Butzel continues to grow with the addition of commercial litigation attorney Ryan C. Plecha.
He represents clients in a spectrum of legal disputes in a variety of
industries. Plecha’s fundamental belief is that law is a
service-oriented profession, and accordingly, he is committed to
delivering excellent representation through trust and teamwork to secure
favorable results.
Plecha is a trusted advocate when it comes to bet-the-company litigation, high-profile contract negotiations and disputes, shareholder and member conflicts, intricate construction disputes, and real estate matters. His record includes representing franchisors in arbitration proceedings against franchisees and litigating construction disputes with precision and skill. Additionally, Plecha has served as local counsel for matters pending in state and federal courts on behalf of some of the nation’s largest law firms.
He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan – Business Law and Litigation Sections; Oakland County Bar Association – member and Life Fellow; Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter; Detroit Bar Association – member and Fellow; and Detroit Bar Foundation – trustee, 2018-2021.
Plecha’s honors include Michigan Lawyers Weekly – Go to Lawyer – Business Litigation, 2023; Michigan Lawyers Weekly – Up & Coming Lawyers, 2014; Michigan Super Lawyers – Business Litigation, Civil Litigation, 2022-2024; Michigan Super Lawyers – Rising Stars – Business Litigation, Civil Litigation, 2013-2021; Crain’s Detroit Business – 40 Under 40 Honoree, 2015; DBusiness – Top Lawyers – Litigation – Commercial, 2016; DBusiness – Legal Eagles Honoree, 2015; and Detroit Bar Association – Barristers President’s Award, 2015. He is Martindale-Hubbell – AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated.
Plecha earned a law degree from Cooley Law School and a B.A. from Kalamazoo College.
• • •
Marilena David has been named the director of the State Appellate Defender Office (SADO) by the Appellate Defender Commission at its meeting on May 2. David succeeds Jonathan Sacks, who retired from SADO in January 2025. She has been serving as acting director since that time.
As the appellate defender, David is responsible for funding, policy, and leadership of a statewide appellate defense system that includes felony criminal appeals, youth appellate defense, representation of individuals unconstitutionally sentenced to life without parole as children and teenagers, and a training and support program for public defense. With Commission oversight, the appellate defender oversees more than 100 full-time employees and a roster of 125 private roster attorneys, who together represent approximately 3,000 people each year.
David received her law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 2009. While in law school, she began interning at SADO and has practiced law at SADO since, serving in many positions including, most recently, deputy director. David’s accomplishments at SADO include launching Project Reentry in response to the unique and immediate needs of Michigan’s juvenile lifers as returning citizens, launching and managing SADO’s Crime Lab Unit to analyze the impact of potentially faulty Detroit Crime Lab evidence on criminal convictions following the lab’s closure, and co-launching SADO’s Racial Justice Initiative. During her tenure at SADO, David has successfully argued cases in Michigan’s trial and appellate courts, continuing to represent clients while serving in leadership and management positions.
David’s contributions to the legal community are reflected by her many leadership positions and awards. Her current board memberships include the Michigan Appellate Bench Bar Conference Foundation, the Education Committee for the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM), the Education and Well-Being Committee for the National Association of Public Defense, and the Michigan Judicial Council. David has also served as the chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Prisons and Corrections Section, as a member of the Council of the State Bar’s Appellate Practice Section and the Michigan Community Corrections Board.
In 2024, David was recognized by the State Bar of Michigan as a Champion of Justice. She is also the recipient of the 2018 Detroit Bar Association Community Impact Award, the 2014 SBM Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, and the 2014 CDAM Justice for All Award.
• • •
Miller Johnson recently announced the relocation of its Detroit office. After 5 years of growth, Miller Johnson moved into a brand-new office on the 36th floor of the Ally Building at 500 Woodward Avenue.
The Detroit office has grown from 6 to 35 attorneys since opening in 2020. The new office offers state-of-the-art facilities, and a modern, collaborative workspace designed to enhance productivity and client engagement. The 24,180 square foot office features 79 offices, 7 conference rooms, and a 950 square foot multi-purpose room overlooking the Ambassador Bridge and the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
“Our new office will allow us to better serve our clients and provides our team with a vibrant and collaborative space to work. It also accommodates our rapid growth and allows for more additions in the near- and long-term,” said Fadwa Hammoud, managing member of Miller Johnson’s Detroit office. “As our client base in southeast Michigan has grown, we have built upon our teams that serve intellectual property, real estate, education, immigration, mergers and acquisitions, estate planning, employment, and litigation needs, among other full-service legal offerings.
“Miller Johnson is dedicated to fostering growth and collaboration in Detroit and southeastern Michigan by expanding its presence and investing in local talent and community engagement,” said Hammoud. “The firm’s commitment is reflected in its proactive approach to providing meaningful solutions and peace of mind for clients, while actively participating in the region’s development.
“As a proud member of Detroit’s vibrant community, we cherish our role in this city’s remarkable journey. Detroit’s spirit of resilience and dedication to service inspires us every day. We are committed to contributing to its ongoing renaissance and making a positive impact.”
• • •
Cummings, McClorey, Davis, & Acho PLC is proud to congratulate its Co-Founder and Equity Partner Ronald G. Acho on being honored as Businessperson of the Year at the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards Dinner on May 1.
This annual award is given to a person who consistently makes significant contributions to the Chaldean community and the Michigan business community, including offering pro bono services. Nearly 900 people attended the Awards Dinner, including members of the business, governmental, political, and legal communities.
Acho acknowledges that “this award is a testament to our firm’s solid foundation and reflects the incredible team we have at CMDA. Without CMDA’s collaborative spirit, along with the hard work and dedication of our attorneys and support staff, this achievement would not have been possible.”
• • •
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP has welcomed Nadia Selim Little as senior counsel. She joins Warner’s Employee Benefits Practice Group.
Little focuses her practice on employee benefits and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, guiding clients through the intricate landscape of statutes, regulations and guidance from multiple regulatory agencies. She regularly advises clients on employee benefit plan design, administration and compliance and helps clients resolve issues that arise in plan maintenance and operation, including before the IRS and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
Little also counsels clients on employment law compliance, drafting employment and severance agreements, developing employment policies and managing issue resolution. She practices in the firm’s Detroit office.
Prior to joining Warner, Little spent nearly 20 years at Ferguson, Widmayer, & Clark in Ann Arbor as a partner practicing employee benefits and employment law. Her previous experience includes six years as in-house counsel and human resources director at a book manufacturer in Ann Arbor. She also spent four years as a judicial attorney for the Wayne County Circuit Court where she researched and analyzed statutes and caselaw and composed opinions and court orders resolving petitions, motions and appeals.
Little earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Michigan and her law degree from Wayne State University Law School.
• • •
Varnum is pleased to announce that Jordan Small has joined the firm’s Estate Planning Practice Team as an associate in the firm’s Birmingham office.
Small’s practice focuses on consulting with individuals and families to develop tailored estate plans based on clients’ planning goals, family dynamics, and asset structures. His work includes preparing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other key planning documents. He also assists clients with trust and estate administration, handling both contested and uncontested probate matters.
Before joining Varnum, Small worked at a Michigan law firm where he advised clients on estate planning strategies and supported business transactions in the technology, real estate, and corporate sectors. He also researched and drafted memoranda on developments in trust and estate case law, legislative updates at the state and federal levels, and regulatory changes. In addition, Small has served as a law clerk for the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission, conducting legal research and helping draft Commission decisions.
Small earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School. He received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University.
In addition, Varnum attorney Katherine (Katie) O’Connor has been recognized as a “Go To Lawyer” for Construction Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
O’Connor is part of the Litigation Practice Team assisting clients in a variety of construction and commercial matters. She has experience with contract disputes, as well as a background in litigation and arbitration related to construction claims. Her expertise includes handling claims for delay and impact costs, lost productivity, extra work, cost overruns, non-performance, default, interference, construction liens, and construction bond disputes. O’Connor also advises owners, general contractors, construction managers, and subcontractors on negotiating and drafting detailed contract documents. Her approach helps anticipate potential issues, reduce risk, and facilitate timely, efficient project completion.
She represents high-profile clients, including one of the Midwest’s largest mechanical engineering firms, a large electrical contracting company, and higher education institutions on significant construction projects and contracts.
Along with her construction law practice, O’Connor has experience in a range of general business and commercial matters, including business entity formation, sales agreement negotiation, contract drafting, company sales and mergers, the development of corporate and business strategies, and resolving contract-based disputes.
• • •
Honigman LLP recently announced that Jonathan O’Brien will become the firm’s next chair and CEO, effective January 1, 2027. He will succeed David Foltyn, who will assume the role of chair emeritus on the same date.
O’Brien, who joined Honigman in 2008, currently serves as Honigman’s first vice chair and chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Department. He has more than 25 years of experience as a business-focused intellectual property (IP) strategist, assisting companies, large and small, across a variety of industries with their global procurement, transactional and
enforcement matters. He possesses experience with IP issues related to mergers and acquisitions, public and private offerings, and collaborations. He has a particular strength in the life science industry and has worked on more than two dozen commercial products and late-stage clinical assets.
O’Brien has received numerous awards and recognitions, including several from LMG Life Sciences, which recognized him twice as the “Patent Strategy Attorney of the Year” (2023 and 2024), multiple recognitions from Chambers USA for Intellectual Property, repeat honors from Best Lawyers in America for Patent Law, Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice, and Michigan Super Lawyers.
“I am honored and humbled to be elected as Honigman’s next chair and CEO,” said O’Brien. “It’s a privilege to lead a firm known for its market leadership and commitment to delivering exceptional value to clients across the country. I look forward to continuing to foster an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship — one that empowers our attorneys to grow as trusted advisors and drive meaningful results for our clients.”
As chair and CEO, O’Brien will oversee the firm’s more than 350 attorneys and 350 business professionals throughout Michigan, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Israel as well as cultivate a growing national client base.
“Jonathan is known for his pragmatic business acumen, wise legal counsel, strength, compassion and confident leadership— all skills that will serve him well as he steps into this critical position,” said Foltyn. “I am confident that the future of the firm is in capable hands with Jonathan.”
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Michigan Lawyers Weekly named Christopher Cornwall (member, Detroit) a “Go To Lawyer” for Construction Law.
“I am honored to be selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a ‘Go To Lawyer’ for Construction Law. It is a privilege to be included with such a talented and accomplished group of attorneys,” said Cornwall.
Cornwall serves as the Midwest Region Construction chair for Dickinson Wright and with more than 30 years of experience, he is recognized as the 2023 “Lawyer of the Year – Construction Law” by Best Lawyers in America® and was honored as an “All Star” by BTI Client Service for his service to clients in the construction industry. He represents national and local construction companies in disputes involving lien and bond claims, delays, scheduling, cost escalation, differing site conditions, defective design, cardinal change, extras, and cumulative impact claims.
Cornwall received his law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
• • •
On May 6, Kitch’s Justin Zink was honored with the President’s Award from the Association of Defense Trial Counsel (ADTC) for his leadership and contributions to the defense bar.
Additionally, he received a DRI Exceptional Performance Citation for his efforts in enhancing the standards and education of the Defense Bar, as well as for his contributions to improving the administration of justice in the public interest.
As past-president of ADTC, Zink focuses his practice on No-Fault defense, which includes First-Party and Third-Party Auto Negligence, general litigation, premises liability, insurance defense, and coverage matters.
• • •
Maddin Hauser is pleased to announce that Michigan Lawyers Weekly selected Executive Committee member and Shareholder Martin S. Frenkel as a “Go To” lawyer in construction law. Previously chosen as an honoree in 2023, Frenkel again earned a spot on this list in 2025.
Frenkel is a leader inside and outside Maddin Hauser. In addition to his practice, he is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and co-chairs the Surety and Construction and Financial Services and Real Property Litigation groups. Frenkel is also actively involved with the firm’s strategic planning and marketing.
Construction law has been a cornerstone of Frenkel’s legal career for decades. He has played a central role in developing Maddin Hauser’s local and national construction practice.
Frenkel also represents a range of clients across the real estate and financial sectors, including mortgage lenders and servicers, depository institutions, real estate developers, title insurers, commercial landlords, and property owners nationwide. His clients span the full construction industry spectrum, from owners and developers to contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, and lenders.
Frenkel guides clients through all forms of dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration, and mediation of construction-related matters. These include public and private works, bid protests, contract defaults, professional liability, construction defects, extra work claims, changed condition claims, delay claims, mechanic’s liens and stop notice claims, surety bond claims, and homeowner association claims.
Plecha is a trusted advocate when it comes to bet-the-company litigation, high-profile contract negotiations and disputes, shareholder and member conflicts, intricate construction disputes, and real estate matters. His record includes representing franchisors in arbitration proceedings against franchisees and litigating construction disputes with precision and skill. Additionally, Plecha has served as local counsel for matters pending in state and federal courts on behalf of some of the nation’s largest law firms.
He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan – Business Law and Litigation Sections; Oakland County Bar Association – member and Life Fellow; Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter; Detroit Bar Association – member and Fellow; and Detroit Bar Foundation – trustee, 2018-2021.
Plecha’s honors include Michigan Lawyers Weekly – Go to Lawyer – Business Litigation, 2023; Michigan Lawyers Weekly – Up & Coming Lawyers, 2014; Michigan Super Lawyers – Business Litigation, Civil Litigation, 2022-2024; Michigan Super Lawyers – Rising Stars – Business Litigation, Civil Litigation, 2013-2021; Crain’s Detroit Business – 40 Under 40 Honoree, 2015; DBusiness – Top Lawyers – Litigation – Commercial, 2016; DBusiness – Legal Eagles Honoree, 2015; and Detroit Bar Association – Barristers President’s Award, 2015. He is Martindale-Hubbell – AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated.
Plecha earned a law degree from Cooley Law School and a B.A. from Kalamazoo College.
• • •
Marilena David has been named the director of the State Appellate Defender Office (SADO) by the Appellate Defender Commission at its meeting on May 2. David succeeds Jonathan Sacks, who retired from SADO in January 2025. She has been serving as acting director since that time.
As the appellate defender, David is responsible for funding, policy, and leadership of a statewide appellate defense system that includes felony criminal appeals, youth appellate defense, representation of individuals unconstitutionally sentenced to life without parole as children and teenagers, and a training and support program for public defense. With Commission oversight, the appellate defender oversees more than 100 full-time employees and a roster of 125 private roster attorneys, who together represent approximately 3,000 people each year.
David received her law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 2009. While in law school, she began interning at SADO and has practiced law at SADO since, serving in many positions including, most recently, deputy director. David’s accomplishments at SADO include launching Project Reentry in response to the unique and immediate needs of Michigan’s juvenile lifers as returning citizens, launching and managing SADO’s Crime Lab Unit to analyze the impact of potentially faulty Detroit Crime Lab evidence on criminal convictions following the lab’s closure, and co-launching SADO’s Racial Justice Initiative. During her tenure at SADO, David has successfully argued cases in Michigan’s trial and appellate courts, continuing to represent clients while serving in leadership and management positions.
David’s contributions to the legal community are reflected by her many leadership positions and awards. Her current board memberships include the Michigan Appellate Bench Bar Conference Foundation, the Education Committee for the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM), the Education and Well-Being Committee for the National Association of Public Defense, and the Michigan Judicial Council. David has also served as the chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Prisons and Corrections Section, as a member of the Council of the State Bar’s Appellate Practice Section and the Michigan Community Corrections Board.
In 2024, David was recognized by the State Bar of Michigan as a Champion of Justice. She is also the recipient of the 2018 Detroit Bar Association Community Impact Award, the 2014 SBM Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, and the 2014 CDAM Justice for All Award.
• • •
Miller Johnson recently announced the relocation of its Detroit office. After 5 years of growth, Miller Johnson moved into a brand-new office on the 36th floor of the Ally Building at 500 Woodward Avenue.
The Detroit office has grown from 6 to 35 attorneys since opening in 2020. The new office offers state-of-the-art facilities, and a modern, collaborative workspace designed to enhance productivity and client engagement. The 24,180 square foot office features 79 offices, 7 conference rooms, and a 950 square foot multi-purpose room overlooking the Ambassador Bridge and the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
“Our new office will allow us to better serve our clients and provides our team with a vibrant and collaborative space to work. It also accommodates our rapid growth and allows for more additions in the near- and long-term,” said Fadwa Hammoud, managing member of Miller Johnson’s Detroit office. “As our client base in southeast Michigan has grown, we have built upon our teams that serve intellectual property, real estate, education, immigration, mergers and acquisitions, estate planning, employment, and litigation needs, among other full-service legal offerings.
“Miller Johnson is dedicated to fostering growth and collaboration in Detroit and southeastern Michigan by expanding its presence and investing in local talent and community engagement,” said Hammoud. “The firm’s commitment is reflected in its proactive approach to providing meaningful solutions and peace of mind for clients, while actively participating in the region’s development.
“As a proud member of Detroit’s vibrant community, we cherish our role in this city’s remarkable journey. Detroit’s spirit of resilience and dedication to service inspires us every day. We are committed to contributing to its ongoing renaissance and making a positive impact.”
• • •
Cummings, McClorey, Davis, & Acho PLC is proud to congratulate its Co-Founder and Equity Partner Ronald G. Acho on being honored as Businessperson of the Year at the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards Dinner on May 1.
This annual award is given to a person who consistently makes significant contributions to the Chaldean community and the Michigan business community, including offering pro bono services. Nearly 900 people attended the Awards Dinner, including members of the business, governmental, political, and legal communities.
Acho acknowledges that “this award is a testament to our firm’s solid foundation and reflects the incredible team we have at CMDA. Without CMDA’s collaborative spirit, along with the hard work and dedication of our attorneys and support staff, this achievement would not have been possible.”
• • •
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP has welcomed Nadia Selim Little as senior counsel. She joins Warner’s Employee Benefits Practice Group.
Little focuses her practice on employee benefits and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, guiding clients through the intricate landscape of statutes, regulations and guidance from multiple regulatory agencies. She regularly advises clients on employee benefit plan design, administration and compliance and helps clients resolve issues that arise in plan maintenance and operation, including before the IRS and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
Little also counsels clients on employment law compliance, drafting employment and severance agreements, developing employment policies and managing issue resolution. She practices in the firm’s Detroit office.
Prior to joining Warner, Little spent nearly 20 years at Ferguson, Widmayer, & Clark in Ann Arbor as a partner practicing employee benefits and employment law. Her previous experience includes six years as in-house counsel and human resources director at a book manufacturer in Ann Arbor. She also spent four years as a judicial attorney for the Wayne County Circuit Court where she researched and analyzed statutes and caselaw and composed opinions and court orders resolving petitions, motions and appeals.
Little earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Michigan and her law degree from Wayne State University Law School.
• • •
Varnum is pleased to announce that Jordan Small has joined the firm’s Estate Planning Practice Team as an associate in the firm’s Birmingham office.
Small’s practice focuses on consulting with individuals and families to develop tailored estate plans based on clients’ planning goals, family dynamics, and asset structures. His work includes preparing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other key planning documents. He also assists clients with trust and estate administration, handling both contested and uncontested probate matters.
Before joining Varnum, Small worked at a Michigan law firm where he advised clients on estate planning strategies and supported business transactions in the technology, real estate, and corporate sectors. He also researched and drafted memoranda on developments in trust and estate case law, legislative updates at the state and federal levels, and regulatory changes. In addition, Small has served as a law clerk for the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Appeals Commission, conducting legal research and helping draft Commission decisions.
Small earned his law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School. He received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University.
In addition, Varnum attorney Katherine (Katie) O’Connor has been recognized as a “Go To Lawyer” for Construction Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
O’Connor is part of the Litigation Practice Team assisting clients in a variety of construction and commercial matters. She has experience with contract disputes, as well as a background in litigation and arbitration related to construction claims. Her expertise includes handling claims for delay and impact costs, lost productivity, extra work, cost overruns, non-performance, default, interference, construction liens, and construction bond disputes. O’Connor also advises owners, general contractors, construction managers, and subcontractors on negotiating and drafting detailed contract documents. Her approach helps anticipate potential issues, reduce risk, and facilitate timely, efficient project completion.
She represents high-profile clients, including one of the Midwest’s largest mechanical engineering firms, a large electrical contracting company, and higher education institutions on significant construction projects and contracts.
Along with her construction law practice, O’Connor has experience in a range of general business and commercial matters, including business entity formation, sales agreement negotiation, contract drafting, company sales and mergers, the development of corporate and business strategies, and resolving contract-based disputes.
• • •
Honigman LLP recently announced that Jonathan O’Brien will become the firm’s next chair and CEO, effective January 1, 2027. He will succeed David Foltyn, who will assume the role of chair emeritus on the same date.
O’Brien, who joined Honigman in 2008, currently serves as Honigman’s first vice chair and chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Department. He has more than 25 years of experience as a business-focused intellectual property (IP) strategist, assisting companies, large and small, across a variety of industries with their global procurement, transactional and
enforcement matters. He possesses experience with IP issues related to mergers and acquisitions, public and private offerings, and collaborations. He has a particular strength in the life science industry and has worked on more than two dozen commercial products and late-stage clinical assets.
O’Brien has received numerous awards and recognitions, including several from LMG Life Sciences, which recognized him twice as the “Patent Strategy Attorney of the Year” (2023 and 2024), multiple recognitions from Chambers USA for Intellectual Property, repeat honors from Best Lawyers in America for Patent Law, Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice, and Michigan Super Lawyers.
“I am honored and humbled to be elected as Honigman’s next chair and CEO,” said O’Brien. “It’s a privilege to lead a firm known for its market leadership and commitment to delivering exceptional value to clients across the country. I look forward to continuing to foster an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship — one that empowers our attorneys to grow as trusted advisors and drive meaningful results for our clients.”
As chair and CEO, O’Brien will oversee the firm’s more than 350 attorneys and 350 business professionals throughout Michigan, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Israel as well as cultivate a growing national client base.
“Jonathan is known for his pragmatic business acumen, wise legal counsel, strength, compassion and confident leadership— all skills that will serve him well as he steps into this critical position,” said Foltyn. “I am confident that the future of the firm is in capable hands with Jonathan.”
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Michigan Lawyers Weekly named Christopher Cornwall (member, Detroit) a “Go To Lawyer” for Construction Law.
“I am honored to be selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a ‘Go To Lawyer’ for Construction Law. It is a privilege to be included with such a talented and accomplished group of attorneys,” said Cornwall.
Cornwall serves as the Midwest Region Construction chair for Dickinson Wright and with more than 30 years of experience, he is recognized as the 2023 “Lawyer of the Year – Construction Law” by Best Lawyers in America® and was honored as an “All Star” by BTI Client Service for his service to clients in the construction industry. He represents national and local construction companies in disputes involving lien and bond claims, delays, scheduling, cost escalation, differing site conditions, defective design, cardinal change, extras, and cumulative impact claims.
Cornwall received his law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
• • •
On May 6, Kitch’s Justin Zink was honored with the President’s Award from the Association of Defense Trial Counsel (ADTC) for his leadership and contributions to the defense bar.
Additionally, he received a DRI Exceptional Performance Citation for his efforts in enhancing the standards and education of the Defense Bar, as well as for his contributions to improving the administration of justice in the public interest.
As past-president of ADTC, Zink focuses his practice on No-Fault defense, which includes First-Party and Third-Party Auto Negligence, general litigation, premises liability, insurance defense, and coverage matters.
• • •
Maddin Hauser is pleased to announce that Michigan Lawyers Weekly selected Executive Committee member and Shareholder Martin S. Frenkel as a “Go To” lawyer in construction law. Previously chosen as an honoree in 2023, Frenkel again earned a spot on this list in 2025.
Frenkel is a leader inside and outside Maddin Hauser. In addition to his practice, he is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and co-chairs the Surety and Construction and Financial Services and Real Property Litigation groups. Frenkel is also actively involved with the firm’s strategic planning and marketing.
Construction law has been a cornerstone of Frenkel’s legal career for decades. He has played a central role in developing Maddin Hauser’s local and national construction practice.
Frenkel also represents a range of clients across the real estate and financial sectors, including mortgage lenders and servicers, depository institutions, real estate developers, title insurers, commercial landlords, and property owners nationwide. His clients span the full construction industry spectrum, from owners and developers to contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, and lenders.
Frenkel guides clients through all forms of dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration, and mediation of construction-related matters. These include public and private works, bid protests, contract defaults, professional liability, construction defects, extra work claims, changed condition claims, delay claims, mechanic’s liens and stop notice claims, surety bond claims, and homeowner association claims.
