LEGAL PEOPLE

McDonald Hopkins LLC

Eight attorneys at McDonald Hopkins have been selected to the 2022 Michigan Super Lawyers list and one McDonald Hopkins attorney has been selected to the 2022 Michigan Rising Stars list.

The McDonald Hopkins Michigan Super Lawyers are:

Alexander A. Ayar, member, Litigation Department

John E. Benko, member, Litigation Department

James J. Giszczak, chair, Litigation Department; co-chair, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group

Stephen M. Gross, co-chair, Strategic Advisory and Restructuring Department; chair, Automotive Practice Group

Patrick A. Karbowski, member, Real Estate Practice Group

Michael G. Latiff, co-chair, Business Litigation Practice Group

Miriam L. Rosen, chair, Labor and Employment Practice Group

Michael P. Witzke, chair, Estate Planning and Probate Practice Group

The McDonald Hopkins Michigan Rising Star is:

Vanessa L. Bailey, associate, Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group

—————

Kemp Klein Law Firm

Kemp Klein Law Firm is proud to announce ten of the firm’s lawyers were recognized as 2022 Michigan Super Lawyers:

Leslie C. Banas – Business / Corporate Law

Joseph P. Buttiglieri – Estate & Trust Litigation

Ralph A. Castelli Jr. – Business / Corporate Law

Mark R. Filipp – Employment Litigation: Defense

Brian R. Jenney – Estate & Probate Law

Alan A. May – Estate & Probate Law

Brian H. Rolfe – Business Litigation

Amy A. Stawski – Family Law

Thomas V. Trainer – Elder Law

Austin W. Probst was named a 2022 Super Lawyers Rising Star – Estate & Probate Law

In addition, Kemp Klein attorney Brian R. Jenney was recognized by Best Lawyers in America as the 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” for Elder Law. 

In addition to the “Lawyer of the Year” award, Jenney was also listed in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® in the Trusts and Estates practice area.

Jenney helps families and individuals with elder law and special needs issues as well as estate planning and administration. Jenney prepares wills, trusts, special needs trusts, and powers of attorney to ensure proper future handling of medical decisions, finances, and distribution of assets. Also, he assists with guardianships and conservatorships of ailing family members and helps families work through the administration of wills and trusts and tax related issues after the loss of a loved one. 

Kemp Klein would also like to congratulate the following lawyers named to 2023 The Best Lawyers in America list:

William B. Acker - Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Real Estate Law, Tax Law, and Trusts & Estates

C. Leslie Banas - Corporate Law and Real Estate Law

Cynthia E. Brazzil - Corporate Law

Richard C. Bruder - Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law

Joseph P. Buttiglieri - Litigation - Trusts & Estates

Ralph A. Castelli Jr. - Corporate Law and Real Estate Law

Mark R. Filipp - Litigation - Labor and Employment

Brian R. Jenney - Elder Law and Trusts & Estates

David D. Marsh - Real Estate Law

Alan A. May - Litigation - Trusts & Estates and Trusts & Estates

Norman D. Orr - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Corporate Law

Thomas C. Rauch - Real Estate Law

Brian H. Rolfe - Commercial Litigation

Stuart Sinai - Securities Regulation

Amy A. Stawski - Family Law

Thomas V. Trainer - Elder Law and Trusts & Estates

Michael D. Umphrey - Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Trusts & Estates

Robert S. Zawideh - Arbitration and Litigation - Trusts & Estates

—————

Bodman PLC

Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that Mingyu Kim has joined the firm as a member in the Detroit office.

Kim is a member of Bodman’s Banking Practice Group. He represents national and regional financial institutions in negotiating and documenting commercial loan originations, with a focus on agented and syndicated loan transactions, bilateral loans, subordinated loans, and participations.

Kim also has experience in corporate law, corporate finance, and complex corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and securities transactions and compliance. He has represented clients in general corporate matters in a variety of industries including insurance, banking, manufacturing, engineering, information technology, investment management, finance, and entertainment.

Kim is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. He earned his undergraduate degree from Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea.

Before entering private practice, Kim worked as a research attorney with the Michigan Court of Appeals. 

Prior to becoming an attorney, Kim worked as a senior research officer with the Australian Embassy in Seoul and as an underwriter with Korean Reinsurance Company. He served for three years as an officer in the Republic of Korea Air Force.

Bodman is also pleased to announce that 63 of the firm’s attorneys have been included in the 2022 edition of Michigan Super Lawyers.

Local Bodman attorneys listed in Michigan Super Lawyers 2022 (by office location, including practice area) are:

—Detroit

Marc M. Bakst (Bankruptcy: Business)

Andrew H. Curoe (Estate & Probate)

Brandon M. Dalziel (Health Care)

Laurence B. Deitch (Business/Corporate)

Robert J. Diehl Jr. (Creditor-Debtor Rights)

Kathleen O’Callaghan Hickey (Banking)

Joseph J. Kochanek (Banking)

David P. Larsen (Estate & 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)

Jaimee L. Witten (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 & Probate)

Michelle Thurber Czapski (Business Litigation)

Stephen P. Dunn (Business Litigation)

Gary S. Fealk (Employment Litigation: Defense)

Marguerite Munson Lentz (Estate & Probate)

Thomas J. Tallerico (Business Litigation)

Thomas Van Dusen (Business Litigation)

David B. Walters (Employee Benefits)

Local Bodman attorneys selected for the 2022 Michigan Rising Stars list are:

—Detroit

Sarah L. Cylkowski (Business Litigation)

Fawzeih Daher (Appellate)

Nathan D. Dupes (Business Litigation)

Michael J. Jameson (Estate & Probate)

Kelly M. Lockman (Real Estate)

Jay B. Long (Estate & Probate)

Alexandra C. Markel (General Litigation)

Chelsey L. Marsh (Real Estate)

Julia C. Massaro (Estate & Probate)

Nicholas P. McElhinny (Mergers & Acquisitions)

Noel J. Ravenscroft (Bankruptcy: Business)

Thomas J. Rheaume Jr. (Business Litigation)

—Troy

Donovan S. Asmar (Business Litigation)

Joseph P. Michniacki (Business/Corporate)

Ryan M. Olson (Business/Corporate)

Jacob J. Simon (Business/Corporate)

Melissa M. Tetreau (Employment & Labor)

—————

Warner, Norcross, + Judd LLP

Nineteen Warner Norcross + Judd LLP attorneys in Detroit and Bloomfield Hills have been selected for The Best Lawyers in America© 2023.

The award individually recognized:

Michael Brady, commercial litigation

Kurt M. Brauer, agricultural law; environmental law

Vito A. Ciaravino, patent law 

Sean H. Cook, closely held companies and family businesses law; tax law

Homayune A. Ghaussi, commercial litigation

Rozanne M. Giunta, bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law; bankruptcy litigation

William R. Jansen, commercial litigation, regulatory enforcement litigation

Jay A. Kennedy, closely held companies and family business law; tax law; trusts and estates

Kurt A. Kissling, environmental law 

Steven C. Kohl, environmental law

Mary Jo Larson, employee benefits law

William C. Lentine, business organizations; tax law; trusts and estates

Dennis W. Loughlin, bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law

Thomas J. Manganello, commercial litigation

Lawrence J. Murphy, commercial litigation

Linda Paullin-Hebden, corporate law

Alan T. Rogalski, health care law

Nazli G. Sater, family law; family law arbitration 

Lisa B. Zimmer, employee benefits law

Kennedy and Zimmer were both named Lawyer of the Year in Detroit for closely held companies and family business law and employee benefits law, respectively.

In addition, six attorneys in the Macomb County office Warner have been selected for The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 including:

Susan M. Cook, bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law

David C.C. Eberhard, corporate law; real estate law

Frank E. Henke, trusts and estates

David W. MacDonald, corporate law; real estate law

James E. Romzek, corporate law

Brian D. Wassom, advertising law; commercial litigation; intellectual property litigation

Warner is also pleased to announce that several local attorneys have been named to the Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch list.

Local Warner attorneys named as Ones to Watch 2023 are:

—Detroit

Daniel G. Bonucchi, corporate law; mergers and acquisitions law

Zainab S. Hazimi, commercial litigation; labor and employment litigation

John C. Muhs, corporate governance and compliance law; corporate law

Adam T. Ratliff, appellate practice; criminal defense – white-collar

Jeffrey S. Segal, health care law; tax law

These local attorneys are among a total of 108 Warner attorneys, representing more than 50 different practice areas, to be included in the 2023 list.

—————

Secrest Wardle

Secrest Wardle is proud to announce that Senior Partner and Co-Managing Partner Nathan J. Edmonds has received Best Lawyers 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” Award in Litigation — Insurance for Troy. 

Edmonds is a member of the firm’s Amusement and Leisure, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, and Property, Fire and Casualty Practice Groups. He is also the recipient of the Best Lawyers in America 2023 Commercial Litigation and Litigation — Insurance Award.

Secrest Wardle is also pleased to announce that seven of the firm’s attorneys were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2023. The firm congratulates Thomas J. Azoni, Derk W. Beckerleg, Nathan J. Edmonds, Daniel P. Makarski, Mark E. Morley, Anthony A. Randazzo, and Bruce A. Truex. All seven attorneys are located in the firm’s Troy office and have been listed in their respective categories in Troy.

Azoni is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2023 in the Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants categories. Azoni is a senior partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Amusement and Leisure, General Negligence, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups.

Beckerleg is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2023 in the Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Litigation – Municipal, and Municipal Law categories. Beckerleg is an executive partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member and chair of the firm’s Governmental Litigation, Municipal, and Real Estate Practice Groups. Beckerleg serves as the managing partner of the Municipal Law Practice Group. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for 11 years and was also the recipient of the Best Lawyers 2022 Municipal Law-Troy, Michigan “Lawyer of the Year” Award.

Edmonds is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2023 in the Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Insurance categories. Edmonds is a senior partner and co-managing partner of Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Amusement and Leisure, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, and Property, Fire and Casualty Practice Groups. Edmonds is also the recipient of the Best Lawyers in America 2023 Litigation — Insurance “Lawyer of the Year” Award.

Makarski is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2023 in the Arbitration, Insurance Law, and Litigation – Insurance categories. Makarski is a senior partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group and serves as chair of the group. Additionally, Makarski was the recipient of the Best Lawyers 2021 Insurance Law — Troy, Michigan “Lawyer of the Year” Award.

Morley is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2023 in the Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants, Litigation – Insurance, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants categories. Morley is a senior partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution, Employment, Insurance Coverage, Malpractice/Professional Liability, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Product Liability, and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for six years and was also the recipient of the Best Lawyers 2022 Insurance Law-Troy, Michigan “Lawyer of the Year” Award.

Randazzo is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2023 in the Commercial Litigation category. Randazzo is a senior partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Commercial and Business Law, Construction, Environmental and Toxic Tort, Governmental Litigation, Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury, Motor Vehicle Litigation, and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups. Randazzo serves as a chair of the Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury, Motor Vehicle Litigation and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups.

Truex is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2023 in the Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants categories. Truex is a senior partner, president, and co-managing partner of Secrest Wardle. He is a member and serves as chair of the firm’s Commercial and Business Law, Employment, Environmental and Toxic Tort, and Product Liability Practice Groups. He additionally serves as a chair of the Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury Practice Group and is a member of the Construction Practice Group. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for six years.

In addition, Secrest Wardle announces that eight of the firm’s attorneys have received 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch Recognitions.  The firm congratulates Matthew J. Consolo, Justin A. Grimske, Matthew C. Lindgren, Kaitlynn M. Milroy, Daniel S. Schrode II, Cleveland B. Simmons, Renee T. Townsend, and Javon L. Williams. All eight attorneys are located in the firm’s Troy office and have been listed in their respective categories in Troy. 

Consolo has received a 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Troy. Consolo is an executive partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Commercial and Business Law, Construction, Environmental and Toxic Tort, Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, Product Liability, and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups.

Grimske has received a 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Troy. Grimske is an executive partner at Secrest Wardle. He is chair of the firm’s Amusement and Leisure Practice Group and a member of the Construction, General Negligence, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups.

Lindgren has received a 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Troy. Lindgren is an executive partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Commercial and Business Law, Construction, Environmental and Toxic Tort, Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, Product Liability, and Trucking/Commercial Vehicle Litigation Practice Groups.

Milroy has received a 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants in Troy. Milroy is a partner at Secrest Wardle. She is a member of the firm’s General Negligence, Motor Vehicle Litigation and Premises Liability Practice Groups.

Schrode has received a 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Troy. Schrode is a partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s Motor Vehicle Litigation Practice Group.

Simmons has received a 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Troy. Simmons is a partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s General Negligence, Insurance Coverage, Motor Vehicle Litigation, Premises Liability, and Product Liability Practice Groups.

Townsend has received a 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Troy. Townsend is an executive partner at Secrest Wardle. She is chair of the firm’s Motor Vehicle Litigation Practice Group and a member of the Amusement and Leisure, General Negligence, Insurance Coverage, and Premises Liability Practice Groups.

Williams has received a 2023 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in Troy. Williams is an executive partner at Secrest Wardle. He is a member of the firm’s General Negligence, Motor Vehicle Litigation, and Premises Liability Practice Groups.

—————

Foster Swift

Six attorneys from Foster Swift’s Southfield office were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023. Firm-wide, 33 attorneys were included. Each year’s new edition is launched for the following calendar year. 

In addition, Paul J. Millenbach was named a Best Lawyers® 2023 Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants “Lawyer of the Year” in Detroit and three others were listed as “Ones to Watch.” 

Listed attorneys and their areas of practice are as follows:

Dirk H. Beckwith, Construction Law

Michael R. Blum, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management

Julie I. Fershtman, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law

Gilbert M. Frimet, Health Care Law

Paul J. Millenbach, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants 

Brian J. Renaud, Administrative/Regulatory Law

—2023 “Ones to Watch”

Joseph B. Gale, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

Stefania Gismondi, Commercial Litigation

Rachel G. Olney, Commercial Litigation

—————

Butzel Long

Seventy-one Butzel attorneys have been chosen by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023. Moreover, 13 firm attorneys have been named to Best Lawyers in America® 2023 Ones to Watch. In addition, six attorneys have been named “Lawyer of the Year.”

The following local Butzel attorneys have been named “Lawyer of the Year “ – George B. Donnini (Criminal Defense: White Collar) – Troy; Beth S. Gotthelf (Litigation – Environmental) – Troy; Sheldon H. Klein (Litigation – Antitrust) – Troy; and Reginald A. Pacis (Immigration Law) – Detroit.

The following local Butzel attorneys have been named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch: Ashley Aldea (Real Estate) – Troy; Javon R. David (Commercial Litigation) – Troy; Damien DuMouchel (Criminal Defense: White-Collar) – Troy; Rebecca Klein (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; Joseph Kuzmiak (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; Sarah Nirenberg, (Labor and Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment) – Troy; Shanika A. Owens (Corporate Law and Real Estate Law) – Detroit; Blake Padget (Litigation – Labor and Employment) – Troy; Louis Ronayne (Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; Quendale G. Simmons (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; Bill Quan Yang (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; Barrett Young (Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation) – Detroit; and, Mitchell Zajac (Commercial Litigation) – Detroit.

In addition, Jennifer E. Consiglio (Business Organizations including LLCs and Partnerships and Corporate Governance Law) – Troy; Laura Johnson (Corporate Governance Law) – Troy; and John C. Valenti (Mass Tort/ Class Actions – Defendants) – Detroit; have been named to Best Lawyers for the first time.

The following local Butzel attorneys were selected for the 2023 edition:

—Detroit office

Linda J. Armstrong, Immigration Law

James C. Bruno, Corporate Law, International Mergers and Acquisitions, International Trade and Finance Law

Maura Corrigan, Appellate Practice

Arthur Dudley II, Corporate Law, Securitization and Structured Finance Law

Darius W. Dynkowski, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law

Eric J. Flessland, Construction Law, Litigation – Construction

John P. Hancock Jr., Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment

Robert A. Hudson, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Justin G. Klimko, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities/ Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation 

Phillip C. Korovesis, Commercial Litigation

Mark R. Lezotte, Health Care Law, Tax Law

Clara DeMatteis Mager, Immigration Law

Donald B. Miller, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants

Reginald A. Pacis, Immigration Law

James S. Rosenfeld, Employment Law – Management , Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment 

Daniel R.W. Rustmann, Commercial Litigation

Bruce L. Sendek, Commercial Litigation

Nicholas J. Stasevich, Corporate Law

John C. Valenti, Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Defendants

Kurtis T. Wilder, Appellate Practice

—Troy office

Barbara E. Buchanan, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment 

Jennifer E. Consiglio, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Governance Law 

Michael C. Decker, Litigation – Construction 

David J. Devine, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Carey A. DeWitt, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment 

George B. Donnini, Criminal Defense: White-Collar

W. Patrick Dreisig, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, Corporate Governance Law

David F. DuMouchel, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law

Geoffrey S. Gallinger, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law

Debra A. Geroux, Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law

Michael F. Golab, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law

Beth S. Gotthelf, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental

David W. Hipp, Real Estate Law

Robert A. Hudson, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Laura Johnson, Corporate Governance Law

Susan L. Johnson, Litigation – Environmental 

Thomas A. Kabel, Real Estate Law

Sheldon H. Klein, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Antitrust

William J. Kliffel, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants 

Bushra A. Malik, Immigration Law

Daniel J. McCarthy, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation

Allan Nachman, Real Estate Law

Max J. Newman, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Scott T. Patterson, Employment Law – Management 

William A. Penner, Trusts and Estates

Robert P. Perry, Trusts and Estates

Steven R. Pohl, Corporate Law

R. Peter Prokop, Corporate Law, Tax Law

Thomas B. Radom, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Richard E. Rassel, Commercial Litigation

Dennis B. Schultz, Construction Law, Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Real Estate

Robert H. Schwartz, Health Care Law

T. Gordon Scupholm II, Family Law

John D. Selesko, Trusts and Estates

Thomas C. Simpson, Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law 

David W. Sommerfeld, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates

Daniel B. Tukel, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment

Roxana Zaha, Real Estate Law

In addition, Butzel immigration law attorney Reginald A. Pacis will participate in a town hall meeting on Tuesday, September 6, in Troy hosted by Michigan State Representative Padma Kuppa. The focus will be discussions on HR248, a proposed bill to address employment-based green card backlogs and the Drive SAFE Bills, which aims to help immigrants who are not, yet citizens obtain drivers’ licenses.

Pacis focuses his practice in immigration law and has handled a variety of immigration matters including H-1B specialty occupation cases, L-1 Intracompany transfers, Labor Certification matters, Immigrant Visa Petitions/Adjustment of Status applications and interviews, TN Free trade cases, H-1B Department of Labor Investigations, I-9 employer verification compliance, and U.S. Port of Entry airport and land port interviews. 

In 2021, Pacis was appointed a trustee to MAPAAC, which helps address the needs and concerns of the Asian Pacific American (APA) communities in Michigan. Previously, he was a commissioner to the MAPAAC.

Pacis was named Immigration Lawyer of the Year in 2023 and 2013, respecitvely in the field of Immigration Law by The Best Lawyers in America and has been listed in Best Lawyers for several years. 

He is a member of the American Bar Association, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), and the Samahang Pilipino Ng Oakland Filipino organization. He served two consecutive one-year terms from 2003 to 2005 as chairperson of the Michigan Chapter of AILA and was a member of the AILA National Board of Governors for those terms. 

Pacis also served as vice chair (2008 to 2009) and later chair (2009-2010) of U.S. Customs and Border Protection AILA liaison committee; vice chair (2013 to 2014) of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Field Operations AILA liaison committee; member (2014 to 2015) of the  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services National Benefits Center AILA liaison committee; and has served as a member (2015) and later Chair (2016) of the AILA Election committee. He has presented in a number of AILA Annual Conferences Nationally and Internationally from 2004 to 2019. 

Moreover, Pacis is a vice president and board member of the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit. He also is a frequent speaker on immigration law matters locally and nationally.

_________

Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that 92 of the firm’s attorneys in Michigan have been included in Best Lawyers in America® 2023 edition.

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

—Detroit

Allison R. Bach, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Richard M. Bolton, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law

William T. Burgess, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, International Mergers & Acquisitions, Litigation – Bankruptcy

James N. Candler Jr., Gaming Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law

Dawn R. Copley, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Christopher A. Cornwall, Construction Law

David R. Deromedi, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management

Phillip J. DeRosier, Appellate Practice

Patrick B. Green, Commercial Litigation

K. Scott Hamilton, Appellate Practice

Mark R. High, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law

Steven G. Howell, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation – Bankruptcy

Timothy H. Howlett, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment

John K. Lawrence, Banking and Finance Law

Andrew W. MacLeod, Corporate Law, International Mergers & Acquisitions, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Private Funds/Hedge Funds Law

Thomas G. McNeill, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Mergers and Acquisitions, Litigation – Securities

Sharon R. Newlon, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Litigation – Environmental

James B. Perry, Employment Law – Management

James A. Plemmons, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Bankruptcy

Robert F. Rhoades, Litigation and Controversy – Tax

William P. Shield Jr., Banking and Finance Law

Theodore B. Sylwestrzak, Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Bruce C. Thelen, International Trade and Finance Law

Kathryn S. Wood, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment

L. Pahl Zinn, Litigation – Antitrust

—Troy

Roger H. Cummings, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law

Stephen E. Dawson, Real Estate Law

Joseph W. DeLave, Litigation – Construction

J. Benjamin Dolan, Litigation – Real Estate

John P. Gonway, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law

Deborah L. Grace, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law

Roberta P. Granadier, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law

Eric W. Gregory, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law

Henry M. Grix, Nonprofit/Charities Law, Trusts and Estates

Craig W. Hammond, Banking and Finance Law, Public Finance Law

William H. Honaker, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law

Richard A. Jones, Patent Law

Mark Jotanovic, Patent Law

Michael R. Kramer, Corporate Law

Monica J. Labe, Real Estate Law

Elise S. Levasseur, Immigration Law

Elizabeth L. Luckenbach, Trusts and Estates

Michael J. Lusardi, Real Estate Law

Christopher C. Maeso, Corporate Law

Scott A. McBain, Patent Law

Cynthia A. Moore, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law

Gregory W. Moore, Health Care Law

Mahesh K. Nayak, Commercial Litigation

Edward H. Pappas, Arbitration, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Real Estate, Mediation

Erin M. Pawlowski, Commercial Litigation

Scott A. Petz, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants

Daniel D. Quick, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Intellectual Property

William L. Rosin, Corporate Law

Kimberly J. Ruppel, Commercial Litigation

Lynn Capp Sirich, Family Law

Joan Cripe Skrzyniarz, Trusts and Estates

Robert L. Stearns, Litigation – Intellectual Property

Peter H. Webster, Land Use and Zoning Law

Mark E. Wilson, Health Care Law

Katheryne L. Zelenock, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Securitization and Structured Finance Law

Dickinson Wright is also pleased to announce that 15 of the firm’s lawyers in Michigan have been identified as the leading practitioner in their practice areas as a Best Lawyers in America® 2023 “Lawyer of the Year.”

The following local Dickinson Wright lawyers were selected as Best Lawyers in America® 2023 “Lawyer of the Year”:

—Detroit

Christopher A. Cornwall, Construction Law

Mark R. High, Corporate Governance Law

Andrew W. MacLeod, Corporate Law

Thomas G. McNeill, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Litigation – Securities

Sharon R. Newlon, Environmental Law

James A. Plemmons, Bet-the-Company Litigation

L. Pahl Zinn, Litigation – Antitrust

—Troy

Elise S. Levasseur, Immigration Law

In addition, Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that 24 of the firm’s attorneys in Michigan have been included in Best Lawyers in America® “Ones to Watch” 2023 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

Angelina Delmastro, Labor and Employment – Management

Ariana D. Pellegrino, Commercial Litigation

M. Katherine VanderVeen, Banking and Finance Law

Adam J. Wallace, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law

—Troy

Juliet R. Boyd, Litigation – Trusts and Estates

Jessica L. Busch, Health Care Law

Brandon Debus, Commercial Litigation

Peter E. Doyle, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Intellectual Property

Erick W. Hosner, Corporate Law

Erin A. Johnson, Real Estate Law

Charles W. Kocher, Intellectual Property Law

James A. Martone, Commercial Litigation

Alma Sobo, Commercial Litigation, Municipal Law

Cynthia Black Svenson, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates

Alexandra A. Vallee, Health Care Law

__________

Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC

Howard & Howard is pleased to announce that 21 of its attorneys were selected to The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 and 14 of its attorneys were selected to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America 2023.

The Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice area(s) under which they are listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 are:

West Allen, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Trademark Law

Stephanie Buntin, Trademark Law

Seaton Curran, Patent Law

Thomas Davis, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction

Mark Gardberg, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law

Robert Hernquist, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Banking and Finance

Matthew Kreutzer, Franchise Law

Gwen Rutar Mullins, Construction Law

Brian Pezzillo, Construction Law

Robert Rosenthal, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management

Kevin Backus, Corporate Law

Daniel Bliss, Patent Law, Trademark Law

Andrew (Jake) Grove, Litigation – Intellectual Property

Samuel Haidle, Patent Law

Kristopher Hulliberger, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law, Trademark Law

Michael Kell, Commercial Litigation

Rodger Kershner, Energy Law

Miles Macik, Commercial Litigation

Pat McCarthy, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Intellectual Property

Gerald McGlynn, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation – Patent, Patent Law Saleha Mohamedulla, Trademark Law

The Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice area(s) under which they are listed in The Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch in America® 2023 are:

Christopher Cali, Real Estate Law

Kaila Patrick, Corporate Law

Noah Menold, Commercial Litigation

Aaron Beresh, Corporate Law, Healthcare Law

Matthew Breuer, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law

Richard Cantor, Patent Law

Brett Garwood, Corporate Law

Joseph Kallie, Intellectual Property Law

Jonathan Karmo, Commercial Litigation

Dane Lepola, Commercial Litigation

Paul Mazzola, Patent Law

Alexander McGee, Intellectual Property Law

Adrianna Agosta Nichol, Tax Law, Trusts, and Estates

Marcus Smetka, Intellectual Property Law, Patent Law

 —————

Plunkett Cooney

Thirty-two Plunkett Cooney attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

In addition to inclusion on the list this year, several Plunkett Cooney attorneys received the Best Lawyers™ “Lawyer of the Year” award. In Bloomfield Hills, Jeffrey C. Gerish received the Best Lawyers® 2023 Appellate Practice “Lawyer of the Year” award and Scott H. Sirich was recognized as the Construction Law “Lawyer of the Year” award winner. 

Below is the complete list of local Plunkett Cooney attorneys who have received the 2023 Best Lawyers designation:

—Bloomfield Hills

Michael P. Ashcraft (partner) – Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants

Douglas C. Bernstein (partner) – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law / Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law / Real Estate Law 

Matthew J. Boettcher (partner) – Litigation – Banking and Finance

William D. Booth (Of Counsel) – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants 

Charles W. Browning (partner) – Insurance Law

Lawrence R. Donaldson (Of Counsel) – Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants 

Michael A. Fleming (partner) – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law 

Jeffrey C. Gerish (partner) – Appellate Practice

Howard B. Goldman (partner) – Real Estate Law 

Mark S. Kopson (partner) – Health Care Law 

David A. Lerner (partner) – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Scott K. Lites (partner) – Corporate Law 

Mary Massaron (partner) – Appellate Practice 

Lauren B. McMillen (partner) – Insurance Law

Kenneth C. Newa (partner) – Insurance Law

Scott H. Sirich (partner) – Construction Law and Litigation 

Thomas P. Vincent (partner) – Commercial Litigation

Michael D. Weaver (partner) – Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants 

Patrick E. Winters (partner) – Insurance Law

—Detroit

D. Jennifer Andreou (partner) – Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants 

Laurel F. McGiffert (partner) – Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants

Claudia D. Orr (Of Counsel) – Employment Law, Labor and Employment Litigation

Stanley A. Prokop (Of Counsel) – Insurance Law

Mary Catherine Rentz (partner) – Insurance Law

Matthew J. Stanczyk (partner) – Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants

David R. Stechow (partner) – Construction Law and Litigation

In addition, 16 Plunkett Cooney attorneys, who are earlier in their careers, were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ for outstanding professional excellence.

Below are the local Plunkett Cooney attorneys who have received 2023 Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch in America™” recognition:

—Bloomfield Hills

Arturo Alfaro (associate) – Transportation Law

Ryan M. Bates (partner) – Insurance Law 

Ryan P. Bourjaily (associate) – Trusts and Estates

Stephanie M. Brochert (associate) – Insurance Law 

Michael C. Dennis (associate) – Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants 

Ashley S. Dickey (associate) - Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants 

D’Antae D. Gooden (associate) Litigation – Labor and Employment

Justin J. Hakala (partner) – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation Defendants 

Tanya M. Murray (associate) – Insurance Law

Nicole C. Ruggirello (partner) – Insurance Law

Matthew J. Zmijewski (partner) – Transportation Law

—Detroit

Emily M. Coyle (partner) – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

Michael A. Osman (associate) – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants 

Eric T. Ramar (associate) – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants