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Butzel immigration law attorney Reginald A. Pacis, has been selected as a 2026 Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation.

Butzel immigration law attorney Reginald A. Pacis, has been selected as a 2026 Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation. 

Pacis focuses his practice in immigration law and has handled a variety of immigration matters including H-1B specialty occupation cases, L-1 Intracompany transfers, Labor Certification matters, Immigrant Visa Petitions/Adjustment of Status applications and interviews, TN Free trade cases, H-1B Department of Labor Investigations, I-9 employer verification compliance, and U.S. Port of Entry airport and land port interviews. 

Pacis was named Immigration Lawyer of the Year in 2025, 2023 and 2013, respectively in the field of Immigration Law by The Best Lawyers in America and has been listed in Best Lawyers for several years. 

Pacis is a member of the American Bar Association, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), and the Samahang Pilipino Ng Oakland Filipino organization. He served two consecutive one-year terms from 2003 to 2005 as chairperson of the Michigan Chapter of AILA and was a member of the AILA National Board of Governors for those terms.

Butzel is also pleased to announce that 28 attorneys have been named to the 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers list. In addition, six Butzel attorneys have been named to the list of Rising Stars and Lee T. Silver has been named to the Super Lawyers Top 100 and Top 10 lists. 

The local Butzel attorneys included in the 2026 Super Lawyers list are:

—2026 Rising Stars
Javon R. David, Business Litigation
Steven Eatherly, Business Litigation
Shanika Owens, Real Estate
Blake C. Padget, Employment Litigation: Plaintiff
Amber D. Peters, General Litigation
Mitch Zajac, Intellectual Property

—2026 Super Lawyers 
Detroit office
Eric J. Flessland, Construction Litigation
Bernard J. Fuhs, Business Litigation
Cynthia J. Haffey, Business Litigation
Justin G. Klimko, Mergers & Acquisitions
Phillip C. Korovesis, Business Litigation
Mark R. Lezotte, Health Care
Paul M. Mersino, Business Litigation
Brett J. Miller, Employment & Labor
Reginald A. Pacis, Immigration: Business
James S. Rosenfeld, Employment & Labor
Daniel R.W. Rustmann, Business Litigation
Troy office
David J. DeVine, Business Litigation
Carey A. DeWitt, Employment & Labor
Michael P. Donnelly, Business Litigation
George B. Donnini, Criminal Defense: White Collar
Laura S. Faussié, Business Litigation
Robert P. Perry, Estate & Probate
Ryan C. Plecha, Business Litigation
Daniel B. Tukel, Employment Litigation: Defense

•            •            •

Jessica Davidova is honored to have been elected president of the Jewish Bar Association of Michigan for the 2026-2028 term. She is an attorney with The Ravenscroft Law Group, where she focuses her practice on business, real estate, and commercial litigation. She also serves as legal counsel and advisor for Firefly Advocates, an organization that supports wrongfully convicted individuals in seeking exoneration and pursuing justice.

Prior to entering private practice, Davidova served as an assistant prosecuting attorney with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office in the Special Victims Unit, prosecuting matters involving sexual assault and domestic violence.

•            •            •

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointments of Robbie Gaines Jr., Robyn Liddell, and Rula Aoun to the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County. 

Gaines is a founding member of Gaines Law Firm PLC. He is a former law clerk to outgoing Judge Leslie Kim Smith of the Third Circuit Court in Wayne County. Gaines serves on the Board of Directors for the Detroit Bar Association and as a commissioner for the State Bar of Michigan. He is also the past president of the Wolverine Bar Association and a member of the Michigan Association of Justice and the Augustus Straker Bar Association.  

Gaines earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Wayne State University and a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.  

“I am deeply grateful to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for this appointment,” said Gaines. “This is not just an honor – it is a responsibility. I am humbled by the opportunity to serve the people of Wayne County and to contribute to a justice system grounded in integrity and fairness. I will approach this role with the seriousness, dedication, and respect it deserves. I am ready to get to work and give my full measure of service to the court and the community it serves.” 

This appointment will be made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Leslie Kim Smith. Gaines’s term will commence on September 14, 2026, and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2029.   

Liddell, is the chief of the Criminal Trials Division at the Michigan Department of Attorney General. She has served at the Michigan Department of Attorney General since 2014. Liddell is the past president of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and was the recipient of the 2025 Lawyer’s Weekly Outstanding Woman of the Year award.  

Liddell earned a Bachelor of Arts in African-American studies from Oberlin College and a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.   

“I am deeply honored and humbled for this appointment,” said Liddell. “Serving the people of my community has always been a privilege. I am grateful to Governor Whitmer for the confidence placed in me. I will remain committed to fairness and integrity, and equal justice under the law.” 

This appointment will be made to fill a partial term following the upcoming resignation of Judge Kevin Cox. Liddell’s term will commence on October 5, 2026, and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2029.    

Aoun is a partner at Cochran, Kroll, & Associates. She also serves as a magistrate judge at the 19th District Court in Dearborn and as a board member and volunteer attorney at the American Arab Civil Rights League.  

Aoun earned a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs and French from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School.  

“I am deeply grateful to Governor Whitmer for this opportunity and honored to serve the people of Wayne County,” said Aoun. “I am committed to ensuring that every person who enters my courtroom is heard and treated with dignity.” 

This appointment will be made to fill a partial term following the upcoming resignation of Judge Muriel Hughes. Aoun’s term will commence on September 14, 2026, and expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2029.

•            •            •

Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido recently announced that former Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Mary Chrzanowski was hired as chief of the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU), serving in the position of part-time special prosecutor. Chrzanowski begins her new role on Monday, August 31.

Chrzanowski succeeds Gail Pamukov, who retired on May 15 after leading the Conviction Integrity Unit since its creation in 2022. Under Pamukov’s leadership, the unit established itself as a model of fairness and accountability, secured a highly competitive $1.6 million federal grant to expand post-conviction DNA reviews, and achieved the office’s first conviction integrity exoneration.
The Conviction Integrity Unit reviews post-conviction claims of actual innocence, examines newly discovered evidence, and works to ensure convictions are both legally sound and factually accurate.

“I am deeply honored that Prosecutor Lucido has entrusted me with this responsibility,” Chrzanowski said. “The integrity of our criminal justice system depends on public confidence that every conviction is accurate, fair, and supported by the evidence. I look forward to building on the outstanding foundation established by Ms. Pamukov and working to ensure justice is faithfully served.”

•            •            •

Honigman LLP announced that Joshua Zeman joined the firm as a partner in the Supply Chain and Commercial Transactions Practice Group of the Litigation Department. He joins Honigman from Brooks, Wilkins, Sharkey, & Turco.

Zeman has represented clients in a variety of complex commercial matters, including those involving the automotive supply chain, closely held business disputes, financial services, regulatory complaints, and employment disputes. Drawing on his experience in the judiciary, he counsels clients throughout the lifecycle of a dispute, including assisting in prelitigation resolutions and trying cases in state and federal courts both in Michigan and across the country.

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

In addition, Honigman is pleased to announce its list of Michigan-based attorneys recognized as 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.

Twenty-nine Honigman attorneys have been named as Super Lawyers, and 57 have been recognized as Rising Stars. Three attorneys, Partners Joseph Aviv, Michael Hindelang, and I.W. Winsten, were honored among the Top 100 Super Lawyers.

Super Lawyers – Joseph Aviv, Aaron E. Bass, Michael S. Ben, Michelle P. Crockett, Sean F. Crotty, Michael D. DuBay, David A. Ettinger, Amy B. Folbe, Nick Gorga, Andrea L. Hansen, Michael P. Hindelang, J. Michael Huget, Michael A. Indenbaum, Anessa O. Kramer, Donald J. Kunz, Evan J. Leibhan, Steven Migliore, Jonathan P. O’Brien, Ph.D., J. Adam Rothstein, E. Todd Sable, Lowell D. Salesin, Matthew Schneider, Jonathan H. Schwartz, Mark A. Stern, Deborah J. Swedlow, Leigh C. Taggart, Phillip D. Torrence, Matthew R. VanWasshnova, I.W. Winsten.

Rising Stars – Daniel R. Ackerman, Jonathan Ajlouny, Justin M. Azar, Lauren E. Babbage, Elaina Bailey, Gabriel Bedoya, Amanda Blackburn, Jewel H. Boelstler, Brett Bonfanti, Alex Bowman, M. Brian Braum Jr., Alexander Burridge, George M. Cobane, Ian Cosgrove, Kevin Cunningham, Michael J. Dauphinais, Rian C. Dawson, Annie L. Dreisbach, Shannon Duggan, Yafeez Fatabhoy, Steven M. Forte, Angela I. Gamalski, D’Antae D. Gooden, Paul Guenther, Mazen Hajali, Paul W. Howarah, Rama Jawad, Tyler J. Kemper, Spencer Layson, Timothy Lee, Lauren Legner, Jeffrey Lehrberg, Jeremy D. Lockhart, Chauncey C. Mayfield II, Jenna McLane, Jennifer L. Muse, Renee D. Naylor, Andrew John Newton, Garrett Packer, Carsten Parmenter, Andrew Pauwels, Matthew Ritzman, Collin J. Rosenbaum, Ahmad Sabbagh, Tyler Schofield, Sherwin Shushtari, Kory M. Steen, Jacob Stropes, Brian Towne, Anna Transit, Gareth Ulmer, Katarina Vickovic, Nicholas E. Voran, Alexander S. Whang, Chase O. Yarber, Haba K. Yono, Marilyn Yousif.

Honigman is also pleased to announce that the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® recognized several local Honigman attorneys across numerous practice areas.

—2027 Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year”
Detroit
Michael W. Domanski, Tax Law
Michael Hindelang, Litigation – Securities
William O. Hochkammer, Insurance Law
Michael A. Indenbaum, Litigation and Controversy – Tax
Lee Johnson, Environmental Law
Paul W. Mardirosian, Land Use and Zoning Law
Steven J. Migliore, Corporate Law

—The Best Lawyers in America 2027
Thomas J. Appledorn, Copyright Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Patent Law, Trademark Law
Joseph Aviv, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Family Law, Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions, Litigation - Securities, Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Scott D. Barnett, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Patent Law
Aaron E. Bass, Real Estate Law
Andrew J. Boes, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Patent Law
Jonathan R. Borenstein, Real Estate Law
Richard J. Burstein, Real Estate Law
Sarah G. Deson, Real Estate Law
Amy B. Folbe, Family Law
Michael K. Hauser, Tax Law
Jeffrey S. Horowitz, Real Estate Law
David J. Jacob, Real Estate Law
Anessa Owen Kramer, Copyright Law, Trademark Law
Joel M. Krugel, Real Estate Law
Timothy D. Lee, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
David G. London, Real Estate Law
Michael E. Morden, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
Renee D. Naylor, Real Estate Law
Charles Nida, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
Karen R. Pifer, Real Estate Law
Rodney C. Ploucha, Real Estate Law
Adam Rothstein, Leisure and Hospitality Law, Real Estate Law
Lowell D. Salesin, Real Estate Law
Alan J. Salle, Real Estate Law
Matthew H. Szalach, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law
Leigh C. Taggart, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Patent Law
Grace K. Trueman, Corporate Law, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
Linda A. Wasserman, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
Brandon J. Wilson, Commercial Litigation, Real Estate Law
Detroit
Kasturi Bagchi, Real Estate Law
Danielle F. Bass, Artificial Intelligence Law
Gabriel E. Bedoya, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Securities
Michael M. Bell, Banking and Finance Law
Michael S. Ben, Securities / Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation
Jennifer L. Benedict, Health Care Law
Andrew W. Clark, Commercial Litigation
James H. Combs, Tax Law
Meghan N. Covino, Immigration Law
Michelle P. Crockett, Employment Law – Management
Sean F. Crotty, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Laura J. Davis, Corporate Law
Matthew Disbrow, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Michael W. Domanski, Tax Law
Michelle Bleda Drew, Banking and Finance Law
Michael D. DuBay, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Kimberly A. Dudek, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law
David A. Ettinger, Antitrust Law, Franchise Law, Litigation - Antitrust
David Foltyn, Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation
Nicholas B. Gorga, Commercial Litigation
Raymond W. Henney, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions, Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy), Litigation – Securities
Michael Hindelang, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Securities, Privacy and Data Security Law
Karl A. Hochkammer, Corporate Law, Information Technology Law
William O. Hochkammer, Health Care Law, Insurance Law
Michael A. Indenbaum, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law
Lee Johnson, Environmental Law
Eric M. Jones, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Nicholas J. Jones, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
John P. Kanan, Corporate Law, International Mergers and Acquisitions, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Maryam Karnib Parshall, Real Estate Law
Douglas E. Kelin, Real Estate Law
Matthew R. Keuten, Health Care Law
Scott B. Kitei, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
Samantha A. Kopacz, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Donald J. Kunz, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation, Venture Capital Law
Jeffrey Lamb, Commercial Litigation
Evan J. Leibhan, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Jeremy D. Lockhart, Commercial Litigation
Stewart L. Mandell, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law
Paul W. Mardirosian, Land Use and Zoning Law
Chauncey C. Mayfield II, Commercial Transactions / UCC Law, Corporate Law
Steven J. Migliore, Corporate Law
Matthew J. Moussiaux, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Matthew G. Mrkonic, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Securities
Joshua F. Opperer, Corporate Law
Alex L. Parrish, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
Andrew M. Pauwels, Commercial Litigation
Nicholas Pedersen, Corporate Law
Matthew E. Radler, Employment Law – Management
Robert M. Riley, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation
Julie E. Robertson, Health Care Law, Insurance Law
Scott Romney, Corporate Law, Government Relations Practice
Todd Sable, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
Alan S. Schwartz, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
Jonathan H. Schwartz, Commercial Litigation
Michael B. Shapiro, Litigation - Real Estate
Khalilah Spencer, Commercial Litigation
Mark A. Stern, Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation
Matthew R. VanWasshnova, Corporate Law
Glenn Walter, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Alexander S. Whang, Corporate Law
Sheldon P. Winkelman, Real Estate Law
W. Winsten, Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation
Richard E. Zuckerman, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Litigation and Controversy - Tax
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America
Bloomfield Hills
Tyler Kemper, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
Catherine Niedermaier, Patent Law
Megan J. Parpart, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Tax Law
Elias de Wit, Real Estate Law
Detroit
Daniel Ackerman, Antitrust Law, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law
Justin Azar, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Elaina Bailey, Labor and Employment Law – Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Laura E. Biery, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Jewel Haji Boelstler, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Brett Bonfanti, Labor and Employment Law – Management
Brian Braum Jr., Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
George M. Cobane, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Ian J. Cosgrove, Construction Law, Real Estate Law
Michael Dauphinais, Labor and Employment Law – Employee, Labor and Employment Law – Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Rian C. Dawson, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Governance and Compliance Law
Angela I. Gamalski, Administrative / Regulatory Law, Corporate Law, Health Care Law
D’Antae Gooden, Labor and Employment Law – Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment, Municipal Law, Transportation Law
Paul Guenther, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Mazen Hajali, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Paul Howarah, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Tax Law
Rama Jawad, Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
David Krueger, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Joseph M. Kuzmiak, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Spencer Layson, Corporate Law
Jenna R. McLane, Health Care Law, Insurance Law
Jennifer L. Muse, Labor and Employment Law – Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Matthew Ritzman, Labor and Employment Law – Management
Ahmad Sabbagh, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Brian Sarnacki, Real Estate Law
Tyler D. Schofield, Real Estate Law
Sherwin Shushtari, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
Kory M. Steen, Commercial Litigation
Haba Yono, Labor and Employment Law – Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Marilyn Yousif, Labor and Employment Law – Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment   

•            •            •

Michigan Super Lawyers magazine has named 15 attorneys from Plunkett Cooney to its 2026 list of Super Lawyers as well as seven attorneys to its list of Rising Stars.
Receiving special recognition by the magazine this year is health care attorney Mark S. Kopson, who was listed among the “Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers” for his work in the area of health care law.

Below is a list of local Plunkett Cooney partners who received the 2026 Michigan Super Lawyer designation: 

—Bloomfield Hills office members
Douglas C. Bernstein – Bankruptcy: Business 
Matthew J. Boettcher – Business Litigation
Charles W. Browning – Insurance Coverage
Jeffrey S. Hengeveld – Professional Liability: Defense 
Mark S. Kopson – Health Care
Frank T. Mamat – Employment & Labor
Mary Massaron – Appellate
Kenneth C. Newa – Insurance Coverage
Courtney L. Nichols – Employment and Labor
Scott H. Sirich – Construction Litigation
Patrick E. Winters – Insurance Coverage

—Plunkett Cooney’s Detroit office member:
D. Jennifer Andreou – Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense 
Kenneth R. Chadwell – Government Relations
Michael K. Sheehy – Transportation/Maritime

Below are the Plunkett Cooney attorneys who have received the Michigan Super Lawyer Rising Star designation this year: 

Danielle Chidiac (Bloomfield Hills) – Insurance Coverage
Madeleine C. Craig (Bloomfield Hills) – Business Litigation
Elena Djordjeski Light (Bloomfield Hills) – Personal Injury General: Defense
Simone R. Fabiilli (Bloomfield Hills) – Business Litigation
Courtney A. Lavender (Bloomfield Hills) – Appellate
Robert M. Unatin (Bloomfield Hills) – Insurance Coverage

•            •            •

Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Mais Moran has joined the firm’s Troy office as Of Counsel.

Moran is an immigration attorney where she advises clients on a range of business immigration matters. She assists employers with U.S. permanent residence and work authorization matters on behalf of their employees and has experience with a variety of employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant visa matters. As an immigrant herself, she brings firsthand perspective on the complexities of the immigration process and approaches her work with an understanding of the challenges clients may encounter along the way. In addition to her business immigration law experience, Moran has practiced insurance defense, handling first- and third-party claims.

Moran is recognized as a leader in her field by Michigan Super Lawyers “Rising Stars.” She is a member of the Board of Trustees for the National Arab American Bar Association Michigan Chapter and is a member of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, the National Arab American Bar Association National Chapter, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. 
Moran received her B.A. from Western Michigan University and her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

Dickinson Wright is also pleased to announce that 39 of the firm’s attorneys have been named 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers. Twenty-one Dickinson Wright attorneys have been named 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers “Rising Stars.”

Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Michigan Super Lawyers list include:

—Detroit
Richard M. Bolton, Mergers & Acquisitions
Aaron V. Burrell, Business Litigation
Christopher A. Cornwall, Construction Litigation
David R. Deromedi, Labor & Employment
Phillip J. DeRosier, Appellate
K. Scott Hamilton, Business Litigation
Mark R. High, Business/Corporate
Steven G. Howell, Bankruptcy: Business,
Timothy H. Howlett, Labor & Employment
James A. Plemmons, Creditor Debtor Rights
William P. Shield Jr., Banking
Theodore B. Sylwestrzak, Bankruptcy: Business
L. Pahl Zinn, Business Litigation
—Troy
J. Benjamin Dolan, Business Litigation
Deborah L. Grace, Employee Benefits
Craig W. Hammond, Government Finance
Monica J. Labe, Real Estate, Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan
Elizabeth L. Luckenbach, Estate & Trust Litigation, Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan, Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan
James A. Martone, Business Litigation
Cynthia A. Moore, Employee Benefits
Scott A. Petz, Business Litigation
Daniel D. Quick, Business Litigation, Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan
William L. Rosin, Business/Corporate
Kimberly J. Ruppel, Health Care
Lynn C. Sirich, Family Law
Michael R. Vogt, Real Estate
Peter H. Webster, Eminent Domain
Katheryne L. Zelenock, Real Estate

Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars list include:

—Detroit
Davina Bridges, Business Litigation
Jonathon H. Oakley, Mergers & Acquisitions
Rebecca S. Papi, Mergers & Acquisitions
M. Katherine VanderVeen, Banking
—Troy
Juliet R. Boyd, Estate & Trust Litigation
Brandon L. Debus, Business Litigation
Allison Dolson, Health Care
Kaitlyn Elias, Real Estate
Eric W. Gregory, Employee Benefits
Lawrence Opalewski, Business Litigation
Nicholas E. Papasifakis, Estate & Probate
Anthony J. Piccirilli, Construction Litigation
Will Sanford, Estate & Probate
Alma Sobo, Business Litigation
Gage Wakula, Business Litigation
Colby Zurbay, Estate & Trust Litigation

In addition, Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that attorneys in the firm’s Michigan offices have been included in Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, and Ones to Watch 2027 editions.

Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this Best Lawyers in America® year’s list include:
—Detroit
Max A. Aidenbaum, Commercial Litigation
Allison R. Bach, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Richard M. Bolton, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
William T. Burgess, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
Aaron V. Burrell, Commercial Litigation, Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
Christopher A. Cornwall, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction
David R. Deromedi, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
Phillip J. DeRosier, Appellate Practice
Patrick B. Green, Commercial Litigation
K. Scott Hamilton, Appellate Practice
Salina M. Hamilton, Commercial Litigation
Mark R. High, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law
Edward J. Hood, Arbitration, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction
Steven G. Howell, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy
Timothy H. Howlett, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Amy Kwiatkowski, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
John K. Lawrence, Banking and Finance Law
Andrew W. MacLeod, Corporate Law, International Mergers & Acquisitions, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Private Funds/Hedge Funds Law
James A. Plemmons, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Bankruptcy
William P. Shield Jr., Banking and Finance Law
Theodore B. Sylwestrzak, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Bruce C. Thelen, International Trade and Finance Law
M. Katherine VanderVeen, Banking and Finance Law
L. Pahl Zinn, Litigation – Antitrust
—Troy
Juliet R. Boyd, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates
Roger H. Cummings, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law
J. Benjamin Dolan, Litigation – Real Estate
Alison F. Duffy, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Thomas E.F. Fabbri, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Tax Law
Kevin A. Fanning, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate
John P. Gonway, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law
Deborah L. Grace, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Roberta P. Granadier, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Eric W. Gregory, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Craig W. Hammond, Banking and Finance Law, Public Finance Law
William H. Honaker, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law
Richard A. Jones, Patent Law
Mark Jotanovic, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law
Monica J. Labe, Real Estate Law
Elise S. Levasseur, Immigration Law
Elizabeth L. Luckenbach, Trusts and Estates
Michael J. Lusardi, Real Estate Law
Michael N. MacCallum, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Patent, Patent Law
J. Thomas MacFarlane, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
Christopher C. Maeso, Corporate Law
James A. Martone, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property
Jonathan M. Martone, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Scott A. McBain, Patent Law
Eric McGlothlin, Public Finance Law
Cynthia A. Moore, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Mahesh K. Nayak, Commercial Litigation
Shannon M. Nichols, Banking and Finance Law
Nicholas Papasifakis, Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Tax Law
Erin M. Pawlowski, Corporate Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property
Scott A. Petz, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants
Daniel D. Quick, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Paul Rodriguez, Patent Law
William L. Rosin, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Kimberly J. Ruppel, Commercial Litigation
Lynn Capp Sirich, Family Law
Joan Cripe Skrzyniarz, Trusts and Estates
Kimberly M. Slaven, Patent Law
Jared A. Smith, Information Technology Law
Robert L. Stearns, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Michael R. Vogt, Litigation - Real Estate, Real Estate Law
Peter H. Webster, Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law
Mark E. Wilson, Health Care Law
Katheryne L. Zelenock, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Securitization and Structured Finance Law

Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” list include:

—Detroit 
Allison R. Bach, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
—Troy
Christopher C. Maeso, Corporate Law
Shannon M. Nichols, Banking and Finance Law
Daniel D. Quick, Litigation - Intellectual Property

Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch list include:

—Detroit
Patrick Masterson, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Antitrust
—Troy
Erick W. Hosner, Corporate Law
Ashley Jericho, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Nicholas J.H Mercado, Commercial Litigation
Corey Neil, Patent Law
Aleanna Siacon, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Labor and Employment, Municipal Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Alma Sobo, Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Litigation - Real Estate, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants, Municipal Law

•            •            •

Fishman Stewart PLLC is pleased to announce that three firm partners have been named IP Stars for 2026 by Managing IP. In addition to the individual recognitions, the firm earned a repeat recognition as Highly Recommended in the area of Trademarks.

Representing Fishman Stewart on the list this year—all repeat IP Stars honorees—are:

Co-founder and CEO Michael B. Stewart – Patent Star
Co-founder and Partner Michael Fishman – Trademark Star
Partner Michelle Visser – Copyright Star and Trademark Star

•            •            •

Nemeth Bonnette Brouwer PC is pleased to announce that three attorneys have been named Michigan Super Lawyers for 2026. 

The Nemeth Bonnette Brouwer attorneys named 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers have earned the recognition for multiple, consecutive years:

• Managing Partner and co-owner Deborah Brouwer is listed in the Employment Litigation, Appellate, and Employment & Labor categories.

• Partner and co-owner Terry W. Bonnette is listed in the Employment & Labor and Employment Litigation categories.

• Patricia Nemeth, Of Counsel at the firm, is listed in the Employment Litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Employment & Labor categories.

“Our firm is grateful to practice among consummate professionals in the Michigan legal community and we appreciate the peer support in this Super Lawyers recognition,” Brouwer said.

•            •            •

Williams, Williams, Rattner, & Plunkett (WWRP) is pleased to announce that 12 attorneys have been included on the 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers list, with another attorney debuting on the 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars list. 

The following WWRP attorneys, all repeat Super Lawyers, have received the 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers honor within the noted practice areas:

Alexander A. Ayar – Business Litigation
Robert S. Bick – Business & Corporate; Mergers & Acquisitions; Securities & Corporate Finance
John W. Crowe – Mergers & Acquisitions, Business/Corporate, Real Estate – Business, Business Litigation, Securities & Corporate Finance, Civil Litigation: Defense
Brian E. Etzel – Business Litigation
William E. Hosler – Real Estate: Business; General Litigation; State, Local & Municipal; Business Litigation
Robert B. Labe – Estate Planning & Probate; Business & Corporate
Jason C. Long – Eminent Domain; Tax: Business; Appellate; Real Estate: Business
Jerome P. Pesick – Eminent Domain; Tax; Land Use & Zoning
David E. Plunkett – Business Litigation; Real Estate; Business & Corporate
Richard E. Rassel III – Business & Corporate; General Litigation; Real Estate
Richard D. Rattner – Land Use & Zoning; Real Estate; Business & Corporate
C. Kim Shierk – Real Estate

New to the Michigan Rising Stars list for 2026:

Michael Petrus – Business Litigation

WWRP is also pleased to announce that 13 partners have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2027 edition.  The following WWRP attorneys have received the Best Lawyers designation in their respective categories of distinction:

Alexander A. Ayar, Litigation - Real Estate
Robert S. Bick, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law; Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
John W. Crowe, Corporate Law
James P. Cunningham, Family Law
Brian E. Etzel, Commercial Litigation; Employment Law – Individuals
John D. Gaber, Litigation – Real Estate
Robert B. Labe, Trusts and Estates
Jason C. Long, Land Use and Zoning Law; Real Estate Law
Jerome Pesick, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law; Real Estate Law
David E. Plunkett, Commercial Litigation
Richard E. Rassel III, Commercial Litigation
Richard D. Rattner, Copyright Law; Land Use and Zoning Law; Litigation – Land Use and Zoning; Litigation – Real Estate; Real Estate Law
C. Kim Shierk, Corporate Law; Land Use and Zoning Law; Real Estate Law

In addition to being named a Best Lawyer, Shierk has been awarded 2027 Best Lawyers regional “Lawyer of the Year” honors. Shierk received the accolade in the category of Land Use and Zoning Law. The latest acknowledgement follows Shierk being named by Crain’s Detroit Business as a Notable Woman in Law in February 2026. At WWRP, she represents real estate developers in all aspects of land development: zoning approvals and entitlements, property acquisition, construction and permanent financing, development agreements, construction contracts and leasing. Her practice also encompasses telecommunications law and land use.

•            •            •

Six attorneys from the Southfield office of Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC have been selected to the 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers and “Rising Stars” lists.

2026 Michigan Super Lawyers and their area(s) of practice:

Dirk H. Beckwith, Transportation/Maritime
Michael R. Blum, Employment & Labor
Julie I. Fershtman, Civil Litigation: Defense
Paul J. Millenbach, Business Litigation

2026 “Rising Stars” and their area(s) of practice:

Joseph J. Giacalone, Personal Injury General: Defense
Jeffrey G. Schultz, Personal Injury General: Defense

•            •            •

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP attorneys have been selected for multiple honors by The Best Lawyers in America® 2027. 

Local Warner attorneys by office are (unless otherwise noted, all are Best Lawyers):

—Bloomfield Hills
Roquia K. Draper
Antonia R. Giles, Ones to Watch
Charles C. Kadado, Ones to Watch
Randall J. Peck
Nazli G. Sater
—Detroit
Aaron J. Beresh
Michael Brady
Kurt M. Brauer
Robert J. Cambridge
Vito A. Ciaravino
Sean H. Cook
Katelyn D. Crysler, Ones to Watch
Jennifer L. Dudley
Homayune A. Ghaussi
Rozanne M. Giunta
Wyatt J. Istvan-Mitchell
William R. Jansen
Jay A. Kennedy
Kurt A. Kissling
Steven C. Kohl
Mary Jo Larson
Christopher M. LeClair, Ones to Watch
Dennis W. Loughlin
Thomas J. Manganello
Lawrence J. Murphy
Linda Paullin-Hebden
Erin Poston, Ones to Watch
Katherine L. Pullen
Ashley E. Racette, Ones to Watch
Adam T. Ratliff, Ones to Watch
Alan T. Rogalski
Zainab H. Sabbagh, Ones to Watch
Timothy H. Smith, Ones to Watch
Jennifer A. Watkins
Laura N. You
Lisa B. Zimmer
—Macomb County
Matthew K. Casey
David C.C. Eberhard
Frank E. Henke
Nina E. Lucido, Ones to Watch
David W. MacDonald
Brian D. Wassom
Robin E. Yono

•            •            •

Miller Johnson is proud to welcome Jessica Faber to its Detroit office as a counsel attorney in the Med Recovery practice group. Faber has more than a decade of experience in high-volume litigation, appellate advocacy, and insurance disputes.

Faber’s practice focuses on medical recovery and litigation, representing healthcare providers and payors in recovery matters. Her background litigating personal injury and insurance claims gives her an understanding of Michigan’s No-Fault Act and the issues that most often affect providers and payors. Before joining Miller Johnson, she managed personal injury cases throughout the state, experience that gives her firsthand insight into how payors evaluate and resolve disputes, which she now applies on behalf of her clients.

Faber earned her law degree from Wayne State University Law School and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Wagner College.

Miller Johnson is also proud to announce that several of the firm’s attorneys have been selected for recognition by Super Lawyers as 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers and Michigan Rising Stars. 
Local Miller Johnson – 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers:

—Detroit
William D. Gilbride Jr. – Alternative Dispute Resolution
Todd A. Holleman – Business Litigation
Emily C. Palacios – Land Use/Zoning

Local Miller Johnson – 2026 Michigan Rising Stars:

—Detroit
Ali Fardoun – Business / Corporate
Saniya Khare – Alternative Dispute Resolution

•            •            •

Nine attorneys at McDonald Hopkins have been selected to the 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers list and five McDonald Hopkins attorneys have been selected to the 2026 Michigan Rising Stars list.

—Michigan Super Lawyers
Colin Battersby, member, Business Litigation
John E. Benko, member, Business Litigation
James J. Boutrous II, member, Labor and Employment 
James J. Giszczak, member, Business Litigation
Stephen M. Gross, member, Bankruptcy, Business
Patrick A. Karbowski, member, Real Estate 
Michael G. Latiff, member, Business Litigation
Timothy Lowe, member, Business Litigation
Miriam L. Rosen, member, Labor and Employment 
—Michigan Rising Stars
Adam Baginski, associate, Mergers & Acquisitions
Donald J. Brewer, counsel, Technology Transactions
Mitchell Capp, associate, Business/Corp
Kate Jarrett Furstenau, counsel, Technology Transactions
Emily Honet, associate, Business Litigation 

In addition, several local McDonald Hopkins attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America.

—Best Lawyers
Bloomfield Hills
Colin M. Battersby (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2025)
John E. Benko (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)
James J. Boutrous II (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2012)
James J. Giszczak (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022)
Stephen M. Gross (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2011)
Patrick A. Karbowski (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2011)
Michael G. Latiff (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)
Dominic A. Paluzzi (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2025)
Antoinette M. Pilzner (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)
Miriam L. Rosen (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)

•            •            •

Zausmer is pleased to announce that seven attorneys have been named 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers. Additionally, 13 Zausmer attorneys have been recognized as Rising Stars. 

—2026 Michigan Super Lawyers
Michael L. Caldwell, shareholder
Stephen R. Estey, shareholder
Cameron R. Getto, shareholder
Cinnamon A. Plonka, eecutive shareholder
Devin R. Sullivan, shareholder
Nicole M. Wright, executive shareholder
Mark J. Zausmer, managing shareholder
—2026 Michigan Rising Stars
Shelby L. Avery, associate
Dylan M. Beadle, principal attorney
Theresa A. Bodwin, shareholder
Chad M. Duschinsky, shareholder
Jonathan R. Freshour, associate
Redon Ipeku, associate
Benjamin M. Krinke, senior attorney
John A. Lewsley, shareholder
Nicole B. Lockhart, associate
Talitha T. Mahome, senior attorney
Alexander Schultz, associate
Brian M. Voorheis, senior attorney
Kyle A. Warwick, shareholder

In addition, 16 Zausmer attorneys have been honored in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers.

Managing Shareholder Mark Zausmer has been recognized as a Best Lawyer for the 20th consecutive year for his work in Commercial Litigation and Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law.
Best Lawyers honorees include:

Mischa M. Boardman, executive shareholder
Michael L. Caldwell, shareholder
Stephen R. Estey, shareholder
Brandon S. Heintzelman, shareholder
Jeremy M. Mullett, shareholder
Cinnamon A. Plonka, executive shareholder
A. Adam Post, shareholder
Michael A. Schwartz, shareholder
Devin R. Sullivan, shareholder
Darice E. Weber, principal attorney
Mark J. Zausmer, managing shareholder

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2027:

Christopher B. Best, principal attorney
John A. Lewsley, shareholder
Brent R. Lockwood, senior attorney
Branden T. Prather, associate
Stephanie L. Strycharz, shareholder

•            •            •

Twenty Kemp Klein attorneys have been recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, and four additional attorneys have been recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. Robert S. Zawideh was also named the 2027 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for Litigation – Trusts and Estates in Troy.

The Best Lawyers in America honorees include:

William B. Acker – Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Real Estate Law, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates
C. Leslie Banas – Corporate Law and Real Estate Law
Richard C. Bruder – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and Venture Capital Law
Joseph P. Buttiglieri – Family Law and Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Ralph A. Castelli Jr. – Commercial Finance Law, Corporate Law, and Real Estate Law
James P. Davey – Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Construction
Mark R. Filipp – Commercial Litigation, Employment Law – Management, and Litigation – Labor and Employment
Faith M. Gaudaen – Commercial Litigation
Brian R. Jenney – Elder Law, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates
David D. Marsh – Corporate Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, and Real Estate Law
Alan A. May – Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates
Edward M. Nahhat – Appellate Practice
Ronald S. Nixon – Commercial Litigation
Neal Nusholtz – Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates
Norman D. Orr – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Corporate Law
Brian H. Rolfe – Commercial Litigation and Corporate Law
Amy A. Stawski – Family Law
Michael D. Umphrey – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, and Trusts and Estates
Cynthia L. Umphrey – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, and Trusts and Estates
Robert S. Zawideh – Arbitration, Commercial Litigation, and Litigation – Trusts and Estates

The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch honorees include:

Casey W. Callahan – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, and Trusts and Estates
William Haines II – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Elder Law, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, and Trusts and Estates
Tyler Knurek – Litigation – Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates
Margaret Lindauer – Elder Law, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates

•            •            •

The 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® includes 111 Varnum attorneys in 53 practice areas, with 18 additional attorneys named in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, and seven named “Lawyer of the Year” in their respective practice areas.

Local Varnum Best Lawyers include:

—Birmingham 
Thomas H. Bergh, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates
Brendan G. Best, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Gabriel Edelson, Corporate Law
J. David Garcia, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Rebecca L. Grove, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
Ziyad I. Hermiz, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Trade Secrets Law
Robert E. Kass, Trusts and Estates
Samuel Kokoszka, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
Christopher M. Mann, Corporate Law, Trusts and Estates
Eric M. Nemeth, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law
Jeffrey Stefan, Artificial Intelligence Law, Corporate Law
William L. Thompson, Commercial Litigation
Sam J. Vitale, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation
Sarah S. Weston, Banking and Finance Law
—Novi
Bradley S. Defoe, Commercial Litigation, Real Estate Law
Richard T. Hewlett, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation – Construction
Richard A. Hooker, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Paul L.B. McKenney, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law
Julia A. Perkins, Family Law, Family Law Mediation
Michael Romaya, Banking and Finance Law
Maureen Rouse-Ayoub, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Kristen M. Veresh, Banking and Finance Law

Local Varnum Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch include:

—Birmingham 
Kathryn Ahlbrand, Tax Law
Jailah Emerson, Commercial Litigation
W. Caleb Griscom, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Jeffrey Hewlett, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Trevor Lloyd, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law
Jordan M. Small, Corporate Law
Zachariah Snyder, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
—Novi
Louis Ronayne, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Construction Law

•            •            •

Burris Law attorneys Kelly Burris and George Patsarikas have been recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®.  Burris is included in The Best Lawyers in America for Patent Law, while Patsarikas is named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for Intellectual Property Law.

Patsarikas focuses his practice on patent preparation and prosecution, counseling clients on inventions related to electrical engineering and computer-implemented technologies. His work includes patents involving automotive control systems, machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies, acoustic systems, semiconductors, semiconductor processing systems, robotic systems, heating systems, and medical devices.

Burris founded Burris Law in 2016 and has since grown the firm from a three-person startup into a globally recognized IP firm serving more than 600 clients. A former aerospace engineer, licensed pilot, inventor, and one of the leading IP attorneys across the globe, Burris has more than two decades of IP and patent law experience across sectors including automotive, semiconductors, medical, green and clean technologies, manufacturing technologies, welding and gas cutting, metallurgy, ceramic and composite materials, and consumer products.

Last fall the American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility issued Formal Opinion 518 (https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/professional_responsibility/ethics-opinions/aba-formal-opinion-518.pdf). While it was based on the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers, nevertheless it impacts mediations conducted by non-lawyers and non-ABA attorneys who act as third-party neutral mediators as explained below.

By Paul F. Monicatti

I. Introduction

Last fall the American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility issued Formal Opinion 518 (https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/professional_responsibility/ethics-opinions/aba-formal-opinion-518.pdf). While it was based on the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers, nevertheless it impacts mediations conducted by non-lawyers and non-ABA attorneys who act as third-party neutral mediators as explained below. The extent of its impact is still open to further development. This article will discuss the Ethics Opinion’s holdings and the Ethics Committee’s comments, their application to mediations with unrepresented parties, and their effect if any on the growing use of mediator proposals. First, however, some context for the discussion is provided. 

II. Possible Reasons for the Ethics Opinion 

There is no legislative history or extrinsic background information for ABA ethics opinions. Presumably, this is to protect the Ethics Committee’s confidential and candid deliberations on ethical issues, to insulate the Committee from outside influences, and to make the Opinions self-contained so that they stand on their own. Therefore, we can only make educated guesses of reasons why this particular opinion was issued, including the following:

A. To draw a line between permissible suggestion and prohibited recommendation by lawyer-mediators. 

B. For protection of the fundamental mediation principles of party self-empowerment and self-determination. 

C. Growing trend of evaluative mediators such as retired judges and subject matter experts who are accustomed to giving their subjective opinions. 

D. Public policy to encourage affordable access to “justice” and our “legal system” including use of:

1.  Mediation without legal representation, and

2. Limited scope representation whereby parties engage a lawyer to handle only certain designated aspects of a legal matter and the client remains responsible for all other aspects on their own or with the lawyer’s advice. 

E. Given the high cost of legal representation and litigation, mediation without legal representation is an attractive alternative. 

F. Prevalence of unrepresented parties in family and probate mediations. 

The growth of artificial intelligence use presents its own set of challenges for mediators, a sort of “the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” of AI. The Good of AI in the mediation context is that it facilitates direct engagement by unrepresented parties in mediation by giving them confidence that they can submit professional looking written pre-mediation materials and competently participate during mediation without the assistance of lawyers. The Bad of AI is that it frequently misinterprets procedural and substantive law. And the Ugly of AI is its citation of fabricated, inapplicable, or unsupported legal authority as well as faulty legal reasoning. 

III. The Ethics Opinion’s Three Essential Holdings Regarding A Lawyer’s Duties to Avoid Misleading Communications When Acting as a Third-Party Neutral Mediator 

A. Under Rule 2.4(b) of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, a lawyer acting as a third-party neutral must inform unrepresented parties that the lawyer-mediator does not represent them (emphasis added).

B. Under Rule 2.4(b), a lawyer-mediator is required to explain the difference between the lawyer-mediator’s role as a third-party neutral and the role of a lawyer representing a client in a mediation when the mediator knows or reasonably should know that the parties do not understand the mediation process (emphasis added).

C. Under Rule 8.4(c), a lawyer-mediator is prohibited from engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, or giving credence to statements the lawyer-mediator knows to be false, or personally making statements the mediator knows to be false (emphasis added).

IV. The Ethics Committee’s Comments on Its Opinion

A. A lawyer-mediator has a duty to avoid statements that imply that the lawyer-mediator is not neutral but rather is seeking to achieve a party’s best interests. A lawyer-mediator’s role is to assist the parties in resolving their dispute, regardless of where the interest of the parties may lie. 

B. A lawyer-mediator’s duty to avoid dishonesty, fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation when communicating with the parties includes avoidance of standard negotiation conventions such as: 

1. “Puffery”, 
2. Statements regarding a party’s goals or willingness to compromise, 
3. Overstatements or understatements as to value, or 
4. Bottom lines. 

The rationale behind this is, given the lawyer-mediator’s neutrality, parties are likely to trust the lawyer-mediator to play it straight and to not exaggerate or make false statements designed to lead the parties to an agreement. 

C. Therefore, it follows that a lawyer-mediator must be both thoughtful and cautious in communicating information from one party to the other and in answering questions that may be asked about the information communicated or about the lawyer-mediator’s views of the information. 

V. Key Takeaways and Best Practices

A. Lawyer-mediators must be circumspect about what they say because their neutrality increases reliance whereby parties may be inclined to over-rely on mediator authority. After all, a mediator’s stock in trade is making personal connections, building rapport, and earning trust and confidence from the parties. 

B. Lawyer-mediators must remain totally neutral and act in the interest of process integrity while pursuing a mutually acceptable resolution and not act as lawyer-advocates who serve their client’s best interest. 

C. The danger to avoid is role confusion by unrepresented or unsophisticated parties and possibly by mediators who unwittingly can’t resist the temptation to eagerly help the parties and give advice so that they can settle their differences and reach closure, move on, and buy their peace.

D. Best practice for lawyer-mediators in every mediation involving unrepresented parties should be to routinely add to their standard mediation agreement for the parties to acknowledge, the caveat that they do not represent any mediation participant and cannot under any circumstance give them any legal advice. 

E. Best practice for lawyer-mediators should be to routinely add to their standard written mediation agreement for the parties to acknowledge, a detailed explanation of the difference between the lawyer-mediator’s role as a third-party neutral and the role of a lawyer representing a client in a mediation. This caveat should be implemented routinely for every mediation involving unrepresented parties regardless whether the lawyer-mediator knows or should know that a party doesn’t understand the role distinction or the mediation process. 

F. Best practice for lawyer-mediators should be to always avoid vouching for the veracity of any information given by a party or counsel during mediation, not just puffery, statements about their goals or willingness to compromise, value, or best offers. 

VI. The Ethics Opinion’s Effect on Mediators Who Are Not ABA Members or Are Not Lawyers

According to David Hoffman, former chair of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution, Harvard Law School lecturer in various ADR courses, and distinguished ADR professional, in his recent article entitled “The ABA’s New Ethics Opinion on Mediation: FAQs” (https://mediate.com/the-abas-new-ethics-opinion-on-mediation-frequently-asked-questions/) written after Formal Opinion 518, he discussed these two issues as follows: 

A. Regarding non-ABA member lawyers, although most states tend to adhere to the ABA’s formal opinions, Opinion 518 is not self-enforcing and therefore serves only as an advisory opinion unless and until it is adopted by a state as a valid application of the legal ethics rules enacted in that state. 

B. Regarding non-lawyers, the ABA ethics opinion does not affect them directly. But because of the large numbers of lawyers serving as mediators and the influence of the ABA’s ethics opinions on lawyers’ conduct, the Opinion could have at least a ripple effect on the interpretation of ethical standards in the mediation community.

VII. The Ethics Opinion’s Effect, If Any, On Mediator Proposals - - If Done Right, Mediator Proposals Should Not Violate It Provided That They Are:

A. Presented strictly for settlement purposes only as a practical compromise on terms for which the dispute might be settled but not as advice, a recommendation, or prediction of the outcome should the case eventually go to trial. It is an educated guess, based on what the mediator has read, seen, or heard as part of the mediation process, of what might be an acceptable settlement which perhaps disappoints both sides yet it’s something they both might be able to live with given the risky alternatives in court.

B. Not evaluating the relative merits or value of a case, which would negate neutrality. 

C. Not suggesting that the proposed settlement is in a party’s best interest. 

D. Conveying only truthful information which helps the parties to conclude for themselves, or even makes it obvious to them, whether a proposed resolution is in their best interest.

E. Relegated to an option of last resort after all other mediator techniques have been exhausted and failed to yield a settlement, because they potentially undermine mediator neutrality which is a core value of mediation, and only when requested by counsel and/or parties.

F. Not standard operating procedure (SOP) in mediation, and here’s why:

1. At best this could have a chilling affect not only on the parties’ candor with the mediator in acknowledging the downsides of their case but also on their problem solving efforts and generation of their own solutions which are essential principles of mediation. 

2. At worst, savvy negotiators could attempt to manipulate the negotiation process to set up a favorable mediator proposal by withholding information and limiting their offers made during mediation in order to create their desired impasse gap. 

3. Either way, if mediator proposals are SOP, the process is not mediation, it is case evaluation. 

VIII. Additional Thoughts on Mediator Proposals 

A. In his article entitled “The Limitations of Mediator Proposals”(https://legalnews.com/Home/Articles?DataId=1588260) written before Formal Opinion 518, this author points out that use of mediator proposals is somewhat controversial within the professional mediation community. For some practitioners, they can be a relatively easy and effective way to break a perceived impasse yet, for others, they undermine core values of mediation, especially party self-determination and mediation neutrality. 

His article discusses several other options available to the parties, before resorting to mediator proposals, for them to attempt first which would allow them to retain exclusive control over the outcome instead of deferring to an outside third party.  Nevertheless, a limited number of situations in which mediator proposals have been found particularly suitable are noted. Ultimately, the question is whether mediator proposals strengthen or weaken the integrity of mediation and its core values, especially when unrepresented or unsophisticated parties are involved. 

B. In his article entitled “Mediator’s Proposals - Done Right” (https://www.dailyjournal.com/article/390337-mediator-s-proposals-done-right), written after Formal Opinion 518, prominent California mediator Jeff Kitchaven noted that there is a third option to settle a dispute in mediation besides the traditional methods of either the parties reaching a mutually acceptable figure themselves by negotiation or receiving a number from their mediator in the form of a proposal. He calls this third method the vetted mediator proposal, a different kind of partnership between mediator and legal counsel, in which each person plays a vital, active role. As Jeff describes it: 

“In this third paradigm, mediators create the crucible in which lawyers fight for their clients’ interests. They negotiate. They test limits. They bluff when they can and compromise when they must. The mediator stewards the negotiation and ensures it reaches is logical end – a number each lawyer can recommend. That logical end can then be put into the form of a mediator’s proposal, one which validates, and does not replace, the lawyers’ independent judgment about the best available deal.”

Obviously, his analysis doesn’t contemplate mediation involving unrepresented parties without lawyers to advocate for their best interest. However, it does address the Ethics Committee’s concern  about lawyer-mediators creating the impression that they will be protecting the parties’ interests because that is left for their retained counsel to fight for. 

IX. Additional Thoughts on ABA Formal Opinion 518

In another excellent article entitled: “Don’t Mislead Mediation Participants: What ABA Formal Opinion 518 Teaches Attorney-Mediators” (https://premiadr.com/2026/02/25/dont-mislead-mediation-participants-what-aba-formal-opinion-518-teaches-attorney-mediators) analyzing ABA Formal Opinion 518, my PREMi colleague Robert Wright emphasized among other things the added dimension of unrepresented parties participating in court-connected mediations. In such instances, lawyer-mediators must take extra care to explain what neutrality means in practice and then conduct their mediations accordingly. When their participation in mediation is court-ordered, unrepresented parties may feel that they are being guided in mediation by the judicial system itself.

X. Conclusion

The ABA’s Formal Opinion 518 protects unrepresented and unsophisticated parties in mediation from getting the mistaken impression that the lawyer-mediator is acting to protect their best interests. It also heightens the awareness of lawyer-mediators to be mindful and pay careful attention to what they say and do in mediations involving such parties. And it indirectly affects the use and formulation of mediator proposals. 
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Paul F. Monicatti is a senior member of Professional Resolution Experts of Michigan (PREMi), a Michigan group of seasoned, invitation-only mediators and arbitrators. An attorney since 1978, arbitrator since 1983, and mediator since 1986, he has served in nearly every neutral role, including court-appointed mediator, settlement master, arbitrator, case evaluator, receiver, umpire, referee, and expert witness. 

He has received top honors from Martindale-Hubbell, Best Lawyers® in America, Super Lawyer, Leading Lawyers, U.S. News & World Report, Crain’s Detroit Business, and Who’s Who Legal: Mediation. In 2019, Michigan Lawyers Weekly named him a Leader in the Law, and Best Lawyers® has named him Lawyer of the Year in mediation, arbitration, or ADR five times.  Other recognitions include the State Bar of Michigan ADR Section’s Distinguished Service Award (2024), the International Academy of Mediators’ Certificate of Recognition (2024) for elevating the visibility of women in ADR and encouraging gender equality for women worldwide, and the Center for ADR in Maryland’s Recognition Award (2017) for dedicated service and commitment to the needs of its culturally diverse community. He has authored or co-authored ADR chapters in Michigan Civil Procedure (ICLE, all three editions), taught ADR advocacy at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, and co-founded ADRoit Dispute Resolution, Strongbridge Negotiation Strategists, and the International Academy of Mediators. He has also co-authored and co-edited with PREMi collegues Richard Hurford and Lisa Taylor, “The ABCs of ADR and So Much More: A Complete Practice Guide for Judges and Lawyers With Practical Pointers and Sample Forms” (2026).

At a time when courts are hearing a variety of issues many feel they have no business considering, Michigan’s Supreme Court recently declined to hear a case regarding seven chimpanzees housed in a zoo located in the Upper Peninsula.

By Marie E. Matyjaszek 

At a time when courts are hearing a variety of issues many feel they have no business considering, Michigan’s Supreme Court recently declined to hear a case regarding seven chimpanzees housed in a zoo located in the Upper Peninsula.

The animal welfare organization Nonhuman Rights Project, a New York-based group, filed a habeas corpus petition in 2023 on behalf of seven chimpanzees being held “prisoner” at the DeYoung Family Zoo, which it characterizes as a private roadside facility located in Wallace. The lawsuit requested the animals be released to a sanctuary due to concerns surrounding their living conditions. 
The claimants argued that the animals are being held on fixed leashes; that they are separated from their offspring; and that all chimps are housed indoors throughout the entire winter.

The organization wasn’t bold enough to argue that chimpanzees are human, but claimed they possess a “common law right to bodily liberty,” and their captivity at the DeYoung Zoo denied them that right. 

The Menominee Circuit Court declined to find that chimpanzees were “persons,” which made them ineligible for habeas relief. On appeal, the Michigan Court of Appeals spent considerable time detailing the history of the writ of habeas corpus and emphasized the law and cases which referred to the captive as a “person.” 

“On the face of the complaint, the chimpanzees at defendants’ zoo are not eligible for habeas relief,” the Michigan Court of Appeals decision read. “The chimpanzees are animals, and as the common law authorities all make clear, animals – including wild animals, such as these chimpanzees – are treated as property. No exception exists for ‘intelligent’ animals, which in any event has no natural stopping point.”

The Nonhuman Rights Project then appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court, which in an unsigned order last week declined to hear the case “because we are not persuaded that questions presented should be reviewed by this Court.”

Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Welch wrote a lengthy dissent as she questioned whether “habeas relief should evolve in light of our more advanced understanding of the animal kingdom.” She noted that the legislature could reconsider animal welfare laws, including those related to chimpanzee confinement, as there is considerable evidence that they “think, feel, love, grieve, and yearn.” 

History has certainly shown us that laws once thought necessary have later been found teo be oppressive. Unfortunately for the chimpanzees in this case, the Supreme Court followed the position of “not my circus, not my monkeys.”
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Marie E. Matyjaszek is a judicial attorney at the Washtenaw County Trial Court; however, the views expressed in this column are her own. She can be reached by emailing her at matyjasz@hotmail.com.

I thought it would be useful to dissect what supporters of the politics of Mamdani/El-Sayed (particularly Jewish ones), are endorsing as it relates to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
If you intend to vote for the Democratic candidate in Michigan for U.S. Senate, Abdul El-Sayed, here is a list (a partial one) of what you agree with:

By Berl Falbaum

I thought it would be useful to dissect what supporters of the politics of Mamdani/El-Sayed (particularly Jewish ones), are endorsing as it relates to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

If you intend to vote for the Democratic candidate in Michigan for U.S. Senate, Abdul El-Sayed, here is a list (a partial one) of what you agree with:

—That Israel does not have the right to exist.

—That Israel is a “rogue” nation, guilty of the blood libel, genocide, and that practices apartheid.

—You approve of the Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel, a campaign designed to strangle Israel economically.

—You believe that suicide bombers are “first and foremost” soldiers.

—You subscribe to globalizing the intifada which is a euphemism for the call to kill Jews around the world.

—You agree the U.S. should not assist Israel with military aid so that it can defend itself against threats to destroy it and/or another October 7 which Hamas has pledged to conduct “over and over 
again.” 

—You accept the charge by Hasan Piker, who campaigns with El-Sayed, that Hamas, a terrorist organization, is better than Israel. He stated, “I am a lesser-evil voter and therefore I would vote for Hamas over Israel every single time.” You also apparently share his view that the U.S. “deserved 9/11,” a statement he backpedaled.

—You ignore that El-Sayed received $115,000 from the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) which has been designated a terrorist organization by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and has ties to Hamas. Thus, indirectly, you support Hamas and terrorism.

As I have argued these issues with Mamdani/El-Sayed supporters, they cry: “I don’t support any of that.”

Well, you do. Remember, when you accused Trumpites of endorsing lies, sexual assaults, corruption, etc. and when they claimed they did not, you replied, “But you voted for him.”

You can’t have it both ways. If you vote for someone who campaigns with an anti or pro-abortion proponent, you support that respective view.

If you vote for candidate with endorsements from the National Rifle Association, you align yourself with the NRA.

It’s just simple logic.

Which brings us to the New York Times political columnist Thomas L. Friedman who did some political consulting in one of his columns.

In the piece titled, “El-Sayed’s Winning Path in Michigan,” Friedman gave Sayed some unsolicited advice, an unusual role for a political columnist whose job is to be a neutral voice in critiquing public policies and politicians. Apparently, The Times has no problem with Friedman’s moonlighting.

In the column, Friedman, who is Jewish, did not criticize El-Sayed’s anti-Israel policies and rhetoric but advised him to temper his positions to increase his chances in November. A political columnist usually chides politicians for evasiveness, not being intellectually honest and hypocrisy, and here is Friedman advising it.

He criticized AIPAC for spending millions in support of El-Sayed’s opponent, Haley Stevens, but did not mention the $115,000 Sayed received from CAIR.

He chided AIPAC while writing that the “true pro-Israel, pro-American lobby” is J-Street, the liberal Jewish lobby, the very organization whose president, Jeremy Ben-Ami, would not repudiate charges of genocide against Israel because he cannot “defend the indefensible.”  

At the bottom of all of this is the fact that the Democratic Party has been infected with antisemitism. As I noted in a previous column, Dana Nessel, Michigan’s attorney general, would not attend her own party’s convention because, as a Jew, she feared for her safety.

Incidentally, what would have happened if Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, who is Black, had said he would skip the Democratic convention because as a Black man, he feared for his safety if he attended? There would have been an uproar not just in Michigan but, probably, the country. And rightly so.

The reaction to Nessel’s concern? Silence, a silence which speaks volumes. 

So, consider: Given the policies of El-Sayed as they pertain to Jews and Israel, it’s scary to speculate about what will happen if he wins. If he holds these views as a candidate, just think what he will be free to propose with the power he’ll enjoy as a sitting senator.

But worst of all, it will help fertilize the cancerous anti-Jewish, anti-Israel “movement” that has been spreading in this country all too rapidly. We are experiencing the growth of Jewish-hatred throughout the world, particularly in France and England.

A victory would embolden him, those around him and all those in the wings who share his views.  

And we could expect more Jews to have to skip attending Democratic Party conventions, not just in Michigan, but throughout the U.S.
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Berl Falbaum is a veteran journalist and author of 12 books.

Widely considered one of the greatest writers and orators to ever serve as U.S. president, Abraham Lincoln had a unique talent for connecting with the struggles and hopes of everyday people. 
As our nation’s 16th president, Lincoln also was a master of brevity, using logic, moral clarity, and memorable phrasing to unite a deeply divided country.

Widely considered one of the greatest writers and orators to ever serve as U.S. president, Abraham Lincoln had a unique talent for connecting with the struggles and hopes of everyday people. 

As our nation’s 16th president, Lincoln also was a master of brevity, using logic, moral clarity, and memorable phrasing to unite a deeply divided country.

His Gettysburg Address, delivered on November 19, 1863, was his magnum opus and took place at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in the small Pennsylvania town, roughly four-and-a-half months after the major Civil War battle was fought there. In just 272 words, Lincoln redefined the purpose of the Civil War and dedicated the nation to human equality.

Lincoln’s second inaugural address, which was delivered in 1865 near the end of the Civil War, also was memorable, presenting a message of healing, unity, and reconciliation, highlighted by the phrase “with malice toward none, with charity for all.”

During his time in office, Lincoln was mindful of the importance of the separation of powers doctrine, which was carefully designed by the framers of the Constitution, and exists to prevent the concentration of power and to safeguard liberty. He knew that when that framework is deliberately weakened or ignored, the entire system of constitutional governance is placed at risk. 


Contrast Lincoln’s words and his respect for the law with the most recent verbal bombast by our current president, who seemingly is vying to become the most polarizing figure in the history of American politics while also cementing himself as the most petulant, arrogant, and incompetent.

For those who missed his latest clash with a reporter, let’s just say that it crossed a line rarely seen in political attacks, as the president and his White House minions lashed out at CNN correspondent Kristen Holmes on August 17 after she asked whether North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un had requested that the U.S. “scale back” military exercises with South Korea.

The question came a day after the president wrote about having a “very good relationship” with Jong Un in a social media post. It also followed an earlier decision by the president that directed the Defense Department to scale down joint military exercises with South Korea, citing the U.S. ally’s refusal to join the war in Iran. 

Upon fielding the question, the president told Holmes, “Quiet, you’re very disrespectful. You’re a loud, boisterous person, You’re fake news. Be quiet!”

Following the confrontation, the White House’s rapid response account on X (formerly known as Twitter) posted a video of the exchange and then labeled Holmes a “disgraceful, humiliating embarrassment to her alleged profession.” A second post took the insult even further, declaring, “Someday, your children will come across your disgusting and inhumane question,” adding that her kids would be “sickened and embarrassed to have a parent be so callous and vindictive.”

If all that sounds “presidential,” then the current commander in chief would be wise to remember a few choice words from President Lincoln: “It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.”

Butzel attorneys and shareholders Daniel R.W. Rustmann and Mitchell (“Mitch”) Zajac will be featured presenters during the 2026 MEMA Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference on Wednesday, August 26, in Livonia. Butzel is proud to sponsor and present the annual conference which offers industry professionals an opportunity to stay ahead of key developments shaping the commercial vehicle sector.

Butzel attorneys and shareholders Daniel R.W. Rustmann and Mitchell (“Mitch”) Zajac will be featured presenters during the 2026 MEMA Commercial Vehicle Outlook Conference on Wednesday, August 26, in Livonia. Butzel is proud to sponsor and present the annual conference which offers industry professionals an opportunity to stay ahead of key developments shaping the commercial vehicle sector.

Rustmann and Zajac will present a practical, courtroom-tested guide to negotiating and living with OEM purchase terms. Drawing on real language from Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), Volvo, International, and PACCAR, an American Company that manufacturers heavy-duty trucks, they’ll show suppliers how to protect against cost increases, capital and tooling risk, aggressive force majeure, and unlimited warranty and indemnity – and what to do when already locked into a tough contract with no price relief. 

Rustmann is a co-chair of Butzel’s Automotive Industry Team and the Global Automotive Coordinating Committee. For more than three decades, Rustmann has devoted his practice to helping clients solve complex business disputes, primarily in the automotive industry. He has represented clients in numerous substantive areas, including product liability defense, Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) warranty, and product defect/recall litigation, class action litigation, and other commercial contract litigation and arbitration. 

Rustmann frequently serves as an arbitrator, mediator, and court-appointed special master in resolution of automotive industry and other commercial disputes and is a regular speaker and commentator on automotive industry legal issues.

Zajac counsels and represents professionals in a variety of sectors, large corporations, and entities of all sizes in automotive, intellectual property, regulatory and emissions compliance, to name a few. He is a registered patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Zajac counsels and represents clients in intellectual property (IP) matters such as complex trade secret, copyright, and patent litigation. 

His experience encompasses IP administrative proceedings, including patent inter partes review (IPR) proceedings, patent prosecution in the USPTO, and advising on patent portfolio development and management. Before joining Butzel, Zajac was an engineer at a Detroit Three automaker.

•           •            •

Honigman recently announced that former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has joined the firm as a partner in the firm’s Government Relations and Public Policy practice group. 

Duggan joins Honigman following his tenure as the second longest serving mayor in Detroit history. During his three terms as mayor, Duggan worked to address some of the city’s most complex issues, including crime, blight, transportation, healthcare, and access to jobs. 

Prior to his tenure as mayor, Duggan served as the CEO of Detroit Medical Center for eight years, where he led the organization through a financial turnaround and negotiated an agreement that supported significant new construction investment. He also previously served as the Wayne County prosecutor and, before that, deputy county executive. 

In his role, Duggan will serve as a strategic advisor to the firm and its clients, drawing on his experience and understanding of Michigan’s government and legislative landscape.  He will advise on matters involving alternative dispute resolution, internal and external investigations, infrastructure and economic development initiatives, public-sector approvals, crisis response and sensitive matters, and complex political and community relations issues. 

“After years spent working to build the City of Detroit, I knew I wanted to stay and enjoy the city while finding a way to contribute,” Duggan said.  “Honigman is an outstanding law firm that’s been headquartered in Detroit for more than 75 years. I’ve always admired the way their talented attorneys and professionals help their clients solve even the most complex challenges. I’m looking forward to becoming a partner to contribute to the continued growth of another storied Detroit institution.” 

Duggan earned his B.A. and law degree from the University of Michigan. 

•           •            •

The State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners has elected Aaron V. Burrell to serve as Board secretary for the 2026-27 Bar year. 

Burrell will be officially sworn into his new role at the Presidential Inauguration & Awards Luncheon on September 18 at the Detroit Marriott Troy. He will serve alongside incoming President Erika L. Bryant, President-Elect Thomas H. Howlett, Vice President David C. Anderson, and Treasurer Suzanne C. Larsen. 

Burrell is a partner at Dickinson Wright PLLC in Detroit and Troy, where he co-chairs the firm’s Diversity Committee. He practices commercial law, labor and employment law, appeals, and minority business enterprises. 

He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and his law degree from Cooley Law School. He was recently sworn in as the 94th president of the Oakland Bar Association, previously served as chair of the State Bar’s Representative Assembly, and serves on the Board of Directors of Cooley Law School. 

Burrell is also a fellow of the Oakland County Bar Foundation, Michigan State Bar Foundation, and the American Bar Foundation.  He is an active member of the Wolverine Bar Association and Detroit Bar Association.

•           •            •

Collins Einhorn Farrell PC is pleased to announce that Fred Elias has joined the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice, bringing more than three decades of experience representing businesses in commercial disputes.

Elias advises clients across a range of industries, including construction, financial services, manufacturing, health care, hospitality, technology, and land development. His practice focuses on commercial litigation, construction litigation, and labor and employment law.  He joins Collins Einhorn with an established commercial litigation practice.  His experience spans shareholder disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, business torts, intellectual property disputes, construction litigation, and labor and employment matters.

“This move permits me to better service my clients through the dynamic support provided by the highly skilled attorneys and legal support staff at Collins Einhorn,” Elias said.  “I appreciate the opportunity and look forward to working with the Collins Einhorn team.”

•           •            •

Reising Shareholder Shannon Smith was appointed as Academic Liaison for the Intellectual Property Inn of Court Executive Committee.  As Academic Liaison, Smith will help strengthen connections between the legal profession and academic institutions through an organization dedicated to promoting excellence, professionalism, and education in intellectual property law.

•           •            •

Brooks Kushman is proud to announce that Sangeeta Shah and Frank A. Angileri were both named in the latest edition of IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists by IAM. 

Shah is the president of Brooks Kushman, leading the firm’s shareholders and driving the firm’s strategic vision and business administration. In her first year, she expanded the practice by bringing on several new attorneys and spearheading initiatives to strengthen the firm’s infrastructure, positioning it for long-term growth. 

In addition to her leadership role, Shah maintains an active practice with more than 20 years of experience managing patent portfolios, PTAB matters, patent litigation, and opinions. As an early leader in inter partes review proceedings, she serves as co-chair of the firm’s post-grant practice and works closely with Fortune 500 clients, providing strategic counseling on post-grant matters and complex global intellectual property portfolios. Her expertise has earned national recognition from Managing IP, Best Lawyers, AIPLA, and the PTAB Bar Association, including being recognized as a member of IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists.

Pior to becoming president, Shah served as CEO of Brooks Kushman, where she guided strategic planning, advanced client-focused initiatives, and expanded the firm’s presence beyond Michigan to markets such as Silicon Valley, Chicago, Los Angeles, Germany, and Asia. She developed mentoring and training programs, built niche expertise in emerging areas, and implemented advanced technology and analytics tools to enhance client service.

Angileri is a shareholder in Brooks Kushman’s Intellectual Property Litigation practice, helping clients enforce and defend valuable intellectual property rights. He counsels businesses on litigation strategy involving patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and other competitive assets. Angileri’s experience is valuable for companies in innovation-driven sectors, including automotive and mobility, industrial manufacturing, and advanced materials.

•           •            •

Elaine M. Pohl, a partner of Plunkett Cooney, was recently inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Coverage Counsel (ACCC).

Established in 2012, the ACCC is an invitation-only organization composed of more than 470 insurance coverage and extracontractual counsel in the United States and Canada, representing the interests of insurers and policyholders. 

Pohl maintains a national practice counseling insurers in complex litigated and non-litigated property and casualty disputes. Her coverage experience extends to claims involving professional liability, construction defects, bodily injuries, product liability, environmental contamination, personal and advertising injury, first-party property, and allegations of bad faith.

Pohl has been a member of Plunkett Cooney’s Board of Directors since 2024 and is also chair of the firm’s Shareholder Evaluation Committee.

Pohl’s has been named a Best Lawyer in America® for Insurance Law/Insurance Litigation for 2024-2026, a Michigan Super Lawyer Rising Star in Insurance Coverage, and an Influential Woman of Law in 2018 as determined by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

Pohl is an active member of DRI’s Insurance Law Committee, serving as publications vice chair and co-editor in chief of the updated Duty to Defend Compendium. She is also a member of the State Bar of Michigan Insurance and Indemnity Law Section (past chair and former board officer) and the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association.

A graduate from the Indiana University School of Law in 1999, Pohl received her undergraduate degree from Villanova University in 1996. She is admitted to practice law in state and federal courts in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.

•           •            •

Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that Hassan Ahmad has joined the firm as an associate in the Financial Institutions Group. He is based in the firm’s Detroit office.

Ahmad represents lenders and other participants in complex financing transactions, including construction, permanent and bridge loans for affordable housing developments utilizing low-income housing tax credits and federal and state historic rehabilitation tax credits. His experience includes drafting and negotiating loan documents, reviewing senior and subordinate financing arrangements, conducting project diligence and helping clients navigate multifaceted transactions involving debt, equity, real estate and tax credit considerations.

He also has experience representing lenders, investors and developers in renewable energy projects utilizing federal investment tax credits. His work has included project acquisition and leasing matters, construction and permanent financing, equity investments, tax credit transfers, power purchase agreements and other development-related documents.

Before joining Miller Canfield, Ahmad practiced in the real estate finance group of a Minneapolis law firm. He also served as a judicial intern to Senior U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour in the Western District of Washington.

Ahmad earned his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law and a B.A. in English and a B.S. in psychology from Wayne State University.

He is admitted to practice in Michigan and Minnesota and is fluent in Arabic. His pro bono experience includes assisting individuals seeking U.S. citizenship and representing a religious institution in connection with the construction and financing of a new building.

•           •            •

Kitch Attorneys & Counselors is proud to announce that attorneys John Sier and Meghan Kennedy Riordan have been selected for the Michigan Legal 250. 

Sier serves as the head of Kitch’s Commercial Litigation and Construction Law Practice Group. He is recognized for his skill in complex contract negotiations, dispute avoidance, and alternative dispute resolution. This latest accolade adds to his history of honors which includes receiving the State Bar of Michigan’s Roberts P. Hudson Award.

Leading the Kitch Immigration Practice Group, Riordan brings more than 35 years of dedicated experience to her clients. She manages comprehensive inbound and outbound corporate migration, I-9 compliance audits, and employment-based legal strategy. She has previously been designated as a Michigan Lawyers Weekly “Leader in the Law” and “Influential Woman in Law.”

Kitch is also pleased to announce that Gregory Drutchas, Patrick Fishman, John Paul Hessburg, Richard Kitch, John Sier, Ralph Valitutti, Ronald Wagner, and Mark Wisniewski have been named to the list of the Top 250 Lawyers in Michigan by Leading Lawyers.

•           •            •

Michigan attorney James W. “Jamie” Low has been elected vice president for Membership of the American Counsel Association, a national and international organization of attorneys founded in 1928.

Low was elected to the officer position during the American Counsel Association’s Annual Meeting in Chicago, held in conjunction with the 2026 American Bar Association Annual Meeting.

As vice president for Membership, Low will help lead the Association’s efforts to grow and strengthen its membership, increase member engagement and help position the organization as it approaches its centennial in 2028.

“This is a tremendous professional honor,” Low said. “I have spent much of my career involved in bar service at the local, state and national levels, and I have seen firsthand how much strong professional organizations depend upon engaged members and the relationships that develop among them. I am grateful to my fellow members of the American Counsel Association for their confidence in electing me as one of the Association’s officers, and I am excited about the opportunity to help strengthen an organization with nearly a century of history.”

Low brings more than two decades of legal practice and service to the profession to the position.

He currently serves on the Board of Commissioners of the State Bar of Michigan, where he has served since 2019 and was most recently reelected to another three-year term. The Board of Commissioners provides oversight and governance for the State Bar and its work serving Michigan’s legal profession and the public.

At the national level, Low has served in the American Bar Association House of Delegates since 2017. The nearly 600-member House is the ABA’s policymaking body and ultimate governing body, considering and adopting policy on issues affecting the legal profession, the justice system and the administration of law.

Low currently represents the Oakland County Bar Association in the ABA House of Delegates, a position he has held since 2022. He has also served as the ABA State Membership Chair for Michigan, on the ABA Standing Committee on Continuing Legal Education, and on the ABA Annual Meeting Program Planning Committee.

His involvement with the OCBA dates to 2004. He is a Sustaining Member of the OCBA, a Fellow of the Oakland County Bar Foundation, a member of the OCBA Membership Committee and a Master in the OCBA Inn of Court. Earlier in his career, he chaired the OCBA New Lawyers Committee.

Low has also served for many years on the State Bar of Michigan Character and Fitness Committee and previously served on the Executive Council of the State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyers Section, including as its Secretary-Treasurer.  He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

In 2025, Michigan Lawyers Weekly named Low to its class of “Leaders in the Law.” The recognition came sixteen years after the publication selected Low as one of its 2009 “Up & Coming Lawyers.”
Low has practiced law in Michigan since 2001. He practices with The Dollar Law Firm PLLC, where his practice is concentrated primarily on civil litigation involving medical providers and claims arising from automobile accidents.

Low earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in 1998 and his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law in 2001.