LEGAL PEOPLE

For the second consecutive year, Super Lawyers Magazine named 12 attorneys from Collins Einhorn Farrell to its 2013 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. The Southfield-based firm had 11 attorneys recognized as Michigan Super Lawyers selections. Of that group, Noreen L. Slank was selected among the Top 100 attorneys in 2013 Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine. Deborah A. Hebert joined Slank on the list of Top 50 Women Attorneys in 2013 Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine and Top 25 Women Business Attorneys. Other Michigan Super Lawyers selections from the firm include: Michael J. Sullivan, Thereesa M. Asoklis, Brian D. Einhorn, Janice G. Hildenbrand, Clayton F. Farrell, Timothy F. Casey, David C. Anderson, Geoffrey M. Brown, and Melissa E. Graves. Trent Collier represents Collins Einhorn on the list of "Rising Stars." Slank has been selected among the Michigan Super Lawyers in each of the publication's eight years rating attorneys in the state and returns to the Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers for the fourth consecutive year. The Wayne State University Law School alumna also was honored among the Top 50 Women for the sixth year in a row. She has practiced in the state and federal appellate courts since 1980 with an emphasis on the defense of medical and legal malpractice actions, insurance coverage disputes, and the defense of catastrophic personal injury cases. Like Slank, Sullivan and Hebert earned their eighth Michigan Super Lawyer selections. Sullivan has 30 years of litigation experience. In the professional liability arena, the University of Detroit School of Law alum has defended attorneys, physicians, accountants, architects, engineers, real estate appraisers, real estate brokers, and title agents in defense of significant claims involving personal injury, property damage, and business loss. Hebert is a five-time honoree among the Top 50 Women Michigan Super Lawyers. Her specialties are appellate litigation and insurance coverage. Hebert has served for nearly 30 years as lead counsel in hundreds of appeals at both the state and federal levels. A considerable portion of her practice today is devoted to preparing coverage opinions and drafting dispositive motions and appeal briefs in declaratory judgment actions. Asoklis, a six-time Michigan Super Lawyers selection, has focused her practice on professional liability claims, and attorney and judicial disciplinary proceedings for more than 20 years. The Wayne State University Law School alumna also maintains an active general liability defense practice, including claims arising out of auto and trucking accidents, and complex premises liability matters. Einhorn has been named among the Michigan Super Lawyers for each of the past seven years. For more than four decades, he has been at the forefront of legal issues affecting lawyers, judges, courts, businesses and insurers. The Wayne State University Law School alum has litigated numerous court cases and disciplinary proceedings that have shaped Michigan law with issues ranging from lawyers' potential liability to clients for defamation, to judicial candidates' free speech rights. Hildenbrand is a seven-time Michigan Super Lawyers selection. For more than 25 years, the University of Georgia School of Law alumna has represented employers and other defendants in employment, professional liability and general liability actions. Her employment defense practice encompasses both private and public sector employee claims (including claims arising from municipal and school employment) in state and federal court. Farrell, who was named Michigan Super Lawyers for the fifth consecutive year, concentrates his practice on multi-party, complex litigation, including litigation in the areas of environmental torts, product liability, toxic torts and emerging claims. The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law alum's trial experience spans more than three decades and includes approximately 100 cases to verdict. Casey also is a five-time Michigan Super Lawyers honoree. The St. Louis University School of Law alum has nearly three decades of experience in insurance coverage and indemnity contract matters, including preparing opinions, declaratory judgment actions and other litigation, appeals and alternative dispute resolution. His practice includes a broad range of general liability, construction, environmental, asbestos, toxic torts, automobile, homeowners, professional liability, umbrella/excess, and other specialty coverage matters. Anderson, who earned his fourth Michigan Super Lawyers selection, focuses his practice on the defense of professional liability claims. For more than 15 years, he has successfully defended lawyers, accountants and a variety of insurance and real estate professionals. The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law alum also maintains an active general liability defense practice, including claims arising out of product liability matters, automobile liability, as well as complex premises liability matters. Brown and Graves make their first appearance on the Michigan Super Lawyers list. Brown's work is focused primarily on the defense of medical and legal malpractice cases at the appellate level. The University of Michigan Law School alum also handles a variety of professional, commercial, and general liability appeals. Graves concentrates her practice on the defense of professional liability claims and has represented both attorneys and health care professionals. The Wayne State University Law School alumna also is involved in the defense of general liability matters. Collier, who received his second selection among the "Rising Stars," focuses his practice on the defense of legal and other professional malpractice claims at the appellate level and at summary judgment. Additionally, the University of Michigan Law School alum represents clients in defending insurance, commercial, and general liability claims at both the appellate and trial level. * * * Demorest Law Firm PLLC is pleased to announce that two attorneys have been selected by "Super Lawyers" for 2013. Managing member Mark Demorest was selected as a Super Lawyer in the practice area of business law, while associate Melissa Demorest was named a Rising Star in business law. Mark Demorest graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1983. Mark's professional experience includes the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office and nearly 30 years of practice. He founded the Demorest Law Firm PLLC in September of 1998. Mark is on the Commercial Advisory Committee for the American Arbitration Association, and serves on the Board of Directors for U.S. Lacrosse (Michigan Chapter) and the Harvard Club of Eastern Michigan. Mark is also an interviewer for Harvard College Admissions Office. Additionally, Mark will serve as an arbitrator, mediator, or facilitator at Demorest Dispute Resolution LLC. Melissa Demorest focuses her practice on business formation, mergers and acquisitions, and other business transactions. She serves as outside general counsel for many small businesses, providing guidance in employment, real estate, contract, and other business matters. Melissa also has experience with woman-owned businesses. Melissa also leads the firm's appellate practice. Melissa serves on the Board of Directors for the Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce. * * * The law firm of Miller Canfield announces that patent agent Kelly M. McGlashen has joined the Intellectual Property Group in the Detroit office. She will enhance the firm's nationally respected Intellectual Property group. McGlashen is a credentialed engineer with a focus on mechanical and biomedical arts. After earning bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, she served as a patent examiner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in Washington, D.C., where she focused on medical technology. After two years with the USPTO, she spent the last 15 years as a patent agent for several private law firms in Michigan, Illinois and in Boston, Massachusetts. She has helped clients from several industries, including automotive, medical, and consumer electronics, as well as a top East Coast research university manage its intellectual property portfolios. She is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. She is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association. Additionally, Miller Canfield announces that Dawn M. Schluter , a principal in the Troy, office and leader of the Personal Services Group, has been appointed chair of Women of Miller Canfield, the firm's internal standing committee of women lawyers. Schluter said, "I have been at Miller Canfield for 25 years. I have had the opportunity to practice with lawyers who were greatly committed to and invested in my professional success. It is the goal of Women of Miller Canfield to share the wealth of that type of commitment and investment with all the women lawyers at Miller Canfield. The success of women lawyers is important. It is important to each of us individually. It is important to our clients and it is important to us as a firm." Schluter has experience in estate planning, wealth transfer planning, taxes, and family law matters. She received her law degree from Wayne State University Law School and her B.A. from Kalamazoo College. Miller Canfield also announces that Joni Thrower-Grundy has been appointed the firm's Diversity director. She will oversee implementation of the firm's commitment to develop and maintain a multicultural workforce, a culture of inclusion and serve as primary spokesperson on diversity issues. She will also continue in her capacity as a senior attorney in the Financial Institutions and Transactions Group. "As a premier Michigan law firm, Miller Canfield will boldly embrace the full spectrum of diversity," Thrower-Grundy said. "In my role as Diversity director, I will ensure this position is visible to the community, clients and employees through rigorous recruitment efforts, innovative retention policies and sponsorship of forward-thinking community initiatives." In addition to recruiting and retaining talent, Miller Canfield's diversity plan includes providing continuous in-house training for all members of its legal team and expanding internal affinity groups and relationships with external organizations. For more information, visit www.millercanfield.com/Diversity. * * * McKeen & Associates announced attorney Horia Neagos has joined the firm as an associate. Neagos will focus his practice in the areas of medical malpractice, wrongful death, general negligence and birth trauma. Prior to joining McKeen & Associates, he served as a litigation attorney for a western Michigan-based firm, where he worked in a variety of practice areas, including family law and personal injury. He also has experience in criminal law, in which he has represented both the prosecution and defense at different times. His work on the prosecution side includes two years as assistant prosecuting attorney in the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. He graduated from Michigan State University College of Law. He also earned a B.A. in Social Studies and Liberal Arts from Spring Arbor University. Neagos is admitted to practice in the State of Michigan and U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Prosecutor's Association of Michigan, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, and Muskegon Bar Association. * * * Kelly Burris, managing partner of the Detroit office of Brinks, Hofer, Gilson, & Lione served as a conference speaker at The Battery Show 2013 held Sept. 17, 18 and 19. At Brinks, Burris is chair of the Green Technology Practice Group and focuses her practice on patent applications in the mechanical, materials science and electrical arts. She also performs intellectual property due diligence for mergers and acquisitions and manages corporate IP portfolios and policies. * * * Daniel H. Minkus has been named the recipient of the 8th Annual Stephen H. Schulman Outstanding Business Lawyer Award by the State Bar of Michigan Business Law Section. Minkus is a member with Clark Hill PLC in Birmingham. Although he never had the opportunity to take a class taught by Schulman at Wayne State University School of Law, Minkus knows what a great honor it is to be associated with the name of the former Wayne State professor. "He is a legend and I am extremely honored to be associated with him and this award," said Minkus, a 1985 graduate of Wayne State Law School. "I am humbled to be named with all the great leaders who have received this award." Minkus practices in the Corporate Practice Group at Clark Hill and concentrates in the areas of business and real estate, advising and counseling clients with respect to a wide range of matters. He will be presented the Schulman Award during the State Bar of Michigan Business Law Section's annual meeting on September 26. A long-time member of the section, Minkus is a past chairman and served on the Council from 1994-2001. He has been the chairman of the Section's Unincorporated Enterprises Committee since 1991 and has been active in the Institute for Continuing Legal Education. He has served as the director of training for the section's Business Boot Camp. Minkus also has been regularly recognized as one of a handful of top Tier One M&A lawyers by Chambers USA, as a top lawyer by The Best Lawyers in Michigan and has been interviewed by the media as an expert in Michigan business law throughout his career. Minkus has authored several articles, and lectures frequently, on a variety of business topics and is a contributing author to the book Michigan Contract Law and Michigan Business Formbook. Minkus also has been very active in the local community serving in his 22nd year on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Humane Society (chairman 1989-1998); he is the former state sports director for soccer for Michigan Special Olympics; he is a past member of the Board of Directors of Leadership Oakland (President 1998-1999), an organization which fosters community leadership and involvement; and he has served as a member of volunteer committees for United Way Community Services in Detroit. * * * Leave A Legacy, Southeast Michigan, has named attorney Marc Melamed of Strobl & Sharp PC as one of its co-chairs for 2013-2014. Three co-chairs will oversee a regional public awareness campaign in southeast Michigan focusing on the need for individuals to support their favorite charities through a charitable bequest in their wills or estate plans. * * * Sommers Schwartz is pleased to announce that two attorneys have recently joined the firm. Amy L. Marino is an associate in the Complex Litigation group, focusing her practice on class actions. Marino earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Behavioral Neuroscience from Yale University, and her law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. At Cooley. Michelle D. Trent joins the Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury groups after a successful internship with the firm. After receiving her undergraduate degree in Marketing from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University, Trent earned her law degree at Thomas M. Cooley Law School. * * * Southfield-based The Health Law Partners has been honored as one of Inc. Magazine's 5,000 Fastest Growing Companies. The HLP Founding Shareholder Carey Kalmowitz made the announcement. "Appearing on this prestigious list is an absolute honor," said Kalmowitz. "The exponential growth and transformation of the health care industry has fostered an opportunistic environment for the firm to showcase its collective experience and knowledge in an acute area of law. Our listing is a testament to the firm's commitment to delivering superior service and progressive results for our clients." * * * Ossian Law PC is pleased to announce that founder and CEO Kathy Ossian has become a member of LexAdvantage. This Michigan-based network is made up of independent, highly experienced legal practitioners poised to address all aspects of commercial transactions and litigation. LexAdvantage members offer a client centric, results oriented approach with competitive, flexible and predictable fee structures. More information on LexAdvantage can be found at www.lexadvantage.com. Ossian Law PC, based in Ferndale, focuses exclusively on Information Technology Law. More information is available at ossianlaw.com. * * * Continuing Legal Education International, a provider of ongoing professional education programs throughout the United States and Canada, will host a two-day event titled, "Eminent Domain: Impact of Political & Economic Forces." Darius Dynkowski, program chair for the event, made the announcement. The conference will take place in Cleveland from Sept. 30 through Oct. 1, and will include more than a dozen presentations on eminent domain issues for attorneys, government and municipal employees, developers, planners, appraisers, engineers and real estate professionals. Topics of discussion will include case law and legislative updates, challenging the right to take, appraising utility easement, tenant rights, opening statements and closing arguments, and more. "This event will provide critical insight and exploration into eminent domain issues affecting a wide breadth of professionals involved in the eminent domain process," said Dynkowski. "With more than a dozen presentations from prominent eminent domain authorities, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the eminent domain process, garner best practices for dealing with land takings and analyze new developments in eminent domain proceedings." * * * Peter Sugar, a partner at Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss PC has been selected by Best Lawyers as a "2014 Lawyer of the Year" in his practice area. Sugar received his Lawyer of the Year award in corporate law, mergers and acquisition law, securities/capital markets law and securities regulation. Sugar represents both private and public companies in securities regulation, financing transactions, acquisitions and divestitures, e-commerce and corporate law. Sugar also counsels emerging companies in formation, financing and governance of business, including equity, debt and hybrid capitalization transactions. Sugar received both his bachelor's degree and law degree from Wayne State University. Sugar has been honored in The Best Lawyers in America for at least 10 years and has received multiple Super Lawyer awards, in addition to a DBusiness Top Rated Lawyer, Donald H. Gordon Award for Teaching Excellence and the Richard J. Barber Wayne Law Review Alumni Achievement Award. * * * Richard D. Rattner from Williams, Williams, Rattner, & Plunkett PC in Birmingham has been selected as the Lawyer of the Year 2014 in Litigation - Land Use and Zoning Law in the Detroit metropolitan area by The Best Lawyers in America. Rattner, also has been selected for inclusion in Thomson Reuters' list of the "The Top 100" Michigan attorneys listed in SuperLawyers 2013. Rattner is a partner whose law practice focuses on real estate, land use, zoning, and corporate law. Additionally, five attorneys from the firm have been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2014. James P. Cunningham is a partner whose law practice focuses on family law; John F. Mills is a partner whose law practice focuses on family law, with an emphasis on family law alternative dispute resolution and adoption law; Thomas G. Plunkett is a partner whose law practice focuses on commercial litigation, estate and trust administration and family law; Richard D. Rattner, is a partner whose law practice focuses on real estate, land use, zoning and corporate law; and R. Jamison Williams Jr. is a partner whose practice focuses on corporate law, mergers & acquisitions law, and business and estate planning. * * * State Court Administrator Chad C. Schmucker has been chosen to serve as the 8th president of the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada. The NJC's Board of Trustees recently announced the appointment. Schmucker will join the NJC in mid-November. He will start as the NJC's president as of Jan. 1, 2014. Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young Jr. said Schmucker helped drive important reforms for Michigan's justice system. "Without a doubt, Judge Schmucker's vision, ability, and courage began a transformation of Michigan's judiciary," Young said. "With his leadership, we eliminated unnecessary judgeships and consolidated trial court leadership for greater efficiency and accountability. He led the effort to have our courts use performance metrics to analyze and improve public service. Michigan courts expanded their use of technology, with a wide range of benefits to the public. Thanks in large part to Judge Schmucker, our state courts are working smarter for a better Michigan." Young added, "Judge Schmucker will be much missed here. The National Judicial College has certainly chosen one of Michigan's best and brightest to lead it." Schmucker said he was honored by the NJC's decision. "I look forward to continuing the NJC's great work of educating judges throughout the country," he said. But, Schmucker added, "I have mixed emotions about leaving Michigan, which has been my home all my life, and about leaving the State Court Administrative Office. It's been my privilege to work with many talented people at SCAO who are dedicated to helping the courts do their best possible work." Schmucker is the second Michigan State Court Administrator to be tapped for the NJC's top post. Judge V. Robert Payant served as a district, circuit, and probate judge in the Upper Peninsula before serving as State Court Administrator from 1985-1988. Payant also served as NJC president from 1990-1998. Schmucker became the Michigan State Court Administrator in 2011, after 20 years as a Jackson County Circuit Court judge. As a judge, he helped start four problem-solving courts in Jackson including felony drugs/alcohol, domestic violence, family dependency, and mental health. As State Court Administrator, he oversaw management of the state's 246 trial courts, implemented a Michigan version of trial court performance measures, and developed a plan for court governance to promote cooperation and efficiency among courts. Published: Mon, Sep 23, 2013