LEGAL PEOPLE

Thirty-three of Howard & Howard's attorneys were recently named to Michigan Super Lawyers and Michigan Rising Stars 2013 as a result of a survey by Law & Politics Media, Inc. The Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice areas under which they are listed in Michigan Super Lawyers 2013 are as follows: * Jess A. Bahs, Tax. * Henry J. Brennan III, Mergers & Acquisitions. * Mark A. Davis - president & CEO, Real Estate. * Joseph J. DeVito, Mergers & Acquisitions (Recognized among the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan). * Mary C. Dirkes, Business Litigation. * Robert E. Graziani, Insurance Coverage. * Lisa S. Gretchko, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights (Recognized among the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan and among the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan). * Sam J. Haidle, Intellectual Property. * Michael V. Kell, General Litigation. * David M. LaPrairie, Intellectual Property. * Patrick M. McCarthy, Business Litigation (Recognized among the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan). * Gerald E. McGlynn III, Intellectual Property. * Richard M. Miettinen, Mergers & Acquisitions. * Mark W. Peyser, Business Litigation (Recognized among the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan). * Brad A. Rayle, Employment Litigation: Defense. * Jeffrey A. Sadowski, Intellectual Property Litigation (Recognized among the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan). * Michael F. Wais, Business Litigation. * John A. Wise, Business/Corporate. * Timothy M. Wittebort, Real Estate. The Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice areas under which they are listed in Michigan Rising Stars 2013 are as follows: * Michael M. Bell, Banking. * Brandon J. Booth, Business/Corporate. * Melinda B. Buurma, Intellectual Property. * Stephen P. Dunn, Business Litigation. * Trent K. English, Intellectual Property. * Michael O. Fawaz, Business Litigation. * Christopher M. Francis, Intellectual Property. * Jeffrey A. Hoover, Mergers & Acquisitions. * J. Patrick Howe, Administrative Law. * Kristopher K. Hulliberger, Intellectual Property Litigation. * Miles T. Macik, Business Litigation. * R. Saleha Mohamedulla, Intellectual Property. * Michelle M. Wezner, Business/Corporate. * Matthew B. Woodworth, Business Litigation. * * * The law firm of Lipson Neilson was a proud sponsor of the Aug. 25 "Pitch for Detroit" charity softball tournament on Belle Isle in Detroit. This event attracted 600 people and raised $60,000. The proceeds from this event will benefit the "Do it for Detroit Fund" that helps to empower young adults and Detroit ex-pats nation-wide to find relevant and meaningful ways to transform our city. * * * Butzel Long attorney and shareholder Reginald A. Pacis is one of three panelists who will discuss immigrants and the first-generation experience during a free program presented by Welcome Mat Detroit from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the Southfield Public Library. During the program, Welcome Mat Detroit, an Immigrant Integration Network, will launch an online searchable database of local resources for immigrants. Based in Butzel Long's Detroit office, Pacis concentrates his practice in immigration law and has handled a variety of immigration matters including H-1B specialty occupation cases, L-1 Intracompany transfers, Labor Certification matters, Immigrant Visa Petitions/Adjustment of Status applications and interviews, TN Free trade cases, H-1B Department of Labor Investigations, I-9 employer verification compliance, and U.S. Port of Entry airport and land port interviews. Pacis was named Immigration Lawyer of the Year 2013 in the field of Immigration Law by The Best Lawyers in America and has been listed in Best Lawyers for several years. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), and the Samahang Pilipino Ng Oakland Filipino organization. He served two consecutive one-year terms from 2003 to 2005 as chairperson of the Michigan Chapter of AILA and was a member of the AILA National Board of Governors for those terms. Pacis previously served as Secretary (2001 to 2003) and Membership chairperson of the Michigan Chapter of AILA (1998 to 2003). He has been a speaker on immigration topics at many business, Hispanic, and Filipino presentations. Pacis has served in a variety of committees in the Filipino community and is a member of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce of Michigan. He completed an appointment by former Governor Granholm for service on the Advisory Committee for Asian Pacific American Affairs (ACAPAA). He served on the Michigan AILA Advocacy Committee from 2007 to 2010. Pacis previously served as Chairperson of the Michigan AILA Committee responsible for liaison with the Michigan Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agency, a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security presiding over inspections and security of the U.S. border, from 2005 to 2007. His service expanded to the AILA National CBP liaison Committee as a member and vice chair and chair. He presently serves as vice chair on the AILA United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Field Operations Liaison Committee. Additionally, several Butzel Long attorneys have been named to Michigan Super Lawyers 2013. Local attorneys receiving the designation of Rising Stars include: * Jennifer E. Consiglio - Bloomfield Hills office - Mergers & Acquisitions. * David J. DeVine - Detroit office - Business Litigation. * Ziyad I. Hermiz - Detroit office - Business Litigation. * Shanta S.W. McMullan - Detroit office - Employment & Labor. * Paul M. Mersino - Detroit office - Business Litigation. * Robert M. Nemzin - Bloomfield Hills office - Estate & Probate. * Elissa Noujaim Pinto - Bloomfield Hills office - Immigration. * Joseph E. Richotte - Bloomfield Hills office - Criminal Defense: White Collar. * Benjamin F. Wu - Detroit office - Business/Corporate. * Roxana Zaha - Bloomfield Hills office - Real Estate. Local Butzel Long attorneys named to Michigan Super Lawyers 2013 include: Bloomfield Hills office * Stephen A. Bromberg - Real Estate. * Carey A. DeWitt - Employment & Labor. * Gordon W. Didier - Business/Corporate. * Edward D. Gold - Family Law. * Beth S. Gotthelf - Environmental. * D. Stewart Green - Real Estate. * Thomas A. Kabel - Real Estate. * Patrick A. Karbowski - Real Estate. * Daniel P. Malone - Business Litigation. * Max J. Newman - Bankruptcy. * Thomas B. Radom - Bankruptcy. * Richard E. Rassel - Business Litigation. * Dennis B. Schultz - Construction Litigation. * Robert H. Schwartz - Health Care. * David W. Sommerfeld - Estate & Probate. Detroit office * James C. Bruno - Business/Corporate. * Clifford J. De Vine - Business Litigation. * George B. Donnini - Criminal Defense: White Collar. * Arthur Dudley II - Mergers & Acquisitions. * David F. DuMouchel***(Named a Michigan Top 100 Lawyer) - Criminal Defense: White Collar. * Bernard J. Fuhs - Business Litigation. * Cynthia J. Haffey - Business Litigation. * John P. Hancock Jr. - Employment & Labor. * Robert A. Hudson - Business/Corporate. * Justin G. Klimko - Mergers & Acquisitions. * Phillip C. Korovesis - Business Litigation. * Michael J. Lavoie - Business Litigation. * Mark R. Lezotte - Health Care. * Donald B. Miller - Employment Litigation: Defense. * Reginald A. Pacis - Immigration. * James S. Rosenfeld - Employment & Labor. * Bruce L. Sendek - Business Litigation. * Louis Theros - Employment Litigations: Defense. * Daniel B. Tukel - Employment Litigation: Defense. * James E. Wynne - Business Litigation. * * * McKeen & Associates announced Parker Stinar has joined the firm as an associate. Stinar will concentrate his practice on the areas of medical malpractice, wrongful death, general negligence, birth trauma and auto negligence. He comes to the Detroit-based medical malpractice litigation firm from a national real estate company where he served as legal counsel. Stinar earned his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Eastern Michigan University. Stinar is admitted to practice in the State of Michigan and U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan. He is a member of the Michigan Association for Justice, American Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan (Young Lawyers Section) and Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association. * * * Thirty-one Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC attorneys were included in Michigan Super Lawyers for 2013. Foster Swift's Farmington Hills office has five attorneys ranked as 2013 Michigan Super Lawyers and three attorneys named 2013 Michigan Rising Stars. Attorney Julie Fershtman was included on Super Lawyers prestigious list of "Top 50 Women Practitioners in Michigan" for 2013. The 2013 Michigan Super Lawyers include: * Dirk H. Beckwith - Business Litigation. * Michael R. Blum - Employment & Labor. * Julie I. Fershtman - Civil Litigation Defense. * Lisa J. Hamameh - Government/Cities/Municipalities. * Frank T. Mamat - Employment & Labor. The 2013 Michigan Rising Stars include: * Alexander A. Ayar - Business Litigation. * Andrew W. Erlewein - Business Litigation. * Ray H. Littleton II - General Litigation. * * * Southfield-based The Health Law Partners proudly announced that five attorneys in the Detroit office have been recognized by Super Lawyers. Abby Pendleton, founding shareholder of The Health Law Partners, made the announcement. Founding shareholder Robert Iwrey and partner Alan Gilchrist have received Super Lawyer recognitions, while founding shareholder Jessica Gustafson and associates Timothy Burkhard and Phillip Toutant each received Rising Stars status. Iwrey was named a Super Lawyer in Health Care. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of health care law, but his focus areas include licensure, staff privileges, contracts, government investigations and audit defense. Iwrey leads the Litigation Department and is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School. Honored as a Michigan Rising Star in Health Care, Gustafson focuses her practice in Recovery Audit Contractors, Medicare, Medicaid and other payor audits. She also regularly assists health care providers with compliance and reimbursement matters. Gustafson earned her law degree from Wayne State University Law School. Gilchrist was recognized as a Super Lawyer in Health Care and Criminal Defense: White Collar. Gilchrist leads the Civil False Claims and White-Collar Criminal Defense practice group, and also focuses his practice on matters related to licensure, reimbursement, compliance, and fraud and abuse. He is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School. Burkhard has been recognized as a Michigan Rising Star in Health Care and Employment Litigation: Defense, Employment & Labor. He focuses his practice on health care business transactions and corporate matters, licensure matters and health care litigation, including the Civil False Claims Act and white-collar criminal defense. He graduated from The University of Toledo College of Law. Super Lawyers has also recognized Toutant as a Michigan Rising Star in Health Care. He practices in all areas of health care law with a specific focus in litigation. Toutant attended Wayne State University Law School. * * * Super Lawyers magazine has recognized several attorneys at Southfield-based Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer, & Weiss PC. Jaffe CEO Bill Sider made the announcement. Local Jaffe attorneys receiving the recognition include: * Joel M. Alam - Securities & Corporate Finance. * Peter M. Alter - Business Litigation. * Christopher A. Andreoff - Criminal Defense. * Mark G. Cooper - Business Litigation. * Thomas E. Coughlin - Bankruptcy. * Paul R. Hage - Bankruptcy. * Jeffrey G. Heuer - Business Litigation. * Michael F. Jacobson - Business Litigation. * Ira J. Jaffe - Business/Corporate. * Shirley A. Kaigler - Estate & Probate. * Michael S. Khoury - Information Technology/Outsourcing. * Mark L. Kowalsky - Securities Litigation. * Mark P. Krysinski - Real Estate. * Elizabeth L. Luckenbach - Estate & Trust Litigation. * Eli Maroko - Immigration. * Judith Greenstone Miller - Bankruptcy. * Harold D. Pope - Employment & Labor. * Louis P. Rochkind - Bankruptcy. * Mark D. Rubenfire - Real Estate. * Brian G. Shannon - Appellate. * Bill Sider - Tax. * Peter Sugar - Securities & Corporate Finance. * Scott R. Torpey - Aviation. * Arthur A. Weiss - Tax. * Jay L. Welford - Bankruptcy. * Richard A. Zussman - Real Estate. * * * The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP is pleased to congratulate Philip J. Kessler on his inclusion in Michigan Super Lawyers 2013 by Thomson Reuters. The list will be published in October in The New York Times. Kessler is a partner in the firm's Complex Business Litigation and Securities Practice Group and serves as office leader for the firm's Detroit and New York offices. He concentrates his practice on business disputes, including intellectual property litigation, on behalf of individuals and partnerships as well as public and private corporations. He is the president-elect, treasurer, member of the Executive Committee, Fellow, and former Regent of the American College of Trial Lawyers; trustee, secretary, and a member of the Executive Committee of the U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society; and a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, The International Society of Barristers, and American and Michigan State Bar Foundations. * * * Super Lawyers magazine recognized 15 attorneys from Southfield-based Maddin, Hauser, Wartell, Roth, & Heller PC for inclusion on the 2013 Michigan Super Lawyers list. Of the 15, three attorneys: Lavinia S. Biasell, Insurance Coverage (2012, 2013); Danielle J. Hessell, Business Litigation (2012, 2013); and Courtney D. Thompson, Business Litigation, (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), represent Maddin Hauser on the list as "Rising Stars." Following is a list of the attorneys from Maddin Hauser's named Michigan Super Lawyers 2013: * David E. Hart, shareholder and Executive Management Committee member; Real Estate (2007-2013) * Mark R. Hauser, CFO and Executive Management Committee member; Real Estate (2007-2013). * Harvey R. Heller, shareholder and Executive Management Committee member; Professional Liability: Defense (2006-2013). * John E. Jacobs, shareholder; Real Estate (2007-2013). * Robert D. Kaplow, shareholder; Estate Planning and Probate (2006, 2010-2013). * Kathleen H. Klaus; shareholder; Business Litigation (2013). * Charles M. Lax, shareholder; Employee Benefits/ERISA (2006-2013). * Michael S. Leib, shareholder, Bankruptcy (2009-2013). * Michael W. Maddin, president emeritus and Executive Management Committee member; Real Estate (2006-2013). * Richard F. Roth, shareholder; Business/Corporate (2007-2013). * Steven D. Sallen, president, CEO and Executive Management Committee member; Real Estate (2010-2013). * Steven M. Wolock, shareholder; Professional Liability: Defense (2007-2013). * * * Miller Canfield recently announced that it has opened a new office on the 11th floor of the Bay Adelaide Centre in downtown Toronto. The office will focus on advising Toronto lawyers and their clients on legal issues outside of Canada, specifically relating to business in the U.S., China, Mexico and Poland, where the firm has offices. "We will provide Toronto-based support on legal issues involving the U.S. and the rapidly expanding markets in China, Mexico and Poland," said Michael P. McGee, CEO of Miller Canfield. "It's a natural fit. These are locations where the firm regularly services clients in the manufacturing, energy, high-tech and finance industries and where Canadian companies are investing and doing business. The office also will facilitate introducing our international clients to leading Canadian firms." The address of the new office is: Bay Adelaide Centre 333 Bay Street, 11th floor Toronto, ON M5H 2T4 Contacts of the Toronto initiative include four U.S.-based partners of the firm: * Carla Machnik - Financial Institutions and Aviation. * Frederick Acomb - International Dispute Resolution. * Joseph Vernon - Commercial Litigation. * Richard Walawender - Corporate, Securities, International law. * * * Partner Linda G. Burwell is resigning from Nemeth Burwell to pursue other interests, founding partner Patricia Nemeth recently announced. Burwell will be transitioning out of the firm over the next few months. A firm name change will be announced later this year. Nemeth founded the law offices of Patricia Nemeth in 1992. Burwell joined that firm in 1996 and the name of the firm was changed to Nemeth Burwell in 1998 when Burwell was made partner. * * * Jason M. Fisher has joined Honigman, Miller, Schwartz, and Cohn LLP as an attorney in its Real Estate Department. He will be located temporarily in the firm's Detroit office. Fisher will assist with commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, sales, financing, construction, development and leasing. He earned his law degrees from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and a B.A. from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University. He is admitted to practice in Michigan and Colorado. He comes to Honigman from Maddin, Hauser, Wartell, Roth, & Heller PC in Southfield. Honigman is also pleased to announce that Partners Jennifer Sheehan Anderson, Anessa Owen Kramer, and Michael A. Lisi have been recognized in the International Who's Who of Trademark Lawyers for 2013. Anderson is a partner in Honigman's Intellectual Property (IP) Department and its Trademark and Copyright Practice Group. She provides guidance on a wide range of matters in the U.S. and international markets, including global clearance and filing strategies for trademarks and enforcement and defense of trademarks. Anderson has been recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in 2010 and 2011. She is a member of the International Trademark Association (INTA) and serves on its Pro Bono Committee. She served as chair of the Intellectual Property Law Section for the State Bar of Michigan in 2010 and 2011. Anderson earned her law degree from University of Detroit Mercy and a B.A. from the University of Maryland - College Park. Kramer is a partner in Honigman's IP Department, and its Trademark and Copyright and IP Litigation Practice Groups. She has experience in managing large international trademark portfolios, including numerous prominent and distinguished global brands. She is a member of INTA and serves on its Famous and Well-Known Marks Committee. In addition, she is a founding member of the Michigan Intellectual Property American Inn of Court and serves as its membership chair. Kramer has been recognized in Michigan Super Lawyers from 2010 through 2013, as a DBusiness magazine "Top Lawyer" in 2012 and 2013 and The Best Lawyers in America in 2014. She was also named by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of 25 "Leaders in the Law" in 2010. Kramer earned her law degree from George Washington University Law School and a B.A. from Michigan State University. Lisi is a partner in Honigman's IP Department, leader of the firm's Trademark and Copyright Practice Group and a member of its IP Litigation Practice Group. He has more than 25 years of experience in assisting clients in developing strategic and cost effective programs to manage, purchase, sell, license, and protect and enforce intellectual property assets in the U.S. and around the world. Lisi has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America from 2008 through 2013 and as a DBusiness magazine "Top Lawyer" from 2011 through 2013. He is a member of INTA and serves as editor of its Trademark Cancellations: International Practice and Procedures database and as chair of its Publications Committee. Lisi earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and a B.A. from Carleton College. * * * Foley & Lardner LLP announced that 10 Detroit office partners have been named 2013 Michigan Super Lawyers. In addition, six Detroit office attorneys have been named 2013 Michigan Rising Stars. The 10 Detroit partners named 2013 Michigan Super Lawyers and their primary practices are: * John Birmingham - Employment & Labor. * Patrick Daugherty - Securities & Corporate Finance. * Jeffrey Kopp - Employment Litigation. * Judy O'Neill - Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights. * Philip Phillips - Employment & Labor. * Chris Rossman - Health Care. * Scott Seabolt - Business Litigation. * Thomas Spillane - Mergers & Acquisitions. * John Trentacosta - Business Litigation. * Ann Marie Uetz - Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights The six Detroit attorneys named 2013 Michigan Rising Stars and their primary practices are: * Ryan Bewersdorf - Business Litigation. * Michael Groebe - Employment & Labor. * Vanessa Miller - Business Litigation. * Marcus Sprow - Intellectual Property. * Erin Toomey - Government Contracts. * Adam Wienner - Business Litigation. Published: Mon, Sep 16, 2013