Legal People ...

Eight attorneys at McDonald Hopkins have been selected to the 2022 Michigan Super Lawyers list and one McDonald Hopkins attorney has been selected to the 2022 Michigan Rising Stars list.

The McDonald Hopkins Michigan Super Lawyers are:

Alexander A. Ayar, member, Litigation Department
John E. Benko, member, Litigation Department
James J. Giszczak, chair, Litigation Department; co-chair, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group
Stephen M. Gross, co-chair, Strategic Advisory and Restructuring Department; chair, Automotive Practice Group
Patrick A. Karbowski, member, Real Estate Practice Group
Michael G. Latiff, co-chair, Business Litigation Practice Group
Miriam L. Rosen, chair, Labor and Employment Practice Group
Michael P. Witzke, chair, Estate Planning and Probate Practice Group

The McDonald Hopkins Michigan Rising Star is:

Vanessa L. Bailey, associate, Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group

•   •   •

Kemp Klein Law Firm is proud to announce ten of the firm’s lawyers were recognized as 2022 Michigan Super Lawyers:

Leslie C. Banas – Business / Corporate Law
Joseph P. Buttiglieri – Estate & Trust Litigation
Ralph A. Castelli Jr. – Business / Corporate Law
Mark R. Filipp – Employment Litigation: Defense
Brian R. Jenney – Estate & Probate Law
Alan A. May – Estate & Probate Law
Brian H. Rolfe – Business Litigation
Amy A. Stawski – Family Law
Thomas V. Trainer – Elder Law

Austin W. Probst was named a 2022 Super Lawyers Rising Star – Estate & Probate Law

In addition, Kemp Klein attorney Brian R. Jenney was recognized by Best Lawyers in America as the 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” for Elder Law.

In addition to the “Lawyer of the Year” award, Jenney was also listed in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® in the Trusts and Estates practice area.

Jenney helps families and individuals with elder law and special needs issues as well as estate planning and administration. Jenney prepares wills, trusts, special needs trusts, and powers of attorney to ensure proper future handling of medical decisions, finances, and distribution of assets. Also, he assists with guardianships and conservatorships of ailing family members and helps families work through the administration of wills and trusts and tax related issues after the loss of a loved one.

Kemp Klein would also like to congratulate the following lawyers named to 2023 The Best Lawyers in America list:

William B. Acker - Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Real Estate Law, Tax Law, and Trusts & Estates
C. Leslie Banas - Corporate Law and Real Estate Law
Cynthia E. Brazzil - Corporate Law
Richard C. Bruder - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Joseph P. Buttiglieri - Litigation - Trusts & Estates
Ralph A. Castelli Jr. - Corporate Law and Real Estate Law
Mark R. Filipp - Litigation - Labor and Employment
Brian R. Jenney - Elder Law and Trusts & Estates
David D. Marsh - Real Estate Law
Alan A. May - Litigation - Trusts & Estates and Trusts & Estates
Norman D. Orr - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Corporate Law
Thomas C. Rauch - Real Estate Law
Brian H. Rolfe - Commercial Litigation
Stuart Sinai - Securities Regulation
Amy A. Stawski - Family Law
Thomas V. Trainer - Elder Law and Trusts & Estates
Michael D. Umphrey - Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Trusts & Estates
Robert S. Zawideh - Arbitration and Litigation - Trusts & Estates

 •   •   •

Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that Mingyu Kim has joined the firm as a member in the Detroit office.

Kim is a member of Bodman’s Banking Practice Group. He represents national and regional financial institutions in negotiating and documenting commercialloan originations, with a focus on agented and syndicated loan transactions, bilateral loans, subordinated loans, and participations.

Kim also has experience in corporate law, corporate finance, and complex corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and securities transactions and compliance. He has represented clients in general corporate matters in a variety of industries including insurance, banking, manufacturing, engineering, information technology, investment management, finance, and entertainment.

Kim is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. He earned his undergraduate degree from Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea.

Before entering private practice, Kim worked as a research attorney with the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Kim worked as a senior research officer with the Australian Embassy in Seoul and as an underwriter with Korean Reinsurance Company. He served for three years as an officer in the Republic of Korea Air Force.

Boddman is also pleased to announce that 63 of the firm’s attorneys have been included in the 2022 edition of Michigan Super Lawyers.

Local Bodman attorneys listed in Michigan Super Lawyers 2022 (by office location, including practice area) are:

DETROIT
Marc M. Bakst (Bankruptcy: Business)
Andrew H. Curoe (Estate & Probate)
Brandon M. Dalziel (Health Care)
Laurence B. Deitch (Business/Corporate)
Robert J. Diehl Jr. (Creditor-Debtor Rights)
Kathleen O’Callaghan Hickey (Banking)
Joseph J. Kochanek (Banking)
David P. Larsen (Estate & Probate)
Dennis J. Levasseur (Securities Litigation)
Ralph E. McDowell (Bankruptcy: Business)
Joseph G. Nuyen Jr. (Health Care)
Rebecca D. O’Reilly (Employee Benefits)
Jeffrey G. Raphelson (Business Litigation)
Nicholas P. Scavone Jr. (Real Estate)
Joseph J. Shannon (Business Litigation)
Larry R. Shulman (Banking)
Brian R. Trumbauer (Creditor-Debtor Rights)
Jaimee L. Witten (Creditor-Debtor Rights)

TROY
Courtland W. Anderson (Intellectual Property)
J. Adam Behrendt (Business Litigation)
John T. Below (Employment & Labor)
John C. Cashen (Employment & Labor)
Steven R. Cole (Real Estate)
Anthony P. Cracchiolo (Estate & Probate)
Michelle Thurber Czapski (Business Litigation)
Stephen P. Dunn (Business Litigation)
Gary S. Fealk (Employment Litigation: Defense)
Marguerite Munson Lentz (Estate & Probate)
Thomas J. Tallerico (Business Litigation)
Thomas Van Dusen (Business Litigation)
David B. Walters (Employee Benefits)

Local Bodman attorneys selected for the 2022 Michigan Rising Stars list are:

DETROIT
Sarah L. Cylkowski (Business Litigation)
Fawzeih Daher (Appellate)
Nathan D. Dupes (Business Litigation)
Michael J. Jameson (Estate & Probate)
Kelly M. Lockman (Real Estate)
Jay B. Long (Estate & Probate)
Alexandra C. Markel (General Litigation)
Chelsey L. Marsh (Real Estate)
Julia C. Massaro (Estate & Probate)
Nicholas P. McElhinny (Mergers & Acquisitions)
Noel J. Ravenscroft (Bankruptcy: Business)
Thomas J. Rheaume Jr. (Business Litigation)

TROY
Donovan S. Asmar (Business Litigation)
Joseph P. Michniacki (Business/Corporate)
Ryan M. Olson (Business/Corporate)
Jacob J. Simon (Business/Corporate)
Melissa M. Tetreau (Employment & Labor)

 •   •   •

Nineteen Warner Norcross + Judd LLP attorneys in Detroit and Bloomfield Hills have been selected for The Best Lawyers in America© 2023.

The award individually recognized:

Michael Brady, commercial litigation
Kurt M. Brauer, agricultural law; environmental law
Vito A. Ciaravino, patent law
Sean H. Cook, closely held companies and family businesses law; tax law
Homayune A. Ghaussi, commercial litigation
Rozanne M. Giunta, bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law; bankruptcy litigation
William R. Jansen, commercial litigation, regulatory enforcement litigation
Jay A. Kennedy, closely held companies and family business law; tax law; trusts and estates
Kurt A. Kissling, environmental law
Steven C. Kohl, environmental law
Mary Jo Larson, employee benefits law
William C. Lentine, business organizations; tax law; trusts and estates
Dennis W. Loughlin, bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law
Thomas J. Manganello, commercial litigation
Lawrence J. Murphy, commercial litigation
Linda Paullin-Hebden, corporate law
Alan T. Rogalski, health care law
Nazli G. Sater, family law; family law arbitration
Lisa B. Zimmer, employee benefits law

Kennedy and Zimmer were both named Lawyer of the Year in Detroit for closely held companies and family business law and employee benefits law, respectively.

In addition, six attorneys in the Macomb County office Warner have been selected for The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 including:

Susan M. Cook, bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law
David C.C. Eberhard, corporate law; real estate law
Frank E. Henke, trusts and estates
David W. MacDonald, corporate law; real estate law
James E. Romzek, corporate law
Brian D. Wassom, advertising law; commercial litigation; intellectual property litigation

Warner is also pleased to announce that several local attorneys have been named to the Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch list.

Local Warner attorneys named as Ones to Watch 2023 are:

DETROIT
Daniel G. Bonucchi, corporate law; mergers and acquisitions law
Zainab S. Hazimi, commercial litigation; labor and employment litigation
John C. Muhs, corporate governance and compliance law; corporate law
Adam T. Ratliff, appellate practice; criminal defense – white-collar
Jeffrey S. Segal, health care law; tax law

These local attorneys are among a total of 108 Warner attorneys, representing more than 50 different practice areas, to be included in the 2023 list.

 •   •   •

Secrest Wardle is proud to announce that Senior Partner and Co-Managing Partner Nathan J. Edmonds has received Best Lawyers 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” Award in Litigation — Insurance for Troy.

Edmonds is a member of the firm’s Amusement and Leisure, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, and Property, Fire and Casualty Practice Groups. He is also the recipient of the Best Lawyers in America 2023 Commercial Litigation and Litigation — Insurance Award.

Secrest Wardle is also pleased to announce that seven of the firm’s attorneys were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2023. The firm congratulates Thomas J. Azoni, Derk W. Beckerleg, Nathan J. Edmonds, Daniel P. Makarski, Mark E. Morley, Anthony A. Randazzo, and Bruce A. Truex. All seven attorneys are located in the firm’s Troy office and have been listed in their respective categories in Troy.

Azoni is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2023 in the Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants categories. Azoni is a senior partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Amusement and Leisure, General Negligence, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups.

Beckerleg is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2023 in the Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Litigation – Municipal, and Municipal Law categories. Beckerleg is an executive partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member and chair of the firm’s Governmental Litigation, Municipal, and Real Estate Practice Groups. Beckerleg serves as the managing partner of the Municipal Law Practice Group. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for 11 years and was also the recipient of the Best Lawyers 2022 Municipal Law-Troy, Michigan “Lawyer of the Year” Award.

Edmonds is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2023 in the Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Insurance categories. Edmonds is a senior partner and co-managing partner of Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Amusement and Leisure, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, and Property, Fire and Casualty Practice Groups. Edmonds is also the recipient of the Best Lawyers in America 2023 Litigation — Insurance “Lawyer of the Year” Award.

Makarski is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2023 in the Arbitration, Insurance Law, and Litigation – Insurance categories. Makarski is a senior partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group and serves as chair of the group. Additionally, Makarski was the recipient of the Best Lawyers 2021 Insurance Law — Troy, Michigan “Lawyer of the Year” Award.

Morley is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2023 in the Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Litigation – Insurance, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants categories. Morley is a senior partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution, Employment, Insurance Coverage, Malpractice/Professional Liability, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Product Liability, and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for six years and was also the recipient of the Best Lawyers 2022 Insurance Law-Troy, Michigan “Lawyer of the Year” Award.

Randazzo is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2023 in the Commercial Litigation category. Randazzo is a senior partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Commercial and Business Law, Construction, Environmental and Toxic Tort, Governmental Litigation, Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury, Motor Vehicle Litigation, and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups. Randazzo serves as a chair of the Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury, Motor Vehicle Litigation and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups.

Truex is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2023 in the Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants categories. Truex is a senior partner, president, and co-managing partner of Secrest Wardle. He is a member and serves as chair of the firm’s Commercial and Business Law, Employment, Environmental and Toxic Tort, and Product Liability Practice Groups. He additionally serves as a chair of the Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury Practice Group and is a member of the Construction Practice Group. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for six years.

In addition, Secrest Wardle announces that eight of the firm’s attorneys have received 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Recognitions. The firm congratulates Matthew J. Consolo, Justin A. Grimske, Matthew C. Lindgren, Kaitlynn M. Milroy, Daniel S. Schrode II, Cleveland B. Simmons, Renee T. Townsend, and Javon L. Williams. All eight attorneys are located in the firm’s Troy office and have been listed in their respective categories in Troy.

Consolo has received a 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Troy. Consolo is an executive partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Commercial and Business Law, Construction, Environmental and Toxic Tort, Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, Product Liability, and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups.

Grimske has received a 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Troy. Grimske is an executive partner at Secrest Wardle. He is chair of the firm’s Amusement and Leisure Practice Group and a member of the Construction, General Negligence, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups.

Lindgren has received a 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Troy. Lindgren is an executive partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Commercial and Business Law, Construction, Environmental and Toxic Tort, Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, Product Liability, and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups.

Milroy has received a 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants in Troy. Milroy is a partner at Secrest Wardle. She is a member of the firm’s General Negligence, Motor Vehicle Litigation and Premises Liability Practice Groups.
Schrode has received a 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Troy. Schrode is a partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Motor Vehicle Litigation Practice Group.

Simmons has received a 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Troy. Simmons is a partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s General Negligence, Insurance Coverage, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, and Product Liability Practice Groups.

Townsend has received a 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Troy. Townsend is an executive partner at Secrest Wardle. She is chair of the firm’s Motor Vehicle Litigation Practice Group and a member of the Amusement and Leisure, General Negligence, Insurance Coverage, and Premises Liability Practice Groups.

Williams has received a 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Troy. Williams is an executive partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s General Negligence, Motor Vehicle Litigation, and Premises Liability Practice Groups.

 •   •   •

Six attorneys from Foster Swift’s Southfield office were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023. Firm-wide, 33 attorneys were included. Each year’s new edition is launched for the following calendar year.

In addition, Paul J. Millenbach was named a Best Lawyers® 2023 Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants “Lawyer of the Year” in Detroit and three others were listed as “Ones to Watch.”

Listed attorneys and their areas of practice are as follows:

Dirk H. Beckwith, Construction Law
Michael R. Blum, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
Julie I. Fershtman, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law
Gilbert M. Frimet, Health Care Law
Paul J. Millenbach, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants
Brian J. Renaud, Administrative/Regulatory Law

2023 “ONES TO WATCH”

Joseph B. Gale, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Stefania Gismondi, Commercial Litigation
Rachel G. Olney, Commercial Litigation

 •   •   •

Seventy-one Butzel attorneys have been chosen by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023. Moreover, 13 firm attorneys have been named to Best Lawyers in America® 2023 Ones to Watch. In addition, six attorneys have been named “Lawyer of the Year.”

The following local Butzel attorneys have been named “Lawyer of the Year “ – George B. Donnini (Criminal Defense: White Collar) – Troy; Beth S. Gotthelf (Litigation – Environmental) – Troy; Sheldon H. Klein (Litigation – Antitrust) – Troy; and Reginald A. Pacis (Immigration Law) – Detroit.

The following local Butzel attorneys have been named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch: Ashley Aldea (Real Estate) – Troy; Javon R. David (Commercial Litigation) – Troy; Damien DuMouchel (Criminal Defense: White-Collar) – Troy; Rebecca Klein (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; Joseph Kuzmiak (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; Sarah Nirenberg, (Labor and Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment) – Troy; Shanika A. Owens (Corporate Law and Real Estate Law) – Detroit; Blake Padget (Litigation – Labor and Employment) – Troy; Louis Ronayne (Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; Quendale G. Simmons (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; Bill Quan Yang (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; Barrett Young (Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; and, Mitchell Zajac (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit.

In addition, Jennifer E. Consiglio (Business Organizations including LLCs and Partnerships and Corporate Governance Law) – Troy; Laura Johnson (Corporate Governance Law) – Troy; and John C. Valenti (Mass Tort/ Class Actions – Defendants) – Detroit; have been named to Best Lawyers for the first time.

The following local Butzel attorneys were selected for the 2023 edition:

DETROIT OFFICE
Linda J. Armstrong, Immigration Law
James C. Bruno, Corporate Law, International Mergers and Acquisitions, International Trade and Finance Law
Maura Corrigan, Appellate Practice
Arthur Dudley II, Corporate Law, Securitization and Structured Finance Law
Darius W. Dynkowski, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Eric J. Flessland, Construction Law, Litigation – Construction
John P. Hancock Jr., Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Robert A. Hudson, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Justin G. Klimko, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities/ Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation
Phillip C. Korovesis, Commercial Litigation
Mark R. Lezotte, Health Care Law, Tax Law
Clara DeMatteis Mager, Immigration Law
Donald B. Miller, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Reginald A. Pacis, Immigration Law
James S. Rosenfeld, Employment Law – Management , Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Daniel R.W. Rustmann, Commercial Litigation
Bruce L. Sendek, Commercial Litigation
Nicholas J. Stasevich, Corporate Law
John C. Valenti, Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Defendants
Kurtis T. Wilder, Appellate Practice

TROY OFFICE
Barbara E. Buchanan, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Jennifer E. Consiglio, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Governance Law
Michael C. Decker, Litigation – Construction
David J. Devine, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Carey A. DeWitt, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
George B. Donnini, Criminal Defense: White-Collar
W. Patrick Dreisig, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, Corporate Governance Law
David F. DuMouchel, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law
Geoffrey S. Gallinger, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
Debra A. Geroux, Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law
Michael F. Golab, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law
Beth S. Gotthelf, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
David W. Hipp, Real Estate Law
Robert A. Hudson, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Laura Johnson, Corporate Governance Law
Susan L. Johnson, Litigation – Environmental
Thomas A. Kabel, Real Estate Law
Sheldon H. Klein, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Antitrust
William J. Kliffel, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Bushra A. Malik, Immigration Law
Daniel J. McCarthy, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation
Allan Nachman, Real Estate Law
Max J. Newman, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Scott T. Patterson, Employment Law – Management
William A. Penner, Trusts and Estates
Robert P. Perry, Trusts and Estates
Steven R. Pohl, Corporate Law
R. Peter Prokop, Corporate Law, Tax Law
Thomas B. Radom, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Richard E. Rassel, Commercial Litigation
Dennis B. Schultz, Construction Law, Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Real Estate
Robert H. Schwartz, Health Care Law
T. Gordon Scupholm II, Family Law
John D. Selesko, Trusts and Estates
Thomas C. Simpson, Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law
David W. Sommerfeld, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates
Daniel B. Tukel, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Roxana Zaha, Real Estate Law

In addition, Butzel immigration law attorney Reginald A. Pacis will participate in a town hall meeting on Tuesday, September 6, in Troy hosted by Michigan State Representative Padma Kuppa. The focus will be discussions on HR248, a proposed bill to address employment-based green card backlogs and the Drive SAFE Bills, which aims to help immigrants who are not, yet citizens obtain drivers’ licenses.

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.

In 2021, Pacis was appointed a trustee to MAPAAC, which helps address the needs and concerns of the Asian Pacific American (APA) communities in Michigan. Previously, he was a commissioner to the MAPAAC.

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

He 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.

Pacis also served as vice chair (2008 to 2009) and later chair (2009-2010) of U.S. Customs and Border Protection AILA liaison committee; vice chair (2013 to 2014) of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Field Operations AILA liaison committee; member (2014 to 2015) of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services National Benefits Center AILA liaison committee; and has served as a member (2015) and later Chair (2016) of the AILA Election committee. He has presented in a number of AILA Annual Conferences Nationally and Internationally from 2004 to 2019.

Moreover, Pacis is a vice president and board member of the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit. He also is a frequent speaker on immigration law matters locally and nationally.

•   •   •

Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that 92 of the firm’s attorneys in Michigan have been included in Best Lawyers in America® 2023 edition.

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

DETROIT
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, International Mergers & Acquisitions, Litigation – Bankruptcy
James N. Candler Jr., Gaming Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
Dawn R. Copley, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Christopher A. Cornwall, Construction Law
David R. Deromedi, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
Phillip J. DeRosier, Appellate Practice
Patrick B. Green, Commercial Litigation
K. Scott Hamilton, Appellate Practice
Mark R. High, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law
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
John K. Lawrence, Banking and Finance Law
Andrew W. MacLeod, Corporate Law, International Mergers & Acquisitions, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Private Funds/Hedge Funds Law
Thomas G. McNeill, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Mergers and Acquisitions, Litigation – Securities
Sharon R. Newlon, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental
James B. Perry, Employment Law – Management
James A. Plemmons, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Bankruptcy
Robert F. Rhoades, Litigation and Controversy – Tax
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
Kathryn S. Wood, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
L. Pahl Zinn, Litigation – Antitrust

TROY
Roger H. Cummings, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law
Stephen E. Dawson, Real Estate Law
Joseph W. DeLave, Litigation – Construction
J. Benjamin Dolan, 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
Henry M. Grix, Nonprofit/Charities Law, Trusts and Estates
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, Patent Law
Michael R. Kramer, Corporate Law
Monica J. Labe, Real Estate Law
Elise S. Levasseur, Immigration Law
Elizabeth L. Luckenbach, Trusts and Estates
Michael J. Lusardi, Real Estate Law
Christopher C. Maeso, Corporate Law
Scott A. McBain, Patent Law
Cynthia A. Moore, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Gregory W. Moore, Health Care Law
Mahesh K. Nayak, Commercial Litigation
Edward H. Pappas, Arbitration, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Real Estate, Mediation
Erin M. Pawlowski, Commercial Litigation
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
William L. Rosin, Corporate Law
Kimberly J. Ruppel, Commercial Litigation
Lynn Capp Sirich, Family Law
Joan Cripe Skrzyniarz, Trusts and Estates
Robert L. Stearns, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Peter H. Webster, Land Use and Zoning Law
Mark E. Wilson, Health Care Law
Katheryne L. Zelenock, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Securitization and Structured Finance Law

Dickinson Wright is also pleased to announce that 15 of the firm’s lawyers in Michigan have been identified as the leading practitioner in their practice areas as a Best Lawyers in America® 2023 “Lawyer of the Year.”

The following local Dickinson Wright lawyers were selected as Best Lawyers in America® 2023 “Lawyer of the Year”:

DETROIT
Christopher A. Cornwall, Construction Law
Mark R. High, Corporate Governance Law
Andrew W. MacLeod, Corporate Law
Thomas G. McNeill, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Securities
Sharon R. Newlon, Environmental Law
James A. Plemmons, Bet-the-Company Litigation
L. Pahl Zinn, Litigation – Antitrust

TROY
Elise S. Levasseur, Immigration Law

In addition, Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that 24 of the firm’s attorneys in Michigan have been included in Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch” 2023 edition.

Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on the Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch” list include:

DETROIT
Max A. Aidenbaum, Commercial Litigation
Michael L. Dallaire, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation
Angelina Delmastro, Labor and Employment – Management
Ariana D. Pellegrino, Commercial Litigation
M. Katherine VanderVeen, Banking and Finance Law
Adam J. Wallace, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law

TROY
Juliet R. Boyd, Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Jessica L. Busch, Health Care Law
Brandon Debus, Commercial Litigation
Peter E. Doyle, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Erick W. Hosner, Corporate Law
Erin A. Johnson, Real Estate Law
Charles W. Kocher, Intellectual Property Law
James A. Martone, Commercial Litigation
Alma Sobo, Commercial Litigation, Municipal Law
Cynthia Black Svenson, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
Alexandra A. Vallee, Health Care Law

 •   •   •

Howard & Howard is pleased to announce that 21 of its attorneys were selected to The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 and 14 of its attorneys were selected to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America 2023.

The Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice area(s) under which they are listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 are:

West Allen, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Trademark Law
Stephanie Buntin, Trademark Law
Seaton Curran, Patent Law
Thomas Davis, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction
Mark Gardberg, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
Robert Hernquist, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance
Matthew Kreutzer, Franchise Law
Gwen Rutar Mullins, Construction Law
Brian Pezzillo, Construction Law
Robert Rosenthal, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management
Kevin Backus, Corporate Law
Daniel Bliss, Patent Law, Trademark Law
Andrew (Jake) Grove, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Samuel Haidle, Patent Law
Kristopher Hulliberger, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law
Michael Kell, Commercial Litigation
Rodger Kershner, Energy Law
Miles Macik, Commercial Litigation
Pat McCarthy, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Gerald McGlynn, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law Saleha Mohamedulla, Trademark Law

The Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice area(s) under which they are listed in The Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch in America® 2023 are:

Christopher Cali, Real Estate Law
Kaila Patrick, Corporate Law
Noah Menold, Commercial Litigation
Aaron Beresh, Corporate Law, Healthcare Law
Matthew Breuer, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law
Richard Cantor, Patent Law
Brett Garwood, Corporate Law
Joseph Kallie, Intellectual Property Law
Jonathan Karmo, Commercial Litigation
Dane Lepola, Commercial Litigation
Paul Mazzola, Patent Law
Alexander McGee, Intellectual Property Law
Adrianna Agosta Nichol, Tax Law, Trusts, and Estates
Marcus Smetka, Intellectual Property Law, Patent Law

 •   •   •

Thirty-two Plunkett Cooney attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

In addition to inclusion on the list this year, several Plunkett Cooney attorneys received the Best Lawyers™ “Lawyer of the Year” award. In Bloomfield Hills, Jeffrey C. Gerish received the Best Lawyers® 2023 Appellate Practice “Lawyer of the Year” award and Scott H. Sirich was recognized as the Construction Law “Lawyer of the Year” award winner.

Below is the complete list of local Plunkett Cooney attorneys who have received the 2023 Best Lawyers designation:

BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Michael P. Ashcraft (partner) – Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
Douglas C. Bernstein (partner) – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law / Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law / Real Estate Law
Matthew J. Boettcher (partner) – Litigation – Banking and Finance
William D. Booth (Of Counsel) – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Charles W. Browning (partner) – Insurance Law
Lawrence R. Donaldson (Of Counsel) – Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
Michael A. Fleming (partner) – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Jeffrey C. Gerish (partner) – Appellate Practice
Howard B. Goldman (partner) – Real Estate Law
Mark S. Kopson (partner) – Health Care Law
David A. Lerner (partner) – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Scott K. Lites (partner) – Corporate Law
Mary Massaron (partner) – Appellate Practice
Lauren B. McMillen (partner) – Insurance Law
Kenneth C. Newa (partner) – Insurance Law
Scott H. Sirich (partner) – Construction Law and Litigation
Thomas P. Vincent (partner) – Commercial Litigation
Michael D. Weaver (partner) – Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Patrick E. Winters (partner) – Insurance Law

DETROIT
D. Jennifer Andreou (partner) – Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
Laurel F. McGiffert (partner) – Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
Claudia D. Orr (Of Counsel) – Employment Law, Labor and Employment Litigation
Stanley A. Prokop (Of Counsel) – Insurance Law
Mary Catherine Rentz (partner) – Insurance Law
Matthew J. Stanczyk (partner) – Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
David R. Stechow (partner) – Construction Law and Litigation   

In addition, 16 Plunkett Cooney attorneys, who are earlier in their careers, were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ for outstanding professional excellence.

Below are the local Plunkett Cooney attorneys who have received 2023 Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch in America™” recognition:

BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Arturo Alfaro (associate) – Transportation Law
Ryan M. Bates (partner) – Insurance Law
Ryan P. Bourjaily (associate) – Trusts and Estates
Stephanie M. Brochert (associate) – Insurance Law
Michael C. Dennis (associate) – Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Ashley S. Dickey (associate) - Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
D’Antae D. Gooden (associate) Litigation – Labor and Employment
Justin J. Hakala (partner) – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation Defendants
Tanya M. Murray (associate) – Insurance Law
Nicole C. Ruggirello (partner) – Insurance Law
Matthew J. Zmijewski (partner) – Transportation Law

DETROIT
Emily M. Coyle (partner) – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Michael A. Osman (associate) – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Eric T. Ramar (associate) – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants