LEGAL PEOPLE

Wayne State University Law School Richard Bierschbach has been selected to serve as the next dean of Wayne State University Law School, ending a seven-month national search to replace former dean Jocelyn Benson. He will begin at Wayne Law on Aug. 17. The announcement was made by Provost Keith Whitfield. Bierschbach comes to Wayne Law from Cardozo School of Law and Yeshiva University in New York, where he's served on the faculty since 2005. Bierschbach's primary research and teaching interests are in criminal law and procedure. He is a nationally recognized scholar in the field, having published repeatedly in the nation's top law journals. During 2015-16, he served as Cardozo's vice dean. Prior to joining Cardozo, Bierschbach clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and U.S. Court of Appeals Judge A. Raymond Randolph, D.C. Circuit; served as an attorney-advisor in the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel and as a Bristow Fellow in its Office of the Solicitor General; and practiced at a law firm in New York. He attended college and law school at the University of Michigan, studying engineering before graduating with a B.A. in history. He received his law degree in 1997. "I am thrilled to be returning to my home state of Michigan to assume the deanship at Wayne Law," Bierschbach said. "Wayne Law and Wayne State occupy a uniquely important place in the world of public higher education. The law school and university are doing exciting things, and I look forward to working with them to build on that momentum." ----- Dickinson Wright PLLC Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that Chambers USA has ranked seven of the firm's practices in Michigan and 25 of the firm's attorneys in Michigan in the 2017 Chambers USA Guide. Chambers named Dickinson Wright's Banking & Finance, Corporate/M&A, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, General Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, and Real Estate practices as "Top Ranked" practices in Michigan. Twenty-five attorneys in Michigan were named "Leaders in their Fields." Of the "Top Ranked" practices, Dickinson Wright's General Commercial Litigation practice in Michigan received a Band 1 ranking. Of the 25 attorneys ranked by Chambers, the following attorneys received a Band 1 ranking: Steven G. Howell, Banking & Finance: Bankruptcy; Edward H. Pappas, General Commercial Litigation; William P. Shield Jr., Banking & Finance; and Robert W. Stocker II, Gaming & Licensing. Below is a list of local Dickinson Wright attorneys in Michigan who were listed in Chambers USA 2017: Banking and Finance -Craig W. Hammond, Detroit -William P. Shield Jr., Detroit Banking and Finance: Bankruptcy -Steven G. Howell, Detroit -James A. Plemmons, Detroit -Theodore B. Sylwestrzak, Detroit Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions -Richard M. Bolton, Detroit -Mark R. High, Detroit -Michael T. Raymond, Troy Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation -Cynthia A. Moore, Troy General Commercial Litigation -Kenneth J. McIntyre, Detroit -Thomas G. McNeill, Detroit -Edward H. Pappas, Troy -Daniel D. Quick, Troy Intellectual Property -John S. Artz, Troy Labor & Employment -Timothy H. Howlett, Detroit Real Estate Law -James N. Candler Jr., Detroit -Stephen E. Dawson, Troy -Monica J. Labe, Troy -Katheryne L. Zelenock, Troy ----- Maddin, Hauser, Roth, & Heller PC Southfield law firm Maddin, Hauser, Roth, & Heller PC is pleased to announce that Mary C. Aretha has joined the firm's Defense and Insurance Coverage Practice Group as an associate. Prior to joining the firm, Aretha served as a judicial law clerk for Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Kathleen Jansen. She previously served as a research attorney with the Michigan Court of Appeals Research Division. The announcement was made by the firm President and CEO Steven D. Sallen. Aretha earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences from Wayne State University, then earned her law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. Aretha is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and is admitted to practice law in Michigan. McKeen & Associates PC Brian McKeen, founder and managing partner of McKeen & Associates, was recently named president of the Michigan Association of Justice (MAJ). McKeen has been a long-time member of the MAJ executive board and recently sponsored its 72nd Annual Seminar which included four different breakout sessions on Trial Advocacy; Auto Law; Medical Evidence; and Specialization (Liens, Workers' Compensation and Civil Rights Law). The MAJ is group of attorneys who represent people and families who suffered preventable injury and death as the result of negligence. The MAJ's mission is to promote a fair and effective justice system in Michigan. The statewide organization of 1700 members is dedicated to the preservation of civil justice and organizes seminars, forums and other educational and professional resources to support members' advocacy for their clients. ----- Dykema Dykema recently announced that attorneys from multiple offices and practice areas received 21 individual rankings and 10 practice areas have been recognized in the 2017 edition of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business guide. Chambers USA recognized the following Dykema practices: Nationwide - Product Liability & Mass Torts Illinois - Real Estate Michigan - Banking & Finance - Corporate/M&A - Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation - Labor & Employment - Litigation: General Commercial - Real Estate Texas - Bankruptcy/Restructuring - Immigration Chambers USA recognized the following local Dykema attorneys, as identified by jurisdiction and practice area: - J. Michael Bernard-Corporate/M&A - Robert A. Boonin-Labor & Employment - Amy M. Christen-Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation - James P. Feeney-Litigation: General Commercial - Dennis M. Haffey-Litigation: General Commercial - Kyle R. Hauberg-Real Estate - Margaret Adams Hunter-Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation - Jin-Kyu Koh-Corporate/M&A - James D. Obermanns-Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation - Cameron H. Piggott-Real Estate - Thomas S. Vaughn-Corporate/M&A Additionally, Dykema attorney Robert Tiplady was recognized in 2016's inaugural edition of the Chambers High Net Worth Guide for the area Private Wealth Law in Michigan. ----- Brooks Kushman P.C. Brooks Kushman is pleased to announce Tiye Greene has joined the firm, adding depth to the firm's trademark practice. Greene will practice out of the firm's Southfield office and will collaborate with Brooks Kushman attorneys to create successful strategies for clients throughout the world. In her role, Greene will manage trademark portfolios for clients in the automotive, food and beverage, manufacturing, and consumer product industries. Prior to joining Brooks Kushman, Greene held internships with U.S. District Court Judges Robert Cleland and David Lawson at the Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse in Detroit. Greene was also a summer associate at Brooks Kushman for two years. Greene earned a law degree from Wayne State University Law School and a bachelor of arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan Dearborn. She also is currently a board member of the Nardin Park Non-Profit Housing and Community Development Corporation. Brooks Kushman is also proud to announce that Chambers USA has ranked the firm among the top Intellectual Property Firms by Chambers and Partners, publishers of 2017 Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. The publication recognized the legal efforts of Brooks Kushman by placing the firm in its Band 2 level in the IP category. The honor was announced on May 25 as part of Chambers and Partners dinner ceremony held at Cipriani in New York City. "This is the first time that Chambers has included in its recognition Intellectual Property (IP) as a practice in Michigan," said Brooks Kushman President Mark Cantor. "We are honored and humbled to be recognized in this first time category and for our IP work we have done this last year for our clients." The Chambers USA 2017 publication also recognized the work of Brooks Kushman Shareholder Frank A. Angileri, by naming him in the highest level, Band 1, for the individual profile under IP. "I am privileged to be recognized and included in the distinguished Chambers USA 2017 publication," Angileri said. "I am also fortunate to be part of a great legal team here at Brooks Kushman. We value our clients and it shows in the work we all do on their behalf." Published: Mon, Jun 05, 2017