Butzel adds two attorneys in Grand Rapids office

Butzel has added attorneys Daniel V. Barnett and Tyler A. Burk in the Grand Rapids office and Maria T. Sesi, based in the Troy office.

A shareholder, Barnett is a strategic litigator who advises business and tribal clients in matters regarding litigation, negotiation, and general operations. His work has resulted in the enforcement of employment covenant (non-compete) clauses for employers, releasing employees from employment covenants with former employers, and the resolution of breach of contract actions.

Barnett also has experience in complex business litigation, including shareholder actions, breach of commercial and development contracts, and indemnity agreements. He appears—and has accumulated a record of success—in courts across Michigan, including the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts. He also has appeared and prevailed in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Barnett is a recipient of the 2023 Grand Rapids Bar Association 3-in-10 Award and has been named as a 2023 American Institute of Trial Lawyers Litigator of the Year in Civil Litigation.

He earned a J.D., magna cum laude, from Michigan State University College of Law.

Burk is an associate attorney, representing individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and public entities in a variety of sectors, including commercial, real estate, and construction litigation. He has bench and jury trial experience in numerous Michigan and federal courts in civil and criminal law cases.

His expertise includes developing case strategies from pre-litigation through trial; and he also has significant experience in appellate and transactional drafting.

Prior to joining Butzel, he practiced at a full-service Michigan law firm in matters ranging from commercial litigation to real estate law and criminal defense.

Burk earned a J.D. from Cooley Law School, summa cum laude, where he was on the Dean’s List and Honor Roll for all terms.

He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and Grand Rapids Bar Association. Burk is admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan.

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