Wayne State University

Aim Higher

Alumni Accomplishments

  • Matthew Meyer, '91, was recently hired by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and Chief of its Civil Division.
    February 9, 2009

  • Mark A. Davis, '91, was unanimously re-elected as President and CEO of Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC for his second, five year term.
    January 21, 2009

  • Belinda Reed Shannon, '91, was appointed to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University's Board of Trustees for a one-and-half year term that ends on Jan. 6, 2011.
    August 3, 2009

  • Phyllis AdamsPhyllis Adams, '91, has been appointed practice group leader of the Dykema's Health Care practice group. Adams' practice is devoted to representation of clients in the health care sector with respect to corporate and regulatory issues, including long-term care and assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), and hospitals. In particular, Adams' practice focuses on certificate of need (CON) issues, health facility acquisitions and other changes of ownership, including related licensure and Medicare/Medicaid certification matters, CCRC registrations, long-term care/skilled nursing facility management and operating agreements, assisted living licensure matters, and health care joint ventures.
    January 11, 2010

  • Steven M. Ribiat, '91, a shareholder with Butzel Long, has been elected to serve a two-year term on the firm's Board of Directors.
    April 23, 2010

  • Mark A. DavisMark A. Davis, '91, president and CEO of Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC, was recently named to the May/June 2010 issue of Super Lawyers - Corporate Counsel Edition in the areas of real estate and construction.
    May 18, 2010

  • John D. Gaber, '91, a partner with Williams, Williams, Rattner and Plunkett, PC, participated in the 2010 Summer Conference of the Real Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. He was the moderator and a presenter for the featured seminar "Lessons Learned from the Downturn."
    August 9, 2010

  • Mark A. DavisMark A. Davis, '91, LL.M., president and CEO of Howard and Howard Attorneys PLLC, was named to DBusiness Top Lawyers 2011. Attorneys were selected through a process that included a peer review survey that polled more than 15,000 private attorneys in Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, Washtenaw and Livingston counties. 
    November 16, 2010

  • Kurt HeiseKurt Heise, '91, LL.M. 1993, was elected to the Michigan State House on Nov. 2 and will take office on Jan. 1. He will be representing the 20th House District (Northville, Plymouth, Wayne and Canton east of I-275). He also serves as an adjunct professor in WSU's Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and as a consultant for the WSU Urban Watershed Enviromental Research Group (UWERG).    
    December 6, 2010

  • Mary E. GolotaMary E. Golota, '91, has been named counsel at Cantor Colburn LLP, one of the country's leading intellectual property specialty law firms.
    January 31, 2011

  • Mark A. DavisMark A. Davis, '91, president and CEO of the law firm Howard and Howard, has been named to DBusiness Top Lawyers 2012.
    November 3, 2011

  • Mark WilsonMark Wilson, '91, joined Dickinson Wright PLLC as a member in the firm's Troy office. He is one of five leading practitioners in the health care industry to join the firm's healthcare practice. Wilson is known for facilitating the implementation of new medical complexes in the region. He earned his LL.M. from Wayne Law. 
    August 23, 2012

  • Traci RinkTraci Rink, '91, was named chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan after nine years of service on the Family Law Council. She is a referee with Oakland County Friend of the Court.
    October 25, 2012

  • Martha SnowMartha Snow, '91, was appointed by Gov. Snyder to Wayne County Circuit Court to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Gershwin Drain. She is a shareholder of the Xuereb Snow law firm and has more than 20 years of experience as a civil trial lawyer, primarily practicing family law. Snow previously was a special assistant attorney general, shareholder of the Martha M. Snow law firm, and an associate attorney at Pepper and Associates.
    December 4, 2012

  • Norma GantNorma Gant, '91, joined LeClairRyan as a partner in the firm's litigation department. She is a resident in the national law firm's Detroit office. Gant is an experienced trial lawyer who has evaluated, managed and tried cases for over 22 years. She focuses her practice on the defense of product liability cases and complex civil litigation nationwide. She has a history of defending and obtaining favorable results for companies of all sizes in various types of litigation. She has defended some of the world's largest manufacturers in matters involving the design and manufacture of products including automobiles and related components, industrial machinery, recreational and playground equipment, household products, medical devices and professional hair care appliances. She also has many years of experience defending automobile negligence and premises liability litigation. Gant also regularly defends clients in business and commercial litigation and counsels clients on key legal issues while assessing the potential impact on their businesses beyond the particular litigation at issue. In addition, she has substantial experience defending litigation involving children and products made for or used by children. Gant developed the Children and Product Liability Litigation Group and has written numerous articles on issues involving children and child safety. As a certified child passenger safety technician, she volunteers her time with Safe Kids Worldwide and teaches seat belt and child seat safety to elementary and pre-school children and their caregivers.  
    April 23, 2013

  • Mark J. Bennett, '90, senior counsel at the law firm of Miller Canfield and leader of the firm's Climate Change Practice Team, will be speaking throughout the U.S. on various climate change-related topics in the first few months of 2009 with a focus on the expected federal economic stimulus package in the climate change area. The proposed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 contains over $54 billion in climate-change related funding with an emphasis on immediate investment in "ready to go" programs involving renewable energy, green building retrofits as well as energy-efficiency and clean energy related projects. Bennett sees wide spread growth opportunities for companies in the real estate and engineering industries as well as the myriad of professionals who support them, including engineers, attorneys and finance professionals.
    January 27, 2009

  • AnnMarie Sanford, '90, an attorney in Pepper Hamilton LLP's Detroit office, has been qualified as a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) by the Green Building Certification Institute. The LEED AP program was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council in conjunction with its LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating Systems.
    February 6, 2009

  • Lori A. Buiteweg, '90, has been named a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. A member of the International Association of Collaborative Professionals, Buiteweg also serves on the Executive Committee of the State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners and was past chair of the State Bar of Michigan Representative Assembly. In addition to her expertise in parenting time and legal custody, her practice includes divorce, mediation, and estate planning.
    April 28, 2009

  • Patricia NemethPatricia Nemeth, '90, founding partner of Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell, PC, has been named to the 2010 edition of the Best Lawyers in America in the specialty area of labor and employment law. Best Lawyers is considered the definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States. Selection to Best Lawyers is based on a rigorous peer review survey comprising more than 2.8 million confidential evaluations by the top attorneys in the country.
    August 28, 2009

  • The Hon. Thomas Boyd, '90, has been honored by the Mid-Michigan Region of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan as an outstanding member of the legal community who has made an exceptional contribution to women in the law. Before becoming chief judge of the 55th District Court in Mason, Boyd was in private practice as a civil litigator. In 1995, Boyd was appointed assistant attorney general by then-Attorney General Frank Kelley. His responsibilities included criminal, civil, administrative, and legislative law. Boyd was appointed to the bench in July 2005 and re-elected in 2006 and 2008. He serves on the boards of the Mason Community Fund (an advisory board of the Capital Area United Way) and the Oak Park YMCA, and volunteers for the Holt-Dimondale School Business Alliance and the Lansing Area Teen Court.
    October 26, 2009

  • AnnMarie Sanford, '90, an attorney with Pepper Hamilton LLP, has been elected to the Board of Directors of WARM Training Center. Her two-year term began on Oct. 21, 2009. WARM Training Center is a non-profit organization that promotes the development of resource efficient, affordable, healthy homes and communities through education, training and technical assistance.
    November 17, 2009

  • Mary Massaron Ross, '90, a partner in the Detroit office of Plunkett Cooney, has been elected as second vice president of the Defense Research Institute.
    November 17, 2009

  • Patricia Nemeth, '90, founding partner with Nemeth Burwell, was included in DBusiness magazine's exclusive 2010 Martindale-Hubbell list of metro Detroit's finest barristers.
    November 17, 2009

  • Mark J. BennettMark J. Bennett, '90, senior counsel and team leader of Miller Canfield's Climate Change practice, recently provided his multi-disciplinary expertise by serving as contributing author for two chapters in the new publication from the Urban Land Institute (ULI), Retrofitting Office Buildings to Be Green and Energy Efficient: Optimizing Building Performance, Tenant Satisfaction, and Financial Return.

    In addition, on April 14 at Wayne Law, Bennett will chair the Miller Canfield International Climate Law and Policy Symposium to discuss cutting edge legal and public policy that will shape climate change law in the coming years.
    February 5, 2010

  • Mark J. BennettMark J. Bennett, '90, senior counsel and team leader of Miller Canfield's Climate Change practice, recently published an analysis of new interpretations of corporate proxy and disclosure rules by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in an article titled, "SEC Opens the Door for Climate Change-Related Shareholder Proposals and Disclosure Requirements, With Potential New Liabilities for Public Companies," published in the prestigious Bureau of National Affairs' (BNA) Securities Regulation & Law Report.
    March 8, 2010

  • Patricia NemethPatricia Nemeth, '90, the founding partner of Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell, P.C., was recently featured on Due Process, a long-running legal news talk show hosted by Detroit attorney Henry Baskin of the Baskin Law Firm. Nemeth was featured on the March 12, 2010 program highlighting current employment law issues in Michigan. The program, which airs each Friday on Detroit Public Television Channel 56, will be repeated on July 2 and October 22. It is available for viewing online at http://www.dueprocess.tv/show_archive.htm.  
    March 29, 2010

  • Mary Massaron RossMary Massaron Ross, '90, was re-elected to the board of directors of Plunkett Cooney. She will serve a three-year term. Massaron Ross currently serves as the firm's appellate law practice group leader. A former law clerk to Associate Justice Patricia J. Boyle of the Michigan Supreme Court, she has handled appeals resulting in over 50 published opinions.
    April 14, 2010

  • Julie E. RobertsonJulie E. Robertson, '90, insurance and regulatory department chair and partner at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, was featured in the South Carolina Captive Insurance Association's (SCCIA) webinar titled, "Captive Tax: Hot Button Issues for the IRS and How to Prepare For Them." The interactive online presentation discussed the trends in recent IRS audits, including those challenging premium deductibility and addressing federal excise tax liability, as well as the steps necessary to prepare for these essential issues.
    July 27, 2010

  • Mark J. BennettMark J. Bennett, '90, senior counsel and team leader of Miller Canfield’s Climate Change practice, was recently named vice-chair of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Carbon Trading and Energy Finance Committee for the 2010-2011 term.
    October 14, 2010

  •  Patricia Nemeth Patricia Nemeth , '90, founding partner of Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell, P.C., has been included in the November/December issue of DBusiness magazine's exclusive 2011 list of metro Detroit's Top Lawyers in the speciality area of labor and employment.
    November 4, 2010

  • Mary Massaron Ross, '90, recently was elected by The Voice of the Defense Bar to serve as its first vice president. Massaron Ross, one of Michigan's top appellate lawyers, was elected to the position at DRI's 2010 annual meeting. She previously served as second vice president of the 22,500-member organization and is co-editor of DRI's A Defense Lawyer's Guide to Appellate Practice. A member of the board of directors at Plunkett Cooney, Massaron Ross has been named a Best Lawyer in America for Appellate Law every year since 2007 and a Michigan Super Lawyer, Top 50 Michigan Female Attorney and Top 100 Statewide Attorney every year since 2006.  
    November 19, 2010

  • Laura A. Brodeur-McGeorgeLaura A. Brodeur-McGeorge, '90, a partner in Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP's labor and employment department, has been elected to the board of Solid Ground, a non-profit organization based in Macomb County and dedicated to helping the homeless, and those at risk of becoming homeless, to achieve and maintain independence. Brodeur-McGeorge focuses her practice on counseling clients on employment matters, employee health and safety issues, contract disputes, trade secrets and restrictive covenants. She also litigates employment matters in federal and state courts and before various administrative agencies and arbitration tribunals.
    November 24, 2010

  • Patricia NemethPatricia Nemeth, '90, presented "How to Keep Rockin' when the EEOC's a Knockin'" to the Health Care Association of Michigan (HCAM) in Mt. Pleasant on September 19 with Terry Bonnette,'04. She addressed social networking issues affecting employers at a large multi-national insurance group in Connecticut in a presentation entitled, "Hey, Get out of my Face...Book!" in October with Linda Burwell, '85. They also presented Litigating Employment Claims in Michigan: The Effects of Nuanced State Laws and a Rejuvenated EEOC" to a large group of insurance representatives in October in Chicago.
    December 6, 2010

  • Patricia Nemeth Patricia Nemeth , '90, was a panelist at the Oakland County Bar Association's "Hanging Out Your Own Shingle" presentation on February 17. In March, she addressed social networking issues affecting employers in a presentation entitled, "Hey, Get out of my Face...Book!" which took place in New York and Ohio.
    March 23, 2011

  • Lori A. BuitewegLori A. Buiteweg, '90, a family law attorney with Nichols Sacks Slank Sendelbach and Buiteweg of Ann Arbor, has been elected treasurer of the State Bar of Michigan and is slated to become its president in 2015. Buiteweg previously served as chairperson of the State Bar's Representative Assembly and is beginning her ninth year as district commissioner. She is a past president and current co-chair of the Washtenaw County Bar Association's Public Service Committee and serves on the parish council of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ann Arbor. Buiteweg‘s practice focuses on mediation and collaborative practice, which uses an interdisciplinary team approach to help divorcing couples settle their disputes without going to court.
    August 9, 2011

  • Mary Massaron RossMary Massaron Ross, '90, a partner of Plunkett Cooney, was recently named one of the most influential attorneys in the state by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Massaron Ross, who previously served as a law clerk to former Michigan Supreme Court Associate Justice Patricia J. Boyle, practices in Plunkett Cooney's Detroit office. One of the firm's top appellate attorneys, Massaron Ross has more than 50 published opinions to her credit.
    August 12, 2011

  • Mary Massaron RossMary Massaron Ross, '90, Appellate Law Practice Group Leader for Plunkett Cooney, is among several leading appellate attorneys who recently co-authored a book on state and federal appellate practice. Published by Law Journal Press, "Appellate Practice in Federal and State Courts" is a guide to the appellate process. The book offers step-by-step advice on a variety of issues, including factors to weight when evaluating whether to appeal, preserving issues for appeal, preparing winning motions, standards of review, and standing to appeal. Massaron Ross, one of 15 contributors, authored Chapter Six, titled: "Interlocutory Appellate Review."
    September 7, 2011

  • Darcie R. BraultDarcie R. Brault, '90, a member of Dib, Fagan and Brault PC, was named one of the Top 50 Women by the 2011 Michigan Super Lawyers magazine.
    October 5, 2011

  • Mary Massaron RossMary Massaron Ross, '90, appellate attorney at Plunkett Cooney, was among several leading attorneys who recently co-authored Eminent Domain: A Handbook of Condemnation Law.
    December 22, 2011

  • Mark BennettMark Bennett, '90, was featured in an Oakland County Legal News article about his new law firm in Birmingham, MJBennett PLLC: Strategic Legal and Advisory Services. The article is titled "Capital Steps: Attorney's new law firm helps entrepreneurs reach their goals," and can be found at http://www.legalnews.com/oakland/1365161/.
    July 31, 2012

  • Carolyn Pollock CaryCarolyn Pollock Cary, '90, joined Dickinson Wright PLLC as a member in the firm's Saginaw office. She is one of five leading practitioners in the health care industry to join the firm's healthcare practice. Cary focuses her practice on healthcare, employment and labor, and commercial litigation.
    August 23, 2012

  • Lori BuitewegLori Buiteweg, '90, was chosen secretary of the State Bar of Michigan for 2012-13.  She is a partner in Nichols Sacks Slank Sendelbach and Buiteweg PC and focuses on family law.
    September 6, 2012

  • David BargamianDavid Bargamian, '90, was selected for inclusion in "The Best Lawyers in America 2012" for excellence in real estate law. He is a member with Barris Sott Denn & Driker PLLC.
    October 8, 2012

  • Mary Massaron RossMary Massaron Ross, '90, was elected president of DRI-The Voice of the Defense Bar. She is head of Plunkett & Cooney PC's appellate practice group. Additionally, she has served as an active member and brief writer for DRI's Amicus Committee which files briefs in the United States Supreme Court as well as several state courts of last resort. She is a past chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Amicus Curiae Briefs where she supervised the preparation of numerous briefs filed in the United States Supreme Court. A former law clerk to Michigan Supreme Court Justice Patricia J. Boyle, Ross also has handled appellate matters before the Ohio Supreme Court, the Indiana Supreme Court, the Alabama Supreme Court, the Michigan Court of Appeals and Supreme Court, the California Court of Appeals, and the Third, Sixth, and Seventh Circuit Courts of Appeal. For seven consecutive years, she has been honored as a "Best Lawyer" in Best Lawyers in America and in 2008 was named "Lawyer of the Year" by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
    November 30, 2012

  • Thomas BoydThomas Boyd, '90, is featured in a national documentary film. The film, "Defending Gideon," was released in March on the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court deciding Gideon v. Wainwright. The Gideon decision clarified that the 6th amendment "right to counsel" required the states to provide indigent persons accused of serious crime with an attorney. "Defending Gideon" was screened at the U.S. Department of Justice's 50th Anniversary Gideon Event, introduced by Attorney General Eric Holder. "Defending Gideon" is narrated by Martin Sheen and also features former Vice President Walter Mondale and former New York Times journalist Anthony Lewis (author of "Gideon's Trumpet"). Boyd, who is Ingham County's chief district court judge, and State Rep. Tom McMillin are featured because of their efforts to reform Michigan's indigent defense system.  
    April 6, 2013

  • Brian KreucherBrian Kreucher, '90, has joined Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC. He practices out of the firm's Royal Oak Office. For the last 23 years, Kreucher has helped employers minimize the legal risks involved in employment decisions while maintaining business goals. He helps many clients "prevent fires" by functioning as an extension of their human resources and in-house legal team. Kreucher also assists clients in navigating employment laws, restrictive employment covenants, sales commissions laws, internal investigations and employee performance issues. Kreucher also routinely represents employers when confronted with state civil rights charges, unfair labor practice proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board, EEOC investigations and discrimination charges, labor arbitrations and commercial and general litigation matters. Kreucher's representative clients range from small businesses to a large multinational Tier 1 automobile supplier, one of the nation's largest security firms as well as a Fortune 500 company, which provides integrated logistics, warehousing and transportation solutions.  
    May 10, 2013

  • Nanci Grant, '89, was recently named Secretary of the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission. The commission manages the conduct of judges, magistrates, and referees in the state. Grant was elected as a representative by the state circuit judges on the commission in 2006. She also served as a presiding judge of Oakland County Circuit Court, and as the circuit court representative on the state’s Community Correction’s Board.
    January 27, 2009

  • Judge Nanci J. Grant, '89, Oakland County Circuit Court, was named by her fellow commissioners as Secretary of the Judicial Tenure Commission.
    January 21, 2009

  • Steven Weinstock, '89, was hired as regional manager of the Marcus and Millichap firm in Oak Brook, Ill.
    June 8, 2009

  • Theresa Asoklis, '89, was selected for inclusion in the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Asoklis has focused her practice on the defense of legal malpractice claims, and attorney and judicial disciplinary proceedings for almost 20 years. The Clinton Township resident maintains an active general liability defense practice, including claims arising out of auto and trucking accidents, and complex premises liability matters. She has successfully tried many legal malpractice, auto negligence, first party no-fault, premises liability, insurance coverage, and attorney fee disputes. Asoklis also has prevailed in a number of significant appellate opinions in the legal malpractice, insurance coverage, and judicial disciplinary arenas.
    September 4, 2009

  • Donald Campbell, '89, was selected for inclusion in the 16th edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Campbell concentrates his practice in attorney grievance defense, representation in judicial tenure matters and legal malpractice defense. In addition to his law practice, he has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law teaching courses in ethics and criminal law, since 2002. Campbell also regularly teaches a seminar in corporate law and ethics. He served 10 years as an associate counsel, Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission and four years as an assistant prosecuting attorney, Oakland County, Michigan before joining the firm in 2003. He currently serves as a liaison to the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility, which is responsible for issuing the ABA's Ethics Opinions.
    September 4, 2009

  • Nanci GrantNanci Grant, '89, was featured in the Oakland Press in an article titled "Judge looks forward to new role as chief." More information here.   Photo: The Oakland Press/TIM THOMPSON
    January 9, 2010

  • Kevin P. FularczykKevin P. Fularczyk, '89, joined the partnership at Hahn Loeser & Parks, LLP. Fularczyk concentrates his practice in civil litigation, including commercial matters in state and federal court. He has significant trial experience in commercial cases and has prosecuted appeals in appellate, and state supreme courts. 
    January 11, 2010

  • Kevin P. FularczykKevin P. Fularczyk, '89, has joined the partnership at Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP. He concentrates his practice in civil litigation, including commercial matters in state and federal court. He has significant trial experience in commercial cases and has prosecuted appeals in appellate, and state supreme courts. Fularczyk is admitted to practice in all state courts in Florida and Michigan as well as the United States District Courts
    for the Middle District of Florida, Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. 
    February 2, 2010

  • Hon. Nanci Grant, '89, was featured in a Detroit Legal News article titled "All in Due Time: Chief judge focuses on age-old legal issues."
    January 18, 2011

  • Donald CampbellDonald Campbell, '89, an attorney with Southfield-based Collins Einhorn Farrell and Ulanoff PC, will serve as moderator for a panel discussion on "ABA (American Bar Association) Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions: A View After 25 Years" in Atlanta on Feb. 11. The discussion, the first-ever joint meeting of the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers (APRL), National Organization of Bar Counsel (NOBC) and National Council of Lawyer Disciplinary Boards, will examine how ABA standards have fared over the years.  Campbell, a member of the APRL and former liaison to the ABA's Ethics Committee, concentrates his practice on attorney grievance defense, representation in judicial tenure matters and legal malpractice defense.
    February 4, 2011

  • Mark Schrupp, '89, was appointed chief operating officer of Detroit Public Schools. Article at http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/28410523/detail.html  
    July 1, 2011

  • Colleen M. ShevnockColleen M. Shevnock, '89, an attorney with Dickinson Wright, was named a "Leader in her Field" by Chambers USA. Shevnock is recognized for her work as counsel to banks and other institutional lenders in commercial lending matters, as well as the documentation for a wide array of loan transactions.    
    August 3, 2011

  • Theresa M. AsoklisTheresa M. Asoklis, '89, has been selected for inclusion in the 18th edition of The Best Lawyers in America (2012) for her work in the area of Professional Malpractice Law-Defendants.
    September 21, 2011

  • Donald D. Campbell Donald D. Campbell , '89, has been selected for inclusion in the 18th edition of The Best Lawyers in America (2012) for his work in Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law.
    September 21, 2011

  • James R. PetersonJames R. Peterson, '89, of Miller Johnson, was elected to the firm's management committee for a three-year term. Mr. Peterson is a past chair of the firm's litigation section and also served as Miller Johnson's assistant general counsel.
    January 5, 2012

  • Pamela ZarkowskiPamela Zarkowski, '89, was named provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Detroit Mercy. As a faculty member in the School of Dentistry since 1978, she attained the rank of professor in 1994. In the School of Dentistry, she has continued to teach community dentistry and legal and ethical concepts to pre-doctoral, dental hygiene and graduate students.
    July 3, 2012

  • Steven WeinstockSteven Weinstock, '89, was promoted to vice present at Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services. He also serves as regional manager of the company's Oak Brook office. He joined the firm's Detroit office in 2001 as a multifamily and self-storage investment specialist, and in 2008 became sales manager of the Columbus and Cincinnati offices. He was promoted to regional manager of the Oak Brook office in 2009.
    August 6, 2012

  • Frank VandervortFrank Vandervort, '89, was the subject of a feature story in the Flint-Genesee County Legal News. The story was titled "Law professor co-founded U-M Juvenile Justice Clinic."
    September 26, 2012

  • Colleen ShevnockColleen Shevnock, '89, was listed in Chambers USA and Michigan Super Lawyers for 2012. Shevnock is a member in Dickinson Wright PLLC's office in Ann Arbor. She focuses her practice in the areas of banking and financial services, loan workouts & restructurings, real estate, and syndicated lending.
    October 22, 2012

  • K. Scott HamiltonK. Scott Hamilton, '89, was listed in Best Lawyers in America and Michigan Super Lawyers for 2012. Hamilton is a member in Dickinson Wright PLLC's office in Detroit. He focuses his practice in the areas of antitrust and trade regulation, appellate, commercial and business litigation, and insurance and ERISA litigation.
    October 22, 2012

  • Theresa AskolisTheresa Askolis, '89, was selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America 2013. She's been named to the list for the last four years. An attorney with Southfield-based Collins Einhorn Farrell & Ulanoff, she was named for her work in  Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants.
    October 23, 2012

  • Donald CampbellDonald Campbell, '89, was selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America 2013. He has been named to the list for the last four years.  Campbell was honored for his work in Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law.
    October 23, 2012

  • Nanci GrantNanci Grant, '89, was unanimously elected as chairperson of the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission during its February meeting. Grant is the chief judge of Oakland County Circuit Court and was elected to the bench in 1996.  She was elected in 2007 to the JTC by the state's circuit court judges as their representative. Grant is a past president of the Michigan Judges Association, a past recipient of the Oakland County Bar Association's Professionalism Award, and was named a Michigan Lawyers Weekly "Leader in the Law" for 2012.
    February 6, 2013

  • Dawn SchluterDawn Schluter, '89, has been appointed to The American Cancer Society's Nationwide Gift Planning Advisor Council for the Great Lakes Region. The Council consists of 16 volunteer leaders throughout the U.S. She is a principal with Miller Canfield. Schluter has experience in estate planning, trusts, taxes and family law when drafting estate and wealth transfer plans. Schluter has been a lawyer with Miller Canfield since 1989.
    March 4, 2013

  • Gary PetersGary Peters, '89, will receive an honorary degree and give the commencement address when Lawrence Technological University holds its 81st commencement May 11. Peters represents the 14th congressional district that includes Pontiac, West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Oak Park, half of Detroit, and the Grosse Pointes. Shortly after arriving in Congress in 2009, he worked with the Obama Administration to ensure the survival of Michigan's auto industry, making sure that manufacturers received loans they needed. He is running for a Senate seat. For 22 years, Peters was an investment advisor, helping families save for retirement and provide for their children's college education. He was elected to the Rochester Hills City Council in 1991 and to the Michigan State Senate in 1994. He later served as the Michigan State Lottery commissioner. Peters served as a Seabee combat warfare specialist and rose to the rank of lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. After the September 11 terrorist attacks, he signed up to again serve in the Reserve.  
    May 7, 2013

  • Ellen B. Janette, '88, of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills Office, was named a shareholder of the firm. Janette extends her practice in the areas of insurance coverage and professional liability. She represents insurance carriers in insurance coverage disputes in the areas of environmental contamination and construction defect. Her professional liability practice includes defense of malpractice claims against real estate professionals, attorneys and accountants in state and federal courts. Janette also earned Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating-AV, which is a peer review rating process. Ratings fall into the categories of legal ability and general ethical standards.
    January 27, 2009

  • Michael Killelea, '88, was recently hired as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Goodrich Petroleum Corporation. He spent the past 20 years in the E&P business with several companies, including serving as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary at Pogo Producing Company.
    March 13, 2009

  • Ellen Bartman Jannette, '88, has been promoted to partner with Plunkett Cooney. Jannette is a member of the insurance law and professional liability practice groups in the Bloomfield Hills, Mich., office. Jannette will focus on representing insurance carriers in insurance coverage disputes, particularly in the areas of environmental contamination and construction defect.
    April 2, 2009

  • David M. Thoms, '88, a principal in the Troy office, was recently re-elected secretary of the board of directors of the Visiting Nurse Association of Michigan.
    April 28, 2009

  • Joseph Ammar, '88, has joined Plunkett Cooney's Kalamazoo office. A member of the firm's Banking, Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights Practice Group, Ammar focuses his practice in the areas of creditors' rights, bankruptcy and commercial law, representing secured lenders and financial institutions.
    June 15, 2009

  • David N. Goltz, '88, is the vice president of Administration and General Counsel for Highway Technologies in Oak Brook, Ill., where he leads the Company's Legal, Human Resources, Risk Management and Safety Departments.
    July 2, 2009

  • Julie Secontine, '88, risk manager for Oakland County, was interviewed on spinalcolumnonline.com
    January 19, 2010

  • David M. ThomsDavid M. Thoms, '88, was appointed to the Greenleaf Trust Board of Directors. He is a principal in the personal services group and co-leader of the non-profit and charitable organizations group at Miller Canfield's Troy, Mich., office.
    May 18, 2010

  • Timothy M. WittebortTimothy M. Wittebort, '88, of Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC, was recently named to the May/June 2010 issue of Super Lawyers - Corporate Counsel Edition in the areas of real estate and construction.
    May 18, 2010

  • Susan E. PadleySusan E. Padley, '88, of Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC, was recently named to the May/June 2010 issue of Super Lawyers - Corporate Counsel Edition in the areas of real estate and construction.
    May 18, 2010

  • David ThomsDavid Thoms, '88, a Miller Canfield principal, was elected to a one-year term as president of the board of directors of Alliance Françaises de Grosse Pointe.  
    June 30, 2010

  • Linda S. RossLinda S. Ross, '88, a partner and chair of the Health Care Department at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, recently addressed health organization board members attending the Excellence in Governance Fellowship program of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association. Her presentation was titled "Hospital/Physician Relationships and the Law...What Every Board Member Must Know." Ross has been named in Best Lawyers in America from 2005 to 2011 and Michigan Super Lawyers from 2007 to 2010, as well as one of its top 50 women from 2007 to 2010. She also was recognized as a "Top Lawyer" by DBusiness in 2010 and 2011.
    April 26, 2011

  • Linda S. RossLinda S. Ross, '88, partner and chair of the Health Care Department at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP (Honigman), addressed the HealthcareNEXT Inforum industry group at the DMC Children's Hospital. She participated in a panel discussion regarding how hospitals, health systems and physicians can best position themselves in relation to the new health care laws. In her practice, Ross represents hospitals, physicians and other health care systems and providers regarding affiliations, acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, reorganizations and joint ventures. She also advises health care providers about compliance matters including the Stark Law, the Anti-kickback Statute, self-disclosures to the Office of Inspector General, and laws and regulations affecting tax-exempt entities. Ross has been named in Best Lawyers in America from 2005 to 2011 and Michigan Super Lawyers from 2007 to 2010, as well as one of its top 50 women from 2007 to 2010.
    July 7, 2011

  • David M. ThomsDavid M. Thoms, '88, LL.M., a principle in Miller Canfield's Troy, Mich. office, has been re-elected to a one-year term as president of the board of directors of Alliance Françaises de Grosse Pointe. At Miller Canfield, Thoms is a member of the Personal Services Group and co-leader of the Nonprofit and Charitable Organizations Group. He concentrates his practice in estate planning and tax, non-profit organizations, business entity planning and tax, succession planning and real estate.  
    July 27, 2011

  • David M. ThomsDavid M. Thoms, '88, LL.M., a principal with Miller Canfield, has been re-elected secretary of the executive committee of the Michigan Colleges Foundation. At Miller Canfield, Thoms is a member of the Personal Services Group and co-leader of the Nonprofit and Charitable Organizations Group. He concentrates his practice in estate planning and tax, nonprofit organizations, business entity planning and tax, succession planning and real estate.  
    August 18, 2011

  • Linda S. RossLinda S. Ross, '88, a partner and chair of the Health Care department at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, has been named a Fellow by the State Bar of Michigan's Health Care Law Section.
    September 28, 2011

  • Linda S. RossLinda S. Ross, '88, a partner and chair of the Health Care Department at Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, has been named a Fellow by the State Bar of Michigan's Health Care Law Section.
    December 6, 2011

  • Joseph M. Ammar Joseph M. Ammar , '88, an attorney in Plunkett Cooney's Kalamazoo, Michigan, office's Banking, Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights practice group, has been named partner in the firm.
    February 8, 2012

  • David ThomsDavid Thoms, '88, principal in the Troy office of Miller Canfield, has been re-elected for a one-year term as president of the Alliance Française de Grosse Pointe. At Miller Canfield, Thoms is a member of the Personal Services Group and co-leader of the Nonprofit and Charitable Organizations Group. His areas of expertise are estate planning and tax, nonprofit organizations, business entity planning and tax, succession planning and real estate.
    November 15, 2012

  • Julie SecontineJulie Secontine, '88, drafted the Interstate Mutual Emergency Aid Act, which recently was approved by the state House of Representatives and Senate and enables first responders to cross state lines to respond to incidents on a day-to-day basis without a declaration of emergency. The act will allow first responders' credentials and licenses to automatically transfer to other Midwestern states when responding to a request for mutual aid. Secontine is Oakland County risk manager and Michigan's representative on the Mid-American Mutual Aid Consortium (MAMAC), the organization tasked with removing barriers to multi-state emergency response. Secontine is certified by the Michigan State Police in emergency management. She is the legal advisor to Michigan Task Force 1 and Oakland County Fire Mutual Aid Organization. Plus she is a member of eight emergency management organizations.
    December 18, 2012

  • Margaret ScottMargaret Scott, '88, has joined the Motor Vehicle Litigation Practice Group at Secrest Wardle's Troy office. In addition to practicing Motor Vehicle Law, Scott also specializes in Municipal Law and Property, Fire and Casualty. Scott served as an Oakland County assistant prosecuting attorney from 1988 to 2008. The majority of her career was spent as a special prosecutor of the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office where she was elevated to the office of chief of the Auto Theft Unit in 1996. As a felony trial prosecutor Scott prosecuted crimes involving insurance fraud, identity theft, embezzlement, and arson of insured property. During her time with the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office she successfully prosecuted nearly 100 percent of the cases assigned to the Auto Theft Unit. Scott is presently an instructor and presenter for various programs for the Michigan State Police, the Michigan Chapter-International Association of Arson Investigators, International Association of Special Investigative Units, the North Central Regional Chapter-International Association of Auto Theft Investigators, and the Michigan Association of Vehicle Theft Investigators. She has also instructed for the National College of District Attorneys, Prosecutor's Association of Michigan, the International Association of Arson Investigators, Oakland County Community College Police Academy, and numerous police departments in southeastern Michigan, as well as a number of area high schools. She completed the National District Attorney's Association's Career Prosecutor Course in 1990 and the Experienced Prosecutor Course in 1996.
    March 4, 2013

  • Margaret ScottMargaret Scott, '88, was appointed prosecutor in Waterford Township. She is a partner with Secrest Wardle law firm in Troy. She was chief of the auto theft unit with the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office between 1996-2008. From 1988-1990, she worked as a district court prosecutor in several communities including Royal Oak, Oak Park, Walled Lake, Novi and Farmington Hills.
    March 27, 2013

  • Phillip Korovesis, '87, was announced as the new treasurer for the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel.
    July 23, 2009

  • Margaret Van Meter, '87, joined the newly-expanded Southfield offices of Warner, Norcross and Judd, LLP.
    July 30, 2009

  • Kathy Browne, '87, multiple patent holder and founder of Grow!USA, also founded and funds a related non-profit, Green!USA, www.green-usa.org, which became a 2008 international leader in alternatives to peat for soil amendments in garden and landscape design. Green!USA has been cited as authoritative by Treehugger, Suite101 Environment News, and other Internet sites. Since 2007 Ms. Browne has received two local Council for Community Development Residential Landscape Design Excellence Awards, with the second being awarded October 8, 2009. Her DAR national conservation medal-winning garden design and installation work for the 2004 Michigan State Fairgrounds -- which was videotaped for the Grosse Pointe cable television prgram "Pointes of Horticulture" -- has been accepted in DVD format into the collection of historic artifacts by the Detroit Historical Society Museums, which intend to show the half-hour production to schoolchildren.
    September 28, 2009

  • Artis M. Noel, '87, joined Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP's Corporate and Securities Department as of counsel. He also is as a member of the newly-formed International Automotive Legal Team, a collaboration with Minneapolis-based Faegre & Benson LLP. He most recently served as the chief of export compliance for General Motors.
    January 4, 2010

  • Kathy BrowneKathy Browne, '87, president/CEO and founder of Green!USA, a registered Michigan non-profit environmental protection and conservation organization, recently announced the receipt by Green!USA of full 501(c)(3) public charity tax donation status by the Internal Revenue Service. Green!USA promotes the use of compost and other organic soil amendments instead of peat. Peat bog preservation conserves waterfowl wetlands habitat, reduces global warming, preserves wetlands heavy metals filtration, and helps control flooding which would otherwise fall on the taxpayer to remedy. For more information, please visit Green!USA at www.green-usa.org.
    February 24, 2010

  • Phillip C. Korovesis, '87, has been elected vice-president of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (MDTC) for 2010-2011. Previously, Korovesis was treasurer of the MDTC. Korovesis is a Butzel Long attorney and shareholder.
    June 4, 2010

  • Jean SchtokalJean Schtokal, '87, was appointed to the Michigan District Export Council - West by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gary Locke. Additionally, it was recently announced that she is listed in the 2011 Best Lawyers in America for her experience in International Trade and Finance Law.
    August 25, 2010

  • Meg Van Meter , '87, a Detroit-area commercial real estate attorney and past president of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Detroit, served as co-chair of the Industry Research Task Force for the 2010 benchmarking report on women in commercial real estate, Women in Commercial Real Estate.  The report is a follow-up to the first ever in-depth look at the issue of men and women in commercial real estate, which was conducted by CREW Network in 2005.
    December 6, 2010

  • Theresa M. Pouley, '87, was appointed by President Obama to the Tribal Law and Order Commission on Jan. 18, 2010. Pouley is currently the chief judge of the Tulalip Tribal Court. She is also an associate justice of the Colville Tribal Court of Appeals, and a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes in Northeast Washington. Click here for White House release.
    January 20, 2011

  • Phillip C. Korovesis, '87, was elected president of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (MDTC) during its Annual Meeting May 19-21 in Mount Pleasant. Previously, Korovesis served as MDTC vice-president.
    May 27, 2011

  • Dan Gilbert, '87, Quicken Loans founder and chairman, was featured in a Detroit Free Press article titled "Quicken Loans Chairman Dan Gilbert picks up baton for downtown Detroit development."
    July 1, 2011

  • Theodore B. SylwestrzakTheodore B. Sylwestrzak, '87, an attorney with Dickinson Wright, was named a "Leader in his Field" by Chambers USA. Sylwestrzak is recognized for his work in bankruptcy, workouts, asset-based lending and other secured lending situations, as well as his speed, efficiency and responsiveness toward clients.
    August 3, 2011

  • Kathy Browne, '87, multiple U.S. and Chinese patent holder; board of directors member of Keep Michigan Beautiful (KMB) Inc.; and national, state, and local award-winning founder, president and CEO of Green!USA, is having her environmentally-friendly peat-free potting soil recipe reprinted in a new, upcoming cookbook for KMB.
    August 23, 2011

  • H. Nathan ResnickH. Nathan Resnick, '87, founding and managing partner of Resnick and Moss PC, was named a 2012 Top Lawyer by DBusiness.
    November 14, 2011

  • Jean SchtokalJean Schtokal, '87, a shareholder at Foster Swift Collins and Smith PC, has been appointed as the 2012 Division Director for International Business Services for the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. She has been on the Chamber Board of Directors since 2009.
    December 13, 2011

  • H. Nathan ResnickH. Nathan Resnick, '87, of Resnick and Moss PC was recently nominated to the Board of Directors of The Bear Hug Foundation, a non-profit organization that gives at-risk, underprivileged and special needs children the opportunity to experience an outdoor summer camp in Northern Michigan.
    February 14, 2012

  • Patrick KarbowskiPatrick Karbowski, '87, received the C. Robert Wartell Distinguished Service Award during the Real Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan's annual summer conference July 18-21 at Boyne Falls. Karbowski is a shareholder with Butzel Long, has served as chairman of the Real Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and is an ex officio member of the governing council, as well as a member of many of its committees. He is chairman of its Pro Bono Committee.
    August 3, 2012

  • Theodore SylwestrzakTheodore Sylwestrzak, '87, was listed in Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America and Michigan Super Lawyers for 2012. Sylwestrzak is a member in Dickinson Wright PLLC's office in Detroit. He focuses his practice in the areas of bankruptcy and restructuring, loan sales, automotive workouts, real estate workouts and foreclosures, and creditor rights and bankruptcy litigation.
    October 22, 2012

  • Patrick KarbowskiPatrick Karbowski, '87, was recognized as a Top Lawyer in Metro Detroit 2013 in the practice areas of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law by DBusiness magazine. He is with Butzel Long.
    December 6, 2012

  • Phillip KorovesisPhillip Korovesis, '87, was recognized as a Top Lawyer in Metro Detroit 2013 in the practice areas of Insurance Law and Business Litigation by DBusiness magazine. He is with Butzel Long.
    December 6, 2012

  • Kris DigheKris Dighe, '87, coauthored a chapter titled "The Use of Satellite Imagery in Environmental Crimes Prosecutions in the United States: A Developing Area," in the book "Evidence from Earth Observation Satellites: Emerging Legal Issues," published in December 2012 by Brill.  The book analyzes whether data from satellite technologies can be a legally reliable, effective evidential tool in contemporary legal systems. Dighe is assistant chief of the Environmental Crimes Section of the U.S. Department of Justice.    
    December 7, 2012

  • Sarah Deson-FriedSarah Deson-Fried, '87, was hired by the Ann Arbor office of Schiff Hardin LLP. Deson-Fried has extensive experience practicing transactional real estate law on a national basis. She has represented a wide variety of clients, including buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, borrowers, lenders, developers, franchisors and franchisees in connection with office, industrial, retail, residential and multi-family real estate matters. Deson-Fried also is an experienced business consultant who advises with respect to major business operations and strategy. She is a former board member of the Michigan Economic Growth Authority and former treasurer of the Michigan Humanities Council.  
    May 7, 2013

  • Susan Pryce, '86, was featured in Detroit Legal News for her career change from partner at Sommers Schwartz in Southfield, to partner in a bakery business.
    January 27, 2009

  • Mark A. Metz, '86, was ranked as a leader in Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, Corporate Law, and Securities Law in the “Best Lawyers in America” guide. He provides general corporate and securities representation for many of the firm’s publicly-held corporate clients in areas such as defensive planning, director’s duties, periodic reporting, disclosure, the responsibilities of corporate insiders, stick-based benefit plans, and insider trading rules.
    November 13, 2008

  • Mark Bowman, '86, will lead Chicago-based commercial real estate firm Howard Ecker in the Detroit market.
    June 8, 2009

  • Eric S. Richards, '86, of Mika, Meyers, Beckett and Jones, PLC, was included in the 2010 edition of the Best Lawyers in America. Lawyers are selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers solely on the basis of a nationally-conducted peer-review survey in which more than 25,000 leading lawyers vote on the legal abilities and professional achievements of other lawyers in their specialties.
    August 4, 2009

  • Roselyn R. Parmenter, '86, a principal with Miller Canfield (Ann Arbor, Mich.), has been appointed to the Eastern Michigan University Paralegal Studies Program Advisory Board.
    November 30, 2009

  • Gregory A. Nowak, '86, one of Michigan's leading experts on state and local tax issues, has re-joined Miller Canfield in its Business Litigation and Trial Group. He will specialize in state and local taxation.
    December 7, 2009

  • Gregory A. Nowak, '86, was elected principal of Miller Canfield. Nowak is one of Michigan's leading experts on state and local tax issues. He re-joined Miller Canfield in 2009 after spending 16 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers (Detroit). He is currently the chair-elect of the Board of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA). He has advised the Michigan legislature on tax policy issues and has received various awards for his contributions in the area of state and local taxation. 
    February 2, 2010

  • Lynn GandhiLynn Gandhi, '86, a partner with Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP (Honigman), spoke at the American Bar Association (ABA) and Institute for Professionals in Taxation's (IPT) advanced tax seminar. Gandhi was one of only two Michigan attorneys to speak at this national conference.
    March 26, 2010

  • Mark A. MetzMark A. Metz, '86, of Dykema, was ranked by his peers as a leader in corporate governance and compliance law in the 2010 edition of Best Lawyers in America.
    June 25, 2010

  • Eric Richards, '86, of Mika Meyers Beckett and Jones PLC, was included in the 2011 edition of the Best Lawyers in America.
    August 5, 2010

  • Gregory A. NowakGregory A. Nowak, '86, has been elected as the chair of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants for 2010-2011 year. Nowak, CPA, JD, is a principal in the Detroit office of the international law firm of Miller Canfield.
    August 25, 2010

  • Gerald T. Lievois, '86, an attorney with Dykema, was included in the 2011 edition of Best Lawyers in America.
    September 2, 2010

  • Sheryl L. Toby, '86, co-leader of the bankruptcy and corporate restructing practice group with Dykema, was included in the 2011 edition of Best Lawyers in America.
    September 2, 2010

  • Elaine Fieldman, '86, of Barris Sott Denn and Driker, PLLC, was elected to the Michigan State University College of Law's Board of Trustees on September 29, 2010, and will be serving as one of four members of the Board of Trustees.
    October 22, 2010

  • E. Powell Miller, '86, was featured in the Detroit Free Press in an article titled "Lawyer's office is lined with rare baseball cards, including Honus Wagner."
    January 10, 2011

  • Lynn A. GandhiLynn A. Gandhi, '86, a partner with Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn, was named secretary of the State Bar of Michigan's governing body of the Tax Section known as the Tax Council. Gandhi is a partner in Honigman's tax appeals department. In her law practice, Gandhi advises clients on a national basis regarding multistate tax strategies, tax disputes and litigates state tax cases. Her areas of concentration are state income and gross receipts taxes, sales and use taxes, the Michigan Business Tax and other excise taxes. She is a certified public accountant recognized in Michigan and Illinois.  
    January 13, 2011

  • Brian, '86, and Mary MorrowBrian, '86, and Mary Morrow, '86, both assistant Wayne County prosecuting attorneys, were featured in a recent Legal News article for establishing a small college scholarship. Named the Brian and Mary Morrow Community Service Scholarship, the scholarship rewards the initiative of graduating seniors from the Detroit Public Schools ("DPS") who have been actively involved in community service projects and who desire to continue their education at the college or university level.
    July 12, 2011

  • Hon. Nancy Meyer-Swink SaittaHon. Nancy Meyer-Swink Saitta, '86, has become Chief Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court. She was elected to the Supreme Court in 2006, a decade after she began her judicial career with her appointment as a Las Vegas Municipal Court Judge in October 1996. Two years later, she was elected as a District Court judge presiding over felony criminal cases and complex civil cases.
    October 3, 2011

  • Eric S. Richards, '86, an attorney with Mika Meyers Beckett and Jones PLC, was included in the 2012 edition of Best Lawyers in America.
    December 22, 2011

  • Gregory NowakGregory Nowak, '86, received two distinguished awards for his public service.  Nowak received the Cowger Leadership Award from the American Cancer Society for his outstanding contribution to the ACS' fundraising effort, serving as finance chair for the past two years. He also received the Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants for his contributions to the accounting profession in Michigan. He is the past chair of the board of the MACPA. A principal at Miller Canfield, Nowak is one of Michigan's leading experts on state and local tax issues.  With over 20 years' experience, he focuses his practice on both structural tax planning and state tax controversy matters. He has served as a tax policy advisor to the Michigan legislature and Snyder administration. He is a longtime member of the MACPA and received their Hoatlin Award in 2008 and Special Recognition Award in 2009. He is chair of the Detroit Regional Chamber Tax Committee and a member of the council of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is a member of the boards of the Detroit Historical Society and the Accounting Aid Society, and treasurer of the Detroit Yacht Club.
    October 21, 2012

  • Ken NeumanKen Neuman, '86, was named one of The Best Lawyers in America 2013 in the practice area of real estate litigation for the second consecutive year. He is a managing partner of  Neuman Anderson P.C., a Birmingham-based business law firm specializing in complex commercial litigation. Neuman concentrates his practice in complex commercial litigation and business consulting, with a focus on corporate, real estate/construction, accounting and forensic issues, and contract disputes. Neuman is a registered certified public accountant and spent several years with one of the "big eight" accounting firms prior to beginning his legal career. He has been named a Michigan Super Lawyer since 2007 and a DBusiness magazine Top Lawyer.
    November 17, 2012

  • Elizabeth PezzettiElizabeth Pezzetti, '86, was appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court to the Committee on Model Civil Jury Instructions, which drafts standard instructions for juries in civil cases. Pezzetti is a judge with the Oakland County Probate Court.
    December 10, 2012

  • Lynn GandhiLynn Gandhi, '86, was named chair of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce Tax Policy Committee for a two-year term.  The committee works closely with the legislature, industry and state agencies on a variety of tax related issues, particularly those related to state and local tax. She is a partner in the Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP's Tax Practice Group.  Gandhi advises clients on a national basis regarding multistate tax strategies, tax disputes and litigates state tax cases.  Her areas of concentration are state income and gross receipts taxes, sales and use taxes, Michigan business taxes and other excise taxes.  She is also experienced in unclaimed property processes and audits, from both the preventive and defensive postures, and is deeply engaged in investment incentive opportunities.  She is a certified public accountant recognized in Michigan and Illinois. Gandhi also serves as secretary of the State Bar of Michigan's Tax Council and Chair of the American Bar Association's Gross Receipts Tax subcommittee.  She has been named in "Best Lawyers in America "from 2010 to 2013, Michigan Super Lawyers in 2011 and 2012 and as a DBusiness "Top Lawyers" in 2013.  
    February 26, 2013

  • Joseph M. Fazio, '85, was elected by Miller Canfield to serve a two-year term as managing director, effective Jan. 1, 2009. He is a principal in the Real Estate Group in the Ann Arbor, Michigan office. His specific areas of expertise include complex commercial real estate acquisitions and developments, with extensive experience in ground leasing, entity formation, public/private development agreements, as well as conventional, securitized and tax-increment financing. He is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA and Michigan Super Lawyers for his real estate work.
    February 2, 2009

  • Michael A. Fleming, '85, of Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, was named a shareholder of the firm. He lends his expertise in the areas of banking and finance law, and creditor’s rights and bankruptcy. He represent s clients in commercial and secured transactions, including loan workouts, foreclosures and commercial loan collections, as well as business reorganizations, debtor and creditor's rights, and probate and estate administration. Fleming has also earned Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating-AV, which is a peer review rating process. Ratings fall into the categories of legal ability and general ethical standards.
    January 27, 2009

  • Linda G. Burwell, '85, a partner at Nemeth Burwell PC, was a presenter at the annual Michigan Society for Human Resource Management (MISHRAM) State Conference, Oct. 15-17 in Dearborn, Mich. Burwell’s presentation focused on the legal, policy and HR challenges that electronic communications present to employers.
    December 1, 2008

  • Diane Akers, '85, a partner in the Detroit office of the law firm Bodman LLP, was appointed co-chair of the Business Impact Committee of the Judicial Cross-roads Task Force. The Task Force, created by the State Bar of Michigan, addresses maintaining judicial services despite decreased funding and the economic down-turn.
    October 23, 2009

  • Linda Burwell, '85, founding partner with Nemeth Burwell, was included in DBusiness magazine's exclusive 2010 Martindale-Hubbell list of metro Detroit's finest barristers.
    November 17, 2009

  • Jay Kaplan, '85, an ACLU of Michigan staff attorney, was featured in the Detroit Legal News regarding his recent lecture at Wayne Law. Kaplan's lecture topic was Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the ongoing federal challenge to California's same-sex marriage ban. 
    January 15, 2010

  • Linda BurwellLinda Burwell, '85, a founding partner of Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell, P.C., has been named one of Michigan's 25 Leaders in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Burwell and her fellow honorees from throughout the state's legal community were celebrated at an awards luncheon today at the Marriott in Troy.
    March 16, 2010

  • Joseph M. Fazio, '85, of Miller Canfield, has been elected chair of the managing directors, the firm's five-person management administration. The managing directors work closely with CEO Michael W. Hartmann to oversee the firm's 18 offices and 370 lawyers in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Poland and China. Fazio is a principal in the Real Estate Group in the Ann Arbor, Mich. office. His specific areas of expertise include complex commercial real estate acquisitions and developments, with extensive experience in ground leasing, entity formation, public/private development agreements, as well as conventional, securitized and tax-increment financing.  
    April 21, 2010

  • Linda G. BurwellLinda G. Burwell, '85, founding partner of Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell, P.C., has been named to the 2011 edition of the Best Lawyers in America® in the specialty area of labor and employment law.
    August 26, 2010

  • Linda BurwellLinda Burwell, '85, founding partner of Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell, P.C., has been included in the November/December issue of DBusiness magazine's exclusive 2011 list of metro Detroit's Top Lawyers in the specialty areas of labor and employment.
    November 4, 2010

  • Holli Hart Targan, '85, an attorney with Jaffe Raitt Heuer and Weiss PC, was featured in the On the Stand section of the September 21, 2010, Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
    November 10, 2010

  • Linda BurwellLinda Burwell, '85, presented "Employee Privacy in the Electronic Age: Is Big Brother Watching You?" at the Bernard Gottfried Labor Law Symposium in October at Wayne Law. She facilitated a Continuing Legal Education session entitled "Working with The EEOC - An Insider's Perspective" at a national meeting of law firms in October in Washington D.C. She and Patricia Nemeth,'90, presented "Litigating Employment Claims in Michigan: The Effects of Nuanced State Laws and a Rejuvenated EEOC" to a large group of insurance representatives in October in Chicago. They also addressed social networking issues affecting employers at a large multi-national insurance group in Connecticut in a presentation entitled, "Hey, Get out of my Face...Book!" in October.
    December 6, 2010

  • Joseph M. FazioJoseph M. Fazio, '85, has been re-elected by the law firm of Miller Canfield to serve a two-year term as a managing director, effective January 1, 2011.  He is part of a five-person management administration that works with the CEO to oversee the firm's offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Poland and China.
    January 31, 2011

  • Nazli G. SaterNazli G. Sater, '85, has joined Warner Norcross and Judd LLP in its Southfield office. Sater, who joins the law firm as a partner, concentrates her practice in the Family Law/Divorce Practice Group. She has extensive experience in family law, including child custody and support, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, property division and related areas. Prior to joining Warner Norcross, she was a partner in the litigation department of Hyman Lippitt PC, where she concentrated her practice in divorce and family law. Sater serves on the Family Law Advisory Board of the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. She has also served as a guest lecturer on a variety of topics related to family law and divorce issues.  
    February 7, 2011

  • Linda Burwell Linda Burwell , '85, addressed social networking issues affecting employers in a presentation entitled, "Hey, Get out of my Face...Book!" which took place in New York and Ohio in March.
    March 23, 2011

  • Linda BurwellLinda Burwell, '85, founding partner of Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell PC, addressed social networking issues affecting employers in a presentation entitled, Emerging Issues of Liability Arising from the Use of Social Networking in the Workplace. The presentation was held in Connecticut before a large industry group.
    August 2, 2011

  • Mark G. Landau, '85, LL.M., of Couzens Lansky of Farmington Hills, was chosen as a 2011 FIVE STAR Wealth Manager. He is part of a select group, representing less than 7 percent of wealth managers in the Detroit metropolitan area. The award is based on survey results from thousands of consumers and other financial services professionals.
    August 16, 2011

  • Holli TarganHolli Targan, '85, a partner in the Southfield office of Jaffe Raitt Heuer and Weiss PC, was recently selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America ® 2012 in the field of information technology.
    October 31, 2011

  • Richard M. MiettinenRichard M. Miettinen, '85, of the law firm Howard and Howard, has been named to DBusiness Top Lawyers 2012.
    November 3, 2011

  • Dennis J. LevasseurDennis J. Levasseur, '85, an attorney at Bodman PLC, was recognized in the just-released 2012 edition of Benchmark Litigation, a guide to America’s leading litigation firms and attorneys for his commercial litigation work. Benchmark honors law firms and individual attorneys who received particularly strong endorsements from clients and peers in an exhaustive annual research survey.
    December 13, 2011

  • Derek S. WhitefieldDerek S. Whitefield, '85, of Dykema's Los Angeles office, has been elected by the membership of the firm to the firm's 7-member executive board. In his new role, Mr. Whitefield will help guide the long-range strategic planning, policy and direction of the firm, and help oversee the firm's economic performance.
    January 6, 2012

  • John Roth, '85, is leaving his job as the Justice Department's special counsel for money-laundering policy on the Financial Action Task Force in Paris, France, to become director of the Food and Drug Administration's Office of Criminal Investigations. He'll supervise a staff of 280. Roth served on the 9/11 Commission in 2003-04.
    July 2, 2012

  • Mindy HitchcockMindy Hitchcock, '85, was the focus of a feature story in the Grand Rapids Legal News. Her Bingham Farms legal firm is called Lady4 Justice.
    November 9, 2012

  • Anthony Saulino Jr.Anthony Saulino Jr., '85, was recognized as a Top Lawyer in Metro Detroit 2013 in the practice area of Real Estate Law by DBusiness magazine. He is with Butzel Long.
    December 6, 2012

  • Rick BergRick Berg, '85, was recognized as a Top Lawyer in Metro Detroit 2013 in the practice areas of Business Litigation and Commercial Litigation by DBusiness magazine. He is with Butzel Long.
    December 6, 2012

  • Holli TarganHolli Targan, '85, has been elected to a one-year term as a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of Washington, D.C.-based Electronic Transactions Association. Targan served as president of the ETA in 2010 and as a member of its Board of Directors for more than 10 years.  She concentrates her law practice on card processing, mobile payments and electronic payments law. She is a frequent lecturer and has published dozens of articles on industry-related topics. She is a partner at Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss PC.
    January 28, 2013

  • Linda BurwellLinda Burwell, '85, testified before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Washington, D.C., on March 20, as part of a round table public meeting to provide input on the agency's Quality Control Plan for investigations and conciliations. A nationally recognized speaker and author on employment law, discrimination prevention and risk management, Burwell often serves as the legal expert on panels involving employment laws and workplace trends. At Nemeth Burwell, where she is a founding partner, she serves as a litigator, arbitrator and consultant, representing management in all aspects of labor and employment law and EEOC matters. Burwell's areas of expertise include wrongful discharge, discrimination, non-competition, harassment, interference with contract, equal pay, retaliation, whistleblowers, wage and hours, unfair labor practices, breach of contract, libel and slander, and invasion of privacy. She also counsels management on collective bargaining agreements, pre-employment, discipline, and pre-termination and post-termination matters. Burwell is a board member of the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms and an ABA Foundation Fellow.  She is a member of the Michigan, Ohio, Federal, and the United States Supreme Court Bar.  She has received numerous honors throughout her legal career and in 2010 was named one of Michigan's 25 Leaders in the Law by the legal trade publication Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
    March 24, 2013

  • Byron KonschuhByron Konschuh, '85, was appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder to the 40th Circuit Court covering Lapeer County. Konschuh has served as the Lapeer County prosecuting attorney since 2000.
    March 26, 2013

  • Jay KaplanJay Kaplan, '85, is speaking at the Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center from noon to 3 p.m. May 6 about the arguments on the same-sex marriage cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, the different possible outcomes, and their impact. Kaplan is the LGBT Legal Project staff attorney for the ACLU of Michigan. Kaplan has worked on cases including challenging undercover sting operations targeting gay men, fighting Michigan's constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex couples from marrying, defending the validity of second parent adoptions granted in Michigan, and recently advocating for a transgender high school student to be able to run for prom court. Kaplan was honored with the 2006 Unsung Hero Award from the Michigan State Bar and the 2010 Virginia Uribe Civil Rights Award from the National Education Association.        
    April 15, 2013

  • Elizabeth Hardy, '84, was named a Power Lawyer by Crain's Detroit Business. She is a founding partner of Kienbaum, Opperwall, Hardy & Pelton PLC and has won several significant Michigan Supreme Court decisions that helped reshape legal doctrines in the state in favor of employees.
    February 9, 2009

  • Kevin J. Cox, '84, of McKeen and Associates PC has been named senior associate. Cox specializes in medical malpractice and birth trauma litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Cox was a senior partner at Weiner and Cox, where he represented clients in medical malpractice and personal injury litigation. He is also a member of the Michigan Association for Justice (MAJ) and American Association for Justice (AAJ).
    December 1, 2008

  • Thomas J. McGraw, '84, of Dykema, was ranked as a leader in the “Best Lawyers in America” guide. McGraw practices health care law, and is the leader of the firm’s Health Care Practice Group.
    November 13, 2008

  • Patricia Nemeth, '84, the founding partner of Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell, P.C., has been named one of Michigan’s 25 Leaders in the Law by the legal trade publication Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Nemeth and her fellow honorees from throughout the state’s legal community were celebrated at an awards luncheon at the Marriott in Troy.
    March 27, 2009

  • Randall R. "Randy" Adams, '84, a Poyner Spruill attorney, has been named to the 2010 edition of Best Lawyers in America, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. He was recognized in the Insurance Law category.
    August 12, 2009

  • David Masson, '84, has been appointed associate vice president and deputy general counsel in the University of Michigan Office of the Vice President and General Counsel, pending approval by the Board of Regents.
    March 16, 2010

  • Patricia NemethPatricia Nemeth, '84, founding partner of Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell, P.C., has been named to the 2011 edition of the Best Lawyers in America® in the specialty area of labor and employment law.
    August 26, 2010

  • Elizabeth A. Silverman, '84, was featured in the On the Stand section of the Michigan Lawyers Weekly August 30, 2010 issue.
    November 4, 2010

  • Kenneth R. MarcusKenneth R. Marcus, '84, a partner with Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP's Health Care Department, recently moderated a webinar panel entitled "Graduate Medical Education Payment Implications of the Healthcare Reform Law Part II: CMS Issues Final Regulations."  The webinar was sponsored nationally by the American Health Lawyers Association and drew an audience from law firms and teaching hospitals located throughout the country.
    December 16, 2010

  • Jonathan R. BorensteinJonathan R. Borenstein, '84, a partner with Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, has been appointed to serve as an executive board vice president for the Apartment Association of Michigan.
    March 2, 2011

  • Kenneth R. MarcusKenneth R. Marcus, '84, a partner in Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP's Health Care Department, recently addressed attendees at the Institute on Medicare and Medicaid Payment Issues program sponsored by the American Health Lawyers Association.  
    April 14, 2011

  • Patricia NemethPatricia Nemeth, '84, LL.M. '90, founding partner of Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell PC, has received the Outstanding Board Leadership Award from Dearborn Heights-based Vista Maria, the oldest and largest private, not-for-profit child welfare agency in Michigan for girls and young women. She will be honored at Vista Maria's annual meeting and special recognition breakfast on Tuesday, June 28 at the Dearborn Inn.
    June 23, 2011

  • Patricia NemethPatricia Nemeth, '84, LL.M. '90, founding partner of Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell PC, is included in a recently published book by the American Bar Association (ABA) titled, The Road to Independence: 101 Women's Journeys to Starting their Own Law Firms. 
    July 26, 2011

  • Patricia NemethPatricia Nemeth, '84, LL.M. '90, founding partner of Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell PC, addressed social networking issues affecting employers in a presentation entitled, Emerging Issues of Liability Arising from the Use of Social Networking in the Workplace. The presentation was held in Connecticut before a large industry group.
    August 2, 2011

  • William A. Beluzo Jr.William A. Beluzo Jr., '84, a Plunkett Cooney estate planning attorney, was recently named a "Detroit Five Star Wealth Manager" for 2011 by FIVE STAR Professional, an independent client satisfaction research firm. Beluzo, who works in Plunkett Cooney's Bloomfield Hills office, has more than 30 years of experience in the areas of probate and estate planning, trusts, wills, estate and trust administration, probate and trust litigation, tax law, wealth strategy planning, asset protection planning, and family and elder law. In 2010, the Institute of Business and Finance honored him with the prestigious estate planning designation of Board Certified in Estate Planning.
    August 9, 2011

  • Patricia NemethPatricia Nemeth, '84, LL.M. '90, founding partner of Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell PC, was interviewed by R. J. King, editor of DBusiness magazine, for the video series View from the Top. View from the Top features the Southeast Michigan region's leading business owners, CEOs and thought leaders discussing a variety of business issues affecting the Detroit Metropolitan region.
    September 7, 2011

  • Patricia NemethPatricia Nemeth, '84, LL.M. '90, a founding partner of Nemeth Burwell PC, co-wrote an article with Terry Bonnette, '04, entitled, "Don't be Blind-Sided by GINA: The Surprisingly Wide Reach of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act," which was published in the October/November issue of Executive Counsel Magazine.
    November 3, 2011

  • Randall AdamsRandall Adams, '84, was named to "The Best Lawyers in America 2013," a peer-review publication. He focuses his practice on tort liability with an emphasis in transportation, health care and product liability. He is with Poyner & Spruill in North Carolina.
    September 10, 2012

  • Bernadette DennehyBernadette Dennehy, '84, was listed in Best Lawyers in America and Michigan Super Lawyers for 2012. Dennehy is a member in Dickinson Wright PLLC's office in Detroit. She focuses her practice in the areas of corporate, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, real estate, and real estate finance.
    October 22, 2012

  • Kevin CoxKevin Cox, '84, was elected in November to the Wayne County Third Circuit Court bench. Previously, as an assistant attorney general in the labor division of the office of Attorney General Bill Schuette since 2010, Cox represented the state of Michigan in state courts and administrative hearings.
    November 26, 2012

  • Michael FishmanMichael Fishman, '84, was named Best Lawyer 2013 in the area of trademark law. Moreover, he was named Lawyer of the Year in the area of trademark law for his geographic location, one of the most prestigious awards granted by Best Lawyers in America. Fishman has filed, prosecuted and maintained thousands of trademark applications and registrations in more than 200 jurisdictions worldwide. He is a founding member of Rader Fishman and Grauer PLLC.
    December 4, 2012

  • The Hon. Donald Allen Jr., '83, was honored by the Lansing Black Lawyers Association for outstanding his leadership and accomplishments.
    June 8, 2009

  • Anne Widlak, '83, a partner with Nemeth Burwell, was included in DBusiness magazine's exclusive 2010 Martindale-Hubbell list of metro Detroit's finest barristers.
    November 17, 2009

  • James S. Fontichiaro, '83, was named to the 2010 edition of "Best Lawyers Real Estate Lawyer of the Year" for 2009.
    November 24, 2009

  • James Fontichiaro, '83, of Barris, Sott, Denn & Driker, was named to the 2010 edition of "Best Lawyers in America."
    December 14, 2009

  • Kent Siegel, '83, has been appointed as chief financial officer and senior vice-president of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. Siegel has been a member of the board of directors of Zion Oil & Gas, Inc. since November 2003 and served, until very recently, as lead independent director, chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a member of both the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee.
    July 12, 2010

  • James S. FontichiaroJames S. Fontichiaro, '83, was named to the 2011 edition of Best Lawyers.
    September 29, 2010

  • Anne Widlak , '83, partner in the Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell, P.C., have been included in the November/December issue of DBusiness magazine's exclusive 2011 list of metro Detroit's Top Lawyers in the specialty areas of labor and employment.
    November 4, 2010

  • Charles Charles "Chip" Berschback, '83, was recently named as one of Metro Detroit's "Top Lawyers" for 2011 by DBusiness magazine. Berschback was honored in the municipal law category. He is a city attorney and prosecutor for Grosse Pointe Woods.
    November 23, 2010

  • Patricia Stamler, '83, a partner at Hertz Schram, PC, was profiled in the December 6 issue of Crain's Detroit Business "Focus: Best Lawyers" section. Crain's worked with industry publication Best Lawyers to create a report on outstanding metro-Detroit area attorneys as identified by peer review surveys.
    December 9, 2010

  • Patricia Stamler, '83, a partner at Hertz Schram PC, will receive the 2nd annual Women's Bar Association Award at the WBA's annual dinner on May 18, 2011, at The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Mich.
    April 26, 2011

  • Dirk BeckwithDirk Beckwith, '83, a shareholder at the law firm of Foster Swift Collins and Smith PC, was named as the first vice president of the Transportation Lawyers Association (TLA). TLA is an independent international organization of attorneys, serving the transportation industry since 1937. The new officers of the TLA were elected at its annual meeting on May 12, 2011.  
    June 6, 2011

  • Candyce AbbattCandyce Abbatt, '83, was appointed by Attorney General Bill Schuette to the Board of Trustees of Legacy DMC, formerly the Detroit Medical Center (DMC). Abbatt joins 18 other trustees of Legacy DMC and will serve an indefinite term at the will of the current Attorney General. Born and educated in Michigan, Abbatt has extensive experience as a nonprofit director and advisor, including serving for many years as a member of the Henry Ford Health System's West Region Board. She was the first woman president of the Wayne Law Alumni Board and remains active as a member of the Wayne Law Board of Visitors (trustee). She is a member of the Southfield firm of Fried Saperstein Abbatt PC, specializing in family and business law.
    August 23, 2011

  • James S. FontichiaroJames S. Fontichiaro, '83, of Barris Sott Denn and Driker PLLC, was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2012. Fontichiaro was honored for his excellence in real estate law.
    September 22, 2011

  • Henry J. Brennan III , '83, of the law firm Howard and Howard, has been named to DBusiness Top Lawyers 2012.
    November 2, 2011

  • Joel D. ApplebaumJoel D. Applebaum, '83, an attorney with Clark Hill, was appointed chairman of the board of directors of Legal Aid and Defender Association (LAD), effective January 1, 2012.  Applebaum is a member in Clark Hill’s Birmingham office where he practices in the firm’s Corporate Restructuring and Bankruptcy Practice Group.  He previously served as Secretary of LAD, and has served on the Board of Directors for more than a decade, beginning in 2000.
    January 10, 2012

  • John TrentacostaJohn Trentacosta, '83, was recognized in "The Best Lawyers in America 2013." The listings are based on peer review. Trentacosta is a partner with the Detroit office of Foley & Lardner LLP.
    September 4, 2012

  • James FontichiaroJames Fontichiaro, '83, was selected for "Best Lawyers in America 2013" for excellence in real estate law. He is a member with Barris Sott Denn & Driker PLLC.
    October 8, 2012

  • Deborah GraceDeborah Grace, '83, was listed in Best Lawyers in America and Michigan Super Lawyers for 2012. Grace is a member in Dickinson Wright PLLC's office in Troy. She focuses her practice in the areas of employee benefits, estate planning and administration, mergers and acquisitions, schools and education, and taxation.
    October 22, 2012

  • Joseph RichertJoseph Richert, '83, was selected to participate in the Detroit Regional Chamber's Leadership Detroit program to bring about positive change in the region.  Richert is CEO of Special Tree Rehabilitation System, a leader in brain injury and spinal cord injury rehabilitation with over 25 locations throughout Michigan.
    October 31, 2012

  • Eric FlesslandEric Flessland, '83, was recognized as a Top Lawyer in Metro Detroit 2013 in the practice areas of Construction Law and Construction Litigation by DBusiness magazine. He is with Butzel Long.
    December 6, 2012

  • Anne WidlakAnne Widlak, '83, has been named a 2013 Top Rated Lawyer in Labor & Employment by American Lawyer Media, a provider of news and information to the legal industry, and Martindale-Hubbell, a legal peer review organization. American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell joined forces on this rating effort to highlight the "Top Rated Lawyers" in the February issue of The National Law Journal. Widlak is included in the listing as a result of achieving the AV Preeminent peer review rating, the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards. She is a partner at Detroit-based employment law firm Nemeth Burwell PC. As a litigator and counselor, Widlak defends cases in state and federal courts involving a comprehensive array of claims, including workplace harassment; discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, national origin and other protected categories; retaliation; violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act; wrongful discharge; and intentional interference with an at-will employment relationship. Active in the legal community, Widlak has been a volunteer hearing panel member of the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board since 1998 and was appointed a panel chairperson in 2006, a position she continues to hold. Additionally, Widlak was the first female chair of the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Michigan, serving from 2002 to 2003. She is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA), a trial lawyer honorary society comprised of less than one-half of one percent of lawyers in the United States. Widlak is the fourth generation of lawyers in her family to have been members of the legal community in the City of Detroit and is the first female in her family to have practiced law in the city as part of that long tradition. She was named one of Michigan's 25 Leaders in the Law in 2012, Michigan Lawyers Weekly and has also been named a Michigan Super Lawyer each year since 2008. She serves as a volunteer attorney at a Detroit warming center for the homeless as part of Project H.E.L.P. (Homeless Experience Legal Protection), which partners with local homeless service programs to offer clinics that provide free legal advice and assistance to homeless individuals.
    February 5, 2013

  • Stephen GrossStephen Gross, '83, was awarded a Crain's Detroit Business M&A Award for guiding client Kazi Foods through several bankruptcies, restructuring the business and selling it to save more than 2,000 jobs. He is co-chairman of business-restructuring services for Bloomfield Hills-based McDonald Hopkins.
    April 16, 2013

  • Lee Hornberger, '82, Arbitration and Mediation Office of Lee Hornberger, has been appointed to the Awards Committee of the State Bar of Michigan. The Awards Committee recommends recipients of State Bar of Michigan awards, including the annual Liberty Bell Award made to non-attorneys. Hornberger is the Immediate Past President of the Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association.
    November 18, 2008

  • Peter M. Kellett, '82, of Dykema, was ranked as a leader in the “Best Lawyers in America” guide. Kellett is director of the Litigation Department. He focuses his practice in the areas of alternative dispute resolution, commercial litigation and product liability litigation.
    November 13, 2008

  • Lee Hornberger, '82, of the Arbitration and Mediation Office of Lee Hornberger, was appointed by the Traverse City City Commission to the Traverse City Human Rights Commission. In addition, Hornberger's article "Supreme Court Crawford Retaliation Decision" was recently published in the Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association newsletter. He is immediate past president of the Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association.
    May 12, 2009

  • Samuel Stahl, '82, a partner and chair of the Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP Private Equity and Venture Capital practice group, will be a featured panelist at the Association for Corporate Growth's Third Annual M&A Conference on June 2, 2009 at the Detroit Athletic Club. Stahl will serve on a panel addressing "Completing Transactions in the Hot Sector."
    May 19, 2009

  • Samuel Stahl, '82, was a featured panelist at the Association for Corporate Growth's 3rd annual M&A Conference at the Detroit Athletic Club.
    June 8, 2009

  • Lee Hornberger, '82, of the Arbitration and Mediation Office of Lee Hornberger, was recently included on the Michigan Employment Relations Commission's panel of grievance arbitrators. He earned an LLM from Wayne Law in 1982.
    August 6, 2009

  • Kathleen Wilson-Thompson, '82, was appointed senior vice president and chief human resources officer of Walgreens. Wilson-Thompson also received an LL.M. degree (1996) from Wayne Law.
    November 24, 2009

  • Sandra D. Glazier, '82, was named a partner with Lipson, Neilson, Cole, Seltzer & Garin, PC. Glazier is an estate planning, family and probate lawyer working in the Estate Planning Group and Center for Estate Planning with Lipson Neilson.
    February 25, 2010

  • Peter M. KellettPeter M. Kellett, '82, of Dykema, was ranked by his peers as a leader in alternative dispute resolution, commercial litigation and product liability litigation in the 2010 edition of Best Lawyers in America.
    June 25, 2010

  • Lee Hornberger, LL.MLee Hornberger, LL.M, '82, of the Arbitration and Mediation Office of Lee Hornberger was recently elected to the Representative Assembly of the State Bar of Michigan. The Assembly is the final policy-making body of the State Bar.
    July 1, 2010

  • Dennis J. Donohue, '82, a partner with the law firm Warner Norcross and Judd LLP, has been named to The Best Lawyers in America® 2011.
    October 14, 2010

  • Lee HornbergerLee Hornberger, '82, LL.M., with the Arbitration and Mediation Office of Lee Hornberger, was the featured speaker at the Oct. 20 Community Mediation Services Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Gaylord, Mich. His presentation focused on ethics in mediation. While serving in South Vietnam, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Army Commendation Medals. The unit he was in was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm. He is a past president of the Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association. Lee is a member of the Traverse City Human Rights Commission, a Michigan Civil Rights Commission hearing referee, a Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians hearing officer; and on the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians hearing officer list.  
    October 26, 2010

  • Lee HornbergerLee Hornberger, '82, LL.M., recently had two articles published. "Leave Provisions of the Labor Code of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam" was published in the Winter 2011 edition of the State Bar of Michigan's Labor and Employment Lawnotes. "Back in Indochina, Things Are a Bit Different" was published in the Feb. 13, 2011, Traverse City Record-Eagle.  
    February 18, 2011

  • Kenneth L. Gross, '82, managing shareholder and co-founding shareholder with Thav Gross Steinway and Bennett PC, has been named one of  25 "Leaders in the Law" for 2011 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
    February 28, 2011

  • Robert W. Stevenson Robert W. Stevenson , '82, a partner with Caesar Rivise Bernstein Cohen and Pokotilow, was a featured speaker at the Sixth International Pharmaceutical R&D Summit in Shanghai, China, in April 2011.
    May 19, 2011

  • Lee HornbergerLee Hornberger, '82, LL.M., of the Arbitration and Mediation Office of Lee Hornberger has been admitted to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service's Roster of Arbitrators.
    January 3, 2012

  • Lee HornbergerLee Hornberger, '82, LL.M., of the Arbitration and Mediation Office of Lee Hornberger has been appointed chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association. Lee is a former president of the Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association.
    February 16, 2012

  • David RogersDavid Rogers, '82, was named a 2013 DBusiness Top Lawyer in the Health Care Law category. A shareholder with Rogers Mantese & Associates PC, Rogers focuses his practice primarily on representing Michigan health care organizations, professionals and businesses in matters including contracts, third party payer audits and reimbursement, and legislative issues. He is the former chair of the State Bar of Michigan Health Care Law Section, of which he was named a Fellow in 2011. In addition, Rogers is a former faculty member in the Department of Internal Medicine Residency Program at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, chair of the University's Irvin D. Reid Honors College Board of Visitors, and member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, American Health Lawyers Association, and Federal, Detroit Metropolitan and Oakland County Bar Associations.
    November 27, 2012

  • Lee HornbergerLee Hornberger, '82, of the Arbitration and Mediation Office of Lee Hornberger, moderated the Conflict Resolution Services' in-service on "How Judges Treat Mediated Settlement Agreements" in Traverse City on Oct. 25, 2012. Hornberger, an arbitrator and mediator in Traverse City, is a member of the Representative Assembly of the State Bar of Michigan, Chair of the ADR Committee of the Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association, and a former President of the Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association. He is an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Michigan Employment Relations Commission, National Arbitration Forum, and National Futures Association.
    December 7, 2012

  • Jay WelfordJay Welford, '82, was named the practice group coordinator for the insolvency and reorganization group at Southfield-based Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss PC, where he is a partner. Welford has more than 30 years of experience in corporate representation and restructuring. His practice encompasses multiple industry sectors, including banking, construction, manufacturing, logistics, servicing and leasing. In addition to this new role, Welford is also co-practice group coordinator for the franchise law practice group with a specific expertise in developing franchise systems. Throughout the years, Welford has received multiple legal honors and awards from Michigan Super Lawyer, Best Lawyers and DBusiness magazine. He is an active member in multiple business and legal associations, including the American Bar Association, American Bankruptcy Institute, Commercial Law League of America Bankruptcy and Insolvency Section and the International Franchise Association. He also serves as president of the nonprofit organization ALS of Michigan.
    March 22, 2013

  • Michael KhouryMichael Khoury, '82, was named co-practice group coordinator for Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss PC's Emerging and Growth Business Practice Group. He is a partner with the firm. Khoury is also a member of the Corporate and Intellectual Property and Information Technology Practice Groups, specializing his practice in commercial, business and technology matters including start-ups and emerging businesses. He is a former chair of the State Bar of Michigan's Business Law Section and Information Technology Law Section, as well as a member of advisory boards for several entrepreneurial organizations.
    May 17, 2013