LEGAL PEOPLE

Beverly Hall Burns, a principal at the law firm of Miller Canfield, has been chosen as an Encore Innovation Fellow through Encore.org, a national nonprofit that works to help people pursue "second act" careers that benefit their communities, states and the nation. She is one of only 15 leaders and social innovators across the U.S. to receive the fellowship. Burns was selected as a fellow to raise the "encore career" concept in Michigan--by encouraging policy, practices and pathways in the state that support "second act" careers and extended work lives. The focus is on people who are looking for freedom to work in ways that make their worlds better, not freedom from work as they close out a primary career. Burns will work with business leaders, policymakers, nonprofit organizations and individuals. "The work is well-aligned with my law practice and the experience gained representing employers of all kinds on matters affecting them and their employees," said Burns, a 30-year employment and labor lawyer at Miller Canfield (Detroit office). Burns' fellowship is unique among the 15 because it builds on efforts underway on both of Michigan's "coasts"--in the Grand Rapids area, as well as in southeast Michigan. "I'll be looking for examples already in place, as well as for new opportunities and connections to create smooth pathways," she said. "While most of the fellows' projects are local in scope--creating a community-based incubator for encore entrepreneurs to identify, retool and execute their efforts, for example--my project is a statewide initiative." Burns' fellowship covering Michigan resulted from an application by several collaborators including Corporation for a Skilled Work Force, Louella Hannan Memorial Foundation, Operation ABLE, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Techtown, AARP, Grand Rapids Community College and the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. In addition, Saul A. Green, senior counsel in the Detroit office of Miller Canfield, will be honored with the first-ever "Integrity and Ethics" Award given by The Detroit Public Safety Foundation (DPSF). Green will receive the award on December 3 at the Above and Beyond Awards Ceremony at Cobo Hall in Detroit. "I am truly humbled by this award because there are so many people deserving of recognition who are working every day to help make a safer community for us," Green said. Green, a former deputy mayor of Detroit and executive over public safety, was chosen by the board of the DPSF because of his tireless efforts for Detroit - not only as chair of the Detroit Youth Violence Prevention Steering Committee, but for his involvement with Detroit Ceasefire and other initiatives. From 2008 to 2012, Green oversaw Detroit's Police, Fire, Law and Homeland Security departments. Most recently, Green is focused on Detroit Ceasefire, an effort that brings together Detroit's law enforcement, social service agencies and the community to impress upon young offenders the price that they will pay for criminal activity, the alternative paths that are open to them and the negative effects their behavior has on their own communities. Detroit Ceasefire is funded by a $1.5 million federal grant for the next three years and administered through the Detroit Youth Violence Prevention Initiative. "Ceasefire is a proven tool that sends a clear and direct message that the violence must stop while offering young offenders the opportunity to change their lives," Green added. At Miller Canfield, Green conducts internal investigations for organizations that believe they are the victims of criminal conduct by their employees, officers or directors, or from individuals or entities outside organizations. He advises companies and governmental entities on how to obtain the various forms of disadvantaged business certifications available in Michigan and the United States. A resident of Detroit, Green received his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School (1972) and his B.A. (1969) from the University of Michigan. The Above and Beyond Awards Ceremony will be attended by about 400 civic, business and community leaders; local, state and federal elected and law enforcement officials; and the recipients' families, friends and colleagues. * * * Rader, Fishman, & Grauer PLLC is pleased to announce that Barbara Mandell has joined its Bloomfield Hills office as a partner. Mandell, an IP litigator and commercial arbitrator, began her career as a staff attorney at the Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Competition, in Washington, D.C., investigating, litigating and trying antitrust cases of national significance. Rader, Fishman, & Grauer is looking to Mandell to enhance its litigation practice as she brings more than 30 years in complex litigation, including years spent as general counsel. In addition to antitrust, her experience includes disputes involving patent, trademark, computer and Internet law, theft of trade secrets, breach of license agreements and franchise agreements, trade dress and copyright infringement claims, and counterfeiting, unfair competition and false advertising claims. Companies in diverse industries and with diverse products and services have relied on Mandell for counseling and litigation matters. These industries include the automotive industry and various automotive parts suppliers; producers and vendors of computer hardware and software, silicon wafers, lasers, medical devices, prescription/generic drugs, sporting and hunting equipment, buses, industrial equipment, construction equipment, oil drilling equipment, metal cutting equipment, turbo prop engines, soft drinks and funeral products; hospital and physician services; commercial lending and mortgage banking services; cell phone e-commerce and trade associations; and other not-for-profit organizations. To round out her litigation practice, Mandell has served as a commercial arbitrator on more than two dozen cases, including resolving discovery disputes, conducting dispositive motion hearings, presiding over numerous trials and writing opinions and awards. She is also a certified commercial mediator. Mandell earned a law degree from Boston University School of Law and a B.A. in English from Binghamton University. Having been a partner at very large law firms, Mandell says that an IP boutique best enables her to cost effectively provide outstanding service and value to clients. * * * Butzel Long attorney and shareholder Robert M. Nemzin is one of 26 attorneys named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly's 2013 Class of "Up & Coming Lawyers." Nemzin will be honored during a luncheon on December 5. Based in Butzel Long's Bloomfield Hills office, Nemzin concentrates his practice in the areas of estate and succession planning, counseling individuals and business owners on the various aspects of estate and wealth transfer planning. He has experience in sophisticated tax planning techniques, including planning for dynasty trusts, life insurance trust planning, charitable trust planning, family limited partnerships and limited liability companies. Nemzin also has experience in probate and trust administration, and the formation and operation of public charities and private foundations. Nemzin is a member of the American Bar Association, Section of Taxation. In addition, he is a member of the ABA Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Section and serves as the co-chair of the Young Lawyers Network. He served as a Fellow in the ABA Real Property, Trust & Estate Fellows Program, which annually selects only three trusts and estates attorneys in the United States. His other memberships include the State Bar of Michigan and the New York State Bar Association. He is a frequent national lecturer on various estate planning topics. Moreover, Nemzin is a member of the Legal/Financial Advisory Committee for the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. Nemzin is a graduate of New York University School of Law and the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. * * * Secrest Wardle is pleased to announce that it has been selected as one of The Top Workplaces for 2013. The Detroit Free Press published the complete list of Top Workplaces on November 17. The Top Workplaces are determined based solely on employee feedback. The employee survey is conducted by WorkplaceDynamics LLP, a research firm on organizational health and employee engagement. Secrest Wardle is committed to providing clients with legal representation in a broad range of areas of expertise. The firm specializes in defense litigation and counsel for insurance, municipal, and commercial clients. With locations across Michigan, it has been recognized for 2013 as one of the "Largest Law Firms" ranked by number of attorneys in Southeast Michigan by Crain's Business Detroit. Attorneys at Secrest Wardle have been recognized as highly qualified experts in their practice areas. * * * Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC is pleased to announce that Wilton A. Hom has joined the firm. He will practice out of the firm's Royal Oak Office. Hom concentrates his practice in all areas of immigration law, commercial transactions, international law, and tax law. Hom represents individuals and businesses in a wide array of immigration matters including family based immigration, employment based immigration, and business immigration including investor visas and intercompany transfers. His experience includes representing clients before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration Court, and the Board of Immigration Appeals. Hom has been successful in providing domestic and international corporate clients assistance in various aspects of commercial transactions including strategic planning, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and contract negotiations. Hom's international business experience includes counseling and advising clients on business transactions between Asia and the United States. Hom also has experience in various types of individual and corporate tax matters. He has provided individuals and businesses with tax advice and planning for domestic and international transactions. Hom has successfully represented individuals and companies in civil and criminal tax examinations with the Internal Revenue Service. Hom received his B.B.A. from the University of Michigan's School of Business Administration in 1992, his M.S.P.A from Walsh College in 1996, and his law degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1997. He is a member of the Macomb and Oakland County Bar Associations as well as the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Hom is also a Certified Public Accountant. He is licensed to practice in the State of Michigan. * * * Potestivo & Associates PC is proud to announce that it has been selected as one of "The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Countryª." "We are excited to add yet another award to our growing list," President and Managing Attorney Brian Potestivo said. "We have diligent, well-rounded employees who clearly value their work environment." The firm was assessed based on factors such as effective communication, work-life balance, and other employee-related categories. Potestivo & Associates PC has received similar awards in the past, including being named one of "Crain's Cool Places to Work." * * * More than 20 attorneys from Southfield-based Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss PC were selected as Top Lawyers for 2014 by DBusiness magazine. Jaffe CEO Bill Sider made the announcement. The publication has recognized the following Jaffe attorneys: Appellate Law: Brian G. Shannon. Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law: Thomas E. Coughlin and Jay L. Welford. Corporate Law: Ira J. Jaffe. Employee Benefits Law: Deborah L. Baughman. Environmental Law: Arthur H. Siegal. Family Business Law: Ira J. Jaffe. Franchise Law: David L. Steinberg. Immigration Law: Eli Maroko. Information Technology Law: Jeremy D. Bisdorf and Michael S. Khoury. Intellectual Property Law: Lawrence R. Jordan. Mergers & Acquisitions Law: Lee B. Kellert. Real Estate Law: Brian S. Raznick, George A. Sumni, and Richard A. Zussman. Securities Law: Mark L. Kowalsky and Peter Sugar. Tax Law: Marko J. Belej, Aaron H. Sherbin, and William E. Sider. Trade Secrets: Jeremy D. Bisdorf. White Collar Criminal Defense: Christopher A. Andreoff. * * * For the third consecutive year, Honigman, Miller, Schwartz, and Cohn LLP was ranked among the top 10 in the Detroit Free Press 2013 Large Top Workplaces in Michigan and the only law firm listed among the 25 companies named in this category. More than 1,100 companies in Michigan were nominated and more than 71,000 employees were surveyed. Rankings were determined solely by employee survey responses, including comments on the individual's job and opportunities for career development. "We are very pleased to see that our team members have once again given our firm high ratings as a great place to work," said Robert D. Kubic, Honigman's chief operating officer. "We are committed to investing in the personal and professional success of our staff and our attorneys. Their success translates into exceptional service and value for our clients, which is the number one goal for our law firm." Honigman has been recognized nationally as one of the Best and Brightest Companies To Work For by the National Association for Business Resources and in Metropolitan Detroit and West Michigan as one of the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For by the Michigan Business and Professional Association. Further, Honigman has been recognized as one of the "50 Best Law Firms for Women" by Working Mother magazine and Flex-Time Lawyers, LLC. * * * The American College of Bankruptcy recently announced that Clark Hill attorney Joel D. Applebaum will be inducted as a Fellow of the College on March 14, 2014 in Washington, D.C. The ceremony will take place at the Smithsonian Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, and will be presided over by D.J. (Jan) Baker, chair of the College. The American College of Bankruptcy is an honorary professional and educational association of bankruptcy and insolvency professionals. Applebaum is a member of Clark Hill's Corporate Restructuring and Bankruptcy Practice Group, concentrating his practice in the areas of bankruptcy and corporate reorganization, bankruptcy-related litigation, creditors' rights, and general commercial law. Applebaum has a range of experience representing debtors, creditors' committees, customers, trade vendors, purchasers of distressed assets, liquidating agents and trustees, among other parties in interest, in Michigan and in bankruptcy courts throughout the United States. * * * McKeen & Associates announced Thomas G. Van Belkum has joined the firm to add depth and experience to the firm's Medical Malpractice Practice Group. Van Belkum has been practicing law for more than 30 years. In addition to medical malpractice, he has trial and litigation experience in product liability, construction litigation, premises liability, first and third party auto and general defense litigation. Van Belkum is a former partner in Toth, Baldridge, Van Belkum, & Felty PC in Bingham Farms and Van Belkum & Felty PC in Plymouth. The Sparta, Mich.-native is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Oakland County Bar Association, Macomb County Bar Association, Association of Defense Trial Council, and Defense Research Institute. Van Belkum earned his law degree from the Michigan State University College of Law. He also earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Western Michigan University. Published: Mon, Dec 2, 2013