Butzel attorney and shareholder Lynn McGuire has been named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2026 “Influential Women of Law” list.
McGuire has devoted nearly 30 years to advising employers on employee benefits, executive compensation, and ERISA compliance. She serves as co-chair of Butzel’s Education Industry Team.
She counsels employers of all sizes, including public and private companies, nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, tribal employers, startups, and multinational organizations. McGuire’s practice focuses on helping clients design, administer, and maintain compliant retirement, health, and welfare benefit programs while navigating complex federal tax and employee benefits laws.
In addition to advising on employee benefit plans and executive compensation arrangements, McGuire is an advisor on Affordable Care Act compliance, fiduciary responsibilities under ERISA, mergers and acquisitions, benefit plan terminations, multiemployer pension withdrawal liability matters, and government audits and investigations. Throughout her career, she has guided clients through numerous Department of Labor and Internal Revenue Service examinations and compliance initiatives.
McGuire earned her law degree from Notre Dame Law School and her B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She also holds professional certificates in Global Benefits Management and Canadian Benefit Plans from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.
Her professional recognitions include:
• DBusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit, Employee Benefits Law – 2014, 2017-2026
• Michigan Super Lawyers, Employee Benefits – 2017, 2018
• Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation – 2018-2025
• The Best Lawyers in America® – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law – Lawyer of the Year – Ann Arbor, 2026
• The Best Lawyers in America® – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Employment Law – Management; Litigation – ERISA; Litigation – Labor and Employment – 2023-2026
• • •
McDonald Hopkins is proud to congratulate Jim Giszczak and Miriam Rosen on their inclusion in Crain’s Detroit Business’ list of 2026 Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting, & Law.
Giszczak is co-president of McDonald Hopkins and co-chair of the Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group. He also maintains a privacy practice serving clients across a range of industries.
Rosen serves as managing member of McDonald Hopkins’ Detroit office, sits on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, is the firm’s general counsel, and is a leader in the Labor and Employment Practice. She oversees dozens of attorneys while managing client relationships in her practice.
• • •
Michigan Auto Law is proud to announce that owner and attorney Steven Gursten has been named the recipient of the 2026 Courage Award by The Melvin M. Belli Society.
Gursten was selected for his advocacy on behalf of Michigan consumers after publicly raising concerns about CURE Auto Insurance and continuing to speak out even after the company filed a lawsuit against him and Michigan Auto Law.
The Melvin M. Belli Society recognized Gursten after he published a blog highlighting the number of complaints Michigan drivers had reported against the New Jersey based insurer. In response, CURE Auto Insurance filed a lawsuit against Gursten and Michigan Auto Law. Rather than backing down, Gursten continued advocating for consumers through his writing and by launching WhenCureWontPay.com, a website dedicated to educating Michigan drivers about insurance claims, consumer rights, and their legal options.
“This award is especially meaningful because it recognizes the importance of standing up for consumers when it matters most,” stated Gursten. “When I first began writing about CURE Auto Insurance, my only goal was to help Michigan drivers make informed decisions and understand their rights. Facing litigation for speaking out was never going to change that mission. I believe attorneys have the responsibility to advocate not only inside the courtroom, but also in the public interest when consumers deserve transparency and accountability.”
• • •
Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC is pleased to announce that attorneys Marcy Hahn and Lisa M. Serra have joined the firm’s Southfield office.
With decades of combined legal experience, Hahn and Serra bring backgrounds advising businesses of all sizes on governance, compliance, contracts, risk management, employment matters, dispute resolution, and strategic growth initiatives.
As a former Fortune 10 lead counsel, Hahn has more than 20 years of experience as a corporate attorney, negotiator, and mediator. She advises companies on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, business risk management, and operational strategy. Hahn also serves as fractional general counsel to startups and midsize businesses, partnering with leadership teams and boards to address legal issues before they become business obstacles.
Serra has more than a decade of experience helping businesses address both immediate legal needs and long-term objectives. Serving as outside general counsel for numerous small and midsize companies, she advises on contracts, employment issues, compliance matters, corporate governance, risk management, and day-to-day operational concerns.
• • •
Kemp Klein is proud to announce that shareholders Austin W. Probst and Matthew W. Frank have been named 2026 Crain’s Detroit Business Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting & Law.
Probst concentrates his practice in probate, estate and trust administration and litigation, elder law, estate planning, commercial litigation, and appeals. He represents individuals, families, and fiduciaries throughout Michigan in complex probate and trust disputes while also advising clients on estate planning and administration matters.
In addition to being recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business, Probst was recently named a 2026 Up & Coming Lawyer by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. He has also been recognized by The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, DBusiness Top Lawyers, and Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars for his work in trusts and estates and probate law.
Frank focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, aviation, real estate, and corporate law. He advises privately held businesses on acquisitions, dispositions, financing, corporate governance, and other complex business transactions, helping clients navigate sophisticated legal and business matters.
Frank was previously named a 2025 Crain’s Detroit Business Notable M&A Dealmaker, a 2025 Michigan Lawyers Weekly Go To Lawyer for Business Litigation, and a 2026 DBusiness Top Lawyer in Mergers and Acquisitions Law.
• • •
Varnum is pleased to announce that attorney Jordan Weeks has joined the firm’s Litigation and ADR Practice Team in the Novi office.
Weeks represents clients in commercial and construction disputes, with experience handling cases involving breach of contract, mechanic’s liens, business ownership issues, and other complex claims. His litigation work includes discovery, depositions, motion practice, arbitration, and trial. In these matters, he has prepared and examined witnesses, argued pretrial motions, drafted summary judgment briefing, and first-chaired trials.
Prior to joining Varnum, Weeks handled transportation, maritime, property damage, and internet defamation disputes in addition to his commercial and construction litigation work. He also served as a judicial extern to U.S. District Judge David A. Ruiz in the Northern District of Ohio.
Weeks earned his law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Michigan University.
Varnum is also pleased to announce that partners Julia Perkins and Michael Romaya have been recognized as Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting, and Law by Crain’s Detroit.
Perkins is a partner in Varnum’s Novi office who advises clients through personal and financial matters involving divorce and family law. Her practice includes custody, child support, parenting time, high net worth marital estates, valuation and division issues, international custody disputes, and family law mediation. She is frequently engaged in matters requiring discretion, judgment, and steady advocacy, helping clients pursue practical resolutions when possible and providing courtroom representation when necessary.
Perkins also serves on Varnum’s Executive Committee and as a practice management leader, where she supports firm strategy and the coaching and mentoring of partners.
Romaya is the lead partner in Varnum’s Birmingham office, advising privately held companies on strategic transactions, financing, growth, governance, and ongoing business needs. A member of the Banking, Finance and Restructuring Team, he counsels clients through significant transactions and financing matters, including acquisitions and other business combinations.
Romaya is also a member of Varnum’s highest governing body, the Policy Committee, where he helps guide the firm’s long-term business strategy and overall direction.
• • •
David Foltyn, Honigman chairman and CEO, was recently named as one of Crain’s Detroit Business’ 2026 “Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting & Law.”
Foltyn has served as the chairman and CEO of Honigman since 2008. He has enhanced the recruiting functions of the firm and has implemented ongoing development opportunities for attorneys and business professionals. Foltyn is also an active community leader and serves on a number of boards.
In addition, Honigman partner Chauncey Mayfield II was recently honored as a Law360 Rising Star. He was recognized for his excellence when it comes to the practice area of transportation.
Mayfield is the leader of Honigman’s commercial transactions practice group, where he serves as a trusted advisor to global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), suppliers, manufacturers, and other businesses on sophisticated commercial transactions, complex sourcing relationships, and legal and commercial challenges defining today’s industries.
• • •
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that Member Stephen Dunn has been selected for inclusion in Crain’s Detroit Business Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting, and Law 2026.
With more than 20 years of first chair jury trial and arbitration experience, Dunn focuses his practice on litigating complex, high-stakes business disputes. He also leads teams handling corporate transactions including mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, combinations, joint ventures, restructurings and lending transactions.
Dunn is a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Reserve JAG Corps and currently holds the rank of lieutenant colonel, serving as deputy commanding officer of an Army unit headquartered at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota.
• • •
Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that James Claborn has joined the firm’s Real Estate Group as an associate in its Troy office.
Claborn advises clients on commercial real estate, construction and business transactions, including contract drafting and negotiation, commercial leases, purchase agreements, construction agreements, acquisitions and risk management.
Before joining Miller Canfield, Claborn served as corporate counsel for BELFOR Property Restoration. As the lead transactional attorney supporting the company’s North American operations, he advised executives and project teams on hundreds of agreements each year, including commercial service contracts, construction contracts, subcontractor agreements, commercial leases and acquisition documents. He also counseled business teams on contract structure, risk allocation and negotiation strategy for large-scale restoration and construction projects involving commercial and institutional properties.
Claborn previously worked in private practice, where he handled transactional and litigation matters involving real estate, contracts and financial disputes. He also completed a corporate counsel externship with MAHLE Industries Inc.
Claborn earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political theory and constitutional democracy from Michigan State University’s James Madison College. Claborn is a member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Business Law Section.
Miller Canfield is also pleased to announce that Chief Executive Officer Michael Palizzi has been named a 2026 Crain’s Detroit Business Notable Leader in Law.
Palizzi has served as Miller Canfield’s CEO since April 2024, leading the firm’s 20 offices in six countries.
Before becoming CEO, Palizzi co-led Miller Canfield’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution and Intellectual Property groups and served for three years on the firm’s Board of Managing Directors. He is a nationally recognized trial lawyer and business counselor who has spent more than 30 years representing clients in complex commercial litigation and intellectual property matters. He also serves as chief outside counsel to several U.S. and international companies.
Palizzi has been recognized by Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America, Benchmark Litigation, Michigan Super Lawyers, Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars, Leading Lawyers, and DBusiness. He is a senior fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and a fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation.
His professional and civic service includes board positions with the Detroit Regional Chamber and The Right Place Inc. He also serves as co-chair of the Federal Bar Association’s Complex Litigation Committee and is active in the American Bar Association, Oakland County Bar Foundation, and Detroit Bar Association.
Palizzi earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School and his bachelor’s degree from Albion College.
• • •
Taft Detroit Partner Gina Goyette Staudacher has been named a Notable Leader in Accounting, Consulting, and Law by Crain’s Detroit Business.
Staudacher focuses her work on business and tax advisory matters, with deep experience in Multi-state and Federal Tax and Economic Incentives, R&D Tax Credits, Energy and Manufacturing Tax Credits, Opportunity Zone structuring, Accounting Methods, and Tax Controversy. She leads a team of CPAs, attorneys, data analysts, and financial advisors to assist businesses in uncovering beneficial tax opportunities, minimizing tax liabilities, and monetizing state and federal economic incentives for domestic and foreign-inbound taxpayers.
Staudacher’s practice includes advising CFOs, CEOs, General Counsels, VPs of Tax, and C-suite executives on tax, capital project financing, and strategic growth initiatives.
• • •
Brooks Kushman is proud to announce that eight of its attorneys have been named 2026 IP Stars by Managing IP. The following attorneys were recognized as 2026 IP Stars in the Patent and Trademark categories:
Sangeeta Shah, Robyn Lederman, John LeRoy, Marc Lorelli, Christopher Smith, Frank Angileri, Charles Bieneman, Mark Cantor, and Elizabeth Janda.
The following attorney was recognized as 2026 IP Stars in the Rising Star category:
Chelsea Pasquali
McGuire has devoted nearly 30 years to advising employers on employee benefits, executive compensation, and ERISA compliance. She serves as co-chair of Butzel’s Education Industry Team.
She counsels employers of all sizes, including public and private companies, nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, tribal employers, startups, and multinational organizations. McGuire’s practice focuses on helping clients design, administer, and maintain compliant retirement, health, and welfare benefit programs while navigating complex federal tax and employee benefits laws.
In addition to advising on employee benefit plans and executive compensation arrangements, McGuire is an advisor on Affordable Care Act compliance, fiduciary responsibilities under ERISA, mergers and acquisitions, benefit plan terminations, multiemployer pension withdrawal liability matters, and government audits and investigations. Throughout her career, she has guided clients through numerous Department of Labor and Internal Revenue Service examinations and compliance initiatives.
McGuire earned her law degree from Notre Dame Law School and her B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She also holds professional certificates in Global Benefits Management and Canadian Benefit Plans from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.
Her professional recognitions include:
• DBusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit, Employee Benefits Law – 2014, 2017-2026
• Michigan Super Lawyers, Employee Benefits – 2017, 2018
• Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation – 2018-2025
• The Best Lawyers in America® – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law – Lawyer of the Year – Ann Arbor, 2026
• The Best Lawyers in America® – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Employment Law – Management; Litigation – ERISA; Litigation – Labor and Employment – 2023-2026
• • •
McDonald Hopkins is proud to congratulate Jim Giszczak and Miriam Rosen on their inclusion in Crain’s Detroit Business’ list of 2026 Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting, & Law.
Giszczak is co-president of McDonald Hopkins and co-chair of the Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group. He also maintains a privacy practice serving clients across a range of industries.
Rosen serves as managing member of McDonald Hopkins’ Detroit office, sits on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, is the firm’s general counsel, and is a leader in the Labor and Employment Practice. She oversees dozens of attorneys while managing client relationships in her practice.
• • •
Michigan Auto Law is proud to announce that owner and attorney Steven Gursten has been named the recipient of the 2026 Courage Award by The Melvin M. Belli Society.
Gursten was selected for his advocacy on behalf of Michigan consumers after publicly raising concerns about CURE Auto Insurance and continuing to speak out even after the company filed a lawsuit against him and Michigan Auto Law.
The Melvin M. Belli Society recognized Gursten after he published a blog highlighting the number of complaints Michigan drivers had reported against the New Jersey based insurer. In response, CURE Auto Insurance filed a lawsuit against Gursten and Michigan Auto Law. Rather than backing down, Gursten continued advocating for consumers through his writing and by launching WhenCureWontPay.com, a website dedicated to educating Michigan drivers about insurance claims, consumer rights, and their legal options.
“This award is especially meaningful because it recognizes the importance of standing up for consumers when it matters most,” stated Gursten. “When I first began writing about CURE Auto Insurance, my only goal was to help Michigan drivers make informed decisions and understand their rights. Facing litigation for speaking out was never going to change that mission. I believe attorneys have the responsibility to advocate not only inside the courtroom, but also in the public interest when consumers deserve transparency and accountability.”
• • •
Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC is pleased to announce that attorneys Marcy Hahn and Lisa M. Serra have joined the firm’s Southfield office.
With decades of combined legal experience, Hahn and Serra bring backgrounds advising businesses of all sizes on governance, compliance, contracts, risk management, employment matters, dispute resolution, and strategic growth initiatives.
As a former Fortune 10 lead counsel, Hahn has more than 20 years of experience as a corporate attorney, negotiator, and mediator. She advises companies on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, business risk management, and operational strategy. Hahn also serves as fractional general counsel to startups and midsize businesses, partnering with leadership teams and boards to address legal issues before they become business obstacles.
Serra has more than a decade of experience helping businesses address both immediate legal needs and long-term objectives. Serving as outside general counsel for numerous small and midsize companies, she advises on contracts, employment issues, compliance matters, corporate governance, risk management, and day-to-day operational concerns.
• • •
Kemp Klein is proud to announce that shareholders Austin W. Probst and Matthew W. Frank have been named 2026 Crain’s Detroit Business Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting & Law.
Probst concentrates his practice in probate, estate and trust administration and litigation, elder law, estate planning, commercial litigation, and appeals. He represents individuals, families, and fiduciaries throughout Michigan in complex probate and trust disputes while also advising clients on estate planning and administration matters.
In addition to being recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business, Probst was recently named a 2026 Up & Coming Lawyer by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. He has also been recognized by The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, DBusiness Top Lawyers, and Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars for his work in trusts and estates and probate law.
Frank focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, aviation, real estate, and corporate law. He advises privately held businesses on acquisitions, dispositions, financing, corporate governance, and other complex business transactions, helping clients navigate sophisticated legal and business matters.
Frank was previously named a 2025 Crain’s Detroit Business Notable M&A Dealmaker, a 2025 Michigan Lawyers Weekly Go To Lawyer for Business Litigation, and a 2026 DBusiness Top Lawyer in Mergers and Acquisitions Law.
• • •
Varnum is pleased to announce that attorney Jordan Weeks has joined the firm’s Litigation and ADR Practice Team in the Novi office.
Weeks represents clients in commercial and construction disputes, with experience handling cases involving breach of contract, mechanic’s liens, business ownership issues, and other complex claims. His litigation work includes discovery, depositions, motion practice, arbitration, and trial. In these matters, he has prepared and examined witnesses, argued pretrial motions, drafted summary judgment briefing, and first-chaired trials.
Prior to joining Varnum, Weeks handled transportation, maritime, property damage, and internet defamation disputes in addition to his commercial and construction litigation work. He also served as a judicial extern to U.S. District Judge David A. Ruiz in the Northern District of Ohio.
Weeks earned his law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Michigan University.
Varnum is also pleased to announce that partners Julia Perkins and Michael Romaya have been recognized as Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting, and Law by Crain’s Detroit.
Perkins is a partner in Varnum’s Novi office who advises clients through personal and financial matters involving divorce and family law. Her practice includes custody, child support, parenting time, high net worth marital estates, valuation and division issues, international custody disputes, and family law mediation. She is frequently engaged in matters requiring discretion, judgment, and steady advocacy, helping clients pursue practical resolutions when possible and providing courtroom representation when necessary.
Perkins also serves on Varnum’s Executive Committee and as a practice management leader, where she supports firm strategy and the coaching and mentoring of partners.
Romaya is the lead partner in Varnum’s Birmingham office, advising privately held companies on strategic transactions, financing, growth, governance, and ongoing business needs. A member of the Banking, Finance and Restructuring Team, he counsels clients through significant transactions and financing matters, including acquisitions and other business combinations.
Romaya is also a member of Varnum’s highest governing body, the Policy Committee, where he helps guide the firm’s long-term business strategy and overall direction.
• • •
David Foltyn, Honigman chairman and CEO, was recently named as one of Crain’s Detroit Business’ 2026 “Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting & Law.”
Foltyn has served as the chairman and CEO of Honigman since 2008. He has enhanced the recruiting functions of the firm and has implemented ongoing development opportunities for attorneys and business professionals. Foltyn is also an active community leader and serves on a number of boards.
In addition, Honigman partner Chauncey Mayfield II was recently honored as a Law360 Rising Star. He was recognized for his excellence when it comes to the practice area of transportation.
Mayfield is the leader of Honigman’s commercial transactions practice group, where he serves as a trusted advisor to global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), suppliers, manufacturers, and other businesses on sophisticated commercial transactions, complex sourcing relationships, and legal and commercial challenges defining today’s industries.
• • •
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that Member Stephen Dunn has been selected for inclusion in Crain’s Detroit Business Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting, and Law 2026.
With more than 20 years of first chair jury trial and arbitration experience, Dunn focuses his practice on litigating complex, high-stakes business disputes. He also leads teams handling corporate transactions including mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, combinations, joint ventures, restructurings and lending transactions.
Dunn is a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Reserve JAG Corps and currently holds the rank of lieutenant colonel, serving as deputy commanding officer of an Army unit headquartered at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota.
• • •
Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that James Claborn has joined the firm’s Real Estate Group as an associate in its Troy office.
Claborn advises clients on commercial real estate, construction and business transactions, including contract drafting and negotiation, commercial leases, purchase agreements, construction agreements, acquisitions and risk management.
Before joining Miller Canfield, Claborn served as corporate counsel for BELFOR Property Restoration. As the lead transactional attorney supporting the company’s North American operations, he advised executives and project teams on hundreds of agreements each year, including commercial service contracts, construction contracts, subcontractor agreements, commercial leases and acquisition documents. He also counseled business teams on contract structure, risk allocation and negotiation strategy for large-scale restoration and construction projects involving commercial and institutional properties.
Claborn previously worked in private practice, where he handled transactional and litigation matters involving real estate, contracts and financial disputes. He also completed a corporate counsel externship with MAHLE Industries Inc.
Claborn earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political theory and constitutional democracy from Michigan State University’s James Madison College. Claborn is a member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Business Law Section.
Miller Canfield is also pleased to announce that Chief Executive Officer Michael Palizzi has been named a 2026 Crain’s Detroit Business Notable Leader in Law.
Palizzi has served as Miller Canfield’s CEO since April 2024, leading the firm’s 20 offices in six countries.
Before becoming CEO, Palizzi co-led Miller Canfield’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution and Intellectual Property groups and served for three years on the firm’s Board of Managing Directors. He is a nationally recognized trial lawyer and business counselor who has spent more than 30 years representing clients in complex commercial litigation and intellectual property matters. He also serves as chief outside counsel to several U.S. and international companies.
Palizzi has been recognized by Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America, Benchmark Litigation, Michigan Super Lawyers, Managing Intellectual Property IP Stars, Leading Lawyers, and DBusiness. He is a senior fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and a fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation.
His professional and civic service includes board positions with the Detroit Regional Chamber and The Right Place Inc. He also serves as co-chair of the Federal Bar Association’s Complex Litigation Committee and is active in the American Bar Association, Oakland County Bar Foundation, and Detroit Bar Association.
Palizzi earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School and his bachelor’s degree from Albion College.
• • •
Taft Detroit Partner Gina Goyette Staudacher has been named a Notable Leader in Accounting, Consulting, and Law by Crain’s Detroit Business.
Staudacher focuses her work on business and tax advisory matters, with deep experience in Multi-state and Federal Tax and Economic Incentives, R&D Tax Credits, Energy and Manufacturing Tax Credits, Opportunity Zone structuring, Accounting Methods, and Tax Controversy. She leads a team of CPAs, attorneys, data analysts, and financial advisors to assist businesses in uncovering beneficial tax opportunities, minimizing tax liabilities, and monetizing state and federal economic incentives for domestic and foreign-inbound taxpayers.
Staudacher’s practice includes advising CFOs, CEOs, General Counsels, VPs of Tax, and C-suite executives on tax, capital project financing, and strategic growth initiatives.
• • •
Brooks Kushman is proud to announce that eight of its attorneys have been named 2026 IP Stars by Managing IP. The following attorneys were recognized as 2026 IP Stars in the Patent and Trademark categories:
Sangeeta Shah, Robyn Lederman, John LeRoy, Marc Lorelli, Christopher Smith, Frank Angileri, Charles Bieneman, Mark Cantor, and Elizabeth Janda.
The following attorney was recognized as 2026 IP Stars in the Rising Star category:
Chelsea Pasquali
In
addition to this year’s individual recognitions, Brooks Kushman is
proud to celebrate its tenth consecutive year of recognition in the IP
Stars rankings.
• • •
Maddin Hauser is pleased to announce that two attorneys have been elevated to the shareholder level. David T. Lin and Kevin C. Majewski joined
the firm’s Financial Services and Real Property Litigation group in
early 2025 and made an immediate positive impact. Lin is also a member
of the Bankruptcy, Restructuring, and Debtor-Creditor Rights group.
A creditors’ rights and bankruptcy attorney, Lin guides lenders and other creditors through all stages of the bankruptcy process after a debtor files for bankruptcy relief. He represents his clients’ diverse interests at the pre- and post-judgment stages of commercial litigation. Lin earned his law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
A litigator, Majewski concentrates his practice on disputes involving real property, construction, mortgages, financial services, and other business matters. He graduated from Michigan State University College of Law.
Maddin Hauser is also thrilled to announce that Michigan Lawyers Weekly named Deborah S. Lapin to its 2026 class of “Influential Women of Law.”
As a shareholder in Maddin Hauser’s Financial Services and Real Property Litigation group, Lapin focuses on real estate litigation, particularly mortgage-related issues and title insurance coverage disputes.
Lapin’s contributions to the legal profession include educating clients and fellow attorneys on legal issues and providing practical guidance on business development, networking, wellness, and investing. She is a member of the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s (ICLE) Real Property Law Advisory Board, often speaks and blogs on topics relevant to her practice and clients, and regularly presents continuing legal education courses to colleagues. Lapin is additionally active in the industries in which her clients do business, including serving on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Recreational Boating Industries Educational Foundation.
Lapin devotes significant time to Maddin Hauser’s Women’s Success Through Empowerment and Engagement (SEE) Committee, including volunteering with Humble Design’s “Day of Joy,” transforming empty houses into warm, welcoming homes for families transitioning out of homelessness. She has also given her time to the Ronald McDonald House, her synagogue, and youth sports boards.
A creditors’ rights and bankruptcy attorney, Lin guides lenders and other creditors through all stages of the bankruptcy process after a debtor files for bankruptcy relief. He represents his clients’ diverse interests at the pre- and post-judgment stages of commercial litigation. Lin earned his law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
A litigator, Majewski concentrates his practice on disputes involving real property, construction, mortgages, financial services, and other business matters. He graduated from Michigan State University College of Law.
Maddin Hauser is also thrilled to announce that Michigan Lawyers Weekly named Deborah S. Lapin to its 2026 class of “Influential Women of Law.”
As a shareholder in Maddin Hauser’s Financial Services and Real Property Litigation group, Lapin focuses on real estate litigation, particularly mortgage-related issues and title insurance coverage disputes.
Lapin’s contributions to the legal profession include educating clients and fellow attorneys on legal issues and providing practical guidance on business development, networking, wellness, and investing. She is a member of the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s (ICLE) Real Property Law Advisory Board, often speaks and blogs on topics relevant to her practice and clients, and regularly presents continuing legal education courses to colleagues. Lapin is additionally active in the industries in which her clients do business, including serving on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Recreational Boating Industries Educational Foundation.
Lapin devotes significant time to Maddin Hauser’s Women’s Success Through Empowerment and Engagement (SEE) Committee, including volunteering with Humble Design’s “Day of Joy,” transforming empty houses into warm, welcoming homes for families transitioning out of homelessness. She has also given her time to the Ronald McDonald House, her synagogue, and youth sports boards.
