Butzel continues to grow with the addition of attorney and shareholder Randi G. Hermiz.
He focuses his practice on matters relating to strategic growth and
protection of personal and business finances. From guiding emerging
companies to facilitating complex commercial transactions, Hermiz
represents individuals and small and medium-sized businesses in a
variety of sectors, with dealings in Michigan, the U.S., and on a
multinational scale.
Prior to practicing law, Hermiz established and operated businesses in the hospitality, import/export, and wholesale distribution industries. His understanding of business operations complements his legal expertise, allowing him to effectively guide clients through intricate legal landscapes and towards sustained success.
Before joining Butzel, Hermiz founded and managed a boutique law firm that specialized in commercial transactions, estate planning, commercial litigation, and Intellectual Property Law. Clients included high net worth individuals and business entities, primarily consisting of physicians and health care ventures. He also has served as general counsel to a national company in the restaurant industry and as in-house counsel to a multinational company in the tobacco industry.
He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Oakland County Bar Association, Chaldean American Bar Association, and the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce.
Hermiz earned a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and a B.A. from Wayne State University.
• • •
Collins Einhorn is proud to announce that attorney Kari Melkonian has been recognized by the State Bar of Michigan for providing more than 100 hours of free legal services in 2023.
Melkonian commented, “I am immensely proud of the work my team performed on behalf of a Michigan prisoner who asserted a civil rights claim against a corrections officer who falsely accused him of threatening behavior. These false accusations were levied in response to our client’s request to seek supervisory staff to address the officer’s conduct, which resulted in his placement segregation and loss of privileges. Our client was cleared of the threatening behavior charge, but the officer wasn’t held accountable by the Michigan Department of Corrections. A federal court jury ultimately held the officer accountable, and rendered a six-figure verdict in favor of our client. Our work on the client’s behalf resulted in a positive outcome for him personally, and will hopefully be a catalyst for institutional changes going forward.”
Melkonian is a partner in the firm’s No-Fault & Auto Liability Practice Group, focusing her practice on the defense of general civil liability and automotive liability claims. She has experience in all phases of litigation, including discovery, dispositive motion practice, and trial.
Melkonian served as a judicial staff attorney to Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Martha D. Anderson where she was involved in researching and writing opinions on various civil, criminal and domestic relations matters. Prior to her position as a staff attorney, she served as a court clerk for Oakland County Probate Court Judges Linda S. Hallmark and Barry M. Grant (retired).
Melkonian earned her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law (2008) and her B.A. from Oakland University (2003).
• • •
Bodman PLC is pleased to share that Carla S. Machnik, a member of Bodman’s Banking and Aviation Law and Finance practice groups, recently received the Dual JD Transnational Leader Award for 2024 from the University of Windsor Faculty of Law. Machnik was one of three recipients of the award.
The Dual JD Transnational Leader Award recognizes University of Windsor Law alumni who have achieved significant impact with their dual JD degree on an international scale.
Machnik, based in Bodman’s Detroit office, represents financial institutions in Canada and the United States in cross-border transactions, acting on behalf of agents and lenders in multi-jurisdictional asset-based, acquisition, commercial, and equipment finance transactions involving public and private debtors.
Machnik earned law degrees from the United States and Canada and is licensed to practice in the province of Ontario and the U.S. states of Michigan, Texas, and the District of Columbia. She structures, negotiates, and documents complex transactions with efficiency due to her understanding of laws and markets on both sides of the border. She often works with members of Bodman’s Business Law Group to advise clients on the Canadian law aspects of cross-border M&A and other business transactions, including due diligence, Canadian corporate structure and documentation requirements, and finance issues.
Bodman is also pleased to announce that, according to a recent National Law Journal Survey, it is the most gender diverse Michigan-based law firm.
The survey results, which the National Law Journal used to compile its annual “NLJ500” list, cover demographics at the 500 largest U.S. law firms. In conjunction with the survey results, the National Law Journal also published its 2024 Diversity Scorecard which ranks firms based on how well they are performing in various diversity categories. In its ranking on gender diversity, Bodman placed number 31 out of 246 firms that participated in the survey.
“It is encouraging to see that our efforts to build and maintain an inclusive workplace landed Bodman in the top 15% nationally in the NLJ gender diversity survey,” said Bodman Chair Carrie Leahy. “Diversity is a core value for Bodman and I truly believe it creates a better and more dynamic work environment for everyone, and helps us serve our clients well.”
Bodman’s ranking in the National Law Journal survey is the latest accolade related to its DEI program. In October 2023, the firm was awarded Mansfield 6.0 Certification Plus status for the 2022-2023 year, the highest level of designation in the Mansfield program. Bodman has also been recognized with Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Empowering Women award that honors law firms and legal departments that have shown a strong commitment to supporting and elevating women attorneys.
The firm has an active Women’s Forum that offers professional development, educational, and networking opportunities that empower attorneys to build successful legal practices and strengthen their personal and professional relationships with colleagues. Most recently, the Women’s Forum hosted a presentation that focused on how to identify and implement essential components of a stress management plan including the “Four Rs”: Regulation, Rest, Refocusing your attention and energy, and Reframing your mindset.
• • •
Foley, Baron, Metzger, & Juip PLLC is pleased to announce the promotion of attorney Catherine Rodey to senior associate with the firm.
Rodey’s practice involves defending healthcare professionals and organizations in complex medical-malpractice claims, as well as other personal injury and insurance defense claims. In addition, she represents clients involved in civil rights litigation including defending correctional healthcare providers against Deliberate Indifference claims under 42 USC 1983. Her practice also includes handling general health law issues involving physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. These issues include healthcare licensure matters with the State of Michigan, federal auditing of healthcare entities, and other work in this arena such as buy/sell agreements.
Rodey earned her law degree from California Western School of Law and her undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University.
• • •
Plunkett Cooney President and CEO Jeffrey C. Gerish was recently elected to serves as a member of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Board of Directors.
“Plunkett Cooney has been a Chamber member since 1944, and I look forward to continuing our firm’s commitment to this outstanding organization,” said Gerish, whose one-year term began on July 15. “It’s my privilege to help the Chamber continue its mission of creating business opportunities, improving the quality of life in our region and solving some of the state’s most complex problems.”
Gerish works in the Bloomfield Hills corporate headquarters of Plunkett Cooney. In addition to his role as president and CEO, Gerish maintains an appellate law practice with expertise in insurance coverage, commercial liability, employment liability, and medical malpractice cases. He also has the distinction of having participated in appellate cases that resulted in more than 100 published opinions in Michigan and Indiana, where he is also licensed and regularly practices, as well as in several federal appellate courts.
Gerish received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Michigan in 1989 and 1994, respectively. His professional affiliations include the State Bar of Michigan and the American Bar Association. He is also a member of the Insurance Law Committee of the DRI and the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel.
• • •
Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that it has been named on the State Bar of Michigan 2024 Pro Bono Honor Roll as Tier 1 for the firm’s cumulative hours.
In addition to the firm’s recognition, 26 Miller Canfield attorneys were recognized for their individual contributions to pro bono service. Nine were named to Tier 1 for providing more than 100 hours of pro bono service in 2023, five were named to Tier 2 for providing 50-99 hours, and 12 are named to Tier 3 for providing 30-49 hours.
Miller Canfield attorneys who earned recognition include:
—Tier 1
Matthew Allen
Leo Goddeyne
Arthur Griem
Thom Linn
Stephen Ott
Sarah Reasoner
Wendy Richards
Sydney Rohlicek
Kimberly Scott
—Tier 2
Christopher Dutot
Saul Green
Stephen Palms
Stephen Ragatzki
Ronald Spinner
—Tier 3
Elizabeth Baker
Emily Barr
Tom Cranmer
Joe Fazio
Erika Giroux
Ashley Higginson
Ronald Liscombe
Mark Maki
Robert Murkowski
Reshma Sambare
Phillip Shane
Julianne Cassin Sharp
• • •
Dykema recently announced that its Estate Planning and Administration Practice was ranked in the 2024 edition of Chambers High Net Worth Guide (Chambers HNW) in the area of Private Wealth Law for the State of Michigan.
In addition, Michael G. Cumming of the Bloomfield Hills office received an individual ranking in the area of Private Wealth Law for the State of Michigan. This marks Cumming’s third time appearing in the annual listing.
• • •
Mark Wisniewski was appointed to the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Legislative Policy Panel and the Person & Family Engagement Advisory Council for 2024-2025. The MHA Committees are advisory to the MHA Board of Trustees. These groups are charged by the MHA Board to address focus areas and bring their expertise to bear on issues of importance to the MHA membership.
As chair and chief executive officer of Kitch Attorneys & Counselors PC, Wisniewski will bring more than 30 years of litigation experience throughout the country and over 10 years of firm leadership to assist the MHA as they address the challenges faced by its hospital members.
In addition, Kitch Attorneys & Counselors is pleased to announce that Keith Wright has been appointed to the Small or Rural Hospital Council by the MHA. The Small or Rural Hospital Council identifies and examines issues unique to small or rural providers from a regulatory and policy development viewpoint.
Wright is a principal in the Detroit office. He served as general counsel for one of the largest electrical contractors in the country before returning to Kitch Attorneys & Counselors. With nearly 15 years of experience, Wright brings knowledge and expertise to assist clients in resolving complex legal matters involving general business law, construction, employment, and healthcare regulatory issues.
• • •
Harness IP Associate April Minarik has been selected to lead a task force examining the intercession between the protections offered by both copyright and trademark law for the International Trademark Association (INTA). Composed of six people from various locations around the world, the task force – one of three established by the Protection and Authorship Subcommittee of the INTA Copyright Committee – will conduct a survey related to available copyright and trademark protections of certain nontraditional marks. The survey will then be available for use in the future development of a related report for publication to INTA’s Resources webpage.
Minarik’s practice includes U.S. and international trademark enforcement and prosecution, copyright submissions, IP portfolio management, Internet investigations and enforcements, and domain name investigations and resolutions. She has guided clients through a wide range of trademark and copyright matters and has a particular interest in trademark and copyright protection in the country music and sports industries.
Prior to practicing law, Hermiz established and operated businesses in the hospitality, import/export, and wholesale distribution industries. His understanding of business operations complements his legal expertise, allowing him to effectively guide clients through intricate legal landscapes and towards sustained success.
Before joining Butzel, Hermiz founded and managed a boutique law firm that specialized in commercial transactions, estate planning, commercial litigation, and Intellectual Property Law. Clients included high net worth individuals and business entities, primarily consisting of physicians and health care ventures. He also has served as general counsel to a national company in the restaurant industry and as in-house counsel to a multinational company in the tobacco industry.
He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Oakland County Bar Association, Chaldean American Bar Association, and the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce.
Hermiz earned a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and a B.A. from Wayne State University.
• • •
Collins Einhorn is proud to announce that attorney Kari Melkonian has been recognized by the State Bar of Michigan for providing more than 100 hours of free legal services in 2023.
Melkonian commented, “I am immensely proud of the work my team performed on behalf of a Michigan prisoner who asserted a civil rights claim against a corrections officer who falsely accused him of threatening behavior. These false accusations were levied in response to our client’s request to seek supervisory staff to address the officer’s conduct, which resulted in his placement segregation and loss of privileges. Our client was cleared of the threatening behavior charge, but the officer wasn’t held accountable by the Michigan Department of Corrections. A federal court jury ultimately held the officer accountable, and rendered a six-figure verdict in favor of our client. Our work on the client’s behalf resulted in a positive outcome for him personally, and will hopefully be a catalyst for institutional changes going forward.”
Melkonian is a partner in the firm’s No-Fault & Auto Liability Practice Group, focusing her practice on the defense of general civil liability and automotive liability claims. She has experience in all phases of litigation, including discovery, dispositive motion practice, and trial.
Melkonian served as a judicial staff attorney to Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Martha D. Anderson where she was involved in researching and writing opinions on various civil, criminal and domestic relations matters. Prior to her position as a staff attorney, she served as a court clerk for Oakland County Probate Court Judges Linda S. Hallmark and Barry M. Grant (retired).
Melkonian earned her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law (2008) and her B.A. from Oakland University (2003).
• • •
Bodman PLC is pleased to share that Carla S. Machnik, a member of Bodman’s Banking and Aviation Law and Finance practice groups, recently received the Dual JD Transnational Leader Award for 2024 from the University of Windsor Faculty of Law. Machnik was one of three recipients of the award.
The Dual JD Transnational Leader Award recognizes University of Windsor Law alumni who have achieved significant impact with their dual JD degree on an international scale.
Machnik, based in Bodman’s Detroit office, represents financial institutions in Canada and the United States in cross-border transactions, acting on behalf of agents and lenders in multi-jurisdictional asset-based, acquisition, commercial, and equipment finance transactions involving public and private debtors.
Machnik earned law degrees from the United States and Canada and is licensed to practice in the province of Ontario and the U.S. states of Michigan, Texas, and the District of Columbia. She structures, negotiates, and documents complex transactions with efficiency due to her understanding of laws and markets on both sides of the border. She often works with members of Bodman’s Business Law Group to advise clients on the Canadian law aspects of cross-border M&A and other business transactions, including due diligence, Canadian corporate structure and documentation requirements, and finance issues.
Bodman is also pleased to announce that, according to a recent National Law Journal Survey, it is the most gender diverse Michigan-based law firm.
The survey results, which the National Law Journal used to compile its annual “NLJ500” list, cover demographics at the 500 largest U.S. law firms. In conjunction with the survey results, the National Law Journal also published its 2024 Diversity Scorecard which ranks firms based on how well they are performing in various diversity categories. In its ranking on gender diversity, Bodman placed number 31 out of 246 firms that participated in the survey.
“It is encouraging to see that our efforts to build and maintain an inclusive workplace landed Bodman in the top 15% nationally in the NLJ gender diversity survey,” said Bodman Chair Carrie Leahy. “Diversity is a core value for Bodman and I truly believe it creates a better and more dynamic work environment for everyone, and helps us serve our clients well.”
Bodman’s ranking in the National Law Journal survey is the latest accolade related to its DEI program. In October 2023, the firm was awarded Mansfield 6.0 Certification Plus status for the 2022-2023 year, the highest level of designation in the Mansfield program. Bodman has also been recognized with Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Empowering Women award that honors law firms and legal departments that have shown a strong commitment to supporting and elevating women attorneys.
The firm has an active Women’s Forum that offers professional development, educational, and networking opportunities that empower attorneys to build successful legal practices and strengthen their personal and professional relationships with colleagues. Most recently, the Women’s Forum hosted a presentation that focused on how to identify and implement essential components of a stress management plan including the “Four Rs”: Regulation, Rest, Refocusing your attention and energy, and Reframing your mindset.
• • •
Foley, Baron, Metzger, & Juip PLLC is pleased to announce the promotion of attorney Catherine Rodey to senior associate with the firm.
Rodey’s practice involves defending healthcare professionals and organizations in complex medical-malpractice claims, as well as other personal injury and insurance defense claims. In addition, she represents clients involved in civil rights litigation including defending correctional healthcare providers against Deliberate Indifference claims under 42 USC 1983. Her practice also includes handling general health law issues involving physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. These issues include healthcare licensure matters with the State of Michigan, federal auditing of healthcare entities, and other work in this arena such as buy/sell agreements.
Rodey earned her law degree from California Western School of Law and her undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University.
• • •
Plunkett Cooney President and CEO Jeffrey C. Gerish was recently elected to serves as a member of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Board of Directors.
“Plunkett Cooney has been a Chamber member since 1944, and I look forward to continuing our firm’s commitment to this outstanding organization,” said Gerish, whose one-year term began on July 15. “It’s my privilege to help the Chamber continue its mission of creating business opportunities, improving the quality of life in our region and solving some of the state’s most complex problems.”
Gerish works in the Bloomfield Hills corporate headquarters of Plunkett Cooney. In addition to his role as president and CEO, Gerish maintains an appellate law practice with expertise in insurance coverage, commercial liability, employment liability, and medical malpractice cases. He also has the distinction of having participated in appellate cases that resulted in more than 100 published opinions in Michigan and Indiana, where he is also licensed and regularly practices, as well as in several federal appellate courts.
Gerish received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Michigan in 1989 and 1994, respectively. His professional affiliations include the State Bar of Michigan and the American Bar Association. He is also a member of the Insurance Law Committee of the DRI and the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel.
• • •
Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that it has been named on the State Bar of Michigan 2024 Pro Bono Honor Roll as Tier 1 for the firm’s cumulative hours.
In addition to the firm’s recognition, 26 Miller Canfield attorneys were recognized for their individual contributions to pro bono service. Nine were named to Tier 1 for providing more than 100 hours of pro bono service in 2023, five were named to Tier 2 for providing 50-99 hours, and 12 are named to Tier 3 for providing 30-49 hours.
Miller Canfield attorneys who earned recognition include:
—Tier 1
Matthew Allen
Leo Goddeyne
Arthur Griem
Thom Linn
Stephen Ott
Sarah Reasoner
Wendy Richards
Sydney Rohlicek
Kimberly Scott
—Tier 2
Christopher Dutot
Saul Green
Stephen Palms
Stephen Ragatzki
Ronald Spinner
—Tier 3
Elizabeth Baker
Emily Barr
Tom Cranmer
Joe Fazio
Erika Giroux
Ashley Higginson
Ronald Liscombe
Mark Maki
Robert Murkowski
Reshma Sambare
Phillip Shane
Julianne Cassin Sharp
• • •
Dykema recently announced that its Estate Planning and Administration Practice was ranked in the 2024 edition of Chambers High Net Worth Guide (Chambers HNW) in the area of Private Wealth Law for the State of Michigan.
In addition, Michael G. Cumming of the Bloomfield Hills office received an individual ranking in the area of Private Wealth Law for the State of Michigan. This marks Cumming’s third time appearing in the annual listing.
• • •
Mark Wisniewski was appointed to the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Legislative Policy Panel and the Person & Family Engagement Advisory Council for 2024-2025. The MHA Committees are advisory to the MHA Board of Trustees. These groups are charged by the MHA Board to address focus areas and bring their expertise to bear on issues of importance to the MHA membership.
As chair and chief executive officer of Kitch Attorneys & Counselors PC, Wisniewski will bring more than 30 years of litigation experience throughout the country and over 10 years of firm leadership to assist the MHA as they address the challenges faced by its hospital members.
In addition, Kitch Attorneys & Counselors is pleased to announce that Keith Wright has been appointed to the Small or Rural Hospital Council by the MHA. The Small or Rural Hospital Council identifies and examines issues unique to small or rural providers from a regulatory and policy development viewpoint.
Wright is a principal in the Detroit office. He served as general counsel for one of the largest electrical contractors in the country before returning to Kitch Attorneys & Counselors. With nearly 15 years of experience, Wright brings knowledge and expertise to assist clients in resolving complex legal matters involving general business law, construction, employment, and healthcare regulatory issues.
• • •
Harness IP Associate April Minarik has been selected to lead a task force examining the intercession between the protections offered by both copyright and trademark law for the International Trademark Association (INTA). Composed of six people from various locations around the world, the task force – one of three established by the Protection and Authorship Subcommittee of the INTA Copyright Committee – will conduct a survey related to available copyright and trademark protections of certain nontraditional marks. The survey will then be available for use in the future development of a related report for publication to INTA’s Resources webpage.
Minarik’s practice includes U.S. and international trademark enforcement and prosecution, copyright submissions, IP portfolio management, Internet investigations and enforcements, and domain name investigations and resolutions. She has guided clients through a wide range of trademark and copyright matters and has a particular interest in trademark and copyright protection in the country music and sports industries.
