Butzel Long
Butzel President and CEO Paul M. Mersino has been appointed to the Board of Trustees for Troy-based Walsh College.
Mersino was recently named to Crain’s Detroit Business’ new “Who’s Who – The Most Influential People in Southeast Michigan.” He also was named to Crain’s Detroit Business magazine’s 2021 Class of “40 Under 40” list.
Mersino was named to DBusiness magazine’s Detroit 500 – 2025 list of the Most Powerful Business Leaders in Metro Detroit, for the third straight year.
He has been recognized as a Top Lawyer by DBusiness magazine, as a Michigan Super Lawyer, as one of Oakland County’s Elite 40 under 40, and as an “Up and Coming Lawyer” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Mersino was appointed Butzel president and CEO in March 2023. He is responsible for the operations and management of the 150+ attorney firm, including budgeting, setting strategic goals, and more. Mersino was elected to the firm’s Board of Directors in 2020.
He represents public and private companies, in a number of areas including complex commercial litigation, contract disputes, non-compete and trade secret disputes, automotive supplier disputes, construction litigation, and First Amendment litigation. Mersino has seen a number of successes in trials and cases across the country, having obtained jury verdicts, summary judgment rulings, dismissal of cases against his clients, and settlements favorable to his clients in state and federal courts throughout the nation.
Mersino also represents and advises a number of startup companies, assisting them with their legal needs and matching them with potential venture capital funding. He handles appeals in the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court, and in federal courts across the country.
Mersino formerly served as Butzel’s Litigation Practice Department chair. He was responsible for the management and oversight of the firm’s Commercial Litigation attorneys who reported to him as well as their strategic goals, budgeting, forecasting, and direction of the practice group. Mersino also has served as trustee of the Butzel Charitable Trust.
He has served on the Board of Directors of the Detroit Bar Association and as an advisor to the Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s Litigation Advisory Board.
Mersino is a 2008 graduate of Ave Maria School of Law. He earned an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Northwood University (B.A., 2005).
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Dickinson Wright PLLC
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce the election of two new member attorneys in the firm’s Detroit and Troy offices, effective January 1.
Kaitlyn Elias is a member in the firm’s Troy office. She focuses her practice on commercial litigation and real estate matters. She regularly assists developers with permitting utility-scale renewable energy projects, landlords with evictions, lease terminations and negotiations, and lenders with foreclosures, receiverships, and other litigation matters.
Elias is a member of the Oakland County Bar Association and is also a certified mediator. She is recognized as a leader in her field by Michigan Super Lawyers “Rising Stars,” Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch,” and DBusiness Top Lawyers.
Elias received her B.A. from Western Michigan University and her law degree from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.
Rebecca Papi is a member in the firm’s Detroit office. Her practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, general corporate matters, and corporate formation and governance. She also advises on commercial banking and finance transactions, including representing lenders and borrowers in secured and unsecured financings, acquisition financings, and complex credit facilities. She has been recognized as a leader in her field by Michigan Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star.”
Papi received her B.S.from Central Michigan University and her law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.
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Clark Hill PLC
Clark Hill recently announced that longtime Executive Committee member and litigation practice leader Linda Watson has moved into the newly created chief growth officer position, effective January 1. Watson is specifically tasked with charting a strategic path for sustainable revenue and profitability growth, attraction and retention of outstanding professional talent, and advisement for technological enhancements.
“Operationally, this really is a collaborative role that touches on every aspect of the firm. I look forward to using my institutional knowledge of Clark Hill, and the skill sets I’ve developed as a leader and strategic advisor, to make a material impact on the future of the firm as the CGO.” Watson said.
The chief growth officer position has grown in popularity at law firms as the competitive market changes. The convergence of industry consolidation, increased sophistication of in-house legal departments, and the rise of alternative legal service providers motivated Clark Hill to identify a leader to work hand-in-glove with the firm’s chief executive officer, John Hensien, to identify potential revenue channels, create operational efficiencies and strengthen talent retention and training practices.
Watson, who joined Clark Hill in 2007, previously co-led the firm’s Litigation Business Unit. She will continue to lead the firm’s Automotive and Manufacturing industry group. Watson also served multiple terms on the firm’s Executive Committee.
As a practicing litigator, Watson has been named a “Top” and “Notable” lawyer by leading Michigan area publications for multiple years. She attended Stanford University’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate Program sponsored by the School of Engineering and she is a graduate of the Northwestern University Leading Diversity Equity and Inclusion Certification Program, earning her certification to lead DEI in 2020.
In addition, Watson is a graduate of the National Trial Institute for Trial Advocacy. Watson earned her undergraduate degree at Oakland University and her law degree at Michigan State University College of Law.
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Maddin, Hauser, Roth, & Heller PC
Shareholder Ron Sollish has been elected president and chief executive officer of Maddin Hauser effective January 1. A longstanding executive committee member and part of the firm’s leadership team since 2014, Sollish most recently served as the firm’s vice president. He was elected vice president in December 2019, officially assuming the role in 2020.
As president, Sollish will oversee the firm’s strategic direction, operations, and long-term growth, while upholding the firm’s commitment to client service and professional excellence.
Sollish takes over from Steven D. Sallen, who was president and CEO for 15 years after succeeding Michael Maddin in 2010. Sallen was elected president in December 2009 and successfully led the firm through some of its most challenging years, including economic downturns and the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, Maddin Hauser enhanced its reputation as a premier, mid-sized law firm, enjoyed significant growth in number of attorneys, practice areas, and revenues, and, after almost forty years in the same location, recently relocated to its new modern offices at One Towne Square in Southfield.
Sollish chairs the firm’s Corporate and Business and Employment and Workforce Management groups. His practice specializes in employment, real estate, partnership, finance, corporate, and business law. He has led the Employment Law Symposium and Breakfast Bites®: Employment Law Series for many years, drawing business owners and human resources professionals from across the region.
“I am deeply honored to lead Maddin Hauser,” said Sollish. “We are incredibly fortunate to have such a talented group of attorneys and professional staff. Steve was an outstanding president, CEO, and leader. I look forward to building on our firm’s strong foundation, growing meaningfully, and continuing to deliver outstanding results for our clients.”
Michigan Lawyers Weekly has twice named Sollish a Go To Lawyer for Employment Law and inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2022.
Maddin Hauser is also pleased to announce that Tanya E.J. Lundberg has been elevated to chief administrative officer. Lundberg joined the firm in 2022 as the associate office administrator. She assumed her new role on January 1.
Lundberg manages human resources, benefits, payroll, new employee onboarding, information technology, finance and accounting, and facilities management. With an eye toward the firm’s growth, she has also expanded the firm’s recruiting efforts and continually enhances professional development opportunities. Alongside Steve Sallen and Ron Sollish, Lundberg led the firm’s office move in 2024.
Passionate about giving back to the Detroit legal community, Lundberg serves on the board of directors of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan and is a past president of the Women’s Bar Association.
Lundberg joined Maddin Hauser from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, where she was the assistant dean of Career Services and Outreach. She graduated from Wayne State University School of Law in 2007 and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 2003.
In addition, Maddin Hauser is pleased to announce that Michael J. Hamblin, Carly R. Kolo, and Mariel G. Newhouse have been elevated to shareholders. The three became shareholders effective January 1.
Hamblin is a litigator in the firm’s complex litigation and risk advisory group, with a background in handling commercial and real estate disputes, as well as other contested matters. His practice is comprised of business litigation, non-compete agreement matters, partnership/shareholder disputes, minority shareholder oppression cases, Michigan sales commission disputes, breach of contract litigation, real estate disputes, and trusts and estates litigation. Hamblin has appeared in state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He earned his law degree at Wayne State University Law School.
A member of the firm’s estate planning and probate group, Kolo guides individuals and families through the sensitive yet critical conversations involved in preparing and implementing comprehensive estate plans, as well as the complexities of administering estates and trusts. Her clients range from high-net-worth individuals and those with more modest estates to business owners and blended families, as well as couples just starting their life journeys together and those approaching their golden years. Kolo earned her law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.
As part of the firm’s employment and workforce management practice group, Newhouse focuses her practice on helping employers prevent and resolve costly and disruptive employment law claims. She works with employers and their management and human resources professionals to develop and implement compliant hiring and employment policies and training programs, draft employee handbooks, prepare employment agreements, and respond to administrative actions and investigations, including matters before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and state-level equivalents. Newhouse earned her law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.
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Zausmer, P.C.
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield recently appointed more than 50 civic and business leaders to 18 policy committees called Rise Higher Detroit.
Among the appointees, Zausmer Shareholder Cinnamon Plonka was appointed to co-chair the Law & Civil Rights Committee. This committee is tasked with advising the mayor on legal matters impacting the city, evaluating the city’s civil rights and inclusion infrastructure, and developing best practices to ensure all city policies align with federal, state, and local law.
A lifelong Detroiter, Plonka attended school in the city and bought her first home there. She says that partnering with Sheffield in this way is an opportunity to take Detroit to an even greater level. “Mayor Sheffield has a special gift for connecting with the community and a clear focus on making sure Detroiters have real access to justice.”
The Law & Civil Rights Committee will address emerging legal issues that directly affect residents, including immigration enforcement, the legal implications of a National Guard presence, housing rights, and public safety. “Part of our work is bringing to life legal protections that already exist but may not be widely understood,” says Plonka. “We want every Detroiter to know how the law can serve them.”
The Rise Higher initiative is built on the idea that meaningful progress comes from shared responsibility. Plonka notes that her committee will advise, educate, and participate in shaping policy and informing public understanding. They will be present in meetings, at events, and in the city government. “We’re here to support this vision for as long as the mayor needs us.”
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Kitch Attorneys & Counselors
Kitch Attorneys & Counselors is proud to recognize the dedication and talent of its attorneys by announcing the following promotions:
—Principals
Justin Rostker, Detroit
Paul Wilk, Detroit
—Senior Associates
Jennifer Barie, Mt. Clemens
Claire Hockradel, Detroit
Brenden McKee, Mt. Clemens
Westley Taylor, Mt. Clemens
Samantha Torongeau, Mt. Clemens
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Harness IP
Detroit-based Harness IP Principal Bob Siminski has been nominated to serve as vice chair of both the Asian Practice Committee and the Wellness Committee of the International Patent Owners Association (IPO) for the 2026 term.
Siminski advises clients on intellectual property strategy with a focus on helping businesses protect, manage, and commercialize their innovations in both domestic and international markets. His practice involves counseling companies navigating cross-border IP considerations, portfolio development, and risk management—particularly as businesses expand into Asia and other global markets.
In addition, Detroit-based Harness IP associate April Minarik has been recognized as an INTA Rising Star.
Minarik focuses her practice on trademark and brand protection matters, advising clients on trademark prosecution, portfolio management, and enforcement strategies. Her work supports businesses across a range of industries as they develop, protect, and maintain their brands in the United States and internationally.
As part of this recognition, Minarik has been invited to engage with INTA leadership and fellow Rising Stars and will be honored at the Rising Star Reception during the 2026 INTA Annual Meeting in London.
