The National Arab American Bar Association, Michigan Chapter, is pleased to announce its officers for the ‘25-’27 term:
• President Reine Hamdar
Hamdar is a litigation attorney at McDonald Hopkins whose work centers on complex commercial disputes, ranging from business conflicts to other high-stakes matters that require strategic, detail-driven advocacy.
• Vice President Jamil Mourad
Mourad is the founder and principal attorney of Defined Law PLLC. Headquartered in Dearborn, he advocactes for clients in personal injury, business law, criminal defense, estate planning and probate, real estate, and family law.
• Treasurer Basem Younis
Before co-founding Younis Law PLLC, Younis practiced in the business and real property litigation division at Hammoud and Dakhlallah Law Group. Younis currently serves on the Board of the Detroit Bar Association - Barristers.
• Secretary Deyana Unis
Unis is currently an attorney advisor for the Army Materiel Command Legal Center. She also serves as an assistant staff judge advocate for the Air Force Reserve, in the Government Trial and Appellate Division. Previously, Unis worked as an assistant U.S. attorney and was an assistant Wayne County prosecutor.
• • •
Intellectual property law firm Fishman Stewart PLLC is pleased to announce that firm partner Barbara Mandell was included among the honorees of the Lexology 2026 Client Choice award in the trademarks category. Established in 2005, the Client Choice awards recognize leading law firms and practitioners for the value they provide to their clients; honorees can only be nominated by their clients. Firm Managing Partner Michael Stewart made the announcement.
Mandell’s practice focuses on commercial litigation, copyright and trademark law and antitrust. She litigates, arbitrates and counsels her clients on patent, trademark and licensing matters, theft of trade secrets, breach of license and franchise agreements, trade dress and copyright infringement claims, and counterfeiting, unfair competition and false advertising claims. An arbitrator, she has presided over more than 70 commercial arbitrations for the American Arbitration Association, either as a solo arbitrator or on a panel, including as the panel chair.
Also listed as a Lexology Client Choice honoree last year, Mandell has been named a Super Lawyer, Best Lawyer, Leading Lawyer and DBusiness Top Lawyer multiple times. She was included in the Influential Women of Law Class of 2022 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
• • •
Plunkett Cooney insurance coverage attorneys Nicholas T. Badalamenti, Shantinique Brooks, and Chelsea A. Saferian were recently elected to serve as council members of the Insurance and Indemnity Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan (SBM).
Badalamenti and Brooks were elected to two-year terms during the section’s annual meeting held on Oct. 29. Saferian was selected to fill a recent vacancy. The council consists of 10 section members, all of whom are attorneys with expertise in the areas of insurance and indemnity law, as well as those who practice in areas that are affected by these issues. Council members manage the section’s business matters, and they provide professional development opportunities for members.
Badalamenti, who is a member of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, practices in the area of insurance coverage litigation. He also provides coverage opinions and advice to his insurance company clients. In addition, Badalamenti has experience representing clients in first- and third-party auto liability cases and in general negligence claims involving premises and construction liability.
A 2022 graduate of Wayne State University Law School, Badalamenti is also a member of the Macomb County and Oakland County bar associations. He received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 2018.
Brooks, who is also a member of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, represents insurance companies in the defense of complex coverage litigation involving environmental contamination, automotive, trucking, construction defects, product liability, bad faith and personal and advertising injury. She also represents clients in first- and third party motor vehicle negligence litigation, trucking accidents, special investigations and medical provider fraud.
Admitted to practice in the state and federal courts in Michigan, Brooks is a 2019 graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She earned her undergraduate degree from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in 2015. In addition to the SBM, Brooks is a member of the Wolverine Bar Association.
Also a member of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, Saferian’s insurance coverage experience extends to claims involving property coverage, Michigan No-Fault law, premises liability, toxic torts and construction defect. In addition to her coverage practice, Saferian has experience handling first- and third-party motor vehicle negligence claims, subrogation, general liability, premises liability, pet liability and general insurance defense litigation.
A 2019 graduate of Wayne State University Law School, Saferian received her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 2015. In addition to the SBM, she is a member of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan – Wayne.
• • •
Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC has welcomed new associate attorney Badri Yono Jr. to the firm’s Southfield office.
A participant in the firm’s 2024 summer associate program, Yono joins the Business & Tax practice focusing on legal matters associated with entity formation, business succession planning, contracts, and start-ups.
Yono earned a B.A. in Political Science and Government from Oakland University prior to receiving his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Michael Hammer, CEO of Dickinson Wright, has been named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2025 Managing Partners Spotlight.
As CEO, Hammer oversees all aspects of the firm’s professional service and business operations, and develops and implements the firm’s strategic direction and growth plan, working closely with his management group, elected governing board, practice leaders, and administrative officers.
“I am honored to be selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a member of their 2025 Managing Partner Spotlight. This list is filled with such talented and accomplished leaders, and it’s a privilege to be included among their ranks,” said Hammer.
• • •
Miller Canfield is proud to announce that 12 of the firm’s attorneys have been honored by the Detroit Bar Association for their exceptional pro bono service over the past year. This year’s honorees from Miller Canfield are:
Matthew Allen
Megan Baxter-Labut
Kimberly Berger
Thomas Cranmer
Christopher Dutot
Lawrence Garcia
James Johnson
Megan Norris
Wendolyn Richards
Corrine Rockoff
Sydney Rohlicek
Sydney Wright
Three attorneys—Thomas Cranmer, Matthew Allen, and James Johnson—each donated more than 100 hours of pro bono time.
The attorneys were recognized at the Detroit Bar Association’s Archer Service Award Gala.
• • •
Varnum LLP is pleased to welcome Zach Snyder and Alan Jurcak to the firm’s Business and Corporate Practice Team in the Birmingham office.
Snyder is a partner whose practice focuses on corporate transactional work, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and private equity. He guides clients through all stages of the deal process, with experience drafting and negotiating purchase agreements and related documents, preparing disclosure schedules, and managing buy-side and sell-side due diligence. He also advises private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, closely held businesses, and investors on matters such as entity formation and structuring, governance, reorganizations, and general commercial issues. His practice includes supporting both domestic and international transactions.
Snyder previously practiced at two national law firms, where he worked on numerous high-value transactions across various industries. He earned his law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law, and received his undergraduate degree from Butler University.
Jurcak is an associate attorney focusing on corporate transactional matters, including M&A and corporate governance. He represents closely held businesses, financial institutions, private investors, and commercial clients at all stages of the business lifecycle, with experience negotiating commercial contracts, drafting transaction documents, coordinating due diligence, and assisting with real estate transactions, restructuring matters, and liquor licensing issues. He also has prior experience drafting and negotiating credit document suites for large bilateral loan transactions, including term loans, revolving lines of credit, and construction loan facilities, and advising participant lenders in major loan syndications.
Jurcak earned his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University.
• • •
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that Reem S. Aburukba, Nashara A. L. Peart, and Erica J. Sarver have been selected for the Detroit Bar Association’s 2025 Pro Bono Award.
Awardees were recognized at the annual Dennis W. Archer Public Service Award Gala on November 13 which raises funds that are directly allocated to pro-bono legal services and educational and student activities.
Based in the firm’s Troy office, Aburukba is an associate in Bodman’s Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group. She represents clients involved in commercial litigation matters. As a law student, she served as a law clerk for Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Tracy Van den Bergh where she conducted legal research to complete judicial orders and opinions, reviewed pleadings, motions, and legal briefs filed by parties, and drafted ex parte orders and judgments.
Based in the firm’s Detroit office, Peart is a senior associate in Bodman’s Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group. She helps clients resolve complex business disputes and represents them in state and federal courts and in a broad range of alternative dispute resolution forums. She has received other recognitions for her pro bono efforts including the Detroit Bar Association Pro Bono Award in 2023 and in 2021, the Detroit Bar Association’s 2022 Outstanding Young Lawyer Pro Bono Award, and the Richard J. Seryak Award for Pro Bono Service in 2022. Peart was listed in the State Bar of Michigan 2025 A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll.
Based in the firm’s Detroit office, Sarver is a member of Bodman’s Environmental Law and Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Groups. She specializes in navigating the space between litigation and economic development, with a focus on environmental challenges that clients face throughout the course of real estate transactions. In 2019, she was selected as the Detroit Bar Association Barristers “Barrister of the Year” after serving in several board positions including board president, vice president, and education committee co-chair.
• • •
Honigman CEO and Executive Committee Chairman David Foltyn was recently honored as a recipient of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Managing Partners Spotlight” award.
Foltyn oversees the firm’s more than 350 legal professionals as well as its growing national client base. Under his guidance, the firm has instituted innovative strategies to become a value leader in the marketplace known for high quality legal services. Continuing the firm’s tradition of being the best place for the best lawyers to work, Foltyn has enhanced the recruiting functions of the firm and has implemented ongoing development opportunities for attorneys and business professionals.
• • •
Brooks Kushman is pleased to announce that its newest associates have received their Michigan Bar results. Leen Mosa and Garrett Fridline are the newest additions to the firm’s growing intellectual
property team.
Mosa joins as an associate with a technical and legal background. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University and experience working with advanced driver-assistance systems at major automotive companies. She earned her law degree from the University of Notre Dame. Her previous legal experience includes patent prosecution and patent litigation support, and she will focus her practice on patent prosecution, patent litigation, and matters before the International Trade Commission.
Fridline joins as an associate with technical experience and leadership skills gained as a U.S. Army officer. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the United States Military Academy and has supported patent portfolio management and prosecution for major automotive clients. Fridline earned both his law degree and MBA from the University of Detroit Mercy. He brings prior experience managing portfolios focused on autonomous and hybrid vehicle technologies.
• • •
Harness IP is proud to announce that Robert (Bob) Siminski, principal in the firm’s Detroit-area office, has once again been named to the 2026 IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists.
Siminski’s repeat inclusion in the IAM Strategy 300 underscores his decades-long commitment to guiding clients through the full life cycle of intellectual property. His practice spans a range of services, including:
• Drafting and prosecuting patent applications
• Conducting freedom-to-operate and patentability analyses
• Advising on enforcement, licensing, and portfolio strategy
• Counseling clients on IP issues in both the chemical and mechanical arts
Siminski is recognized for his understanding of intellectual property considerations in Asian markets. His leadership as vice chair of the IPO Asian Practice Committee reflects his dedication to strengthening international collaboration and fostering best practices in cross-border IP protection.
Throughout his career, Siminski has helped companies—from emerging innovators to multinational corporations—develop strategic, forward-looking IP portfolios that support business objectives, mitigate risks, and maximize commercial impact.
• President Reine Hamdar
Hamdar is a litigation attorney at McDonald Hopkins whose work centers on complex commercial disputes, ranging from business conflicts to other high-stakes matters that require strategic, detail-driven advocacy.
• Vice President Jamil Mourad
Mourad is the founder and principal attorney of Defined Law PLLC. Headquartered in Dearborn, he advocactes for clients in personal injury, business law, criminal defense, estate planning and probate, real estate, and family law.
• Treasurer Basem Younis
Before co-founding Younis Law PLLC, Younis practiced in the business and real property litigation division at Hammoud and Dakhlallah Law Group. Younis currently serves on the Board of the Detroit Bar Association - Barristers.
• Secretary Deyana Unis
Unis is currently an attorney advisor for the Army Materiel Command Legal Center. She also serves as an assistant staff judge advocate for the Air Force Reserve, in the Government Trial and Appellate Division. Previously, Unis worked as an assistant U.S. attorney and was an assistant Wayne County prosecutor.
• • •
Intellectual property law firm Fishman Stewart PLLC is pleased to announce that firm partner Barbara Mandell was included among the honorees of the Lexology 2026 Client Choice award in the trademarks category. Established in 2005, the Client Choice awards recognize leading law firms and practitioners for the value they provide to their clients; honorees can only be nominated by their clients. Firm Managing Partner Michael Stewart made the announcement.
Mandell’s practice focuses on commercial litigation, copyright and trademark law and antitrust. She litigates, arbitrates and counsels her clients on patent, trademark and licensing matters, theft of trade secrets, breach of license and franchise agreements, trade dress and copyright infringement claims, and counterfeiting, unfair competition and false advertising claims. An arbitrator, she has presided over more than 70 commercial arbitrations for the American Arbitration Association, either as a solo arbitrator or on a panel, including as the panel chair.
Also listed as a Lexology Client Choice honoree last year, Mandell has been named a Super Lawyer, Best Lawyer, Leading Lawyer and DBusiness Top Lawyer multiple times. She was included in the Influential Women of Law Class of 2022 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
• • •
Plunkett Cooney insurance coverage attorneys Nicholas T. Badalamenti, Shantinique Brooks, and Chelsea A. Saferian were recently elected to serve as council members of the Insurance and Indemnity Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan (SBM).
Badalamenti and Brooks were elected to two-year terms during the section’s annual meeting held on Oct. 29. Saferian was selected to fill a recent vacancy. The council consists of 10 section members, all of whom are attorneys with expertise in the areas of insurance and indemnity law, as well as those who practice in areas that are affected by these issues. Council members manage the section’s business matters, and they provide professional development opportunities for members.
Badalamenti, who is a member of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, practices in the area of insurance coverage litigation. He also provides coverage opinions and advice to his insurance company clients. In addition, Badalamenti has experience representing clients in first- and third-party auto liability cases and in general negligence claims involving premises and construction liability.
A 2022 graduate of Wayne State University Law School, Badalamenti is also a member of the Macomb County and Oakland County bar associations. He received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 2018.
Brooks, who is also a member of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, represents insurance companies in the defense of complex coverage litigation involving environmental contamination, automotive, trucking, construction defects, product liability, bad faith and personal and advertising injury. She also represents clients in first- and third party motor vehicle negligence litigation, trucking accidents, special investigations and medical provider fraud.
Admitted to practice in the state and federal courts in Michigan, Brooks is a 2019 graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She earned her undergraduate degree from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in 2015. In addition to the SBM, Brooks is a member of the Wolverine Bar Association.
Also a member of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, Saferian’s insurance coverage experience extends to claims involving property coverage, Michigan No-Fault law, premises liability, toxic torts and construction defect. In addition to her coverage practice, Saferian has experience handling first- and third-party motor vehicle negligence claims, subrogation, general liability, premises liability, pet liability and general insurance defense litigation.
A 2019 graduate of Wayne State University Law School, Saferian received her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 2015. In addition to the SBM, she is a member of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan – Wayne.
• • •
Foster, Swift, Collins, & Smith PC has welcomed new associate attorney Badri Yono Jr. to the firm’s Southfield office.
A participant in the firm’s 2024 summer associate program, Yono joins the Business & Tax practice focusing on legal matters associated with entity formation, business succession planning, contracts, and start-ups.
Yono earned a B.A. in Political Science and Government from Oakland University prior to receiving his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Michael Hammer, CEO of Dickinson Wright, has been named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2025 Managing Partners Spotlight.
As CEO, Hammer oversees all aspects of the firm’s professional service and business operations, and develops and implements the firm’s strategic direction and growth plan, working closely with his management group, elected governing board, practice leaders, and administrative officers.
“I am honored to be selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a member of their 2025 Managing Partner Spotlight. This list is filled with such talented and accomplished leaders, and it’s a privilege to be included among their ranks,” said Hammer.
• • •
Miller Canfield is proud to announce that 12 of the firm’s attorneys have been honored by the Detroit Bar Association for their exceptional pro bono service over the past year. This year’s honorees from Miller Canfield are:
Matthew Allen
Megan Baxter-Labut
Kimberly Berger
Thomas Cranmer
Christopher Dutot
Lawrence Garcia
James Johnson
Megan Norris
Wendolyn Richards
Corrine Rockoff
Sydney Rohlicek
Sydney Wright
Three attorneys—Thomas Cranmer, Matthew Allen, and James Johnson—each donated more than 100 hours of pro bono time.
The attorneys were recognized at the Detroit Bar Association’s Archer Service Award Gala.
• • •
Varnum LLP is pleased to welcome Zach Snyder and Alan Jurcak to the firm’s Business and Corporate Practice Team in the Birmingham office.
Snyder is a partner whose practice focuses on corporate transactional work, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and private equity. He guides clients through all stages of the deal process, with experience drafting and negotiating purchase agreements and related documents, preparing disclosure schedules, and managing buy-side and sell-side due diligence. He also advises private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, closely held businesses, and investors on matters such as entity formation and structuring, governance, reorganizations, and general commercial issues. His practice includes supporting both domestic and international transactions.
Snyder previously practiced at two national law firms, where he worked on numerous high-value transactions across various industries. He earned his law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law, and received his undergraduate degree from Butler University.
Jurcak is an associate attorney focusing on corporate transactional matters, including M&A and corporate governance. He represents closely held businesses, financial institutions, private investors, and commercial clients at all stages of the business lifecycle, with experience negotiating commercial contracts, drafting transaction documents, coordinating due diligence, and assisting with real estate transactions, restructuring matters, and liquor licensing issues. He also has prior experience drafting and negotiating credit document suites for large bilateral loan transactions, including term loans, revolving lines of credit, and construction loan facilities, and advising participant lenders in major loan syndications.
Jurcak earned his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law and received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University.
• • •
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that Reem S. Aburukba, Nashara A. L. Peart, and Erica J. Sarver have been selected for the Detroit Bar Association’s 2025 Pro Bono Award.
Awardees were recognized at the annual Dennis W. Archer Public Service Award Gala on November 13 which raises funds that are directly allocated to pro-bono legal services and educational and student activities.
Based in the firm’s Troy office, Aburukba is an associate in Bodman’s Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group. She represents clients involved in commercial litigation matters. As a law student, she served as a law clerk for Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Tracy Van den Bergh where she conducted legal research to complete judicial orders and opinions, reviewed pleadings, motions, and legal briefs filed by parties, and drafted ex parte orders and judgments.
Based in the firm’s Detroit office, Peart is a senior associate in Bodman’s Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group. She helps clients resolve complex business disputes and represents them in state and federal courts and in a broad range of alternative dispute resolution forums. She has received other recognitions for her pro bono efforts including the Detroit Bar Association Pro Bono Award in 2023 and in 2021, the Detroit Bar Association’s 2022 Outstanding Young Lawyer Pro Bono Award, and the Richard J. Seryak Award for Pro Bono Service in 2022. Peart was listed in the State Bar of Michigan 2025 A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll.
Based in the firm’s Detroit office, Sarver is a member of Bodman’s Environmental Law and Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Groups. She specializes in navigating the space between litigation and economic development, with a focus on environmental challenges that clients face throughout the course of real estate transactions. In 2019, she was selected as the Detroit Bar Association Barristers “Barrister of the Year” after serving in several board positions including board president, vice president, and education committee co-chair.
• • •
Honigman CEO and Executive Committee Chairman David Foltyn was recently honored as a recipient of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Managing Partners Spotlight” award.
Foltyn oversees the firm’s more than 350 legal professionals as well as its growing national client base. Under his guidance, the firm has instituted innovative strategies to become a value leader in the marketplace known for high quality legal services. Continuing the firm’s tradition of being the best place for the best lawyers to work, Foltyn has enhanced the recruiting functions of the firm and has implemented ongoing development opportunities for attorneys and business professionals.
• • •
Brooks Kushman is pleased to announce that its newest associates have received their Michigan Bar results. Leen Mosa and Garrett Fridline are the newest additions to the firm’s growing intellectual
property team.
Mosa joins as an associate with a technical and legal background. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University and experience working with advanced driver-assistance systems at major automotive companies. She earned her law degree from the University of Notre Dame. Her previous legal experience includes patent prosecution and patent litigation support, and she will focus her practice on patent prosecution, patent litigation, and matters before the International Trade Commission.
Fridline joins as an associate with technical experience and leadership skills gained as a U.S. Army officer. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the United States Military Academy and has supported patent portfolio management and prosecution for major automotive clients. Fridline earned both his law degree and MBA from the University of Detroit Mercy. He brings prior experience managing portfolios focused on autonomous and hybrid vehicle technologies.
• • •
Harness IP is proud to announce that Robert (Bob) Siminski, principal in the firm’s Detroit-area office, has once again been named to the 2026 IAM Strategy 300: The World’s Leading IP Strategists.
Siminski’s repeat inclusion in the IAM Strategy 300 underscores his decades-long commitment to guiding clients through the full life cycle of intellectual property. His practice spans a range of services, including:
• Drafting and prosecuting patent applications
• Conducting freedom-to-operate and patentability analyses
• Advising on enforcement, licensing, and portfolio strategy
• Counseling clients on IP issues in both the chemical and mechanical arts
Siminski is recognized for his understanding of intellectual property considerations in Asian markets. His leadership as vice chair of the IPO Asian Practice Committee reflects his dedication to strengthening international collaboration and fostering best practices in cross-border IP protection.
Throughout his career, Siminski has helped companies—from emerging innovators to multinational corporations—develop strategic, forward-looking IP portfolios that support business objectives, mitigate risks, and maximize commercial impact.
