McKeen & Associates announced the addition of a new attorney to its legal team, Leon Walsh.
Walsh has experience as a medical malpractice attorney in Michigan, as well as previous experience as a civil litigation associate and assistant public defender in Florida. Walsh is a graduate of Western Michigan University and Florida State University College of Law.
Walsh holds several bar and professional association memberships and has received many recognitions, including the American Association for Justice's New Lawyers' Division Above and Beyond Award.
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Butzel attorney Beth S. Gotthelf, co-chair of the firm's Aerospace & Defense (A&D) Industry team, was among a group of business leaders and lawmakers who participated in a delegation to Florida organized by the Michigan Aerospace Manufacturers Association (MAMA).
Participants met with space organization Blue Origin to discuss the current space ecosystem and how to attract space ventures to Michigan.
The delegation visit coincided with the Michigan Legislature declaring March 30 Space Day, which recognizes the 600-plus aerospace-related companies in the state that produce more than $3 billion in annual revenue.
Butzel has experience with international space and aerospace companies across a variety of practice areas addressing a myriad of legal, business, and regulatory issues. The firm has assisted both privately held and market-leading publicly held companies. Butzel has deep international and cross-border expertise on operational, strategic, and legal issues.
Butzel's Specialized Space, Aerospace and Defense industry capabilities include:
• Legal issues and tax incentives considerations in opening or expanding a facility.
• Compliance with government regulations, including ITAR and EAR.
• Government Contracts and Compliance Programs Practice.
• Bid Protests.
• Contract Administration, Changes, Disputes & Terminations.
• Suspension and Debarment.
• Compliance Programs.
While Michigan is deeply rooted in the automotive industry, it also is ranked nationally in the defense and defense aerospace industries areas where Butzel's Aerospace & Defense Industry team excels.
Notably, Butzel will be represented at a top industry event the Michigan Defense Exposition (MDEX) and Opportunities Conference April 20-21 at Macomb Community College in Warren. Butzel is among more than 75 organizations exhibiting at the conference.
"A&D is an evolving industry facing intricate global challenges," said Gotthelf. "Our proficiency in this space spans the critical areas necessary to navigate the specialized and often complex regulatory environment associated with this industry."
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Attorney Lee Hornberger spoke on "Implicit Bias" during a State Bar of Michigan program on April 5.
The program was part of the American Indian Law Section and Alternative Dispute Resolution Section's Diversity and Inclusion Action Team virtual Diversity Lunch for mediators, arbitrators, and other ADR practitioners.
Hornberger is a former chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Michigan, editor emeritus of The Michigan Dispute Resolution Journal, former member of the State Bar's Representative Assembly, former president of the Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association, and former chair of the Traverse City Human Rights Commission. He is a member of the Professional Resolution Experts of Michigan (PREMi), an invitation-only group of Michigan's top mediators, and a diplomate member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
He has received the George Bashara Award from the State Bar's ADR Section in recognition of exemplary service.
While serving with the U.S. Army in Vietnam, Hornberger was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Army Commendation Medals.
He earned his B.A. and law degree from the University of Michigan and his LL.M. in Labor Law from Wayne State University Law School.
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Attorney Nicholas W. Siewert was recently certified as a Fire Investigation Technician (IAAI-FIT®) by the International Association of Arson Investigators.
To become IAAA-FIT® certified, the candidate must have extensive experience in a fire investigation-related agency or industry, more than 40 hours of test training and pass an examination regarding all aspects of fire investigation. The Fire Investigation Technician Program encourages educational and professional development through recognition of an individual's accomplishments in developing core abilities and competencies related to fire investigation.
Siewert is a member of the Bloomfield Hills office of Plunkett Cooney. He focuses his practice on insurance-related work involving No-Fault law and motor vehicle litigation, commercial and residential property losses, as well as on coverage disputes, entitlement issues, and catastrophic personal injury claims. He also directly represents ride sharing companies, and he serves as defense panel counsel for the policyholders of some of the nation's largest insurance providers.
Siewert has expertise handling claims involving fire and water damage, including arson and staged water losses. He has also handled assignments pertaining to business law, contract law, and commercial litigation.
Siewert received his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2014, and he received his undergraduate degree from Wayne State University in 2008.
