LEGAL PEOPLE

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the appointment of Kevin Kales to the Workers Compensation Board of Magistrates. Kales has served as a magistrate on the Workers' Compensation Commission Board of Magistrates since 2021. Previously, he was an attorney with Legghio & Israel PC where he was the department head of worker's compensation and social security law. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and law degree from Wayne State University Law School Kales is designated as chair for a term commencing August 17, 2023, and expiring at the pleasure of the governor. He succeeds Luke McMurray who has resigned. Chair designations are not subject to advice and consent of the Senate. - - - Wayne State University Law School Dean Richard Bierschbach has been named one of the 2023 Notable Leaders in Higher Education by Crain's Detroit Business. Wayne Law School's national ranking rose to 56th from 100th in six years under Bierschbach's deanship. "Richard Bierschbach stands out as the most impactful dean in over 50 years," said Wayne Law Professor Alan Schenk. "He energized his staff, the faculty, and students to achieve the very ambitious goals he set when he arrived." Bierschbach launched new partnerships and programs, including a "holistic defense partnership" between the law school and school of social work. He also created additional revenue sources with a new law department for non-JD programs, like a master of studies in law degree, an undergraduate minor in law, and a Bachelor of Arts in law. Bierschbach received his bachelor's degree in history from the University of Michigan (1994) and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School (1997). He has held various leadership positions within the American Bar Association and is an elected member of the American Law Institute and a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He previously taught at Yeshiva University's Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, where he also served as vice dean. - - - Thirty-one Plunkett Cooney attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Below is a list of local Plunkett Cooney attorneys who have received the 2024 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 Charles W. Browning (partner) Insurance Law Dennis G. Cowan (partner) Government Relations Practice 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 / Real Estate Law Mary Massaron (partner) Appellate Practice Lauren B. McMillen (partner) Insurance Law Kenneth C. Newa (partner) Insurance Law Elaine M. Pohl (partner) Insurance Law / Insurance Litigation Scott H. Sirich (partner) Construction Law and Litigation Thomas P. Vincent (partner) Commercial Litigation Michael D. Weaver (partner) Commercial Litigation / Labor and Employment Litigation / Product Liability Litigation Defendants Patrick E. Winters (partner) Insurance Law / Insurance Litigation 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 / Product Liability Litigation - Defendants In addition, 17 Plunkett Cooney attorneys, who are earlier in their careers, were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America� for outstanding professional excellence. Below are the local Plunkett Cooney attorneys who have received 2024 Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch in America�" recognition: Bloomfield Hills Arturo Alfaro Immigration Law and Transportation Law Ryan M. Bates Insurance Law Ryan P. Bourjaily Estate & Trust Litigation and Trusts and Estates Stephanie M. Brochert Insurance Law Michael C. Dennis Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation: Defendants Ashley S. Dickey Personal Injury: Defendants and Transportation Law John S. Gilliam Commercial Litigation, Labor and Employment Law Management, Litigation Labor and Employment, Personal Injury Litigation Defendants, Professional Malpractice Law Justin J. Hakala Medical Malpractice Law: Defendants and Product Liability Litigation: Defendants Tanya M. Murray Insurance Law Nicole C. Ruggirello Insurance Law Matthew J. Zmijewski Transportation Law Detroit Emily M. Coyle Personal Injury Litigation: Defendants Aleasha Hester Transportation Law Michael A. Osman Personal Injury Litigation: Defendants Eric T. Ramar Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defendants - - - Butzel continues to grow with the addition of attorney Michael G. Sarafa. He joins the law firm as Counsel. He has 35 years of experience in business, law, finance, and public affairs. Sarafa helps clients navigate issues in the governmental sector as well as in the realm of outside counsel services. He is a member of the firm's Government Relations and Regulatory Specialty Team and General Counsel Services Practice Department. Sarafa began his career in the governmental arena as a legislative aide in the Michigan House of Representatives and later served as an executive assistant to Dennis Archer during his tenure as mayor of Detroit. Sarafa's leadership, financial management, and negotiation skills were honed during his years spent as CEO of a Michigan bank and a large multi-state franchise. As managing partner of a Michigan private equity firm, he led the analysis of business and investment opportunities, all related due diligence, negotiations, and management of the firm's legal team. His experience includes assembling teams of finance, human resources, operations, marketing, and legal professionals to support a $100 million business platform. He successfully led the private equity firm through COVID pandemic-related shutdowns and re-openings in seven states. As CEO of Bank of Michigan, Sarafa navigated the bank through the 2008-2010 real estate recession and honed his skills in banking regulations, safety and soundness exams, compliance, and interactions with state and federal banking regulators. As a community leader, Sarafa has served on numerous boards of directors and nonprofit organizations, including Bloomfield Brother Rice High School, Bank of Ann Arbor, Chaldean Community Foundation, and the Michigan Association of Beauty Professionals and Supercuts Franchisee Association. Sarafa's past board service includes Covenant House of Michigan, Farmington Hills Economic Development Corporation, St. Fabian Parish Finance Committee, and Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. He also served as chairman of the Board of Covenant Academy Charter School Management Company and as chairman of the Chaldean Diocese of North American Finance Council. He is a frequent columnist for the Chaldean News. Sarafa is a member of the State Bar of Michigan. He has been recognized by the American Bankers Association Stonier Graduate School of Banking, Wayne State University's Center for Peace & Conflict Studies Community Peacemaker, and Crain's Detroit Business' 40 Under 40. Sarafa earned a law degree from Wayne State University Law School, M.P.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. from James Madison College at Michigan State University. The firm is also proud to announce that 42 Butzel attorneys have been named to the 2023 Michigan Super Lawyers list. In addition, Daniel B. Tukel has been named to the Michigan Super Lawyers Top 100 list and Steven Eatherly and Sarah Nirenberg have been named "Rising Stars" for the first time. The local Butzel attorneys included in the 2023 Super Lawyers list are: 2023 Rising Stars Javon R. David, Business Litigation Michael C. Decker, Construction Litigation Steven Eatherly, Business Litigation Laura E. Johnson, Business/Corp. Amany Kasham, Immigration: Business Jonathan L. Kirkland, Real Estate Paul M. Mersino, Business Litigation Sarah Nirenberg, Employment & Labor Ivonne Soler, Business Litigation 2023 Michigan Super Lawyers Detroit office James C. Bruno, Business/Corp. Clara DeMatteis Mager, Immigration: Business Darius W. Dynkowski, Eminent Domain 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 James S. Rosenfeld, Employment & Labor Daniel R.W. Rustmann, Business Litigation Bruce L. Sendek, Business Litigation Troy office Carey A. DeWitt, Employment & Labor George B. Donnini, Criminal Defense: White Collar David F. DuMouchel, Criminal Defense: White Collar Debra A. Geroux, Health Care Robert A. Hudson, Business/Corp. Thomas A. Kabel, Real Estate Robin Luce Herrmann, Media/Advertising Daniel J. McCarthy, Appellate Max J. Newman, Bankruptcy: Business Robert P. Perry, Estate & Probate Richard E. Rassel, Business Litigation Joseph E. Richotte, Appellate Daniel B. Tukel, Employment Litigation: Defense - - - Barnes & Thornburg recently announced that Joseph R. Morrison Jr. has joined the firm's Southeast Michigan office as a partner in the Corporate Department. He is the latest addition to Barnes & Thornburg's Corporate Department this year, Morrison serves as outside general counsel for entrepreneurs, investors, and high-growth companies located throughout the United States, helping them navigate legal and business challenges. He also advises on technology and intellectual property licensing, venture and institutional financing rounds, governance matters and employment and real estate issues. Morrison joins Barnes & Thornburg from a large Michigan-based law firm. Before private practice, Morrison was an information technology (IT) consultant for an international business consulting company and corporate counsel and consulting manager for a Michigan-based IT startup. An active member of the venture community in Michigan and across the country, Morrison regularly presents to startup groups and students of the University of Michigan on legal issues facing high-growth companies and entrepreneurs. In addition to the firm's Southeast Michigan office, Morrison will be spending time in the firm's Los Angeles office to support clients on the West Coast. Morrison earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and his B.S. in business administration from the University of Richmond Robins School of Business. - - - Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that several of the firm's attorneys have been included in Best Lawyers in America® 2024 edition including those listed as "Lawyer of the Year" or "Ones to Watch." The following local Dickinson Wright lawyers were selected as Best Lawyers in America 2024: 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, Litigation Bankruptcy 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 Sharon R. Newlon, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Litigation Environmental James A. Plemmons, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation Bankruptcy 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 L. Pahl Zinn, Litigation Antitrust Troy Roger H. Cummings, Corporate Law, International Trade and Finance Law Joseph W. DeLave, Litigation Construction J. Benjamin Dolan, Litigation Real Estate Alison F. Duffy, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs John P. Gonway, 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 Michael N. MacCallum, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Patent Law Christopher C. Maeso, Corporate Law Scott A. McBain, Patent Law Eric McGlothlin, Public Finance Law Cynthia A. Moore, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Gregory W. Moore, Health Care Law Mahesh K. Nayak, Commercial Litigation Shannon M. Nichols, Banking and Finance Law Edward H. Pappas, Arbitration, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation Real Estate, Mediation Erin M. Pawlowski, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law 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 Paul Rodriguez, Patent Law William L. Rosin, Corporate Law Kimberly J. Ruppel, Commercial Litigation Lynn Capp Sirich, Family Law Joan Cripe Skrzyniarz, Trusts and Estates Kimberly M. Slaven, Patent Law Robert L. Stearns, Litigation Intellectual Property Peter H. Webster, Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law Mark E. Wilson, Health Care Law Kathryn S. Wood, Employment Law Management, Litigation Labor and Employment Katheryne L. Zelenock, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law, Securitization and Structured Finance Law "Lawyer of the Year" Detroit Phillip J. DeRosier, Appellate Practice Mark R. High, Corporate Governance Law Steven G. Howell, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Timothy H. Howlett, Labor Law - Management James A. Plemmons, Litigation - Bankruptcy Troy Henry M. Grix, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Trusts and Estates Craig W. Hammond, Banking and Finance Law Edward H. Pappas, Mediation Daniel D. Quick, Litigation - Banking and Finance "Ones to Watch" Detroit Max A. Aidenbaum, Commercial Litigation Angelina Delmastro, Labor and Employment Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment Ariana D. Pellegrino, Commercial Litigation Kory M. Steen, 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 Brandon Debus, Commercial Litigation Erick W. Hosner, Corporate Law William J. Hurles, Intellectual Property Law Erin A. Johnson, Real Estate Law Charles W. Kocher, Intellectual Property Law James A. Martone, Commercial Litigation Corey Neil, Patent Law Alma Sobo, Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants, Municipal Law Alexandra A. Vallee, Health Care Law - - - Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that Donovan S. Asmar, Nathan D. Dupes, and Thomas J. Rheaume Jr., all members of the firm's Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group, have been named to Benchmark Litigation's 2023 "40 & Under Hot List." Asmar, of Bodman's Troy office, represents clients involved in complex commercial litigation matters. He has represented clients in a variety of settings, including before the U.S. Supreme Court. Asmar serves on the board of directors of the Notre Dame Club of Detroit. He is involved in pro bono and was recognized as the 2016 recipient of the Detroit Bar Association Barristers' Pro Bono Award. Dupes, of Bodman's Detroit office, represents clients in complex commercial and environmental litigation and counsels clients on a wide variety of environmental matters, including permitting, regulatory compliance, and environmental risk in real estate transactions. He is a former assistant city attorney for the City of Grosse Pointe Park. Dupes serves as an executive board member of the Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter, and as vice president and treasurer of the Great Lakes Environmental Law Center. He is the co-chair or Bodman's Environmental Practice Group. Rheaume, of Bodman's Detroit office, practices complex commercial and insurance litigation. He represents clients in all stages of litigation and focuses on antitrust cases, class actions, and constitutional litigation. He also is a leader in the firm's appellate practice. He serves as local counsel for national and international law firms. He is president of the Michigan Chapter of the Federalist Society and is a member of the Detroit Economic Club's Young Leader Board. He is the co-chair of Bodman's Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group. - - - Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that several of its lawyers have been recognized in the Michigan edition of Super Lawyers 2023. Six local Miller Canfield lawyers were also named on the Super Lawyers top lists. They are: Matthew Allen, Top 100 Michigan, Business Litigation Thomas Cranmer, Top 100 and Top 10 Michigan, Criminal Defense: White Collar Gerald Gleeson II, Top 100 Michigan, Criminal Defense: White Collar Amy Johnston, Top 50 Women Michigan, Business Litigation Megan Norris, Top 100 and Top 10 Michigan, Top 50 Women Michigan, Employment and Labor Miller Canfield is also pleased to announce that numerous Miller Canfield attorneys in Michigan have been named "Best Lawyers 2024," and several were listed as "Ones to Watch." Additionally, local Miller Canfield attorneys earned Lawyer of the Year designations: Thomas G. Appleman, Corporate Governance Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law Thomas W. Cranmer, Criminal Defense: White-Collar Megan P. Norris, Litigation - Labor and Employment Stephen J. Ott, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions Defendants Jerry T. Rupley, Public Finance Law Richard A. Walawender, International Trade and Finance Law - - - Dykema recently announced that 25 of its attorneys from the firm's Michigan offices were named to the 2023 Super Lawyers list by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine. Additionally, 21 of the firm's attorneys were named to the 2023 Michigan Rising Stars list. Of those recognized, Brian Moore was also included on Super Lawyers Top 100 list Local Dykema attorneys named on the 2023 Michigan Super Lawyers list, identified by office and the practice area(s) for which they are being recognized, are: Bloomfield Hills Laura C. Baucus Business Litigation; Creditor Debtor Rights Brendan J. Cahill Business & Corporate; Mergers & Acquisitions; Securities & Corporate Finance James P. Feeney Products Liability; Civil Litigation; Class Action & Mass Torts Adam M. Fishkind Real Estate; Banking; Creditor Debtor Rights Alan M. Greene Land Use & Zoning; Eminent Domain; Construction Litigation Kyle R. Hauberg Real Estate Howard B. Iwrey Antitrust Litigation; Franchise & Dealership Mark G. Malven Technology Transactions; Mergers & Acquisitions; Business & Corporate Bonnie Mayfield Employment Litigation; Products Liability; Class Action & Mass Torts Brian M. Moore Business Litigation; General Litigation; Real Estate Sheryl L. Toby Business & Corporate; Creditor Debtor Rights Detroit Robert A. Boonin Employment & Labor; Employment Litigation James R. Case Construction Litigation; Surety Michael P. Cooney Products Liability; Business Litigation; Class Action & Mass Torts; Intellectual Property Litigation Grant P. Gilezan Environmental; Environmental Litigation; Lobbying James F. Hermon Employment Litigation; Employment & Labor Peter M. Kellett Class Action & Mass Torts; Business Litigation; Products Liability Jin-Kyu Koh Mergers & Acquisitions; Business & Corporate Cameron H. Piggott Real Estate Thomas M. Schehr Business Litigation Local Dykema attorneys named on the 2023 Michigan Rising Stars list, identified by office and the practice area(s) for which they are being recognized, are: Bloomfield Hills John D. Black Products Liability; Class Action & Mass Torts Nardeen Dalli Tax Nina Gavrilovic Products Liability Kelly R. Houk Products Liability Samuel Kilberg Real Estate Scott R. Kocienski Tax; Business & Corporate; Estate Planning & Probate Igli Psari Business & Corporate Connor Walby Class Action & Mass Torts; Products Liability; Business Litigation Ryan Warsh Real Estate Detroit Igli Psari Business Litigation; Construction Litigation; Products Liability Giuliano D. Mancini Real Estate Nasseem S. Ramin Business Litigation John F. Rhoades Business Litigation E. Carolina Rodriquez-Hatt Real Estate Bryce Rucker Products Liability; Personal Injury; Business Litigation; Class Action & Mass Torts; Transportation/Maritime Ryan J. VanOver Appellate; Business Litigation - - - Clark Hill is pleased to announce the following local attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, with several individuals recognized with the "Lawyer of the Year" distinction. Lawyer of the Year Andrew A. Ayar has been named Troy, Michigan's 2024 Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) "Lawyer of the Year." Daniel J. Bretz has been named Detroit, Michigan's 2024 Employment Law Management "Lawyer of the Year." Kevin S. Hendrick has been named Detroit, Michigan's 2024 Arbitration "Lawyer of the Year." J. Thomas MacFarlane has been named Troy, Michigan's 2024 Litigation Trusts & Estates "Lawyer of the Year." Michael P. Nowlan has been named Detroit, Michigan's 2024 Immigration Law "Lawyer of the Year." Best Lawyers in America Birmingham Dana L. Abrahams Education Law and Real Estate Law Andrew A. Ayar Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Corporate Law William B. Dunn Real Estate Law Thomas E. F. Fabbri Litigation Trusts and Estates Kevin A. Fanning Commercial Litigation John L. Gierak Education Law, Employment Law Management, Labor Law Management Randi P. Glanz Family Law Jennifer Green Commercial Litigation and Litigation Banking and Finance Edward C. Hammond Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Douglas R. Kelly Commercial Litigation Peter B. Kupelian Commercial Litigation, Litigation Insurance, Litigation Labor and Employment Thomas MacFarlane Litigation Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates Paul S. Magy Bankruptcy and Creditor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Real Estate Law Daniel H. Minkus Corporate Law Linda M. Watson Commercial Litigation Anne-Marie V. Welch Employment Law Management Detroit Anthony A. Agosta Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation Defendants John E. Berg Commercial Litigation Jay M. Berger Commercial Litigation and Construction Law Jennifer A. Bielfield Banking and Finance Law Daniel J. Bretz Employment Law-Management and Labor Law Management Connie M. Cessante Employment Law Management and Litigation Labor and Employment David M. Cessante Employment Law Management, Labor Law Management, Litigation -Labor and Employment Paul W. Coughenour Employment Law Management, Labor Law Management, Litigation Labor and Employment Martin E. Crandall Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Litigation Labor and Employment Dennis M. Devaney Employment Law Management and Labor Law Management Thomas M. Dixon Construction Law, Litigation Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates Daniel J. Dulworth Commercial Litigation Maria Fracassa Dwyer Employment Law Management, Labor Law Management, Litigation Labor and Employment Cynthia M. Filipovich Appellate Practice Jeffrey M. Gallant Construction Law and Litigation Construction Scott D. Garbo Construction Law and Litigation Construction David M. Hayes Construction Law and Litigation Construction Kevin S. Hendrick Arbitration, Construction Law, Litigation Construction, Mediation John P. Hensien Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law John J. Hern Jr. Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law Edward J. Hood Construction Law and Litigation Construction Thomas M. Keranen Construction Law and Litigation Construction William A. Moore Employment Law Management and Labor Law Management Michael P. Nowlan Immigration Law Daniel J. Scully Personal Injury Litigation Defendants, Product Liability Litigation Defendants Richard A. Sundquist Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law Duane L. Tarnacki Corporate Law and Nonprofit/Charities Law Christopher M. Trebilcock Employment Law Management, Government Relations Practice, Litigation Labor and Employment Timothy D. Wittlinger Commercial Litigation and Litigation Construction Ones to Watch Birmingham Lauren K. Burton Environmental Law, Municipal Law, Natural Resources Law Mallory A. Kallabat Trusts and Estates Loukas Kalliantasis Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Nicholas Papasifakis Trusts and Estates Detroit Robert N. Dare Labor and Employment Law Management Theodore L. Degenhardt IV Litigation Construction and Product Liability Litigation Defendants Steven R. Pacynski Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Hannah K. Reisdorff Labor and Employment Law Management Vince C. Sallan Labor and Employment Law Management and Litigation Labor and Employment Brian D. Shekell Labor and Employment Law Management and Litigation Labor and Employment - - - Fifteen attorneys in Taft's Detroit office were named to Michigan Super Lawyers 2023. Following are the Taft honorees: Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers 2023 Jordan S. Bolton Paul R. Hage Mark L. Kowalsky Michigan Super Lawyers 2023 Peter M. Alter (Business Litigation) Jeremy Bisdorf (Intellectual Property) Jordan S. Bolton (Business Litigation) Mark G. Cooper (Business Litigation) Paul R. Hage (Bankruptcy: Business) Ethan R. Holtz (Business Litigation) Mark L. Kowalsky (Securities Litigation) Mark P. Krysinski (Real Estate) Susan S. Lichterman (Family Law) Jonathan H. Schwartz (Business Litigation) Stuart M. Schwartz (Business Litigation) Aaron H. Sherbin (Estate & Probate) David Steinberg (Franchise & Dealership) Jay L. Welford (Creditor Debtor Rights) Wendy L. Zabriskie (Banking) In addition, 12 attorneys in Taft's Detroit office were selected to Michigan Rising Stars 2023. Following are the Taft honorees: Salvatore Amodeo (Business Litigation) Fatima M. Bolyea (Business Litigation) Joshua M. Borson (Business/Corporate) Michael N. Emmer (Real Estate) Justin A. Hanna (Business/Corporate) James Kresta (Business Litigation) Nicole A. MacWilliams (Estate & Probate) Emily M. Mayer (Business Litigation) Max A. Mittleman (Real Estate) Michelle A. Rubin (Estate & Probate) Paige M. Szymanski (Business Litigation) Natalie A. Watkins (Business/Corporate) - - - Kitch Attorneys & Counselors is proud to announce that John Sier has been honored as a Top 10 Michigan Super Lawyer. Sier heads the firm's commercial litigation practice. With more than three decades of experience, He concentrates his practice on dispute avoidance and resolution of commercial, healthcare and construction contract issues. Next month Sier will be honored with The Roberts P. Hudson Award, the State Bar of Michigan's highest honor. In addition, several Kitch attorneys were recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. The honorees include: Gregory G. Drutchas Health Care Law Jenna Wright Greenman Medical Malpractice Law: Defendants John M. Sier Lawyer of the Year: Construction Law and Litigation Construction Craig S. Thompson Commercial Litigation, Construction Law and Litigation Construction Ralph F. Valitutti Medical Malpractice Law: Defendants Ronald E. Wagner Product Liability Litigation: Defendants Mark A. Wisniewski Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions Defendants Kaitlyn Elias "Ones to Watch" honoree for: Commercial Litigation - - - Eleven Howard & Howard attorneys have been named to the 2023 class of Michigan 2023 Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars. The attorneys named to the 2023 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars and their recognized practice areas are as follows: Super Lawyers Andrew (Jake) M. Grove IP Litigation Miles T. Macik Business Litigation Patrick M. McCarthy Business Litigation Gerald E. McGlynn III Intellectual Property Rising Stars Dan Chojnowski Intellectual Property Ali Fardoun Business/Corporate Sam Fares Intellectual Property Kristine A. Horn Business Litigation Dane M. Lepola business Litigation Rui Lu Mergers & Acquisitions Alexander McGee Intellectual Property - - - Brooks Kushman is proud to announce that seven of the firm's shareholders have been named "IP Stars" for 2023 by Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) Magazine. Brooks Kushman was also recognized in the top tier as a "Highly Recommended" firm in the United States for Patent Disputes, Patent Prosecution, and Trademarks. Managing IP recognized Brooks Kushman attorneys Frank Angileri, Sangeeta Shah, Robyn Lederman, Mark Cantor, Elizabeth Janda, John LeRoy, and Marc Lorelli as IP Stars. Cantor was recognized as both a Trademark Star and Patent Star; Angileri, Shah, Lorelli, and LeRoy were recognized as Patent Stars; and Lederman and Janda were recognized as Trademark Stars. Angileri serves as the president of Brooks Kushman. He focuses his practice on IP litigation. He has been named an "IP Star" since 2013 and has been recognized as Michigan's "IP Litigator of the Year" in prior years. Shah is Brooks Kushman's CEO and co-chair of the firm's Post-Grant Proceedings Practice Group. Her practice is primarily focused on post-grant challenges and patent opinions. She represents several Fortune 500 clients for whom she provides strategic counseling and guidance on their global IP portfolios. She has been on the list of "IP Stars" since 2014. Lederman serves on the Executive Committee and is co-chair of the firm's Trademark practice. She has experience representing worldwide trademark portfolios for her multi-national clients. Lederman counsels on pre-filing strategies, global enforcement efforts, and brand protection programs. She works closely with clients to help the business adopt trademark use practices to bolster and support registered and common law trademark rights. Cantor is one of the founders of the firm. His practice focuses on complex litigation matters in all technology areas, and he has been named an "IP Star" since 2013. In 2016, he was lead counsel for the team of trial attorneys who secured the largest trademark verdict in Michigan history. Janda serves as co-chair of Brooks Kushman's Trademark practice, managing substantial trademark portfolios both domestically and internationally in a variety of industries. She has been on the list of "IP Stars" since 2013. LeRoy serves as the co-chair of the firm's Patent Litigation practice as well as the chair of the firm's Standard Essential Patent Practice. His practice focuses on patent, trade secret, and copyright litigation in the software and electrical arts, and he also started the firm's Open-Source Software Compliance practice. LeRoy was recognized as Michigan's "IP Litigator of the Year" in 2018 and has been recognized as an IP Star since 2016. Lorelli is the co-chair of the firm's Intellectual Property Litigation practice. His practice focuses on patent, trademark, trade secret, and copyright litigation in courts throughout the United States. In addition to litigation, Lorelli is heavily involved in strategic counseling involving patent procurement and trademark protection. Lorelli was recognized as Michigan's "IP Litigator of the Year" in 2020. Brooks Kushman is also proud to announce that five attorneys were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America©. Frank Angileri was also recognized as 2024 "Lawyer of the Year." Angileri was recognized for Patent Law and Intellectual Property Litigation in Detroit. Those included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© are: Frank Angileri (president) Mark Cantor (chairman emeritus & general counsel) John LeRoy (co-chair litigation) Marc Lorelli (co-chair litigation) Hope Shovein (shareholder) Four Brooks Kushman attorneys were also recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. Those included are: Anna Robinson (shareholder) Chelsea Pasquali (shareholder) Isheeta Patel Laxmanan (shareholder) Alena Vackova Marconi (associate) In addition, Brooks Kushman is proud to announce that six of the firm's attorneys have been named to the 2023 Michigan Super Lawyers list for their accomplishments in intellectual property law by Super Lawyers Magazine. Those recognized were: Frank Angileri Mark Cantor Chanille Carswell Thomas Lewry Marc Lorelli Hope Shovein Chelsea Pasquali was also named to the 2023 Rising Stars list, which honors lawyers who are under 40 years old, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less. - - - Twenty Kerr Russell members were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024. In addition, six Kerr Russell attorneys were recognized as 2024 Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch. Kerr Russell's 2024 The Best Lawyers in America include: Robert S. Anderson Immigration Law Jason W. Bank Bankruptcy & Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency & Reorganization Law; Litigation Bankruptcy Kevin T. Block Commercial Transactions; Corporate Law James R. Cambridge Corporate Law Michael D. Carroll Construction Law; Litigation Construction Mark M. Cunningham Construction Law Catherine Edwards Medical Malpractice Law Defendants Daniel J. Ferris Commercial Litigation John D. Gatti Corporate Law; Tax Law Patrick J. Haddad Health Care Law; Insurance Law Fred K. Herrmann Antitrust Law Mark C. Knoth Employment Law Management Eric I. Lark Corporate Law; Insurance Law Kate M. McCarroll Immigration Law Stephen D. McGraw Medical Malpractice Law Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation Defendants Miroslava Orduño Rincón Immigration Law Daniel J. Schulte Health Care Law Joanne Geha Swanson Appellate Practice; Litigation Antitrust James E. Tamm Land Use and Zoning Law; Medical Malpractice Law Defendants; Municipal Law Kurt R. Vilders Real Estate Law Kerr Russell's 2024 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch include: Cody Attisha Corporate Law; Tax Law Kevin A. McQuillan Civil Rights Law; Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions Defendants Kathleen A. Westfall Health Care Law; Insurance Law Olivia Hankinson Corporate Law; Labor and Employment Law Management Nezar Habhab Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships); Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions Law Paul M. Indyk Medical Malpractice Law Defendants - - - Warner Norcross + Judd LLP welcomes Carlotta C. Gmachl to its business development team. At Warner, Gmachl will leverage her unique background in automotive, bankruptcy, supply chain, technology, academia and nonprofit sectors to cultivate key relationships and develop new business. She will work in the firm's Detroit office. Gmachl was most recently director of business development North America for ADASTEC Corp., an automated driving software developer, where she was responsible for business development and forging relationships with internal and external stakeholders. She previously worked in Michigan State University's International Business Center where she managed and executed government contracts and supported exports, trades and business operations. Gmachl also worked in development for the Detroit Regional Partnership where she supported domestic and international businesses interested in investing in metro Detroit. At DRP, she led over 70 projects creating more than $100M in investment and 500 new jobs in the region. Gmachl earned a bachelor's degree in international studies from American University and her Masters of Business Administration from Central Michigan University. Gmachl's native language is German and she is fluent in English and intermediate in both Chinese and Italian. Published: Tue, Aug 29, 2023