Butzel continues to grow with the addition of senior attorney Christian A. Bashi in the firm’s Detroit office. Bashi brings experience representing Fortune 500 employers in litigation, internal investigations, and workplace disputes across the country.
Bashi defends employers against individual and multi-plaintiff claims involving discrimination, retaliation, employment torts, and wage-and-hour violations in federal and state courts, arbitration, and administrative proceedings. He also prosecutes and defends claims involving restrictive covenants, including noncompetition, nonsolicitation, and confidentiality agreements.
His litigation experience spans jurisdictions throughout the United States and includes claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), and state and local employment laws. He has second-chaired trials involving retaliation, employment torts, and breach of contract, and has represented employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and state human rights agencies.
Beyond litigation, Bashi conducts internal investigations and advises employers on compliance risks associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations.
Prior to joining Butzel, Bashi practiced at a global law firm in New York City where he represented employers in litigation, investigations, and other matters involving legal, operational, and reputational risk. Earlier in his career, he served as a judicial law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge J. Phil Gilbert, Southern District of Illinois.
Bashi is a member of the National Employment Law Council (NELC) and was named a Fellow in 2024. He earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.A. from the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.
• • •
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the appointment of Karen Kudelko to the Michigan Citizen-Community Emergency Response Coordinating Council (MCCERCC)
Kudelko is the director of Federal Affairs in the Executive Office of the Governor. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in history and international relations from Brown University and a law degree from Yale Law School.
Kudelko is appointed as a member of the general public for a term commencing September 21, 2026, and expiring December 31, 2030. She fills a vacant seat.
The Michigan Citizen-Community Emergency Response Coordinating Council (MCCERCC) assists in developing, maintaining, implementing and supporting and promoting emergency response principles, strategies, and practices within governmental agencies and private sector organizations in Michigan.
This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
• • •
Foley & Lardner LLP associate Amir El-Aswad has been selected as a member of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit Class 47.
El-Aswad, a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation and Labor & Employment practices, advocates for corporate clients in complex commercial and employment disputes across state and federal courts, as well as in arbitral forums. His practice spans a range of matters, including restrictive covenant enforcement, trade secret misappropriation, trademark infringement, antitrust litigation, cyber fraud, business torts, commercial real estate, and contract and warranty disputes.
Leadership Detroit is a Chamber-led community leadership program for executives in Southeast Michigan, with a network of more than 2,500 alumni. Since its founding in 1979, the program has increased awareness of critical regional issues while cultivating the next generation of leaders and changemakers.
• • •
Ottenwess Law PLC is honored to announce David Ottenwess, John Monnich Sr., Jeff Feikens, and Eric Ramar have been recognized as 2027 Best Lawyers in America.
• • •
Jeff Lamb, partner and vice chair of Honigman’s Litigation Department, was recently named as a “Leader in the Law” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Lamb was selected for his accomplishments as a trial lawyer and advisor to automotive manufacturers, as well as his reputation for handling some of the industry’s most complex commercial disputes while strengthening his firm, mentoring the next generation of attorneys, and serving his community.
• • •
Miller Canfield Associate Arthur Griem has been selected to participate in Leadership Detroit Class 47, the Detroit Regional Chamber’s nine-month leadership development program for emerging and established leaders throughout Southeast Michigan.
Class 47 includes more than 75 participants from across the 11-county Southeast Michigan region.
Griem is an associate in Miller Canfield’s Corporate and Transactions Group. His practice includes work with businesses and nonprofit organizations, and he is active in the community through his service on the Board of Directors of the Clark Park Coalition in southwest Detroit.
Miller Canfield is also pleased to announce that Frederick Acomb, principal and leader of the firm’s International Disputes Group, has been named a 2026 Leader in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Acomb has built an international disputes practice group with a reach beyond Michigan, assembling a team of lawyers who regularly handle transnational litigation and international commercial arbitration. His matters have involved parties, witnesses, discovery and assets spanning North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
He represents companies in complex cross-border litigation and international commercial arbitration involving post-M&A disputes, automotive and supply-chain matters, intellectual property, trade secrets, distribution and other business disputes.
Acomb has held leadership roles with the International Bar Association’s Litigation Committee and the American Bar Association’s International Litigation Committee and has been active in professional education and the development of best practices for lawyers handling cross-border disputes. He is also a committed mentor who gives younger lawyers opportunities to argue motions, examine witnesses, participate in arbitrations and take ownership of sophisticated matters.
Acomb’s professional honors include recognition by Chambers USA for General Commercial Litigation; Band 1 recognition in Commercial Disputes by Legal 500 US Detroit Elite; recognition by The Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation and International Arbitration – Commercial; and recognition by Super Lawyers, Leading Lawyers and DBusiness Top Lawyers. He also holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and received a 2026 JD Supra Readers’ Choice Award for Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Acomb earned his law degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, and his Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University.
• • •
Dykema is pleased to announce that Laura Baucus, director of the firm’s Automotive, Mobility, and Transportation Industry Group, has been elected to the World Services Group (WSG) 2026–2027 Board of Directors. Baucus will serve a four-year term where she will work collaboratively with WSG leadership in assessing the strategic future and progress of the WSG mission and objectives.
Baucus said, “I am honored to join the WSG Board of Directors. My involvement with WSG has given me the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with colleagues across the network and experience firsthand the value of our global connections. I look forward to working with the Board to build on that strong foundation, strengthen our network, and create an even greater impact for our members.”
Baucus leads Dykema’s 150-person Automotive, Mobility, and Transportation Group and founded and leads the firm’s Supply Chain Group. She represents manufacturers and suppliers in complex supply chain disputes and transactions, often in high-stakes situations where maintaining supply continuity is critical.
Baucus 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.
• • •
Brooks Kushman is pleased to announce that shareholder Frank Angileri has been recognized as a Corp! Magazine Inspiring Leader.
Angileri is a shareholder in Brooks Kushman’s Intellectual Property Litigation practice, helping clients enforce and defend valuable intellectual property rights. He counsels businesses on litigation strategy involving patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and other competitive assets. His experience is beneficial to companies in innovation-driven sectors, including automotive and mobility, industrial manufacturing, and advanced materials.
Bashi defends employers against individual and multi-plaintiff claims involving discrimination, retaliation, employment torts, and wage-and-hour violations in federal and state courts, arbitration, and administrative proceedings. He also prosecutes and defends claims involving restrictive covenants, including noncompetition, nonsolicitation, and confidentiality agreements.
His litigation experience spans jurisdictions throughout the United States and includes claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), and state and local employment laws. He has second-chaired trials involving retaliation, employment torts, and breach of contract, and has represented employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and state human rights agencies.
Beyond litigation, Bashi conducts internal investigations and advises employers on compliance risks associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations.
Prior to joining Butzel, Bashi practiced at a global law firm in New York City where he represented employers in litigation, investigations, and other matters involving legal, operational, and reputational risk. Earlier in his career, he served as a judicial law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge J. Phil Gilbert, Southern District of Illinois.
Bashi is a member of the National Employment Law Council (NELC) and was named a Fellow in 2024. He earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.A. from the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.
• • •
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the appointment of Karen Kudelko to the Michigan Citizen-Community Emergency Response Coordinating Council (MCCERCC)
Kudelko is the director of Federal Affairs in the Executive Office of the Governor. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in history and international relations from Brown University and a law degree from Yale Law School.
Kudelko is appointed as a member of the general public for a term commencing September 21, 2026, and expiring December 31, 2030. She fills a vacant seat.
The Michigan Citizen-Community Emergency Response Coordinating Council (MCCERCC) assists in developing, maintaining, implementing and supporting and promoting emergency response principles, strategies, and practices within governmental agencies and private sector organizations in Michigan.
This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
• • •
Foley & Lardner LLP associate Amir El-Aswad has been selected as a member of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit Class 47.
El-Aswad, a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation and Labor & Employment practices, advocates for corporate clients in complex commercial and employment disputes across state and federal courts, as well as in arbitral forums. His practice spans a range of matters, including restrictive covenant enforcement, trade secret misappropriation, trademark infringement, antitrust litigation, cyber fraud, business torts, commercial real estate, and contract and warranty disputes.
Leadership Detroit is a Chamber-led community leadership program for executives in Southeast Michigan, with a network of more than 2,500 alumni. Since its founding in 1979, the program has increased awareness of critical regional issues while cultivating the next generation of leaders and changemakers.
• • •
Ottenwess Law PLC is honored to announce David Ottenwess, John Monnich Sr., Jeff Feikens, and Eric Ramar have been recognized as 2027 Best Lawyers in America.
• • •
Jeff Lamb, partner and vice chair of Honigman’s Litigation Department, was recently named as a “Leader in the Law” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Lamb was selected for his accomplishments as a trial lawyer and advisor to automotive manufacturers, as well as his reputation for handling some of the industry’s most complex commercial disputes while strengthening his firm, mentoring the next generation of attorneys, and serving his community.
• • •
Miller Canfield Associate Arthur Griem has been selected to participate in Leadership Detroit Class 47, the Detroit Regional Chamber’s nine-month leadership development program for emerging and established leaders throughout Southeast Michigan.
Class 47 includes more than 75 participants from across the 11-county Southeast Michigan region.
Griem is an associate in Miller Canfield’s Corporate and Transactions Group. His practice includes work with businesses and nonprofit organizations, and he is active in the community through his service on the Board of Directors of the Clark Park Coalition in southwest Detroit.
Miller Canfield is also pleased to announce that Frederick Acomb, principal and leader of the firm’s International Disputes Group, has been named a 2026 Leader in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Acomb has built an international disputes practice group with a reach beyond Michigan, assembling a team of lawyers who regularly handle transnational litigation and international commercial arbitration. His matters have involved parties, witnesses, discovery and assets spanning North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
He represents companies in complex cross-border litigation and international commercial arbitration involving post-M&A disputes, automotive and supply-chain matters, intellectual property, trade secrets, distribution and other business disputes.
Acomb has held leadership roles with the International Bar Association’s Litigation Committee and the American Bar Association’s International Litigation Committee and has been active in professional education and the development of best practices for lawyers handling cross-border disputes. He is also a committed mentor who gives younger lawyers opportunities to argue motions, examine witnesses, participate in arbitrations and take ownership of sophisticated matters.
Acomb’s professional honors include recognition by Chambers USA for General Commercial Litigation; Band 1 recognition in Commercial Disputes by Legal 500 US Detroit Elite; recognition by The Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation and International Arbitration – Commercial; and recognition by Super Lawyers, Leading Lawyers and DBusiness Top Lawyers. He also holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and received a 2026 JD Supra Readers’ Choice Award for Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Acomb earned his law degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, and his Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University.
• • •
Dykema is pleased to announce that Laura Baucus, director of the firm’s Automotive, Mobility, and Transportation Industry Group, has been elected to the World Services Group (WSG) 2026–2027 Board of Directors. Baucus will serve a four-year term where she will work collaboratively with WSG leadership in assessing the strategic future and progress of the WSG mission and objectives.
Baucus said, “I am honored to join the WSG Board of Directors. My involvement with WSG has given me the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with colleagues across the network and experience firsthand the value of our global connections. I look forward to working with the Board to build on that strong foundation, strengthen our network, and create an even greater impact for our members.”
Baucus leads Dykema’s 150-person Automotive, Mobility, and Transportation Group and founded and leads the firm’s Supply Chain Group. She represents manufacturers and suppliers in complex supply chain disputes and transactions, often in high-stakes situations where maintaining supply continuity is critical.
Baucus 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.
• • •
Brooks Kushman is pleased to announce that shareholder Frank Angileri has been recognized as a Corp! Magazine Inspiring Leader.
Angileri is a shareholder in Brooks Kushman’s Intellectual Property Litigation practice, helping clients enforce and defend valuable intellectual property rights. He counsels businesses on litigation strategy involving patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and other competitive assets. His experience is beneficial to companies in innovation-driven sectors, including automotive and mobility, industrial manufacturing, and advanced materials.
