Butzel has been named to Crain’s 2025 Best Places to Work
for the fifth straight year, ranking number 38 out of the top companies –
holding the same spot as last year. In 2023, Butzel was ranked 41; 53
in 2022; and, 44 in 2021.
Butzel has a history of offering eligible employees an array of employee benefits and firm-designed programs. The firm is constantly updating its list benefits provided as part of Butzel’s Work-Life Programs. The firm’s list of perks include: unlimited vacation for attorneys, paralegals, and managers; the “Better Butzel” wellness program; a virtual wellness platform; flexible work schedules; an employee assistance program with onsite counseling; paid time-off; parental leave; pregnancy loss paid leave; adoption assistance; discounted home office equipment; work anniversary gifts; and more.
Additional Butzel benefits include a 401(k) plan with employer contribution, associate student loan reimbursement, paid parking, professional dues paid, and employee recognition parties and events throughout the year. Periodically the firm brings in other benefits such as in-office massages, fruit smoothies, and special giveaways.
“Just as Butzel has an exemplary team working together to meet and exceed client expectations daily, we also seek to exceed our team members’ expectations daily, too,” said Paul Mersino, president and CEO. “We are invested in our employees and encourage them to reach their full potential while enjoying their important work.”
• • •
Plunkett Cooney has earned Mansfield Certification Plus 2024-2025 through Diversity Lab.
Mansfield is a year-long, structured certification process that Plunkett Cooney has committed to since 2021 to ensure all employees have a fair and equal opportunity to advance into leadership roles.
The “Plus” designation is reserved for firms that voluntarily measure the outcomes of their inclusive processes and have achieved positive results.
“This is the second consecutive year the firm has earned the Mansfield Plus designation. I am proud our firm continues to create opportunities for all attorneys to excel,” said Jeffrey C. Gerish, the firm’s president and CEO. “We have seen that our diversity and inclusion efforts have positively impacted our business, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Diversity Lab to advance diversity, equity and inclusion.”
Mansfield is now entering its ninth year, and Plunkett Cooney is among more than 275 firms that have achieved Mansfield Certification to advance a core value in the legal profession: the belief that everyone should have a fair opportunity for career advancement. It has become the standard by which law firms track and measure whether they have affirmatively considered at least 30 percent female lawyers, as well as those from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, those with disabilities and those from the LGBTQ+ community for top leadership roles, senior-level lateral hiring, promotions into the equity partnership and participation in client pitch meetings.
• • •
Cummings, McClorey, Davis, & Acho PLC has welcomed Jordan A.W. Barkey to the firm. He has joined CMDA as an attorney in the firm’s Livonia office.
Barkey focuses his practice on appellate law, research and writing, and litigation. He writes briefs for submission to all levels of state and federal courts, argues cases in both the state and federal courts of appeals, and performs research for all areas of law handled by the firm. He has experience handling appeals, as well as considerable litigation and trial experience representing clients in third-party auto claims and first-party no-fault and uninsured motorist claims.
Barkey received a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. Outside of his career efforts, Barkey is committed to civic engagement and community service. He has volunteered at the Free Legal Aid Clinic of Detroit and participates in Feed the Homeless initiatives through the Genesee County Bar Association.
In addition, CMDA is proud to announce that several attorneys from the firm have been selected for inclusion in the 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers & Rising Stars list.
The following attorneys have been selected to the 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers list:
Jim Acho, Top Rated Civil Litigation Defense
Joel Ashton, Top Rated Personal Injury Defense
Jeff Clark, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal
Tim Ferrand, Top Rated State, Class Action & Mass Torts
Gregory Grant, Top Rated Civil Litigation Defense
Haider Kazim, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal
Norman Richards, Top Rated Elder Law
Christopher Schultz, Top Rated Business and Corporate
Allan Vander Laan, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal
The following attorneys have been selected to the 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars list:
Stephen Johnston, Top Rated Estate Planning & Probate
Carol Smith, Top Rated Personal Injury Defense
• • •
Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC welcomes litigator Amanda “Amy” S. Marinkovski to the firm’s Southfield office as a member of the Finance, Real Estate & Bankruptcy practice group.
Her experience includes civil litigation and assisting clients in a variety of matters, namely real estate litigation issues involving commercial and residential property, from initial consultation through resolution and when necessary, trial. Additionally, she handles a range of probate litigation matters including will and trust disputes, as well as guardianships and conservatorships.
Marinkovski received her Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University and law degree from MSU College of Law.
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Benjamin Sobczak (member, Troy) has been recognized in the 2025 Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers list by Cannabis Law Report and Cannabis Law Journal.
Cannabis Law Report and Cannabis Law Journal compiled the lawyers they believe to be the top 200 cannabis practitioners around the world via an annual survey of clients and lawyers in the
cannabis legal services sectors and based on their reporting and editorial decisions for more than a decade.
Sobczak serves as outside general counsel providing regulatory and transactional-based services to cannabis companies in various jurisdictions throughout the U.S. and Canada. He is a frequent speaker at professional seminars and conferences and is recognized as a leading legal contributor to the Michigan cannabis industry.
Prior to joining Dickinson Wright, Sobczak served as the chief legal officer for a vertically integrated cannabis company with operations in Michigan and Massachusetts. In that role, he gained experience as a business operator and entrepreneur. That perspective enables him to fully appreciate client needs and develop practical and cost-effective legal solutions in furtherance of their success.
• • •
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that the firm, and 29 current Bodman attorneys, have been included in the State Bar of Michigan’s 2025 A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll.
Bodman was one of only three law firms recognized at the highest “Tier 1” level for cumulative firm hours devoted to pro bono matters for the year and was ranked in the “Tier 2” level for the firm’s per-attorney average hours.
Individual attorneys are recognized for having devoted at least 30, 50, or 100 hours to pro bono service during 2024. The following local Bodman attorneys are included in the 2025 A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll.
—100+ Hours of Service
Barbara A. Bowman (Troy office)
Julie E. Nichols (Troy office)
David B. Walters (Troy office)
—50 to 99 Hours of Service
Mackenzie E. Clark (Detroit office)
Matthew R. Fleming (Troy office)
Jennifer A. Goulah (Troy office)
Kelly M. Lockman (Detroit office)
Nashara A. L. Peart (Detroit office)
Emily J. Kwolek (Troy office)
Alexis A. Smith-Scott (Detroit office)
Glen M. Zatz (Troy office)
—30 to 49 Hours of Service
Celeste E. Arduino (Troy office)
Fatmeh T. Cheaib (Detroit office)
Emily A. Cross (Detroit office)
Amanda McSween Empey (Detroit office)
Jennifer M. Hetu (Troy office)
Alexandra C. Markel (Detroit office)
Katherine A. Smigelski (Detroit office)
Kris Thavarajah (Detroit office)
• • •
Kitch Chair and CEO Mark Wisniewski has once again been honored by DBusiness Magazine, earning a spot on their “Detroit 500” list.
Wisniewski currently serves as chair and CEO of Kitch and has held that position since 2014. In addition to his leadership role, he co-chairs the firm’s asbestos/mass tort liability defense practice.
• • •
Garan Lucow Miller PC is pleased to share that it was recognized by Law360 as one of the 2025 Regional Powerhouses in Michigan.
This recognition highlights the skill, strategy, and tenacity of the firm’s attorneys in achieving successful outcomes for clients across a wide range of legal matters. It also reflects the firm’s commitment to providing advocacy and solutions in every case.
• • •
Brooks Kushman is proud to announce that eight of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers list for their accomplishments in intellectual property law by Super Lawyers Magazine.
The Super Lawyers list recognizes no more than 5 percent of attorneys in each state, of which eight Brooks Kushman attorneys were recognized:
Frank Angileri
Mark Cantor
Marc Lorelli
William Abbatt
Hope Shovein
Molly Mack Crandall
Rachel Smith
Charles A. Bieneman
Four of the firm’s attorneys were also named to the 2025 Rising Stars list, which honors lawyers who are under 40 years old, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less:
Chelsea Pasquali
Reza Roghani Esfahani
Fatima Kassem
Chloe Conway
• • •
Goodman Acker announces that founding partner Barry Goodman has been honored to serve in three leadership positions by the Democratic National Committee (DNC). These positions, announced at the DNC’s summer meeting held in Minneapolis are outlined as followed:
• At-large delegate to the DNC – Goodman continues the momentum with his reelection to this role, representing voters from the state of Michigan.
• Vice Chair of the Midwest Caucus – Goodman was unanimously elected to this position that will influence strategic direction and amplify the voices of the heartland within the party.
• Member of the Rules and Bylaws Committee (RBC) – DNC Chair Ken Martin appointed Goodman to what is regarded as the most influential body within the DNC. Goodman will be responsible for determining the rules and schedule for the upcoming presidential primaries and national convention.
“I feel personally connected to the values and principles of the DNC and am honored to be elected to these positions by my colleagues, who have my utmost respect,” said Goodman. “I eagerly embrace this role and associated responsibilities to help shape the future of the party within each of these roles as we look towards the 2028 election and beyond.”
Goodman’s prior involvement with the DNC coupled with his presence in the Michigan Democratic Party, Anti-Defamation League board, State Bar of Michigan’s Negligence Section, Michigan Association of Justice, and the Mackinac Island Historical Park Commission speaks to his ongoing commitment to service throughout his legal career spanning more than four decades.
————————
To submit an announcement for the next Legal People section, e-mail: editor@legalnews.com
Butzel has a history of offering eligible employees an array of employee benefits and firm-designed programs. The firm is constantly updating its list benefits provided as part of Butzel’s Work-Life Programs. The firm’s list of perks include: unlimited vacation for attorneys, paralegals, and managers; the “Better Butzel” wellness program; a virtual wellness platform; flexible work schedules; an employee assistance program with onsite counseling; paid time-off; parental leave; pregnancy loss paid leave; adoption assistance; discounted home office equipment; work anniversary gifts; and more.
Additional Butzel benefits include a 401(k) plan with employer contribution, associate student loan reimbursement, paid parking, professional dues paid, and employee recognition parties and events throughout the year. Periodically the firm brings in other benefits such as in-office massages, fruit smoothies, and special giveaways.
“Just as Butzel has an exemplary team working together to meet and exceed client expectations daily, we also seek to exceed our team members’ expectations daily, too,” said Paul Mersino, president and CEO. “We are invested in our employees and encourage them to reach their full potential while enjoying their important work.”
• • •
Plunkett Cooney has earned Mansfield Certification Plus 2024-2025 through Diversity Lab.
Mansfield is a year-long, structured certification process that Plunkett Cooney has committed to since 2021 to ensure all employees have a fair and equal opportunity to advance into leadership roles.
The “Plus” designation is reserved for firms that voluntarily measure the outcomes of their inclusive processes and have achieved positive results.
“This is the second consecutive year the firm has earned the Mansfield Plus designation. I am proud our firm continues to create opportunities for all attorneys to excel,” said Jeffrey C. Gerish, the firm’s president and CEO. “We have seen that our diversity and inclusion efforts have positively impacted our business, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Diversity Lab to advance diversity, equity and inclusion.”
Mansfield is now entering its ninth year, and Plunkett Cooney is among more than 275 firms that have achieved Mansfield Certification to advance a core value in the legal profession: the belief that everyone should have a fair opportunity for career advancement. It has become the standard by which law firms track and measure whether they have affirmatively considered at least 30 percent female lawyers, as well as those from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, those with disabilities and those from the LGBTQ+ community for top leadership roles, senior-level lateral hiring, promotions into the equity partnership and participation in client pitch meetings.
• • •
Cummings, McClorey, Davis, & Acho PLC has welcomed Jordan A.W. Barkey to the firm. He has joined CMDA as an attorney in the firm’s Livonia office.
Barkey focuses his practice on appellate law, research and writing, and litigation. He writes briefs for submission to all levels of state and federal courts, argues cases in both the state and federal courts of appeals, and performs research for all areas of law handled by the firm. He has experience handling appeals, as well as considerable litigation and trial experience representing clients in third-party auto claims and first-party no-fault and uninsured motorist claims.
Barkey received a law degree from Wayne State University Law School. Outside of his career efforts, Barkey is committed to civic engagement and community service. He has volunteered at the Free Legal Aid Clinic of Detroit and participates in Feed the Homeless initiatives through the Genesee County Bar Association.
In addition, CMDA is proud to announce that several attorneys from the firm have been selected for inclusion in the 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers & Rising Stars list.
The following attorneys have been selected to the 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers list:
Jim Acho, Top Rated Civil Litigation Defense
Joel Ashton, Top Rated Personal Injury Defense
Jeff Clark, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal
Tim Ferrand, Top Rated State, Class Action & Mass Torts
Gregory Grant, Top Rated Civil Litigation Defense
Haider Kazim, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal
Norman Richards, Top Rated Elder Law
Christopher Schultz, Top Rated Business and Corporate
Allan Vander Laan, Top Rated State, Local & Municipal
The following attorneys have been selected to the 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars list:
Stephen Johnston, Top Rated Estate Planning & Probate
Carol Smith, Top Rated Personal Injury Defense
• • •
Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC welcomes litigator Amanda “Amy” S. Marinkovski to the firm’s Southfield office as a member of the Finance, Real Estate & Bankruptcy practice group.
Her experience includes civil litigation and assisting clients in a variety of matters, namely real estate litigation issues involving commercial and residential property, from initial consultation through resolution and when necessary, trial. Additionally, she handles a range of probate litigation matters including will and trust disputes, as well as guardianships and conservatorships.
Marinkovski received her Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University and law degree from MSU College of Law.
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Benjamin Sobczak (member, Troy) has been recognized in the 2025 Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers list by Cannabis Law Report and Cannabis Law Journal.
Cannabis Law Report and Cannabis Law Journal compiled the lawyers they believe to be the top 200 cannabis practitioners around the world via an annual survey of clients and lawyers in the
cannabis legal services sectors and based on their reporting and editorial decisions for more than a decade.
Sobczak serves as outside general counsel providing regulatory and transactional-based services to cannabis companies in various jurisdictions throughout the U.S. and Canada. He is a frequent speaker at professional seminars and conferences and is recognized as a leading legal contributor to the Michigan cannabis industry.
Prior to joining Dickinson Wright, Sobczak served as the chief legal officer for a vertically integrated cannabis company with operations in Michigan and Massachusetts. In that role, he gained experience as a business operator and entrepreneur. That perspective enables him to fully appreciate client needs and develop practical and cost-effective legal solutions in furtherance of their success.
• • •
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that the firm, and 29 current Bodman attorneys, have been included in the State Bar of Michigan’s 2025 A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll.
Bodman was one of only three law firms recognized at the highest “Tier 1” level for cumulative firm hours devoted to pro bono matters for the year and was ranked in the “Tier 2” level for the firm’s per-attorney average hours.
Individual attorneys are recognized for having devoted at least 30, 50, or 100 hours to pro bono service during 2024. The following local Bodman attorneys are included in the 2025 A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll.
—100+ Hours of Service
Barbara A. Bowman (Troy office)
Julie E. Nichols (Troy office)
David B. Walters (Troy office)
—50 to 99 Hours of Service
Mackenzie E. Clark (Detroit office)
Matthew R. Fleming (Troy office)
Jennifer A. Goulah (Troy office)
Kelly M. Lockman (Detroit office)
Nashara A. L. Peart (Detroit office)
Emily J. Kwolek (Troy office)
Alexis A. Smith-Scott (Detroit office)
Glen M. Zatz (Troy office)
—30 to 49 Hours of Service
Celeste E. Arduino (Troy office)
Fatmeh T. Cheaib (Detroit office)
Emily A. Cross (Detroit office)
Amanda McSween Empey (Detroit office)
Jennifer M. Hetu (Troy office)
Alexandra C. Markel (Detroit office)
Katherine A. Smigelski (Detroit office)
Kris Thavarajah (Detroit office)
• • •
Kitch Chair and CEO Mark Wisniewski has once again been honored by DBusiness Magazine, earning a spot on their “Detroit 500” list.
Wisniewski currently serves as chair and CEO of Kitch and has held that position since 2014. In addition to his leadership role, he co-chairs the firm’s asbestos/mass tort liability defense practice.
• • •
Garan Lucow Miller PC is pleased to share that it was recognized by Law360 as one of the 2025 Regional Powerhouses in Michigan.
This recognition highlights the skill, strategy, and tenacity of the firm’s attorneys in achieving successful outcomes for clients across a wide range of legal matters. It also reflects the firm’s commitment to providing advocacy and solutions in every case.
• • •
Brooks Kushman is proud to announce that eight of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers list for their accomplishments in intellectual property law by Super Lawyers Magazine.
The Super Lawyers list recognizes no more than 5 percent of attorneys in each state, of which eight Brooks Kushman attorneys were recognized:
Frank Angileri
Mark Cantor
Marc Lorelli
William Abbatt
Hope Shovein
Molly Mack Crandall
Rachel Smith
Charles A. Bieneman
Four of the firm’s attorneys were also named to the 2025 Rising Stars list, which honors lawyers who are under 40 years old, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less:
Chelsea Pasquali
Reza Roghani Esfahani
Fatima Kassem
Chloe Conway
• • •
Goodman Acker announces that founding partner Barry Goodman has been honored to serve in three leadership positions by the Democratic National Committee (DNC). These positions, announced at the DNC’s summer meeting held in Minneapolis are outlined as followed:
• At-large delegate to the DNC – Goodman continues the momentum with his reelection to this role, representing voters from the state of Michigan.
• Vice Chair of the Midwest Caucus – Goodman was unanimously elected to this position that will influence strategic direction and amplify the voices of the heartland within the party.
• Member of the Rules and Bylaws Committee (RBC) – DNC Chair Ken Martin appointed Goodman to what is regarded as the most influential body within the DNC. Goodman will be responsible for determining the rules and schedule for the upcoming presidential primaries and national convention.
“I feel personally connected to the values and principles of the DNC and am honored to be elected to these positions by my colleagues, who have my utmost respect,” said Goodman. “I eagerly embrace this role and associated responsibilities to help shape the future of the party within each of these roles as we look towards the 2028 election and beyond.”
Goodman’s prior involvement with the DNC coupled with his presence in the Michigan Democratic Party, Anti-Defamation League board, State Bar of Michigan’s Negligence Section, Michigan Association of Justice, and the Mackinac Island Historical Park Commission speaks to his ongoing commitment to service throughout his legal career spanning more than four decades.
————————
To submit an announcement for the next Legal People section, e-mail: editor@legalnews.com
