Goodman Acker announced that partner Mark Brewer was honored with the Justice Award at the Michigan Voices 20th Anniversary Celebration, recognizing his legal work representing political and civic organizations dedicated to protecting access to the democratic process and strengthening communities across Michigan. The celebration took place at the historic Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Museum in Detroit.
Brewer was recognized for decades of legal advocacy supporting organizations working to expand voter access, strengthen democratic participation, and empower communities across Michigan.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by Michigan Voices and to stand alongside my peers in the legal industry and other organizations committed to strengthening our democratic process,” said Brewer. “It’s important that people have a voice in shaping their communities. That is fundamental to a healthy democracy.”
The Justice Award recognizes individuals whose work advances civic participation, equity and community engagement. Brewer’s legal career has included representing nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups and civic institutions focused on protecting voting rights and expanding access to the democratic process.
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Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Edward Hood has joined the firm’s Detroit and Phoenix offices as a member.
Hood represents businesses and individuals in construction and commercial disputes in courts and arbitrations nationwide. His practice focuses on complex construction matters, where he advises and advocates for owners, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, and engineers across all phases of a project — from contract drafting and negotiation through dispute resolution.
In addition to his construction work, Hood counsels clients on a range of commercial matters, including contract disputes, governance issues, and related business claims. He also serves as a mediator and arbitrator in construction, business, and professional liability matters.
Hood is recognized as a leader in his field by Best Lawyers in America “Lawyer of the Year,” DBusiness Top Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, and Martindale Hubbell “AV Preeminent Rating.” He received his B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of Michigan and his law degree from Wayne State University Law School.
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The members of the Board of Directors of Plunkett Cooney recently elected local partners Michael P. Ashcraft Jr. and Jeffrey S. Hengeveld to board leadership positions.
During the firm’s February board meeting, Ashcraft was reelected secretary/treasurer with Hengeveld taking over the role of senior vice-president. Both will serve one-year terms.
Ashcraft serves as a co-leader of Plunkett Cooney’s Professional Liability Practice Group. He concentrates his practice primarily on the defense of judges, attorneys, accountants and their firms in professional liability and responsibility matters. A partner in the Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, Ashcraft also represents insurance brokers and agents, securities brokers and dealers, real estate brokers and agents, investment advisors, officers and directors, and notaries public in complex litigation in state and federal courts.
Ashcraft graduated from Michigan State University College of Law in 1992 and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 1987. He is a member of several professional organizations, including ABOTA, the State Bar of Michigan’s Professional Ethics Committee, the American Bar Association’s Committee on Professional Responsibility and Liability, and the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers.
A member of Plunkett Cooney’s board of directors since 2016 and co-leader of the Professional Liability Practice Group, Hengeveld has a diverse law practice. He primarily represents attorneys and accountants in complex litigation and ethics matters. He also handles class action lawsuits and a variety of commercial litigation in both state and federal courts.
Hengeveld, a partner in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, received both his law and undergraduate degrees from Michigan State University in 2003 and 1999, respectively.
Hengeveld is member of the Oakland County, American and Federal bar associations, as well as the State Bar of Michigan, ALFA International and the members’ attorney program of the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals.
In addition, Plunkett Cooney is proud to announce that partner and appellate attorney Mary Massaron was recently named a 2026 John P. Jacobs Appellate Advocacy Award winner by the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (MDTC). Massaron will receive the award during an MDTC awards ceremony on March 19 at The Gem Theatre in Detroit.
A former law clerk to Michigan Supreme Court Justice Patricia J. Boyle, Massaron has handled or supervised the handling of more than 400 appeals, resulting in approximately 150 published opinions, including more than 100 appeals in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Massaron has won numerous victories before the Michigan Supreme Court for public- and private-sector clients, overturning multi-million-dollar judgments and establishing new legal principles.
In addition to this honor, Michigan Lawyers Weekly selected Massaron as one of its 2023 Influential Women of Law and a Leader in the Law in 2009. She has twice received the Cooley Law Review Distinguished Brief Award for the best briefs filed in the Michigan Supreme Court. She has also been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for Appellate Law and has been repeatedly acknowledged as one of Michigan’s top 100 lawyers, top 50 business lawyers, top 25 women business lawyers, top 50 female lawyers, and top appellate law practitioners by Michigan Super Lawyers.
Massaron was recognized as the Best Lawyers 2017 and 2021 Appellate Practice “Lawyer of the Year” in Bloomfield Hills, and DBusiness magazine named her top appellate lawyer for five years.
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Varnum is pleased to announce that attorney Trevor Lloyd has joined the firm’s Business and Corporate Practice Team in the Birmingham office.
Lloyd focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, real estate matters, private equity, and other complex business transactions. He represents clients in connection with business formation, governance, and day-to-day operational matters, as well as the negotiation and drafting of commercial agreements. His practice also includes advising clients on regulatory considerations related to corporate and real estate transactions.
Prior to joining the firm, Lloyd served as a judicial intern to U.S. District Court Judge David M. Lawson, Eastern District of Michigan. He earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School and his undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University.
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Brooks Kushman is pleased to welcome John Chau to the firm as a shareholder.
Chau is a patent attorney who advises technology-driven companies on patent prosecution and portfolio strategy, with a particular focus on U.S. and Japanese patent practice.
He works with clients across industries including automotive systems, medical devices, and software-enabled technologies, helping them navigate complex cross-border patent issues.
Chau prepares and prosecutes patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the Japan Patent Office, and advises clients on patentability, infringement risk, and freedom-to-operate considerations.
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To submit an announcement for the next Legal People section, e-mail: editor@legalnews.com
Brewer was recognized for decades of legal advocacy supporting organizations working to expand voter access, strengthen democratic participation, and empower communities across Michigan.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by Michigan Voices and to stand alongside my peers in the legal industry and other organizations committed to strengthening our democratic process,” said Brewer. “It’s important that people have a voice in shaping their communities. That is fundamental to a healthy democracy.”
The Justice Award recognizes individuals whose work advances civic participation, equity and community engagement. Brewer’s legal career has included representing nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups and civic institutions focused on protecting voting rights and expanding access to the democratic process.
• • •
Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce that Edward Hood has joined the firm’s Detroit and Phoenix offices as a member.
Hood represents businesses and individuals in construction and commercial disputes in courts and arbitrations nationwide. His practice focuses on complex construction matters, where he advises and advocates for owners, general contractors, subcontractors, design professionals, and engineers across all phases of a project — from contract drafting and negotiation through dispute resolution.
In addition to his construction work, Hood counsels clients on a range of commercial matters, including contract disputes, governance issues, and related business claims. He also serves as a mediator and arbitrator in construction, business, and professional liability matters.
Hood is recognized as a leader in his field by Best Lawyers in America “Lawyer of the Year,” DBusiness Top Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, and Martindale Hubbell “AV Preeminent Rating.” He received his B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of Michigan and his law degree from Wayne State University Law School.
• • •
The members of the Board of Directors of Plunkett Cooney recently elected local partners Michael P. Ashcraft Jr. and Jeffrey S. Hengeveld to board leadership positions.
During the firm’s February board meeting, Ashcraft was reelected secretary/treasurer with Hengeveld taking over the role of senior vice-president. Both will serve one-year terms.
Ashcraft serves as a co-leader of Plunkett Cooney’s Professional Liability Practice Group. He concentrates his practice primarily on the defense of judges, attorneys, accountants and their firms in professional liability and responsibility matters. A partner in the Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, Ashcraft also represents insurance brokers and agents, securities brokers and dealers, real estate brokers and agents, investment advisors, officers and directors, and notaries public in complex litigation in state and federal courts.
Ashcraft graduated from Michigan State University College of Law in 1992 and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 1987. He is a member of several professional organizations, including ABOTA, the State Bar of Michigan’s Professional Ethics Committee, the American Bar Association’s Committee on Professional Responsibility and Liability, and the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers.
A member of Plunkett Cooney’s board of directors since 2016 and co-leader of the Professional Liability Practice Group, Hengeveld has a diverse law practice. He primarily represents attorneys and accountants in complex litigation and ethics matters. He also handles class action lawsuits and a variety of commercial litigation in both state and federal courts.
Hengeveld, a partner in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, received both his law and undergraduate degrees from Michigan State University in 2003 and 1999, respectively.
Hengeveld is member of the Oakland County, American and Federal bar associations, as well as the State Bar of Michigan, ALFA International and the members’ attorney program of the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals.
In addition, Plunkett Cooney is proud to announce that partner and appellate attorney Mary Massaron was recently named a 2026 John P. Jacobs Appellate Advocacy Award winner by the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (MDTC). Massaron will receive the award during an MDTC awards ceremony on March 19 at The Gem Theatre in Detroit.
A former law clerk to Michigan Supreme Court Justice Patricia J. Boyle, Massaron has handled or supervised the handling of more than 400 appeals, resulting in approximately 150 published opinions, including more than 100 appeals in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Massaron has won numerous victories before the Michigan Supreme Court for public- and private-sector clients, overturning multi-million-dollar judgments and establishing new legal principles.
In addition to this honor, Michigan Lawyers Weekly selected Massaron as one of its 2023 Influential Women of Law and a Leader in the Law in 2009. She has twice received the Cooley Law Review Distinguished Brief Award for the best briefs filed in the Michigan Supreme Court. She has also been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for Appellate Law and has been repeatedly acknowledged as one of Michigan’s top 100 lawyers, top 50 business lawyers, top 25 women business lawyers, top 50 female lawyers, and top appellate law practitioners by Michigan Super Lawyers.
Massaron was recognized as the Best Lawyers 2017 and 2021 Appellate Practice “Lawyer of the Year” in Bloomfield Hills, and DBusiness magazine named her top appellate lawyer for five years.
• • •
Varnum is pleased to announce that attorney Trevor Lloyd has joined the firm’s Business and Corporate Practice Team in the Birmingham office.
Lloyd focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, real estate matters, private equity, and other complex business transactions. He represents clients in connection with business formation, governance, and day-to-day operational matters, as well as the negotiation and drafting of commercial agreements. His practice also includes advising clients on regulatory considerations related to corporate and real estate transactions.
Prior to joining the firm, Lloyd served as a judicial intern to U.S. District Court Judge David M. Lawson, Eastern District of Michigan. He earned his law degree from Wayne State University Law School and his undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University.
• • •
Brooks Kushman is pleased to welcome John Chau to the firm as a shareholder.
Chau is a patent attorney who advises technology-driven companies on patent prosecution and portfolio strategy, with a particular focus on U.S. and Japanese patent practice.
He works with clients across industries including automotive systems, medical devices, and software-enabled technologies, helping them navigate complex cross-border patent issues.
Chau prepares and prosecutes patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the Japan Patent Office, and advises clients on patentability, infringement risk, and freedom-to-operate considerations.
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To submit an announcement for the next Legal People section, e-mail: editor@legalnews.com
