Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that Gerlinde (Linda) Nattler, member partner, has been named to the State Bar of Michigan Intellectual Property Law Section, serving as a Council Member for a one-year term beginning August 1. The IP Law Section provides education and information on federal and state patent, trademark and copyright law issues through seminars, publications, and networking events.
At Dickinson Wright, Nattler focuses her practice on patent prosecution in a variety of industries including automotive, household appliances, graphic user interfaces, medical devices, and more. Prior to completing law school, she gained in-house patent prosecution experience from an international automotive supplier, working first in Germany and then the U.S.
A native of Dorsten, Germany, with dual citizenship in the U.S. and Germany, Nattler is one of very few U.S. attorneys qualified before both the European Patent Office and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. With knowledge of the unique standards applied by each office, she drafts patent applications that withstand international and domestic challenges.
In addition to the State Bar of Michigan IP Section, Nattler is a member of the American Bar Association, the Society of Automotive Engineers, and the Vereinigung von Fachleuten des Gewerblichen Rechtsschutzes (VPP). She is recognized as a leader in her field by Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars and was named a "Women in the Law" by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Nattler earned a law degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School and a University Diploma in Physics from Universität Bayreuth.
- - -
One of Michigan's growing personal injury legal firms has expanded with the opening of a fourth office located in downtown Detroit.
Christensen Law, a Southfield-based legal firm that specializes in helping victims of automobile and truck accidents, also maintains offices in the Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids communities. The new Detroit office is at 615 Griswold St., Suite 515.
David E. Christensen, the firm's founder, said that his legal team has always been deeply connected and committed to the greater Detroit community. "Now we have a wonderful opportunity to do even more for our clients who work and live in the Motor City," says Christensen.
After more than 25 years representing vehicle accident victims and establishing a strong reputation as a successful trial lawyer with a large Farmington Hills firm, Christensen opened Christensen Law in 2014 so that he could be more personally involved with clients and their families.
"I love being able to help people get through very difficult times," says Christensen, who believes a small firm environment offers a close connection with clients and families that helps his service be more personal. "We want to be more than just a law firm. We create relationships with our clients and families."
Christensen, who has received both statewide and national recognition of his expertise, has also held several professional leadership positions among trial lawyers and the State Bar of Michigan. He has achieved numerous record-setting jury verdicts for his clients. Christensen has been consistently named by his peers to major "top attorney" and "super lawyer" lists in Michigan and has been recognized by U.S. News as a Best Lawyer in America (the top 2% of all lawyers). In 2012, Christensen was named a "Leader in the Law" by Michigan Lawyer's Weekly.
Recognized this year as a Tier 1 law firm in the Detroit region for personal injury litigation by U.S. News & World Report magazine, Christensen Law handles a wide range of personal injury litigation including assisting the victims of traumatic brain injury from accidents, automobile negligence, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents and boating accidents.
"We are thrilled to bring our expertise and passion for justice to clients in the Detroit community," says Christensen.
- - -
Dykema recently announced that Len Wolfe will become chairman and chief executive officer for a three-year term commencing January 1, 2021. Wolfe succeeds Peter M. Kellett, who has served as chairman and chief executive officer since 2012. Although Wolfe will work from each of Dykema's 13 offices, he will move his principal office from Lansing to Chicago.
For more than 25 years, Wolfe has practiced government policy and regulatory law, helping clients implement significant public policy initiatives. He first joined Dykema as a summer associate before quickly ascending into leadership roles within the firm. For the last six years, Wolfe has served as a twice-elected member of Dykema's Executive Board, acting as board Liaison to the firm's Diversity & Inclusion Committee for the past four years.
Prior to his board membership, Wolfe was director of Dykema's Regulated Industries Department and leader of the firm's Government Policy and Practice Group for nine years. His various leadership positions provided Wolfe with knowledge of Dykema's business operations and the complex process of running the daily operations of a multi-office law firm with a national footprint.
"I am truly honored and thankful that my fellow members have put their confidence in me to serve as chairman and CEO," said Wolfe. "Additionally, and on behalf of the entire firm, I would like to thank Peter for exceptional stewardship over the past nine years. Under his leadership, Dykema has grown its national footprint and deepened its core competencies while enhancing other practice and industry groups.
"As I take on my new role with the firm, I plan to continue emphasizing the firm's dedication to providing clients with exceptional service through our practice groups, industry groups and client service teams. In addition, I will reaffirm Dykema's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. This includes continuing our efforts to listen and engage all of our colleagues-particularly in light of the events of the past few months. This also includes working collaboratively to maintain the strong culture and collegial workplace we have built at Dykema."
Wolfe's practice has covered several areas of law, including education, gaming, state procurement, government restructuring and the creation and development of new local and state governmental bodies. He is known nationally for his work with charter schools and has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® each year since 2007-including being named "Lawyer of the Year" in Lansing for Gaming Law in 2019.
Wolfe earned a law degree from the Indiana University McKinney School of Law and a B.A. from the James Madison College at Michigan State University. Before joining Dykema, he worked in the Michigan Legislature, United States Senate, and the Michigan Governor's Office.
- - -
Butzel Long attorney and shareholder James S. Rosenfeld and Zenell Brown, executive court administrator of Wayne County Circuit Court in Detroit, have been chosen to receive the Detroit Bar Association's 2020 "Committee of the Year Awards."
Rosenfeld and Brown co-chair the Detroit Bar's Diversity & Inclusion Committee. They and their committee were honored during the Association's "Raising the Bar" (virtual) Annual Meeting and Awards presentation on August 13. They were recognized for their exceptional leadership in helping initiate the association's D&I committee and working with others on the committee to strive to use the Detroit Bar's influence to create a welcoming profession with practitioners and leaders that represent the communities it serves.
The Detroit Bar Association's Diversity & Inclusion Committee focus includes providing programming for the entire legal community in conjunction with attracting, educating, training, retaining, mentoring, and promoting diverse attorneys to leadership positions within Michigan bar associations, firms, agencies, organizations, and the judiciary.
"Advancing diversity, equity and inclusion raises the bar for the entire profession," Rosenfeld said. "It is an honor for the Detroit Bar's Diversity & Inclusion Committee to receive this important recognition, in particular as we continue to offer programming dealing with the serious, current issues of racial and social justice that are in the forefront of public consciousness."
Rosenfeld is the previous manager of Butzel Long's Labor and Employment Practice Group and practices in the area of labor and employment law. He has experience in litigating labor and employment cases, including trial and appellate work in both state and federal court, as well as negotiating collective bargaining agreements, and handling labor arbitrations.
He frequently lectures and conducts training for employers and supervisors on various employment issues, including on harassment avoidance, diversity and inclusion and supervisor skills.
Rosenfeld is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center (1986) and Harvard College (1981). He is a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, is listed in The Best Lawyers in America in Labor and Employment and is ranked by Chambers USA.
- - -
Fortz Legal Support is excited to welcome Erik Schwartz as director of Business Development, effective August 3.
Schwartz has more than 15 years of experience in the legal services industry and will use his expertise to help shape the future of Fortz Legal. Most recently, he was the director of Trial Services for Computing Source, where he generated $2 million in revenue in less than three years. Schwartz will be bringing his unique background in trial services and sales to Fortz Legal in order to increase revenue and expand into new markets.
Schwartz will also benefit Fortz Legal with his knowledge from the following experiences:
- 10 years at Bienstock Court Reporting and Video as senior trial presentation specialist and manager of trial presentation and video serices
- Paralegal Certification from Boston University
- Development and implementation of sales plans which led to 300% in revenue growth
"I have spent the majority of my professional life working to fill the needs of the legal community in Michigan. I could not be more excited to join the team that has emerged as the premier litigation support firm in this state," says Schwartz. "Our innovative approach from file to trial has positioned us to take the lead in introducing, and utilizing technology to navigate the industry through this pandemic."
Fortz Legal Support is a full-service litigation support and court reporting firm serving clients in Michigan and across the country.
