LEGAL PEOPLE

Detroit Public Television (DPTV) will host its 10th Annual Premiere Night gala on Thursday, Sept. 22, to celebrate the 2011 PBS fall programming lineup and to honor Southeastern Michigan community leaders. Demonstrating visionary leadership and a commitment to the vitality of Detroit Public Television and Southeastern Michigan, Richard E. Rassel of Bloomfield Hills will be honored with the John W. Porter Leadership Award. Rassel served as board chair of DPTV (2009-2011) while overseeing successful completion of the station's historic $22 million capital campaign. Rassel is a shareholder and serves as chairman of Butzel Long. He earned a B.A. from University of Notre Dame and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Rassel is also a Certified Judge Advocate having graduated from the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate School. He practices primarily in the area of complex business litigation and arbitration with a special concentration in media law. He has been a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 1989 and is a graduate of the CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution Mediation and Arbitration Training Program. Rassel is listed in "The Best Lawyers in America" (Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and First Amendment Law). Rassel is a director and secretary of the Detroit Legal News, Inc. Rassel is also active in the community. He was honored with the Community Service Award by the Birmingham Community House, where he is a past president. His community activities also include serving as chairman of the Board of the Holy Cross Foundation; a director of the Michigan Strategic Fund; a Trustee of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce's Foundation Board; a Trustee of William Beaumont Hospital and vice-chairman of its Research Institute; a former president and trustee of the Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation; an ambassador of the College of Arts and Sciences of Oakland University; and a member of the Board of Advisors for the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. * * * Keefe A. Brooks, managing member of Brooks, Wilkins, Sharkey, & Turco PLLC in Birmingham, MI has been named as a Top 10 Lawyer in the 2011 edition of "Michigan Super Lawyers." "Recognition by one's peers is most gratifying. I feel truly honored," Brooks said. * * * James Cambridge, a member of Kerr, Russell, and Weber PLC in Detroit, has been named the recipient of the 2011 Stephen H. Schulman Outstanding Business Lawyer Award by the State Bar of Michigan Business Law Section. Cambridge, who practices in the areas of business law and finance, was presented with the award at the Section's Annual Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 13. The Livonia resident served as chairperson of the Section from 1997-1998. Cambridge served as the chairperson of the legislative drafting committee of business and tax lawyers who drafted the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act. He is a frequent lecturer on business topics and is the co-author of "Michigan Limited Liability Companies" and a contributor to "Advising Closely Held Businesses in Michigan", published by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education at the University of Michigan. He is also a member of the Business Law Advisory Board for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. Cambridge drafted the state of Michigan's initial LLC Act in 1993. He has been involved in every major amendment to it since then and also wrote a book on the Limited Liability Act in Michigan. Cambridge is listed in the "Best Lawyers in America," "Chambers USA - Leading Lawyers for Business," and "Michigan's Super Lawyers." * * * Honigman, Miller, Schwartz, and Cohn LLP is pleased to announce the addition of five new attorneys in its Detroit office, four of whom were summer associates at the firm in 2010. All five attorneys sat for the Michigan bar exam in July and anticipate admission in November. Philip Desai joins Honigman's Corporate and Securities Department. He earned his law degree from Boston College Law School. Desai also earned two B.A.s, one in Brain, Behavior and Cognitive Sciences, and one in Sociology, from the University of Michigan. During his undergraduate years, he worked as a research assistant in the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and in the Department of Neurology. Beth J. Kerwin joins Honigman's Litigation Department. She earned her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and a BA in Political Science from the University of Michigan. Kerwin was a summer legal intern in the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division in 2009. Anthony W. Randazzo joins Honigman's Real Estate Department. He earned his law degreefrom the University of Michigan Law School and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan. Before law school, Randazzo worked as a supervisor for the construction and development of new homes and as a real estate sales agent. He holds a State of Michigan Real Estate Salesperson License and a Residential Builders License. Kelsey Switzer joins Honigman's Commercial Law, Bankruptcy and Reorganization Department. She earned her law degree from Northwestern University School of Law; an M.A. from Florida International University in Latin American and Caribbean Studies; and a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Latin American, Caribbean and Iberian Studies and in Spanish. Switzer served as a judicial intern for U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Mark A. Randon, Eastern District of Michigan, in 2010. Joshua S. Weinberg joins Honigman's Corporate and Securities Department. He earned his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and a B.A. in English Literature from Yeshiva University. While in law school, Weinberg interned for U.S. District Court Chief Judge Donetta W. Ambrose, Western District of Pennsylvania. * * * Southfield-based law firm Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, Weiss PC is pleased to announce that 15 of its lawyers were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in "The Best Lawyers in America®" 2012. The publication recognized the following Jaffe attorneys in its listing: Appellate Law Brian G. Shannon Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law Louis P. Rochkind Jay L. Welford Commercial Litigation Peter M. Alter Jeffrey G. Heuer Construction Law Jeffrey G. Heuer Copyright Law Lawrence R. Jordan Corporate Law Ira J. Jaffe Peter Sugar Criminal Defense: White-Collar Christopher A. Andreoff Information Technology Law Holli Hart Targan Intellectual Property and Trademark Law Lawrence R. Jordan Mergers & Acquisitions Law Arthur A. Weiss Public Finance Law Stephen G. Schafer Real Estate Law Arthur A. Weiss Richard A. Zussman Securities Law Peter Sugar Trusts and Estates Joel S. Golden Shirley A. Kaigler * * * James W. Low has taken second place in the International Debate Championship in Montreal, Canada. The International Debate Championship was sponsored by the Young Bar Association of Montreal, and was held on Sept. 7. The competition featured 11 lawyers from around the world, who were judged on their eloquence, wit and general knowledge. The lawyers participating were winners of their respective countries' oratory and debate competitions. Low was chosen by the American Bar Association - Young Lawyers Division to represent the United States in the International Debate Championship from among the 153,000 young lawyers nationwide. Low is an attorney at Magdich & Associates PC in Novi. Low's practice includes the representation of doctors and hospitals in medical malpractice cases, the representation of lawyers in legal malpractice cases, and the representation of insurance companies in civil litigation. Low graduated from Michigan State University in 1998, and earned his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law in 2001. He is involved in bar associations at a local, state, national, and international level. Locally, he is currently serving as the chair of the Oakland County Bar Association New Lawyers Committee. He also serves as a barrister with the Oakland County Bar Association Inns of Court. At a state-wide level, Low is currently serving as the secretary-treasurer of the State Bar of Michigan - Young Lawyers Section. Nationally, Low recently concluded a two year term as Michigan's district representative to the American Bar Association - Young Lawyers Division. Internationally, Low has been invited to and has attended several meetings of the European Young Bar Association as the American Representative. These have included meetings in Paris in 2008; Barcelona in 2009; Brussels, Belgium in 2010; London in 2010; Belfast in 2011; and Barcelona in 2011. Low has published numerous articles on professional liability and technology for the Defense Research Institute and has lectured on professional liability and bar leadership for the State Bar of Michigan - Young Lawyers Section. He is scheduled to speak on privacy law in London, England at the end of September for the Law Society of London. * * * For the second consecutive year, nine attorneys from Southfield-based Collins, Einhorn, Farrell, and Ulanoff were named to the 2011 "Michigan Super Lawyers®" list. Of the nine, Michael J. Sullivan, Noreen L. Slank and Deborah A. Hebert were named among the Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers 2011. The trio's selection as "Michigan Super Lawyers" also marks the sixth time they have been selected in each of the publication's years rating attorneys in the state. Theresa M. Asoklis joined Hebert and Slank on the list of "Top 50 Women Michigan Super Lawyers." Other "Michigan Super Lawyers" selections from the firm include: Brian D. Einhorn, Janice G. Hildenbrand, Clayton F. Farrell, Timothy F. Casey, and David C. Anderson. Geoffrey M. Brown represents Collins Einhorn on the list as "Rising Stars" for the fourth consecutive year. Sullivan is a six-time "Michigan Super Lawyer" selection and three-time honoree among the Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers. He has more than 25 years of litigation experience. In the professional liability arena, Sullivan has defended attorneys, physicians, accountants, architects, engineers, real estate appraisers, real estate brokers and title agents in defense of significant claims involving personal injury, property damage and business loss. Like Sullivan, Slank was recognized for the sixth consecutive year among the "Michigan Super Lawyers" in Michigan while becoming a returning selection among the Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers. The Wayne State University Law School alumna also was honored among the Top 50 Women for the fourth year in a row. She has practiced in the state and federal appellate courts since 1980 with an emphasis on the defense of medical and legal malpractice actions, insurance coverage disputes, and the defense of catastrophic personal injury cases. Hebert is a three-time honoree among the "Top 50 Women Michigan Super Lawyers" and has been selected this year as one of the Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers. Hebert's specialties are appellate litigation and insurance coverage. She has served for nearly 30 years as lead counsel in hundreds of appeals at both the state and federal levels. A considerable portion of her practice today is devoted to insurance coverage, which includes opinion letters as well as declaratory judgment litigation. Asoklis, a four-time "Michigan Super Lawyers" selection who also was listed among the Top 50 Women Michigan Super Lawyers for the second year in a row, has focused her practice on the defense of legal malpractice claims, and attorney and judicial disciplinary proceedings for more than 20 years. The Wayne State University Law School alumna also maintains an active general liability defense practice, including claims arising out of auto and trucking accidents, and complex premises liability matters. Einhorn has been named among the "Michigan Super Lawyers" for each of the past five years. For more than three decades, he has been at the forefront of legal issues affecting lawyers, judges, courts, businesses and insurers. The Wayne State University Law School alumnus has litigated numerous court cases and disciplinary proceedings that have shaped Michigan law with issues ranging from lawyers' potential liability to clients for defamation, to judicial candidates' free speech rights. Hildenbrand is a five-time "Michigan Super Lawyers" selection. For more than 25 years, the University of Georgia School of Law alumna has represented employers and other defendants in employment, professional liability and general liability actions. Her employment defense practice encompasses both private and public sector employee claims (including claims arising from municipal and school employment) in state and federal court. Farrell, who was named Michigan Super Lawyers for the third consecutive year, concentrates his practice on multi-party, complex litigation, including litigation in the areas of environmental torts, product liability, toxic torts and emerging claims. The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law alumnus' trial experience spans more than three decades and includes approximately 100 cases to verdict. Casey also is a three-time "Michigan Super Lawyers" honoree. The St. Louis University School of Law alumnus has nearly three decades of experience in insurance coverage and indemnity contract matters, including preparing opinions, declaratory judgment actions and other litigation, appeals and alternative dispute resolution. His practice includes a broad range of general liability, construction, environmental, asbestos, toxic torts, automobile, homeowners, professional liability, umbrella/excess and other specialty coverage matters. Anderson, who earned his second "Michigan Super Lawyers" selection, focuses his practice on the defense of professional liability claims. For more than a decade, he has successfully defended lawyers, accountants, and a variety of insurance and real estate professionals. The University of Detroit Mercy School of Law alumnus also maintains an active general liability defense practice, including claims arising out of product liability matters, automobile liability, as well as complex premises liability matters. Brown receives distinction from "Michigan Super Lawyers-Rising Stars" Edition 2011 for the fourth consecutive year. His work is focused primarily on the defense of medical and legal malpractice cases at the appellate level. The University of Michigan Law School alumnus also handles a variety of professional, commercial, and general liability appeals. * * * Brian R. Jenney joined Kemp Klein Law Firm as special counsel on Aug. 1. Jenney helps families and individuals with elder law and special needs issues as well as estate planning and administration. Jenney has been recognized as one of the State of Michigan's Outstanding Young Lawyers in the area of Estate Planning and Probate Law in 2008, 2009 and 2010 with a "Rising Star" designation by the Michigan Super Lawyers. He was also named as one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in 2010 in the area of Elder Law. Jenney is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and member and co-founder of the Brother Rice Warrior Bar Association. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University and his law degree from Wayne State University Law School. * * * Miller Canfield recently announced that several of its lawyers have been named in "Michigan Super Lawyers" 2011. Many were also recognized as "Rising Stars." Local Miller Canfield lawyers named in "Super Lawyers Michigan" 2011 (* denotes new to the list.) are: Detroit office: * Marjory G. Basile, Intellectual Property Litigation (Top 50 Women Michigan Super Lawyers). * William B. Beach, Government/Cities/Municipalities. * Orin D. Brustad, Employee Benefits/ERISA. * Beverly Hall Burns, Employment & Labor. * Michael P. Coakley, Securities Litigation. * Donna J. Donati, Employment & Labor. * Lawrence M. Dudek, Real Estate. * W. Mack Faison, Business Litigation. * Joanne B. Faycurry, Tax (Top 50 Women Michigan Super Lawyers). * Adam S. Forman, Employment & Labor. * Joseph F. Galvin, Litigation. * Leonard D. Givens, Employment & Labor. * Gary R. Glenn, Tax. * Jonathan S. Green, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights. * Michael W. Hartmann, Litigation. * Irene Bruce Hathaway, Litigation. * Amy M. Johnston, Personal Injury Defense: Products (Top 50 Women Michigan Super Lawyers and Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers). * Stephen S. LaPlante, Bankruptcy & Creditor-Debtor Rights. * Thomas W. Linn, Government/Cities/Municipalities. * Michael P. McGee, Bonds/Government Finance. * Jeffrey M. McHugh*, Tax. * Samuel J. McKim III, Tax. * Christopher A. McMican, Employee Benefits/ERISA. * Megan P. Norris, Employment & Labor (Top 50 Women Michigan Super Lawyers and Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers). * Kathryn L. Ossian, Information Technology/Outsourcing. * A. Michael Palizzi, Business Litigation. * Thomas G. Parachini, Business Litigation. * Joel L. Piell*, Government/Cities/Municipalities. * Clarence L. Pozza Jr., Business Litigation. * Steven A. Roach, Bankruptcy & Creditor-Debtor Rights. * Jerry T. Rupley, Bonds/Government Finance. * Larry J. Saylor, Business Litigation. * Richard J. Seryak, Employment Litigation Defense. * Michael H. Traison, Bankruptcy & Creditor-Debtor Rights. * Amanda Van Dusen, Bonds/Government Finance. * Carl H. von Ende, Corporate Governance & Compliance. * Richard A. Walawender, Mergers & Acquisitions. * Peter W. Waldmeir, Litigation. * Jerome R. Watson, Employment Litigation Defense (Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers). * John H. Willems, Employment & Labor. Troy office: * James L. Allen, Real Estate. * Thomas G. Appleman, Securities & Corporate Finance. * Brad B. Arbuckle, Securities & Corporate Finance. * Thomas W. Cranmer, White-Collar Criminal Defense (Top 10 Michigan Super Lawyers). * Gerald J. Gleeson II, Litigation. * Kal G. Goren, Employee Benefits/ERISA. * Robert J. Haddad, Civil Litigation Defense. * Ronald E. Hodess, Real Estate. * David D. Joswick, Securities & Corporate Finance. * Kenneth E. Konop, Estate Planning & Probate. * Matthew F. Leitman, White-Collar Criminal Defense. * Anna M. Maiuri, Environmental (Top 50 Women Michigan Super Lawyers). * Stephen J. Ott, Personal Injury Defense: Products. * Ronald H. Riback, Banking. * Dawn M. Schluter, Estate Planning & Probate. * James A. Simpson, Banking. * Mark E. Wilson*, Health Care. Miller Canfield lawyers named "Rising Stars" in "Super Lawyers Michigan" 2011 are: Detroit office: * Jeffrey S. Aronoff, Bonds/Government Finance. * Steven M. Frank, Bonds/Government Finance. * Paul D. Hudson*, Business Litigation. * Carla S. Machnik, Banking. * Jennifer L. Sabourin, Employment Litigation Defense. * Saura James Sahu*, Employment & Labor. * Brian M. Schwartz, Employment Litigation Defense. * Christopher M. Trebilcock, Employment & Labor. * Joseph G. Vernon, Business Litigation. * Richard W. Warren Jr., Employment & Labor. Troy office: * Eric C. Bartley, Banking. * Brian H. Holt, Real Estate. * Abdu H. Murray, Business Litigation. * Kenneth J. Sachs, Employee Benefits/ERISA. Published: Mon, Sep 19, 2011