LEGAL PEOPLE

Trott & Trott PC announced that Melissa Byrd, Brian Yoho, Rana Razzaque, and Amy Nuemann were recognized as "Michigan Rising Stars" by Super Lawyers magazine. Trott Chairman David A. Trott made the announcement. Byrd joined Trott in 2011 as a litigation attorney concentrating her practice in the areas of bankruptcy and mortgage creditors' rights. Byrd earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan Dearborn and her law degree from the Ave Maria School of Law. Yoho graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History from Erskine College and earned his law degree from Ave Marie School of Law in 2003. Yoho primarily practices loss mitigation. Razzaque serves as a litigation attorney for Trott, where her practice involves the mortgage and banking industry, real property and title issues in state and federal courts, including appellate work. Razzaque graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from McDaniel College in 2001 and received her law degree from the Michigan State University College of Law in 2004. Neumann joined Trott in 2003 as a practicing attorney and co-manager of the litigation practice group with a concentration on mortgage banking, default servicing and real estate. Neumann graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Oakland University in 1998 and received her law degree from Wayne State University School of Law in 2002. * * * Brooks Kushman PC is pleased to announce that Sangeeta Gandhi Shah has been appointed chief diversity officer of the intellectual property law firm. A shareholder at the firm for 13 years who was recently named one of twenty "Women in the Law 2012" by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, as chief diversity officer, Shah will be responsible for overseeing and strategic planning of diversity initiatives in both the Detroit and Los Angeles offices. In her new role, Shah will form and lead a Diversity Committee which will focus on expanding Brooks Kushman's involvement in diversity associations, pipeline initiatives, and community outreach programs, in addition to hiring, mentoring, and promoting diverse professionals. According to Shah, meaningful progress is possible with a shift in mindset. "Based on our profession's performance to date, diversity can no longer be looked at as a numbers game, we must foster an inclusive culture in our organizations and our community at large-to give people a true opportunity to reach their potential. We can serve as agents of change and I look forward to having Brooks Kushman lead by example." With Shah as the new chief diversity officer, Brooks Kushman will expand ongoing diversity initiatives beginning with community outreach and volunteering with local non-profit organizations. The firm will also continue initiatives aimed at education and growth among students in the Detroit-metro and L.A.-metro areas. Last year, the firm started a partnership with Detroit Cristo Rey High School to host students as interns through the school's new Corporate Work-Study Program, giving four students an opportunity to work at Brooks Kushman part-time to gain professional experience and help them pay their school tuition. Additionally, the firm is the only law firm participating in the national Challenge Detroit initiative, one of the largest urban revitalization projects in history which places 30 leaders in positions at the most innovative companies in Detroit. Shah focuses her intellectual property practice primarily on litigation, patent prosecution, and technical design consulting, providing strategic counseling and guidance on global IP portfolios and business growth plans for clients around the world, including several Fortune 500 companies. Earlier this year, she launched a literacy non-profit organization known as "Retooling Detroit," which focuses on giving children in the Detroit Public Schools individualized instruction in order to bridge the literacy divide. Shah collaborated with different companies in India from 2008 to 2010 to better enhance their understanding of IP and her work there will continue in January, when she will speak at the Global IP Convention in India-one of the largest global patent forums. In addition, Shah is the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) representative for the Isha Foundation, a non-governmental organization based in India that is at the forefront of education, environment, and health initiatives focused on empowering women and young girls. * * * Attorneys Patricia Nemeth and Linda Burwell, founding partners of Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell PC, and partners Anne Widlak and Susan Koval have been named to the Michigan Super Lawyers list for 2012. Nemeth Burwell Of Counsel attorney Ingrid Brey was named a Super Lawyer in her specialty area of immigration. Nemeth, Burwell and Brey were also included on the 2012 Michigan Top 50 Women Super Lawyers list. Nemeth was named a Michigan Super Lawyer in employment and labor and specializes as a litigator, consultant, negotiator and mediator. Her areas of expertise include all aspects of traditional labor and employment litigation law, including complex employment investigations and analyses, discrimination/harassment, age, disability, sex, race, whistleblowers, wrongful discharge, union organizing activities and union issues, and multi-party lawsuits. She is a certified mediator for all types of civil litigation, including employment. Nemeth earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan and her law degrees from Wayne State University School of Law. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Illinois Bar. Burwell was named a Michigan Super Lawyer in employment litigation defense and specializes as a litigator, arbitrator and consultant, representing management in all aspects of labor and employment law. Her areas of expertise include wrongful discharge, discrimination, non-competition, harassment, interference with contract, equal pay, retaliation, whistleblowers, wage and hours, unfair labor practices, breach of contract, libel and slander, and invasion of privacy. She regularly counsels management on collective bargaining agreements, pre-employment, discipline, and pre-termination and post-termination matters. A nationally recognized speaker and author on employment law and risk management issues, Burwell often serves as the legal expert on panels involving employment laws. She earned a law degree degree from Wayne State University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Ohio, Federal, and the United States Supreme Court bar associations. Widlak was named a Michigan Super Lawyer in employment and labor and is an employment law litigator and counselor. She has successfully defended cases in state and federal courts involving a comprehensive array of claims, including workplace harassment; discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, national origin and other protected categories; retaliation; violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act; wrongful discharge; and intentional interference with an at-will employment relationship. Widlak serves as panel chairperson for the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board. She is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA), a trial lawyer honorary society comprised of less than one-half of one percent of lawyers in the United States. Widlak earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in English from Georgetown University. She earned her law degree from the Wayne State University School of Law. Koval was named a Michigan Super Lawyer in employment litigation defense and focuses her practice on employment litigation and arbitration, with extensive experience counseling private and public employers in employment and labor relations matters. She defends employers against claims such as wrongful discharge, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, breach of contract, FMLA and wage and hour claims and class action lawsuits before federal and state courts and administrative agencies. Koval earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from West Liberty State College and a law degree from West Virginia University College of Law. Brey was named a Michigan Super Lawyer in immigration and focuses her practice exclusively on immigration law. Specifically, she represents employers who seek to employ foreign nationals within the United States. She also advises employers on worksite immigration compliance and enforcement issues. Brey is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and has served as chair of AILA's Michigan Chapter, chair of the National Physician's Committee and on various national liaison committees, including the Department of Labor, Nebraska Service Center, and Department of State, where she was charged with liaisoning with the Waiver Review Division on J-1 visa waiver issues. Brey earned a law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School and a master's degree in labor law from the Georgetown University Law Center. She earned her bachelor's degree in social science from Michigan State University. * * * Gary M. Remer's most recent article will be published in the "Franchise Handbook" on Sept. 25. A shareholder of Maddin, Hauser, Wartell, Roth, & Heller PC, of Southfield, Remer earned his law degree from the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University in May 1997 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Michigan State University in 1990. Remer was a revenue agent with Internal Revenue Service, Employee Plans Division, from 1992 through 1996. He joined the law firm in 1997 and concentrates his practice in the areas of employee benefits, franchise law, corporate law and taxation. Remer has lectured extensively on qualified retirement plans and other tax topics. He is the co-author of "The Insider's Guide to IRS Plan Audits." He is also called upon as an expert in the media and has appeared on Channel 7 Action News and WWJ News Radio 950 as well as being quoted in such publications as the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press. He is a certified public accountant and served as chair of the MACPA Employee Benefits Task Force. Remer is currently chair of the MACPA Franchise Task Force and serves as a council member of the State Bar of Michigan Tax Committee. Remer is an adjunct professor for Walsh College. He teaches graduate tax classes focusing on pension and profit sharing plans, section 401(k) plans, various kinds of stock and stock option plans, IRAs, SEPs, ESOPs, tax sheltered annuities, nonqualified deferred compensation plans, VEBAs, flexible benefit plans, health care plans, insurance plans, and other common fringe benefits. Remer was the key note speaker for a day long business law seminar for the AIPCA in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was also named in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2011 and 2012 as a Leader in his Field of Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation. In addition, Super Lawyers® magazine recognized 15 attorneys from Maddin Hauser for inclusion on the 2012 Michigan Super Lawyers list. Of the 15, three attorneys: Lavinia S. Biasell, Insurance Coverage; Michael K. Hauser, Tax (2012, 2011, 2012); and Rebecca M. Turner, Franchise/Dealership (2008, 2009, 2010, 2012) were featured on the Michigan Rising Stars 2012 list. Following is a list of the attorneys from Maddin Hauser's named Michigan Super Lawyers 2012: * David E. Hart, shareholder and Executive Management Committee member; Real Estate. * Mark R. Hauser, CFO and Executive Management Committee member; Real Estate. * Harvey R. Heller, shareholder and Executive Management Committee member; Professional Liability: Defense. * John E. Jacobs, shareholder; Real Estate. * Robert D. Kaplow, shareholder; Estate Planning and Probate. * Charles M. Lax, shareholder; Employee Benefits/ERISA. * Michael S. Leib, shareholder, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights. * Michael W. Maddin, president emeritus and Executive Management Committee member; Real Estate. * Richard F. Roth, shareholder; Business/Corporate. * Lowell D. Salesin, shareholder and Executive Management Committee member; Real Estate. * Steven D. Sallen, president, CEO and Executive Management Committee member; Real Estate. * Steven M. Wolock, shareholder; Professional Liability: Defense. * * * David Leyton, Genesee County prosecutor since 2005, was elected as president of the Board of Directors of the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan (PAAM), the association announced recently. He will serve a one-year term through August 2013. "I am honored to be elected by my fellow prosecutors from across the state to help lead an organization that is dedicated to seeking justice for crime victims and ensuring the public's safety," Leyton said. "PAAM plays an important role in law enforcement by offering educational training programs for assistant prosecutors, providing critical information to the legislature and executive branch regarding criminal justice system issues, and by serving as the cohesive voice for prosecutors from all 83 counties in Michigan on matters of public safety." Leyton will be accompanied by his fellow prosecuting attorneys in the following officer positions: Kym Worthy, Wayne County prosecuting attorney, was elected president elect; Victor Fitz, prosecuting attorney in Cass County was elected vice president; and Mike Wendling, St. Clair County prosecuting attorney, was elected secretary/treasurer. * * * Honigman, Miller, Schwartz, and Cohn LLP is pleased to announce that several attorneys joined the firm on Sept. 4. Jeffrey K. Lamb joins Honigman as a partner in its Litigation Department and will be located in the firm's Detroit office. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, particularly breach-of-contract matters. Lamb has experience before courts in Michigan, Illinois, Delaware, New York, Louisiana, California and Canada. He is admitted to practice in Illinois, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. His admission to the State Bar of Michigan is pending. Lamb earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. He also earned an M.S.B.A from Boston University and a B.S. in history from the United States Naval Academy. Prior to attending law school, Lamb served as an officer in the Marine Corps for five years and made several overseas deployments. He joins Honigman from Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Chicago. James D. Augustyn joins Honigman as an attorney in its Real Estate Department and will be located in the firm's Detroit office. Augustyn focuses his practice on the sale and acquisition of commercial property, including office, retail, industrial and multifamily. He is admitted to practice in Illinois and Indiana. His admission to the State Bar of Michigan is pending. Augustyn earned his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law and a B.A. in English from the University of Michigan. He also spent six years in the Navy serving as an officer, most recently as an executive/training officer at the Navy Operational Support Center Chicago in Great Lakes, Illinois. He joins Honigman from Ice Miller LLP in Indianapolis. Gregory M. Nowakowski joins Honigman as an attorney in its Insurance Department and will be located in the Detroit office. He advises health care companies and owners on risk management strategies and alternative risk financing; health care law, including regulatory compliance and compliance with fraud and abuse laws. He also advises health care captive insurance companies on regulatory compliance. Nowakowski is admitted to practice in Michigan and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. He earned his law degrees from Wayne State University Law School. Nowakowski also earned his B.A. in international relations from Michigan State University. He joins Honigman from Rogers, Mantese, & Associates in Troy. * * * Several of Howard & Howard's attorneys were recently named to the Super Lawyers® - Business Edition 2012. The local Howard & Howard attorneys and the practice areas for which they were named in the Super Lawyers® - Business Edition 2012 are as follows: Business & Transactions: Henry J. Brennan III, Mergers and Acquisitions; Joseph J. DeVito, Mergers and Acquisitions; Lisa S. Gretchko, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights (Recognized among the Top 50 Michigan Women Super Lawyers); Richard M. Miettinen, Mergers and Acquisitions; and John A. Wise, Business/Corporate. Construction, Real Estate & Environmental: Mark A. Davis (president & CEO), Real Estate; Rodger A. Kershner, Energy & Natural Resources; and Timothy M. Wittebort, Real Estate. Employment: Brad A. Rayle, Employment Litigation Defense. Intellectual Property: Sam J. Haidle, Intellectual Property; David M. LaPrairie, Intellectual Property; and Jeffrey A. Sadowski, Intellectual Property Litigation (Recognized among the Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers). Litigation: Robert E. Graziani, Insurance Coverage; and Mark W. Peyser, Business Litigation. * * * Five attorneys from Bloomfield Hills-based Beier Howlett, PC were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2013. Of the five lawyers, two honorees have received the honor for more than 20 years while two others are new to the list this year. Jeffrey Haynes has now been named to the Best Lawyers list for 25 consecutive years in the field of environmental law, while Stephen Jones marks 20 years in trust and estate planning recognition this year. Timothy Currier, CEO of the firm, was named for his fourth year running in the field of municipal law. First-time honorees included Jeffrey Kragt in municipal law and Frank Galgan in business law. Haynes is the editor of the Michigan Environmental Law Deskbook. He is also former chair of the Environmental Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, and former chair of the Environmental Law Committee of the Oakland County Bar Association. Haynes serves on the board of directors for the Kiwanis Club of Royal Oak. Currier has been CEO of Beier Howlett since 1995, practicing in the areas of municipal law, schools and education, and estate planning and probate law. Currier serves as city attorney for the city of Birmingham, and as attorney for the Dearborn Public Schools, Troy School District, Lapeer Community Schools, Lincoln Consolidated School District, the Birmingham Area Cable Board and the Intergovernmental Cable Communications Authority. He was president of the Michigan Council of School Attorneys from 1990-1992. Jones served as chair of the Probate and Estate Planning Section for the State Bar of Michigan from 1988-1989. He co-drafted legislation to repeal the Michigan Inheritance Tax. Jones is Fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, serves on the Board of Directors for the South Oakland Branch of the YMCA, and is a member of the Royal Oak Rotary Club. Galgan is a corporate attorney and commercial litigator specializing in contract, labor, employment and construction law. He has served more than 35 years as a AAA construction and commercial arbitration panelist. Kragt serves as city attorney for the city of Rochester, and is former president of the Rochester Bar Association. * * * Foley & Lardner LLP recently announced that seven attorneys from the firm's Detroit office have been named 2012 Michigan Super Lawyers by Michigan Super Lawyers magazine. In addition, five attorneys from the Detroit office have been named 2012 Michigan Rising Stars by the publication. The Detroit office attorneys named 2012 Michigan Super Lawyers and their primary practices, as classified by Thomson Reuters, are: * John F. Birmingham Jr., Employment & Labor. * Judy A. O'Neill, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights. * Philip B. Phillips, Employment & Labor. * Chris E. Rossman, Health Care. * Thomas B. Spillane, Mergers & Acquisitions. * John R. Trentacosta, Business Litigation. * Ann Marie Uetz, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights The Detroit office attorneys named 2012 Michigan Rising Stars and their primary practices, as classified by Thomson Reuters, are: * Ryan S. Bewersdorf, Business Litigation. * Daljit S. Doogal, Mergers & Acquisitions. * Marcus W. Sprow, Intellectual Property. * Erin L. Toomey, Government Contracts. * Adam J. Wienner, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights. * * * Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that 75 of the firm's attorneys have been named 2012 Michigan Super Lawyers. Nine Dickinson Wright attorneys have been named 2012 Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars. Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year's Michigan Super Lawyers list include: Detroit * Michelle L. Alamo, Business Litigation. * Dennis W. Archer, Business Litigation. * Richard M. Bolton, Securities & Corporate Finance. * William T. Burgess, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights. * Lawrence G. Campbell, Business Litigation. * James N. Candler Jr., Real Estate. * Bernadette M. Dennehy, Business/Corporate. * David R. Deromedi, Employment & Labor. * Phillip J. DeRosier, Appellate. * K. Scott Hamilton, Business Litigation. * Mark R. High, Business/Corporate. * Edgar C. Howbert, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights. * Steven G. Howell, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights. * Timothy H. Howlett, Employment & Labor. * W. Anthony Jenkins, Real Estate. * D. Lee Khachaturian, Business Litigation. * Kathleen A. Lang, Business Litigation. * Kenneth J. McIntyre, Business Litigation. * Thomas G. McNeill, Business Litigation. * Sharon R. Newlon, Environmental. * Francis R. Ortiz, Appellate. * James B. Perry, Employment & Labor. * James A. Plemmons, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights. * William P. Shield Jr., Banking. * James P. Spica, Estate Planning & Probate. * Theodore B. Sylwestrzak, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights. * Bruce C. Thelen, International. * Kathryn S. Wood, Employment & Labor. Troy * Margaret A. Coughlin, Environmental. * Stephen E. Dawson, Real Estate. * Benjamin J. Dolan, Business Litigation. * Terence M. Donnelly, Bonds/Government Finance. * Deborah L. Grace, Employee Benefits/ERISA. * Henry M. Grix, Estate Planning & Probate. * Hanley M. Gurwin, Family Law. * Craig W. Hammond, Bonds/Government Finance. * Robert P. Hurlbert, Criminal Defense: White Collar. * Robert S. Krause, Personal Injury Defense: Products. * Monica J. Labe, Real Estate. * Elise S. Levasseur, Immigration. * Christopher C. Maseo, Business/Corporate. * Cynthia A. Moore, Employee Benefits/ERISA. * Edward H. Pappas, Business Litigation. * Richard W. Paul, Business Litigation. * Robert V. Peterson, Real Estate. * Daniel D. Quick, Business Litigation. * Michael T. Raymond, Securities & Corporate Finance. * Jerome M. Schwartz, Business/Corporate. * Peter H. Webster, Eminent Domain. * J. Bryan Williams, Business/Corporate. * Mark E. Wilson, Health Care. * Laurence E. Winokur, Real Estate. * Katheryne L. Zelenock, Real Estate. Local Dickinson Wright attorneys recognized on this year's Michigan Rising Stars list include: Detroit * Allison R. Bach, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights. * Patrick B. Green, Business Litigation. * Jason P. Klingensmith, Business Litigation. * Rachel L. Wolock, Banking. Troy * Richard M. Apkarian Jr., Business Litigation. * Lisa M. Neilson, Family Law. * Rosanna J. Willis, Health Care. Published: Mon, Sep 17, 2012