The partners of Plunkett Cooney have re-elected three colleagues and elected two new members to its board of directors.
At the firm’s recent annual meeting, Jeffrey S. Hengeveld, Patrick C. Lannen, and Robert A. Marzano were re-elected to serve three-year terms. They will be joined by first-time board members Matthew J. Boettcher, who will also serve a three-year term, and Stephen P. Brown, who will serve a two-year term.
Hengeveld, who serves as co-leader of Plunkett Cooney’s Professional Liability Practice Group, focuses primarily on defending professional liability claims brought against attorneys, accountants, and broker-dealers and related ethics and licensing actions. He also represents clients in class action litigation. A member of the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, Hengeveld is licensed to practice in all Michigan state and federal courts.
Lannen is a partner in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office and leads the Commercial Litigation Practice Group. An experienced trial attorney, he has played a role in the growth and success of the firm’s high stakes, bet-the-company commercial litigation practice. He is recognized for handling complex commercial and financial services litigation, banking and creditors’ rights matters, and class, mass and multi-district actions.
A co-leader of the firm’s Torts & Litigation Practice, Marzano maintains a practice that includes premises liability law, foodservice and hospitality law, security guard liability, pet liability, real estate law and landlord/tenant disputes. He is a member of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office and one of the firm’s most experienced municipal attorneys. He currently represents one of southeast Michigan’s largest and fastest growing cities.
Boettcher is a partner in Plunkett Cooney’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group who specializes in real property disputes, banking conflicts, contract claims, class action defense and business torts. A member of the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, Boettcher is licensed to practice in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
A co-leader of Plunkett Cooney’s Insurance Coverage Practice Group, Brown focuses his practice exclusively on the representation of insurance companies in complex coverage disputes. His practice involves a range of issues, including insurance coverage for underlying product liability and environmental contamination claims to bad faith and failure to settle claims, among others. He has also represented corporate entities in complex product liability litigation.
• • •
Butzel attorney Claudia Rast will be featured during an Automation Alley Integr8 Roundtable program on Wednesday, March 12, at Automation Alley in Troy. Butzel is a sponsor of the program.
The roundtable discussion will focus on resiliency, not just how manufacturers can safeguard their digital ecosystems but how they can embrace and incorporate certain best practices so that when the cyber incident does occur, they can react, respond, and recover swiftly.
Rast has been at the forefront of data protection and emerging technologies throughout her career. Whether counseling clients on preparing for, or responding to, global cyber incidents, complying with new state consumer privacy laws, or implementing policies and procedures to effectively use generative AI tools, she maintains her position as a leader among technology practitioners.
Rast, who chairs Butzel’s Intellectual Property, Cybersecurity and Emerging Technology Practice Department, blends her expertise in law, business, and science to assist companies in their strategic use of technology, counseling clients in the areas of privacy, cybersecurity, data security and governance, intellectual property licensing and registration, and the forensic preservation and analysis of electronically stored information.
From 2020-2023, Rast served as co-chair the American Bar Association Cybersecurity Legal Task Force and currently maintains an active membership in that Task Force. Prior to that, she had been appointed to successive one-year terms since 2013.
• • •
Fathers Justice Law PLLC is pleased to announce that attorney Jermaine A. Wyrick, owner and founder, recently successfully completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, Detroit, Michigan Cohort 31, earning a “Certificate of Entrepreneurship.”
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business in an investment in the growth of small businesses that helps entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunities by providing access to education, capital, and support services. The curriculum is designed by Babson College. The Detroit program is a collaboration between Babson College, Wayne State University, Macomb Community College, and Oakland Community College. The program is an intensive 14-week education program with like-minded small businesses owners, wherein entrepreneurs receive one-on-one business advice while learning valuable skills to help you grow your business.
Wyrick has practiced law since 1997. His awards include the 2010 College World Reporter Best Written Article, 2007, Detroit Urban Lutheran School, “Stiving for Excellence,” 2006, Pepsi “Everyday Freedom” Award, 2004, “Civil Rights and Education,” United States Attorney’s Office, Black History Month Award; “2004 Trailblazer Award” from Jordan Educational Consulting Inc., “Five under Ten” Award from the University of Michigan, African American Alumni Council; Who’s Who in America; the Federal Bar Association, Pro Bono Project Award; Respect for Law, Optimist International; and an award from the Detroit Branch NAACP for Outstanding Leadership in Affirmative Action.
Wyrick has lectured at various places, including for the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement, Detroit Public Schools Community District, “Dad’s Day in Pre-K,” Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, the Detroit Branch NAACP George W. Crockett Community Law School, Lorman Education Services, the Northville Psychiatric Hospital, Continuing Medical Education program.
• • •
Miller Johnson has announced that Fadwa A. Hammoud will continue to serve as office managing member in Detroit as part of the firm’s executive structure. Hammoud is on the firm’s senior leadership team advancing strategic growth and client representation across the state. She helps direct key lines of service, including crisis management, investigations, corporate, health care, and municipal law.
Also at the Detroit office, the following practice lead positions are 1-year terms:
Education – Kevin T. Sutton (chair)
Intellectual Property – Brandon Griffith and Michael Nye (co-chairs)
Internal Investigations & Compliance – Andrew C. Goetz (chair)
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Jaclyn Culler has joined the firm’s Troy office as an associate.
Culler focuses her practice on employee benefits and executive compensation. She has experience in tax, employee benefits, and employment law, having practiced at leading law firms and later serving as the district director for a Michigan state senator.
Culler is committed to giving back to the legal community and is actively involved in the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, currently serving on the board of its Wayne Region.
Culler received her B.A. from George Washington University and her law degree from Wayne State University Law School.
• • •
On February 10, Managing Shareholder Mark Zausmer introduced Chad Duschinsky and John Lewsley as the newest shareholders at Zausmer PC.
Duschinsky focuses his practice on insurance defense and fraud litigation, representing insurers and individuals in first-party no-fault and third-party auto negligence matters. Duschinsky earned his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and Policy from Michigan State University.
Lewsley is a key member of Zausmer’s Appellate, Energy Infrastructure, and Eminent Domain practice groups, specializing in dispositive motions, complex appeals, and statutory interpretation. Lewsley earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and his Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Michigan.
• • •
Varnum attorney Jailah Emerson has been elected as vice president of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM) Wayne Region.
As a member of Varnum’s Litigation and Trial Practice Team, Emerson specializes in complex commercial, family law, tax, and insolvency litigation. She represents clients throughout the litigation process including hearings, depositions, trial, and appellate proceedings. She also assists clients with a range of commercial litigation issues, ranging from standard breach of contract claims to complex real estate disputes.
Emerson serves on the board of the Wolverine Bar Foundation and is secretary of the Wolverine Bar Association. She is also a member of the Federal Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, and Detroit Young Professionals.
Beyond her legal practice, Emerson volunteers with the Umoja Debate League, an organization that uses debate as a vehicle to teach Detroit youth ages 11-18 transferable life skills.
In addition, Varnum is pleased to announce that attorney Ali Bazzi has joined the firm’s Corporate Practice Team in the Birmingham office.
Bazzi brings experience in advising public and private companies on a variety of transactional matters, such as fund formations, mergers and acquisitions, financings, joint ventures and general corporate governance. He focuses on representing sponsors and investment managers with private fund matters including structuring, governance, regulatory, and compliance.
Bazzi is also experienced in all aspects of forming and structuring private funds and separately managed accounts that primarily pursue private equity, structured finance, private credit, hedge, or venture capital investment strategies. Additionally, he advises clients on securities and investment adviser regulations and compliance matters.
Prior to joining Varnum, Bazzi practiced at two large law firms in New York City.
Bazzi earned his law degree from George Washington University Law School and his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University.
• • •
Michigan Lawyers Weekly recently named Taft attorney Joseph Lash as one of Michigan’s “Go To Lawyers” for Commercial Real Estate Law.
Lash specializes in commercial real estate and business law. He represents a variety of clients, including entrepreneurs, developers, manufacturers, law firms, physicians, dentists, banks, landlords, and tenants. He has experience in the formation of business entities, purchase and sale of businesses, negotiation of leases (shopping center, industrial, and office), syndication of investment opportunities, and negotiation of loan documents.
• • •
Isheeta Patel Laxmanan, a shareholder at Brooks Kushman, served as a panelist at a career development event for chemical engineering (ChE) freshmen and sophomores at the University of Michigan on February 17. Hosted by the University of Michigan Chemical Engineering (ChE) department, the panel explored the theme “What is it like 10-15 years after graduation?” Panelists, including Laxmanan, shared their career journeys, discuss corporate advancement, and highlight key experiences that shaped their professional growth.
Laxmanan is a registered patent attorney who has experience working with a range of clients that vary in size, from Fortune 100 companies to small start-ups. She focuses her practice on preparing and prosecuting domestic patent applications in the chemical engineering and materials arts. She also advises her clients on various IP-related strategies, such as whether they have freedom to operate and by assessing the validity of patents. She provides insight to clients regarding business-critical decisions and has experience supporting IP negotiations, settlements, and litigation.
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To submit an announcement for the next Legal People section, e-mail: editor@legalnews.com
At the firm’s recent annual meeting, Jeffrey S. Hengeveld, Patrick C. Lannen, and Robert A. Marzano were re-elected to serve three-year terms. They will be joined by first-time board members Matthew J. Boettcher, who will also serve a three-year term, and Stephen P. Brown, who will serve a two-year term.
Hengeveld, who serves as co-leader of Plunkett Cooney’s Professional Liability Practice Group, focuses primarily on defending professional liability claims brought against attorneys, accountants, and broker-dealers and related ethics and licensing actions. He also represents clients in class action litigation. A member of the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, Hengeveld is licensed to practice in all Michigan state and federal courts.
Lannen is a partner in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office and leads the Commercial Litigation Practice Group. An experienced trial attorney, he has played a role in the growth and success of the firm’s high stakes, bet-the-company commercial litigation practice. He is recognized for handling complex commercial and financial services litigation, banking and creditors’ rights matters, and class, mass and multi-district actions.
A co-leader of the firm’s Torts & Litigation Practice, Marzano maintains a practice that includes premises liability law, foodservice and hospitality law, security guard liability, pet liability, real estate law and landlord/tenant disputes. He is a member of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office and one of the firm’s most experienced municipal attorneys. He currently represents one of southeast Michigan’s largest and fastest growing cities.
Boettcher is a partner in Plunkett Cooney’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group who specializes in real property disputes, banking conflicts, contract claims, class action defense and business torts. A member of the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, Boettcher is licensed to practice in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
A co-leader of Plunkett Cooney’s Insurance Coverage Practice Group, Brown focuses his practice exclusively on the representation of insurance companies in complex coverage disputes. His practice involves a range of issues, including insurance coverage for underlying product liability and environmental contamination claims to bad faith and failure to settle claims, among others. He has also represented corporate entities in complex product liability litigation.
• • •
Butzel attorney Claudia Rast will be featured during an Automation Alley Integr8 Roundtable program on Wednesday, March 12, at Automation Alley in Troy. Butzel is a sponsor of the program.
The roundtable discussion will focus on resiliency, not just how manufacturers can safeguard their digital ecosystems but how they can embrace and incorporate certain best practices so that when the cyber incident does occur, they can react, respond, and recover swiftly.
Rast has been at the forefront of data protection and emerging technologies throughout her career. Whether counseling clients on preparing for, or responding to, global cyber incidents, complying with new state consumer privacy laws, or implementing policies and procedures to effectively use generative AI tools, she maintains her position as a leader among technology practitioners.
Rast, who chairs Butzel’s Intellectual Property, Cybersecurity and Emerging Technology Practice Department, blends her expertise in law, business, and science to assist companies in their strategic use of technology, counseling clients in the areas of privacy, cybersecurity, data security and governance, intellectual property licensing and registration, and the forensic preservation and analysis of electronically stored information.
From 2020-2023, Rast served as co-chair the American Bar Association Cybersecurity Legal Task Force and currently maintains an active membership in that Task Force. Prior to that, she had been appointed to successive one-year terms since 2013.
• • •
Fathers Justice Law PLLC is pleased to announce that attorney Jermaine A. Wyrick, owner and founder, recently successfully completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, Detroit, Michigan Cohort 31, earning a “Certificate of Entrepreneurship.”
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business in an investment in the growth of small businesses that helps entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunities by providing access to education, capital, and support services. The curriculum is designed by Babson College. The Detroit program is a collaboration between Babson College, Wayne State University, Macomb Community College, and Oakland Community College. The program is an intensive 14-week education program with like-minded small businesses owners, wherein entrepreneurs receive one-on-one business advice while learning valuable skills to help you grow your business.
Wyrick has practiced law since 1997. His awards include the 2010 College World Reporter Best Written Article, 2007, Detroit Urban Lutheran School, “Stiving for Excellence,” 2006, Pepsi “Everyday Freedom” Award, 2004, “Civil Rights and Education,” United States Attorney’s Office, Black History Month Award; “2004 Trailblazer Award” from Jordan Educational Consulting Inc., “Five under Ten” Award from the University of Michigan, African American Alumni Council; Who’s Who in America; the Federal Bar Association, Pro Bono Project Award; Respect for Law, Optimist International; and an award from the Detroit Branch NAACP for Outstanding Leadership in Affirmative Action.
Wyrick has lectured at various places, including for the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement, Detroit Public Schools Community District, “Dad’s Day in Pre-K,” Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, the Detroit Branch NAACP George W. Crockett Community Law School, Lorman Education Services, the Northville Psychiatric Hospital, Continuing Medical Education program.
• • •
Miller Johnson has announced that Fadwa A. Hammoud will continue to serve as office managing member in Detroit as part of the firm’s executive structure. Hammoud is on the firm’s senior leadership team advancing strategic growth and client representation across the state. She helps direct key lines of service, including crisis management, investigations, corporate, health care, and municipal law.
Also at the Detroit office, the following practice lead positions are 1-year terms:
Education – Kevin T. Sutton (chair)
Intellectual Property – Brandon Griffith and Michael Nye (co-chairs)
Internal Investigations & Compliance – Andrew C. Goetz (chair)
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Jaclyn Culler has joined the firm’s Troy office as an associate.
Culler focuses her practice on employee benefits and executive compensation. She has experience in tax, employee benefits, and employment law, having practiced at leading law firms and later serving as the district director for a Michigan state senator.
Culler is committed to giving back to the legal community and is actively involved in the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, currently serving on the board of its Wayne Region.
Culler received her B.A. from George Washington University and her law degree from Wayne State University Law School.
• • •
On February 10, Managing Shareholder Mark Zausmer introduced Chad Duschinsky and John Lewsley as the newest shareholders at Zausmer PC.
Duschinsky focuses his practice on insurance defense and fraud litigation, representing insurers and individuals in first-party no-fault and third-party auto negligence matters. Duschinsky earned his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and Policy from Michigan State University.
Lewsley is a key member of Zausmer’s Appellate, Energy Infrastructure, and Eminent Domain practice groups, specializing in dispositive motions, complex appeals, and statutory interpretation. Lewsley earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and his Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Michigan.
• • •
Varnum attorney Jailah Emerson has been elected as vice president of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM) Wayne Region.
As a member of Varnum’s Litigation and Trial Practice Team, Emerson specializes in complex commercial, family law, tax, and insolvency litigation. She represents clients throughout the litigation process including hearings, depositions, trial, and appellate proceedings. She also assists clients with a range of commercial litigation issues, ranging from standard breach of contract claims to complex real estate disputes.
Emerson serves on the board of the Wolverine Bar Foundation and is secretary of the Wolverine Bar Association. She is also a member of the Federal Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, and Detroit Young Professionals.
Beyond her legal practice, Emerson volunteers with the Umoja Debate League, an organization that uses debate as a vehicle to teach Detroit youth ages 11-18 transferable life skills.
In addition, Varnum is pleased to announce that attorney Ali Bazzi has joined the firm’s Corporate Practice Team in the Birmingham office.
Bazzi brings experience in advising public and private companies on a variety of transactional matters, such as fund formations, mergers and acquisitions, financings, joint ventures and general corporate governance. He focuses on representing sponsors and investment managers with private fund matters including structuring, governance, regulatory, and compliance.
Bazzi is also experienced in all aspects of forming and structuring private funds and separately managed accounts that primarily pursue private equity, structured finance, private credit, hedge, or venture capital investment strategies. Additionally, he advises clients on securities and investment adviser regulations and compliance matters.
Prior to joining Varnum, Bazzi practiced at two large law firms in New York City.
Bazzi earned his law degree from George Washington University Law School and his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University.
• • •
Michigan Lawyers Weekly recently named Taft attorney Joseph Lash as one of Michigan’s “Go To Lawyers” for Commercial Real Estate Law.
Lash specializes in commercial real estate and business law. He represents a variety of clients, including entrepreneurs, developers, manufacturers, law firms, physicians, dentists, banks, landlords, and tenants. He has experience in the formation of business entities, purchase and sale of businesses, negotiation of leases (shopping center, industrial, and office), syndication of investment opportunities, and negotiation of loan documents.
• • •
Isheeta Patel Laxmanan, a shareholder at Brooks Kushman, served as a panelist at a career development event for chemical engineering (ChE) freshmen and sophomores at the University of Michigan on February 17. Hosted by the University of Michigan Chemical Engineering (ChE) department, the panel explored the theme “What is it like 10-15 years after graduation?” Panelists, including Laxmanan, shared their career journeys, discuss corporate advancement, and highlight key experiences that shaped their professional growth.
Laxmanan is a registered patent attorney who has experience working with a range of clients that vary in size, from Fortune 100 companies to small start-ups. She focuses her practice on preparing and prosecuting domestic patent applications in the chemical engineering and materials arts. She also advises her clients on various IP-related strategies, such as whether they have freedom to operate and by assessing the validity of patents. She provides insight to clients regarding business-critical decisions and has experience supporting IP negotiations, settlements, and litigation.
————————
To submit an announcement for the next Legal People section, e-mail: editor@legalnews.com
