Legal People

Plunkett Cooney

At a recent meeting of the board of directors of Plunkett Cooney, partner Michael P. Ashcraft Jr. was re-elected as a board officer.

Ashcraft, a long-time member of the board, was re-elected to serve a one-year term as secretary/treasurer.

Ashcraft is a partner in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office. In addition to his duties as a member of the board, he serves as Plunkett Cooney’s Professional Liability Practice Group Leader and as general counsel to the firm.

Ashcraft concentrates his practice primarily on the defense of attorneys and accountants in malpractice claims. He also represents insurance brokers and agents, securities brokers, real estate brokers and agents, investment advisors, officers and directors, and notaries public in professional liability cases in state and federal courts.

Admitted to state and federal courts in Michigan and Nebraska, Ashcraft graduated from Michigan State University College of Law in 1992. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 1987. Ashcraft is a member of the Oakland County Bar Association’s Negligence Section, the State Bar of Michigan’s Professional Ethics Committee and the American Bar Association’s Committee on Professional Responsibility and Liability.

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Secrest Wardle

Secrest Wardle is featured in the March 2017 issue of A.M. Best’s Best Connect “Member Spotlight” section. “Member Spotlight” puts the focus on qualified members who have participated in groundbreaking cases or developed innovative strategies and important thought leadership that affect the insurance industry.

As qualified members, Secrest Wardle’s attorneys lend their expertise to several areas of the Best’s Insurance Professionals and Claims Resource site. The firm is proud to be spotlighted for their achievements and contributions.

A.M. Best Company provides news, credit ratings and financial data products and services for the insurance industry. 

Secrest Wardle is a law firm specializing in defense litigation and counsel for insurance, municipal, and commercial clients headquartered in Troy, with additional offices in Grand Rapids and Lansing. 

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Maddin, Hauser, Roth, & Heller PC

Southfield multi-specialty law firm Maddin, Hauser, Roth & Heller PC is pleased to announce that Adam M. Blaylock has joined the firm’s Corporate/Employment Practice Group as an associate.

The announcement was made by firm President and CEO Steven D. Sallen.

Blaylock represents employers in preventing and responding to employee claims of wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment. Additionally, he reviews contracts, prepares employee handbooks, and assists in grievance proceedings.

Working with clients in many industries, including health care, agriculture and education, Blaylock’s experiences range from investigations of sexual assault and employee misconduct to teaching high school students in Detroit how to combat bullying. He has also guided public sector clients in complying with the requirements of the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act.

Receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Michigan State University, Blaylock earned his law degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. He volunteers as an assistant forensic speaking coach at Bloomfield Hills High School and as an Individual Events Tournament Administrator at forensic speaking tournaments all over southeastern Michigan, coaching two state champions and 12 state finalists since 2014.