Legal People ...

Butzel attorneys Laura E. Johnson and Joseph Kuzmiak recently discussed the “Corporate Transparency Act: Does Your Business Need to Report by January 1, 2025 to Avoid Extensive Fines?” during a webinar on December 11 presented by the Detroit Bar Association.

Johnson practices in the area of business and corporate law. She is chair of the firm’s corporate and real estate groups and focuses on mergers and acquisitions, nonprofit organizations, corporate governance, entity formation and general corporate and business law. She advises clients in venture capital and private equity transactions.

Kuzmiak concentrates his practice in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, nonprofit organizations, regulatory and transactional matters, corporate governance, entity formation and general corporate and business law. He has assisted clients in the automotive, transportation, construction, commercial and consumer goods industries.

In addition, Butzel attorney Jennifer Dukarski will participate in a panel discussion at the 25th Annual Connect2Car: Mobility 2050 Conference on January 7. The event coincides with the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and is presented by the MEA, SAE International, COVESA and MEMA.

Moreover, Dukarski is among industry experts who will be featured during the Detroit Auto Show’s Mobility Global Forum, which will take place from January 15-16 at Huntington Place in Detroit. She will participate in a panel discussion on January 16 presented by the US Patent and Trademark Office. The topic of the panel will be “The Intersection of IP and EV Technologies.”

Dukarski leads Butzel’s Connected and Autonomous Mobility Team. Her automotive expertise as a former design engineer, Six Sigma master black belt, continuous improvement lead champion, and quality manager gives her a unique perspective on balancing the legal issues and business applications of emerging automotive technology.

Dukarski focuses her legal practice where technology, mobility and communications meet. A leader in the area of electrified, connected and automated vehicles, she negotiated some of the first robotaxi agreements in the world. A champion of the responsible use of AI, Dukarski regularly advises and teaches on AI risk mitigation. She was named one of the 30 Women Defining the Future of Technology by Warner Communications for her innovative thoughts and contributions to the tech industry.

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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the appointment of Ronald Rose to the Detroit Financial Review Commission.

Rose is a retired partner at Dykema Gossett, where he helped found their bankruptcy practice. He has served on the Detroit Financial Review Commission since 2018 and also serves on the boards of Southwest Solutions and the Society of Active Retirees. Rose earned a Bachelor of Science in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.

Rose is reappointed for a term commencing December 10, 2024, and expiring November 9, 2028.

The Detroit Financial Review Commission (FRC) is responsible for oversight of the City of Detroit and the Detroit Public Schools Community District. It ensures both are meeting statutory requirements, reviews and approves their budgets, and establishes programs and requirements for prudent fiscal management, among other roles and responsibilities.

This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

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Intellectual property specialty law firm Fishman Stewart PLLC is pleased to share that Alexander JSW Johnson has been promoted to partner. The announcement was made by Managing Partner Michael Stewart. Johnson, who joined the firm in 2022 as an associate attorney after varied boutique IP experiences, concentrates his legal practice on trademarks.

Johnson’s trademark practice focuses on global portfolio growth and strategy, providing prosecution, dispute resolution, litigation, and transactional services. He offers an array of industry experience to his clients, including medical products, data analytics, computing technologies, technology startups, consumer products, finance and insurance, sports and sports wagering, entertainment, marketing and marketing technology, food and beverage, and food service, among others.

Johnson obtained both his law degree and Bachelor of Arts degrees from The University of Iowa.

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Ackerman & Ackerman
recently announced the addition of Robert M. Kuhn to the firm as an associate.

Before joining Ackerman & Ackerman, Kuhn served as a law clerk in both federal and Michigan state courts, at both the trial and appellate level. Most recently, he spent more than two years working as a law clerk for Michigan Supreme Court Justice Brian K. Zahra. In this role, Kuhn was exposed to a wide variety of cases — from property law and complex commercial and administrative disputes to amendments of the rules of civil procedure and professional conduct.

In addition to his time spent in the state’s capitol, Kuhn served two years as a law clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Robert H. Cleland, Eastern District of Michigan, where he gained experience with federal court litigation, from complaint filings and summary judgment dispositions to hearings, conferences and trials. While working in federal court, Kuhn was assigned to numerous sophisticated commercial and constitutional law disputes.

Kuhn’s time serving around the courtroom spans past the state of Michigan, as he spent over a year serving as a law clerk for Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Annette K. Ziegler. As the chief justice’s sole law clerk, he provided advice on every case heard at oral arguments, including numerous disputes involving contract, property, and constitutional law.

Kuhn is a two-time graduate of the University of Michigan, where he earned a B.A. in History in 2016 as well as a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 2019.

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Bodman PLC
is pleased to announce that Jason M. Currie has rejoined the firm as a member in the Banking Practice Group.

Based in the firm’s Detroit office, Currie concentrates his practice in representing lenders in commercial loan originations. Currie’s practice also includes middle market lending, asset-based loans, healthcare, educational institution financing, captive insurance financing, real estate financing, aircraft financing, and letters of credit and other liquidity facilities supporting tax exempt and industrial development bonds.

Currie began his legal career with Bodman as a member of the Banking Practice Group, leaving in 2018 to become in-house counsel to one of the nation’s largest all-digital bank and industry-leading auto financing businesses. In that role, he supported the equipment finance, commercial automotive financing, wholesale remarketing, and third-party remarketing divisions.

He also served as a senior vice president and deputy general counsel of a provider of funding and portfolio services to commercial and retail customers and mid-market equipment finance companies, advising on equipment leases, equipment loans, special asset financing transactions, loan and lease sales, and various other projects.
Currie is a graduate of University of Toledo College of Law and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University.

Bodman is also pleased to announce that Gary S. Fealk has been recognized in Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2024 “Go To Lawyers Power List” for being an exceptional lawyer in the employment and labor sector. Fealk is one of only six lawyers to be included in the Power List for Employment Law.

Fealk is based in Bodman’s Troy office and practices in all areas of labor and employment law and litigation on behalf of private and public sector employers. He has expertise in union/management relations including collective bargaining, labor arbitrations, administrative proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) and in multi-employer benefit fund collection actions.

Fealk is listed in Chambers USA under Labor & Employment; in The Best Lawyers in America for Employment Law – Management and Labor Law – Management; in Michigan Super Lawyers for Employment & Labor; and in DBusiness Magazine “Top Lawyers” for Labor and Employment Law. In 2018, Fealk was selected as a Fellow for the American College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.

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Attorney Nicholas T. Badalamenti recently joined the Insurance Coverage Practice Group of Plunkett Cooney.

Badalamenti focuses his practice on the defense of insurance coverage litigation and on providing his clients with coverage opinions and advice. In addition, Badalamenti has experience representing clients in first- and third-party auto liability cases and in general negligence claims involving premises and construction liability.

An associate in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, Badalamenti graduated from Wayne State University Law School in 2022. In 2018, Badalamenti received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University.

In addition, associate attorney Regan Glenn recently joined Plunkett Cooney as a member of its Torts & Litigation and Governmental Law practice groups.

Glenn represents a variety of clients directly and through their insurance providers. Her litigation practice includes such areas as premises liability, municipal law, motor vehicle litigation and general liability, including pet and construction liability.

A member of the State Bar of Michigan, Glenn received her undergraduate, master’s and law degrees from the University of Detroit in 2020, 2021 and 2024, respectively.

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Miller Johnson
is pleased to announce that Jessica McLemore has joined the firm as an associate in the Business and Corporate, and Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) practice groups. She brings experience in corporate counseling with an emphasis on M&A and taxation.

McLemore, who previously worked as an international tax consultant at a “Big 4” accounting firm, has a range of experience in transactional and day-to-day matters, including debt restructuring, tax advisory and planning, and federal tax compliance.

McLemore earned law degrees from Cooley Law School and a B.A. from Oral Roberts University.

Miller Johnson is also pleased to announce that Gabrielle B. Guliana Sharak has joined the firm as counsel in the Education practice group. She brings experience in education law, having worked extensively with K-12 public school districts, public school academies, and private schools on a variety of complex and day-to-day matters.
Her expertise includes student disciplinary and special education matters, teacher discipline and tenure disputes, and employment law.

Sharak received her law degree from The University of Toledo College of Law.

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Giarmarco, Mullins, & Horton PC
is pleased to announce that Emily Brock returns to GMH as an associate attorney in the Family Law group. Brock previously participated
in the firm’s summer associate program, during which time she displayed her dedication and enthusiasm for Family Law. Now, as a full-time associate, she is eager to help clients navigate complex issues.

Brock concentrates her practice in all areas of domestic relations, including issues such as child support, spousal support, parenting time, custody, and matters involving unmarried parents under the Revocation of Paternity Act.

Brock earned her law from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Oakland University. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, its Family Law Section, and the Oakland County Bar Association.

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Brooks Kushman
welcomes attorneys Charles Bieneman, Christopher Francis, Bryan Hart, Franklin MacKenzie, and patent agents Jeff Limón and Patrick Leonard to the firm’s expanding patent prosecution team.

• Charles Bieneman focuses on patent prosecution and counseling for clients in industries such as automotive, telecommunications, and aerospace. With experience as a patent examiner and in software development, Bieneman leverages a technical understanding to provide comprehensive IP strategies.

• Christopher Francis specializes in patent and trademark portfolio management, IP due diligence for mergers and acquisitions, and prosecution of mechanical and electrical technologies. He is skilled in aligning clients’ business objectives with their intellectual property strategies.

• Bryan Hart excels in patent prosecution and litigation, focusing on mechanical, electrical, and software technologies. His work includes autonomous vehicles, AI, additive manufacturing, and other cutting-edge innovations, with a keen emphasis on enforcement considerations.

• Frank MacKenzie, a recent graduate of Michigan State University College of Law, brings expertise in electrical engineering with a focus on microprocessor technology and electro-optics. He has experience drafting and prosecuting patents in the automotive field.

• Jeff Limón is an experienced patent agent with expertise in preparing and prosecuting patent applications for systems and software in industries such as automotive, telecommunications, aerospace, and semiconductors. His corporate experience includes managing complex patent portfolios for leading technology companies.

• Patrick Leonard has more than 30 years of experience designing and developing sensor systems for medical imaging, military applications, and industrial processes. He now focuses on preparing and prosecuting patents for technologies such as vehicle systems, internet software, and lasers.

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The UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust (the “Trust”) Board of Trustees has named Denise J. Lewis as chairperson of the board, effective immediately. She succeeds the role held by the late Robert Naftaly, a founding member of the board.

Lewis has served on the Trust’s board since January 2023 and provided leadership and counsel on critical matters of governance and executive leadership. She’s a member of the Trust’s Audit and Budget Subcommittee, providing a vital role in monitoring many aspects of the Trust’s activities and performance. Her responsibilities include overseeing financial reporting and related internal controls, risk, independent and internal audits, and compliance.

Lewis is a retired senior partner and former board member of Honigman LLP and she is a civic and community leader who has contributed her expertise in finance and corporate governance. Her prior board service included her tenure on the board of directors of Detroit area hospitals and serving as chair of the Board of Governors of Wayne State University. Through her current board service, she lends her expertise and leadership in corporate governance as vice chair of the Detroit Opera Board and member of its Finance Committee, as a member of the Wayne State University Foundation Board and its Investment Committee, and the Motown Museum Finance Committee.

Lewis was recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA as a leading business lawyer. She received her B.A. degree from Barnard College, Columbia University and her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.