Butzel continues to expand its Intellectual Property (IP) Practice Department with the addition of attorney and shareholder Gregory L. Ozga. He is a registered patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
For more than 20 years, Ozga has helped domestic and international clients, in a variety of industries, navigate numerous IP issues. His practice encompasses the full lifecycle inherent to IP, including brand development, global IP prosecution, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, joint development agreements, patent and trademark validity and infringement opinions, prosecution, and litigation.
Ozga is known for reducing IP risks and strengthening protection of stakeholders’ innovations and brands. He has prepared and prosecuted hundreds of patent and trademark applications across various industries.
His experience includes collaborating with businesses at all levels to identify and establish new products and brands for monetization. Ozga assesses client products and services to identify trade secrets, patents, trademarks, and copyrights and then works with the client to develop groups of IP that will meet their long-term goals. His specific areas of experience include a variety of sectors: automotive, robotics, medical, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI), clothing/fashion brands, cannabis, and food industries.
Ozga’s experience in brand development and enforcement further include trademark and copyright law matters encompassing the evaluation and filing of trademark and copyright registrations, management of trademark portfolios, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) proceedings, investigation and response to infringement claims, and issuing online takedown notices, cease-and-desist letters, and filing trademark complaints with a variety of major online platforms.
Ozga litigates matters involving intellectual property infringement. He has represented appellants and appellees in matters pending before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the United States District Court for the Sixth Circuit. He also has represented clients before the United States Patent Trial and Appeal Board.
He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan – IP Law Section, Michigan IP Law Association (MIPLA), and the American Bar Association.
Ozga earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Albion College and a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.
In addition, Butzel is pleased to announce that attorney and shareholder Blaine Veldhuis is one of 27 attorneys named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Go To Lawyers for Employment Law” 2025.
For more than a decade, Veldhuis has guided employers through complex workplace challenges and litigation. Veldhuis advises on employee relations, disciplinary matters, and compliance with federal and state employment laws. He also helps businesses craft policies that minimize legal risks and foster a compliant workplace.
Veldhuis focuses on defending employers against wage and hour, discrimination, sexual harassment, failure to accommodate, and whistleblower claims, as well as handling commercial and general employment litigation. He provides counsel on employee relations, disciplinary actions, and discharge matters, while also assisting in drafting employment policies. Additionally, he has experience in defending complex Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) litigation, including single-plaintiff ERISA cases.
Veldhuis has experience representing defendants and respondents in response to administrative complaints and administrative and governmental investigations including U.S. Department of Labor and Michigan Wage and Hour Division audits, and investigations conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Michigan Department of Civil Rights, National Labor Relations Board, and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Veldhuis earned his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and his B.A. in Criminology from Central Connecticut State University.
• • •
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP has welcomed several new attorneys to the firm’s Detroit office: Cade M. Bunton, Harsh D. Patel, John H. Schulte, and Alexis N. Tillery. They are gaining experience in a variety of legal matters before selecting a practice group.
Bunton received his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. He earend a bachelor’s degree in management from Western Michigan University. Prior to joining Warner, he served as a judicial intern for U.S. District Court Jonathan J.C. Grey, Eastern District of Michigan.
Patel received his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. He earend a bachelor’s degree in biopsychology, cognition and neuroscience from the University of Michigan. Before joining Warner, he served as a law clerk at Credit Acceptance in Southfield and as a legal workflow specialist at a financial services company in Troy.
Schulte received his law degree from MSU College of Law. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Baldwin Wallace University. Before joining Warner, he worked as a technology commercialization intern at MSU Innovation Center and as a scientific intern at the Gilbert Family Foundation. Schulte is a registered patent attorney.
Tillery received her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She earned a master’s degree in social work from Wayne State University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Albion College. Before joining Warner, Tillery was a judicial intern at the Oakland County Circuit Court Family Division and a law clerk in the Office of Legal Counsel for the governor of Michigan. She was also a judicial extern for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Tillery also worked as a clinical therapist for Great Lakes Psychology Group in Southfield.
• • •
McKeen & Associates is pleased to announce the hiring of four new associates: John Carley, Angela Hammoud, Rachel Jump, and Ian Wendrow.
Following tenures as law clerks for the firm, Carley, Jump, and Wendrow passed the bar examination and transitioned to licensed attorneys. During their time as clerks, all three gained experience working on complex medical malpractice matters.
Hammoud, an attorney specializing in medical malpractice litigation, brings insight that strengthens the firm’s ability to handle high-stakes, complex cases. As an Arabic speaker, she enhances the firm’s capability to continue its service to a diverse range of clients.
• • •
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced appointments to the following boards and commissions:
—Workers’ Compensation Board of Magistrates
Sean Shearer is a partner and attorney at Charters, Tyler, Zack, & Shearer PC. Shearer earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and economics from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a law degree from Detroit College of Law. Shearer is appointed for a term commencing February 2, 2026, and expiring January 26, 2029. He succeeds Lenny Segel, who has passed.
The Workers’ Compensation Board of Magistrates has been established as an autonomous entity within the Workers’ Disability Compensation Agency per Executive Order No. 2019-13. Only workers’ compensation magistrates can hear cases for which an application for hearing has been filed with the Workers’ Disability Compensation Agency. The Board of Magistrates currently consists of 14 members appointed by the governor. All members of the board shall be members in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan and have been an attorney licensed to practice in the courts of this state for 5 years or more.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
—Michigan State Transportation Commission
John Peracchio is a managing member of Peracchio & Company LLC, the regional director of the Naval War College Foundation for Michigan and the Great Lakes, and a board member for Feonix, a mobility network for underserved communities. Peracchio is also a member of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, the International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association, and the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council. Peracchio earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and history from Brown University and a law degree from Columbia Law School. Peracchio is appointed for a term commencing February 2, 2026,?and expiring December 21, 2028. He succeeds Rhonda Welburn, whose term has expired.
The Michigan State Transportation Commission establishes policy for the Michigan Department of Transportation in relation to transportation programs and facilities and other such works as related to transportation development, as provided by law. Responsibilities of the Commission include the development and implementation of comprehensive transportation plans for the entire state, including aeronautics, bus and rail transit, providing professional and technical assistance, and overseeing the administration of state and federal funds allocated for these programs.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
—MEDC Executive Committee
Amanda Pontes is the general counsel and corporate secretary for Lear Corporation. Prior to joining Lear, Pontes was a partner at Bodman PLC where she specialized in business law, mergers and acquisitions, and automotive industry matters. During her time at Lear, Pontes has held a variety of leadership positions across the organization, including global divisional counsel, chief compliance officer, and deputy general counsel. Pontes earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and English from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. Pontes is appointed to represent business for a term commencing February 2, 2026, and expiring April 5, 2027. She succeeds Gina Thorsen, who has resigned.
The MEDC Executive Committee provides policy direction and guidance to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation regarding economic development program and initiatives, approves the MEDC corporate budget, and appoints the chief executive officer who administers all programs, funds, personnel, and all other administrative transactions of the MEDC. The MEDC Executive Committee assists the MEDC through governance, support to enable results-based action and advocacy for the organization and economic development in Michigan.
This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
• • •
Plunkett Cooney partner Frank T. Mamat recently joined National Arbitration and Mediation (NAM) as a hearing officer.
NAM is one of the nation’s full-service providers of Alternative Dispute Resolution services and as a member of their panel, Mamat will be available to arbitrate and mediate cases throughout Michigan.
A partner of Plunkett Cooney, Mamat utilizes his more than 50 years of experience to help companies, contractors, employers, lawmakers, and trade associations resolve union matters. His expertise includes contract negotiations, elections, union avoidance and labor arbitrations. He also advises clients on noncompete agreements, unfair labor practice litigation, harassment suits, wage and hour issues, OSHA-MIOSHA safety matters, and entertainment law. He is also a registered lobbyist.
In addition, Mamat’s experience includes the resolution of National Labor Relations Board matters, attempted union organization, mass picketing and violence, and secondary boycotts and pressure. His clients also rely on his counsel and advice on ERISA trust funds and related fiduciary liabilities.
Mamat has been honored by several other media and peer review platforms, including Best Lawyers in America, Michigan Super Lawyers, DBusiness magazine’s Top Lawyers, the Labor Relations Institute, American Lawyer magazine and the American Registry, as well as to the 2025 class of Go To Lawyers in employment law as determined by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Mamat received his undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester in 1971 and his law degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1974.
Plunkett is also pleased to announce that associate attorney Danielle Chidiac was recently named to the 2026 Class of Up & Coming Lawyers by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Chidiac, along with 23 other Michigan attorneys, will be honored at a recognition luncheon on March 27 at The Mint at Michigan First Conference Center in Lathrup Village.
A member of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, Chidiac practices primarily in the area of insurance coverage, representing leading property and casualty insurance companies in coverage cases throughout the Midwest. Her work as a member of the firm’s Insurance Coverage Practice Group includes the handling of complex coverage issues, including insurance coverage for underlying environmental contamination, construction defect and product liability claims. She also has experience in resolving extra-contractual claims on behalf of insurance providers.
In addition to the MiLW honor, Chidiac, who is a co-leader of Plunkett Cooney’s Associate Development Committee, was named to the Lawyers of Color’s DEI Hot List in 2023.
Chidiac received her law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 2020 and her undergraduate degree from Oakland University in 2017.
• • •
Honigman LLP recently announced that Jonathan Schwartz joined the firm’s Litigation Department and Supply Chain and Commercial Transactions Practice Group in its Detroit office.
Schwartz’s practice spans high-stakes commercial litigation, supply chain and complex contract matters, and media and entertainment disputes and transactions. He represents clients in state and federal courts across the United States and advises on sensitive, business-critical matters where operational continuity, reputation, intellectual property, and constitutional interests may be at risk.
Schwartz litigates and resolves complex disputes involving commercial contracts, employment and restrictive covenants, trade secrets and confidential information, real estate and property claims, business breakups, and related business torts. He is also trusted to draft, negotiate, and enforce sophisticated agreements in support of business formation, growth, strategic partnerships, acquisitions, and asset sales, bringing a practical, litigation-informed approach to risk allocation and deal execution.
Schwartz earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School and his B.A. from the University of Michigan.
Honigman also announced that Jacob “Jake” Rambeau joined the firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation Practice Group of the firm’s Intellectual Property Department in its Bloomfield Hills office.
Rambeau’s hire marks the second Kirkland & Ellis litigator and the sixth partner to join Honigman this year.
Rambeau is a trial-tested litigator that guides clients big and small through complex intellectual property and commercial litigation, with a focus on patent infringement, trade-secret misappropriation, and contract disputes. He practices in courts and agencies nationwide, including federal district courts, the United States International Trade Commission (USITC), the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Rambeau has experience across all phases of litigation involving a range of technologies, including in the automotive, electronics, wireless communications, software, medical device, industrial equipment, and consumer products industries. He also brings trial experience, having served on nearly a dozen trial teams in federal courts and the ITC and obtained complete wins for plaintiffs and defendants alike.
Rambeau earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.S. from Kettering University.
In addition, Honigman Partner Don Kunz was recently recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly in its 2026 Hall of Fame class.
Kunz concentrates his practice on corporate finance and governance matters, with a particular emphasis on representing publicly traded companies. He advises clients on capital raising, including acquisitions and dispositions, IPOs, and follow-on offerings; corporate governance issues, including counseling boards of directors, board committees, and officers on executive compensation planning and wide-ranging day-to-day issues; and public-company reporting and disclosure matters.
• • •
The State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners appointed Moheeb H. Murray to fill a vacancy on the Board January 23. Murray will represent District I, which covers Oakland County. His term continues through 2027.
A graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, Murray is a litigation attorney at Bush Seyferth PLLC in Troy, and represents clients in complex commercial disputes, tort defense cases, insurance coverage matters, and construction litigation.
He is a member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association, Michigan Muslim Bar Association, National Arab American Bar Association, and the Oakland County Bar Association.
He is also a fellow with the Michigan State Bar Foundation and Oakland County Bar Foundation, which awarded him the Distinguished Service Award in 2017 and Committee of the Year Award in 2023.
In addition, he is an emeritus board of member for Zaman International, a non-profit organization that provides food, clothing, services, and vocational training for marginalized women in southeast Michigan. He was also a long-time board member of The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding.
• • •
Foley, Baron, Metzger, & Juip PLLC congratulates Matt McCann on his selection as co-editor of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel Quarterly. McCann will serve alongside Samantha Orvis of Secrest
Wardle in this leadership role with the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel.
The Michigan Defense Quarterly is distributed to justices, Court of Appeals judges, and trial judges throughout Michigan and provides insight on developments impacting the defense bar.
McCann is an associate principal with FBMJ. He has experience leading the research, investigation, and litigation of complex commercial, administrative, civil rights and white-collar criminal proceedings.
His career before joining FBMJ spanned many years at firms in the New York City metropolitan area where he litigated against the New York City Department of Education in both administrative and
federal proceedings to ensure the implementation of a free appropriate public education for students with special needs in all five boroughs of New York City.
• • •
Dobrusin IP Law is proud to announce that attorneys Erin Klug and Rebecca Wilson have again been recognized in the WTR 1000 by the World Trademark Review for 2026. The two earned the Gold designation for another year—an honor held by only seven individuals in Michigan. Alongside their individual honors, the firm has been awarded the Silver designation by WTR.
Klug, an intellectual property attorney, represents clients spanning industries such as cannabis, automotive, and real estate.
Wilson’s practice focuses on trademarks and copyrights for diverse clients, including fashion brands, craft breweries, and medical device companies.
• • •
Kemp Klein Law Firm is proud to announce that Ralph A. Castelli has been named to the 2026 Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame. An induction event will take place on Friday, March 27, at The Mint at Michigan First Conference Center in Lathrup Village.
Castelli’s legal practice has spanned decades and involves a range of business matters, including business planning and structuring, exit planning, shareholder and partner separations, and the full spectrum of real estate and business transactions.
In addition to his legal practice, Castelli served as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Kemp Klein Law Firm for 26 years, playing a central role in guiding the firm through significant growth while reinforcing a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and integrity.
Castelli is also a board member and former president of the Kemp Klein Foundation, which sponsors Common Ground and supports numerous local and national charitable causes, reflecting his long-standing commitment to community service.
• • •
Reising PC is pleased to announce that President Rick Hoffmann has become a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America
Hoffmann has experience in IP litigation and has litigated IP disputes at every court level from state district court through the U.S. Supreme Court. He has also litigated cases at the International Trade Commission, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
Hoffmann is a coauthor of the seventh edition of the textbook “Cases and Materials on Patent Law: Including Trade Secrets,” published by West Academic. He also is an adjunct faculty member at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law teaching Patent Law.
Hoffmann received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and his law degree from the Detroit College of Law (now Michigan State University College of Law). He has also served as president of the Saginaw Valley Patent Law Association and as a council member to the Intellectual Property Law section of the State Bar of Michigan.
• • •
Varnum partner Jacob Whately has been recognized as an Up & Coming Lawyer by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Whately and other Up & Coming honorees will be recognized at a luncheon on March 27.
Whately is a member of Varnum’s Business and Corporate Practice Team. With a focus on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), he counsels both buyers and sellers on transactions of all sizes. His practice also covers a full range of general corporate work across diverse industries.
Whately is also a member of Varnum’s Venture Capital and Emerging Companies Practice Team and an active participant in Varnum’s MiSpringboard program, a firm initiative that helps remove barriers to starting a business by providing free legal services to startups.
Beyond his legal practice, Whately serves on Varnum’s Associate Recruiting Committee and participates in the firm’s law student outreach activity. He is also active in the Detroit Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth and helps coordinate Varnum’s support for local investor groups.
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Aleanna Siacon (associate, Troy) has been named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2026 Up and Coming Lawyers.
“I am honored to be selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a member of their 2026 Up and Coming Lawyer Class. This list is filled with such talented and accomplished attorneys, and it’s a privilege to be included among their ranks,” Siacon said.
Siacon focuses her practice on commercial litigation and works on a variety of complex business disputes. She has a passion for civil litigation and all its intricacies and has experience defending and counseling companies, municipalities, and school districts in a wide array of legal matters from investigation to matter resolution. She is recognized as a leader in her field by Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch.”
Siacon is vice president and former treasurer of the Michigan Asian Pacific American Bar Association and in 2025 was appointed to the State Bar of Michigan’s Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee. She is a Fellow of the Oakland County Bar Foundation and a member of Federal Bar Association – Eastern District of Michigan Chapter.
Siacon received her B.A. from Wayne State University and her law degree from Wayne State University Law School.
• • •
Dykema recently announced that Michael P. Cooney was selected as an inductee to the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame.
Trained as an engineer and seasoned in intellectual property and product liability litigation, Cooney is known for his ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, persuasive courtroom presentations. His trial record includes defense verdicts in numerous high-stakes cases across the country, frequently in jurisdictions viewed as difficult for corporate defendants. His experience spans industries including automotive, medical devices, recreational vehicles, industrial equipment, consumer products, and emerging technologies.
In addition to his trial practice, Cooney has played a leadership role within Dykema for more than a decade as director of the firm’s 200-plus-attorney Litigation Department, following earlier service as leader of the firm’s Product Liability Practice Group.
Cooney is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He has also served in leadership roles with the State Bar of Michigan, including on the Litigation Section Council, as programs chair, and on the Character and Fitness Committee, as well as with the Detroit Bar Association’s Litigation Section.
Cooney earned a law degree and a B.S.M.E. from the University of Notre Dame.
Dykema also announced that Andrew VanEgmond was selected for Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Up & Coming Lawyers” Class of 2026.
VanEgmond maintains a litigation practice focused on automotive class actions and healthcare litigation, including False Claims Act matters. In addition to his litigation practice, he created and scaled a special education pro bono program addressing suspensions and expulsions of students with disabilities, in partnership with the Student Advocacy Center of Michigan. Working with the firm’s pro bono
leadership, he designed a training and supervision model that enables attorneys across the firm and in-house counsel partners to handle special education due process matters.
VanEgmond earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.A. from Michigan State University.
• • •
Taft Detroit welcomes associates David Grisa and Carla Valdes to the firm’s Detroit office.
Grisa joins Taft as an associate with a focus on complex private client matters relating to probate administration, trust administration, guardianships, and conservatorships. He is experienced in negotiating with opposing counsel to facilitate resolutions that end in obtaining favorable settlements for his clients.
Valdes joins Taft as an associate with a focus on complex environmental and eminent domain matters. With a foundation in geology and years of experience in environmental research and enforcement, Valdes brings a unique perspective to her legal practice. After earning a master’s degree in geology from the University of Utah, she worked on high-impact environmental projects, including mercury contamination in the Great Salt Lake and groundwater contamination plumes. Her tenure at the EPA honed her skills in compliance enforcement and policy analysis, which now inform her strategic approach to litigation and client advocacy.
In addition, Taft Partner Rick Kruger spoke at the State Bar of Michigan Debtor/Creditor Rights Committee meeting on Jan. 29. He was part of a panel discussion, “Beneath the Hood: Automotive Distress and Contract Disputes.” The discussion was moderated by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Lisa Gretchko, Eastern District of Michigan.
Kruger is a member of Taft’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring and Real Estate Finance practice groups, as well as a member of the Automotive industry group. He has a national practice focusing on both transactional and litigation aspects of bankruptcy law, debtor and creditor rights, workouts, corporate, and financing transactions.
Kruger’s client representations include original equipment manufacturers, borrowers, debtors, secured parties, landlords, purchasers, sellers, receivers, avoidance defendants, and unsecured creditors’ committees. His strategy and expertise span across a diverse list of industries, with a focus on Automotive and business sectors, providing creative solutions in all facets of these complex transactions
• • •
Giarmarco, Mullins, & Horton PC in pleased to congratulate attorney Lindsay Hazen who has been recognized as an “Up & Coming Lawyer” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. She will be honored on March 27 along with other members of the Michigan legal community.
Hazen is an attorney in the firm’s Education Law Group. She represents public school districts in matters of employment discrimination, constitutional litigation, general education, special education, student discipline and due process, peer-on-peer harassment, and more. Additionally, Hazen has experience in counseling and advising clients on their bargaining agreements, employment agreements, employment policies, employee issues, disciplinary actions, and compliance with laws such as FMLA, ADA, Title IX, FOIA, and the Open Meetings Act.
Hazen earned her law degree from Wayne State University Law School. Prior to entering law school, she was a paralegal for the Department of Justice.
• • •
Abdulai Rashid, an associate at Brooks Kushman, has been named a 2026 LCLD Pathfinder. The LCLD Pathfinder Program provides high-potential, early-career attorneys with the opportunity to learn from top leaders in the legal profession while gaining foundational leadership skills and relationship-building resources.
Abdulai focuses on patent prosecution and litigation in the biomedical and automotive industries, while also assisting clients with trademark matters and supporting early-stage innovators in developing protectable ideas. He gained experience in dispute resolution as the founder of Penn State Law’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, coordinating student teams in negotiation and mediation competitions. He also worked in the Penn State Law IP Clinic, helping entrepreneurs connect with counsel and resources.
In addition, Bryan Hart, an associate at Brooks Kushman, has been named a 2026 LCLD Fellow. The LCLD Fellows Program offers high-potential, mid-career attorneys at LCLD Member organizations the opportunity to develop leadership skills and build meaningful relationships within the legal profession.
• • •
Harness IP is proud to announce its continued recognition in the WTR 1000 – World Trademark Review’s 2026 ranking.
In Michigan, Harness IP earned a Bronze ranking, with WTR noting the firm’s experience and reputation in helping clients to enhance their intellectual property assets.
WTR also highlighted Lisa DuRoss as a Silver Ranked Individual. DuRoss, based in the Detroit Metro office, is recognized as a brand management trusted advisor who provides innovative, strategic counsel to clients across the United States and around the world.
For more than 20 years, Ozga has helped domestic and international clients, in a variety of industries, navigate numerous IP issues. His practice encompasses the full lifecycle inherent to IP, including brand development, global IP prosecution, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, joint development agreements, patent and trademark validity and infringement opinions, prosecution, and litigation.
Ozga is known for reducing IP risks and strengthening protection of stakeholders’ innovations and brands. He has prepared and prosecuted hundreds of patent and trademark applications across various industries.
His experience includes collaborating with businesses at all levels to identify and establish new products and brands for monetization. Ozga assesses client products and services to identify trade secrets, patents, trademarks, and copyrights and then works with the client to develop groups of IP that will meet their long-term goals. His specific areas of experience include a variety of sectors: automotive, robotics, medical, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI), clothing/fashion brands, cannabis, and food industries.
Ozga’s experience in brand development and enforcement further include trademark and copyright law matters encompassing the evaluation and filing of trademark and copyright registrations, management of trademark portfolios, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) proceedings, investigation and response to infringement claims, and issuing online takedown notices, cease-and-desist letters, and filing trademark complaints with a variety of major online platforms.
Ozga litigates matters involving intellectual property infringement. He has represented appellants and appellees in matters pending before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the United States District Court for the Sixth Circuit. He also has represented clients before the United States Patent Trial and Appeal Board.
He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan – IP Law Section, Michigan IP Law Association (MIPLA), and the American Bar Association.
Ozga earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Albion College and a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.
In addition, Butzel is pleased to announce that attorney and shareholder Blaine Veldhuis is one of 27 attorneys named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Go To Lawyers for Employment Law” 2025.
For more than a decade, Veldhuis has guided employers through complex workplace challenges and litigation. Veldhuis advises on employee relations, disciplinary matters, and compliance with federal and state employment laws. He also helps businesses craft policies that minimize legal risks and foster a compliant workplace.
Veldhuis focuses on defending employers against wage and hour, discrimination, sexual harassment, failure to accommodate, and whistleblower claims, as well as handling commercial and general employment litigation. He provides counsel on employee relations, disciplinary actions, and discharge matters, while also assisting in drafting employment policies. Additionally, he has experience in defending complex Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) litigation, including single-plaintiff ERISA cases.
Veldhuis has experience representing defendants and respondents in response to administrative complaints and administrative and governmental investigations including U.S. Department of Labor and Michigan Wage and Hour Division audits, and investigations conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Michigan Department of Civil Rights, National Labor Relations Board, and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Veldhuis earned his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and his B.A. in Criminology from Central Connecticut State University.
• • •
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP has welcomed several new attorneys to the firm’s Detroit office: Cade M. Bunton, Harsh D. Patel, John H. Schulte, and Alexis N. Tillery. They are gaining experience in a variety of legal matters before selecting a practice group.
Bunton received his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. He earend a bachelor’s degree in management from Western Michigan University. Prior to joining Warner, he served as a judicial intern for U.S. District Court Jonathan J.C. Grey, Eastern District of Michigan.
Patel received his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. He earend a bachelor’s degree in biopsychology, cognition and neuroscience from the University of Michigan. Before joining Warner, he served as a law clerk at Credit Acceptance in Southfield and as a legal workflow specialist at a financial services company in Troy.
Schulte received his law degree from MSU College of Law. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Baldwin Wallace University. Before joining Warner, he worked as a technology commercialization intern at MSU Innovation Center and as a scientific intern at the Gilbert Family Foundation. Schulte is a registered patent attorney.
Tillery received her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She earned a master’s degree in social work from Wayne State University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Albion College. Before joining Warner, Tillery was a judicial intern at the Oakland County Circuit Court Family Division and a law clerk in the Office of Legal Counsel for the governor of Michigan. She was also a judicial extern for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Tillery also worked as a clinical therapist for Great Lakes Psychology Group in Southfield.
• • •
McKeen & Associates is pleased to announce the hiring of four new associates: John Carley, Angela Hammoud, Rachel Jump, and Ian Wendrow.
Following tenures as law clerks for the firm, Carley, Jump, and Wendrow passed the bar examination and transitioned to licensed attorneys. During their time as clerks, all three gained experience working on complex medical malpractice matters.
Hammoud, an attorney specializing in medical malpractice litigation, brings insight that strengthens the firm’s ability to handle high-stakes, complex cases. As an Arabic speaker, she enhances the firm’s capability to continue its service to a diverse range of clients.
• • •
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced appointments to the following boards and commissions:
—Workers’ Compensation Board of Magistrates
Sean Shearer is a partner and attorney at Charters, Tyler, Zack, & Shearer PC. Shearer earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and economics from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a law degree from Detroit College of Law. Shearer is appointed for a term commencing February 2, 2026, and expiring January 26, 2029. He succeeds Lenny Segel, who has passed.
The Workers’ Compensation Board of Magistrates has been established as an autonomous entity within the Workers’ Disability Compensation Agency per Executive Order No. 2019-13. Only workers’ compensation magistrates can hear cases for which an application for hearing has been filed with the Workers’ Disability Compensation Agency. The Board of Magistrates currently consists of 14 members appointed by the governor. All members of the board shall be members in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan and have been an attorney licensed to practice in the courts of this state for 5 years or more.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
—Michigan State Transportation Commission
John Peracchio is a managing member of Peracchio & Company LLC, the regional director of the Naval War College Foundation for Michigan and the Great Lakes, and a board member for Feonix, a mobility network for underserved communities. Peracchio is also a member of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, the International Bridge, Tunnel & Turnpike Association, and the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council. Peracchio earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and history from Brown University and a law degree from Columbia Law School. Peracchio is appointed for a term commencing February 2, 2026,?and expiring December 21, 2028. He succeeds Rhonda Welburn, whose term has expired.
The Michigan State Transportation Commission establishes policy for the Michigan Department of Transportation in relation to transportation programs and facilities and other such works as related to transportation development, as provided by law. Responsibilities of the Commission include the development and implementation of comprehensive transportation plans for the entire state, including aeronautics, bus and rail transit, providing professional and technical assistance, and overseeing the administration of state and federal funds allocated for these programs.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
—MEDC Executive Committee
Amanda Pontes is the general counsel and corporate secretary for Lear Corporation. Prior to joining Lear, Pontes was a partner at Bodman PLC where she specialized in business law, mergers and acquisitions, and automotive industry matters. During her time at Lear, Pontes has held a variety of leadership positions across the organization, including global divisional counsel, chief compliance officer, and deputy general counsel. Pontes earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and English from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. Pontes is appointed to represent business for a term commencing February 2, 2026, and expiring April 5, 2027. She succeeds Gina Thorsen, who has resigned.
The MEDC Executive Committee provides policy direction and guidance to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation regarding economic development program and initiatives, approves the MEDC corporate budget, and appoints the chief executive officer who administers all programs, funds, personnel, and all other administrative transactions of the MEDC. The MEDC Executive Committee assists the MEDC through governance, support to enable results-based action and advocacy for the organization and economic development in Michigan.
This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
• • •
Plunkett Cooney partner Frank T. Mamat recently joined National Arbitration and Mediation (NAM) as a hearing officer.
NAM is one of the nation’s full-service providers of Alternative Dispute Resolution services and as a member of their panel, Mamat will be available to arbitrate and mediate cases throughout Michigan.
A partner of Plunkett Cooney, Mamat utilizes his more than 50 years of experience to help companies, contractors, employers, lawmakers, and trade associations resolve union matters. His expertise includes contract negotiations, elections, union avoidance and labor arbitrations. He also advises clients on noncompete agreements, unfair labor practice litigation, harassment suits, wage and hour issues, OSHA-MIOSHA safety matters, and entertainment law. He is also a registered lobbyist.
In addition, Mamat’s experience includes the resolution of National Labor Relations Board matters, attempted union organization, mass picketing and violence, and secondary boycotts and pressure. His clients also rely on his counsel and advice on ERISA trust funds and related fiduciary liabilities.
Mamat has been honored by several other media and peer review platforms, including Best Lawyers in America, Michigan Super Lawyers, DBusiness magazine’s Top Lawyers, the Labor Relations Institute, American Lawyer magazine and the American Registry, as well as to the 2025 class of Go To Lawyers in employment law as determined by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Mamat received his undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester in 1971 and his law degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1974.
Plunkett is also pleased to announce that associate attorney Danielle Chidiac was recently named to the 2026 Class of Up & Coming Lawyers by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Chidiac, along with 23 other Michigan attorneys, will be honored at a recognition luncheon on March 27 at The Mint at Michigan First Conference Center in Lathrup Village.
A member of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, Chidiac practices primarily in the area of insurance coverage, representing leading property and casualty insurance companies in coverage cases throughout the Midwest. Her work as a member of the firm’s Insurance Coverage Practice Group includes the handling of complex coverage issues, including insurance coverage for underlying environmental contamination, construction defect and product liability claims. She also has experience in resolving extra-contractual claims on behalf of insurance providers.
In addition to the MiLW honor, Chidiac, who is a co-leader of Plunkett Cooney’s Associate Development Committee, was named to the Lawyers of Color’s DEI Hot List in 2023.
Chidiac received her law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 2020 and her undergraduate degree from Oakland University in 2017.
• • •
Honigman LLP recently announced that Jonathan Schwartz joined the firm’s Litigation Department and Supply Chain and Commercial Transactions Practice Group in its Detroit office.
Schwartz’s practice spans high-stakes commercial litigation, supply chain and complex contract matters, and media and entertainment disputes and transactions. He represents clients in state and federal courts across the United States and advises on sensitive, business-critical matters where operational continuity, reputation, intellectual property, and constitutional interests may be at risk.
Schwartz litigates and resolves complex disputes involving commercial contracts, employment and restrictive covenants, trade secrets and confidential information, real estate and property claims, business breakups, and related business torts. He is also trusted to draft, negotiate, and enforce sophisticated agreements in support of business formation, growth, strategic partnerships, acquisitions, and asset sales, bringing a practical, litigation-informed approach to risk allocation and deal execution.
Schwartz earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School and his B.A. from the University of Michigan.
Honigman also announced that Jacob “Jake” Rambeau joined the firm’s Intellectual Property Litigation Practice Group of the firm’s Intellectual Property Department in its Bloomfield Hills office.
Rambeau’s hire marks the second Kirkland & Ellis litigator and the sixth partner to join Honigman this year.
Rambeau is a trial-tested litigator that guides clients big and small through complex intellectual property and commercial litigation, with a focus on patent infringement, trade-secret misappropriation, and contract disputes. He practices in courts and agencies nationwide, including federal district courts, the United States International Trade Commission (USITC), the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Rambeau has experience across all phases of litigation involving a range of technologies, including in the automotive, electronics, wireless communications, software, medical device, industrial equipment, and consumer products industries. He also brings trial experience, having served on nearly a dozen trial teams in federal courts and the ITC and obtained complete wins for plaintiffs and defendants alike.
Rambeau earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.S. from Kettering University.
In addition, Honigman Partner Don Kunz was recently recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly in its 2026 Hall of Fame class.
Kunz concentrates his practice on corporate finance and governance matters, with a particular emphasis on representing publicly traded companies. He advises clients on capital raising, including acquisitions and dispositions, IPOs, and follow-on offerings; corporate governance issues, including counseling boards of directors, board committees, and officers on executive compensation planning and wide-ranging day-to-day issues; and public-company reporting and disclosure matters.
• • •
The State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners appointed Moheeb H. Murray to fill a vacancy on the Board January 23. Murray will represent District I, which covers Oakland County. His term continues through 2027.
A graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, Murray is a litigation attorney at Bush Seyferth PLLC in Troy, and represents clients in complex commercial disputes, tort defense cases, insurance coverage matters, and construction litigation.
He is a member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association, Michigan Muslim Bar Association, National Arab American Bar Association, and the Oakland County Bar Association.
He is also a fellow with the Michigan State Bar Foundation and Oakland County Bar Foundation, which awarded him the Distinguished Service Award in 2017 and Committee of the Year Award in 2023.
In addition, he is an emeritus board of member for Zaman International, a non-profit organization that provides food, clothing, services, and vocational training for marginalized women in southeast Michigan. He was also a long-time board member of The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding.
• • •
Foley, Baron, Metzger, & Juip PLLC congratulates Matt McCann on his selection as co-editor of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel Quarterly. McCann will serve alongside Samantha Orvis of Secrest
Wardle in this leadership role with the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel.
The Michigan Defense Quarterly is distributed to justices, Court of Appeals judges, and trial judges throughout Michigan and provides insight on developments impacting the defense bar.
McCann is an associate principal with FBMJ. He has experience leading the research, investigation, and litigation of complex commercial, administrative, civil rights and white-collar criminal proceedings.
His career before joining FBMJ spanned many years at firms in the New York City metropolitan area where he litigated against the New York City Department of Education in both administrative and
federal proceedings to ensure the implementation of a free appropriate public education for students with special needs in all five boroughs of New York City.
• • •
Dobrusin IP Law is proud to announce that attorneys Erin Klug and Rebecca Wilson have again been recognized in the WTR 1000 by the World Trademark Review for 2026. The two earned the Gold designation for another year—an honor held by only seven individuals in Michigan. Alongside their individual honors, the firm has been awarded the Silver designation by WTR.
Klug, an intellectual property attorney, represents clients spanning industries such as cannabis, automotive, and real estate.
Wilson’s practice focuses on trademarks and copyrights for diverse clients, including fashion brands, craft breweries, and medical device companies.
• • •
Kemp Klein Law Firm is proud to announce that Ralph A. Castelli has been named to the 2026 Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame. An induction event will take place on Friday, March 27, at The Mint at Michigan First Conference Center in Lathrup Village.
Castelli’s legal practice has spanned decades and involves a range of business matters, including business planning and structuring, exit planning, shareholder and partner separations, and the full spectrum of real estate and business transactions.
In addition to his legal practice, Castelli served as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Kemp Klein Law Firm for 26 years, playing a central role in guiding the firm through significant growth while reinforcing a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and integrity.
Castelli is also a board member and former president of the Kemp Klein Foundation, which sponsors Common Ground and supports numerous local and national charitable causes, reflecting his long-standing commitment to community service.
• • •
Reising PC is pleased to announce that President Rick Hoffmann has become a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America
Hoffmann has experience in IP litigation and has litigated IP disputes at every court level from state district court through the U.S. Supreme Court. He has also litigated cases at the International Trade Commission, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
Hoffmann is a coauthor of the seventh edition of the textbook “Cases and Materials on Patent Law: Including Trade Secrets,” published by West Academic. He also is an adjunct faculty member at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law teaching Patent Law.
Hoffmann received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and his law degree from the Detroit College of Law (now Michigan State University College of Law). He has also served as president of the Saginaw Valley Patent Law Association and as a council member to the Intellectual Property Law section of the State Bar of Michigan.
• • •
Varnum partner Jacob Whately has been recognized as an Up & Coming Lawyer by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Whately and other Up & Coming honorees will be recognized at a luncheon on March 27.
Whately is a member of Varnum’s Business and Corporate Practice Team. With a focus on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), he counsels both buyers and sellers on transactions of all sizes. His practice also covers a full range of general corporate work across diverse industries.
Whately is also a member of Varnum’s Venture Capital and Emerging Companies Practice Team and an active participant in Varnum’s MiSpringboard program, a firm initiative that helps remove barriers to starting a business by providing free legal services to startups.
Beyond his legal practice, Whately serves on Varnum’s Associate Recruiting Committee and participates in the firm’s law student outreach activity. He is also active in the Detroit Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth and helps coordinate Varnum’s support for local investor groups.
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Aleanna Siacon (associate, Troy) has been named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2026 Up and Coming Lawyers.
“I am honored to be selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a member of their 2026 Up and Coming Lawyer Class. This list is filled with such talented and accomplished attorneys, and it’s a privilege to be included among their ranks,” Siacon said.
Siacon focuses her practice on commercial litigation and works on a variety of complex business disputes. She has a passion for civil litigation and all its intricacies and has experience defending and counseling companies, municipalities, and school districts in a wide array of legal matters from investigation to matter resolution. She is recognized as a leader in her field by Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch.”
Siacon is vice president and former treasurer of the Michigan Asian Pacific American Bar Association and in 2025 was appointed to the State Bar of Michigan’s Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee. She is a Fellow of the Oakland County Bar Foundation and a member of Federal Bar Association – Eastern District of Michigan Chapter.
Siacon received her B.A. from Wayne State University and her law degree from Wayne State University Law School.
• • •
Dykema recently announced that Michael P. Cooney was selected as an inductee to the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame.
Trained as an engineer and seasoned in intellectual property and product liability litigation, Cooney is known for his ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, persuasive courtroom presentations. His trial record includes defense verdicts in numerous high-stakes cases across the country, frequently in jurisdictions viewed as difficult for corporate defendants. His experience spans industries including automotive, medical devices, recreational vehicles, industrial equipment, consumer products, and emerging technologies.
In addition to his trial practice, Cooney has played a leadership role within Dykema for more than a decade as director of the firm’s 200-plus-attorney Litigation Department, following earlier service as leader of the firm’s Product Liability Practice Group.
Cooney is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He has also served in leadership roles with the State Bar of Michigan, including on the Litigation Section Council, as programs chair, and on the Character and Fitness Committee, as well as with the Detroit Bar Association’s Litigation Section.
Cooney earned a law degree and a B.S.M.E. from the University of Notre Dame.
Dykema also announced that Andrew VanEgmond was selected for Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Up & Coming Lawyers” Class of 2026.
VanEgmond maintains a litigation practice focused on automotive class actions and healthcare litigation, including False Claims Act matters. In addition to his litigation practice, he created and scaled a special education pro bono program addressing suspensions and expulsions of students with disabilities, in partnership with the Student Advocacy Center of Michigan. Working with the firm’s pro bono
leadership, he designed a training and supervision model that enables attorneys across the firm and in-house counsel partners to handle special education due process matters.
VanEgmond earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.A. from Michigan State University.
• • •
Taft Detroit welcomes associates David Grisa and Carla Valdes to the firm’s Detroit office.
Grisa joins Taft as an associate with a focus on complex private client matters relating to probate administration, trust administration, guardianships, and conservatorships. He is experienced in negotiating with opposing counsel to facilitate resolutions that end in obtaining favorable settlements for his clients.
Valdes joins Taft as an associate with a focus on complex environmental and eminent domain matters. With a foundation in geology and years of experience in environmental research and enforcement, Valdes brings a unique perspective to her legal practice. After earning a master’s degree in geology from the University of Utah, she worked on high-impact environmental projects, including mercury contamination in the Great Salt Lake and groundwater contamination plumes. Her tenure at the EPA honed her skills in compliance enforcement and policy analysis, which now inform her strategic approach to litigation and client advocacy.
In addition, Taft Partner Rick Kruger spoke at the State Bar of Michigan Debtor/Creditor Rights Committee meeting on Jan. 29. He was part of a panel discussion, “Beneath the Hood: Automotive Distress and Contract Disputes.” The discussion was moderated by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Lisa Gretchko, Eastern District of Michigan.
Kruger is a member of Taft’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring and Real Estate Finance practice groups, as well as a member of the Automotive industry group. He has a national practice focusing on both transactional and litigation aspects of bankruptcy law, debtor and creditor rights, workouts, corporate, and financing transactions.
Kruger’s client representations include original equipment manufacturers, borrowers, debtors, secured parties, landlords, purchasers, sellers, receivers, avoidance defendants, and unsecured creditors’ committees. His strategy and expertise span across a diverse list of industries, with a focus on Automotive and business sectors, providing creative solutions in all facets of these complex transactions
• • •
Giarmarco, Mullins, & Horton PC in pleased to congratulate attorney Lindsay Hazen who has been recognized as an “Up & Coming Lawyer” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. She will be honored on March 27 along with other members of the Michigan legal community.
Hazen is an attorney in the firm’s Education Law Group. She represents public school districts in matters of employment discrimination, constitutional litigation, general education, special education, student discipline and due process, peer-on-peer harassment, and more. Additionally, Hazen has experience in counseling and advising clients on their bargaining agreements, employment agreements, employment policies, employee issues, disciplinary actions, and compliance with laws such as FMLA, ADA, Title IX, FOIA, and the Open Meetings Act.
Hazen earned her law degree from Wayne State University Law School. Prior to entering law school, she was a paralegal for the Department of Justice.
• • •
Abdulai Rashid, an associate at Brooks Kushman, has been named a 2026 LCLD Pathfinder. The LCLD Pathfinder Program provides high-potential, early-career attorneys with the opportunity to learn from top leaders in the legal profession while gaining foundational leadership skills and relationship-building resources.
Abdulai focuses on patent prosecution and litigation in the biomedical and automotive industries, while also assisting clients with trademark matters and supporting early-stage innovators in developing protectable ideas. He gained experience in dispute resolution as the founder of Penn State Law’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, coordinating student teams in negotiation and mediation competitions. He also worked in the Penn State Law IP Clinic, helping entrepreneurs connect with counsel and resources.
In addition, Bryan Hart, an associate at Brooks Kushman, has been named a 2026 LCLD Fellow. The LCLD Fellows Program offers high-potential, mid-career attorneys at LCLD Member organizations the opportunity to develop leadership skills and build meaningful relationships within the legal profession.
• • •
Harness IP is proud to announce its continued recognition in the WTR 1000 – World Trademark Review’s 2026 ranking.
In Michigan, Harness IP earned a Bronze ranking, with WTR noting the firm’s experience and reputation in helping clients to enhance their intellectual property assets.
WTR also highlighted Lisa DuRoss as a Silver Ranked Individual. DuRoss, based in the Detroit Metro office, is recognized as a brand management trusted advisor who provides innovative, strategic counsel to clients across the United States and around the world.
