Legal People

McDonald Hopkins LLC

Business restructuring attorney Ashley J. Jericho has joined the Detroit office of McDonald Hopkins LLC as an associate.

Jericho has more than nine years of insolvency experience, including representing consumer and business debtors, creditors and trustees in bankruptcy proceedings, contested matters and adversary proceedings. She has also represented business debtors in representing individuals and businesses in state and federal court litigation involving real estate, zoning, contract, collections and debt negotiation.

Jericho earned her law degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School in 2008. She also received a B.A. in Political Science from Washington and Jefferson College in 2004.

In addition, McDonald Hopkins attorney Alexander A. Ayar, has been named a recipient of the 2018 Oakland County Elite 40 Under 40. The award, celebrating its seventh year, honors recipients for innovation, talent, leadership and for the impact and difference they make in Oakland County.

Ayar is an award winning member of the firm’s Litigation Department. He has more than 12 years of legal experience with a practice focused on complex litigation matters.

He earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 2006 and received a B.S. in economics from Oakland University in 2003.

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Collins, Einhorn, Farrell PC

Collins, Einhorn, Farrell PC is pleased to announce that attorneys Joshua I. Arnkoff, Patrick M. Edwartowski, and Stephen D. Jacobites have been elected partners in the firm.

Arnkoff is a partner in the firm’s Professional Liability and the General Liability group. He is an experienced trial lawyer dating back to his days as an assistant prosecutor at the Oakland County Prosecutor’s office. His practice includes the defense of professional liability claims (with an emphasis on lawyers professional liability), together with commercial liability matters, white-collar criminal cases, and computer-related crimes.

In addition to practicing law, Arnkoff has also taught classes at the Oakland County Police Academy (Admissions and Confessions, Evidence) and has provided legal updates to the local police agencies. He is a member of the Association of Defense Trial Counsel, the Defense Research Institute, the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel, and the Oakland County Bar Association, where he is also a member of the Pro Bono Mentor Match Program.

Arnkoff is also a Fellow with the Oakland County Bar Foundation. In 2017, he was selected by his peers for inclusion in DBusiness® Top Lawyers for his work in professional malpractice law.

Edwartowski is a partner in the firm’s Asbestos and Toxic Tort group. His practice centers on the defense of asbestos personal-injury cases and other toxic tort matters. He plays an active role in case management and negotiation. Edwartowski is experienced in managing large asbestos dockets throughout Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas for multiple clients. He focuses on developing and implementing defense strategies, from initial investigation through ultimate resolution.

Edwartowski is a member of the Defense Research Institute, where he serves on the Young Lawyers Committee and the Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Committee. He is also a member of the Oakland County Bar Association, and serves on the Veterans Committee.

Jacobites is a partner in the firm’s Asbestos and Toxic Tort group. He oversees all aspects of the defense of equipment/product manufacturers, non-manufacturing sellers and premises owners in Michigan asbestos bodily injury cases.

Jacobites is a member of the American Defense Trial Counsel, the Defense Research Institute, and the Oakland County Bar Association.

In addition, Collins Einhorn Farrell is pleased to announce that attorney Ticara D. Hendley has joined the firm’s Professional Liability Practice Group. Prior to joining the firm, Hendley worked as a judicial law clerk for Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Leslie Kim Smith.

After graduating from Michigan State University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts, Hendley obtained her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2016.

Hendley has an interest in giving back to the community and has volunteered as a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit and Scout Assistant with Girl Scouts of the USA. She has also donated her time completing charity work as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Hendley is licensed with the State Bar of Michigan. She is a member of the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association and the Wolverine Bar Association.

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Reising Ethington PC

The Intellectual Property law firm of Reising Ethington PC is proud to announce that patent attorney Shannon K. Smith has been elected a shareholder of the firm. Smith’s practice includes the prosecution and litigation of trademarks and patents in various arts including bio-medical, automotive, material science, and chemical. Smith has education and experience in drafting and interpreting intellectual property licensing agreements, and she has performed intellectual property due diligence for prominent corporate mergers and acquisitions.

Smith leads the mentorship program for the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Bar Association. She is the local networking subcommittee chairperson for the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), and is the CLE chairperson for the Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association (MIPLA). Smith is also a member of the National Editorial Board (NEB) for the newsletter Ideas on Intellectual Property Law, published by Thomson Reuters, which covers current topics in patent, trademark, copyright, and other areas of intellectual property law.

Smith graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in December of 2013, and was admitted to practice law in Michigan in May of 2014. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience/Pre-Med.

Smith does pro bono work for the American Red Cross as a caseworker for the Restoring Family Links Program with the International Services department. This program helps clients separated from family members in other countries due to armed conflict, migration, disasters, and other humanitarian emergencies.

In addition, Reising Ethington is proud to announce the addition of patent attorneys Lena Haidous and James D. Stevens as associates of the firm.

Haidous’ expertise is in the areas of microbiology, genetics, prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene structure and function, recombinant DNA, molecular cell biology, biochemistry, gene sequencing, PCR, biosynthesis and metabolism, nano-bioscience, organic chemistry, and mechanical physics.

Haidous attended Wayne State University earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology and continued her studies there as a graduate student focusing on genetic research while earning a Master of Arts in Biology, and a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. She is also a member of the Michigan Intellectual Property Inn of Court.

Stevens’ expertise includes a wide range of computer science technologies, such as database management systems, cryptography, network security, and application development. Prior to joining the firm, Stevens worked as a software engineer for R.L. Polk & Co. (later acquired by I.H.S.) At Polk, he developed servers for many different applications, such as a mobile application and numerous web-applications for use by major automotive OEHe also designed and implemented many interfaces for these applications as well, primarily focusing on integrating automotive data into maps, such as Google Maps.

Stevens earned a B.S.E. in Computer Science Engineering from the University of Michigan, and graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

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Littler

Michael A. Chichester Jr., an attorney in the Detroit office of Littler, has been elevated to shareholder, effective January 1, 2018. Twenty-eight attorneys were elevated to shareholder status across the firm’s U.S. offices.

Chichester focuses his practice on litigation, advice and counsel addressing client concerns in several areas of employment law. These areas include discrimination and harassment, leaves of absence and disability accommodation, whistleblowing and retaliation, wage and hour, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

Appearing in state and federal courts, as well as before administrative agencies, he most frequently represents employers in the retail, technology, consulting and manufacturing industries.

Chichester earned his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and his B.A. from Aquinas College.

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Butzel Long

Butzel Long is expanding to meet growing client needs with the addition of local attorneys Thomas (Tommy) Nafso, Of Counsel; and George Schooff, Of Counsel. They are based in Butzel’s Detroit office.

Nafso is a former prosecutor in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and assistant attorney general with the State of Michigan Department of Attorney General. He has administrative, criminal, civil litigation, and government relations experience.

He has first-chaired more than 100 combined jury and bench trials to verdict and held hundreds of administrative hearings. His experience has evolved into an innovative outside general counsel practice for clients who have varied legal needs.

Upon earning his law degree and MBA from the University of Detroit Mercy, Nafso became a prosecutor in Wayne County. As a prosecutor, he conducted warrant review, preliminary examinations, and felony trials – handling white collar and other complex criminal litigation matters such as homicide, narcotics trafficking, criminal enterprise, embezzlement, and fraud prosecutions.

During his tenure at the State of Michigan Department of Attorney General, Nafso represented several state agencies including the Department of Treasury, Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulation (LARA), Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC).

Nafso has government relations and legislative affairs experience working with local, state and federal agencies, and assisting clients with complex political, legislative, regulatory, professional licensing, and compliance issues. He has drafted legislation and administrative rules and has extensive experience with the Michigan Administrative Procedures Act. Nafso actively examines mainstream regulatory topics such as virtual and social gaming and daily fantasy sports (DFS).

His regulatory and compliance experience has made Nafso a leading source on the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act and the Medical Marihuana Facilities Act.

Nafso’s general counsel clients span a broad range of industries, including franchising, fin-tech, entertainment, and auto finance. His regulatory and compliance experience, as well as his comprehensive knowledge in labor and employment law, has allowed him to build a practice around providing legal services to growing businesses that are required on a day-to-day basis.

He is a graduate of Michigan State’s, Michigan Political Leadership Program (MPLP)—a bipartisan fellowship program that selects a diverse group of 24 individuals from across the state to engage in a public policy and leadership curriculum. Nafso currently serves on the City of Novi Zoning Board of Appeals. Nafso lives in Novi.

Schooff is a registered patent attorney with more than 20 years of experience preparing and prosecuting patent, trademark and copyright applications, and litigating intellectual property disputes. As a licensed patent attorney, he also represents clients before the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board, including post-grant proceedings such as inter partes reviews. His experience includes all manners of technology and the full spectrum of intellectual property rights.

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Warner, Norcross, & Judd LLP

Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has selected Randall J. Peck, a partner at Warner, Norcross, Judd, as a member of the 2018 Elite 40 Under 40 class.

Based in the firm’s Southfield office, Peck serves the automotive and chemical industries, primarily focusing his practice in the chemical, mechanical and electro-mechanical arts. He specializes in all aspects of intellectual property, with a particular focus on patent counseling, procurement, clearance, global portfolio management, and agreements and transactions involving technology and intellectual property. He often acts as an extension of his clients’ businesses, helping them navigate complex patent laws around the world.

Peck currently serves on OESA’s Young Leadership Council 5 and was a member of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit Class XXXVI, which completed a 10-month transformational leadership program designed to challenge emerging and existing leaders from Southeast Michigan to bring about positive change.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Michigan Technological University and a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.

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Maddin, Hauser, Roth, & Heller PC

Maddin, Hauser, Roth, & Heller PC is pleased to announce the promotion of Kaitlin A. Brown to shareholder.

The announcement was made by the firm’s president and CEO, Steven D. Sallen.

A member of the firm’s Corporate and Employment practice group, Brown specializes in employment law, representing employers by responding to various types of claims including wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, harassment, and wage and hour claims. She also advises clients on preparing employment contracts, employee handbooks, and severance agreements.

Previously serving at the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, Brown worked in the Reconsideration Unit evaluating and recommending decisions on appeals of administrative decisions. She has also litigated complex insurance, contract, and constitutional law cases.

Brown has been recognized among Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2016 Up and Coming Lawyers and has been named as a Michigan Super Lawyers® Rising Star from 2014 to 2017. The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan also recognized her with a Pro Bono Accomplishment Award. In 2017, she received the Women’s Bar Association Member of the Year Award for her contributions to the organization and community.

Prior to becoming an attorney, she worked in New York City making documentaries for networks such as National Geographic International, The History Channel, and Discovery Health.

Foster Swift

Foster Swift attorney Michael J. Liddane was elected to the status of “shareholder” by his peers. Liddane is a member of the firm’s litigation practice group and practices primarily out of Foster Swift’s Southfield office.

Liddane focuses his practice on transportation-related lawsuits, including personal injury, death, and property damage resulting from railroad, commercial vessel and marine pleasure craft accidents.

In addition, Foster Swift attorney Katila Howard was recently appointed to the Planning Commission for the City of Novi. Her term will last from January 2018 until June 2019.

Made up of seven members appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the city council, the Planning Commission reviews and approves site plans and special land use permits for new commercial and residential development for the city. The commission may also make recommendations to the city council in regards to rezoning applications and proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance.

Howard is a member of the firm’s Business & Corporate practice group where she practices employee benefits matters, ERISA, 409A and Internal Revenue Code compliance matters. Additionally she also works with both tax exempt organizations and nonprofits.

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Secrest Wardle

Kevin M. Washburn joins Secrest Wardle as a partner. Washburn is located in the firm’s Troy office and is a member of the firm’s Commercial and Business Law, Employment and Intellectual Property/Advertising Injury Practice Groups.

Throughout his legal career, Washburn has served a wide variety of corporate and individual clients. He has experience acting as lead litigator on a variety matters as well as serving as supervisory counsel for outside contract counsel. Washburn has represented and advised corporate clients in a variety of litigation and transactional matters in the areas of business, intellectual property, privacy, technology, employment, real estate, shareholder disputes and corporate governance matters.

Washburn earned his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law in 2003 and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Grand Valley State University in 2000. He was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 2003. In 2006, Washburn was named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s list of Up & Coming Lawyers.

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State Appellate Defender Office and Michigan Appellate  Assigned ­Counsel System

Dawn Van Hoek will retire in February, 2018, from her position as Michigan’s appellate defender, where she manages the state’s indigent appellate defense system, consisting of the State Appellate Defender Office (SADO) and the Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System (MAACS).

A public defender throughout her 42?year legal career, Van Hoek contributed to the transformation of the criminal justice system in Michigan, including adoption of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (MIDC) Act in 2013. At SADO, she obtained millions of dollars in state funding for direct legal services, as well as federal grant funding for innovative projects. Direct legal services improvements include providing counsel to 200 of Michigan’s “Juvenile Lifers” who became eligible for resentencing in 2016, and increasing the annual workload share for SADO. Innovative projects include those to identify wrongful convictions, improve training for assigned criminal defense counsel, improve access to investigation, improve sentencing outcomes through mitigation, improve social outcomes through reentry services, and challenge lab processing of ballistics and sexual assault evidence.

Her activities in professional organizations included service as chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Representative Assembly, the bar’s highest policy?making body, and chair of a Hearing Panel of the Attorney Discipline Board. She also served numerous terms on the boards of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, and the Wayne County Criminal Advocacy Program.

Van Hoek was recognized for legal accomplishments by the State Bar of Michigan (Champion of Justice, 2014), Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (Right to Counsel Award, 2005), American Civil Liberties Union (Bill of Rights Award, 2013), and Michigan Lawyers Weekly (Leaders in the Law, 2015, Lawyers of the Year, 2005, Most Influential Lawyers, 1990).

Also a leader in Michigan’s women’s community, Van Hoek led the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan as president at both local and statewide levels, developing networks for women and advocacy on social issues. As president of the WLAM Foundation from 1997 to 2017, she helped to dramatically increase funds available for scholarships to outstanding women law students. Van Hoek chaired the State Bar of Michigan’s Domestic Violence Committee at its inception in 1993, advocating for more resources for victiShe chaired the State Bar’s Task Force on Racial Ethnic and Gender Issues in the Courts and Legal Profession (1997?1998), developing a roadmap for improved diversity and reform of the justice system.

Van Hoek was recognized for accomplishments benefitting women by the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (Jean King Award, 2014), Comcast News (Newsmaker Awards, 2014), and Women Lawyers Association of Michigan Foundation (Legacy Award, 2014). The King Award commended Van Hoek for visionary leadership in the face of opposition and outstanding efforts toward the advancement of women and the legal profession.

Jonathan Sacks, current executive director of the MIDC, will serve as the new appellate defender.

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Dean & Fulkerson

Dean & Fulkerson is pleased to announce that Karen Libertiny Ludden has joined the firm as a shareholder, along with her team of three senior associates: Sarah J. Brutman, Lindsey R. Johnson, and Eric M. Wagman. Ludden will chair the firm’s newly-formed Insurance Coverage & Defense Practice Group.

Ludden brings to Dean & Fulkerson 25 years of handling insurance coverage and defense matters for national insurers and private clients. She litigates and advises clients regarding complex insurance coverage issues arising under commercial general liability, commercial and personal auto, property damage and cyber policies.

Ludden is Michigan coverage counsel for a national insurer. She also defends commercial insureds in premises liability, trucking, product liability, auto negligence, construction and general negligence claims. She has an multi-state federal court practice, as well as a comprehensive state court practice throughout Michigan, including the appellate courts. 

Brutman concentrates her practice on commercial insurance coverage and liability defense. She handles complex litigation matters in both state and federal courts across the country, with an emphasis on property damage, construction and premises liability clai

Brutman routinely conducts examinations under oath for insurance carriers and is an analyst of coverage and strategic issues.

Johnson focuses her practice on commercial general liability defense, including premises liability claims and third party auto negligence claims.

Johnson also performs examinations under oath for various insurance companies. In addition, she handles both federal and state cases involving the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Truth In Lending Act on behalf of lenders and servicers, quiet title claims involving commercial and personal property, condemnation claims, and construction cases involving liens, breach of contract and bond issues.

Wagman concentrates his practice in commercial general liability defense with a focus primarily on civil defense litigation including premises liability, trucking accidents, and general negligence.

Wagman also has experience in commercial litigation including contract disputes and consumer fraud, claims of institutional abuse, professional negligence, work-site accidents and products liability. He also handles complex trust and estate litigation matters.

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Dickinson Wright PLLC

Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that attorney William H. Honaker has been appointed chair of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution’s (CPR) Intellectual Property Disputes Committee.

As chair of the Intellectual Property Disputes Committee, Honaker will work with the committee to discern where and how ADR is best deployed in relationships concerning patent, trademark, copyright and know-how. To learn more about CPR, visit www.cpradr.org.

With more than 25 years of experience, Honaker has knowledge and expertise in all aspects of patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright matters including litigation in a broad range of technologies/industries. For his clients, he evaluates patents, trademarks and copyrights along with advising clients on the protection of inventions, trademarks and copyrightable subject matter. His representation includes Fortune 500 companies, small to mid-size privately held companies and startups.

Honaker is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the American Bar Association, the American Intellectual Property Law Association, and the International Trademark Association. He is recognized as a leader in his field by Best Lawyers in America and Managing Intellectual Property’s IP Stars.

Honaker received his B.S.M.E. from the University of Toledo and his law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.

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Bodman PLC

Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that twelve Bodman attorneys have been appointed recently to leadership positions on civic, charitable and professional boards and committees that serve communities and individuals located throughout Michigan.

The following new appointments have all become effective since late 2017:

• Aviation Law and Finance Group and Business Law Group attorney Mary E. Comazzi has been appointed to the State Bar of Michigan Aviation Section Council.

• Enterprise Procurement Group attorney Jonathan S. Berg has been appointed to the board of directors for the Institute for Supply Management Southeast Michigan, an organization that provides education, networking, and career enhancement opportunities for procurement and supply management professionals.

• Enterprise Procurement Group attorney Zackery T. Hugg has been appointed to three separate positions within the Oakland County Bar Association (OCBA): director of the New Lawyers Committee, associate member of the OCBA American Inns of Court, and member of the Membership and Diversity Committee.

• Enterprise Procurement Group attorney Katherine Razdolsky Rothstein has been appointed to the board of trustees for the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan Foundation, an organization that supports the education of women who demonstrate leadership in advancing the position of women in society.

• Health Care and Business Law Group attorney Brandon M. Dalziel and Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Group attorney Donavan S. Asmar have been appointed to the board of directors of the Notre Dame Club of Detroit, the an organization that serves Notre Dame University’s extensive alumni body in the Metro Detroit area and supports a number of local charitable causes.

• High Net Worth Group attorney Marguerite Munson Lentz has been appointed chair elect of the State Bar of Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Section Council.

• Insurance Group chair and Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Group attorney Michelle Thurber Czapski has been appointed to the board of directors of the National Foundation for Judicial Excellence, a non-profit that provides support and continuing legal education for state court appellate judges from across the United States.

• Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Group attorney Justin P. Bagdady has been named to the Audit Committee of United Way of Washtenaw County and the Strategic Planning Committee of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. United Way of Washtenaw County works to create a network of people, resources, and organizations to create a thriving community. The Hands-On Museum is an interactive museum that promotes scientific literacy through experimentation, exploration, and education.

• Real Estate Group chair Nicholas P. Scavone Jr. has been appointed chair-elect of the State Bar of Michigan Real Property Law Section Council and Real Estate Group attorney Gregory J. Gamalski has been named secretary of the Council.

• Tax and High Net Worth Group attorney Celeste E. Arduino has been named an advisor to the board of directors of non-profit Vista Maria. Vista Maria provides innovative care, support, treatment, and education to vulnerable youth.

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National Environmental ­Justice Advisory Council

 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt has recommended the appointment of local civil rights and environmental lawyer Jeremy Orr to the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) – a federal advisory committee to the EPA tasked with providing independent recommendations and advice to the EPA Administrator “about broad cross cutting issues related to environmental justice.”

Orr, a graduate of Henry High School, earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Michigan State University and his law degree from MSU College of Law where he focused his legal studies on Constitutional Law and Environmental Law. Orr went on to serve as the executive director of the Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council in Lansing before returning home to Detroit to work as the first environmental justice coordinator for the Transnational Environmental Law Clinic at Wayne State University Law School. As a part of Orr’s work at Wayne Law, he also served as the coordinator for the historic Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition.

According to the EPA website, the NEJAC’s major objectives are to provide advice and recommendations about EPA efforts to:

1. Integrate environmental justice considerations into agency programs, policies and activities.

2. Improve the environment or public health in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms and risks.

3. Address environmental justice by ensuring meaningful involvement in EPA decision-making, building capacity in disproportionately burdened communities, and promoting collaborative problem-solving for issues involving environmental justice.

4. Strengthen its partnerships with other governmental agencies, such as other federal agencies and state, tribal, or local governments, regarding environmental justice issues.

5. Enhance research and assessment approaches related to environmental justice.

Orr had this to say about his appointment to the NEJAC: “As someone who’s been openly critical of the current administration’s environment stances, I also recognize that if you’re not at the table, you’re probably on the menu. But just as eager as I am to make recommendations that promote environmental justice and protects our country’s most vulnerable communities, I’m equally prepared to be a thoughtful and well-intentioned voice of dissent when policies that threaten to do more harm than good are brought before our federal advisory council.”

Orr currently works as an attorney for the Detroit-based law firm Pierson McNichols, where he primarily practices civil rights law and environmental law among other areas. Orr also serves as vice-chair of the American Bar Association’s Environmental Justice Committee and state chairperson of Environmental & Climate Justice for the Michigan NAACP. Orr was appointed to serve a two-year term beginning December 29, 2017 and ending December 28, 2019.