Butzel recently added associate attorneys Zachary Hicks and Shannon K. Zabolotny in the firm’s Troy office.
Hicks helps businesses navigate corporate transactions and commercial real estate matters. Drawing on experience at a major financial institution and his dual law and business background, Hicks helps clients navigate the acquisition, financing, and disposition of commercial real estate, as well as general corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity deals, business development, family business transactions, and corporate governance.
Hicks has experience in client relationship management and transaction execution, including matters ranging from routine transactions to dealings involving millions of dollars. He serves clients in the construction industry, where he provides counsel on operational efficiency, scalability, succession planning, and enterprise value creation. His experience includes supporting commercial real estate and corporate agreements valued at over $100 million for institutional and private lenders and borrowers, including construction financing and development projects.
He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan – Business Law and Young Lawyers Sections, Detroit Bar Association, American Bar Association and Alliance of Mergers & Acquisitions Advisors (AM&AA).
Hicks earned a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and an M.B.A. from the University of Detroit Mercy, where he concentrated in Strategic Management and Corporate Finance. He also earned a B.Comm from the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada, with a focus on Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship.
Zabolotny helps individuals and families regarding estate planning, probate, and trust administration. She assists with the preparation of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, prenuptial agreements, and other estate planning documents tailored to each client’s individual needs and objectives.
Zabolotny also advises clients through estate administration, including asset distribution, property collection and organization, creditor claims, and probate court proceedings. In contested and uncontested matters, she represents fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and other interested parties in matters involving decedent estates, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships.
Beyond estate administration matters, Zabolotny’s practice includes probate litigation as well as child welfare and juvenile law. She advocates for individuals and families in sensitive and often challenging legal circumstances, providing guidance tailored to their unique needs.
She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan – Probate & Estate Planning and Young Lawyers Sections and Women Lawyers Association of Michigan.
Zabolotny earned a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and a B.A. in English and History from Alma College.
In addition, Butzel has achieved its highest ranking yet in Crain’s 2026 Best Places to Work, ranking number 22 out of 100 companies. This year marks the sixth consecutive year Butzel has been named to the list. In 2025 and 2024, Butzel was ranked 38 for two years straight; in 2023, Butzel was ranked 41; 53 in 2022; and, 44 in 2021. Butzel also was named for the first time to Crain’s 2026 Best Places to Work in West Michigan. Butzel ranks number four out of 30 companies.
Butzel has a history of offering eligible employees an array of employee benefits and firm-designed programs. The firm is constantly updating its list of benefits provided as part of Butzel’s Work-Life Programs. Its 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.
• • •
Fifteen lawyers from Kotz Sangster offices in Detroit and Bloomfield Hills have been honored by their peers as 2026 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.
Of note are the Michigan Super Lawyer recognitions for healthcare attorney Keith Soltis and business litigation attorney Dennis Egan. Both have been honored for 20 consecutive years. Additionally, environmental law attorney Nicholas (Nick) Tatro has been recognized as a Michigan Super Lawyer, and construction law attorney Isidoro (Sid) Spano has been recognized as a Michigan Rising Star. Both are new recognitions.
Kotz Sangster attorneys honored are:
—Michigan Super Lawyers
R. Edward Boucher – Construction Litigation
George F. Curran III – Environmental Law
David R. de Reyna – Estate & Probate
Dennis K. Egan – Business Litigation
Walter B. Fisher Jr. – Employee Benefits
Robert B. Goldi – Banking
Matthew C. McCann – Environmental Law
Jeffrey M. Sangster – Construction Litigation
Keith J. Soltis – Health Care
Jeffrey S. Sternberg – Estate & Probate
Nicholas J. (Nick) Tatro – Environmental Litigation
John P. (Jack) Ulrich Jr. – Mergers & Acquisitions
Gregory L. Wysocki – Mergers & Acquisitions
—Michigan Rising Stars
Mark W. Oszust – Construction Litigation
Isidoro A. (Sid) Spano – Construction Litigation
• • •
Bush Seyferth is proud to share that Members Derek Linkous, Roger Meyers, and Patrick Seyferth have been selected for inclusion in the 2026 Michigan Legal 250 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Linkous has been recognized specifically for his contribution to Appellate Law. Meyers and Seyferth were recognized for their contributions to Business Litigation.
• • •
Cummings, McClorey, Davis, & Acho PLC is proud to announce that several attorneys from the firm have been selected for inclusion in the 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers & Rising Stars list.
The following local attorneys have been selected to the 2026 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
Norman Richards, Top Rated Elder Law
Christopher Schultz, Top Rated Business and Corporate
The following local attorneys have been selected to the 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars list:
Stephen Johnston, Top Rated Estate Planning & Probate
Alexander Karana, Top Rated Intellectual Property
Jordan Barkey, Top Rated Personal Injury
• • •
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that five of its attorneys have been named 2027 “Lawyers of the Year” by the publisher of The Best Lawyers in America.
The local Bodman attorneys named 2027 Lawyers of the Year are as follows:
Brian Foley has been named the 2027 Detroit Lawyer of the Year for Real Estate Law. Foley represents financial institutions, companies, and individuals in real estate matters, with an emphasis on commercial real estate secured financing transactions. He advises clients, as both lead and local counsel, in purchases and sales of real property, real estate workouts and foreclosures, loan sales, leasing transactions, and other general real estate matters. Foley has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2023 in both Real Estate Law and Banking & Finance Law.
David P. Larsen has been named the 2027 Detroit Lawyer of the Year for Trusts and Estates. Larsen is the senior member of Bodman’s High Net Worth Practice Group and provides legal advice to many high net worth families, their family offices, and their closely held businesses. He has also been named a Lawyer of the Year on multiple past occasions, including in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025 and 2026 for Trusts and Estates or Litigation-Trusts and Estates. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America since 2003.
Ralph E. McDowell has been named the 2027 Detroit Lawyer of the Year for Bet-the-Company Litigation and Litigation-Bankruptcy. McDowell assists clients primarily in commercial bankruptcy, debtors’ and creditors’ rights, workouts, and commercial lending. He also represents clients in general business law matters, including corporate finance, the purchase and sale of business interests, and collections and workouts, among other areas. McDowell previously received the Detroit Lawyer of the Year award in 2017, 2020, and 2026 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; in 2019 for Bet-the-Company Litigation; and in 2015, 2021, and 2025 for Litigation – Bankruptcy. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America since 2003.
Larry R. Shulman has been named the 2027 Detroit Lawyer of the Year for Banking and Finance Law. Shulman represents lenders in loan originations and lenders acting in non-lending capacities, such as trustee or escrow agent. His practice also encompasses loan workouts, contract and other general business matters, and counseling lenders on lender liability issues. Shulman previously received the Detroit Lawyer of the Year award for Banking and Finance Law in 2009, 2016, 2020, and 2025.
• • •
Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that Pauline Tohme has joined the firm as an associate in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group. She is based in the firm’s Detroit office.
Tohme joins Miller Canfield from the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, where she served as an assistant prosecuting attorney. In that role, she managed adult and juvenile criminal matters from pretrial through disposition, developing case strategy, assessing evidence, conducting legal research, negotiating with defense counsel and appearing in court.
She brings early-career courtroom experience, including first-chairing three bench trials and one jury trial through verdict and arguing approximately 15 evidentiary hearings involving direct examination of civilian and law enforcement witnesses.
Tohme previously served as a student attorney with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps’ 82nd Airborne Division, where she worked with military attorneys on civil, criminal and administrative law matters. She also represented military veterans through the University of Michigan Veterans Legal Clinic, including appearing in court, negotiating with opposing counsel and assisting with discovery.
Tohme earned her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and her bachelor’s degree in political science from Oakland University. She is admitted to practice in Michigan.
In addition, Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that four of its attorneys have been named to the inaugural Michigan 250 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
The local Miller Canfield attorneys recognized are:
Robin Asher, Intellectual Property
Thomas Cranmer, Alternative Dispute Resolution
Hicks helps businesses navigate corporate transactions and commercial real estate matters. Drawing on experience at a major financial institution and his dual law and business background, Hicks helps clients navigate the acquisition, financing, and disposition of commercial real estate, as well as general corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity deals, business development, family business transactions, and corporate governance.
Hicks has experience in client relationship management and transaction execution, including matters ranging from routine transactions to dealings involving millions of dollars. He serves clients in the construction industry, where he provides counsel on operational efficiency, scalability, succession planning, and enterprise value creation. His experience includes supporting commercial real estate and corporate agreements valued at over $100 million for institutional and private lenders and borrowers, including construction financing and development projects.
He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan – Business Law and Young Lawyers Sections, Detroit Bar Association, American Bar Association and Alliance of Mergers & Acquisitions Advisors (AM&AA).
Hicks earned a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and an M.B.A. from the University of Detroit Mercy, where he concentrated in Strategic Management and Corporate Finance. He also earned a B.Comm from the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada, with a focus on Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship.
Zabolotny helps individuals and families regarding estate planning, probate, and trust administration. She assists with the preparation of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, prenuptial agreements, and other estate planning documents tailored to each client’s individual needs and objectives.
Zabolotny also advises clients through estate administration, including asset distribution, property collection and organization, creditor claims, and probate court proceedings. In contested and uncontested matters, she represents fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and other interested parties in matters involving decedent estates, trusts, conservatorships, and guardianships.
Beyond estate administration matters, Zabolotny’s practice includes probate litigation as well as child welfare and juvenile law. She advocates for individuals and families in sensitive and often challenging legal circumstances, providing guidance tailored to their unique needs.
She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan – Probate & Estate Planning and Young Lawyers Sections and Women Lawyers Association of Michigan.
Zabolotny earned a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and a B.A. in English and History from Alma College.
In addition, Butzel has achieved its highest ranking yet in Crain’s 2026 Best Places to Work, ranking number 22 out of 100 companies. This year marks the sixth consecutive year Butzel has been named to the list. In 2025 and 2024, Butzel was ranked 38 for two years straight; in 2023, Butzel was ranked 41; 53 in 2022; and, 44 in 2021. Butzel also was named for the first time to Crain’s 2026 Best Places to Work in West Michigan. Butzel ranks number four out of 30 companies.
Butzel has a history of offering eligible employees an array of employee benefits and firm-designed programs. The firm is constantly updating its list of benefits provided as part of Butzel’s Work-Life Programs. Its 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.
• • •
Fifteen lawyers from Kotz Sangster offices in Detroit and Bloomfield Hills have been honored by their peers as 2026 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.
Of note are the Michigan Super Lawyer recognitions for healthcare attorney Keith Soltis and business litigation attorney Dennis Egan. Both have been honored for 20 consecutive years. Additionally, environmental law attorney Nicholas (Nick) Tatro has been recognized as a Michigan Super Lawyer, and construction law attorney Isidoro (Sid) Spano has been recognized as a Michigan Rising Star. Both are new recognitions.
Kotz Sangster attorneys honored are:
—Michigan Super Lawyers
R. Edward Boucher – Construction Litigation
George F. Curran III – Environmental Law
David R. de Reyna – Estate & Probate
Dennis K. Egan – Business Litigation
Walter B. Fisher Jr. – Employee Benefits
Robert B. Goldi – Banking
Matthew C. McCann – Environmental Law
Jeffrey M. Sangster – Construction Litigation
Keith J. Soltis – Health Care
Jeffrey S. Sternberg – Estate & Probate
Nicholas J. (Nick) Tatro – Environmental Litigation
John P. (Jack) Ulrich Jr. – Mergers & Acquisitions
Gregory L. Wysocki – Mergers & Acquisitions
—Michigan Rising Stars
Mark W. Oszust – Construction Litigation
Isidoro A. (Sid) Spano – Construction Litigation
• • •
Bush Seyferth is proud to share that Members Derek Linkous, Roger Meyers, and Patrick Seyferth have been selected for inclusion in the 2026 Michigan Legal 250 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Linkous has been recognized specifically for his contribution to Appellate Law. Meyers and Seyferth were recognized for their contributions to Business Litigation.
• • •
Cummings, McClorey, Davis, & Acho PLC is proud to announce that several attorneys from the firm have been selected for inclusion in the 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers & Rising Stars list.
The following local attorneys have been selected to the 2026 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
Norman Richards, Top Rated Elder Law
Christopher Schultz, Top Rated Business and Corporate
The following local attorneys have been selected to the 2026 Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars list:
Stephen Johnston, Top Rated Estate Planning & Probate
Alexander Karana, Top Rated Intellectual Property
Jordan Barkey, Top Rated Personal Injury
• • •
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that five of its attorneys have been named 2027 “Lawyers of the Year” by the publisher of The Best Lawyers in America.
The local Bodman attorneys named 2027 Lawyers of the Year are as follows:
Brian Foley has been named the 2027 Detroit Lawyer of the Year for Real Estate Law. Foley represents financial institutions, companies, and individuals in real estate matters, with an emphasis on commercial real estate secured financing transactions. He advises clients, as both lead and local counsel, in purchases and sales of real property, real estate workouts and foreclosures, loan sales, leasing transactions, and other general real estate matters. Foley has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2023 in both Real Estate Law and Banking & Finance Law.
David P. Larsen has been named the 2027 Detroit Lawyer of the Year for Trusts and Estates. Larsen is the senior member of Bodman’s High Net Worth Practice Group and provides legal advice to many high net worth families, their family offices, and their closely held businesses. He has also been named a Lawyer of the Year on multiple past occasions, including in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025 and 2026 for Trusts and Estates or Litigation-Trusts and Estates. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America since 2003.
Ralph E. McDowell has been named the 2027 Detroit Lawyer of the Year for Bet-the-Company Litigation and Litigation-Bankruptcy. McDowell assists clients primarily in commercial bankruptcy, debtors’ and creditors’ rights, workouts, and commercial lending. He also represents clients in general business law matters, including corporate finance, the purchase and sale of business interests, and collections and workouts, among other areas. McDowell previously received the Detroit Lawyer of the Year award in 2017, 2020, and 2026 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; in 2019 for Bet-the-Company Litigation; and in 2015, 2021, and 2025 for Litigation – Bankruptcy. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America since 2003.
Larry R. Shulman has been named the 2027 Detroit Lawyer of the Year for Banking and Finance Law. Shulman represents lenders in loan originations and lenders acting in non-lending capacities, such as trustee or escrow agent. His practice also encompasses loan workouts, contract and other general business matters, and counseling lenders on lender liability issues. Shulman previously received the Detroit Lawyer of the Year award for Banking and Finance Law in 2009, 2016, 2020, and 2025.
• • •
Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that Pauline Tohme has joined the firm as an associate in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group. She is based in the firm’s Detroit office.
Tohme joins Miller Canfield from the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, where she served as an assistant prosecuting attorney. In that role, she managed adult and juvenile criminal matters from pretrial through disposition, developing case strategy, assessing evidence, conducting legal research, negotiating with defense counsel and appearing in court.
She brings early-career courtroom experience, including first-chairing three bench trials and one jury trial through verdict and arguing approximately 15 evidentiary hearings involving direct examination of civilian and law enforcement witnesses.
Tohme previously served as a student attorney with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps’ 82nd Airborne Division, where she worked with military attorneys on civil, criminal and administrative law matters. She also represented military veterans through the University of Michigan Veterans Legal Clinic, including appearing in court, negotiating with opposing counsel and assisting with discovery.
Tohme earned her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and her bachelor’s degree in political science from Oakland University. She is admitted to practice in Michigan.
In addition, Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that four of its attorneys have been named to the inaugural Michigan 250 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
The local Miller Canfield attorneys recognized are:
Robin Asher, Intellectual Property
Thomas Cranmer, Alternative Dispute Resolution
