Legal People

Nemeth Burwell, PC
Attorneys Patricia Nemeth and Linda Burwell, founding partners of Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell, PC , have been recognized as leading lawyers in their field by The Best Lawyers in America for 2014.
Nemeth was recognized in management side labor law, employment law, and labor and employment litigation and specializes as a litigator, consultant, negotiator and mediator. Her areas of expertise include all aspects of traditional labor and employment litigation law, including complex employment investigations and analyses, discrimination/harassment, age, disability, sex, race, whistleblowers, wrongful discharge, union organizing activities and union issues, and multi-party lawsuits. She is a certified mediator for all types of civil litigation, including employment.
Nemeth earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan and her law degrees from Wayne State University Law School. She is an ABA Foundation Fellow and a member of the Michigan, Illinois, Federal and the United States Supreme Court Bar.
Burwell was recognized in management side labor law, employment law, and labor and employment litigation and specializes as a litigator, arbitrator and consultant, representing management in all aspects of labor and employment law. Her areas of expertise include wrongful discharge, discrimination, non-competition, harassment, interference with contract, equal pay, retaliation, whistleblowers, wage and hours, unfair labor practices, breach of contract, libel and slander, and invasion of privacy. She regularly counsels management on collective bargaining agreements, pre-employment, discipline, and pre-termination and post-termination matters. Burwell works closely with and monitors the EEOC and its developments and was invited to testify before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Washington, DC in March 2013 to provide input on the agency’s Quality Control Plan for investigations and conciliations.
A nationally recognized speaker and author on employment law and risk management issues, Burwell often serves as the legal expert on panels involving employment laws.
She earned her law degree from Wayne State University Law School and a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University. Burwell is an ABA Foundation Fellow and a member of the Michigan, Ohio, Federal, and the United States Supreme Court Bar.

—————

Foster, Swift, Collins  & Smith PC
Several lawyers from Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2014. Nine attorneys were included from Foster Swift’s Farmington Hills office and include:
• Dirk H. Beckwith – Construction Law.
• Michael R. Blum – Employment Law – Management.
• Julie I. Fershtman – Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law.
• Gilbert M. Frimet – Health Care Law.
• John M. Kamins – Corporate Law.
• Frank T. Mamat – Labor Law – Management.
• Paul J. Millenbach – Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants.
• Brian J. Renaud – Administrative/Regulatory Law.
• Bruce A. Vande Vusse – Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants.
Attorney Randall L. Harbour of Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC was named the chair of the Community Bank and Mutual Holding Company Subcommittee of the Banking Law Committee of the American Bar Association. Harbour was named at the ABA Annual Conference in San Francisco this month and will serve a three year term as chair. 
He has been representing financial institutions for more than 37 years after graduating from the University of Michigan Law School.  Harbour’s practice encompasses bank regulatory matters and representation before the financial institution regulators (FDIC, FRB, OCC, NCUA, CFPB, and the MI DIFS), mergers & acquisitions, applications, lending, and corporate matters related to financial institutions. 
His other involvements include membership in the Michigan Bankers Association and Community Bankers of Michigan. He is also a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation.
Harbour gives back to his community through involvement in various organizations including the March of Dimes as the Revenue Committee chair for the Ann Arbor division, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as a governing member, and through the Arbor Hospice Foundation as a member of the Board of Directors.

—————

Wright Beamer
Lee Flaherty, a principal of the law firm of Wright Beamer, was recently accepted as a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation, an honor reserved for only five percent of the active members of the State Bar of Michigan.
Flaherty works primarily in business law and estate planning. She is a member of the Financial and Estate Planning Council of Metropolitan Detroit and has served the community in a variety of volunteer capacities.

—————

Fabian, Sklar, & King PC
Farmington Hills-based Fabian, Sklar, & King PC recently announced that founding shareholder Michael H. Fabian and shareholder Stuart A. Sklar were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2014, the 20th edition of the publication produced annually by Best Lawyers.
In addition to being honored for his work in the practice area of Insurance Law, Fabian was also recognized as Best Lawyers’ 2014 Detroit Insurance Law “Lawyer of the Year.” Fabian was selected for the honor based on receiving the highest average of votes in the specialty practice area of Insurance Law in metro Detroit. Sklar was recognized for his efforts in the practice areas of both Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs.
With more than 30 years of legal experience, Fabian has won numerous cases that have created groundbreaking national precedent in establishing and protecting the rights of policyholders. He serves as editor of Michigan Insurance Law and Practice, published by the Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), and as co-author of the chapter on Property Insurance Law.
He also authored the Fire Insurance Chapter in ICLE’s Causes of Action Formbook. In 2011, Fabian was named a “Leader in the Law” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, a “Top Lawyer” by DBusiness magazine, and has been selected as a Michigan “Super Lawyer” by Law & Politics Magazine each year since 2006. Fabian was also named a Best Lawyer in America in 2013.
He earned a B.A. from the James Madison College of Michigan State University in 1975 and his law degree from the University of Detroit School of Law in 1978.
Sklar has litigated hundreds of fire and explosion cases and has collected millions of dollars on behalf of his clients. He serves as a principal member of the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Technical Committee on Fire Investigations—the committee responsible for the development of NFPA 921: Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. He has been active in the development of every edition of NFPA 921 since 2001.
Sklar is also a principal member of the NFPA Technical Committee on Fire Investigation Qualifications responsible for NFPA 1033: Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator. In 2013, Sklar was recognized as a Best Lawyer in America and was also named a “Leader in the Law” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Law & Politics Magazine has selected him as a Michigan “Super Lawyer” every year since 2006.
Sklar earned a B.A. from Michigan State University in 1982 and a law degree from the Michigan State University College of Law in 1985.

—————

Kemp Klein Law Firm
Jeremy R. Cnudde joined Kemp Klein Law Firm as a shareholder on July 24.
Cnudde concentrates his practice on corporate transactions, federal and state tax planning, non-profit corporations, and state, local and property tax appeals litigation. Cnudde represents businesses with diverse backgrounds, including those in the manufacturing, aerospace and defense, distribution, retail grocery, and agricultural industries. He provides legal representation with respect to mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, and shareholder disputes, business succession planning, buy-sell agreements and drafting of supplier and representatives agreement.
Cnudde is a graduate of Michigan State University Detroit College of Law with a concentration and Certification in Taxation Law. Cnudde received his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the Michigan State University’s Eli Broad School of Business. He has also received certification from the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA).
Cnudde is a member of the Board of Directors and secretary for the Marinelife Aquarium Society of Michigan and a member of the Board of Directors for the Lakeshore Bar Association.
Cnudde is a DBusiness Top Lawyer for Tax Law and Non-Profit/Charities Law (2012 and 2013).
Additionally, Kemp Klein welcomes Edward M. Nahhat.
Nahhat has more than 20 years experience as a successful adviser and litigator in probate and real estate matters, commercial and employment law, appeals, personal injury, family law and entertainment law. He has offered effective service to individuals, their families and to businesses of all sizes.
Over the years his work has spanned many types of legal concerns, including probate and trust matters, action to restrain the government, defense to exonerate the innocent, counsel to aid the start-up and growing business, advocating for businesses in contractual disputes and all types of real estate matters.
He graduated from Wayne State University with a BFA (1983) and law degree (1990). He was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1991 and was a recipient of the John Hensel Award in 2006.
Nahhat is an active lay leader for the Royal Oak First United Methodist Church. He is the founder and chairman of non-profit Water Works Theatre Company, Inc., the independent producer of Royal Oak’s summer Shakespeare in the Park programs. He also serves as a Royal Oak High School coach.

—————

Howard & Howard  Attorneys PLLC
Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC is pleased to announce that twelve of its attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2014.
The Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice area under which they are listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2014 are as follows:
• Dean W. Amburn, Trademark Law.
• Jess A. Bahs, Tax Law.
• Thomas W. Davis II, Commercial Litigation.
• Joseph J. DeVito, Corporate Law.
• Lisa S. Gretchko, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law.
• Michael V. Kell, Commercial Litigation.
• Rodger A. Kershner, Energy Law (Best Lawyers’ 2014 Detroit Energy Law “Lawyer of the Year”).
• Henry P. Lee, Trusts and Estates.
• Patrick M. McCarthy, Commercial Litigation.
• Gwen Rutar Mullins, Construction Law.
• Robert L. Rosenthal, Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management.; and Litigation – Labor and Employment.
• Jeffrey A. Sadowski, Litigation – Intellectual Property; Litigation – Patent; Patent Law; and Trademark Law.

—————

Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss
Gov. Rick Snyder recently announced the appointment of Sara Kruse to the Michigan Board of Counseling.
The 11-member board assists the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs in overseeing the practice of more than 8,800 counselors in Michigan.
Kruse is a partner and board member of Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss, where she is a member of the corporate and emerging and growth business practice groups, representing both private and public companies. She was named a Michigan Rising Star in 2010 by Super Lawyers Magazine and is a member of the Michigan Venture Capital Association. Kruse earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and Asian studies from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. She will represent the general public and replaces Ramsey Jiddou.
Appointees will serve four-year terms expiring June 30, 2017, and their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the state Senate.
In addition, Best Lawyers has recognized several partners at Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss as some of the “Best Lawyers in America” in their respective legal fields.
The following local Jaffe attorneys were included in the 2014 edition of the Best Lawyers in America.
• Peter M. Alter: Commercial Litigation, Banking & Finance Litigation, Real Estate Litigation.
• Christopher A. Andreoff: Criminal Defense - White Collar.
• Mark G. Cooper: Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance.
• Joel S. Golden: Trusts and Estates.
• Jeffrey G. Heuer: Bet-the company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Construction Litigation.
• Ira J. Jaffe: Corporate Law
Shirley A. Kaigler: Trusts and Estates.
• Mark P. Krysinski: Real Estate Law.
• Eli Maroko: Immigration Law.
• Louis P. Rochkind: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights, Insolvency and Reorganization Law.
• Stephen G. Schafer: Banking and Finance Law, Public Finance Law.
• Julianne Cassin Sharp: Immigration Law.
• William E. Sider: Tax Law.
• Brian G. Shannon: Appellate Practice.
• Peter Sugar: Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Securities and Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation.
• Holli Targan: Information Technology Law.
• Arthur A. Weiss: Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Real Estate Law, Tax  Law.
• Jay L. Welford: Bankruptcy & Creditor Debtor Rights, Insolvency & Reorganization Law, Bankruptcy Litigation.
• Richard A. Zussman: Real Estate Law.

—————

McKeen & Associates
McKeen & Associates PC announced managing partner and founder Brian J. McKeen was awarded the Dan Cullan Memorial Award from the American Association of Justice (AAJ) and Executive Board of the AAJ Birth Trauma Litigation Group.
The honor recognizes McKeen for his commitment to excellence in advocacy and his devotion and service to the Birth Trauma Litigation Group and the children that it serves. The award also acknowledges McKeen as someone who exemplifies the finest qualities of Dan Cullan, the highly respected MD JD who spent his career helping children in birth trauma cases and for whom the award is named.
McKeen has been practicing law since 1982. In the past year, and throughout the course of his 30-year career, he has resolved numerous birth trauma cases.
He currently sits on the executive boards of the Michigan Association for Justice (MAJ) and the American Association for Justice (AAJ). He formerly served as chair of the AAJ Professional Negligence Section, Medical Negligence Exchange Group and Birth Trauma Litigation Group (BTLG). McKeen is a member of The Inner Circle of Advocates, an organization of the top 100 plaintiff attorneys in the country. In 2012, he was named among the Top Attorneys in Michigan as published by The New York Times.
McKeen earned his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley School of Law. He also earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University.

—————

Butzel Long
Butzel Long attorney and shareholder Jennifer E. Consiglio has been named a “2013 Honoree for Michigan Women in the Law” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. She is one of 25 female attorneys who will be honored during a luncheon on Sept. 26 at the Detroit Marriott in Troy. Honorees were selected by a committee based on their outstanding professional accomplishments and mentoring/community involvement.
Consiglio, based in Butzel Long’s Bloomfield Hills office, has a varied business law practice focused on business transactions, securities law, and general business matters. She has experience representing buyers and sellers in merger, acquisition, and divestiture transactions in both the public and private sectors. Consiglio also has experience in advising clients in raising capital through private equity and venture capital financing, private placements of debt and equity securities and public offerings. She regularly counsels clients in other complex transactional, corporate and securities matters, such as joint ventures and cross-border transactions, SEC and blue sky compliance and reporting, and investor relations.
She is dedicated to pro bono service and mentoring. Consiglio is the co-chair of Butzel Long’s Pro Bono Committee. Consiglio also is a member of the firm’s Recruiting Committee, working to bring diverse talent into the firm, and its Professional Development Committee, developing and implementing on-boarding, mentoring and educational programs to promote the development and retention of the firm’s attorneys.
Consiglio is a council member of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and serves as its director of Public Relations and Social Media. She is a member of Butzel Long’s Mergers & Acquisitions, Investment Management, and Social Media, Privacy & Technology Advisory specialty groups. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Massachusetts Bar, and Oakland County Bar Association.
Consiglio earned her B.S. from Georgetown University, and her law degree from The George Washington University Law School.
In addition, Butzel Long has been named a 2013 Salute to Diversity Winner by Corp! Magazine. The firm is one of 11 Michigan-based organizations recognized in the category of Diversity Focused Companies. Other categories included Individuals and Diversity Champions.
Butzel Long was among honorees recognized at the MGM Grand during Corp!’s Salute to Diversity Conference on August 22 in Detroit. Nearly 200 people attended the awards presentation.
“We are committed to ensuring our firm has a diverse workforce,” said Dana M. Wothe, chief operating officer, Butzel Long. “Members of our recruiting committee and human resources department deserve most of the credit. The firm is proud of the very high percentage of diversity represented by our summer associates, the fall hire programs for associate attorneys and employment of other personnel.”

—————

Plunkett Cooney
Several Plunkett Cooney attorneys were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2014.
Below is a list of local Plunkett Cooney’s partners who have received the 2014 Best Lawyers designation:
Bloomfield Hills office
• Michael P. Ashcraft Jr. (partner) – Legal Malpractice Law.
• Douglas C. Bernstein (partner) – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization law.
• William D. Booth (partner) – Personal Injury Litigation. He has the distinction of being named to the Best Lawyers list for more than 20 years.
• Charles W. Browning (partner) – Insurance Law.
• Gary W. Francis (associate) – Labor Law – Management.
• Jerome A. Galante (partner) – Personal Injury Litigation.
• Jeffrey C. Gerish (partner) – Appellate Law.
• Donald J. Hutchinson (of counsel) – Bankruptcy Litigation.
• Robert G. Kamenec (partner) – Appellate Law.
• Mark S. Kopson (partner) – Health Care Law.
• Kenneth M. Mattson (partner) – Medical Malpractice Law.
• Stanley C. Moore III (partner) – Labor and Employment Law.
• Mary Massaron Ross (partner) – Appellate Law.
• Scott H. Sirich (partner) – Construction Litigation.
• Thomas P. Vincent (partner) – Commercial Litigation.

Detroit office.
• Dennis M. Day (partner) – Product Liability Litigation.
• James R. Geroux (partner) – Workers’ Compensation Law.
• Christine D. Oldani Appellate Law.
• Claudia D. Orr (senior partner) – Employment Law.
• Stanley A. Prokop (partner) – Insurance Law.

—————

Warner, Norcross, & Judd LLP
Kurt M. Brauer, a partner with Warner, Norcross, & Judd LLP, has been selected to participate in Leadership Detroit.
Brauer will be among 65 business professional, non-profit executives and government leaders to participate in the nine-month community leadership program of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce. The 2014 class, which begins in September and wraps up in May 2014, will give current and emerging leaders the opportunity to explore key issues that affect the Detroit region and explore ways to bring about positive change in the community through informed leadership.
Brauer counsels clients in economic development and environmental compliance and regulatory matters with an emphasis on brownfield redevelopment and business expansion incentive packages. He also assists them in resolving complex real estate matters. He is recognized in Best Lawyers in America and as a DBusiness Top Lawyer.
Brauer is chair-elect of the State Bar of Michigan’s Environmental Law Section Council. He also serves on the executive board and as chair of the legislative committee for the Michigan Chapter of the National Brownfields Association and as secretary for the board of the Farmington Hills Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. He is a founding member of the Michigan Wetlands Association and sits on its board of directors. Brauer is also a member of the Michigan Economic Developers Association and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce..
Additionally, Anissa C. Hudy, an attorney with Warner Norcross, has been selected to participate in Leadership Macomb.
Hudy will be among 30+ business professional, community and government leaders to participate in the nine-month community leadership program. The 2014 class, which begins in September and wraps up in June 2014, will give current and emerging leaders the opportunity to explore emerging issues that will impact Macomb County, Southeast Michigan and the bottom line of their own organizations.
Hudy concentrates her practice on real estate and commercial litigation with an emphasis on creditors’ rights. She is a member of the International Women’s Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation and serves on the Court Reporting and Recording Board of Review Fees Workgroup for the State of Michigan.

—————

Law Office of Timothy J. Burns
Tim Burns, principal attorney of the Law Office of Timothy J. Burns in Troy, has been elected to a 3 year term on the State Bar of Michigan’s Board of Commissioners.
Burns is a graduate of Bradley University (BS) and University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.