Plunkett Cooney recently expanded its Transportation Law Practice Group with the addition of attorney Cody R. Ellwanger.
A member of the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, Ellwanger focuses his practice primarily on the defense of claims involving bodily injury and Michigan No-Fault personal injury protection.
Ellwanger represents national insurers, their agents and policyholders in first- and third-party motor vehicle liability matters, as well as uninsured and underinsured motorist, breach of contract and intentional torts claims. He has defended his clients in cases involving fraud by policyholders, failure to provide reasonable proof of loss and other violations of insurance contracts. Ellwanger also has experience resolving premises liability, medical malpractice, criminal enterprises, and negligence law claims.
In addition to his transportation law practice, Ellwanger serves as an attorney magistrate in the Oakland County 52-1 District Court in Novi where he presides over small claims trials, landlord-tenant proceedings, informal hearings for traffic infractions, and criminal arraignments for defendants charged with misdemeanors and/or felonies in Oakland County.
Ellwanger is a 2021 graduate from Cooley Law School. He received his undergraduate degree from Northwood University in 2016.
• • •
Tim Sulolli, a partner at Goodman Acker, has been selected as a 2025 Leader in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. The awards ceremony was held Friday, November 14, at The Mint at Michigan First Conference Center.
“Being recognized as a Leader in the Law is a tremendous honor,” said Sulolli. “This distinction reflects not only my work in the courtroom but also the mentorship, collaboration and trust of colleagues and clients who have supported me throughout my career. I am deeply committed to advocating for justice and making a difference for those who have been injured due to negligence.”
A personal injury attorney, Sulolli has more than two decades of experience handling medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, and premises liability cases. He has earned repeated recognition as a Michigan Super Lawyer (2016–2024).
Throughout his career, he has secured multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients.
Sulolli earned his B.B.A. from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. He began his career under the mentorship of attorney Geoffrey Fieger before joining Goodman Acker in 2003, where he serves as an equity partner.
In addition to his legal practice, Sulolli is a former executive board member of the Michigan Association for Justice and actively participates in the Albanian American Bar Association. He mentors young attorneys at Goodman Acker and is heavily engaged in Detroit’s Albanian community.
• • •
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the reappointment of attorney Steve Birenbaum to the State 9-1-1 Committee. He will serve a term that expires December 31, 2027.
Berenbaum is the director of regulatory relations for AT&T. He earned a bachelor of science, a master of business administration, and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School.
The 9-1-1 Committee and its 21 member organizations work to promote the successful development, implementation, and operation of 9-1-1 systems around the state.
• • •
Miller Canfield is pleased to welcome attorney Rebecca Noeske enhancing the firm’s immigration team which is recognized for guiding employers, universities, health systems, and individuals through today’s rapidly evolving immigration landscape.
Noeske brings experience counseling clients through employment-based and family-based immigration processes, including high-skilled petitions in the O-1 and EB categories. She joins the firm from Ellis Porter PLC in Troy where she developed a practice representing companies and professionals across multiple industries.
Noeske earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and her undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Michigan. Her background includes work with leading immigration law firms, an internship with former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack, and public service experience in Washington, D.C.
Noeske will be based in the firm’s Detroit office.
• • •
Williams, Williams, Rattner, & Plunkett PC is pleased to announce that six firm attorneys have been named to DBusiness magazine’s Top Lawyers list for 2026.
The WWRP attorneys included in this year’s DBusiness Top Lawyers list are:
Alexander Ayar, Litigation/Commercial
Robert Bick, Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Robert B. Labe, Trusts and Estates
Michael Petrus, Litigation/Commercial
Richard D. Rattner, Land Use & Zoning
C. Kim Shierk, Real Estate Law
The Top Lawyers recognition follows other legal accolades for these and other firm attorneys in recent months, including 2025 Super Lawyers and 2026 Best Lawyers. Additionally, in another firm distinction from DBusiness, WWRP President and Managing Partner John W. Crowe was again included in the magazine’s annual Detroit 500.
• • •
Fishman Stewart PLLC is pleased to announce that firm partner and co-founder Michael Stewart is among the honorees recently recognized by the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) with the 2025 Pro Bono Award at the
AIPLA annual conference in Washington D.C.
The recognition is sponsored by the AIPLA Pro Bono Committee and is given to select AIPLA members who have contributed at least 50 hours to the USPTO Pro Bono Program. While Stewart was highlighted as an AIPLA member, he acknowledges the tremendous efforts of Fishman Stewart colleagues and peer firms who provide pro bono services through a joint program with the USPTO’s Detroit office and the State Bar of Michigan’s Patent Pro Bono Project. The project provides free legal assistance with the patent application process to low-income, independent inventors and small businesses.
“I view this award as a celebration of the collective efforts of attorneys at Fishman Stewart and other Michigan-based IP law firms who are dedicated to the Michigan Pro Bono Project. Every hour adds up in assisting the creative efforts of inventors who might not otherwise have access to legal representation to file a patent that protects their intellectual property,” Stewart said. “It must also be noted that the State Bar of Michigan does an outstanding job managing the program. I believe it is the gold standard of pro bono patent programs nationwide.”
Stewart was instrumental in promoting the initial World IP Day programs throughout the United States, working in tandem with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the USPTO. World IP Day has been celebrated every year on April 26 since 2016. Stewart also played a key role in the establishment of the Public Educucation Committee within the AIPLA. More recently, he has been involved with the Engineering Society of Detroit’s annual writing contest for aspiring engineers, which Fishman Stewart sponsors.
• • •
Foley & Lardner LLP is pleased to announce that Daljit Doogal has been re-elected to serve as chairman and CEO for a second four-year term beginning May 1, 2026, upon expiration of his current term and effective through April 30, 2030.
“Foley’s culture revolves around people – our own personnel, our clients, and our communities. It’s a privilege to lead this great firm and see it excel as we continue to drive our strategic plan forward,” said Doogal. “Credit for Foley’s
accomplishments is all owed to our talented attorneys and business professionals who routinely deliver innovative and impactful solutions to our clients. We are operating from a position of strength and aggressively growing our footprint, but
our culture remains the cornerstone of everything we do.”
Since Doogal’s first term began, Foley has promoted 63 lawyers to partnership and welcomed nearly 530 attorneys – including 70 lateral partners and 278 new associates and law graduates – adding more scale and greater bench strength across Foley’s key sectors, including energy and infrastructure, health care and life sciences, innovative technology, and manufacturing.
“We’ve seen a significant surge in demand for our services in all of these sectors indicating a clear signal that our strategy is succeeding,” said Doogal. “By scaling our operations and deepening our bench, we are better equipped than ever to deliver holistic client service. We are deeply committed to continuing this growth to further strengthen our firm and the value we provide to our clients.
“This is a remarkable period for Foley. We are advancing our goals around our clients, our people, innovation, and investment in our sectors,” said Doogal. “As we develop the firm’s next strategic plan to be introduced next summer, these goals will not change. We will continue to focus on smart and strategic growth, deepening our culture of service excellence and cross-servicing clients, and accelerating our investment in AI and technology.”
• • •
Taft Detroit partner-in-charge Mark Cooper has been named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2025 Managing Partners Spotlight.
Cooper is partner-in-charge of Taft Detroit, responsible for the strategic direction for the firm’s Southfield and Detroit offices. He counsels a diverse set of clients nationwide on a variety of matters, including risk management, commercial disputes, real estate litigation, business torts and construction and contract disputes, and all aspects of insurance, from both a legal and business perspective.
A member of the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, Ellwanger focuses his practice primarily on the defense of claims involving bodily injury and Michigan No-Fault personal injury protection.
Ellwanger represents national insurers, their agents and policyholders in first- and third-party motor vehicle liability matters, as well as uninsured and underinsured motorist, breach of contract and intentional torts claims. He has defended his clients in cases involving fraud by policyholders, failure to provide reasonable proof of loss and other violations of insurance contracts. Ellwanger also has experience resolving premises liability, medical malpractice, criminal enterprises, and negligence law claims.
In addition to his transportation law practice, Ellwanger serves as an attorney magistrate in the Oakland County 52-1 District Court in Novi where he presides over small claims trials, landlord-tenant proceedings, informal hearings for traffic infractions, and criminal arraignments for defendants charged with misdemeanors and/or felonies in Oakland County.
Ellwanger is a 2021 graduate from Cooley Law School. He received his undergraduate degree from Northwood University in 2016.
• • •
Tim Sulolli, a partner at Goodman Acker, has been selected as a 2025 Leader in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. The awards ceremony was held Friday, November 14, at The Mint at Michigan First Conference Center.
“Being recognized as a Leader in the Law is a tremendous honor,” said Sulolli. “This distinction reflects not only my work in the courtroom but also the mentorship, collaboration and trust of colleagues and clients who have supported me throughout my career. I am deeply committed to advocating for justice and making a difference for those who have been injured due to negligence.”
A personal injury attorney, Sulolli has more than two decades of experience handling medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, and premises liability cases. He has earned repeated recognition as a Michigan Super Lawyer (2016–2024).
Throughout his career, he has secured multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients.
Sulolli earned his B.B.A. from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. He began his career under the mentorship of attorney Geoffrey Fieger before joining Goodman Acker in 2003, where he serves as an equity partner.
In addition to his legal practice, Sulolli is a former executive board member of the Michigan Association for Justice and actively participates in the Albanian American Bar Association. He mentors young attorneys at Goodman Acker and is heavily engaged in Detroit’s Albanian community.
• • •
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the reappointment of attorney Steve Birenbaum to the State 9-1-1 Committee. He will serve a term that expires December 31, 2027.
Berenbaum is the director of regulatory relations for AT&T. He earned a bachelor of science, a master of business administration, and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School.
The 9-1-1 Committee and its 21 member organizations work to promote the successful development, implementation, and operation of 9-1-1 systems around the state.
• • •
Miller Canfield is pleased to welcome attorney Rebecca Noeske enhancing the firm’s immigration team which is recognized for guiding employers, universities, health systems, and individuals through today’s rapidly evolving immigration landscape.
Noeske brings experience counseling clients through employment-based and family-based immigration processes, including high-skilled petitions in the O-1 and EB categories. She joins the firm from Ellis Porter PLC in Troy where she developed a practice representing companies and professionals across multiple industries.
Noeske earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and her undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Michigan. Her background includes work with leading immigration law firms, an internship with former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack, and public service experience in Washington, D.C.
Noeske will be based in the firm’s Detroit office.
• • •
Williams, Williams, Rattner, & Plunkett PC is pleased to announce that six firm attorneys have been named to DBusiness magazine’s Top Lawyers list for 2026.
The WWRP attorneys included in this year’s DBusiness Top Lawyers list are:
Alexander Ayar, Litigation/Commercial
Robert Bick, Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Robert B. Labe, Trusts and Estates
Michael Petrus, Litigation/Commercial
Richard D. Rattner, Land Use & Zoning
C. Kim Shierk, Real Estate Law
The Top Lawyers recognition follows other legal accolades for these and other firm attorneys in recent months, including 2025 Super Lawyers and 2026 Best Lawyers. Additionally, in another firm distinction from DBusiness, WWRP President and Managing Partner John W. Crowe was again included in the magazine’s annual Detroit 500.
• • •
Fishman Stewart PLLC is pleased to announce that firm partner and co-founder Michael Stewart is among the honorees recently recognized by the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) with the 2025 Pro Bono Award at the
AIPLA annual conference in Washington D.C.
The recognition is sponsored by the AIPLA Pro Bono Committee and is given to select AIPLA members who have contributed at least 50 hours to the USPTO Pro Bono Program. While Stewart was highlighted as an AIPLA member, he acknowledges the tremendous efforts of Fishman Stewart colleagues and peer firms who provide pro bono services through a joint program with the USPTO’s Detroit office and the State Bar of Michigan’s Patent Pro Bono Project. The project provides free legal assistance with the patent application process to low-income, independent inventors and small businesses.
“I view this award as a celebration of the collective efforts of attorneys at Fishman Stewart and other Michigan-based IP law firms who are dedicated to the Michigan Pro Bono Project. Every hour adds up in assisting the creative efforts of inventors who might not otherwise have access to legal representation to file a patent that protects their intellectual property,” Stewart said. “It must also be noted that the State Bar of Michigan does an outstanding job managing the program. I believe it is the gold standard of pro bono patent programs nationwide.”
Stewart was instrumental in promoting the initial World IP Day programs throughout the United States, working in tandem with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the USPTO. World IP Day has been celebrated every year on April 26 since 2016. Stewart also played a key role in the establishment of the Public Educucation Committee within the AIPLA. More recently, he has been involved with the Engineering Society of Detroit’s annual writing contest for aspiring engineers, which Fishman Stewart sponsors.
• • •
Foley & Lardner LLP is pleased to announce that Daljit Doogal has been re-elected to serve as chairman and CEO for a second four-year term beginning May 1, 2026, upon expiration of his current term and effective through April 30, 2030.
“Foley’s culture revolves around people – our own personnel, our clients, and our communities. It’s a privilege to lead this great firm and see it excel as we continue to drive our strategic plan forward,” said Doogal. “Credit for Foley’s
accomplishments is all owed to our talented attorneys and business professionals who routinely deliver innovative and impactful solutions to our clients. We are operating from a position of strength and aggressively growing our footprint, but
our culture remains the cornerstone of everything we do.”
Since Doogal’s first term began, Foley has promoted 63 lawyers to partnership and welcomed nearly 530 attorneys – including 70 lateral partners and 278 new associates and law graduates – adding more scale and greater bench strength across Foley’s key sectors, including energy and infrastructure, health care and life sciences, innovative technology, and manufacturing.
“We’ve seen a significant surge in demand for our services in all of these sectors indicating a clear signal that our strategy is succeeding,” said Doogal. “By scaling our operations and deepening our bench, we are better equipped than ever to deliver holistic client service. We are deeply committed to continuing this growth to further strengthen our firm and the value we provide to our clients.
“This is a remarkable period for Foley. We are advancing our goals around our clients, our people, innovation, and investment in our sectors,” said Doogal. “As we develop the firm’s next strategic plan to be introduced next summer, these goals will not change. We will continue to focus on smart and strategic growth, deepening our culture of service excellence and cross-servicing clients, and accelerating our investment in AI and technology.”
• • •
Taft Detroit partner-in-charge Mark Cooper has been named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2025 Managing Partners Spotlight.
Cooper is partner-in-charge of Taft Detroit, responsible for the strategic direction for the firm’s Southfield and Detroit offices. He counsels a diverse set of clients nationwide on a variety of matters, including risk management, commercial disputes, real estate litigation, business torts and construction and contract disputes, and all aspects of insurance, from both a legal and business perspective.
