LEGAL PEOPLE

Cass Cook, partner at Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss PC, is speaking at the electrical training ALLIANCE's National Training Institute (NTI) on July 30 at 9 a.m. at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

His seventh year participating at the NTI, Cook will present Intellectual Property Around You, where he will discuss trademark and copyright issues in the educational and electrical industries and beyond.

NTI is an annual week of training that provides professionals in the electrical industry access to world-class training and education opportunities through programs taught by industry leaders and education professionals, as well as a tradeshow, which features the electrical industry's latest innovations.

Cook is a member of Jaffe's Intellectual Property Practice Group, where he specializes in domestic and international trademark, copyright and related business matters. He represents local, domestic and international clients in a number of industries, including the arts, automotive, media, electronics, software, design, manufacturing, sports and recreation, medical products and services, apparel and accessories, luxury brands and hospitality services, financial and insurance services, publishing, technology, education, and entertainment.

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Barris, Sott, Denn, & Driker PLLC is pleased to announce that Sharon Woods has been awarded the Julian Abele Cook Jr.Bernard A. Friedman FBA Civility Award for 2019 by the Federal Bar Association's Eastern District of Michigan Chapter.

The annual award recognizes a civil practitioner who is an outstanding example of professional excellence and civility. Criteria include demonstration of the highest levels of legal competency and professionalism and adherence to the highest standards of professional integrity and personal courtesy. The award is named for former Chief Judge Julian Abele Cook Jr., and former Chief Judge Bernard A. Friedman of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Woods is the second BSDD attorney to be honored with this award. Eugene Driker received the award in 2014. BSDD is one of only two law firms to have multiple attorneys receive this award.

Woods is the chairperson of BSDD's litigation department and served as BSDD's managing member for 24 years, after joining BSDD in 1972 as its first woman attorney. She is known for handling complex commercial lawsuits, construction, securities, intellectual property, employment, professional malpractice defense, and class actions.

Woods was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1989 and was elected to its national Board of Regents for 2001-2005. She was elected as a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers in 2003.

Woods earned a bachelor of science degree in biology and mathematics and a law degree both from the University of Detroit.

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The journal Chambers High Net Worth (HNW), which evaluates legal and financial advisors worldwide, has ranked Bodman PLC as one of Michigan's top law firms for services to high net worth individuals and families and their closely held businesses.

In the newly released 2019 edition of Chambers HNW, Bodman is one of only three Michigan law firms to be ranked at the highest level for private wealth law.

Chambers HNW also recognizes individual attorneys who are viewed by their clients and peers as leaders in the field of private wealth law. Bodman attorneys listed in the 2019 edition include David P. Larsen, Marguerite Munson Lentz, and Andrew H. Curoe of the firm's Detroit office and Anthony P. Cracchiolo of the Troy office.

The attorneys in Bodman's High Net Worth Practice Group provide comprehensive legal services to affluent individuals and families. The firm's clients include some of Michigan's most well-known families, as well as business owners, executives, athletes, and other professionals seeking to minimize the tax burden on their heirs, make significant charitable donations, or complete complex personal transactions.

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Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that two of the firm's attorneys in Michigan are listed as "Leaders in their Fields" by Chambers 2019 High Net Worth (HNW) Guide.

Listed under "Private Wealth Law" were:

Henry M. Grix, Troy
James P. Spica, Detroit

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Robert Labe, a shareholder with Williams, Williams, Rattner, & Plunkett PC in Birmingham, spoke at a conference sponsored by the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) regarding "Considerations in Planning for the Incapacitated and Terminally Ill Client." The conference was held on June 27 at the Suburban Collection Showcase in Novi.

During his presentation, Labe explained the ins and outs of financial and medical durable powers of attorneys and how they benefit elderly and incapacitated individuals. In addition, he discussed the use of various types of trusts that reduce estate taxes and income taxes. The presentation also included advice for using trusts to protect clients' children inheritances if they divorce.

Labe is a frequent lecturer and author on topics pertaining to his areas of practice including "Planning for the Family Business Pre- and Post-Death," 56th Annual Probate and Estate Planning Institute, sponsored by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (May 2016), "Holding a Business Interest in Trust," Institute of Continuing Legal Education (September 2015), "Drafting an Estate Plan for the Business Owner Top Tips," Institute of Continuing Education (July 2015), "Irrevocable Trusts," a national teleconference sponsored by the National Business Institute and simulcast through West Legal Ed Center as a webcast (December 2013); "What's New in Estate and Gift Tax Law," State Bar of Michigan (April 2011); Prenuptials, Post Nuptials, and Spousal Rights, Institute of Continuing Legal Education (September 2008); "Estate Planning for the Terminally Ill or Disabled Client," 30th Annual Practitioners Conference Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (August 2007); and "Buy-Sell Agreements for the Closely Held Business," 2nd Annual Closely Held Business Institute, Institute of Continuing Legal Education (November 2006).

Labe practices in the areas of estate planning, trusts and estates, probate disputes, tax planning and business law. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) and is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. Labe has acted as chair of the Oakland County Bar Association Probate, Estate and Trust Committee and the Business Law Committee.

Labe serves on the Board of Directors of the Financial and Estate Planning Council of Metropolitan Detroit, and is a member of the Probate and Estate Planning Council for the State Bar of Michigan. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America, Michigan Super Lawyers, Leading Lawyers and Martindale Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, having received its highest proficiency rating since 1993.

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Barnes & Thornburg LLP has announced the opening of an office in greater Detroit with the addition of Frank T. Mamat, a veteran management-side labor and employment attorney, who will be the attorney in charge of the office. The office is the firm's second in Michigan, joining the Grand Rapids office, which has served clients in West Michigan and across the state for more than 15 years.

The new office, located at 3000 Town Center, Suite 2440, in Southfield, is Barnes & Thornburg's 15th nationwide and establishes a more impactful presence in Southeast Michigan, home to many of the world's largest companies and a burgeoning research, technology and innovation hub. Specifically, the Southfield office will look to grow in the areas of labor and employment, corporate, environmental, intellectual property, and litigation reflecting market forces driving economic and employment activity in the region.

"Detroit and the surrounding area have experienced an incredible economic rebirth in recent years, due in large part to the development of advanced manufacturing and engineering that supports the automotive industry and other sectors," said Robert Stead, Grand Rapids managing partner, who will also lead the new office. "This is an opportune time to expand our presence in Michigan and attract additional talented attorneys who can build sustainable, outcome-driven partnerships with clients."

Mamat, previously a shareholder at Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC, will join Barnes & Thornburg's Labor and Employment Department and will focus on traditional labor law matters. This includes counseling on union avoidance and employee strikes, the negotiation of a variety of labor contracts and agreements and the management of workplace fatality matters under OSHA and MIOSHA.

In addition to his practice, Mamat serves on numerous local and national boards. Highlights over his distinguished career include advising Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder in upholding the state's Project Labor Agreements ban and his role as head litigator in the longest running NLRB case against the United Automobile Workers union in state history. He has also represented numerous trade and business associations, hundreds of construction companies and hundreds of employers of all sizes, across the U.S. and Canada, since 1975, as well as served as an adviser to several governors, congressmen, and presidents.

Mamat earned his law degree from the Syracuse University College of Law and his B.A. from the University of Rochester.

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On behalf of the Secrest Wardle, the firm's Executive Committee is pleased to announce that effective July 1 the following attorneys were promoted to the position of partner: Amber Rouse Holloway, Stephanie L. Rutkoske, and Nicholas W. Siewert.

Published: Mon, Jul 22, 2019