LEGAL PEOPLE

Three attorneys from the Southfield office of Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC have been selected to the 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers list while four others have been selected as “Rising Stars.”

2020 Michigan Super Lawyers and their area(s) of practice for which they are listed:

Dirk H. Beckwith – Business Litigation
Julie I. Fershtman – Civil Litigation: Defense
Paul J. Millenbach – Business Litigation

2020 “Rising Stars” List and their area(s) of practice for which they are listed:

Alicia W. Birach – Workers’ Compensation
Adam A. Fadly – Civil Litigation: Defense
Joseph B. Gale – Civil Litigation: Defense
Rachel G. Olney – General Litigation

In addition to being listed in Super Lawyers, Julie Fershtman was also listed in the “Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers” and the “Top 50 Women Michigan Super Lawyers.”

•            •            •

Super Lawyers named 11 Kerr Russell members to the list of 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers and included four Kerr Russell attorneys on the list of 2020 Michigan Rising Stars.

Kerr Russell’s 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers list inlcudes:

Jason W. Bank – Bankruptcy; Business Law
James R. Cambridge – Business/Corporate Law
Michael D. Carroll – Construction Litigation
Mark M. Cunningham – Surety Law
Fred K. Herrmann – Business Litigation
Mark C. Knoth – Business Litigation
Eric I. Lark – Business/Corporate Law
Stephen D. McGraw – Personal Injury Medical Malpractice Law – Defense
Daniel J. Schulte – Health Care Law
Joanne Geha Swanson – Civil Litigation – Defense
James E. Tamm – Personal Injury Medical Malpractice Law – Defense

Kerr Russell’s 2020 Michigan Rising Stars list includes:

William C. Blasses – Bankruptcy; Business Law
Daniel J. Ferris – Business Litigation
Jeffrey A. May – Business Litigation
Anna Valk – Real Estate Law

•            •            •

Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that 52 of the firm’s attorneys have been named 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers. Twenty-five Dickinson Wright attorneys have been named 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers “Rising Stars,”

Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Michigan Super Lawyers list include:

DETROIT
Dennis W. Archer, Business Litigation
Allison R. Bach, Bankruptcy: Business
Richard M. Bolton, Mergers & Acquisitions
William T. Burgess, Bankruptcy: Business
James N. Candler Jr., Real Estate
David R. Deromedi, Labor & Employment
Phillip J. DeRosier, Appellate
K. Scott Hamilton, Business Litigation
Mark R. High, Business/Corporate
Steven G. Howell, Bankruptcy: Business
Timothy H. Howlett, Labor & Employment
W. Anthony Jenkins, Real Estate
Thomas G. McNeill, Business Litigation
Sharon R. Newlon, Environmental
Francis R. Ortiz, Business Litigation
James A. Plemmons, Creditor Debtor Rights
William P. Shield Jr., Banking
Theodore B. Sylwestrzak, Bankruptcy: Business
Kathryn S. Wood, Employment Litigation: Defense
L. Pahl Zinn, Business Litigation

TROY
Stephen E. Dawson, Real Estate
J. Benjamin Dolan, Business Litigation
Terence M. Donnelly, Government Finance
Deborah L. Grace, Employee Benefits
Henry M. Grix, Estate & Probate
Craig W. Hammond, Government Finance
Robert P. Hurlbert, Criminal Defense: White Collar
Monica J. Labe, Real Estate
Elizabeth L. Luckenbach, Estate & Trust Litigation
Anna M. Maiuri, Environmental
Cynthia A. Moore, Employee Benefits
Gregory W. Moore, Health Care
Mahesh K. Nayak, Business Litigation
Edward H. Pappas, Business Litigation
Richard W. Paul, Business Litigation
Scott A. Petz, Business Litigation
Daniel D. Quick, Business Litigation
Peter H. Webster, Eminent Domain
Mark E. Wilson, Health Care
Katheryne L. Zelenock, Real Estate

Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars list include:

DETROIT
Farayha Arrine, Civil Litigation: Defense
Aaron V. Burrell, Business Litigation
Patrick B. Green, Business Litigation
Salina M. Hamilton, Business Litigation
Nicole Sappingfield, Mergers & Acquisitions
Adam J. Wallace, Business/Corporate

TROY
Alison Duffy, Personal Injury – General: Plaintiff
Eric W. Gregory, Employee Benefits
Erin Johnson, Real Estate
Michael J. Lusardi, Real Estate
James A. Martone, Business Litigation
Eric McGlothlin, Government Finance
Joseph Owens, Estate Planning
Joseph Pytel, Intellectual Property
Alma Sobo, Business Litigation
Rose Willis, Health Care

In addition, Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that five of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized in Michigan Super Lawyers 2020 Top Lists.

Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year’s Michigan Super Lawyers Top Lists include:

Henry M. Grix – Estate & Probate, is ranked among the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan.
Elizabeth L. Luckenbach – Estate & Trust Litigation, is ranked among the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan and the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan.
Thomas G. McNeill – Business Litigation, is ranked among the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan.
Edward H. Pappas – Business Litigation, is ranked among the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan.
Daniel D. Quick – Business Litigation, is ranked among the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan.

Dickinson Wright is also pleased to announce that the firm’s real estate practice is ranked as the #2 real estate law group for the second year in a row in the “Best of the Best” report, published by Midwest Real Estate News. This is the sixth year in a row that Dickinson Wright has been among the top three law firms on the list.

“We are honored to once again be named the number two law firm practice by Midwest Real Estate News,” says Michael Lusardi, practice group chair for real estate. “Our outstanding team of real estate attorneys work diligently alongside our clients every day to provide them with superior client service and expertise for their real estate needs.”

 •            •            •

Kemp Klein congratulates the following attorneys on their selection to the 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers list:

William B. Acker
C. Leslie Banas
Joseph P. Buttiglieri
Ralph A. Castelli Jr.
Mark R. Filipp
George W. Gregory
Brian R. Jenney
Alan A. May
Brian H. Rolfe
Amy A. Stawski
Thomas V. Trainer

•            •            •

Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that 56 of the firm’s attorneys have been included in the 2020 edition of Michigan Super Lawyers.

Local Bodman attorneys listed in Michigan Super Lawyers 2020 are:

DETROIT
Marc M. Bakst, Bankruptcy: Business)
Andrew H. Curoe, Estate Planning & Probate)
Brandon M. Dalziel, Health Care
Laurence B. Deitch, Business/Corporate
Robert J. Diehl Jr., Creditor-Debtor Rights
Kathleen O’Callaghan Hickey, Banking
George G. Kemsley, Business Litigation
Joseph J. Kochanek, Banking
David P. Larsen, Estate Planning & Probate
Dennis J. Levasseur, Securities Litigation
Ralph E. McDowell, Bankruptcy: Business
Joseph G. Nuyen Jr., Health Care
Rebecca D. O’Reilly, Employee Benefits
Jeffrey G. Raphelson, Business Litigation
Nicholas P. Scavone Jr., Real Estate
Joseph J. Shannon, Business Litigation
Larry R. Shulman, Banking
Brian R. Trumbauer, Creditor-Debtor Rights

TROY
Courtland W. Anderson, Intellectual Property
J. Adam Behrendt, Business Litigation
John T. Below, Employment & Labor
John C. Cashen, Employment & Labor
Steven R. Cole, Real Estate
Anthony P. Cracchiolo, Estate Planning & Probate
Michelle Thurber Czapski, Business Litigation
Gary S. Fealk, Employment Litigation: Defense
Marguerite Munson Lentz, Estate Planning & Probate
Andrew Z. Spilkin, Real Estate
Thomas J. Tallerico, Business Litigation
Thomas Van Dusen, Business Litigation
David B. Walters, Employee Benefits

Local Bodman attorneys selected for the 2020 Michigan Rising Stars list are:

DETROIT
Christopher A. Attar, Tax
Sarah L. Cylkowski, Business Litigation
Nathan D. Dupes, Business Litigation
Kelly M. Lockman, Real Estate
Jay B. Long, Estate & Probate
Julia C. Massaro, Estate & Probate
Thomas J. Rheaume Jr., Business Litigation
Whitney Aidenbaum Silfen, Mergers & Acquisitions
Adam S. Weiner, Banking

TROY
Donovan S. Asmar, Business Litigation
Jonathan S. Berg, Business/Corporate
Robert J. Cambridge, Business/Corporate
Katherine F. Cser, Employment & Labor
Amanda J. Frank, Business Litigation
Ryan M. Olson, Business/Corporate
Brian J. Stone, Banking

•            •            •
Forty-five Butzel Long attorneys have been named to the 2020 Super Lawyers list.

List of local Butzel Long 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers:

BLOOMFIELD HILLS OFFICE
Carey A. DeWitt, Employment & Labor
Debra A. Geroux, Health Care
Beth S. Gotthelf, Environmental
Robert A. Hudson, Business/Corp.
Susan L. Johnson, Environmental
Thomas A. Kabel, Real Estate
Kaveh Kashef, Business Litigation
Sheldon H. Klein, Antitrust Litigation
Robin Luce Herrmann, Media/Advertising
Daniel J. McCarthy, Appellate
Max J. Newman, Bankruptcy: Business
Richard E. Rassel, Business Litigation
Craig S. Schwartz, Employment & Labor
David W. Sommerfeld, Estate & Probate
Daniel B. Tukel, Employment Litigation: Defense

DETROIT OFFICE
James C. Bruno, Business/Corp.
Clara DeMatteis Mager, Immigration: Business
David J. DeVine, Business Litigation
George B. Donnini, Criminal Defense: White Collar
Arthur Dudley II, Mergers & Acquisitions
David F. DuMouchel, Criminal Defense: White Collar
Bernard J. Fuhs, Business Litigation
Cynthia J. Haffey, Business Litigation
John P. Hancock Jr., Employment & Labor
Justin G. Klimko, Mergers & Acquisitions
Phillip C. Korovesis, Business Litigation
Mark R. Lezotte, Health Care
Reginald A. Pacis, Immigration: Business
Daniel R.W. Rustmann, Business Litigation
Bruce L. Sendek, Business Litigation

The Butzel Long attorneys included in the 2020 Super Lawyers Rising Stars list are:

Javon R. David, Personal Injury: General
Michael C. Decker, Business Litigation
Jennifer A. Dukarski, Intellectual Property Litigation
Damien DuMouchel, Criminal Defense: White Collar
Michael R. Griffie, Schools & Education
Mark W. Jane, Employee Benefits
Paul M. Mersino, Business Litigation
Joseph E. Richotte, Criminal Defense: White Collar

In addition, Butzel Long attorney Kurtis T. Wilder has been elected first vice-chair and chair-elect of the Interlochen Center for the Arts Board of Trustees.

Interlochen was founded in 1928 and is located in northwest lower Michigan. Each year, thousands of artists and arts patrons come to Interlochen to experience world-class educational and cultural opportunities. Students study music, theatre, visual arts, film, creative writing and dance, guided by faculty and guest artists.

“It is important to instill an appreciation for the arts at a young age,” said Wilder. “When students embark on this journey, they discover new interests and talents.

Interlochen brings students together from across the globe for the summer Arts Camp and the Arts Academy for an unmatched educational experience that will forever change their lives.

“The Interlochen community also offers extensive educational opportunities for students of any age through the Lifelong Arts Learning Program,” he added. “I look forward to serving in this far-reaching leadership role.”

Wilder is Of Counsel to Butzel Long. He concentrates his practice in litigation and appeals. Wilder served on the Michigan Supreme Court following his appointment by Governor Rick Snyder on May 9, 2017. Prior that time, Wilder served as a judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals from December 1998 to May 2017 and a judge of the Washtenaw County Trial Court from March 1992 to December 1998.

Wilder, the 112th justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, graduated from the University of Michigan with an A.B. degree in Political Science in 1981, and from the University of Michigan Law School with a law degree in 1984.

He has memberships in the Fellows of the Michigan State Bar Foundation; the Federalist Society, Board of Advisors, Lawyers Division-Michigan Chapter; and the Wolverine Bar Association. Wilder has served as a member of the Model Criminal Jury Instruction Committee, the Family Division Joint Rules Committee, and the Family Court Implementation Task Force. He is a past president of the Michigan Judges Association, and past chairman of the State Bar Judicial Conference. Wilder also served as the Supreme Court’s liaison for courthouse security.

Wilder has been active in numerous civic and philanthropic endeavors throughout his career. He is a former chair of the State of Michigan Community Corrections Advisory Board; former board chair of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan and Nonprofit Enterprise at Work; former board member of The Sphinx Organization; Rotary Club of Ann Arbor; Ann Arbor Symphony; and, American Red Cross, Washtenaw County Chapter. 

Wilder also serves on the Boards of the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars, and The Children’s Foundation. He is an Elder and Chancel Choir member at First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth.

•            •            •

Harness Dickey is pleased to announce that two attorneys from its Metro Detroit office were recently named to the 2020 list of Michigan Super Lawyers, while one was named to the Rising Stars list. The selected attorneys include:

Michigan Super Lawyers 2020
Lisabeth Coakley
Glenn Forbis

Michigan Rising Stars 2020
Tim Martin

In addition, Harness Dickey is pleased to announce that Metro Detroit patent attorney Robert (Bob) Siminski and fellow members of the Intellectual Property Owners Association’s (IPO) Asian Practice Committee received the Outstanding Committee of the Year Award at this year’s virtual Annual Meeting. This marks the second time in three years that the Asian Practice Committee has won IPO’s Outstanding Committee of the Year Award. Siminski serves as vice chair of the Asian Practice Committee.

The Asian Practice Committee identifies, monitors, studies, and recommends IPO positions regarding intellectual property licensing, enforcement, and acquisition issues in Asian jurisdictions such as China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and India. The committee frequently travels to Asia to visit patent and trademark offices and learn from IP officials about the latest developments in local IP laws. The committee then shares information and commentary with IPO members.

Siminski has a longstanding practice that includes counseling Asian companies and partnering with law firms in Asia. As a registered patent attorney and Principal with Harness Dickey, he focuses on drafting, prosecuting, enforcing, and licensing patents, with a particular emphasis on chemical and mechanical technologies.

He also handles intellectual property related due diligence, portfolio management and analyses, strategic counseling, valuations, and patentability opinions.

Siminski obtained his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law and a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Detroit Mercy.

•            •            •

Fraser Trebilcock is excited to welcome attorney Klint Kesto to the firm where he will focus on litigation and general business law.

Immediately prior to joining the firm, Klint worked for his own law firm, where he handled general civil and criminal matters, and also had a government consulting practice. After winning the November 2012 election, Klint was recognized by the Chaldean American Bar Association as the first Chaldean elected to the Michigan House of Representatives.

Through his three terms, Kesto served on several House committees, working tirelessly for the betterment of his constituents and the people of Michigan. He was appointed chair of the House Committee on Judiciary during the 2015-2016 term, charmain of the House Committee on Law & Justice for the 2017-2018 term, and served as co-chair for the C.A.R.E.S. Task Force. In 2018, Kesto was recognized as the “Legislator of the Year” by MIRS, and recognized by MADD as a three-time “Legislator of the Year.”

Earlier in his career, Kesto worked for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office as an assistant prosecuting attorney, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Kesto graduated from Wayne State University Law School, and also has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan. He is an active member of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce, the Chaldean Bar Association, the Small Business Association of Michigan, and serves as the Legislative co-chair for the Oakland County Bar Association.

•            •            •

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the appointment of Gail S. Alpert to the Michigan Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Advisory Council (MI-STEM Council).

Alpert, of West Bloomfield, is the president and secretary for FIRST in Michigan, a non-profit STEAM organization. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Michigan State University and earned her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

Alpert is reappointed to represent nonprofit organizations that promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. She will serve for a term commencing October 1, 2020 and expiring September 30, 2024. This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

The MI-STEM Council is tasked with recommending measures to ensure effective communications, collaboration, and joint objectives among state departments and agencies with responsibilities relating to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.

•            •            •

Secrest Wardle is pleased to announce that nine attorneys have been named by Super Lawyers magazine to the 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers list which includes:

Daniel P. Makarski, Alternative Dispute Resolution
Drew W. Broaddu, Appellate
Justin L. Cole and Mark E. Morley, Civil Litigation – Defense
Bruce A. Truex, General Litigation
Thomas J. Azoni, Nathan J. Edmonds, and John L. Weston, Personal Injury General - Defense
Derk W. Beckerleg, State/Local/Municipal

In addition, Brandon C. Hagaman joins Secrest Wardle’s Troy location as a partner with more than 5 years of experience. Hagaman has successfully represented insurance companies in a range of first and third-party no-fault, bodily injury, and premises liability claims. Additionally, he has managed subrogation, commercial, contract, and real estate matters. Hagaman is a member of the firm’s Motor Vehicle Litigation and Premises Liability Practice Groups.

Hagaman earned his law degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, minor in Political Science and Sociology, from Oakland University.

Hagaman is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Young Lawyers Section.

•            •            •

Scott H. Sirich, a partner at Plunkett Cooney, was recently appointed to serve a three-year term on the city of Birmingham Board of Building Trades Appeals.

Sirich was appointed to the position unanimously by the Birmingham Board of Commissioners. His three-year term concludes on May 23, 2023.

“I’ve never done anything like this before, and I thought it would be great if I could give something back to my community,” said Sirich who works in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office. “There aren’t too many local opportunities to lend a hand in my particular area of practice, so I think serving on this board is a perfect fit for me.”

The Birmingham Board of Building Trades Appeals hears and grants or denies requests for variances from strict application of the provisions of the Michigan Building, Residential, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes and the National Electrical Code. The board rules on matters pertaining to specific code requirements related to the construction or materials to be used in the erection, alteration or repair of a building or structure.

A partner at Plunkett Cooney since 2001, Sirich joined the firm a few years after graduating from Wayne State University Law School in 1992. He received his undergraduate degrees in English and economics from the University of Michigan in 1989.

Sirich focuses his practice in the area of construction law with particular expertise in the defense of litigation involving architect and engineer liability. He also practices in the areas of insurance law, occupational health and safety law and general commercial litigation. His clients include architectural and engineering design firms, construction managers, general contractors, subcontractors, owners, and developers. In addition to the direct representation of clients, Sirich serves as approved litigation defense panel counsel for some of the nation’s leading insurance providers.

•            •            •

Michigan Auto Law has announced that 12 of its attorneys have recently been honored with the legal profession’s top awards, including 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers; 2020 Rising Stars; The Best Lawyers in America© for 2021; and  2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. Michigan Auto Law attorneys earned 18 awards altogether.

The following is the list of Michigan Auto Law attorneys and the awards they received:

• Steven M. Gursten has been recognized on the Best Lawyers in America list annually for the past 12 years, named to the list of Michigan Super Lawyers for 13 years straight as well as included in Super Lawyers’ lists of the Top 50 and Top 100 lawyers in Michigan for the 10th straight year.

• Lawrence E. Gursten has been listed on The Best Lawyers in America list annually for the past 12 years and recognized on the list of Michigan Super Lawyers for 14 years straight.

• Leonard M. Koltonow has been recognized on The Best Lawyers in America list annually for the past 7 years and selected as a Michigan Super Lawyer for 13 years straight.  He has been named one of the top trial attorneys in the state by the Michigan Association for Justice.

• Robert M. Raitt (Bobby) has been recognized on the Best Lawyers in America list annually for the past eight years, named to the list of Michigan Super Lawyers for 12 years straight as well as included in Super Lawyers’ lists of the Top 50 or Top 100 lawyers in Michigan for multiple years.

• Kevin H. Seiferheld was recognized for the first time this year on the Best Lawyers in America list.  He has also been selected as a Michigan Super Lawyer and Rising Star for multiple years since 2011.  He has made the Michigan Lawyers Weekly list of the top-reported verdicts and settlements in the state for seven of the past eight years for recoveries he has obtained for his clients.

• Thomas W. James has been selected as a Michigan Super Lawyer for multiple years since 2010 as well as included in Super Lawyers’ past list of the Top 50 Michigan Consumer Super  Lawyers.  He was also named a Michigan Lawyers Weekly Up and Coming Lawyer as well as a Michigan Association for Justice Pacesetter.

• Brandon M. Hewitt has been recognized as a Michigan Super Lawyer annually since 2013 and has been named on Grand Rapids Magazine’s list of Top Lawyers for 2019 and 2020.  He also recently became a member of the Executive Board of the Michigan Association of Justice.

• Joshua R. Terebelo has been recognized on the list of Michigan Rising Stars for multiple years since 2010.  He was also named in the “Top 40 Under 40” by the National Trial Lawyers Association.

• Jordan M. Jones was recognized for the first time this year on the Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch list for 2021 and has also been selected to the Michigan Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars list annually since 2015. He has also been named a Michigan Lawyers Weekly Up & Coming Lawyer.

• Alexander P. Kemp has been selected to the Michigan Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars list annually since 2018.

• Rick J. Houghton has been recognized on the Michigan Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars list annually since 2014 and has been named one of Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers for 2020.

• Alexus B. Ringstad was recognized for the first time this year on the Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars list.

•            •            •

Six McKeen & Associates attorneys were recently named as Super Lawyers for 2020, and five as Rising Stars.

Brian McKeen, managing partner, was named to the Super Lawyers list under the practice area of Medical Malpractice, Plaintiff, along with Jody Aaron, Richard Counsman, Terry Dawes, and Norman Rosen. David Tirella was named in the practice area of General, Plaintiff.

McKeen attorneys Steven Hurbis, Andrew Kay, Kenneth Lee, John Malone, and Erik Proulx were named as Rising Stars in the practice area of Medical Malpractice, Plaintiff.
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