Plunkett Cooney attorney Arturo Alfaro was recently
appointed to serve as a member of the Oakland County Bar Foundation’s
(OCBF) Board of Trustees. His one-year term began on July 1.
The OCBF is dedicated to ensuring access to justice and to promoting an understanding of the law in the local community. The foundation partners with the Oakland County Bar Association (OCBA) and community members and organizations to support worthy causes in Oakland County. The OCBF promotes and funds programs through fundraising and grants designed to increase access, affordability and understanding of the law and legal system.
A member of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, Alfaro practices in the firm’s Transportation Law Practice Group and focuses his practice in the areas of motor vehicle negligence and no-fault law. He defends insured motorists, rental car companies and corporations in no-fault coverage disputes and negligence suits.
As leader of the firm’s Immigration Law Practice Group, Alfaro also maintains an immigration law practice through which he assists individuals and families with family-based petitions and visa processing, including permanent residency and removal of residency conditions. He also handles naturalization, employment authorizations, and other types of applications.
Alfaro currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Bar Association of Michigan. He is a member of the Oakland County and Detroit Bar Associations and the Immigration Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, where he served as treasurer. Alfaro is also a member of the Immigration Law Practice Group of ALFA International, a consortium of approximately 140 law firms throughout the United States and in countries around the world.
Alfaro has been designated by Best Lawyers as one of the peer review service’s Ones to Watch in immigration and transportation law since 2023, and he was selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as an Up & Coming Lawyer in 2025. Alfaro received his law degree from Cooley Law School in 2020 and his undergraduate degree from Baker College in 2004.
• • •
Kemp Klein is proud to announce that Shareholder Amy A. Stawski has been named one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2026 Influential Women of Law.
Stawski has more than 40 years of experience in family law and appellate litigation. She represents clients in complex family law matters and advises individuals on a wide range of domestic relations issues, including divorce, annulment, separate maintenance, paternity, custody, change of domicile, child and spousal support, parenting time, division of marital estates, grandparenting time, and appeals. Her experience also includes international family law matters involving the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
Earlier in her career, Stawski served as a research attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals from 1986 to 1987 and as a law clerk to Judge Martin M. Doctoroff from 1987 to 1988. She has also authored numerous articles addressing family law and related issues.
Stawski and the other members of the 2026 Influential Women of Law class will be recognized on Friday, September 18, at The Mint at Michigan First Conference Center in Lathrup Village.
• • •
Bush Seyferth is proud to share that Founder & Chairman Patrick Seyferth has been selected by Corp! Magazine as a 2026 Michigan Inspiring Leader.
The special editorial feature honors the visionaries shaping the future of business and community. Seyferth will attend the 2026 MVPs and Michigan Inspiring Leaders’ dinner where all selected individuals will be recognized.
Seyferth is a member of BSP Law’s executive committee. In 2025, he was honored by Benchmark Litigation as a Litigation Star. In 2025 and 2026, he was ranked in the Chambers USA Guide as Band 1 in Product Liability: Automobile (USA – Nationwide) and Band 2 in Litigation: General Commercial (Michigan). Seyferth was also recognized as Lawyer of the Year for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants in Troy, Michigan by Best Lawyers® in its 2026 edition. He also serves as an Executive Board member for the Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association; a board member to the Product Liability Advisory Council; and on the 6th Circuit Life Member Committee.
• • •
Varnum has been named one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Empowering Women” honorees for 2026, marking the firm’s fourth consecutive year receiving the distinction.
Varnum celebrates the contributions of women across all roles, including attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, and professional staff.
A key component of the firm’s efforts is Varnum Women’s Forum, a partner-led group that builds community and creates opportunities for mentorship, professional development, networking, and business development. The forum also supports the continued advancement of women attorneys into leadership and other positions of influence.
Varnum further supports professional development initiatives throughout Michigan and provides mentoring through its Associate Retention and Training program. Led in part by senior women attorneys, the program helps attorneys build connections, develop their skills, and pursue long-term success at the firm.
• • •
Honigman Partner Charles Nida was once again recognized in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide in the practice area of Private Wealth Law, Michigan.
Nida possesses more than 40 years of experience in estate planning and probate administration with a special emphasis on sophisticated and complex tax and estate planning.
• • •
Miller Johnson is pleased to announce that Nathan Robbins has joined the firm as an associate attorney in the Employment and Labor Practice Group. In this role, Robbins will counsel employers on a range of workplace issues, including employment law compliance, employee relations, and employment-related litigation.
Robbins brings experience representing clients in labor and employment matters, helping organizations navigate complex workplace challenges while developing practical, business-focused solutions. His practice includes advising employers on issues arising under federal and state employment laws, including Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and Michigan employment statutes.
At Miller Johnson, Robbins will collaborate with attorneys across practice areas to deliver integrated legal solutions tailored to each client’s business objectives. The firm’s Employment and Labor Practice advises employers on compliance, risk management, and dispute resolution, with a focus on proactive strategies that support long-term success.
Prior to joining Miller Johnson, Robbins practiced labor and employment law with a Southfield-based litigation firm, where he advised clients on workplace matters, represented parties in employment disputes, and supported trial teams in state and federal courts.
Robbins earned his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2024. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy from Michigan State University’s James Madison College.
A member of the State Bar of Michigan, Robbins is active in both the Labor and Employment Law Section and the Young Lawyers Section. He is admitted to practice in Michigan, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that the firm’s intellectual property practice received eight national and statewide rankings in the 2026 IP Stars edition by Managing Intellectual Property. Fifteen attorneys within the firm are listed as 2026 IP Stars.
In Michigan, Dickinson Wright was rated Highly Recommended in Patent Disputes, Patent Prosecution, and Trademarks.
Below are the Dickinson Wright attorneys from the Troy office who are listed as 2026 IP Stars:
William H. Honaker, Patent, Copyright, and Trademark Star
Daniel D. Quick, Copyright and Trademark Star
• • •
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that the firm and several Bodman attorneys have been named to the State Bar of Michigan’s 2026 A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll.
Bodman was the only law firm recognized at the highest “Tier 1” level for total hours devoted to pro bono matters firmwide for the year, contributing more than 4000 hours throughout the year. Individual attorneys are recognized for having devoted at least 30, 50, or 100 hours to pro bono service in 2025.
The following local Bodman attorneys, listed with the office where they are based, are included in the 2026 A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll.
—100+ Hours of Service
Barbara A. Bowman (Troy)
Julie E. Nichols (Troy)
Kenneth J. Sachs (Troy)
Michael C. Tibbits (Detroit)
David B. Walters (Troy)
—50 to 99 Hours of Service
Reem S. Aburukba (Troy)
Mackenzie J. Bailey (Detroit)
Mackenzie E. Dayfield (Detroit)
Aaron D. Graves (Detroit)
Nashara A. L. Peart (Detroit)
Erica J. Sarver (Detroit)
Glen M. Zatz (Troy)
—30 to 49 Hours of Service
Celeste E. Arduino (Troy)
David M. Boutrous (Detroit)
Fatmeh Cheaib (Detroit)
Carson V. Garguilo (Detroit)
Tatianna A. Gore (Detroit)
Jeffrey G. Raphelson (Detroit)
Rebecca C. Seguin-Skrabucha (Troy)
• • •
In the newly released 2026 guide, Chambers USA continues to recognize Maddin Hauser. The firm is pleased to announce that two of its practice groups and three attorneys have been named among the elite firms in Michigan.
Harvey R. Heller and Julie C. Mayer have maintained their Band 1 status, while the firm’s Professional Liability Defense and Insurance Coverage group earned Band 2 status.
Recognized for their expertise in handling complex defense and insurance coverage litigation, Heller and Mayer have been ranked in the highest band possible for the third consecutive year. Heller serves as chairman of that practice group, is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, and created the Result Focused Case Management System®. Mayer, a shareholder, concentrates her practice on insurance coverage and professional liability defense.
Charles M. Lax continues to earn recognition as a senior statesperson in Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation alongside the practice group. Lax is a shareholder and chairman of the firm’s Tax practice group.
The OCBF is dedicated to ensuring access to justice and to promoting an understanding of the law in the local community. The foundation partners with the Oakland County Bar Association (OCBA) and community members and organizations to support worthy causes in Oakland County. The OCBF promotes and funds programs through fundraising and grants designed to increase access, affordability and understanding of the law and legal system.
A member of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, Alfaro practices in the firm’s Transportation Law Practice Group and focuses his practice in the areas of motor vehicle negligence and no-fault law. He defends insured motorists, rental car companies and corporations in no-fault coverage disputes and negligence suits.
As leader of the firm’s Immigration Law Practice Group, Alfaro also maintains an immigration law practice through which he assists individuals and families with family-based petitions and visa processing, including permanent residency and removal of residency conditions. He also handles naturalization, employment authorizations, and other types of applications.
Alfaro currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Bar Association of Michigan. He is a member of the Oakland County and Detroit Bar Associations and the Immigration Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, where he served as treasurer. Alfaro is also a member of the Immigration Law Practice Group of ALFA International, a consortium of approximately 140 law firms throughout the United States and in countries around the world.
Alfaro has been designated by Best Lawyers as one of the peer review service’s Ones to Watch in immigration and transportation law since 2023, and he was selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as an Up & Coming Lawyer in 2025. Alfaro received his law degree from Cooley Law School in 2020 and his undergraduate degree from Baker College in 2004.
• • •
Kemp Klein is proud to announce that Shareholder Amy A. Stawski has been named one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2026 Influential Women of Law.
Stawski has more than 40 years of experience in family law and appellate litigation. She represents clients in complex family law matters and advises individuals on a wide range of domestic relations issues, including divorce, annulment, separate maintenance, paternity, custody, change of domicile, child and spousal support, parenting time, division of marital estates, grandparenting time, and appeals. Her experience also includes international family law matters involving the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
Earlier in her career, Stawski served as a research attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals from 1986 to 1987 and as a law clerk to Judge Martin M. Doctoroff from 1987 to 1988. She has also authored numerous articles addressing family law and related issues.
Stawski and the other members of the 2026 Influential Women of Law class will be recognized on Friday, September 18, at The Mint at Michigan First Conference Center in Lathrup Village.
• • •
Bush Seyferth is proud to share that Founder & Chairman Patrick Seyferth has been selected by Corp! Magazine as a 2026 Michigan Inspiring Leader.
The special editorial feature honors the visionaries shaping the future of business and community. Seyferth will attend the 2026 MVPs and Michigan Inspiring Leaders’ dinner where all selected individuals will be recognized.
Seyferth is a member of BSP Law’s executive committee. In 2025, he was honored by Benchmark Litigation as a Litigation Star. In 2025 and 2026, he was ranked in the Chambers USA Guide as Band 1 in Product Liability: Automobile (USA – Nationwide) and Band 2 in Litigation: General Commercial (Michigan). Seyferth was also recognized as Lawyer of the Year for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants in Troy, Michigan by Best Lawyers® in its 2026 edition. He also serves as an Executive Board member for the Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association; a board member to the Product Liability Advisory Council; and on the 6th Circuit Life Member Committee.
• • •
Varnum has been named one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Empowering Women” honorees for 2026, marking the firm’s fourth consecutive year receiving the distinction.
Varnum celebrates the contributions of women across all roles, including attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, and professional staff.
A key component of the firm’s efforts is Varnum Women’s Forum, a partner-led group that builds community and creates opportunities for mentorship, professional development, networking, and business development. The forum also supports the continued advancement of women attorneys into leadership and other positions of influence.
Varnum further supports professional development initiatives throughout Michigan and provides mentoring through its Associate Retention and Training program. Led in part by senior women attorneys, the program helps attorneys build connections, develop their skills, and pursue long-term success at the firm.
• • •
Honigman Partner Charles Nida was once again recognized in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide in the practice area of Private Wealth Law, Michigan.
Nida possesses more than 40 years of experience in estate planning and probate administration with a special emphasis on sophisticated and complex tax and estate planning.
• • •
Miller Johnson is pleased to announce that Nathan Robbins has joined the firm as an associate attorney in the Employment and Labor Practice Group. In this role, Robbins will counsel employers on a range of workplace issues, including employment law compliance, employee relations, and employment-related litigation.
Robbins brings experience representing clients in labor and employment matters, helping organizations navigate complex workplace challenges while developing practical, business-focused solutions. His practice includes advising employers on issues arising under federal and state employment laws, including Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and Michigan employment statutes.
At Miller Johnson, Robbins will collaborate with attorneys across practice areas to deliver integrated legal solutions tailored to each client’s business objectives. The firm’s Employment and Labor Practice advises employers on compliance, risk management, and dispute resolution, with a focus on proactive strategies that support long-term success.
Prior to joining Miller Johnson, Robbins practiced labor and employment law with a Southfield-based litigation firm, where he advised clients on workplace matters, represented parties in employment disputes, and supported trial teams in state and federal courts.
Robbins earned his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2024. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy from Michigan State University’s James Madison College.
A member of the State Bar of Michigan, Robbins is active in both the Labor and Employment Law Section and the Young Lawyers Section. He is admitted to practice in Michigan, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that the firm’s intellectual property practice received eight national and statewide rankings in the 2026 IP Stars edition by Managing Intellectual Property. Fifteen attorneys within the firm are listed as 2026 IP Stars.
In Michigan, Dickinson Wright was rated Highly Recommended in Patent Disputes, Patent Prosecution, and Trademarks.
Below are the Dickinson Wright attorneys from the Troy office who are listed as 2026 IP Stars:
William H. Honaker, Patent, Copyright, and Trademark Star
Daniel D. Quick, Copyright and Trademark Star
• • •
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that the firm and several Bodman attorneys have been named to the State Bar of Michigan’s 2026 A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll.
Bodman was the only law firm recognized at the highest “Tier 1” level for total hours devoted to pro bono matters firmwide for the year, contributing more than 4000 hours throughout the year. Individual attorneys are recognized for having devoted at least 30, 50, or 100 hours to pro bono service in 2025.
The following local Bodman attorneys, listed with the office where they are based, are included in the 2026 A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll.
—100+ Hours of Service
Barbara A. Bowman (Troy)
Julie E. Nichols (Troy)
Kenneth J. Sachs (Troy)
Michael C. Tibbits (Detroit)
David B. Walters (Troy)
—50 to 99 Hours of Service
Reem S. Aburukba (Troy)
Mackenzie J. Bailey (Detroit)
Mackenzie E. Dayfield (Detroit)
Aaron D. Graves (Detroit)
Nashara A. L. Peart (Detroit)
Erica J. Sarver (Detroit)
Glen M. Zatz (Troy)
—30 to 49 Hours of Service
Celeste E. Arduino (Troy)
David M. Boutrous (Detroit)
Fatmeh Cheaib (Detroit)
Carson V. Garguilo (Detroit)
Tatianna A. Gore (Detroit)
Jeffrey G. Raphelson (Detroit)
Rebecca C. Seguin-Skrabucha (Troy)
• • •
In the newly released 2026 guide, Chambers USA continues to recognize Maddin Hauser. The firm is pleased to announce that two of its practice groups and three attorneys have been named among the elite firms in Michigan.
Harvey R. Heller and Julie C. Mayer have maintained their Band 1 status, while the firm’s Professional Liability Defense and Insurance Coverage group earned Band 2 status.
Recognized for their expertise in handling complex defense and insurance coverage litigation, Heller and Mayer have been ranked in the highest band possible for the third consecutive year. Heller serves as chairman of that practice group, is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, and created the Result Focused Case Management System®. Mayer, a shareholder, concentrates her practice on insurance coverage and professional liability defense.
Charles M. Lax continues to earn recognition as a senior statesperson in Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation alongside the practice group. Lax is a shareholder and chairman of the firm’s Tax practice group.
