LEGAL PEOPLE

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the appointment of Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Martha D. Anderson to the Michigan Community Corrections Board.

Anderson earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Wayne State University and a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Anderson is reappointed to represent a judge of the circuit court for a term commencing April 9, 2021 and expiring March 31, 2025.

The Michigan Community Corrections Board serves in an advisory capacity to the director of the Michigan Department of Corrections and is charged with approving many components of community corrections programs including: goals, eligibility criteria, program guidelines, program standards and policies, the application process, procedures for funding, and criteria for evaluation.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

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Secrest Wardle congratulates to Daniel P. Makarski, senior partner at the firm's Troy location, on receiving the State Bar of Michigan Negligence Law Section's Earl J. Cline and Sherwin Schreier Award for Excellence in recognition of his skills as an attorney in the field of negligence law and dispute resolution. Makarski will be presented with this award at the Past Chairperson 2021 Dinner on June 24 at the Detroit Golf Club.

As part of his practice of the law for over 48 years, Makarski has earned a reputation in alternative dispute resolution. Makarski is routinely appointed as an arbitrator, case evaluator, facilitator, and mediator in a wide variety of cases involving personal injuries, medical malpractice, as well as property and business disputes.

Makarski's stature in the alternative dispute resolution field is recognized statewide and locally. He has been awarded the Respected Advocate Award from the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association. He has also received the Civility Award from the Macomb County Bar Association and has maintained Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating of "AV" for over 30 years. From 2018 to the present, Makarski has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© and for 2021 has been listed in the Arbitration, Insurance Law, and Litigation - Insurance categories in Troy.

Additionally, Makarski was named Best Lawyers® 2021 Insurance Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Troy, Michigan. He was also named Best Lawyers® 2020 Litigation - Insurance "Lawyer of the Year" in Troy.

Makarski has also been included in DBusiness Magazine's list of "Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit" from 2010-2014, 2016, and 2018 through the present. In 2020, he was listed in the Arbitration and Mediation categories. Makarski has also been voted by his peers to Super Lawyers Magazine's list of Michigan Super Lawyers from 2018 through the present in the area of Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Makarski has been with Secrest Wardle since 1979. He became a partner in 1986, and a senior partner in 1994. He currently serves as chair of the firm's Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group.

Makarski earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School. He also received a Master of Education Degree from Wayne State College of Education and a Bachelor of Philosophy Degree from Wayne State University Monteith College.

Makarski is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

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Little Caesars Pizza recently announced that Erin Martin has been named chief of staff. Martin has been with Little Caesars since 2007 and most recently served as vice president, business support services and general counsel. In the newly created role, Martin will act as strategic advisor to Little Caesars President and CEO David Scrivano and the leadership team.

As the vice president, business support services and general counsel, Martin led the legal and business support teams, including real estate, construction, U.S. development, training, and communications. Under her leadership, she provided counsel during several key initiatives for Little Caesars, including the chain's new world headquarters expansion in downtown Detroit, and several projects designed to advance the company's interests in the areas of diversity, government relations, and corporate growth. Martin also supported the legal needs of several other businesses within the Ilitch Family of Companies, including Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, Champion Foods, and the Little Caesars Fundraising Pizza Kit program.

"I care deeply about Little Caesars and am honored to take on this new role to help guide the strategic direction of the business and closely support Dave," said Martin. "I look forward to continuing to work alongside my talented colleagues to achieve unprecedented success for the company in areas such as growth, expansion, innovation and service."

Martin has more than 20 years of experience in corporate and franchise law. Prior to joining Little Caesars, she was an attorney at Bodman PLC.

Martin earned a B.A. in political science from Michigan State University in 1997, a law degree from Wayne State University Law School, and was admitted to the Michigan bar in 2001.