Butzel attorney and shareholder Sarah L. Nirenberg has been named to DBusiness magazine’s “30 in their Thirties.”
Based in Butzel’s Troy office, Nirenberg represents employers involved in litigation pertinent to all areas of employment law, including statutory claims under federal and state law for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and payment of wages. She also is experienced in the field of trade secret and non-compete litigation and serves as the co-chair of the firm’s Trade Secret and Non-Compete Specialty Team. In that role, she has advised the Michigan legislature on non-compete reform and authored definitive legal treatises on Michigan restrictive covenants.
In employment law, Nirenberg has distinguished herself by handling high-profile litigation for prominent institutions including universities, colleges, a national television and radio news outlet, medical practices, and automotive suppliers.
Her trade secret and non-compete practice spans both sides of disputes. She represents employers protecting intellectual assets, employees defending against claims, and new employers navigating alleged violations. This perspective has made her a sought-after speaker at major institutions, including Michigan’s Institute of Continuing Legal Education, where she educates human resources professionals, attorneys, and business leaders on evolving legal landscapes.
Nirenberg’s rapid rise and approaches have earned her recognition from several legal publications in the areas of Labor and Employment Law and Labor and Employment Litigation. She has been named to the lists of The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 “Ones to Watch,” Michigan Super Lawyers 2023 Rising Stars, and Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2022 Class of Up & Coming Lawyers.
Nirenberg earned a law degree (2013) from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. She graduated with a B.A. (2009) from Michigan State University’s – James Madison College.
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Dickinson Wright’s Suzanne Sukkar delivered the keynote address at the 3rd Annual National Arab American Bar Association – Michigan Chapter (NAABA-MI) Gala 2025. She was also presented with a State of Michigan Special Tribute award.
The NAABA-MI hosted the gala on Saturday, April 26, in Dearborn Heights to celebrate community, justice, and service. It was a sold-out event attended by more than 400 attorneys, judges, elected officials, dignitaries, and community partners.
• • •
Miller Canfield is proud to announce that Gerald Gleeson has been honored with the Cook–Friedman Civility Award by the Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association. This award recognizes civil practitioners who exemplify professional excellence and civility in their practices.
The Cook-Friedman Civility Award, named after former Chief Judges Julien Abele Cook and Bernard A. Friedman in recognition of their dedication to civility, was established in 2008. It is presented each year at the EDMBA’s Annual Dinner to an attorney who is deemed to exemplify outstanding professionalism and civility in their practice.
Gleeson is one of four attorneys at Miller Canfield to receive this honor, joining Carl von Ende, Saul Green, and Tom Cranmer. Miller Canfield has more recipients than any other firm, which underscores the firm’s culture of collegiality and professionalism.
Cook established the first Civility Committee in the Eastern District of Michigan in 1998, and Friedman formed the Court’s second Civility Committee in 2007. Their dedication to civility has set the standard for legal practitioners in the district.
• • •
Dykema is proud to announce its inclusion in Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Best Legacy Law Firms 2025 list. This recognition arrives at a milestone moment as Dykema prepares to celebrate its 100-year anniversary in 2026.
Founded in 1926, Dykema has built a national platform with more than 400 attorneys, expanding thoughtfully from its Michigan roots into key markets including Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas.
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Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that Gregory D. DeGrazia joined the firm as a member in the Intellectual Property Practice Group and Patent Practice Group.
Based in the firm’s Troy office, DeGrazia focuses his practice on the protection of trade secrets and intellectual property throughout the U.S., Asia, and Europe. He has experience in intellectual property matters that arise in mergers and acquisitions, patent and trademark prosecution, licensing, and litigation in industries that include automated and connected vehicles, automotive, manufacturing, chemical, and environmental.
DeGrazia is a recognized leader for intellectual property law, being selected as a Managing Intellectual Property “Trademark Star” in 2024, a DBusiness Magazine “Top Lawyer” since 2020 in Intellectual Property and Patent Law and Patent Litigation. He has been listed in Leading Lawyers for Intellectual Property Law since 2014. He has also been listed annually on the State Bar of Michigan Pro Bono Honor Roll since 2020.
Prior to joining Bodman, DeGrazia was a principal attorney at a global law firm where he prosecuted U.S. and foreign patent and trademark applications to establish international intellectual property portfolios, negotiated license agreements for domestic and foreign rights to intellectual property, and drafted and negotiated joint-development agreements. Before he became an attorney, he spent the first decade of his career as an automotive manufacturing engineer working in manufacturing, design release, and advanced materials development.
DeGrazia is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and received an undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and a Master’s degree from the University of Detroit.
Based in Butzel’s Troy office, Nirenberg represents employers involved in litigation pertinent to all areas of employment law, including statutory claims under federal and state law for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and payment of wages. She also is experienced in the field of trade secret and non-compete litigation and serves as the co-chair of the firm’s Trade Secret and Non-Compete Specialty Team. In that role, she has advised the Michigan legislature on non-compete reform and authored definitive legal treatises on Michigan restrictive covenants.
In employment law, Nirenberg has distinguished herself by handling high-profile litigation for prominent institutions including universities, colleges, a national television and radio news outlet, medical practices, and automotive suppliers.
Her trade secret and non-compete practice spans both sides of disputes. She represents employers protecting intellectual assets, employees defending against claims, and new employers navigating alleged violations. This perspective has made her a sought-after speaker at major institutions, including Michigan’s Institute of Continuing Legal Education, where she educates human resources professionals, attorneys, and business leaders on evolving legal landscapes.
Nirenberg’s rapid rise and approaches have earned her recognition from several legal publications in the areas of Labor and Employment Law and Labor and Employment Litigation. She has been named to the lists of The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 “Ones to Watch,” Michigan Super Lawyers 2023 Rising Stars, and Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2022 Class of Up & Coming Lawyers.
Nirenberg earned a law degree (2013) from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. She graduated with a B.A. (2009) from Michigan State University’s – James Madison College.
• • •
Dickinson Wright’s Suzanne Sukkar delivered the keynote address at the 3rd Annual National Arab American Bar Association – Michigan Chapter (NAABA-MI) Gala 2025. She was also presented with a State of Michigan Special Tribute award.
The NAABA-MI hosted the gala on Saturday, April 26, in Dearborn Heights to celebrate community, justice, and service. It was a sold-out event attended by more than 400 attorneys, judges, elected officials, dignitaries, and community partners.
• • •
Miller Canfield is proud to announce that Gerald Gleeson has been honored with the Cook–Friedman Civility Award by the Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association. This award recognizes civil practitioners who exemplify professional excellence and civility in their practices.
The Cook-Friedman Civility Award, named after former Chief Judges Julien Abele Cook and Bernard A. Friedman in recognition of their dedication to civility, was established in 2008. It is presented each year at the EDMBA’s Annual Dinner to an attorney who is deemed to exemplify outstanding professionalism and civility in their practice.
Gleeson is one of four attorneys at Miller Canfield to receive this honor, joining Carl von Ende, Saul Green, and Tom Cranmer. Miller Canfield has more recipients than any other firm, which underscores the firm’s culture of collegiality and professionalism.
Cook established the first Civility Committee in the Eastern District of Michigan in 1998, and Friedman formed the Court’s second Civility Committee in 2007. Their dedication to civility has set the standard for legal practitioners in the district.
• • •
Dykema is proud to announce its inclusion in Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Best Legacy Law Firms 2025 list. This recognition arrives at a milestone moment as Dykema prepares to celebrate its 100-year anniversary in 2026.
Founded in 1926, Dykema has built a national platform with more than 400 attorneys, expanding thoughtfully from its Michigan roots into key markets including Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas.
• • •
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that Gregory D. DeGrazia joined the firm as a member in the Intellectual Property Practice Group and Patent Practice Group.
Based in the firm’s Troy office, DeGrazia focuses his practice on the protection of trade secrets and intellectual property throughout the U.S., Asia, and Europe. He has experience in intellectual property matters that arise in mergers and acquisitions, patent and trademark prosecution, licensing, and litigation in industries that include automated and connected vehicles, automotive, manufacturing, chemical, and environmental.
DeGrazia is a recognized leader for intellectual property law, being selected as a Managing Intellectual Property “Trademark Star” in 2024, a DBusiness Magazine “Top Lawyer” since 2020 in Intellectual Property and Patent Law and Patent Litigation. He has been listed in Leading Lawyers for Intellectual Property Law since 2014. He has also been listed annually on the State Bar of Michigan Pro Bono Honor Roll since 2020.
Prior to joining Bodman, DeGrazia was a principal attorney at a global law firm where he prosecuted U.S. and foreign patent and trademark applications to establish international intellectual property portfolios, negotiated license agreements for domestic and foreign rights to intellectual property, and drafted and negotiated joint-development agreements. Before he became an attorney, he spent the first decade of his career as an automotive manufacturing engineer working in manufacturing, design release, and advanced materials development.
DeGrazia is a graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and received an undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and a Master’s degree from the University of Detroit.
