Legal People

Trott & Trott, P.C.
Trott & Trott, P.C. announced that Caroline Gersch will join the firm as part of Trott’s participation in Challenge Detroit – a community initiative dedicated to cultivating and retaining young talent in Detroit. Trott Chairman David A. Trott made the announcement.
“We are very excited to welcome Caroline to our team as part of this revitalization initiative,” said Trott. “The opportunity to participate in Challenge Detroit as an employer allows us to show our dedication to the community and help local talent cultivate their careers in a great city.”
Gersch earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Michigan and her Master of Arts in clinical psychology from the Michigan School of Professional Psychology. She earned her law degree from Wayne State University. Gersch spent the past year working as chairperson of Wayne State Law School’s Free Legal Aid Clinic Inc. where she oversaw all aspects of legal services provided to underprivileged and indigent residents of Wayne County.
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Hansen IP Law

Hansen IP Law is proud to announce that Super Lawyers Magazine has again named Steve Hansen a “Rising Star” in Intellectual Property for the State of Michigan in 2012.
“I am grateful to have received this recognition last year and this year and will continue to strive to provide the type of client-focused, strategic intellectual property representation that led to my nomination,” said Hansen.
Hansen is a registered patent attorney with more than 10 years of experience. Hansen is experienced in all aspects of patent prosecution, counseling, transactions, and litigation. He also prepares and prosecutes trademark applications and advises clients on trademark selection and usage. Hansen is a former partner of Quinn, Emanuel, Urquhart, Oliver, & Hedges in Los Angeles, and Rader, Fishman, & Grauer in Bloomfield Hills.
During his career, Hansen has handled IP matters relating to of technologies, including biosensors, biopsy devices, neurosurgical devices, vibration damping and suppression, computer memory, protein chemistry, polymer chemistry, rapid prototyping, lubricants, alkylene oxide processes, nanotechnology, conductive inks, bicycle components, anticholesterol drugs, insecticides, nurtraceuticals, transdermal drug delivery, spinal implants, and medical diagnostic tests.
Hansen earned his B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan (1988) and his law degree from Harvard Law School (1998). Before attending law school, Hansen was employed as a chemical process engineer and process control engineer by Amoco Oil Co.
He is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (1995) and is a member of the state bars of Michigan and California. In addition, he is admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Central and Northern Districts of California and the Eastern District of Michigan.
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Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP
Judy B. Calton, a partner in the Honigman, Miller, Schwartz, and Cohn Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights practice area, was honored with an Unsung Hero Award by the State Bar of Michigan on Sept. 20, at its annual meeting in Grand Rapids. She was chosen for this award for her creation and management of the nonprofit organization Access to Bankruptcy Court. The mission of this group is to assist debtors with bankruptcy court proceedings, when they cannot afford legal representation.
Calton concentrates in corporate reorganizations, bankruptcy and insolvency and bankruptcy related litigation.
She is a council member of the State Bar of Michigan Business Law Section and co-chair of its Creditor/Debtor Rights Committee. Calton is also a member of the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan Advisory Committee and a reporter for its Rules Subcommittee. In addition, she is a reporter for the Advisory Committee to the Michigan House Committee on Civil Law and Judiciary, relating to amending exemption statutes.
Calton has been recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers since 2007, and in Best Lawyers in America and DBusiness’ Top Lawyers since 2010.
She earned her law degree from Wayne State University Law School and a B.A. from the University of Illinois in history and pre-law studies.
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Howard & Howard
Several of Howard & Howard’s attorneys were recently named to Michigan Super Lawyers® and Michigan Rising Stars 2012 as a result of a survey by Law & Politics Media Inc.
Local Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice areas under which they are listed in Michigan Super Lawyers 2012 are as follows:
Royal Oak Office
• Jess A. Bahs, Tax.
• Henry J. Brennan III, Mergers & Acquisitions.
• Mark A. Davis – president & CEO, Real Estate.
• Joseph J. DeVito, Mergers & Acquisitions.
• 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.
• Rodger A. Kershner, Energy & Natural Resources.
• David M. LaPrairie, Intellectual Property.
• Richard M. Miettinen, Mergers & Acquisitions.
• Mark W. Peyser, Business Litigation.
• Brad A. Rayle, Employment Litigation: Defense.
• Jeffrey A. Sadowski, Intellectual Property Litigation (Recognized among the Top 100 Lawyers in Michigan).
• John A. Wise, Business/Corporate.
• Timothy M. Wittebort, Real Estate.
The local Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice areas under which they are listed in Michigan Rising Stars 2012 are as follows:
Royal Oak Office
• Brandon J. Booth, Business/Corporate.
• Stephen P. Dunn, Business Litigation.
• Trent K. English, Intellectual Property.
• Christopher M. Francis, Intellectual Property.
• Jeffrey A. Hoover, Mergers & Acquisitions.
• Kristopher K. Hulliberger, Intellectual Property Litigation.
• Michael E. McKee, Intellectual Property.
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Jackson Lewis LLP
Jackson Lewis LLP is pleased to announce that Maurice G. Jenkins is one of the firm’s 88 attorneys recently selected by their professional peers for inclusion in the 2013 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.
Jenkins is the managing partner of the Detroit office of Jackson Lewis LLP. Jenkins has practiced labor and employment law for more than 30 years. He has litigated labor and employment cases in various states around the country, and has experience in preventive counseling to management with respect to legal compliance, labor issues arising from corporate reorganizations, and wrongful discharge and discrimination issues. Jenkins is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers who has first chaired jury trials, labor and civil rights arbitrations, NLRB hearings and state civil rights administrative cases for such companies as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, SBC/AT&T, Magna International, Webasto Roof Systems, national, regional and local retailers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and automotive dealers.
Jenkins has been named as one of The Best Lawyers in America (2010-2012), and has been recognized by Chambers USA (2008-2012) and Michigan Super Lawyers (2007-2012). Most recently, he was selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of Michigan’s “Leaders in the Law” for 2012.
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Barris, Sott, Denn & Driker PLLC

Detroit law firm Barris, Sott, Denn, & Driker PLLC is pleased to announce that member Kevin Kalczynski has been appointed to the State Bar of Michigan Professional Ethics Committee for a three-year term beginning October 2012.
The Professional Ethics Committee prepares written opinions on professional ethical conduct at the request of the State Bar president and other leaders and recommends amendments to the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct.
Kalczynski was also recently appointed to the Board of Directors for Boys Hope Girls Hope of Michigan, Inc., and was named a 2012 “Future Star” by Benchmark Litigation and a 2012 “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers magazine.
Kalczynski’s practice is concentrated in business litigation, representing plaintiffs and defendants in business tort and breach of contract matters. He also routinely represents major law firms in legal malpractice matters.
Kalczynski earned his law degree in 2000 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996 from Wayne State University.
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Miller Canfield
Miller Canfield announced recently that several of its lawyers have been recognized in Super Lawyers in 2012. Many were named as “Super Lawyers” and “Rising Stars.” Special recognition went to Thomas W. Cranmer, recognized in the Top 10 of all Michigan lawyers.
Locally, Miller Canfield lawyers named in Super Lawyers Michigan 2012 (* denotes new to the list.)
Detroit office
• Marjory G. Basile, Intellectual Property Litigation.
• William B. Beach, Government/Cities/Municipalities.
• Orin D. Brustad, Employee Benefits/ERISA.
• Harold W. Bulger Jr.*, Bonds/Government Finance.
• 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).
• 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.
Miller Canfield lawyers named “Rising Stars” in Super Lawyers Michigan 2012:

Detroit office
• Steven M. Frank, Bonds/Government Finance.
• Paul D. Hudson, Appellate.
• Carla S. Machnik, Banking.
• David R. Mitchell, Banking.
• Adam B. Norlander*, Banking.
• Nelson O. Ropke, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor.
• 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.
• Heather M. Olson*, Business Litigation.
• Kenneth J. Sachs, Employee Benefits/ERISA.
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Dawda Mann
Michigan Super Lawyers 2012,” includes nine lawyers from Dawda Mann.
They are Edward C. Dawda and William L. Rosin in the Business/Corporate practice area; Michael D. Mulcahy in the Real Estate practice area; Wayne S. Segal in the Banking practice area; Susan J. Sadler in the Environmental practice area; Suanne Tiberio Trimmer in the General Litigation practice area; Kenneth A. Flaska in the Business Litigation practice area; John Mucha III in the Civil Litigation Defense practice area; and Theresa C. Joswick in the Employee Benefits/ERISA practice area.
Dawda also was recognized as one of the Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers 2012. Trimmer was recognized among the “Top 50 Women Michigan Super Lawyers 2012.”
Additionally, five Dawda Mann attorneys were named Michigan Rising Stars 2012, a list of outstanding young Michigan lawyers. They are Alfredo Casab and Dana Kreis Glencer in the Real Estate practice area; Marc K. Salach in the Business/Corporate practice area; and Zachary J. Eskau and Frances Belzer Wilson in the Business Litigation practice area.
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Olsman, Mueller, Wallace & MacKenzie
Wolfgang Mueller has been reappointed as vice chair to the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission. He was reappointed by Governor Rick Snyder.
Mueller is an attorney with Olsman, Mueller, Wallace, & MacKenzie, where he specializes in wrongful conviction and police misconduct cases as well as construction site litigation.
Previously, he worked as an automotive engineer for Chrysler Corp. Mueller is a second-degree black belt in the Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do, and serves as an instructor at Boliard’s Martial Sciences Center in Canton. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan - Dearborn, respectively, and earned a degree from the Detroit College of Law. Mueller will continue to represent licensees in mixed martial arts.
Appointees will serve four-year terms that expire June 5, 2016, and their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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Michigan Supreme Court
The Michigan Supreme Court recently announced the appointments of the following attorneys to the State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners:
• D. Randall Gilmer, an associate in the law firm of McGraw Morris PC.
• C. Thomas Ludden, partner in the law firm of Lipson, Neilson, Cole, Seltzer, & Garin PC.
• Stephen J. Gobbo, state cemetery commissioner and regulatory compliance division director for the bureau of commercial services, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. 
All three appointees will serve as commissioners-at-large for three-year terms, effective on the adjournment of the outgoing board’s meeting this afternoon.
Also appointed as a commissioner-at-large was Charles S. Hegarty, member of the law firm of Bodman PLC. He will serve the remainder of the term of Jules B. Olsman, president of the law firm of Olsman, Mueller, Wallace, & MacKenzie PC. Olsman was elected to the Board of Commissioners by State Bar members in June. Hegarty’s term will expire in September 2013.
The Michigan Supreme Court also announced the following appointments to the Attorney Discipline Board:
• Louann Van Der Wiele, vice president and associate general counsel in the Office of the General Counsel of Chrysler Group LLC, is appointed for a term ending October 1, 2015.
• James M. Cameron Jr., attorney and member of the law firm of Dykema Gossett PLLC, is reappointed to a term ending October 1, 2015 and is reappointed vice- chairperson for a term ending October 1, 2013.
• Dr. Sylvia P. Whitmer, who served as executive director of instruction K-12 for the Birmingham Public Schools from 1990 until her retirement in 2005, is reappointed to a term ending October 1, 2015.
• Thomas G. Kienbaum, attorney and member of the law firm of Kienbaum, Opperwall, Hardy, & Pelton PLC, is reappointed chairperson for a term ending October 1, 2013.
Additionally, the Michigan Supreme Court has announced the following appointments to the Attorney Grievance Commission:
• Wanda M. Stokes, attorney and division chief of the Michigan Attorney General Licensing and Regulation Division, is appointed to a term ending October 1, 2015.
• Martha M. Snow, attorney and shareholder in the law firm of Xuereb Snow PC, is appointed for a term ending October 1, 2015.
• Rozanne F. Sedler, L.M.S.W., A.C.S.W., a clinical social worker with Jewish Family Services in Oak Park, is reappointed to a term ending October 1, 2015.
• David L. Porteous, attorney and principal of the law firm of McCurdy, Wotila, & Porteous PC, is appointed chairperson of the AGC for a term ending October 1, 2013.
• Barbara B. Smith, attorney and principal of the law offices of Barbara B. Smith PLLC and Smith Mediation Center, is appointed vice-chairperson for a term ending October 1, 2013.
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Legal Aid and Defender Association, Inc. (LAD)
Roger Lennert, marketing and development vice president for Legal Aid and Defender Association Inc., has been selected to participate in the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit program designed to challenge emerging and existing community leaders from Southeast Michigan to bring about positive change.
Lennert’s responsibilities at LAD include fundraising, media relations and community outreach, as well as website and social media development.
Lennert’s career has included positions as executive director, Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association and its foundation; executive director, Alliance for a Safer, Greater Detroit Inc.; and communications manager, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. He is also an adjunct instructor at Baker College.
Lennert will join 69 executives from across the region, representing a cross-section of the community, including business, organized labor, government, education, media, civic groups, health services and community organizations.
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Dawda Mann
Randal Cole, a member of Dawda Mann, recently delivered a presentation before the American Society of Employers Conference Employment Law Workshop, titled “Terminations from A through Z and Minimizing the L (Lawsuits).”
Cole concentrates his practice on labor and employment law, including employment defense litigation. He has represented clients before the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency. Cole has authored several articles on the Family Medical Leave Act and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights Problem Resolution Procedure.
Cole earned his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 1996. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Labor and Employment Law Section, and has served as vice-chairman and chairman of the Oakland County Bar Association’s Employment and Labor Law Committee.
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Cummings, McClorey, Davis, & Acho PLC
The law firm of Cummings, McClorey, Davis, & Acho PLC is pleased to announce that Carla Testani, a family law attorney in their Livonia office, has been elected to the Board of the Wayne County Family Law Bar Association.  She serves as the Board’s Secretary. 
Testani focuses her practice on issues surrounding divorce, annulment, child custody, child support, spousal support, pre- and post-nuptial agreements and more.  
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Plunkett Cooney
William D. Booth, a senior partner at Plunkett Cooney, recently received the Outstanding Achievement Award sponsored by the Council of the Negligence Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan.
The Council of the Negligence Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan selects the Outstanding Achievement Award winner in recognition of the individual’s distinguished service to the legal community.
Booth, who joined Plunkett Cooney in 1961, focuses his practice in the areas of professional liability – architects’ and engineers’ liability, product liability and alternative dispute resolution.
Booth has numerous honors and awards to his credit. In particular, he has been honored by his peers for 26 consecutive years with his nomination for inclusion in the 2013 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for the category of personal injury litigation. He has been named by Best Lawyers as “Detroit Best Lawyers Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants Lawyer of the Year.”
Booth is also a member of numerous prestigious legal organizations, including the International Association of Defense Counsel, American College of Trial Lawyers (Fellow) and the International Society of Barristers (Fellow).
Booth graduated from the University of Detroit School of Law in 1962. He served as Oakland County Bar Association president in 1996-1997 and as a member of the board of directors from 1985-1997. He has held several other leadership positions within the association, including designation as an OCBA Foundation Fellow.
Additionally, Randal M. Brown, a member of Plunkett Cooney, was recently selected as a member in the Just The Beginning Foundation (JTBF) “20 Under 40” class of honorees.
“20 Under 40” honorees were recognized at the opening reception of the JTBF’s 2012 Biennial Conference on Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Northwestern Law School in Chicago. Brown was selected to this year’s list of 20 Under 40 because of his commitment to help advance students with an interest in the law, as well as to recognize his support of JTBF.
Brown is a member of Plunkett Cooney’s Litigation Department and concentrates his practice in the areas of general litigation; municipal law and trucking & transportation matters. A board member of the Wolverine Bar Association, he is the former chairperson of the firm’s Associate Development Committee and a member of the firm’s hiring committee.
Brown graduated from Howard University School of Law in 2006. Brown earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware in 2003.
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Brooks Wilkins Sharkey & Turco PLLC
Brooks, Wilkins, Sharkey, & Turco PLLC, based in Birmingham, is pleased to announce that 11 of its 16 lawyers were listed in the 2012 edition of Michigan Super Lawyers.
Listed in this year’s publication are:
• Keefe Brooks (Top 10).
• Daniel Sharkey (Top 100).
• Edward Kronk (Top 100).
• Michael Turco.
• Matthew Wilkins.
• Herbert Donovan.
• Steven Ribiat.
• Julie Lyons Kosovec.
Listed as “rising stars” are:
• Paula Hall.
• Matthew Letzmann.
• James McAskin.
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Williams, Williams, Rattner, & Plunkett PC
Mayor Dave Bing has announced the appointment of attorney James P. Cunningham, partner in the Birmingham law firm of Williams, Williams, Rattner, & Plunkett PC, to the Board of Trustees for Detroit’s Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
A graduate of Brown University and Detroit College of Law (now Michigan State University College of Law), he is also a past president of the Oakland County Bar Association.
Originally from Providence, Rhode Island, Cunningham moved here to attend law school, and had no idea Michigan would become home. “I thought I’d be here six months. That was now 35 years ago.” From knowing little more “than Tiger stadium and it’s music,” he became interested in “all things Detroit.” He continues to embrace his adopted city and state. Commitment to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is one more example. “This is an honor, and I’m very proud to serve.”
Other activities of Cunningham include the Board of Trustees for the Oakland County Bar Foundation, the charitable arm of the OCBA, district chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Character and Fitness committee, and Past President of the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
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The Health Law Partners, PC
Robert Iwrey and Alan Gilchrist of Southfield.-based The Health Law Partners were recognized as Michigan Super Lawyers by Super Lawyers magazine. Founding partner Abby Pendleton made the announcement.
Iwrey is a practicing litigator and has specialized his practice in healthcare transactional law, including licensure, staff privileges, contracts, physician practice issues, and healthcare investigation and audit defense. Iwrey has received several awards throughout his career, including DBusiness’s Top Lawyer in Healthcare in 2010 and 2012. An alumnus of the University of Michigan, Iwrey went on to graduate from Wayne State Law School.
Gilchrist chairs the civil false claims and white-collar criminal practice group, and he represents healthcare providers, suppliers and professional organizations. A frequent speaker at industry conferences, Gilchrist established the State Bar of Michigan Institute of Continuing Education. Gilchrist has received numerous accolades and was selected as an inaugural member of the Fellows of the State Bar of Michigan’s Health Care Law Section. Gilchrist graduated from Wayne State University Law School and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.
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Beier Howlett
Continuing the legacy of founder Dean Beier, CEO Timothy J. Currier of Bloomfield Hills-based Beier Howlett PC will become the second firm attorney to receive the honor of Distinguished Municipal Attorney from the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys (MAMA). Beier received the award in 1986; Currier received the award Sept. 20 at the annual MAMA meeting and awards luncheon in Lansing.
Currier has practiced for more than 30 years in municipal law, including representation of cities, school districts, and municipal cable consortiums. He has been an integral part of local cable and telecommunications law, having represented over 20 communities through various consortiums. Tim has also built a solid reputation as an arbitrator and expert witness on various levels.
Currier has worked with the City of Birmingham for the past two decades. In his role as Birmingham city attorney, he became a key player in Pure Waters, Inc. v Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which began at the federal district court level and went through all levels of the court system, including the United States Supreme Court. The case prevailed at every level of the court system as Currier successfully defended a combined sewer overflow basin project, resulting in improved water quality of the river against a citizen’s group challenge alleging NEPA and MEPA violations.
He has also represented the City of Birmingham in several high profile cases with favorable outcomes: The Palladium Company v City of Birmingham (federal court), Harbor Company v City of Birmingham (Oakland circuit); and Kulak v City of Birmingham (Oakland circuit and federal court), to name a few.
Currier began his law career with his current legal assistant/paralegal Janine Cochran more than 30 years ago with the firm Dell, Shantz, Booker and Schulte– which would become Shantz, Booker and Currier. Currier and Cochran both merged with Beier Howlett in 1990.
Regarded as a municipal law expert, Currier has served as a panelist for both “Due Process” and “Straight Talk” shows locally. He is also a past president of the Michigan Council of School Attorneys. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and received his law degree from the University of Detroit Law School. He is a member of the Brother Rice Alumni Association.
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Foley & Lardner LLP
Foley & Lardner LLP recently announced that it has been named to the InformationWeek 500, an annual listing of the nation’s most innovative users of business technology, for the seventh consecutive year.
Foley was primarily recognized for its newly-adopted Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), which provides users access to all corporate systems regardless of place or device. The firm has virtualized nearly 70 percent of its servers, facilitating increased attorney availability and timely responsiveness to client needs. This virtualization is complemented by Foley’s Bring Your Own Device program, which enables attorneys to deliver customized client service by allowing them to purchase their preferred computing and mobile devices for business purposes.
In addition, the State Bar of Michigan has named Jeffrey S. Kopp the recipient of its 2012 Unsung Hero Award. Presented annually by the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly’s Nomination and Awards Committee, this award recognizes a member of the State Bar who has maintained high standards for their practice while benefiting others through their legal knowledge and experience.
Kopp is a partner in the Litigation Department in Foley’s Detroit office, where he serves as the office pro bono coordinating partner, as well as the office recruiting partner.
In addition, Kopp is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps. In this role, Kopp worked to uphold the legal rights of detainees in Iraq, which included hosting and assisting delegations of the International Committee of the Red Cross who were permitted to interview the detainees. Since returning from Iraq in 2008, Kopp has assumed the lead legal position as the Staff Judge Advocate for the largest military police brigade in the U.S. Army Reserves, where he continues to provide legal support for commanders, soldiers, and their families.
Kopp is also active in local and state bar activities. He serves as a director on the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association (DMBA) Board, where he has planned mentoring events for new lawyers. As the former president of the Barristers of the DMBA, he was active in overseeing numerous civic and charitable programs and coordinating activities with the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar. He also was the impetus behind the DMBA’s “Teenagers and the Law” handbook, where he was the editor-in-chief. Kopp currently serves as a volunteer lawyer for Project Salute, a pro bono program of the University of Detroit Mercy Law School that offers pro bono legal advice to veterans on their disability and pension benefits claims.
In addition, he regularly handles pro bono matters for the Detroit Legal Services Clinic and Legal Aid and Defenders Association. Kopp is also a board member of Arkay Incorporated, a non-profit organization in Wayne and Oakland Counties that provides job rehabilitation and coaching for the disabled.
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Miller Canfield

The law firm of Miller Canfield announces that Troy Harris has joined the firm as Of Counsel to the International Dispute Resolution Section of the Litigation and Trial Group. He will continue as a full time assistant professor of law at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law where he teaches International Commercial Arbitration, Sales, Contracts, and Construction Law.
Harris has successfully represented clients in numerous arbitrations and litigation matters in the United States and abroad, including complex construction disputes in the energy, manufacturing, public infrastructure, and transportation sectors, with parties from throughout Europe and the Americas.
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a member of the Executive Committee of the Chartered Institute’s North American Branch, and co-authored a first-in-its-field, how-to practice guide, “International Construction Arbitration Handbook” (2 vols.), first published by West in 2008 and updated annually. He is listed in “The Best Lawyers in America” in the area of Construction Law. He received his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.
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Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP
According to Best Lawyers® in America for 2013, Honigman, Miller, Schwartz, and Cohn LLP has the most “best lawyers” in Michigan in 24 practice areas.Overall, 100 Honigman attorneys were named in Best Lawyers in America, and nine Honigman lawyers were named as “Best Lawyers of the Year.”
The 24 practice areas where Honigman has the most “Best Lawyers” in Michigan are:
• Its Corporate practice and several of its related disciplines - Mergers and Acquisitions; Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity; Corporate Governance; Venture Capital; Private Funds/Hedge Funds; Project Finance; Securities/Capital Markets and Securities Regulation;
• Within its Litigation practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation; Tax Litigation and Controversy; Mergers and Acquisitions Litigation; ERISA Litigation; and First Amendment Litigation;
• In its Intellectual Property practice, Biotechnology and Information T

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