Legal People

Brooks Wilkins Sharkey & Turco PLLC ED KRONK, BERT DONOVAN, MAUREEN TAYLOR, and MATTHEW LETZMANN joined BROOKS, WILKINS, SHARKEY, & TURCO PLLC on April 1. Kronk, Donovan, and Taylor were shareholders with Butzel Long before making the move. Letzmann was an associate at Butzel Long who worked closely with the Firm's newest members. Kronk focuses his practice on commercial litigation and product liability defense. He has represented automotive suppliers in state and federal courts, and in arbitrations. Kronk is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and was named in "America's Leading Business Lawyers -- General Commercial Litigation" by Chambers USA, "Top Lawyer" by DBusiness, and "Best Lawyers in America." He is a graduate of The University of Michigan Law School. Donovan is a trial lawyer and counselor who specializes in complex commercial litigation, product liability defense and regulatory compliance. He has successfully represented and counseled clients in hundreds of automotive supply chain disputes. Mr. Donovan was selected "Top Lawyer," "Super Lawyer," and "Best Lawyers in America," in Product Liability, Business and Commercial Litigation, and Personal Injury Litigation, respectively. He is a graduate of Notre Dame Law School. Taylor specializes in complex commercial litigation, UCC litigation, product liability defense, and automotive safety and regulatory matters. She has experience in defending catastrophic product liability and tort litigation matters. Taylor has also advised professional service firms and educational institutions regarding security breaches involving sensitive personal identifying information. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Letzmann focuses on complex commercial litigation, automotive supply chain counseling, and product liability disputes. He also advises a broad range of clients on complex UCC issues. He is a graduate of Boston University School of Law. To accommodate their expansion, Brooks, Wilkins, Sharkey, & Turco moved to newly renovated office space on April 1. The firm's new location is Suite 400 of the Birmingham Place building in downtown Birmingham. To learn more about the firm, visit www.bwst-law.com or call (248) 971-1800. ---------- Miller Canfield The law firm of MILLER CANFIELD announces that it again ranks first among Michigan bond counsel law firms in the 2010 Bond Counsel Rankings by Thomson Reuters, recognizing the law firm for 125 long term new bond issues totaling $3.618 billion. The firm has been the number one-ranking bond counsel in Michigan every year in the ranking's 30+ year history. Nationally, the firm was recognized for 140 long term new bond issues totaling $3.724 billion. Miller Canfield's public finance practice consists of nearly 30 lawyers in Michigan and Illinois--including the largest group of municipal finance specialists in Michigan--specializing in capital projects and infrastructure improvements, economic development projects, municipal securities representations, environmental response projects, government and regulatory affairs, hospitals, housing, and local, state and federal tax. Miller Canfield wrote opinions in 2010 on municipal bonds and notes across Michigan for purposes that included: * Water supply system upgrades for Benton Harbor, Bruce Township, Buchanan, Village of Beulah, Cass County, Crystal Falls, Village of Dexter, Eagle Harbor Township, Escanaba, Village of Farwell, Gladwin, Harbor Beach, Howell, Inkster, Ionia, Ironwood, Isabella County, Manistee, Marquette, Menominee, Monroe County, Muskegon County, New Haven, Pittsfield Township, Sault Ste. Marie, Westland, Williamston, and Ypsilanti Township. * Sewer system improvements for Adams Township, Franklin Township, Gaastra, Genesee County, Grand Blanc, Hancock, Village of Honor, Howell, Ionia, Ironwood Township, Ironwood, Village of L'Anse, Lapeer, Lathrup Village, Manistee, Marquette, Marysville, Menominee, Monroe County, Portage Township, Richmond, Stannard Township, Village of Union City, Westland and Williamston . * Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements for Bedford Township and the Village of Vernon. * School improvements for Avondale School District, Comstock Public Schools, Jackson Public Schools, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Mona Shores Public Schools, Roseville Community Schools, and the School District of the City of Detroit, including technology infrastructure and energy conservation improvements. * Drainage District improvements for the Groesbeck Park Drain Drainage District, North Shores Drainage District and the Swiss Gardens and Branches Drainage District. * University facility bonds for Michigan State University, Northern Michigan University, Saginaw Valley State University and the University of Michigan. * State Aid Revenue Notes for the Michigan Finance Authority benefiting over 200 schools. * Local Government Loan Program Revenue bonds for the Michigan Municipal Bond Authority. * Hospital revenue bonds for Bronson Methodist Hospital and William Beaumont Hospital Obligated Group. * Tax Anticipation Notes for Wayne County, the City of Kalamazoo and Melvindale. * Delinquent Tax Anticipation Notes for Calhoun County, Monroe County and Muskegon County. * Refinanced $838,745,000 of Airport Revenue Bonds for the Wayne County Airport Authority to achieve debt service savings. * $290,230,000 refunding bonds for the Board of Trustees of Michigan State University. * Refunding bonds issued to achieve debt service savings for Chippewa County, Grosse Ile Township, City of Kalamazoo Hospital Finance Authority (Bronson Methodist Hospital), Macomb Township, Manchester, Muskegon, Novi, Saline, City of Saginaw Hospital Finance Authority (Covenant Medical Center), Sterling Heights, Utica Community Schools, Ypsilanti, Wyoming and the City of Zeeland Hospital Building Authority (Zeeland Community Hospital). * Fiscal Stabilization Bonds for the City of Detroit. * $200,000,000 Wayne County Building Authority Bonds for a new jail facility. * Convention Facility improvements for the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (Cobo Center). * A new justice center for Inkster. * A new public safety headquarters facility for the City of Detroit. * Local and major street improvements in the Cities of Brighton, Douglas, Kalamazoo, Plymouth, Owosso, Manistee and Sterling Heights. * Recreation improvements for the City of Petoskey. * Library improvements for the City of Clawson. * Landfill improvements for St. Clair County. * City of Marquette and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority bonds for Founders Landing. * Mackinac Island State Park Commission Historical Facilities Bonds for the construction of a new exhibit and visitor services space and continued restoration of Fort Mackinac. * City of Midland methane recovery system from landfill and methane powered electric generating facility. * Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds for Clawson, Escanaba, Howell, Jackson Public Schools, Monroe, Muskegon County, Saginaw Charter Township and Wayne County. * Recovery Zone Facilities Bonds issued by the Lansing Economic Development Corporation for a parking facility for the new Accident Fund Insurance Headquarters in downtown Lansing. * Recovery Zone Facilities Bonds issued by the Michigan Strategic Fund for power plant improvements for The Detroit Edison Company and store improvements for The Kroger Co. * Recovery Zone Facilities Bonds for an airport hangar in Battle Creek. * Single-Family Homeownership Revenue bonds issued for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. ---------- Kemp Klein Law Firm KEMP KLEIN LAW FIRM welcomed MICHAEL J. WEIKERT as a shareholder earlier this month. Weikert has been managing legal conflict for his clients, including many local franchised auto dealers, insurers to franchised auto dealers and dealer trade associations for nearly fifteen years. Weikert's practice includes all areas of business disputes with particular emphasis on auto dealership law, franchise law, consumer warranty and construction law. He has represented clients in both state and federal courts in diverse areas of the law, including: new motor vehicle dealerships, state and federal franchise law, real estate and construction law, personal injury, product liability, business torts, contract/UCC law and partnership and corporate law. Weikert made his mark on dealer franchise law as one of key drafters to the 2010 revisions of the Michigan Dealer Franchise Act, following the automobile manufacturer bankruptcies that resulted in the loss of many franchised auto dealerships in the State of Michigan. He also obtained a favorable published opinion in Joe Panian Chevrolet, Inc. v Young, 239 Mich App (2000). A holding that is still relied upon to this day. Weikert has been listed as a Rising Star by Michigan "Super Lawyer" Magazine in the franchise/dealership category for the past three years. He is a member of the National Association of Dealer Counsel. ---------- Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP HONIGMAN, MILLER, SCHWARTZ, AND COHN LLP is pleased to announce that STUART H. TEGER, a partner in the firm's Litigation Department, recently was a speaker at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers' CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2011 trade show. His presentation focused on the federal False Claims Act. CONEXPO, held every three years, is touted as the premier exposition of construction equipment and related products. Well over 100,000 people attended the exposition held in Las Vegas. Teger, who is located in Honigman's Detroit office, has a wide range of trial and appellate experience in federal and state courts throughout the nation. He focuses his practice on construction litigation, real estate litigation, employment litigation and commercial litigation. Teger has extensive experience in construction litigation on behalf of owners, general contractors and trade contractors, involving bonds, liens, Miller Act and "Little Miller Act" claims, delay and acceleration claims and claims relating to defective work. He was recognized in "Best Lawyers in America" for Construction Law from 2009-2011, Michigan "Super Lawyers" in 2010 and named to DBusiness Top Lawyers in 2010 and 2011. Teger earned his law degree from University of Michigan law School, his Ph.D. and M.A.P.Sc. in Political Science from University of Rochester, and his B.A. in Political Science from Temple University. ---------- Butzel Long BUTZEL LONG has added employment law attorney REBECCA S. DAVIES as shareholder to the firm. Davies focuses her practice in the areas of employment law and commercial litigation. Based in Butzel Long's Detroit office, Davies represents employers in federal and state court litigation and before state and federal administrative agencies. In addition to her litigation practice, she regularly counsels employers regarding compliance under federal and state employment laws (including FLSA, FMLA, ADA and Title VII), drafts policies and procedures, and, advises on preventative strategies. Davies' objective is to assist clients in implementing preventative strategies. She is a frequent author and lecturer, not only for client in-house trainings and publications, but also for outside organizations, including: Walsh College, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Automation Alley and the American Society of Employers. Davies received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan at Dearborn and her law degrees from the Detroit College of Law and Wayne State University Law School. ---------- Zausmer, Kaufman, August, Caldwell & Tayler, P.C. Farmington Hills-based ZAUSMER, KAUFMAN, AUGUST, CALDWELL, & TAYLER P.C. (ZKACT) announced that attorney MICHAEL A. SCHWARTZ has joined the firm as an associate. Schwartz specializes in the defense of first and third party auto claims and commercial general liability claims. Prior to his arrival at ZKACT, he served as in-house counsel for one of the largest mixed-use real estate developers in the Southeast. Additionally, he worked as a legal intern in the Regional Solicitor's Office of the United States Department of the Interior, judicial extern in the Georgia state court system, and legislative intern in the Madison office of United States Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin. Admitted to the State Bar of Michigan last November, Schwartz graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law and earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. ---------- Cardelli, Lanfear, and Buikema P.C. The law firm of CARDELLI, LANFEAR, AND BUIKEMA P.C. is pleased to announce the addition of three attorneys, MICHAEL SMITH, PAUL M. KITTINGER and MATTHEW C. SCARFONE. Smith is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School and Michigan State University, and specializes in Civil Defense work including Liability, Auto Negligence, and Construction Litigation. Kittinger is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School and University of Michigan, and specializes in Major Motion Practice, Appeals, Construction Law and Insurance Subrogation. Matthew C. Scarfone is a graduate of Michigan State University College of Law and Michigan State University, and specializes in General Civil Litigation. Cardelli, Lanfear and Buikema is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and continues to add attorneys, and local and nationally known clients. ---------- Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith, P.C. GIL FRIMET, senior attorney at FOSTER, SWIFT, COLLINS, & SMITH P.C., has been appointed to the Health Care Regulatory Policy Action Work Group. The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has received federal funding for a planning process regarding the implementation of a health insurance exchange(s) for the state. Five stakeholder work groups have been formed to discuss possible solutions and offer their input. Each work group's recommendations will be submitted to a steering committee, which will make final recommendations on the design of the exchange(s). Frimet joined the firm Of Counsel in 2003 and is a member of the Health Care Law Practice Group. He began practicing in Michigan in 1955 and has over 48 years of health and administrative law experience. In addition, JULIE I. FERSHTMAN, a shareholder with Foster Swift in its Farmington Hills office, was a speaker at the IBA West National Agribusiness Conference on March 23 in Sacramento, California. A member of its faculty since 2006, Fershtman also speaks at its conferences in Colorado, Virginia, Ohio and Iowa. These are the largest insurance education conferences for agribusiness and farm risks in the United States. Fershtman is president-elect of the State Bar of Michigan and a Trustee of the Michigan State Bar Foundation. She also serves on the ABA House of Delegates and is a vice chair of a committee of the ABA Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice Section. A frequent writer and speaker, she is the author of three books and more than 200 published articles. She has spoken at conferences in 27 states. Fershtman focuses her law practice in the areas of commercial litigation, insurance law, and equine law. A member of the State Bar of Michigan since 1986, she graduated from Emory College in 1983 and Emory Law School in 1986. ---------- Fakhoury Law Group PC RAMI FAKHOURY, member of FAKHOURY LAW GROUP PC (FLG), a leading provider of global corporate immigration services, has recently become a member of the prestigious Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers (ABIL). ABIL is comprised of 21 top U.S. business immigration lawyers and their respective firms. ABIL boasts over 150 lawyers devoted to business immigration in 42 major cities throughout the world, providing the most comprehensive, personalized coverage available. ABIL's total immigration staffing is one of the largest, without losing client accessibility and customer focus. A number of our ABIL members have served on the Board of Governors of AILA (the American Immigration Lawyers Association), the 11,000-member organization comprised of most U.S. immigration lawyers. A number of our ABIL lawyers are also immigration law professors at prominent law schools and have written well known immigration treatises and textbooks. "It is with great pride that we announce our equity membership of the Alliance of Business Immigration Attorneys, the largest and most prestigious global immigration law consortium in the world," said Fakhoury. "This strategic affiliation allows us to continue providing premier corporate immigration services to our clients in a seamless and efficient manner all over the world." Published: Mon, Apr 11, 2011

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