Butzel attorney and shareholder Mitchell Zajac has been named to DBusiness magazine’s 2022 Class of “30 in Their Thirties,” which profiles metro Detroit business professionals who have achieved notable success in their respective fields. Zajac also was named to DBusiness magazine’s Top Lawyers of Metro Detroit, Intellectual Property and Patent Law, 2021 and 2022. He is profiled in the May/June 2022 edition of DBusiness.
Zajac is a member of Butzel’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group, one of the firm’s largest practices areas. His practice also includes a focus on automotive, intellectual property, regulatory and emissions compliance, and sports law, to name a few. He is a registered patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Before joining Butzel as a summer associate in May 2017, while attending law school full time, Zajac was an engineer at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). He was responsible for multiple development projects, led the international engineering team producing the Ram ProMaster City, and had a role in FCA’s corporate audit group with responsibilities in safety/regulatory compliance, quality and purchasing.
He has practiced in six federal courts, the U.S. Patent Office, the Court of International Trade, and the U.S. International Trade Commission. Zajac has helped several clients manage and craft IP portfolios in other unique industries, like medicine, light-weighting, and industrial manufacturing. He also has experience in complex patent, trade secret and commercial litigation cases.
Zajac attended Western Michigan University Cooley Law School (2017) after graduating from Western Michigan University with bachelors’ degrees in Mechanical Engineering and German (2012) and a master’s in Mechanical Engineering (2013). He was a Rhodes Scholar finalist (2012); interned for Congressman Fred Upton; and was a four-year starter on the Division 1 football team at WMU. Zajac was named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2020 Class of Up & Coming Lawyers. He also received the Detroit Bar Association’s “One to Watch” Award in 2019. Zajac has been named to Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, 2022.
Zajac was elected to the Livingston County Board of Commissioners. He is an appointed member on the WMU-Cooley board of directors.
Zajac is the Association for Child Development (ACD) president, a non-profit organization facilitating ~$30M/annum through the USDA CACF Program providing healthy meals to children across the Midwest. He has helped achieve financial stability, organizational structure, and leads strategic expansion of ACD programs to more children and to provide education to more families. He also dedicates hundreds of hours each year coaching high school football and track in Howell.
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Attorney Rabih Hamawi, principal at Law Office of Rabih Hamawi, has been elected as a chair-elect of the Insurance and Indemnity Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan for the year 2021-2022.
Hamawi focuses his practice on representing businessowners, homeowners, property owners, and other insurance policyholders in fire, property damage, and insurance-coverage disputes with insurance companies and in errors-and-omissions cases against insurance agents.
He has litigated hundreds of cases against insurance companies and insurance agents and recovered millions of dollars for his clients. He has also litigated cases against residential and commercial builders, restoration companies, fire repair contractors, towing and storage companies.
Hamawi earned his law degrees from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School and Lebanese University, Faculty of Law. He also earned a Master’s Degree of Science with concentration in insurance and financial planning from Walsh College.
Hamawi has expertise in insurance coverage and is a licensed property and casualty, life, accident, and health insurance producer and counselor (LIC). He earned the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), and Certified Risk Manager (CRM) designations.
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Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that attorneys Matthew A. Slipchuk and DeVaughn J. Swanson have joined the firm as associates in the Business Practice Group based in the Detroit office.
Slipchuk represents business clients in connection with complex transactions and general corporate matters. He has particular experience advising on the tax aspects of M&A transactions.
Before joining Bodman he practiced as a senior associate in the Chicago office of a global accounting firm where he represented large corporate clients and private equity firms as a transactional tax advisor. He participated in more than 70 M&A transactions ranging in size from $25 million to $24 billion involving businesses in the healthcare, defense, SaaS, and general manufacturing industries, among others.
Slipchuk earned his law degrees from DePaul University Law School and Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Windsor.
Swanson represents corporate clients in significant transactions and general business matters. Before joining Bodman, he practiced as a business and litigation associate with a large Michigan-based business law firm.
Before becoming an attorney, Swanson worked as a consultant to multi-billion dollar organizations in the consumer products, life sciences, and retail industries on geographic ecommerce expansion projects. Most recently he worked as a corporate executive fellow at the corporate headquarters of a major national restaurant franchise where he assisted the CEO and corporate foundation executive director with internal and external strategic initiatives.
Swanson earned his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. He also earned a Master’s in Theological Studies from Duke University and a B.B.A. from Morehouse College.
In addition, Benchmark Litigation has named Bodman PLC its Michigan Litigation Law Firm of the Year for 2022. Bodman has earned Benchmark’s Law Firm of the Year award for nine consecutive years dating back to 2014.
In the 2022 edition of Benchmark, Bodman is one of only six Michigan firms to achieve the highest possible “Highly Recommended” rating for Business Litigation, and eleven Bodman attorneys are recognized as “Local Litigation Stars,” “Labor and Employment Stars,” or “Future Stars,” or are included on the publication’s “40 and Under Hot List.” Bodman is one of only five Highly Recommended firms to also achieve a “Recommended” rating for Labor and Employment Litigation.
Bodman’s Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group attorneys appear before state and federal courts, and also before non-judicial forums such as national and international arbitral panels. The group’s expertise spans many industries including accounting, banking and financial services, automotive, insurance, healthcare, manufacturing, real estate, and construction, among others.
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Kemp Klein has welcomed attorney Christopher Ammori.
Ammori has helped entrepreneurs, businesses and developers with real estate transactions, negotiations, and strategic business decisions for over a decade. He has also specialized in cannabis law for several years, advising clients in all aspects of marijuana licensing including municipal and state facility applications.
Ammori has presented at numerous conferences on business and immigration strategy, and he is a member of the Chaldean American Bar Association as well as the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
While earning his law degree at Wayne State University Law School, Ammori interned for Wayne County Circuit Court Judge David A. Hathaway.
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Equal Justice Works, a nonprofit organization that brings together an extensive network of law students, lawyers, legal services organizations, and supporters to promote a lifelong commitment to public service and equal justice, announced its 2022 fellow class. Norrel Hemphill has been granted a fellowship hosted by the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center in Detroit.
Hemphill’s project, Water is a Human Right!, will work toward achieving water affordability for Detroiters and other citizens across the U.S.
“I am honored to have been given the opportunity to help create a plan for water accessibility,” said Hemphill. “Every human being deserves access to clean, safe, affordable drinking water.”
Born in Flint and raised in Detroit, Hemphill has been personally affected by water issues, which compelled her to join the fight for water affordability.
“Black and poor citizens are routinely, disproportionately negatively affected by human right abuses,” said Hemphill.
Building on the foundation that water warriors before her have laid, during her fellowship, Hemphill will provide direct legal representation and policy advocacy in Detroit and throughout the Great Lakes region to ensure low-income residents have access to safe, clean, and affordable drinking water. In her fellowship plans she noted that the current legal framework provides little protection for Detroiters’ water rights.
During her fellowship, Hemphill will work as an advocate for residents – helping to appeal incorrect water bills, enroll in existing low-income payment programs, and eliminate the practice of shutting off water for non-payment.
According to Hemphill, Detroit residents who cannot afford their water bills face displacement of their children and homelessness. Additionally, having no water or plumbing infrastructure has been linked to a rise in infectious diseases worldwide – even in the U.S. In 2016, Michigan experienced a Hepatitis B outbreak; a study found that water inaccessibility contributed to the spread of the illness.
“Detroit needs a permanent equity-based water affordability plan to address structural inequality and increase its residents’ overall quality of life,” she said.
Hemphill’s fellowship is sponsored by the American Tire Distributors.
Hemphill is a 2021 graduate of Western Michigan University School of Law.
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Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that several attorneys have joined the firm’s offices in Detroit.
Michael Janes has joined the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group in Detroit. His practice concentrates on medical malpractice and product liability defense. Janes has been active in many professional associations including the American Board of Trial Advocates, where he is the treasurer and has served as a board member since 2020 and as membership chair in 2021. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Janes previously served as president and longtime board member of the Association of Defense Trial Counsel and has chaired the State Bar of Michigan Negligence Law Section Council. He is a fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and is the recipient of the 2016 Michigan Association of Justice Respected Advocate Award. Janes earned his law degree at the University of
Detroit Mercy School of Law and graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.
Lisa Muhleck joined Miller Canfield’s Intellectual Property Group in Detroit. She is a registered patent attorney and aerospace engineer who has held diverse technical roles at General Motors and Chrysler, where she was one of only a few women in her specialty. Her practice focuses on anti-counterfeiting measures, and the development and management of broad IP portfolios through the preparation and prosecution of design patent, utility patent and trademark applications.
Muhleck is a member of the International Trademark Association. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where she earned her BSE in aerospace engineering, and Wayne State University Law School.
Paula Schneider joined the firm’s Intellectual Property Group in Detroit. She comes to the firm from the United States Patent and Trademark Office where she was a primary patent examiner, managing a docket of patent applications relating to vehicle controls and navigation systems. She was awarded the Bronze Award in 2020 in recognition of five consecutive years of the highest possible performance review ratings.
In private practice, Schneider authored more than 100 patent applications that were issued to patents in transportation (seating, emissions systems, compartment safety latches), aerospace, medical devices, home appliances, sporting equipment and navigation systems. She is a graduate of Michigan State University College of Law and earned her Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, Dearborn.
Laura Selzer joined Miller Canfield’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group in Detroit. Her practice focuses on litigation for Michigan hospitals, physicians and other healthcare providers in medical malpractice, premises liability and general negligence claims. She has experience managing high-exposure claims and proven success with pre-suit resolution and alternative dispute resolution. She is engaged in several civic and charitable organizations and currently serves as co-director of Career Dress, a non-profit in Pontiac.
Selzer has received the Michigan Super Lawyers honor in Medical Malpractice Defense annually since 2019. She is a graduate of the University of Toledo College of Law and earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science from Michigan State University.
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Dykema is proud to announce that Thomas Moga was recognized as a 2022 Leader by World IP Review (WIPR). Each are featured in an online guide in their respective areas as Patent Leaders and Trademark Leaders.
Moga, who was also selected as a Patent Leader, has more than 30 years’ experience in domestic and international IP portfolio development and enforcement. His experience includes the development of domestic and foreign patent portfolios primarily through the drafting and prosecution of patent applications for filing in the United States and abroad.
Moga’s experience also includes the acquisition of registrations for trademarks and copyrights, licensing, and IP policy development both at home and abroad. He is an experienced patent prosecutor in the mechanical, chemical, biochemical, and pharmaceutical arts and testifies as an expert witness in patent disputes.
Moga was also invited by pro bono client Equalize Health to serve as an Intellectual Property Advisor for the nonprofit organization. Moga has accepted the role, which holds a one-year term that can be renewed on an annual basis.
According to the organization’s website, Equalize Health is a not-for-profit medical technology company on a mission to create medical technologies for everyone. To date, Equalize Health products are in nearly 80 countries and have treated more than 1.5M patients, almost all children who otherwise would not have access to quality care.
As an IP advisor, Moga will provide input and guidance to the organization based on his knowledge and experience, be an ambassador for Equalize Health, actively participate in calls covering organizational projects and goals, advise in the best interest of the organization, and serve as a reference.
Moga earned his law degree from St. Louis University School of Law, an M.A. from the University of Michigan, a B.S. from Madonna University, and a B.A. from the University of Michigan.
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Plunkett Cooney partner Dennis G. Cowan recently received a special commendation day from the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, as sponsored by Chairman David T. Woodward and Commissioner Michael J. Gingel.
According to the board’s proclamation, Cowan was recognized for having demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in the practice of law and for leveraging that talent for objectives beyond professional success, aiming to improve Oakland County communities and to positively impact the lives of others. The board also noted Cowan’s accomplishments throughout his nearly 40-year legal career, including his previous service as president & CEO of Plunkett Cooney.
Cowan has received numerous professional accolades, including recognition as a Michigan Super Lawyer, a Martindale-Hubbell AV-rated attorney, and, most recently, selection by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a member of the legal publication’s 2022 Hall of Fame class. Additionally, the board recognized Cowan’s commitment to public service and community, which includes having served 14 years as a member of the Royal Oak City Commission and eight years as Royal Oak mayor. He continues his public service as a current board member of the Oakland County Health Network.
A member of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, Cowan focuses his legal practice on real estate project development with a particular emphasis on obtaining governmental licensing and real estate development approvals at the local, county and state levels.
As part of his land use and corporate law practice, Cowan also represents clients in regulatory hearings before state administrative boards and in matters involving the Michigan Attorney General’s office. Additional areas of his expertise include banking law, business transactions and all aspects of corporate law.
A 1984 graduate of the Detroit College of Law, now known as the Michigan State University College of Law, Cowan has been involved in some of the state’s largest and most significant business deals, including a bid to build a Detroit casino, securing approvals for multi-million-dollar developments in suburban communities, and assisting with the financing package that helped make the city of Detroit’s “Grand Bargain” bankruptcy possible in 2014.
Cowan is a member of the Oakland County Bar Association; the Real Property Law, Corporation and Business Law, and Public Corporations Law sections of the State Bar of Michigan; and the State and Local Government Section of the American Bar Association.
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Jim McCullen, attorney at ABC Law Centers (Reiter & Walsh PC), has become a firm partner. Reiter & Walsh PC is a law firm based in Bloomfield Hills that focuses exclusively on birth injury cases.
McCullen re-joined the team in 2020 with 19 years of birth injury experience. His passion lies in detailed research and preparation, consulting and deposing medical expert witnesses, and the cause of serving children in need that comes with birth injury law.
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Honigman LLP Partner Kenneth R. Marcus has been elected to the 2023 Fellows Class of the American Health Law Association (AHLA). In conferring Fellow status on Marcus, AHLA has
recognized his lifetime contributions to AHLA, which included service as vice chair for the AHLA Reimbursement, Accreditation and Payment Practice Group, chair of the Lifetime Members Council, author of numerous publications and speaker at many AHLA’s national programs.
At Honigman, Marcus maintains a broad health law practice focusing on corporate, government relations, regulatory, and appellate advocacy. He has practiced with Honigman 28 of his 38 years as an attorney.
Marcus is recognized as a national expert in Medicare provider appeals procedures, with extensive experience representing hospitals before the Provider Reimbursement Review Board and the federal courts.
He also has experience as a transactional lawyer through representing clients in major business transactions such as the establishment of health systems, hospital mergers, managed care contracting, integrated delivery system development, hospital-physician joint ventures, and hospital-physician practice acquisitions.
Marcus has frequently advised clients in matters involving the Medicare and Medicaid Anti-fraud and Abuse Provisions, the Stark Act, and the Federal False Claims Act.
He has established and represented two managed care organizations providing services to Medicaid-eligible people in Wayne County with behavioral health, developmental disability, and severe mental illness. Marcus has defended clients in audits conducted by Medicaid and Blue Cross Blue Shield, structured hospital-physician alignment transactions, and negotiated payor contracts with insurers, Blue Cross/Blue Shield. He also conducted hospital joint venture and affiliation transactions, resolved licensure and certification problems, along with collaborating with in-house corporate counsel, established and represented managed care organizations.
Marcus is a member of the Healthcare Financial Association (Michigan Great Lakes Chapter) where he has served on the Board of Directors and is the founder and served as inaugural chair of the compliance committee and received several recognition awards. He has served in a variety of leadership and committee roles with several organizations, including Michigan Hospital Association. He was awarded the State Bar of Michigan Health Care Law Section fellow from 2014-to-present. Marcus also has taught health law in the graduate program of the University of Michigan School of Public Health.
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The State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) has named former court analyst Michele Muscat as the new Region 6 administrator, effective May 16. In this role, Muscat will serve as SCAO’s liaison to 26 courts (circuit, probate, and district) in Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer, and St. Clair counties.
Muscat, who earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Oakland University and Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Madonna University, most recently served as a SCAO management analyst for problem-solving courts.
Muscat’s primary responsibilities as Region 6 administrator will include monitoring and providing management assistance to all trial courts within the region, directing the judicial assignment program, mediating funding and policy disputes, investigating complaints, and acting as a resource to judges and court staff as the State Court Administrator’s executive representative to courts in the region. Muscat will also develop and implement plans and goals and directs the personnel and operational activities of the Regional Office.
In her previous court roles, Muscat worked for the 47th District Court in Farmington Hills for 13 years, where she held multiple positions—deputy clerk, probation officer, and sobriety court officer. Muscat also worked for the Farmington Hills Police Department as an emergency medical and police dispatcher. She is also a Certified Court Manager through the National Center for State Courts and is licensed as an Internationally Certified Criminal Justice Professional through the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium.
“I have dedicated my career to public service and am excited for my new role working alongside the courts in Region 6,” Muscat said. “In this role, I hope to deepen the relationships I have already cultivated with judges, administrators, and other court personnel, establish new relationships, and provide administrative guidance and support.”
