Ann Arbor law firm to dissolve - Partners' goals taking them in new directions

Moran, Raimi, Goethel & Karnani, P.C--one of Ann Arbor's oldest law firms--will close its doors next week as its partners move on to new enterprises.

The firm was formed in 1974 under the names of its founding partners, O'Brien, Moran and Dimond. In the 39 years that followed, it went through a number of personnel and name changes, including O'Brien, Moran & Stein; Stein, Moran & Westerman; and Moran, Raimi & Goethel.

The firm announced that as the partners' professional goals evolved and changed, they came to the conclusion that it made business sense to separate their very different practices. Diana Raimi and associate Shalini Nangia will join the Ann Arbor office of Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer &Weiss, spearheading that firm's entry into a Washtenaw County family law practice. Steve Goethel and Chad Engelhardt will continue their practice as Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC. and their concentration in plaintiff's medical malpractice and personal injury work. And Achla Karnani, who handles complex family law matters in Washtenaw, Oakland and Livingston counties, will practice under the name The Karnani Law Firm, PLLC.

"It is a very friendly split," said Diana Raimi. "Steve and I have been together for over 30 years and we've never had a disagreement. It's bittersweet, but it was time for a change. After 35 years in practice, I'm tired of managing my own firm and am looking forward to joining a larger practice. Steve and Achla are both ready to move forward and grow their practices, each in their own area of expertise."

Over the years, the firm has been involved in a number of high profile cases. In the 70's, the firm received national attention when its partners represented two Filipino nurses accused of mass mercy killings at the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor. In the 1980's, the firm represented Darralyn Bowers, who was alleged to be part of a corruption scandal whose sweep included Detroit mayor Coleman Young.

In recent years, the firm established its reputation as a preeminent family law and plaintiff's medical malpractice firm, representing a wide variety of divorce clients and securing multi-million dollar malpractice verdicts and settlements. Two of its principals, Goethel and Raimi, are listed in Best Lawyers in America and are consistently listed as Michigan Super Lawyers. Karnani has been listed as a Super Lawyer Rising Star for three years and was awarded the Washtenaw County Young Lawyers' first "Pre-eminent New Lawyer" award in 2005.

Published: Mon, Dec 10, 2012

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