Legal People ...

Detroit-based management side labor and employment law firm Nemeth Law PC is pleased to announce that attorneys Deborah Brouwer and Patricia Nemeth have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 28th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. 

In her second year being named to Best Lawyers, co-managing partner Brouwer has been recognized in the practice categories of Labor Law-Management and Litigation-Labor and Employment. Brouwer’s labor and employment practice includes the defense of lawsuits against employers involving claims of race, age, religion, national origin, gender and disability discrimination, and harassment and retaliation, as well as FLSA, FMLA and non-competition suits. She provides employer training and conducts discrimination and harassment investigations on behalf of employers and has extensive experience appearing before the EEOC, MDCR, MIOSHA, OSHA and the NLRB, in addition to frequently appearing before the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. 

Brouwer earned a law degree from Wayne State University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts degree, both from the University of Michigan.  In 2019, she was recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business as a Notable Women in Law, has been selected as a Michigan Super Lawyer since 2019, and was named a 2020 Michigan “Go To Lawyer” in business law and a “Woman in the Law” honoree in 2018 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

Brouwer is active in a number of professional and community organizations.  She is president of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel Board of Directors; member, State Bar of Michigan, American Bar Association and DRI; chair of the Board of Directors of Assured Family Services; chair of the Board of Trustees, Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation; and a member of the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society/Advocates Guild.

Firm founder Nemeth, Of Counsel, has been recognized as a 2022 Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year.” Nemeth received this accolade for her longstanding work in Employment Law-Management in Detroit.

In addition, Nemeth has been named a 2022 Best Lawyer in the practice areas of Employment Law-Management, Labor Law-Management, and Litigation-Labor and Employment. She has been included on the Best Lawyers list since 2010. Nemeth has dedicated her legal career to defending clients, transitioning in recent years to a successful career as a certified mediator for all types of civil litigation matters, including employment, and as an employment and commercial arbitrator.

Nemeth earned law degrees from Wayne State University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan. She was named a recipient of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel Excellence in Defense Award for 2020. The honor acknowledges civil defense counsel who through their professionalism, intelligence, creativity, judgement, civility, advocacy skills, community involvement and efforts to educate younger attorneys, promote the practice of the defense bar and the representation of their clients in and outside of the courtroom.  In April 2016, she received a Treasure of Detroit Distinguished Alumni award from the Wayne State University Law School, honoring those who have made significant contributions to the practice of law as well as to the growth and success of Wayne Law. 

In addition to Best Lawyers, Nemeth has been named a Michigan Super Lawyer since 2006 and has been included in Super Lawyers 2020 Women’s edition. She is also a multiple Leading Lawyers honoree, and appeared in the April 2020 issue of Leading Lawyers Magazine-Michigan Edition. In 2009, Nemeth was named a Leader in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly and is an ABA Foundation Fellow and a College of Labor and Employment Lawyers Fellow. Nemeth is a member of the Michigan, Illinois, Federal and the United States Supreme Court bars.

In addition, Nemeth Law is pleased to announce the firm attorneys who have been named 2021 Michigan Super Lawyers. 

Brouwer has been named in the category of employment litigation-defense.  Co-managing Partner Terry W. Bonnette, who has also been on the Michigan Super Lawyers list since 2019, has been named in the area of employment & labor. Partner Susan D. Koval, now in her 11th appearance, was named a Michigan Super Lawyer in the area of employment litigation-defense.

Nemeth was listed in the category of employment litigation-defense. Also, for the second consecutive year, Nemeth has been included on the Top 50: 2021 Women Michigan Super Lawyers List. 

”Nemeth Law is honored to have our firm attorneys included on the 2021 Michigan Super Lawyers list,” Brouwer said.  “Our recurring appearance is a testament to the specialized skills we offer in management-side labor and employment matters, and we thank our peers for their acknowledgement.”
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Western Michigan University Cooley Law School Professor Florise Neville-Ewell has been named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2021 Class of Women in the Law.  An awards luncheon honoreeing the nominees will be held on September 9 at the Detroit Marriott Troy.

Neville-Ewell teaches Contracts, Ethics, Property, and Real Estate Finance. She is the founder of the Ten Commandments of Real Estate Law Society (10CORE® Law Society), a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to educating the public through outreach.

Neville-Ewell is dedicated to providing substantive town hall meetings for the public with law students and volunteer lawyers. The 10CORE® Law Society has provided outreach in Michigan, Florida, Georgia, and Maryland. It is in the process of expanding nationally to bridge the gap between the public and knowledge by providing “access to justice through legal literacy.”

Additionally, Neville-Ewell is the host of the Housing Gap Podcast, a podcast dedicated to educating tenants and homeowners.

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The Best Lawyers in America® has named 227 Barnes & Thornburg lawyers to its 2022 edition. Attorneys were recognized in nearly 418 listings in a number of legal practice areas.

The recepient of the Detroit Metro Best Lawyers honor is Frank T. Mamat in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management; Labor Law - Management; and Litigation - Labor and Employment.

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Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that 18 of the firm’s attorneys in Michigan have been included in Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch” 2022 edition.
Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on the Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch” list include:

Detroit
Max A. Aidenbaum, Commercial Litigation
Michael L. Dallaire, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation
Ariana D. Pellegrino, Commercial Litigation
Julie Rhoades, Nonprofit/Charities Law, Tax Law
M. Katherine VanderVeen, Banking and Finance Law
Adam J. Wallace, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law

Troy
Dalia Abdow, Commercial Litigation
Jeremy Belanger, Health Care Law
Juliet R. Boyd, Litigation – Trusts and Estates
Brandon Debus, Commercial Litigation
Peter E. Doyle, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Intellectual Property
Erin A. Johnson, Real Estate Law
James A. Martone, Commercial Litigation
Alexandra A. Vallee, Health Care Law

Dickinson Wright is also pleased to announce that 14 of the firm’s lawyers in Michigan have been identified as the leading practitioner in their practice areas as a Best Lawyers in America® 2022 “Lawyer of the Year.”

The following local Dickinson Wright lawyers were selected as Best Lawyers in America 2022 “Lawyer of the Year”:

Detroit
Steven G. Howell, Banking and Finance Law
Timothy H. Howlett, Labor Law – Management
Thomas G. McNeill, Bet-the-Company Litigation
Sharon R. Newlon, Litigation – Environmental

Troy
Cynthia A. Moore, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
J. Bryan Williams, Corporate Law
Katheryne L. Zelenock, Banking and Finance Law

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Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson has announced that effective upon the completion of the fiscal year 2022 budget for the State of Michigan, David Massaron will assume the duties of chief business officer and CFO/senior vice president for finance and business operations and treasurer.

Massaron, who currently serves as the State of Michigan’s budget director, will be responsible for the university’s overall financial and business affairs, including budget preparation of the general and auxiliary funds, business services, human resources, and facilities management. In his capacity, Massaron will work closely with the university’s Board of Governors, senior leadership and faculty, as well as key members of the local and state business and political communities. The national search firm Anthem Executive assisted in identifying Massaron as a top candidate for the position.

He replaces Rebecca Cooke, who came out of retirement to serve in the position on an interim basis while the university held a national search.

Before joining the state, Massaron served as the chief financial officer for the City of Detroit, where he supervised all of the city’s financial and budget activities. Prior to his CFO assignment, he served as the city’s chief operating officer and senior counsel to Mayor Mike Duggan. In that role, he was responsible for day-to-day operations of the city, including ensuring that annual budgets reflected the mayor’s priorities. 

His accomplishments with the city include achieving five years of balanced budgets post-bankruptcy, implementing a $1.8 billion capital investment strategy to improve city infrastructure and facilities, and developing the crisis management strategy to deploy federal funds and reduce city expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure continued solvency for the city.

Massaron is a graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University and the William and Mary School of Law.

“I want to thank Governor Whitmer for allowing me to serve as state budget director and participate in the enormous progress we made in a short time,” said Massaron. “I look forward to working with the legislature to achieve similar things on the rest of the budget. I feel that my career and experiences have equipped me well for this position, and I’m excited to join Wayne State and help serve its extraordinary mission. As a native and current Detroiter with strong connections to the university, I feel like this is coming home, and I can’t wait to get started.”

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Laura You, a partner in the law firm Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, has been named to the Michigan Lawyers Weekly “Women in the Law” Class of 2021.

The awards will be presented during a September 9 luncheon at the Detroit Marriott Hotel in Troy where the “Woman of the Year,” selected by the Class of 2021, will also be announced.

You is a member of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group and Automotive and Financial Services industry groups. She focuses her practice on resolving complex commercial disputes in the automotive, aerospace and industrial manufacturing industries. You practices in the firm’s Detroit office. 

Active professionally and in the community, You is a member of the Federal Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, and Oakland County Bar Association. She serves on the boards of Inforum and the Detroit Bar Association and on the Sky Foundation Inc.’s Young Professionals Group. You is also a member of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and a graduate of Leadership Oakland.

You has been recognized as a Rising Star by Michigan Super Lawyers each year since 2016.

In addition, Crain’s Detroit Business has recognized Warner Norcross + Judd LLP again as one of its “Cool Places to Work.”

Warner was again the highest ranked law firm on the list and selected for its commitment to work-life balance, its workplace flexibility and its excellent compensation and benefits package. The firm was noted for its support of working parents and its engagement committee, as well as allowing paid time off so team members in its nine offices can volunteer for nonprofits in their communities.

As one of the largest law firms in Michigan, Warner has more than 230 attorneys practicing in 14 industry groups and 26 practice areas that cover virtually every aspect of law. Firm members are active professionally and within their communities, holding leadership positions at local, state and national levels.

Employers like Warner benefit from the summarized feedback from the survey completed by employees, which allows them to see areas where they are excelling, as well as areas for improvement. Additionally, winners receive benchmarking materials to see how they stack up against other organizations.

In addition, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP has again been recognized by the State Bar of Michigan for its pro bono contributions.

The law firm and 24 attorneys were recognized in the second annual A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll. The 2021 Honor Roll recognizes both firms and individual attorneys who support access-to-justice efforts by providing pro bono legal services to low-income individuals and families throughout Michigan.

“We believe all Michigan residents should have access to legal representation,” said Warner Managing Partner Douglas A. Dozeman. “Our attorneys and the firm donate thousands of hours each year as part of our commitment to serving the communities where we live and work. We are again honored to be recognized by the State Bar of Michigan for our pro bono work.”

Warner attorneys provide direct client representation, serve on boards for legal aid programs, engage in community legal education programs and advise nonprofit and low-income public interest groups. In addition, the firm makes an annual financial contribution to the Access to Justice Fund.

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Detroit-based land use, business, and denominational trust law firm Dalton & Tomich is pleased to announce two firm attorneys have been named to the 2021 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Daniel Dalton, a founding partner of the firm, has been named a 2021 Michigan Super Lawyer in the category of “land use and zoning,” an area where he holds a national reputation as a tenacious and strategic litigator. Dalton, who has been awarded the Super Lawyer designation multiple times since 2009, not only works in commercial land use and zoning; he also has a masterful understanding of religious denominational splits and property disputes. Throughout the country, he has represented numerous institutions of all faiths in cases related to the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA), in addition to local churches seeking to separate from their mainline denominations while retaining their property using denominational trust clauses. He recently authored the ABA-published “Religious Property Disputes and the Law: House of God, Laws of Man” as a desk reference for pastors, lay church leaders and the attorneys who serve them.

Partner Lawrence Opalewski was named a Michigan Super Lawyer Rising Star. Opalewski, who has been named a Rising Star since 2017, was selected in the category of general litigation. He focuses his practice on land use and zoning litigation, including riparian (water) rights, as well as constitutional and civil rights litigation. He has also been certified by the State of Michigan as a civil mediator, understanding the value of pre-litigation conflict resolution.

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Intellectual property specialty law firm Fishman Stewart PLLC is pleased to announce that nine firm attorneys have been named to the 2021 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

The following Fishman Stewart attorneys have received Michigan Super Lawyers honors for 2021 in their practice areas, followed by the years they have been chosen for this distinction:

Michael D. Fishman, Intellectual Property (2006-2013; 2015-2021)
Michael B. Stewart, Intellectual Property (2008-2021)
Maxwell Goss, Business Litigation (2020-2021; Rising Star 2018-2019)
John P. Guenther, Intellectual Property (2018-2021)
Douglas P. LaLone, Intellectual Property (2020-2021)
Barbara Lynn Mandell, Intellectual Property Litigation (2016-2021)
Michelle Visser, Intellectual Property (2021)

In addition, two Fishman Stewart attorneys were named Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars:

Kameron Bonner, Intellectual Property (Rising Star 2017 - 2021)
Michael Comeau, Intellectual Property (Rising Star 2019 - 2021)

In addition, Fishman Stewart  announced the inclusion of six firm attorneys in the 28th edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and two on the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch list. Best Lawyers annually recognizes legal talent in more than 70 countries worldwide.

Through a peer-review selection process, the following Fishman Stewart attorneys have been awarded 2022 Best Lawyers in their categories of distinction:

Michael D. Fishman: Trademark Law
Michael B. Stewart: Litigation-Intellectual Property; Litigation-Patent; Patent Law; and Trademark Law
Julie A. Greenberg: Trademark Law
John P. Guenther: Litigation-Intellectual Property; Patent Law; and Trademark Law
Douglas P. LaLone: Litigation-Intellectual Property; Patent Law
Barbara Lynn Mandell: Litigation-Intellectual Property

In addition, Maxwell Goss and, in his inaugural appearance, Kameron Bonner, have been recognized as 2022 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in the category of Litigation-Intellectual Property.

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This, year Kitch attorneys were recognized in all three individual award categories for The Best Lawyers in America.

The firm congratulates Ralph Valitutti for receiving the recognition of “Lawyer of the Year” in the practice area of Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants.

Also receiving recognition as Best Lawyers were the following attorneys:

Gregory Drutchas – Health Care Law
Jenna Wright Greenman – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
Shannon M. Kos – Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Harry J. Sherbrook – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
John M. Sier – Construction Law, Litigation – Construction
Ronald E. Wagner – Product Liability Litigation – Defendants

Additionally, Dominic J. DeBeul and Kaitlyn Elias were recognized with the Ones to Watch Awards.

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Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that experienced employee benefits and executive compensation attorney Kenneth J. Sachs has joined the firm as a member in the Troy and Detroit offices.

Sachs is a member of Bodman’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice Group. He has experience advising clients regarding their employee benefit plans, executive benefit programs, and business planning. He also represents public and private entities concerning their corporate, fiduciary, and governance responsibilities.

He designs, drafts, and establishes retirement plans, welfare plans, medical plans, fringe benefits, and various other programs provided to employees. He has broad experience in the administration of such plans, including the correction of administrative errors. Sachs also advises clients as to the design and implementation of incentive compensation programs, such as stock options, restricted stock, phantom equity and other compensatory arrangements.

Sachs has experience counseling sellers and buyers on the employee benefit implications of mergers and acquisitions.

Sachs is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2013-2022 as a leading practitioner for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law.  He is a member of the Great Lakes Area TE/GE Council and a former chair of the Oakland County Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee.

Sachs earned his law degrees from George Washington University Law School and Wayne State University Law School. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.

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Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan recently announced that he has appointed Hassan Beydoun as senior advisor and counsel for the mayor. He fills the position vacated by Eli Savit, who was elected Washtenaw County prosecutor in November and will begin his new role September 20.

In his new role, Beydoun will advise and represent the mayor on major initiatives and work as an advocate in Lansing for legislation that can improve the lives of Detroiters.

Born and raised in Detroit’s Warrendale neighborhood, Beydoun has provided counsel to the Michigan House of Representatives since 2013. In his role as general counsel, Beydoun was instrumental in the passage of auto no fault reform legislation and the expansion of eligibility for criminal expungement. He also previously worked on legislation relating to the Grand Bargain and creating Detroit’s Financial Review Commission that set the stage for the city’s exit from bankruptcy and state financial oversight. Beydoun has also served as a member of the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission since 2016.

In addition to providing legal counsel to five House speakers, Beydoun has served as the lead attorney and advisor for the House Judiciary, Criminal Justice and Oversight Committees, as well as several special committees and investigations, including inquiries into the Flint water crisis and Larry Nassar scandal.

“I’m honored to have this opportunity to serve my childhood city in this capacity and thank the mayor for his confidence in me,” Beydoun said.

“First and foremost, I  want to help ensure that the significant progress that the city has made under Mayor Duggan continues, and that starts with an accurate census count. I’d also like to address policy obstacles like car insurance costs and criminal records to help more Detroiters improve their financial situation,” Beydoun added.  “As the son of an immigrant that called Detroit home, I know many of these obstacles first-hand and look forward to supporting Mayor Duggan’s strategies for eliminating them.”

Beydoun earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Wayne State University before graduating from the University of Iowa College of Law.

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Howard & Howard is pleased to announce that 22 of our attorneys were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2022 and six of our attorneys were included in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America 2022.

The Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice area(s) under which they are listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2022 are:

W. West Allen: Litigation—Intellectual Property, Trademark Law
Daniel H. Bliss: Patent Law, Trademark Law
Stephanie S. Buntin: Trademark Law
Seaton J. Curran: Patent Law
Thomas W. Davis II: Commercial Litigation, Litigation—Construction (Las Vegas “Lawyer of the Year” Litigation—Construction)
Trent K. English: Patent Law
Mark J. Gardberg: Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
Andrew (Jake) Grove: Litigation—Intellectual Property
Robert W. Hernquist: Commercial Litigation, Litigation—Banking and Finance
Sam J. Haidle: Patent Law
Kristopher K. Hulliberger: Litigation—Intellectual Property, Litigation—Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law (Troy “Lawyer of the Year” Trademark Law)
Michael V. Kell: Commercial Litigation
Rodger A. Kershner: Energy Law (Troy “Lawyer of the Year” Energy Law)
Matthew J. Kreutzer: Franchise Law
Miles T. Macik: Commercial Litigation
Patrick M. McCarthy: Commercial Litigation, Litigation—Intellectual Property
Gerald E. McGlynn III: Litigation—Intellectual Property, Litigation—Patent, Patent Law
R. Saleha Mohamedulla: Trademark Law
Gwen Rutar Mullins: Construction Law
Brian J. Pezzillo: Construction Law
Robert L. Rosenthal: Employment Law—Management, Labor Law—Management, Litigation—Labor and Employment
Leonard W. Sachs: Employment Law—Management.

The Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice area(s) under which they are listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America 2022 are:

Aaron Beresh: Health Care Law
Brigid D. Fox: Trusts and Estates
Paul S. Mazzola: Patent Law
Noah A. Menold: Commercial Litigation
Adrianna Agosta Nichol: Tax Law
Marcus Smetka: Intellectual Property Law, Patent Law.