. Maddin, Richard F. Roth, and Steven M. Wolock were recognized in multiple practice areas. In addition, last year Richard J. Maddin was named Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year for the Detroit area in the category of Litigation - Land Use and Zoning. The recipients, respective categories, and year's honored, include: * Stuart M. Bordman, shareholder; Franchise Law (2013 - 2014). * Mark R. Hauser, managing director and Executive Management Committee member; Real Estate Law (1999-2014). * Harvey R. Heller, shareholder and Executive Management Committee member; Insurance Law and Legal Malpractice Law -- Defendants (2003-2014). * John E. Jacobs, shareholder; Corporate Law and Real Estate Law (2009-2014). * Robert D. Kaplow, shareholder; Tax Law and Trusts and Estates (2013 - 2014). * Kathleen H. Klaus, shareholder; Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants (2013 - 2014). * Charles M. Lax, shareholder; Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2006-2014). * Michael S. Leib, shareholder; Litigation - Bankruptcy (2012-2014). * Michael W. Maddin, president emeritus and Executive Management Committee member; Real Estate Law (2003-2014). * Richard J. Maddin, shareholder; Construction Law, Land Use & Zoning Law, Litigation -- Construction, Litigation -- Land Use and Zoning, Litigation -- Real Estate, and Real Estate Law (2008-2014). * Richard F. Roth, shareholder; Real Estate Law and Trusts and Estates (2013 - 2014). * Steven D. Sallen, president, CEO and Executive Management Committee member; Real Estate Law (2010 - 2014). * Ronald A. Sollish, shareholder; Employment Law - Individuals (2013 - 2014). * Steven M. Wolock, shareholder; Legal Malpractice Law -- Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law -- Defendants (2008-2014). * * * Eleven attorneys in the Southfield and Macomb County offices of Warner, Norcross, & Judd LLP have been selected for The Best Lawyers in America 2014. Those recognized are: * Kurt M. Brauer, environmental law. * Sean H. Cook, closely held companies and family business law. * William R. Jansen, the partner in charge of the Southfield office, commercial litigation and regulatory enforcement litigation. * Jay A. Kennedy, tax law. * Steven C. Kohl, environmental law. * Mary Jo Larson, employee benefits law. * Thomas J. Manganello, commercial litigation. * Linda Paullin-Hebden, corporate law. * Alan T. Rogalski, health care law. * Deborah J. Williamson, health care law. * Lisa B. Zimmer, employee benefits law. Additionally, Larson was named the 2014 Detroit Lawyer of the Year for employee benefits. Warner Norcross was ranked the top law firm in Southfield for commercial litigation, employee benefits, environmental law, health care law, regulatory enforcement litigation and tax law. The 11 attorneys are among a total of 95 Warner Norcross attorneys, representing more than 40 different practice areas, to be included in the 2014 list. In addition, Warner Norcross partner Linda Paullin-Hebden has been named chair of the firm's Business Practice Group. Paullin-Hebden will lead the group of 60+ attorneys - one of the largest practice groups in the firm - who are located in each of the firm's seven Michigan offices. Warner Norcross works with publicly traded and privately held companies in Michigan, across country and around the world. The firm routinely advises corporate and commercial transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, antitrust issues, franchising, dealership, licensing and other issues. Paullin-Hebden, who practices in the firm's Southfield office, joined Warner Norcross in 2006. She concentrates her practice in M&A, venture capital, investment adviser compliance and general corporate matters. She was recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of its leading "Women in the Law." Paullin-Hebden was named a Top Lawyer in Securities Law by DBusiness and a Michigan Super Lawyer. She is also a member of the American Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan. * * * Barris, Sott, Denn, & Driker PLLC is proud to announce that twelve of its members were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2014. Those attorneys are Eugene Driker, William G. Barris, Sharon M. Woods, Stephen E. Glazek, Robert E. Kass, Daniel M. Share, Morley Witus, James S. Fontichiaro, Daniel J. LaCombe, C. David Bargamian, Todd R. Mendel, and Dennis M. Barnes. Driker, Barris, and Woods have been recognized for more than twenty years. Driker was named 2014 Detroit Litigation - Antitrust "Lawyer of the Year," Woods was named 2014 Detroit Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year." Both Driker and Woods were recognized for their excellence in "Bet-the-Company" Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law. Driker was also recognized for excellence in Antitrust Litigation. Woods was also recognized for excellence in Construction Litigation, Labor & Employment Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Securities Litigation, and Professional Malpractice Defense. Barris, Share, Fontichiaro, and Bargamian were recognized for excellence in Real Estate Law. Witus, LaCombe, Mendel, and Barnes were recognized for excellence in Commercial Litigation. Kass was recognized for his excellence in Trusts and Estates. Witus and Glazek were recognized for excellence in Appellate Practice, and Bargamian was recognized for excellence in Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Litigation. Glazek was also recognized for excellence in Corporate Law. * * * Gov. Rick Snyder recently announced the appointment of Catherine Dobrowitsky to the Early Childhood Investment Corporation board of directors. Created in 2005, the 18-member board is the state's leading group for information about and investment in early childhood programs. Dobrowitsky is the founding member and president of Rivenoak Law Group PC. She previously worked as a law clerk for U.S. District Court Judge John Feikens, Eastern District of Michigan. She also worked in the commercial litigation department of Miller Canfield. Dobrowitsky earned a bachelor's degree in political science and psychology from the University of Michigan and a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. She replaces Deborah Dingell. Appointees will serve four-year terms expiring July 22, 2017, and their appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the state Senate. * * * Dykema recently announced that nearly one hundred of the firm's lawyers, in multiple practice areas and in key regional markets, have been named in the 2014 Best Lawyers in America guide. Additionally, seven of the firm's practitioners have been named Best Lawyers' 2014 "Lawyers of the Year." The 2014 guide recognizes 92 Dykema attorneys in more than five dozen practice areas in eight of the firm's national offices. The local Dykema attorneys named Best Lawyers' 2014 "Lawyers of the Year" are: * J. Michael Bernard - Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Detroit. * James P. Feeney - Bet-the-Company Litigation, Detroit. * Howard B. Iwrey - Antitrust Law, Detroit. * Joseph A. Ritok Jr. - Labor Law - Management, Detroit. The local Dykema attorneys listed in the 2014 Best Lawyers in America guide, identified by market and the practice areas for which they have been recognized, are: Bloomfield Hills office. * Maria B. Abrahamsen - Health Care Law. * Bowden V. Brown - Public Finance Law. * Brendan Cahill - Mergers & Acquisitions Law. * Amy M. Christen - Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. * Michael G. Cumming - Trusts and Estates. * Robert L. Duty - Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management. * James P. Feeney - Arbitration, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. * Adam M. Fishkind - Real Estate Law. * Fred J. Fresard - Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. * Alan M. Greene - Land Use & Zoning Law, Litigation - Real Estate, Litigation - Land Use & Zoning. * Dennis M. Haffey - Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking & Finance, Litigation - Trusts & Estates, Litigation - Securities, Litigation - Mergers & Acquisitions. * Howard B. Iwrey - Antitrust Law, Litigation - Antitrust. * Joel D. Kellman - Litigation - Real Estate, Real Estate Law. * Joanne R. Lax - Health Care Law. * Gerald T. Lievois - Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law. * D. Richard McDonald - Corporate Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation, Mergers & Acquisitions Law. * James D. Obermanns - Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. * Marilyn A. Peters - Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking & Finance, Litigation - Securities, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Environmental. * Rex E. Schlaybaugh Jr. - Corporate Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law Brittany M. Schultz - Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. * Sheryl L. Toby - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Bankruptcy. * Stephen L. Tupper - Information Technology Law. Detroit office. * Susan Artinian - Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants. * J. Michael Bernard - Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law. * Thomas S. Bishoff - Commercial Litigation. * Eric T. Carver - Litigation - Trusts & Estates, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates,. * Michael P. Cooney - Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. * Samuel C. Damren - Commercial Litigation, Mediation. * James M. Elsworth - Trusts and Estates. * John A. Entenman - Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management. * Sherrie Farrell - Commercial Litigation. * Robert J. Franzinger - Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Environmental, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy). * Martin Jay Galvin - Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor & Employment. * Grant P. Gilezan - Environmental Law, Litigation - Environmental. * Steven E. Grob - Litigation & Controversy - Tax, Tax Law. * Mark E. Hauck - Commercial Litigation. * James Hermon - Litigation - Labor & Employment. * Patrick F. Hickey - Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Labor & Employment, Litigation - ERISA. * Kathryn J. Humphrey - Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. * Margaret Adams Hunter - Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. * Mark D. Jacobs - Environmental Law. * Peter M. Kellett - Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Antitrust, Litigation - Securities, Mediation, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. * Jin-Kyu Koh - Corporate Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law. * Kathrin E. Kudner - Health Care Law. * Mark A. Metz - Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation. * Aleksandra A. Miziolek - Commercial Finance Law, Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law. * Cameron H. Piggott - Real Estate Law, Litigation - Real Estate. * Carl Rashid Jr. - Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Litigation & Controversy - Tax, Tax Law, Real Estate Law, Litigation - Real Estate. * Joseph A. Ritok Jr. - Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor & Employment. * Thomas M. Schehr - Commercial Litigation. * Thomas S. Vaughn - Corporate Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law. * * * Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak, & Stewart PC recently announced that five attorneys from the firm's Detroit Metro office were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2014. The Detroit Metro-based Ogletree Deakins attorneys appearing on the 2014 Best Lawyers in America© list include: * Margaret Carroll Alli (Education Law, Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment). * Martin C. Brook (Employment Law - Management). * Thomas A. Cattel (Labor Law - Management). * Michelle J. LeBeau (Employment Law - Management). * Richard M. Tuyn (Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment) . * * * Gov. Rick Snyder recently announced the reappointment of Danielle Brown to the Michigan Compensation Appellate Commission. The commission serves Michigan's employees, employers and insurers by expeditiously addressing and impartially resolving appeals of decisions and orders involving the award of workers' compensation and unemployment insurance benefits. Brown has been a member of the commission since 2011. Previously, she was an administrative law judge in the Michigan Administrative Hearing System. She worked in the Office of the Public Defender of Washtenaw County and in the Office of Legal Counsel for the governor of Michigan from 2006-2008. She earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and a law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Appointees will serve four-year terms expiring July 31, 2017, and their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the state Senate. Published: Mon, Aug 26, 2013