Miller Johnson
Miller Johnson is pleased to announce that Todd Holleman has been recognized in the 2026 Legal 500 US Elite Rankings. Holleman is recognized for Commercial Disputes in Detroit.
Holleman is a member of Miller Johnson’s Litigation Section. His practice is focused on Commercial and Appellate matters in state and federal courts.
Holleman has expertise in defending large publicly held corporations and their officers and directors against class action and individual claims by shareholders in connection with mergers or acquisitions or the purchase or sale of securities as well as prosecuting and defending against claims for minority shareholder oppression arising from smaller closely held companies.
In addition, Holleman has experience representing domestic and foreign companies and individuals in commercial disputes. He has pursued and defended against claims related to complex business contracts covering a wide variety of subject matter, including automotive supply agreements governed by the Uniform Commercial Code, and he regularly defends against and pursues claims for the payment of sales commissions.
While Holleman received this distinction for his work in Detroit, his practice extends throughout the Midwest, as he is licensed in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
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Plunkett Cooney
Plunkett Cooney partner and Trusts & Estates Practice Group Leader Laura L. Brownfield was recently named by Michigan Lawyers Weekly (MiLW) to its 2026 Class of “Influential Women of Law.” She is among 34 attorneys who will be honored at a luncheon on September 18 at The Mint at Michigan First Conference Center in Lathrup Village.
Brownfield has more than 30 years of experience in private practice and in-house counsel, focusing on estate planning and administration, charitable planning, as well as nonprofit law.
Brownfield’s trusts and estate practice focuses on the development of comprehensive plans for the management of her clients’ assets during their lifetimes, the protection of their assets in the event of disability, and the tax-efficient transfer of their wealth during their lifetime and upon death. She also assists individuals and families with succession planning for closely held businesses and with implementing charitable giving plans to ensure a meaningful personal legacy for her clients. In addition, Brownfield assists fiduciaries and beneficiaries in trust and
estate administration matters and in the resolution of disputes arising from the administration of wills and trusts.
Former general counsel of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Brownfield leverages her in-house nonprofit expertise to help clients establish, govern, and operate tax-exempt organizations. She also provides counsel and practical business advice to ensure new and existing nonprofits remain in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.
Brownfield serves on the Board of Directors of the Catholic Foundation of Michigan. She received her law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 1995 and her undergraduate degree from Miami University in 1992.
In addition, Kelly M. Stec, former chief of staff and legislative director at the Michigan Legislature and current mayor pro tempore of the city of Wyandotte, recently joined Plunkett Cooney as a client advisor in the firm’s Government Relations, Public Policy and Regulatory Practice Group.
With nearly a decade of experience in Michigan politics, Stec, who prefers the gender-neutral pronoun they/them, has built relationships with stakeholders, constituents and coalitions, which helps them to achieve the public policy goals of clients and to ensure clients remain compliant with state regulations. Stec works in both the firm’s Detroit and downtown Lansing offices.
Starting their political career in 2017, Stec first served as a legislative director to Kevin Hertel of the Michigan House of Representatives where they developed and analyzed proposals for legislation to bring them from concept to law. Stec then turned their sights to the education and nonprofit sectors working as a program manager promoting protective policy for the Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health as well as a project coordinator for the Center for Healthy Communities for the Michigan Public Health Institute. Stec returned to government service serving as Senator Hertel’s Chief of Staff and Legislative Director in the Michigan Senate where they researched and developed new legislation and studied laws, statutes and bills referred to committees.
Prior to joining the firm, Stec worked as the assessment coordinator for the Wyandotte Public Schools. In this role, they ensured district-level compliance with state and federal law regarding special education evaluation and assessment. Stec also gained experience as a project manager for Research to Practice Consulting, managing projects to ensure each were completed timely and on budget.
Stec is a member of the board for the Wyandotte Public Schools Scholarship Foundation, the Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health Action Fund and the Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health. They serves as chaplain of the Veterans of Foreign Wars 1136 Auxiliary and as vice president of the Wyandotte Jaycees. Stec received her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 2014.
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Bodman PLC
The journal Chambers High Net Worth (Chambers HNW) ranked Bodman PLC at the highest “Band One” level for services to high net worth individuals and families and their closely held businesses.
In the newly released 2026 edition of Chambers HNW, Bodman is one of only two law firms based in Michigan to be ranked in “Band One” for private wealth law.
Individual Bodman attorneys listed in the 2026 edition include Kelly M. Burnell, Andrew H. Curoe, and David P. Larsen of the firm’s Detroit office and Anthony P. Cracchiolo and Marguerite Munson Lentz of the Troy office. For 2026, Larsen, Curoe, and Cracchiolo are all ranked at the “Band One” level as individuals.
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Miller Canfield
Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that principal attorney Brian Schwartz, leader of the firm’s Employment and Labor Group, has been elected as a fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.
Schwartz represents management in all aspects of labor and employment counseling and litigation. His practice includes defending single-plaintiff and class-action lawsuits involving employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour claims, FMLA claims, ERISA disputes, retiree health benefit disputes, Title IX claims, Freedom of Information Act matters and due process litigation. He also counsels employers on drafting and enforcing noncompetition, nonsolicitation and confidentiality agreements.
He has represented universities, public entities and private employers in complex and high-profile matters, including Title IX athletics litigation, discrimination and retaliation claims, ERISA actions, appellate matters and employment disputes involving public institutions. His reported and published decisions include matters before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Michigan Court of Appeals and federal district courts.
Schwartz is recognized by Chambers USA for Employment and Labor and by Best Lawyers in America for Labor and Employment Litigation and Employment Law–Management and was named the 2026 Detroit “Lawyer of the Year” for Labor and Employment Litigation. He also has been recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a “Go-To Lawyer” for employment law and by Michigan Super Lawyers for employment litigation defense.
Schwartz earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.S. from Cornell University. He will be inducted as a fellow in November 2027.
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Dykema
Dykema proudly announces that Laura Baucus was selected for the 2026 class of “Influential Women of Law” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Baucus will be recognized at an awards luncheon on Friday, September 18.
Baucus leads Dykema’s 150-person Automotive, Mobility, and Transportation Group and founded and leads the firm’s Supply Chain Group. A nationally recognized automotive and mobility lawyer, she represents manufacturers and suppliers in complex supply chain disputes and transactions, often involving high-stakes situations in which maintaining supply continuity is critical.
In addition to her client work, Baucus is active in the legal profession. She serves as vice chair of the Oakland County Bar Association’s Business Court Committee and was selected to lead the North America Regional Counsel for the World Services Group in 2025. She has also been recognized by Chambers, The Best Lawyers in America, The Legal 500 United States, Michigan Super Lawyers, Benchmark Litigation, and Crain’s Detroit Business.
Baucus earned her law degree from Wayne State University School of Law and a B.A. from The Catholic University of America.
Dykema is also pleased to announce that its Tax and Estate Planning Groups were ranked in the 2026 edition of Chambers High Net Worth Guide (Chambers HNW) in the area of Private Wealth Law for the State of Michigan. In addition Michael G. Cumming, of the Bloomfield Hills office, received an individual ranking in the same area. He has been included in the publication each year since 2020.
Cumming advises affluent clients on their estate and charitable planning endeavours. He often helps to implement tax-efficient trusts and investment structures.
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Kitch Attorneys & Counselors
Kitch Attorneys & Counselors is thrilled to announce that it has been recognized by the State Bar of Michigan for its commitment to pro bono service.
The firms congratulates Brian Boehne, Meghan Kennedy Riordan, Carina Kraatz, John Sier, and Keith Wright for their individual inclusion on the list.
The firms congratulates Brian Boehne, Meghan Kennedy Riordan, Carina Kraatz, John Sier, and Keith Wright for their individual inclusion on the list.
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Brooks Kushman
Brooks Kushman is proud to announce that Tiffany A. Fidler, co-chair of the firm’s Patent Prosecution practice, has been selected as a 2026 Influential Women of Law honoree by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Fidler focuses her practice on domestic and foreign patent prosecution in the mechanical and electromechanical arts, with experience in automotive, aviation, alternative energy, and consumer product technologies. She also counsels clients on patentability, infringement, freedom-to-operate analyses, and intellectual property agreements.
Prior to practicing law, Fidler earned her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and served as a mechanical engineering professor at Drexel University, where she conducted federally funded research in thermal fluid sciences and materials science.
Fidler focuses her practice on domestic and foreign patent prosecution in the mechanical and electromechanical arts, with experience in automotive, aviation, alternative energy, and consumer product technologies. She also counsels clients on patentability, infringement, freedom-to-operate analyses, and intellectual property agreements.
Prior to practicing law, Fidler earned her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and served as a mechanical engineering professor at Drexel University, where she conducted federally funded research in thermal fluid sciences and materials science.
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Dickinson Wright
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Thomas Fabbri (member, Troy) and Elizabeth Luckenbach (member and division director, Regulatory/Administration) have been recognized in the Chambers 2026 High Net Worth (HNW) Guide under the designation of Private Wealth Law.
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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced appointments to the following boards and commissions:
—Michigan Indigent Defense Commission
Judge James Maceroni of the Macomb County Circuit Court. Maceroni also serves on the State Bar of Michigan Prisons and Corrections Committee and the Criminal Law Committee of the Michigan Judges Association.
Maceroni earned a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies in social science from Michigan State University and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School.
Maceroni is appointed as a member submitted by the Michigan Judges Association for a term commencing July 23, 2026, and expiring April 1, 2030. Maceroni succeeds James Fischer, whose term has expired.
The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission was created as a result of efforts to improve legal representation for indigent criminal defendants. The Commission develops and oversees the implementation, enforcement, and modification of minimum standards, rules, and procedures to ensure that indigent criminal defense services providing effective assistance of counsel are delivered to all indigent adults in this state consistent with the safeguards of the United States Constitution, the State Constitution of 1963, and with the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act.
This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
—Michigan Gaming Control Board
Jim Townsend is the director of the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy at Wayne State University. Townsend also represented the 26th district in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2011 to 2017.
Townsend earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan, and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School.
Townsend will be appointed to represent Democrats for a term commencing August 1, 2026, and expiring December 31, 2028. Townsend will also be designated as chair for at term commencing August 1, 2026, and expiring at the pleasure of the governor. Townsend will succeed Jim Ananich, who is resigning.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board ensures the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of the citizens of the state of Michigan. The Board provides Detroit commercial casinos gaming operations licensing and regulation, licenses and regulates online gaming and sports betting operators, platform providers and suppliers, regulates pari-mutuel horse racing and casino-style charitable gaming, and audits tribal gaming compact agreement compliance.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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Whitmer Appointments
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced appointments to the following boards and commissions:
—Michigan Indigent Defense Commission
Judge James Maceroni of the Macomb County Circuit Court. Maceroni also serves on the State Bar of Michigan Prisons and Corrections Committee and the Criminal Law Committee of the Michigan Judges Association.
Maceroni earned a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies in social science from Michigan State University and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School.
Maceroni is appointed as a member submitted by the Michigan Judges Association for a term commencing July 23, 2026, and expiring April 1, 2030. Maceroni succeeds James Fischer, whose term has expired.
The Michigan Indigent Defense Commission was created as a result of efforts to improve legal representation for indigent criminal defendants. The Commission develops and oversees the implementation, enforcement, and modification of minimum standards, rules, and procedures to ensure that indigent criminal defense services providing effective assistance of counsel are delivered to all indigent adults in this state consistent with the safeguards of the United States Constitution, the State Constitution of 1963, and with the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission Act.
This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
—Michigan Gaming Control Board
Jim Townsend is the director of the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy at Wayne State University. Townsend also represented the 26th district in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2011 to 2017.
Townsend earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan, and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School.
Townsend will be appointed to represent Democrats for a term commencing August 1, 2026, and expiring December 31, 2028. Townsend will also be designated as chair for at term commencing August 1, 2026, and expiring at the pleasure of the governor. Townsend will succeed Jim Ananich, who is resigning.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board ensures the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of the citizens of the state of Michigan. The Board provides Detroit commercial casinos gaming operations licensing and regulation, licenses and regulates online gaming and sports betting operators, platform providers and suppliers, regulates pari-mutuel horse racing and casino-style charitable gaming, and audits tribal gaming compact agreement compliance.
This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
