Columns

Butzel continues to expand its Intellectual Property (IP) Practice Department with the addition of attorney and shareholder Gregory L. Ozga. He is a registered patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

For more than 20 years, Ozga has helped domestic and international clients, in a variety of industries, navigate numerous IP issues. His practice encompasses the full lifecycle inherent to IP, including brand development, global IP prosecution, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, joint development agreements, patent and trademark validity and infringement opinions, prosecution, and litigation. 

Ozga is known for reducing IP risks and strengthening protection of stakeholders’ innovations and brands. He has prepared and prosecuted hundreds of patent and trademark applications across various industries. 

His experience includes collaborating with businesses at all levels to identify and establish new products and brands for monetization. Ozga assesses client products and services to identify trade secrets, patents, trademarks, and copyrights and then works with the client to develop groups of IP that will meet their long-term goals. His specific areas of experience include a variety of sectors: automotive, robotics, medical, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI), clothing/fashion brands, cannabis, and food industries.

Ozga’s experience in brand development and enforcement further include trademark and copyright law matters encompassing the evaluation and filing of trademark and copyright registrations, management of trademark portfolios, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) proceedings, investigation and response to infringement claims, and issuing online takedown notices, cease-and-desist letters, and filing trademark complaints with a variety of major online platforms. 

Ozga litigates matters involving intellectual property infringement. He has represented appellants and appellees in matters pending before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the United States District Court for the Sixth Circuit. He also has represented clients before the United States Patent Trial and Appeal Board. 

He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan – IP Law Section, Michigan IP Law Association (MIPLA), and the American Bar Association.

Ozga earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Albion College and a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.

In addition, Butzel is pleased to announce that attorney and shareholder Blaine Veldhuis is one of 27 attorneys named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Go To Lawyers for Employment Law” 2025. 

For more than a decade, Veldhuis has guided employers through complex workplace challenges and litigation. Veldhuis advises on employee relations, disciplinary matters, and compliance with federal and state employment laws. He also helps businesses craft policies that minimize legal risks and foster a compliant workplace.

Veldhuis focuses on defending employers against wage and hour, discrimination, sexual harassment, failure to accommodate, and whistleblower claims, as well as handling commercial and general employment litigation. He provides counsel on employee relations, disciplinary actions, and discharge matters, while also assisting in drafting employment policies. Additionally, he has experience in defending complex Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) litigation, including single-plaintiff ERISA cases.

Veldhuis has experience representing defendants and respondents in response to administrative complaints and administrative and governmental investigations including U.S. Department of Labor and Michigan Wage and Hour Division audits, and investigations conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Michigan Department of Civil Rights, National Labor Relations Board, and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

Veldhuis earned  his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and his B.A. in Criminology from Central Connecticut State University.

•            •            •

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP has welcomed several new attorneys to the firm’s Detroit office: Cade M. Bunton, Harsh D. Patel, John H. Schulte, and Alexis N. Tillery. They are gaining experience in a variety of legal matters before selecting a practice group.

Bunton received his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law.  He earend a bachelor’s degree in management from Western Michigan University. Prior to joining Warner, he served as a judicial intern for U.S. District Court Jonathan J.C. Grey, Eastern District of Michigan.

Patel received his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. He earend a bachelor’s degree in biopsychology, cognition and neuroscience from the University of Michigan. Before joining Warner, he served as a law clerk at Credit Acceptance in Southfield and as a legal workflow specialist at a financial services company in Troy.

Schulte received his law degree from MSU College of Law. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Baldwin Wallace University. Before joining Warner, he worked as a technology commercialization intern at MSU Innovation Center and as a scientific intern at the Gilbert Family Foundation. Schulte is a registered patent attorney.

Tillery received her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She earned a master’s degree in social work from Wayne State University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Albion College. Before joining Warner, Tillery was a judicial intern at the Oakland County Circuit Court Family Division and a law clerk in the Office of Legal Counsel for the governor of Michigan. She was also a judicial extern for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Tillery also worked as a clinical therapist for Great Lakes Psychology Group in Southfield.

•            •            •

McKeen & Associates is pleased to announce the hiring of four new associates:  John Carley, Angela Hammoud, Rachel Jump, and Ian Wendrow. 

Following tenures as law clerks for the firm, Carley, Jump, and Wendrow passed the bar examination and transitioned to licensed attorneys. During their time as clerks, all three gained experience working on complex medical malpractice matters.

Hammoud, an attorney specializing in medical malpractice litigation, brings insight that strengthens the firm’s ability to handle high-stakes, complex cases. As an Arabic speaker, she enhances the firm’s capability to continue its service to a diverse range of clients. 

•            •            •

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced appointments to the following boards and commissions: 

—Workers’ Compensation Board of Magistrates 

Sean Shearer is a partner and attorney at Charters, Tyler, Zack, & Shearer PC. Shearer earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and economics from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a law degree from Detroit College of Law. Shearer is appointed for a term commencing February 2, 2026, and expiring January 26, 2029. He succeeds Lenny Segel, who has passed. 

The Workers’ Compensation Board of Magistrates has been established as an autonomous entity within the Workers’ Disability Compensation Agency per Executive Order No. 2019-13. Only workers’ compensation magistrates can hear cases for which an application for hearing has been filed with the Workers’ Disability Compensation Agency. The Board of Magistrates currently consists of 14 members appointed by the governor. All members of the board shall be members in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan and have been an attorney licensed to practice in the courts of this state for 5 years or more.   

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. 

—Michigan State Transportation Commission 

John Peracchio is a managing member of Peracchio & Company LLC, the regional director of the Naval War College Foundation for Michigan and the Great Lakes, and a board member for Feonix, a mobility network for underserved communities. Peracchio is also a member of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, the International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association, and the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council. Peracchio earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and history from Brown University and a law degree from Columbia Law School. Peracchio is appointed for a term commencing February 2, 2026,?and expiring December 21, 2028. He succeeds Rhonda Welburn, whose term has expired. 

The Michigan State Transportation Commission establishes policy for the Michigan Department of Transportation in relation to transportation programs and facilities and other such works as related to transportation development, as provided by law. Responsibilities of the Commission include the development and implementation of comprehensive transportation plans for the entire state, including aeronautics, bus and rail transit, providing professional and technical assistance, and overseeing the administration of state and federal funds allocated for these programs.  

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. 

—MEDC Executive Committee 

Amanda Pontes is the general counsel and corporate secretary for Lear Corporation. Prior to joining Lear, Pontes was a partner at Bodman PLC where she specialized in business law, mergers and acquisitions, and automotive industry matters. During her time at Lear, Pontes has held a variety of leadership positions across the organization, including global divisional counsel, chief compliance officer, and deputy general counsel. Pontes earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and English from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. Pontes is appointed to represent business for a term commencing February 2, 2026, and expiring April 5, 2027. She succeeds Gina Thorsen, who has resigned.  

The MEDC Executive Committee provides policy direction and guidance to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation regarding economic development program and initiatives, approves the MEDC corporate budget, and appoints the chief executive officer who administers all programs, funds, personnel, and all other administrative transactions of the MEDC. The MEDC Executive Committee assists the MEDC through governance, support to enable results-based action and advocacy for the organization and economic development in Michigan.      

This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. 

•            •            •

Plunkett Cooney partner Frank T. Mamat recently joined National Arbitration and Mediation (NAM) as a hearing officer. 

NAM is one of the nation’s full-service providers of Alternative Dispute Resolution services and as a member of their panel, Mamat will be available to arbitrate and mediate cases throughout Michigan. 

A partner of Plunkett Cooney, Mamat utilizes his more than 50 years of experience to help companies, contractors, employers, lawmakers, and trade associations resolve union matters. His expertise includes contract negotiations, elections, union avoidance and labor arbitrations. He also advises clients on noncompete agreements, unfair labor practice litigation, harassment suits, wage and hour issues, OSHA-MIOSHA safety matters, and entertainment law. He is also a registered lobbyist.

In addition, Mamat’s experience includes the resolution of National Labor Relations Board matters, attempted union organization, mass picketing and violence, and secondary boycotts and pressure. His clients also rely on his counsel and advice on ERISA trust funds and related fiduciary liabilities.

Mamat has been honored by several other media and peer review platforms, including Best Lawyers in America, Michigan Super Lawyers, DBusiness magazine’s Top Lawyers, the Labor Relations Institute, American Lawyer magazine and the American Registry, as well as to the 2025 class of Go To Lawyers in employment law as determined by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. 

Mamat received his undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester in 1971 and his law degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1974.

Plunkett is also pleased to announce that associate attorney Danielle Chidiac was recently named to the 2026 Class of Up & Coming Lawyers by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.  Chidiac, along with 23 other Michigan attorneys, will be honored at a recognition luncheon on March 27 at The Mint at Michigan First Conference Center in Lathrup Village.

A member of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, Chidiac practices primarily in the area of insurance coverage, representing leading property and casualty insurance companies in coverage cases throughout the Midwest. Her work as a member of the firm’s Insurance Coverage Practice Group includes the handling of complex coverage issues, including insurance coverage for underlying environmental contamination, construction defect and product liability claims. She also has experience in resolving extra-contractual claims on behalf of insurance providers.  

In addition to the MiLW honor, Chidiac, who is a co-leader of Plunkett Cooney’s Associate Development Committee, was named to the Lawyers of Color’s DEI Hot List in 2023.

Chidiac received her law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 2020 and her undergraduate degree from Oakland University in 2017.

•            •            •

Honigman LLP recently announced that Jonathan Schwartz joined the firm’s Litigation Department and Supply Chain and Commercial Transactions Practice Group in its Detroit office. 

Schwartz’s practice spans high-stakes commercial litigation, supply chain and complex contract matters, and media and entertainment disputes and transactions. He represents clients in state and federal courts across the United States and advises on sensitive, business-critical matters where operational continuity, reputation, intellectual property, and constitutional interests may be at risk. 

Schwartz litigates and resolves complex disputes involving commercial contracts, employment and restrictive covenants, trade secrets and confidential information, real estate and property claims, business breakups, and related business torts. He is also trusted to draft, negotiate, and enforce sophisticated agreements in support of business formation, growth, strategic partnerships, acquisitions, and asset sales, bringing a practical, litigation-informed approach to risk allocation and deal execution. 

Schwartz earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School and his B.A. from the University of Michigan.

Honigman also announced that Jacob “Jake” Rambeau joined the firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation Practice Group of the firm’s Intellectual Property Department in its Bloomfield Hills office. 

Rambeau’s hire marks the second Kirkland & Ellis litigator and the sixth partner to join Honigman this year.

Rambeau is a trial-tested litigator that guides clients big and small through complex intellectual property and commercial litigation, with a focus on patent infringement, trade-secret misappropriation, and contract disputes. He practices in courts and agencies nationwide, including federal district courts, the United States International Trade Commission (USITC), the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Rambeau has experience across all phases of litigation involving a range of technologies, including in the automotive, electronics, wireless communications, software, medical device, industrial equipment, and consumer products industries. He also brings trial experience, having served on nearly a dozen trial teams in federal courts and the ITC and obtained complete wins for plaintiffs and defendants alike.

Rambeau earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.S. from Kettering University.

In addition, Honigman Partner Don Kunz was recently recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly in its 2026 Hall of Fame class. 

Kunz concentrates his practice on corporate finance and governance matters, with a particular emphasis on representing publicly traded companies. He advises clients on capital raising, including acquisitions and dispositions, IPOs, and follow-on offerings; corporate governance issues, including counseling boards of directors, board committees, and officers on executive compensation planning and wide-ranging day-to-day issues; and public-company reporting and disclosure matters. 

•            •            •

The State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners appointed Moheeb H. Murray to fill a vacancy on the Board January 23. Murray will represent District I, which covers Oakland County. His term continues through 2027.  

A graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, Murray is a litigation attorney at Bush Seyferth PLLC in Troy, and represents clients in complex commercial disputes, tort defense cases, insurance coverage matters, and construction litigation. 

He is a member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association, Michigan Muslim Bar Association, National Arab American Bar Association, and the Oakland County Bar Association.  

He is also a fellow with the Michigan State Bar Foundation and Oakland County Bar Foundation, which awarded him the Distinguished Service Award in 2017 and Committee of the Year Award in 2023.  

In addition, he is an emeritus board of member for Zaman International, a non-profit organization that provides food, clothing, services, and vocational training for marginalized women in southeast Michigan. He was also a long-time board member of The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding. 

•            •            •

Foley, Baron, Metzger, & Juip PLLC congratulates Matt McCann on his selection as co-editor of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel Quarterly. McCann will serve alongside Samantha Orvis of Secrest 
Wardle in this leadership role with the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel.

The Michigan Defense Quarterly is distributed to justices, Court of Appeals judges, and trial judges throughout Michigan and provides insight on developments impacting the defense bar. 

McCann is an associate principal with FBMJ. He has experience leading the research, investigation, and litigation of complex commercial, administrative, civil rights and white-collar criminal proceedings. 

His career before joining FBMJ spanned many years at firms in the New York City metropolitan area where he litigated against the New York City Department of Education in both administrative and 
federal proceedings to ensure the implementation of a free appropriate public education for students with special needs in all five boroughs of New York City.

•            •            •

Dobrusin IP Law is proud to announce that attorneys Erin Klug and Rebecca Wilson have again been recognized in the WTR 1000 by the World Trademark Review  for 2026. The two earned the Gold designation for another year—an honor held by only seven individuals in Michigan. Alongside their individual honors, the firm has been awarded the Silver designation by WTR.

Klug, an intellectual property attorney, represents clients spanning industries such as cannabis, automotive, and real estate. 

Wilson’s practice focuses on trademarks and copyrights for diverse clients, including fashion brands, craft breweries, and medical device companies. 

•            •            •

Kemp Klein Law Firm is proud to announce that Ralph A. Castelli has been named to the 2026 Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame.  An induction event will take place on Friday, March 27, at The Mint at Michigan First Conference Center in Lathrup Village.

Castelli’s legal practice has spanned decades and involves a range of business matters, including business planning and structuring, exit planning, shareholder and partner separations, and the full spectrum of real estate and business transactions. 

In addition to his legal practice, Castelli served as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Kemp Klein Law Firm for 26 years, playing a central role in guiding the firm through significant growth while reinforcing a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and integrity.

Castelli is also a board member and former president of the Kemp Klein Foundation, which sponsors Common Ground and supports numerous local and national charitable causes, reflecting his long-standing commitment to community service.

•            •            •

Reising PC is pleased to announce that President Rick Hoffmann has become a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America

Hoffmann has experience in IP litigation and has litigated IP disputes at every court level from state district court through the U.S. Supreme Court. He has also litigated cases at the International Trade Commission, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. 

Hoffmann is a coauthor of the seventh edition of the textbook “Cases and Materials on Patent Law: Including Trade Secrets,” published by West Academic. He also is an adjunct faculty member at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law teaching Patent Law.

Hoffmann received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and his law degree from the Detroit College of Law (now Michigan State University College of Law).  He has also served as president of the Saginaw Valley Patent Law Association and as a council member to the Intellectual Property Law section of the State Bar of Michigan.

•            •            •

Varnum partner Jacob Whately has been recognized as an Up & Coming Lawyer by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Whately and other Up & Coming honorees will be recognized at a luncheon on March 27.

Whately is a member of Varnum’s Business and Corporate Practice Team. With a focus on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), he counsels both buyers and sellers on transactions of all sizes. His practice also covers a full range of general corporate work  across diverse industries.

Whately is also a member of Varnum’s Venture Capital and Emerging Companies Practice Team and an active participant in Varnum’s MiSpringboard program, a firm initiative that helps remove barriers to starting a business by providing free legal services to startups. 

Beyond his legal practice, Whately serves on Varnum’s Associate Recruiting Committee and participates in the firm’s law student outreach activity. He is also active in the Detroit Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth and helps coordinate Varnum’s support for local investor groups. 

•            •            •

Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Aleanna Siacon (associate, Troy) has been named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2026 Up and Coming Lawyers.

“I am honored to be selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a member of their 2026 Up and Coming Lawyer Class. This list is filled with such talented and accomplished attorneys, and it’s a privilege to be included among their ranks,” Siacon said.

 Siacon focuses her practice on commercial litigation and works on a variety of complex business disputes. She has a passion for civil litigation and all its intricacies and has experience defending and counseling companies, municipalities, and school districts in a wide array of legal matters from investigation to matter resolution. She is recognized as a leader in her field by Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch.”

Siacon is vice president and former treasurer of the Michigan Asian Pacific American Bar Association and in 2025 was appointed to the State Bar of Michigan’s Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee. She is a Fellow of the Oakland County Bar Foundation and a member of Federal Bar Association – Eastern District of Michigan Chapter. 

Siacon received her B.A. from Wayne State University and her law degree from Wayne State University Law School. 

•            •            •

Dykema recently announced that Michael P. Cooney was selected as an inductee to the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame. 

Trained as an engineer and seasoned in intellectual property and product liability litigation, Cooney is known for his ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, persuasive courtroom presentations. His trial record includes defense verdicts in numerous high-stakes cases across the country, frequently in jurisdictions viewed as difficult for corporate defendants.  His experience spans industries including automotive, medical devices, recreational vehicles, industrial equipment, consumer products, and emerging technologies.

In addition to his trial practice, Cooney has played a leadership role within Dykema for more than a decade as director of the firm’s 200-plus-attorney Litigation Department, following earlier service as leader of the firm’s Product Liability Practice Group. 

Cooney is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He has also served in leadership roles with the State Bar of Michigan, including on the Litigation Section Council, as programs chair, and on the Character and Fitness Committee, as well as with the Detroit Bar Association’s Litigation Section.

Cooney earned a law degree and a B.S.M.E. from the University of Notre Dame.

Dykema also announced that Andrew VanEgmond was selected for Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Up & Coming Lawyers” Class of 2026. 

VanEgmond maintains a litigation practice focused on automotive class actions and healthcare litigation, including False Claims Act matters.  In addition to his litigation practice, he created and scaled a special education pro bono program addressing suspensions and expulsions of students with disabilities, in partnership with the Student Advocacy Center of Michigan. Working with the firm’s pro bono 
leadership, he designed a training and supervision model that enables attorneys across the firm and in-house counsel partners to handle special education due process matters.

VanEgmond earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.A. from Michigan State University.

•            •            •

Taft Detroit welcomes associates David Grisa and Carla Valdes to the firm’s Detroit office.

Grisa joins Taft as an associate with a focus on complex private client matters relating to probate administration, trust administration, guardianships, and conservatorships. He is experienced in negotiating with opposing counsel to facilitate resolutions that end in obtaining favorable settlements for his clients.

Valdes joins Taft as an associate with a focus on complex environmental and eminent domain matters. With a foundation in geology and years of experience in environmental research and enforcement, Valdes brings a unique perspective to her legal practice. After earning a master’s degree in geology from the University of Utah, she worked on high-impact environmental projects, including mercury contamination in the Great Salt Lake and groundwater contamination plumes. Her tenure at the EPA honed her skills in compliance enforcement and policy analysis, which now inform her strategic approach to litigation and client advocacy.

In addition, Taft Partner Rick Kruger spoke at the State Bar of Michigan Debtor/Creditor Rights Committee meeting on Jan. 29. He was part of a panel discussion, “Beneath the Hood: Automotive Distress and Contract Disputes.” The discussion was moderated by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge  Lisa Gretchko, Eastern District of Michigan.

Kruger is a member of Taft’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring and Real Estate Finance practice groups, as well as a member of the Automotive industry group. He has a national practice focusing on both transactional and litigation aspects of bankruptcy law, debtor and creditor rights, workouts, corporate, and financing transactions. 

Kruger’s client representations include original equipment manufacturers, borrowers, debtors, secured parties, landlords, purchasers, sellers, receivers, avoidance defendants, and unsecured creditors’ committees. His strategy and expertise span across a diverse list of industries, with a focus on Automotive and business sectors, providing creative solutions in all facets of these complex transactions

•            •            •

Giarmarco, Mullins, & Horton PC in pleased to congratulate attorney Lindsay Hazen who has been recognized as an “Up & Coming Lawyer” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.  She will be honored on March 27 along with other members of the Michigan legal community.

Hazen is an attorney in the firm’s Education Law Group. She represents public school districts in matters of employment discrimination, constitutional litigation, general education, special education, student discipline and due process, peer-on-peer harassment, and more. Additionally, Hazen has experience in counseling and advising clients on their bargaining agreements, employment agreements, employment policies, employee issues, disciplinary actions, and compliance with laws such as FMLA, ADA, Title IX, FOIA, and the Open Meetings Act.

Hazen earned her law degree from Wayne State University Law School.  Prior to entering law school, she was a paralegal for the Department of Justice.

•            •            •

Abdulai Rashid, an associate at Brooks Kushman, has been named a 2026 LCLD Pathfinder. The LCLD Pathfinder Program provides high-potential, early-career attorneys with the opportunity to learn from top leaders in the legal profession while gaining foundational leadership skills and relationship-building resources.

Abdulai focuses on patent prosecution and litigation in the biomedical and automotive industries, while also assisting clients with trademark matters and supporting early-stage innovators in developing protectable ideas. He gained experience in dispute resolution as the founder of Penn State Law’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, coordinating student teams in negotiation and mediation competitions. He also worked in the Penn State Law IP Clinic, helping entrepreneurs connect with counsel and resources.

In addition, Bryan Hart, an associate at Brooks Kushman, has been named a 2026 LCLD Fellow. The LCLD Fellows Program offers high-potential, mid-career attorneys at LCLD Member organizations the opportunity to develop leadership skills and build meaningful relationships within the legal profession.

•            •            •

Harness IP is proud to announce its continued recognition in the WTR 1000 – World Trademark Review’s 2026 ranking.

In Michigan, Harness IP earned a Bronze ranking, with WTR noting the firm’s experience and reputation in helping clients to enhance their intellectual property assets.  

WTR also highlighted Lisa DuRoss as a Silver Ranked Individual.  DuRoss, based in the Detroit Metro office, is recognized as a brand management trusted advisor who provides innovative, strategic counsel to clients across the United States and around the world.

By Zenell B. Brown

The 2026 National Black History Month theme is “A Century of Black History Commemorations.” This marks a significant milestone, with well over a hundred ways to celebrate and reflect. My preferred approach is a tapestry of history, literature, and art with Detroit as a meaningful part of the narrative.

Dr. Carter Woodson created Negro History Week in 1926 and it has grown into our current observance of Black History throughout the month of February.  Negro History Week was created during the Harlem Renaissance — my favorite historical period — a time of extraordinary cultural, intellectual, and artistic flourishing that reshaped how Black life, identity, and contributions were seen and understood in America—emerging against the backdrop of a global pandemic and racial unrest, strikingly similar to what we recently experienced in 2020 to 2024. 

The Harlem Renaissance was introduced to me in Advanced American History class, and it was the first expansive look I had into Black history beyond the Martin, Malcolm, and Rosa civil rights trinity. It was a full chapter in our textbooks and my first exposure to a collective of historical Black contributors and creators beyond slavery and civil rights.

For Black History Month, I am recommending two books set in that era and a thoughtful  accompaniment of contemporary films, tours, and other curated experiences to fill the month of celebration.

The Harlem Renaissance era spanned 1919–1933 and reminds me in many ways of 2020 today, with the pandemic and genuine efforts to discuss and redefine race relationships.

“Harlem Rhapsody”  written by New York Times bestselling author Victoria Christopher Murray is historical fiction.  It introduces a slew of historical figures such as W.E. DuBois, James Weldon (the co-writer of the Black National Anthem), and  Jesse Redmond Fawcett, the protagonist of the novel. Fawcett was the first Black person to graduate from Cornell University. She is credited as being the mid-wife of the Harlem Renaissance.  The book offers a glimpse into the early days of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and shares the  superman vision and the very human flaws of the legendary Dr. Du Bois. The book goes far more in depth than that single chapter in my history book, and I am wearing out Wikipedia learning more about people such as Nella Larsen, a librarian who encourages the main character that she needs to stop procrastinating and start writing her novel, and Sadie Tanner Mossell, a former student of Ms. Fawcett. 

Larsen was posthumously inducted into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame in 2022, and her second novel, “Passing,” later became a film streamed on Netflix. Tessa Thompson, who played the role of girlfriend and wife of Adonis Creed and now stars in the limited series “His and Hers” plays a main character in the film.  

Sadie Tanner Mossell has an impressive resume as well: first African-American woman to receive a Ph.D. in economics; first Black woman to receive a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School; first Black woman to practice law in Pennsylvania; and, the first national president of Delta Sigma Theta sorority (1919 to 1923).

And as a complement to this book, enjoy my favorite version of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” sung acapella by Committed (https://youtu.be/ngFDy52eCZY).

Like today, the Harlem Renaissance  was challenged by racial violence and unrest. In 1920, the Ku Klux Klan was at the height of its existence, but the racial hatred was not confined to the South. “Arc of Justice,” written by Kevin Doyle, is set in Detroit in 1925. In this historically accurate novel, Dr. Ossian Sweet, his wife, and ten other Black friends and relatives are charged with murder when a bullet fired from the Sweets’ home strikes and kills a white man. Dr. Sweet and his wife were moving into an all-white neighborhood when a white mob protested, pelting their home with rocks, bottles, and bricks. A brick came through the second floor window and a fatal shot was fired.  Clarence Darrow, Judge Frank Murphy, and the NAACP entered center stage.

After reading this novel, I had the pleasure of attending the Detroit Bar Association’s lecture and book signing with the author, and I visited the memorial garden outside the home on Garland Street in January. There is a 30 minute documentary on youtube on my watch list this month: “The Chronicle of Ossian Sweet” ( https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GWqtqMLkR/?mibextid=wwXIfr). 

Prior to the closing of the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, thousands of my colleagues walked past the Ossian Sweet Trial Legal Milestone. It reads in part:

“Presiding Judge Frank Murphy instructed the jury that “a man’s house is his castle” and that Dr. Sweet had the right to defend it if he had good reason to fear for the lives of his family or their property. These rights, he noted, belong to Black people as well as white people.”

Once installed at new Criminal Courthouse, you will have the opportunity to take the time read it in full.

Although both books can be purchased on line, it is Black History month and a trip to Source Booksellers, Detroit Book City, Nandi’s Knowledge Cafe, and Shrine of Madonna can be worthwhile field trips offering opportunities for engaging conversations and to more community events that bring Black history to life year-round.  In that spirit, here is a start to a Centennial Black History Reading List for the Detroit legal community:

• “Let the Future Begin” by Dennis W. Archer
• “Your Honor, Your Honor” by Leonia J. Lloyd
• “The Triumph of Rosemary” by Marilyn Atkins
• “No Equal Justice: The Legacy of Civil Rights Icon George W. Crockett Jr.” by Edward Littlejohn and Peter J. Hammer

Every author listed has made a substantial contribution to the Detroit legal community, and their works deepen our understanding of Detroit’s legal  tapestry and remind us that the pursuit of justice has always been shaped by courageous individuals whose stories deserve to be read, remembered, and shared.

Happy reading and happy Black History Month.
————————
Zenell B. Brown is the fairness and accountability administrator  for the State Court Administrative Office. Brown previously served for more than 25 years in various roles at the 3rd Circuit Court culminating in nearly a decade as executive court administrator.

By Michael Waldman

Last week, The New York Times reported that President Trump personally ordered Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to go to Fulton County, Georgia, to be there for the FBI’s seizure of 2020 election ballots. Afterward, he held a pep talk with the agents. It’s a chilling reminder of just how far Trump can seek to move the levers of power to meddle with the freedom to vote.

It’s also a reminder that the stakes are immensely high. As the 2026 midterms fast approach, we see renewed efforts to control or undermine our elections — efforts that loom once again on Capitol Hill. Yes, the SAVE Act is back.

As many readers of this newsletter know, last year the House narrowly passed that bill — legislation that would effectively require Americans to produce a passport or a birth certificate to register to vote.

Brennan Center research shows that at least 21 million voters?lack ready access to those documents. Roughly?half?of Americans don’t even have a passport. Millions?lack access?to a paper copy of their birth certificate.?Many more voters have names that are different from those on their passports or birth certificates, including married women who have changed their last names.

Plainly, it would be the most restrictive voting bill ever passed by Congress. Even Michael Fragoso, former counsel to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), expressed concern over how much power over elections the bill would hand to the federal government. He writes, “It federalizes elections in a way that Republicans have long opposed.”

Last year, the SAVE Act stalled in the Senate following a chorus of alarm from people across the country. That should have been the end of it. Instead, it is back by political convenience, not public demand.

What’s the opposite of “a good idea whose time has come”? It’s a bad idea that refuses to die.

In both the House and Senate last week, GOP lawmakers introduced revamped versions of the SAVE Act. Lots of fun new ideas have been added into these bills. The Senate version includes a provision that would require citizens to produce a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers not just to register, but every time they vote. This proposal makes an exception for states that have handed over voter rolls to the Department of Homeland Security, an effort to coerce states to comply with the administration’s efforts to collect sensitive voter information. (All but a handful of states have refused.)

The House’s amped-up SAVE Act 2.0, called the Make Elections Great Again Act, would prohibit universal mail voting, bar states from counting ballots received after Election Day, and require states to conduct voter purges in a way that would kick many eligible citizens off the rolls. All these extreme measures are in service of the same type of conspiracy theory that animated the White House to send the FBI to Georgia to hunt for imaginary illegal ballots. In this instance, it is the lie that noncitizens routinely vote in our elections. Noncitizen voting is already illegal and vanishingly rare. Fragoso even called out his party, saying “the evidence of illegal aliens voting in large numbers just isn’t there” and that the new laws would harm voters within the MAGA base, too.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer declared the revival of the SAVE Act, which in the Senate is called the SAVE America Act, “dead on arrival.” But the anti-voter movement has recently accelerated its efforts. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) and others threatened to tie the budget deal to the SAVE Act before backing down after a meeting with Trump. Billionaire Elon Musk has been tweeting repeatedly to demand action. And Trump went on Dan Bongino’s podcast recently to declare, “The Republicans should say, ‘We want to take over. We should take over the voting in at least 15 places.’ The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting.”

While passage in the Senate appears unlikely, it will be up to Democrats to hold their ground and ensure the SAVE Act’s ultimate defeat. It will be up to all of us to not be fooled by the myths and the lies — and protect our elections so they remain free and fair. And we should stand with election officials who now face threats of groundless criminal prosecution for doing their jobs.

For voters, who must have the most powerful voice in our democracy, the stakes are high, and getting higher.
————————
Michael Waldman is president and CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law. A nonpartisan law and policy institute that focuses on improving systems of democracy and justice, the Brennan Center is a leading national voice on voting rights, money in politics, criminal justice reform, and constitutional law. Waldman, a constitutional lawyer and writer, has led the center since 2005.

By Berl Falbaum

Given the massive media coverage on the Venezuelan raid, one aspect — an intriguing and fascinating journalism ethics issue — has received very little, if any, attention.

It deserves a deep and penetrating analysis.

As the reporting started, I wondered, given the numerous agencies and thousands involved in the planning, how the plan remained secret.

It turns out it didn’t.

The New York Times, The Washington Post and other media outlets learned of plans for the attack but were asked by the administration not to publish any stories.

Administration officials presumably argued:

• Publicity would eliminate the crucial element of surprise.    

• To scuttle the military action would waste millions if not billions of dollars spent in planning.

• To proceed after publication of the proposed raid would jeopardize the lives of military personnel.

So, what to do?

To concur would imply, justified or not, agreement with the operation. That is not the role of a reporter. And, equally important, the media would not have any of the classified information needed to make a decision whether the attack was warranted.

Holding back would risk losing a huge story to a competitor who may decide to run with the story.  That could have major financial implications for those complying with the request of what some would call “censorship.”

Those who would “spike” the story would lose credibility with their TV and newspaper subscribers if others proceeded with publication.

Moreover, shouldn’t the public be informed on what its government is planning?

This ethical quandary is one of the most serious conundrums for journalists, one on which I spent significant time examining with students when I taught journalism ethics at Wayne State University.

Are there any precedents to help us with this? Well, there is at least one.

In April 1961, only three months after taking office, President Kennedy approved a military operation to overthrow the regime of Fidel Castro who had aligned himself with communist Russia.  

The plan leaked out with James Reston, the renowned New York Times political columnist ready to publish a story on what became known as the “Bay of Pigs” operation.

Kennedy called Reston and Times owners, asking them to hold back, making arguments like the ones cited above.

The Times agreed. The attack proceeded as planned, but the invasion, lasting only three days, was a dismal failure.

After the embarrassing defeat, astonishingly, Kennedy told The Times executives that perhaps the paper should have published the story because he probably would have scuttled the attack.

He reportedly said: “if you had printed more about the operation, you would have saved us from a colossal mistake.” 

More than a year later, Kennedy told New York Times Publisher Orvil Dryfoos, “I wish you had run everything on Cuba…I am just sorry you didn’t tell it at the time.”

Ah, hindsight.

But the major underlying ethic of this dilemma is whether journalists must or need to consider the consequences of their stories.  

The answer is “no” because every single story has consequences.

• Publishing premature stories on the construction of a new hotel has consequences.

• Stories on proposed but not yet adopted legislation have consequences.

• Stories on politicians resigning or not running for re-election have consequences.

• In sports, planned trades of major star athletes have consequences.

The list is endless. Moreover, the role of a journalist is not that of a partisan but instead of an objective informer. (I am discussing straight news reporting not editorial comment.)

If the media were to consider consequences of their actions, they would publish nothing.

However ...

There is one exception: When lives are at stake as was and is the case of the Bay of Pigs and Venezuela operations.

The media cannot turn a blind eye to the possibility that publication could cost lives. That is an entirely different matter.

Let’s consider other situations:

• Should any media institution publish reports that police authorities were planning to conduct a raid to free a kidnap victim held hostage?

• Should a reporter, embedded in the U.S. military, write of proposed battle plans?

• Should the media publish the names of U.S. spies operating in enemy countries?

But, critics of the invasion of Venezuela would argue that if the plan by the Trump administration had been made public, it could have saved the country — and the world — a serious crisis?

That may — or not — be true.  But, the media cannot and must not make such judgments because, again, every single story has good and bad ramifications for someone — individuals, businesses, political parties, religious and educational institutions, etc.  And, as in the Bay of Pigs invasion, the media do not have all the information required to make a sound and comprehension decision on the merits of the attack.

Were news reporters (not opinion writers) to make partisan judgments, well, talk about opening a Pandora’s Box.  

(Indeed, many in the media are now accused of political biases. But that’s a topic for a future column, two or more. I also expect some will view this column as pro-Trump, although those who have followed my rantings on Trump for a decade know better. Admittedly, given Trump’s pathological lying, making an informed, fair and sensitive decision — to publish or not to publish — is much more difficult.)

Thus, although many will criticize the decisions made by the media in the Bay of Pigs and Venezuelan operations, the judgments made were correct — as much as we may, in retrospect, wish the results had been different.
————————
Berl Falbaum is a veteran journalist and author of 12 books.

Miller Canfield has named Matthew P. Allen the recipient of the firm’s 2026 Seryak Award, an internal honor recognizing outstanding pro bono service and commitment to ensuring access to justice.

Established in 2015, the Seryak Award honors the legacy of Richard J. Seryak, an employment lawyer and litigator at Miller Canfield for nearly 40 years. Seryak was committed to helping individuals without resources access the legal assistance they needed and set a standard for professional excellence, client service, and dedication to pro bono and community engagement.

Allen’s pro bono work reflects that legacy in both impact and leadership. Recently, he helped lead a federal civil rights trial on behalf of a Michigan Department of Corrections prisoner alleging assault and battery under Michigan law and excessive force under the Eighth Amendment

In addition to individual representation, Allen has also played a role in supporting the broader legal community. As an officer of the Eastern District of Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, he led negotiations related to an organizational separation from the national FBA, a multi-year effort designed to preserve and strengthen programming and resources relied on by the federal bench and bar for decades.

“The longer I practice law, the more stewardship I feel for our system of justice, the people who rely on it, and the people who make it function,” Allen said. “Pro bono work allows us to put that stewardship into action, whether we’re helping individuals who would otherwise go without legal representation or supporting the institutions that protect access to justice.”

Allen is also active in civic and professional leadership at the national, state, and local levels. He serves in leadership roles with the American Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, Oakland County Bar Association, Oakland County Bar Foundation, Detroit Bar Association, and the Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association. He also serves on the board of Leadership Oakland, a leadership incubator for Southeast Michigan professionals across sectors.

•            •            •

Dawda PLC is pleased to announce that Edward C. Dawda and Marc K. Salach have been recognized in Legal 500’s inaugural US Elite rankings for Corporate and M&A in Detroit.

Dawda, a founding member of the firm, brings decades of experience advising clients on complex mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations, and sophisticated financing transactions. He serves as counsel to public and private entities nationwide. 

Salach, a member of the firm, concentrates his practice on corporate structuring, mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, and tax planning. He provides counsel to clients ranging from closely held businesses to automotive dealerships, guiding them through complex ownership transitions, financing arrangements, and regulatory compliance matters.

•            •            •

Foley & Lardner LLP partner John Birmingham was announced as an inductee to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Hall of Fame.

Birmingham is a trial, arbitral, and appellate attorney and business advisor who guides clients through labor and employment, trade secret and noncompetition, and investigations and crisis management issues. He is the former chair of Foley’s national Labor & Employment Practice and a former member of the firm’s Management Committee.

•            •            •

Clark Hill PLC recently announced that business, technology, and intellectual property litigators Zachary Moen, Daniel Grossman, and Adam Rosenberg,  formerly of ZVMLaw, have joined the firm’s Detroit office.

“Clark Hill’s global and national presence and depth of skill is very attractive to us and to our clients,” said Moen. “We are excited to be able to offer Clark Hill’s breadth of practice areas and enhanced geographic reach to our existing clients, and to offer our experience to Clark Hill’s existing clients.”

Moen represents clients in complex business, technology, and intellectual property disputes and helps clients select, protect, and enforce their intellectual property portfolios. He has more than 20 years of experience providing trusted legal counsel to clients and has served as in-house counsel to both international and family-owned businesses. Moen is a graduate of  Wheaton College (Massachusetts) and Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

Grossman is legal counsel to clients ranging from entrepreneurs and startups to large global companies. He regularly represents clients in federal and state courts in complex litigation matters, including IP litigation, contract disputes, and disputes between shareholders and other business owners. Grossman received his B.A. from Northwestern University and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.

Rosenberg provides legal counsel to clients ranging from entrepreneurs and nonprofits to large global companies. He represents clients in federal and state courts in complex litigation matters and regularly advises on compliance, antitrust investigations and other critical issues. Rosenberg graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and received his B.A. from Swarthmore College.

•            •            •

Chelsea Pasquali, an associate at Brooks Kushman, has been named a Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Fellow for 2025. The LCLD Fellows Program offers high-potential, mid-career attorneys from diverse backgrounds at LCLD Member organizations the opportunity to develop leadership skills and build meaningful relationships within the legal profession.

Pasquali is an intellectual property litigation attorney at Brooks Kushman, where she represents Fortune 500 corporations, small businesses, and individuals in complex patent, trademark, trade dress, unfair competition, and copyright disputes. She counsels clients on IP enforcement strategies and has experience representing trademark owners in opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, as well as litigation in state and federal courts and before the Michigan Court of Appeals. 

Pasquali earned her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Michigan University. She has been recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as an “Up & Coming Lawyer” and by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for her professional achievements in intellectual property law.

•            •            •

Robert S. Bick, a shareholder with Williams, Williams, Rattner, & Plunkett (WWRP), has been included in the Tier 1 category in Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions in the just-released Legal 500 U.S. Elite regional listing. Making his debut on the Legal 500 U.S. Elite, Bick is one of only nine attorneys to be listed in the Tier 1 corporate/M & A category in his geographic region. 

As co-chair of WWRP’s Corporate Practice Group, Bick has closed more than $3 billion in M&A transactions, including more than 150 transactions for private equity firms. Historical highlights include serving as M&A counsel to Compuware in numerous domestic and international transactions and as legal counsel to Compuware’s C-Suite executives during its sale to BMC Software in a $2 billion transaction. Bick also served as co-counsel to the owners of the Detroit Pistons in connection with the team’s sale to Platinum Equity.   

Bick’s practice focuses on corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and business transactions. With 40 years as an attorney, he counsels and represents public and private companies, entrepreneurs, venture capital and private equity groups, boards of directors and business owners on matters related to corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, private placements, private equity, securities, tax, commercial and private lending, corporate governance and related business law matters. 

The Legal 500 U.S. Elite acknowledgement follows Bick’s inclusion on the Crain’s Detroit Business 2025 list of Notable Leaders in Mergers & Acquisitions. Additionally, he was named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly 2024 list of Go To Lawyers in Business Transactions. Other career accolades include Corporate Law Lawyer of the Year by The Best Lawyers in America®; M&A Attorney of the Year by the Association for Corporate Growth; Dealmaker of the Year by the M&A Advisor; and a Leader in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. 

Bick has been recognized on the annual list of Best Lawyers in America® since 2019, Michigan Super Lawyers since 2007, and is a multi-year honoree on the DBusiness Top Lawyers list.

Active in the business and legal communities and civic affairs, Bick is a member of the Detroit chapter of Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), where he has served on the programs committee, as a judge for the ACG Cup Competition at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, and as co-chair for the M&A All Stars Awards. Bick has also served as a multi-year judge for the Transactional Law Competition at the University of Michigan Law School. His civic activities include membership in the American Jewish Committee, where he served on the board of directors for the Detroit Regional Office, and the Anti-Defamation League, where he also served on the board of directors of the Detroit Regional Office. Bick has also provided multi-year service as a mentor to at-risk children at Haven of Oakland County through his participation on the ACG Cares committee and is general counsel and secretary for the McDonald Agape Foundation.

Bick earned a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and a B.B.A. from the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business.
————————
To submit an announcement for the next Legal People section, e-mail: editor@legalnews.com.

By Zana Tomich

With 2026 underway, many Michigan business owners are feeling something they have not felt in a while: a bit of breathing room. Supply chains have steadied. The pace of change feels less frantic. Yet from where I sit, advising mid-sized Michigan companies day in and day out, this is not a year to get comfortable. The risks have not disappeared; they have simply become quieter and more complex.

The businesses that struggle in 2026 will not be caught off guard by a brand-new law. More often, problems grow out of familiar issues that were left unattended for too long. The companies that do well tend to be the ones that treat legal planning as part of running the business, not something reserved for emergencies.

Artificial Intelligence Is Now a Business Risk, Not a Tech Experiment

Most Michigan companies I work with are already using artificial intelligence in some form, often without calling it that. It shows up in hiring platforms, marketing tools, customer communications, and internal drafting. As 2026 unfolds, the legal conversation around artificial intelligence has shifted. The question is no longer whether businesses are using it, but whether they understand how it is being used and who is responsible when something goes wrong.

Michigan does not yet have a stand-alone artificial intelligence statute, but federal guidance is increasingly shaping how courts and regulators evaluate automated decision-making, particularly in employment and consumer-facing contexts. At the same time, contracts are quietly doing much of the regulating. Vendors and customers are asking for representations about artificial intelligence use, data sources, human oversight, and cybersecurity safeguards. Under Michigan law, those 
provisions are likely to be enforced as written, which means companies need to be comfortable with the commitments they are making before they sign.

Data Privacy Expectations Are Catching Up with Smaller Companies

Many Michigan business owners still assume data privacy is an issue only for large technology companies. That assumption is becoming riskier each year. As additional state privacy laws take effect across the country, Michigan businesses can find themselves subject to new requirements simply by collecting data from customers or users who live elsewhere.
Michigan’s Identity Theft Protection Act has been in place for years, but expectations around compliance have matured. Regulators increasingly expect written policies, documented safeguards, and a clear plan for responding to a breach. 

Informal practices that once seemed reasonable can look careless when reviewed after an incident, especially when multiple states are involved.

Worker Classification and Remote Work Remain High-Risk Areas

Few areas create more avoidable exposure for Michigan companies than worker classification. In 2026, both federal agencies and Michigan regulators continue to scrutinize independent contractor arrangements, particularly in professional services, logistics, and remote roles. The analysis remains highly fact-specific, and mistakes often lead to cascading consequences that include wage claims, tax exposure, and benefit issues.

Remote and hybrid work have added another layer of complexity. Wage and hour compliance, overtime tracking, and expense reimbursement obligations do not disappear simply because work happens off-site. Many employee handbooks and compensation structures no longer reflect how work is actually performed, which can leave well-intentioned employers exposed.

Michigan Business Transitions Are Accelerating

Across Michigan, more owners are beginning to think seriously about what comes next. For some, that means a sale. For others, it means an internal buyout or a generational transition. Private equity interest remains strong, but buyers are far less forgiving of informality than they once were. Gaps in governance, undocumented processes, and weak cybersecurity practices tend to surface quickly during due diligence and often affect value.

Even companies that are not actively marketing themselves benefit from thinking like a future buyer. Clear decision-making authority, clean financial practices, and documented systems tend to make businesses easier to operate and more resilient, regardless of whether a transaction occurs.

Nonprofits and Mission-Driven Entities Face More Oversight

Michigan nonprofits and organizations that work closely with them are operating under increased scrutiny in 2026. The Michigan Attorney General’s Charitable Trust Section continues to focus on governance practices, conflicts of interest, and fundraising transparency, while the Internal Revenue Service remains attentive to board independence and compliance.

At the same time, more organizations are exploring benefit corporations and other hybrid structures to balance mission and sustainability. These models can be effective, but only when the underlying governance documents clearly define roles, authority, and fiduciary obligations.

Final Thought

What unites these trends is accountability. Regulators, customers, employees, and business partners are asking better questions and expecting clearer answers. Michigan law has long favored preparation over improvisation, and that remains true in 2026.

Companies that integrate legal foresight into everyday decision-making, rather than treating counsel as a last resort, will be best positioned to manage risk, protect value, and grow with confidence.

2026 is already underway. The opportunity now is to mind your Michigan business before someone else is forced to do it for you.
————————
Zana Tomich is a co-founding partner of Detroit-based Dalton & Tomich PLC, where she serves privately held businesses and nonprofits, often in a general counsel capacity.