F. Thomas Lewand, a partner in Bodman LLP’s Detroit office, has been elected to the 19-member board of trustees for the Detroit International Jazz Festival.
Lewand, who appears in “The Best Lawyers in America” 2010 and “Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2010,” is a member of the firm’s Business, Health Care, and Municipal Law and Finance practice groups. He represents corporate clients in a variety of general business transactions and negotiating private partnerships between corporations and municipalities. Lewand negotiated the deal among the Detroit Lions, Wayne County, and City of Detroit to build Ford Field. He also handles major transactions for the Detroit Medical Center.
In addition to the Detroit International Jazz Festival board, Lewand serves as a director of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Wayne County Economic Development Corporation and the Mackinac Island Affordable Housing Corporation. He served 12 years as a member of the board of trustees for the University of Detroit Mercy, the last four as chair.
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Jill Miller, an associate with Southfield-based Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss PC, has been re-appointed to the Government Relations Committee of the Washington, D.C.-based Electronic Transactions Association (ETA). Jaffe CEO Richard Zussman made the announcement.
The ETA is the international trade association serving the needs of companies offering payment transaction processing and related products and services, such as credit and debit card processing, gift cards, and electronic payment systems. Serving companies throughout the United States and internationally, the ETA provides governmental advocacy, education and networking opportunities to its more than 500 member companies.
Miller will serve a one-year term on the committee, which commenced Jan. 1.
Miller is a member of the firm’s finance practice group. She is a 1993 graduate of Eastern Michigan University and a 2004 graduate of the Michigan State University College of Law. She is a member of the Oakland County Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, American Bar Association, ETA, W.net (Women Networking in Electronic Transactions), Women in Aviation and the National Aircraft Finance Association.
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The law firm of Warner, Norcross, & Judd LLP is among the first Michigan businesses to partner with the Michigan Department of Transportation on a new program designed to improve the roadside appearance of Metro Detroit highways.
Along with other Detroit-area businesses, Warner Norcross has joined the Sponsor a Highway Program, a public-private partnership with MDOT and the Adopt a Highway Maintenance Corp. The law firm will sponsor three one-mile segments of highway: 75 South interchange to 696 West, 96 East in the Novi area, and the Lodge Highway to 696 West.
Warner Norcross will provide financial support to cover the costs of litter removal for these areas 12 times each year. Adopt a Highway, which also sponsors volunteer clean-up programs around the country, will handle the clean up and maintenance of the program. The law firm’s logo will be featured on signage along each of these highways.
“We are very pleased to support this MDOT initiative, which will help keep our highways clean,” said William R. Jansen, partner in charge of the Southfield office of Warner Norcross. “We are committed to improving the communities where we live and work. We are proud to be among the first sponsors of this public-private partnership.”
The program has been successful in 15 other states and New York City because of its ability to capitalize on the visibility of highly traveled freeways, according to MDOT.
“Clean roadsides are essential to supporting the tourism industry in Michigan,” said Tony Kratofil, an MDOT Metro Region Engineer.
“Oftentimes, our freeways are the first and last impression visitors have of our great state. Utilizing this public-private partnership will enhance the appearance of our freeway system at no charge to the taxpayers.”
