Butzel international trade law attorney Jennifer Smith-Veluz
will be featured during Automation Alley’s Integr8 Roundtable on
Wednesday, May 13. The program is titled, “Trade, Tariffs & Tension:
Manufacturing in a Fractured Global Economy.” This roundtable will
convene trade experts, policy analysts, and business leaders to explore
how American manufacturers can stay competitive, agile, and globally
aware in an increasingly unpredictable world.
Smith-Veluz is an advisor and advocate known for guiding clients through the complexities of international trade law with precision and foresight. With nearly two decades of experience representing clients across a wide range of industries, she delivers practical, strategic solutions to help businesses navigate the evolving global trade landscape and achieve their compliance and commercial goals.
Her practice focuses on international trade matters, including international trade agreements and dispute resolution, antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings, export controls, economic sanctions and embargoes, anti-boycott laws, customs compliance, and trade adjustment assistance. Clients benefit from Smith-Veluz’s representation before key federal agencies such as the International Trade Commission, Department of Commerce, Customs and Border Protection, Department of State, Department of the Treasury, Office of the US Trade Representative, and the Department of Labor.
Smith-Veluz’s work often includes conducting detailed compliance assessments and due diligence reviews in mergers and acquisitions, helping businesses mitigate risk and capitalize on global opportunities.
Appointed to the U.S. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Chapter 19 and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Chapter 10 Roster of Panelists from 2019 to 2023, Smith-Veluz adjudicated trade remedy disputes–further reflecting the depth of her experience in international trade law and dispute resolution. She serves in leadership roles including as co-chair of the Publications Committee of the Customs and International Trade Bar Association (CITBA) and as a member of the Georgetown University Law Center International Trade Update Advisory Board.
• • •
Williams, Williams, Rattner, & Plunkett (WWRP), is pleased to announce that shareholder Jason C. Long has been admitted to the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL).
In the commercial real estate practice at WWRP, Long advises clients in all phases of eminent domain, property taxation and appeals, land use, and land disputes. He has represented clients in Michigan’s trial courts, the Michigan Tax Tribunal, the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. He is also a presenter on a variety of commercial real estate law topics.
Long currently serves as chair of the State Bar of Michigan Real Property Law Section (RPLS). His participation with RPLS spans more than 20 years, starting as a legal writing contributor to its publication, the Michigan Real Property Review. He moved on to become chair of the State and Local Tax Committee, then served as program director for a series of the RPLS’ continuing education programs, ultimately serving as Continuing Legal Education chairman for three years, including through the Covid shutdowns when offerings were revamped and moved online.
Immediately prior to his current role as RPLS chair, Long served one-year terms as vice chair, treasurer, and secretary. Throughout that time, he was the voice of RPLS in the courts, authoring more than ten amicus curiae briefs that were filed in the Michigan Supreme Court. In one instance, at the invitation of the court, Long participated in oral arguments on behalf of RPLS.
Long has been named a Michigan Super Lawyer and Best Lawyer® in land use and zoning law and real estate law. He earned his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Oakland University. He also completed an interdisciplinary graduate real estate development program from the Rackham Graduate School and the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
• • •
Kemp Klein Law Firm is pleased to announce the promotion of three attorneys to shareholder positions. Austin W. Probst has been promoted to class A
shareholder, while Matthew W. Frank and William E. Haines II have been promoted to class B shareholders.
Probst focuses his practice on trusts and estates, representing individuals, families, and fiduciaries in estate planning, administration, and complex probate and trust litigation matters. He advises clients on high-level estate strategies, fiduciary disputes, and contested matters.
His practice spans both planning and litigation, allowing him to guide clients through all stages of estate matters with consistency and strategic insight. He has been recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as an Up & Coming Lawyer and has been named to DBusiness Top Lawyers. He has also been included in Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch for his work in trusts and estates.
Frank concentrates his practice in mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions, aviation law, and general corporate counsel, advising business owners, investors, and management teams on complex transactions.
With more than two decades of experience, Frank represents clients in asset and stock sales, restructurings, joint ventures, and commercial real estate matters, and serves as outside general counsel to privately held companies. He was recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business as one of its Notable M&A Dealmakers and has also been named to DBusiness Top Lawyers.
Haines practices in trusts and estates, advising clients in estate planning, elder law, and trust and estate administration and litigation. He works closely with individuals and families to develop strategies that protect assets and navigate complex probate matters.
Haines has been named to DBusiness Top Lawyers for his work in trusts and estates and has also been included in Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch.
• • •
Bush Seyferth is proud to announce that Partner Bishop Bartoni has been selected as a member of Law360’s Michigan Editorial Advisory Board for 2026. As a member of the Michigan Editorial Advisory Board, Bartoni will provide feedback on Law360’s coverage of legal developments across the state and offer expert insight to help guide future reporting.
Bartoni has litigation experience, trial experience and has defended numerous clients across the United States in cases involving catastrophic injuries from automotive, consumer products, and logistic focused companies. He focuses on complex litigation, with an emphasis on product liability.
Bartoni has experience with preparing discovery responses, dispositive motions, preparing and executing fact witness and expert witness depositions, preparing and arguing trial motions, and with trial. He also has experience with resolving matters through alternative dispute resolution.
• • •
Local Varnum partners Eric Nemeth and Nina Thekdi have been named to Law360’s Editorial Boards for 2026. Nemeth will serve on the Tax Authority Federal Board and Thekdi on the Immigration Board. As board members, they will provide feedback on Law360’s coverage and expert insight on how to shape future coverage in these areas.
Nemeth leads the firm’s Tax Planning, Compliance, and Litigation Practice Team at Varnum. A former senior trial lawyer for the IRS, he has experience in tax law with a focus on civil and criminal tax matters, as well as complex financial investigations and related litigation. Drawing on his experience representing the government in audits, investigations, negotiations, and litigation, he brings perspective to the Board on federal tax enforcement trends and cross-border compliance issues affecting taxpayers worldwide.
Nemeth started his career as a senior trial lawyer for the IRS Chief Counsel (Honors Program) and as a special assistant United States attorney. Nemeth also proudly served in the U.S. Army as a Judge Advocate. During his tenure with the government, he litigated complex matters and provided legal support, guidance, and strategy for a multitude of criminal investigations and civil tax examinations. His service was recognized with multiple performance awards.
Thekdi is a partner on Varnum’s Immigration Practice Team with 20 years of experience handling business and family-based immigration matters. She advises employers and individuals on nonimmigrant visa petitions, including H-1B, E, L-1A, L-1B, TN under the USMCA treaty, and O-1 visas, as well as employment-based permanent residence applications such as EB-1 and EB-2/EB-3 labor certifications. Through her work advising employers and multinational organizations on workforce mobility and employment-based immigration strategy, she brings perspective to the Board on business immigration trends and policy developments affecting global talent.
Her clients range from emerging businesses to multinational corporations across industries, including food processing, manufacturing, construction, information technology, and financial services. Thekdi regularly advises organizations on employment-based immigration strategy and compliance matters involving professional and executive talent.
• • •
Honigman attorney Matthew Ritzman has been appointed to Law360’s 2026 Editorial Advisory Board. As a member of the editorial advisory board, Ritzman will offer guidance on Law360’s reporting for the Employment Authority Labor group, helping inform future coverage and serving as a potential source on emerging issues and developments impacting the legal industry.
Ritzman is an associate in Honigman’s labor & employment group, working proactively with clients to develop comprehensive strategies to address emerging workplace challenges to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
• • •
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that Michigan Lawyers Weekly has named Rebecca C. Seguin-Skrabucha as a 2026 Up & Coming Lawyer.
As a member and vice-chair of Bodman’s Workplace Law Practice Group, Seguin-Skrabucha concentrates her practice in advising employers, including municipal governments and businesses of all sizes, on compliance with state and federal employment and labor laws. She handles a variety of employment matters, including helping employers to establish best practices across all stages of employment, conducting workplace investigations and management training, and defending employers against claims in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies.
A frequent author and presenter on labor and employment law topics, Seguin-Skrabucha has been recognized by a variety of organizations and publications for the outstanding quality of her work. She has previously been named a “Go-To Lawyer” for Employment Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, as “One to Watch” by Best Lawyers in America, as a “Top Lawyer” by DBusiness Magazine, and as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers.
Smith-Veluz is an advisor and advocate known for guiding clients through the complexities of international trade law with precision and foresight. With nearly two decades of experience representing clients across a wide range of industries, she delivers practical, strategic solutions to help businesses navigate the evolving global trade landscape and achieve their compliance and commercial goals.
Her practice focuses on international trade matters, including international trade agreements and dispute resolution, antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings, export controls, economic sanctions and embargoes, anti-boycott laws, customs compliance, and trade adjustment assistance. Clients benefit from Smith-Veluz’s representation before key federal agencies such as the International Trade Commission, Department of Commerce, Customs and Border Protection, Department of State, Department of the Treasury, Office of the US Trade Representative, and the Department of Labor.
Smith-Veluz’s work often includes conducting detailed compliance assessments and due diligence reviews in mergers and acquisitions, helping businesses mitigate risk and capitalize on global opportunities.
Appointed to the U.S. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Chapter 19 and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Chapter 10 Roster of Panelists from 2019 to 2023, Smith-Veluz adjudicated trade remedy disputes–further reflecting the depth of her experience in international trade law and dispute resolution. She serves in leadership roles including as co-chair of the Publications Committee of the Customs and International Trade Bar Association (CITBA) and as a member of the Georgetown University Law Center International Trade Update Advisory Board.
• • •
Williams, Williams, Rattner, & Plunkett (WWRP), is pleased to announce that shareholder Jason C. Long has been admitted to the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL).
In the commercial real estate practice at WWRP, Long advises clients in all phases of eminent domain, property taxation and appeals, land use, and land disputes. He has represented clients in Michigan’s trial courts, the Michigan Tax Tribunal, the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. He is also a presenter on a variety of commercial real estate law topics.
Long currently serves as chair of the State Bar of Michigan Real Property Law Section (RPLS). His participation with RPLS spans more than 20 years, starting as a legal writing contributor to its publication, the Michigan Real Property Review. He moved on to become chair of the State and Local Tax Committee, then served as program director for a series of the RPLS’ continuing education programs, ultimately serving as Continuing Legal Education chairman for three years, including through the Covid shutdowns when offerings were revamped and moved online.
Immediately prior to his current role as RPLS chair, Long served one-year terms as vice chair, treasurer, and secretary. Throughout that time, he was the voice of RPLS in the courts, authoring more than ten amicus curiae briefs that were filed in the Michigan Supreme Court. In one instance, at the invitation of the court, Long participated in oral arguments on behalf of RPLS.
Long has been named a Michigan Super Lawyer and Best Lawyer® in land use and zoning law and real estate law. He earned his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Oakland University. He also completed an interdisciplinary graduate real estate development program from the Rackham Graduate School and the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
• • •
Kemp Klein Law Firm is pleased to announce the promotion of three attorneys to shareholder positions. Austin W. Probst has been promoted to class A
shareholder, while Matthew W. Frank and William E. Haines II have been promoted to class B shareholders.
Probst focuses his practice on trusts and estates, representing individuals, families, and fiduciaries in estate planning, administration, and complex probate and trust litigation matters. He advises clients on high-level estate strategies, fiduciary disputes, and contested matters.
His practice spans both planning and litigation, allowing him to guide clients through all stages of estate matters with consistency and strategic insight. He has been recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as an Up & Coming Lawyer and has been named to DBusiness Top Lawyers. He has also been included in Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch for his work in trusts and estates.
Frank concentrates his practice in mergers and acquisitions, real estate transactions, aviation law, and general corporate counsel, advising business owners, investors, and management teams on complex transactions.
With more than two decades of experience, Frank represents clients in asset and stock sales, restructurings, joint ventures, and commercial real estate matters, and serves as outside general counsel to privately held companies. He was recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business as one of its Notable M&A Dealmakers and has also been named to DBusiness Top Lawyers.
Haines practices in trusts and estates, advising clients in estate planning, elder law, and trust and estate administration and litigation. He works closely with individuals and families to develop strategies that protect assets and navigate complex probate matters.
Haines has been named to DBusiness Top Lawyers for his work in trusts and estates and has also been included in Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch.
• • •
Bush Seyferth is proud to announce that Partner Bishop Bartoni has been selected as a member of Law360’s Michigan Editorial Advisory Board for 2026. As a member of the Michigan Editorial Advisory Board, Bartoni will provide feedback on Law360’s coverage of legal developments across the state and offer expert insight to help guide future reporting.
Bartoni has litigation experience, trial experience and has defended numerous clients across the United States in cases involving catastrophic injuries from automotive, consumer products, and logistic focused companies. He focuses on complex litigation, with an emphasis on product liability.
Bartoni has experience with preparing discovery responses, dispositive motions, preparing and executing fact witness and expert witness depositions, preparing and arguing trial motions, and with trial. He also has experience with resolving matters through alternative dispute resolution.
• • •
Local Varnum partners Eric Nemeth and Nina Thekdi have been named to Law360’s Editorial Boards for 2026. Nemeth will serve on the Tax Authority Federal Board and Thekdi on the Immigration Board. As board members, they will provide feedback on Law360’s coverage and expert insight on how to shape future coverage in these areas.
Nemeth leads the firm’s Tax Planning, Compliance, and Litigation Practice Team at Varnum. A former senior trial lawyer for the IRS, he has experience in tax law with a focus on civil and criminal tax matters, as well as complex financial investigations and related litigation. Drawing on his experience representing the government in audits, investigations, negotiations, and litigation, he brings perspective to the Board on federal tax enforcement trends and cross-border compliance issues affecting taxpayers worldwide.
Nemeth started his career as a senior trial lawyer for the IRS Chief Counsel (Honors Program) and as a special assistant United States attorney. Nemeth also proudly served in the U.S. Army as a Judge Advocate. During his tenure with the government, he litigated complex matters and provided legal support, guidance, and strategy for a multitude of criminal investigations and civil tax examinations. His service was recognized with multiple performance awards.
Thekdi is a partner on Varnum’s Immigration Practice Team with 20 years of experience handling business and family-based immigration matters. She advises employers and individuals on nonimmigrant visa petitions, including H-1B, E, L-1A, L-1B, TN under the USMCA treaty, and O-1 visas, as well as employment-based permanent residence applications such as EB-1 and EB-2/EB-3 labor certifications. Through her work advising employers and multinational organizations on workforce mobility and employment-based immigration strategy, she brings perspective to the Board on business immigration trends and policy developments affecting global talent.
Her clients range from emerging businesses to multinational corporations across industries, including food processing, manufacturing, construction, information technology, and financial services. Thekdi regularly advises organizations on employment-based immigration strategy and compliance matters involving professional and executive talent.
• • •
Honigman attorney Matthew Ritzman has been appointed to Law360’s 2026 Editorial Advisory Board. As a member of the editorial advisory board, Ritzman will offer guidance on Law360’s reporting for the Employment Authority Labor group, helping inform future coverage and serving as a potential source on emerging issues and developments impacting the legal industry.
Ritzman is an associate in Honigman’s labor & employment group, working proactively with clients to develop comprehensive strategies to address emerging workplace challenges to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
• • •
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that Michigan Lawyers Weekly has named Rebecca C. Seguin-Skrabucha as a 2026 Up & Coming Lawyer.
As a member and vice-chair of Bodman’s Workplace Law Practice Group, Seguin-Skrabucha concentrates her practice in advising employers, including municipal governments and businesses of all sizes, on compliance with state and federal employment and labor laws. She handles a variety of employment matters, including helping employers to establish best practices across all stages of employment, conducting workplace investigations and management training, and defending employers against claims in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies.
A frequent author and presenter on labor and employment law topics, Seguin-Skrabucha has been recognized by a variety of organizations and publications for the outstanding quality of her work. She has previously been named a “Go-To Lawyer” for Employment Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, as “One to Watch” by Best Lawyers in America, as a “Top Lawyer” by DBusiness Magazine, and as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers.
