Columns

Butzel attorney Anthony J. Scalise will participate in a panel program during the annual Michigan Defense Expo (MDEX) on Wednesday, May 13. The topic for the panel discussion is titled, “Beyond Borders: How Defense Businesses Can Win in Foreign Markets.” Butzel is a MDEX sponsor. 

For more than 20 years, Scalise has advised corporate entities in the aerospace and defense industry on defense-industry mergers and acquisitions (M&A), government contracting matters related to combat tracked vehicle weapon systems programs, and complex commercial matters. His experience spans buy-side and sell-side acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic investments, and ongoing regulatory, contractual, and compliance issues associated with operating in highly regulated national security environments.

Scalise has experience navigating complex regulatory issues, including Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and antitrust reviews, and government contract evaluation and negotiation in the context of M&A. He assists clients with novation and consent requirements, Federal Acquisition Regulation/Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (FAR/DFARS) compliance, export controls, security clearance matters, and the seamless integration of contracts, subcontractor relationships, and supply chains after closing. He partners with acquirers and sellers across every stage of the transaction, from initial diligence and deal structuring through execution and post-closing compliance.

Scalise has a background in advising on U.S. Department of Defense and federal contracting matters. He helps clients with everything from developing strategies to win contracts, constructing proposals, negotiating terms, and managing contracts through to completion and compliance. His experience covers a range of Army and Dept. of Defense procurement programs, surge and sustainment planning, and building multi-level subcontracting teams that keep critical defense operations running smoothly.

•            •            •

Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC welcomes civil litigation attorney Joseph J. Giacalone to the firm’s Southfield office.

Giacalone’s experience at the state and federal level includes:

• No-Fault automobile negligence
• Premises and products liability
• General negligence
• Insurance coverage
• Breach of contract
• Municipal litigation
• Workers’ Compensation and employment litigation

In addition to his civil practice, Giacalone previously served as an assistant city attorney and defense attorney for multiple Oakland County cities. He attended Michigan State University College of Law and Kalamazoo College.

Outside of his practice, Giacalone is actively involved in community service efforts for Knights of Columbus for which he serves as the elected council advocate and as the secretary of the Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Preparatory Alumni Association, an alumni representative of the Kalamazoo College Baseball team, a youth baseball coach, and a men’s league baseball and hockey player.

•            •            •

McDonald Hopkins is proud to welcome Caley Blackard as an associate in the Litigation Department and the national Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group in the firm’s Detroit office.

Her practice focuses on assisting clients with cybersecurity incidents, breaches, and responses to state and federal regulatory investigations, primarily by defending cybersecurity and data privacy-related claims.

Blackard also has experience advising organizations on compliance with federal and international privacy laws, spanning a wide breadth of industries, including business services, pharmaceuticals, health care and hospitality. She has offered strategic counsel to mitigate risks and help ensure compliance when guiding clients through regulatory investigations. 

“I enjoy how fast-paced and ever-evolving data privacy law is. It challenges us to keep learning every day. I also find it incredibly meaningful to support clients through difficult situations. Beyond resolving the immediate issue, I hope clients walk away with key insights they can carry forward. Ideally, the next time we speak, it’s not because of another breach, but because they’ve been able to learn and grow from the experience,” Blackard said.

Blackard received her law degree from Loyola University College of Law, New Orleans, and a Bachelor of Science with a minor in Art History from Drexel University.

•            •            •

Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that Frederick A. Acomb, principal and leader of the firm’s International Disputes Group, has been appointed co-chair of the American Bar Association International Litigation Committee. His appointment will commence August 5, 2026, and runs through August 4, 2027.

Acomb represents clients around the world in transnational litigation and international arbitration matters and has appeared before arbitration tribunals in Asia, Europe, and North America. He also has experience handling international automotive supply chain disputes.

As co-chair, Acomb will help support the committee’s leadership and activities, including programming, business planning and member engagement.

•            •            •

Taft is pleased to announce that Daniel Solomon has joined the firm’s Compliance, Investigations, and White Collar Defense practice as partner in the Detroit and Washington, D.C. offices.

Solomon’s practice focuses on international corporate compliance, internal investigations, government enforcement actions, and economic sanctions and export controls. He advises companies on compliance with supply chain due diligence laws, including the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), supplier due diligence, and risk mitigation, with a particular focus on automotive and consumer product industries. Dan also represents companies in all phases of multilateral development bank (MDB) sanctions proceedings.

Prior to joining Taft, Solomon  was a partner and Asia-Pacific practice lead at a Washington, D.C.-based law firm. During his career, Solomon served as general counsel of SAIC General Motors, one of the largest and most successful automotive companies in China. Prior to that, he was the lead counsel of global compliance and the executive director of special investigations and anti-corruption for General Motors Company. He was also seconded as an international trade and compliance lawyer at the Middle East operation of a publicly traded prime government contractor client during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

•            •            •

Harness IP is proud to announce that Principal Bryant Wade of the Detroit office has been named among the Top 40 patent prosecution attorneys nationwide in the Patent Prosecution Intelligence Report by Patexia. In addition, Harness IP was ranked #9 nationally in Patent Prosecution Activity and #13 nationally in Patent Prosecution Performance.

Wade’s practice involves the management, preparation, and prosecution of domestic and international patent applications primarily for Japanese companies. He provides patent counsel on a global scale, prepares legal opinions and international license agreements, and enforces IP rights both in the U.S. and abroad.

•            •            •

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the appointment of Michael McLauchlan to the MEDC Executive Committee.

McLauchlan is vice president of government relations for Ilitch Holdings. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in public policy from Michigan State University and a law degree from Detroit College of Law. McLauchlan serves on the board of directors of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, as a member of the Detroit Economic Growth Association, and as a member of the Board of Visitors of the Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business. 

McLauchlan was reappointed as a member from the private sector for a term commencing April 6, 2026, and expiring April 5, 2030. 

The MEDC Executive Committee provides policy direction and guidance to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation regarding economic development program and initiatives, approves the MEDC corporate budget, and appoints the chief executive officer who administers all programs, funds, personnel, and all other administrative transactions of the MEDC. The MEDC Executive Committee assists the MEDC through governance, support to enable results-based action, and advocacy for the organization and economic development in Michigan.     
This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

By Marie E. Matyjaszek

Walt Disney World is known as the “most magical place on earth,” with its brand having infiltrated almost every market you can contemplate. 

Its four theme parks, fanciful characters, and ability to seamlessly blend fantasy and reality draws millions each year to the Orlando, Fla. area to experience the pixie dust.

For Emma McGuinness, her 2019 Disney experience was anything but happy. She reportedly was visiting the park to celebrate her 30th birthday with loved ones when she sustained serious injuries while riding the Humunga Kowabunga, three side-by-side slides with a nearly five-story drop. The attraction, which she rode with her mother and daughter, sends riders down a 204-foot enclosed slide at speeds approaching 40 mph before propelling them into a pool of water.

Sounds fun, right? Unfortunately, the abrupt stop at the end of the slide caused McGuinness to experience the not-so-fun phenomenon of a “wedgie.” Her situation turned serious when she suffered immense pain, bleeding, and lacerations that damaged internal organs. As a result, McGuinness filed a lawsuit against Disney in 2023, alleging a minimum of $50,000 in damages.

According to the lawsuit, “the slide caused her clothing to be painfully forced between her legs and for water to be violently forced inside her. She experienced immediate and severe pain internally” and “severe vaginal lacerations” to such a degree that the cuts caused her bowel to protrude from her abdomen.

Riders of the Humunga Kowabunga were advised to cross their legs at their ankles, which McGuinness did, but the force of the ride caused her ankles to become uncrossed. She alleged that no reason was given as to why crossing your legs was a good idea. Two others riders had experienced similar injuries in 2017, but Disney officials said that thousands have enjoyed the slide without incident. Disney denied any wrongdoing and suggested that McGuiness did not use reasonable care and willingly got on the ride. Interestingly, the ride closed January 20, 2026, for refurbishment.

The July 2025 mediation with Disney was unsuccessful, so the case was set for trial on January 5, 2026. Surprisingly, McGuiness dismissed her lawsuit in August 2025, and even more shocking, the voluntary dismissal was with prejudice, barring her from filing the same complaint again. 

A voluntary dismissal, especially one with prejudice, is highly suggestive that a settlement was reached, or that perhaps the Disney magic really does exist.
————————
Marie E. Matyjaszek is a judicial attorney at the Washtenaw County Trial Court; however, the views expressed in this column are her own. She can be reached by emailing her at matyjasz@hotmail.com.

By Zana Tomich

Consider a scenario: a Michigan business owner testifies at a township planning meeting against a proposed development. Weeks later, the developer files a defamation suit. The suit is filed not to win, but to bury the business owner in legal fees and send a message to anyone else thinking about speaking up. Before December 2025, that business owner had no expedited way out. Now they do.

On December 23, 2025, Michigan enacted the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, MCL 691.1851 et. seq., making it the 39th state with anti-SLAPP protections. The law took effect on March 24, 2026. For practitioners advising business clients, this statute reshapes the litigation landscape around public speech; understanding its mechanics, its limits, and its strategic implications is now essential.

What Changed and Why It Matters

SLAPP suits, acronym for Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, are civil actions filed not to prevail on the merits but to impose the cost and stress of litigation on someone who spoke publicly. They typically target individuals with fewer resources than the plaintiff: residents who testify at government meetings, journalists covering local business practices, employees who blow the whistle, or consumers who post critical reviews.

While the state’s existing frivolous-lawsuit provision under MCL 600.2591 allowed courts to award costs against parties who brought groundless claims, it lacked the early-stage procedural mechanism that makes anti-SLAPP laws effective. The new law fills that gap with a framework modeled on the Uniform Law Commission’s Public Expression Protection Act.

How the Mechanism Works

The statute creates a special motion for expedited relief. Within 60 days of being served, a defendant may file the motion asserting that the claims against them arise from protected expression or petitioning activity on a matter of public concern. Upon filing, all discovery and other proceedings between the parties are automatically stayed, removing the plaintiff’s primary leverage tool.

The court must hold a hearing within 60 days and rule within 60 days after that. The burden-shifting framework is straightforward: the moving party must first establish that the cause of action qualifies as an “eligible cause of action” targeting protected speech. The burden then shifts to the plaintiff to demonstrate that their claim has a prima facie basis and that it is grounded in law and supported by evidence, not merely filed 
to harass. If the plaintiff cannot meet this threshold, the court dismisses the action with prejudice.

Critically, the statute mandates fee-shifting: a prevailing movant is awarded court costs, reasonable attorney fees, and litigation expenses. And if the trial court denies the motion, the defendant has a right to an immediate interlocutory appeal within 21 days, with all proceedings stayed pending the outcome.

Know the Boundaries: Where the Law Does not Apply

Equally important is what the law excludes. Section 2(2) carves out two categories of claims that cannot be dismissed through the anti-SLAPP process, even if they involve speech.

First, commercial speech by sellers and lessors. If the defendant is primarily in the business of selling or leasing goods or services and the claim arises from communications related to that commercial activity, the anti-SLAPP motion is unavailable. This means standard commercial disputes, false advertising claims, and deceptive trade practice cases remain unaffected by the new law.

Second, claims brought under a specific list of civil rights, employment, and labor statutes. The exclusions include Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, the Whistleblowers’ Protection Act, the Worker’s Disability Compensation Act, FOIA, federal Title VII, Title IX, the ADEA, the ADA, the FMLA, and the FLSA. Employers cannot use an anti-SLAPP motion to dismiss a discrimination, retaliation, or wage claim, even if the underlying facts involve public speech or petitioning. Employment counsel on both sides should take careful note.

Practical Implications: Two Sides of the Coin

For defense counsel, the anti-SLAPP motion is now the first tool to reach for when a client faces a lawsuit that appears to target public expression or civic participation. The automatic discovery stay, expedited timeline, and fee-shifting provision fundamentally change the economics of these cases.

For plaintiff-side counsel, the calculus has shifted as well. Any claim touching public expression must be carefully vetted before filing. If a court determines the action targets protected speech and the plaintiff cannot establish a prima facie case, the result is dismissal with prejudice plus mandatory fee-shifting. Pre-suit due diligence is no longer optional—it is a risk management imperative.

Action Items for Practitioners

Review any pending litigation that may involve claims arising from public speech or petitioning activity. Update client intake procedures to flag potential anti-SLAPP exposure on both the plaintiff and defense side. Counsel business clients that filing suit against public critics now carries heightened procedural and financial risk. 

The business owner from our opening scenario now has a path that didn’t exist six months ago: file the special motion, stay discovery, force the developer to prove their case has merit or face dismissal and a fee award. For Michigan’s legal community, the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act is a practical shift in how litigation involving public discourse will be fought.

Your future self will thank you.
————————
Zana Tomich is a co-founding partner of Detroit-based Dalton & Tomich PLC, where she serves privately held businesses and nonprofits, often in a general counsel capacity. 

Legal News

Recently, a friend and I saw “Come from Away” at the Meadow Brook Theatre on the campus of Oakland University.

It was a magical and meaningful performance before a sellout crowd that literally rocked the quaint venue during the closing number. 

For me, it was the fourth time I had seen the musical since it made its world premiere in 2015, catching it first in Toronto, then on Broadway, the Fisher, and lastly Meadow Brook. 

The most recent performance – like all of the others – touched a historical nerve, serving as a reminder that this September will mark the 25th year since 9/11, which redefined perceptions of security in the Western world and created a lasting legacy of increased fear of terrorism and anti-Muslim sentiment.

For those who have not seen or heard of “Come from Away,” the critically-acclaimed musical is based on a book written by the Canadian husband-and-wife team of Irene Sankoff and David Hein. It tells the true story of the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, which doubled its population overnight when 38 planes were diverted to its airport following the September 11 terrorist attacks. The show follows 7,000 stranded passengers (forever known as “come from aways”) and the local residents who opened their homes and hearts to them during a week of global tragedy. 

The cast (of 12 actors) plays multiple roles, frequently switching between portrayal of the townspeople in the remote Canadian province and the travelers and airline crew members, including Beverley Bass, the trailblazing pilot who was the first female captain of an American Airlines commercial plane. 

The show’s charm centers on its emotional exploration of community, humanity, and resilience, balanced by the lows of navigating intense grief, fear, and the logistical chaos of the 9/11 disaster.

In short, it is a “must-see,” especially as the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches. 

That late summer day, of course, is seared into the American memory, functioning for younger generations much like the JFK assassination did for older generations. Both serve as landmark “flashbulb memories” where most people remember exactly where they were, creating a shared, traumatic national experience.

For me, that tragic day in 2001 became personal when my work morning was interrupted by a call from a longtime friend and former colleague who was screaming hysterically into the phone, reporting to me that “kamikazes are hitting the World Trade Center.”

At that moment, I was unaware of what was unfolding in the skies of New York or of the thousands of casualties that the terrorist attacks would ultimately claim. Instead, I was trying to make sense of what my friend was saying – punctuated by the fact that her son was in one of the New York skyscrapers that were suddenly ablaze.

Minutes later she called back to report that another aircraft had hit the Pentagon, and that she still couldn’t reach her son to see if he was unharmed. 

It was then that my thoughts shifted to the whereabouts of my wife (now former), a Northwest flight attendant who departed early that morning on a plane bound for somewhere along the East Coast. 

Repeated attempts to reach her proved fruitless, as I was left wondering about whether she was in peril as word spread that both of the Twin Towers had been toppled.

In the meantime, my friend kept calling back, seemingly more frantic each time as she watched in horror as workers trapped in the World Trade Center buildings jumped to their deaths minutes before the iconic skyscrapers were reduced to rubble. 

Her son, who made a name for himself on Wall Street, was in the World Trade Center complex when it was the target of another terrorist plot, this time in 1993 when a bomb exploded in the parking garage below the North Tower, killing six people and injuring more than a 1,000 others. 

Miraculously, he survived both the first (1993) and the second (2001) terrorist attacks, finally reaching his family some six hours after the first plane plowed into the North Tower on 9/11.

It took nearly as long for me to receive word from my wife that she also was safe after being stranded on the runway in Detroit for hours as the FAA grounded all air travel in the U.S. 

Years later, in 2017, the memories of 9/11 were rekindled when I paid a visit to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa., located some 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. 

There, in a remote field, rests a sacred site honoring the 40 passengers and crew who died on September 11, 2001 while thwarting a terrorist attack, presumably on the U.S. Capitol.

The National Memorial encompasses more than 2,200 acres, and features a “Wall of Names” of the crash victims and a “Tower of Voices,” a strikingly symbolic 93-foot monument built to commemorate the 40 passengers with one wind chime for each.

The hallowed ground serves as a solemn opportunity to walk the flight path and imagine what might have been in the minds of the passengers as they performed their ultimate acts of heroism and sacrifice. Seen in the distance is a slice of American heartland that became the scene of a dreadful tragedy.

“A common field one day,” reads the inscription overlooking the crash site. “A field of honor forever.”

Butzel international trade law attorney Jennifer Smith-Veluz will be featured during Automation Alley’s Integr8 Roundtable on Wednesday, May 13. The program is titled, “Trade, Tariffs & Tension: Manufacturing in a Fractured Global Economy.” This roundtable will convene trade experts, policy analysts, and business leaders to explore how American manufacturers can stay competitive, agile, and globally aware in an increasingly unpredictable world. 

Smith-Veluz is an advisor and advocate known for guiding clients through the complexities of international trade law with precision and foresight. With nearly two decades of experience representing clients across a wide range of industries, she delivers practical, strategic solutions to help businesses navigate the evolving global trade landscape and achieve their compliance and commercial goals.

Her practice focuses on international trade matters, including international trade agreements and dispute resolution, antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings, export controls, economic sanctions and embargoes, anti-boycott laws, customs compliance, and trade adjustment assistance. Clients benefit from Smith-Veluz’s representation before key federal agencies such as the International Trade Commission, Department of Commerce, Customs and Border Protection, Department of State, Department of the Treasury, Office of the US Trade Representative, and the Department of Labor.

Smith-Veluz’s work often includes conducting detailed compliance assessments and due diligence reviews in mergers and acquisitions, helping businesses mitigate risk and capitalize on global opportunities.

Appointed to the U.S. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Chapter 19 and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Chapter 10 Roster of Panelists from 2019 to 2023, Smith-Veluz adjudicated trade remedy disputes–further reflecting the depth of her experience in international trade law and dispute resolution. She serves in leadership roles including as co-chair of the Publications Committee of the Customs and International Trade Bar Association (CITBA) and as a member of the Georgetown University Law Center International Trade Update Advisory Board.

•            •            •

Williams, Williams, Rattner, & Plunkett (WWRP), is pleased to announce that shareholder Jason C. Long has been admitted to the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL). 

In the commercial real estate practice at WWRP, Long advises clients in all phases of eminent domain, property taxation and appeals, land use, and land disputes. He has represented clients in Michigan’s trial courts, the Michigan Tax Tribunal, the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. He is also a presenter on a variety of commercial real estate law topics.

Long currently serves as chair of the State Bar of Michigan Real Property Law Section (RPLS). His participation with RPLS spans more than 20 years, starting as a legal writing contributor to its publication, the Michigan Real Property Review. He moved on to become chair of the State and Local Tax Committee, then served as program director for a series of the RPLS’ continuing education programs, ultimately serving as Continuing Legal Education chairman for three years, including through the Covid shutdowns when offerings were revamped and moved online. 

Immediately prior to his current role as RPLS chair, Long served one-year terms as vice chair, treasurer, and secretary. Throughout that time, he was the voice of RPLS in the courts, authoring more than ten amicus curiae briefs that were filed in the Michigan Supreme Court. In one instance, at the invitation of the court, Long participated in oral arguments on behalf of RPLS.

Long has been named a Michigan Super Lawyer and Best Lawyer® in land use and zoning law and real estate law. He earned his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Oakland University. He also completed an interdisciplinary graduate real estate development program from the Rackham Graduate School and the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

•            •            •

Kemp Klein Law Firm is pleased to announce the promotion of three attorneys to shareholder positions. Austin W. Probst has been promoted to class A 
shareholder, while Matthew W. Frank and William E. Haines II have been promoted to class B shareholders.

Probst focuses his practice on trusts and estates, representing individuals, families, and fiduciaries in estate planning, administration, and complex probate and trust litigation matters. He advises clients on high-level estate strategies, fiduciary disputes, and contested matters.

His practice spans both planning and litigation, allowing him to guide clients through all stages of estate matters with consistency and strategic insight. He has been recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as an Up & Coming Lawyer and has been named to DBusiness Top Lawyers. He has also been included in Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch for his work in trusts and estates.

Frank concentrates his practice in mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions, aviation law, and general corporate counsel, advising business owners, investors, and management teams on complex transactions.

With more than two decades of experience, Frank represents clients in asset and stock sales, restructurings, joint ventures, and commercial real estate matters, and serves as outside general counsel to privately held companies. He was recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business as one of its Notable M&A Dealmakers and has also been named to DBusiness Top Lawyers.

Haines practices in trusts and estates, advising clients in estate planning, elder law, and trust and estate administration and litigation. He works closely with individuals and families to develop strategies that protect assets and navigate complex probate matters.

Haines has been named to DBusiness Top Lawyers for his work in trusts and estates and has also been included in Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch.

•            •            •

Bush Seyferth is proud to announce that Partner Bishop Bartoni has been selected as a member of Law360’s Michigan Editorial Advisory Board for 2026.  As a member of the Michigan Editorial Advisory Board, Bartoni will provide feedback on Law360’s coverage of legal developments across the state and offer expert insight to help guide future reporting.

Bartoni has litigation experience, trial experience and has defended numerous clients across the United States in cases involving catastrophic injuries from automotive, consumer products, and logistic focused companies.  He focuses on complex litigation, with an emphasis on product liability.

Bartoni has experience with preparing discovery responses, dispositive motions, preparing and executing fact witness and expert witness depositions, preparing and arguing trial motions, and with trial. He also has experience with resolving matters through alternative dispute resolution.

•            •            •

Local Varnum partners Eric Nemeth and Nina Thekdi have been named to Law360’s Editorial Boards for 2026. Nemeth will serve on the Tax Authority Federal Board and Thekdi on the Immigration Board. As board members, they will provide feedback on Law360’s coverage and expert insight on how to shape future coverage in these areas.

Nemeth leads the firm’s Tax Planning, Compliance, and Litigation Practice Team at Varnum. A former senior trial lawyer for the IRS, he has experience in tax law with a focus on civil and criminal tax matters, as well as complex financial investigations and related litigation. Drawing on his experience representing the government in audits, investigations, negotiations, and litigation, he brings perspective to the Board on federal tax enforcement trends and cross-border compliance issues affecting taxpayers worldwide.

Nemeth started his career as a senior trial lawyer for the IRS Chief Counsel (Honors Program) and as a special assistant United States attorney. Nemeth also proudly served in the U.S. Army as a Judge Advocate. During his tenure with the government, he litigated complex matters and provided legal support, guidance, and strategy for a multitude of criminal investigations and civil tax examinations. His service was recognized with multiple performance awards.

Thekdi is a partner on Varnum’s Immigration Practice Team with 20 years of experience handling business and family-based immigration matters. She advises employers and individuals on nonimmigrant visa petitions, including H-1B, E, L-1A, L-1B, TN under the USMCA treaty, and O-1 visas, as well as employment-based permanent residence applications such as EB-1 and EB-2/EB-3 labor certifications. Through her work advising employers and multinational organizations on workforce mobility and employment-based immigration strategy, she brings perspective to the Board on business immigration trends and policy developments affecting global talent.

Her clients range from emerging businesses to multinational corporations across industries, including food processing, manufacturing, construction, information technology, and financial services. Thekdi regularly advises organizations on employment-based immigration strategy and compliance matters involving professional and executive talent.

•            •            •

Honigman attorney Matthew Ritzman has been appointed to Law360’s 2026 Editorial Advisory Board.  As a member of the editorial advisory board, Ritzman will offer guidance on Law360’s reporting for the Employment Authority Labor group, helping inform future coverage and serving as a potential source on emerging issues and developments impacting the legal industry.

Ritzman is an associate in Honigman’s labor & employment group, working proactively with clients to develop comprehensive strategies to address emerging workplace challenges to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws.

•            •            •

Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that Michigan Lawyers Weekly has named Rebecca C. Seguin-Skrabucha as a 2026 Up & Coming Lawyer.

As a member and vice-chair of Bodman’s Workplace Law Practice Group, Seguin-Skrabucha concentrates her practice in advising employers, including municipal governments and businesses of all sizes, on compliance with state and federal employment and labor laws. She handles a variety of employment matters, including helping employers to establish best practices across all stages of employment, conducting workplace investigations and management training, and defending employers against claims in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies.

A frequent author and presenter on labor and employment law topics, Seguin-Skrabucha has been recognized by a variety of organizations and publications for the outstanding quality of her work. She has previously been named a “Go-To Lawyer” for Employment Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, as “One to Watch” by Best Lawyers in America, as a “Top Lawyer” by DBusiness Magazine, and as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers.