Warner lawyers earn kudos

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP partners Charles N. Ash and Madelaine C. Lane have been selected to Crain’s Grand Rapids Business Notable Litigators and Trial Attorneys.

Honorees were recognized in a special section of the March 24 print edition of Crain’s Grand Rapids Business and online at crainsgrandrapids.com.

Ash regularly leads trial teams in “bet-the-company” cases for businesses. He routinely handles high-profile matters, including representing Rick Snyder, Michigan’s former governor, in Flint water litigation during and after his second term. Ash also represented two national banks who were at the center of Detroit’s historic bankruptcy case.

Ash has developed a specialized practice guiding multi-generational family-owned businesses through disputes involving ownership and control of the business.

Ash has been recognized for his work in commercial litigation by Best Lawyers in America every year since 2017 and by Michigan Super Lawyers since 2011. He was named a Notable West Michigan Lawyer in 2023.

Lane provides guidance to clients facing complex criminal and civil investigations involving high-risk publicity and high-volume documents.

She leads discovery responses, internal investigations and the development of litigation strategies, leading effective criminal defenses in court. Notably, she has represented corporate clients, including religious institutions, on
sexual abuse prevention and regularly creates programs focused on abuse prevention and detection training.

She was recognized for her white collar criminal defense work by Best Lawyers in America in 2025 and by Michigan Super Lawyers since 2012.

In 2024, Lane was honored as one of the Influential Women of Law in Michigan Lawyers Weekly and Notable Women of Law in Crain’s Grand Rapids Business. She received the Warrior Award by Sacred Beginnings in 2024 for her
pro bono legal work.

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