PRINCIPALS
Richard A. Kitch (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, February 23, 1930; admitted to bar, 1955, Michigan. Education: Wayne State University (LL.B., with honors, 1954). Author: "Today's Court Climate," Hospital Insurance (Marsh & McLennan), March, 1973; "Countering the Coming 'Legal Onslaught'" published in Michigan Medicine, Vol. 74, No. 15, 1975; "Final Preparation for Trial," Chapter 2 of Michigan Civil Procedure During Trial, published by The Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1978; "The Realities of Medical Products Litigation-Defendant," Chapter VIII of "New Developments in Law and Medicine," published by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1974; "Physicians Going Naked Dangerously Exposes Hospitals and Professional Colleagues," published privately for use by clients; "Legal Liability in Conjunction with Credentialing," published privately for use by clients, 1984; "Effective Preparation for Cross-Examination of Plaintiff's Medical Malpractice Expert," Vol. 1, of the Federal Litigation Guide Reporter; "The Wickline Case: A Victory for Medicine? 'The Hospital Perspective'," published in the Detroit Medical News, Vol. LXVII, No. 31, January 26, 1987; "Legal Liability and Credentialing," published in Michigan Hospitals, May 1987; "Admissibility of 'Day in the Life' Films," published in Vol. 1, Issue 22 of the Federal Litigation Guide Reporter, Oct., 1987; "Training the Inexperienced Attorney in the Art of Litigation," published in Vol. 2, Issue 11 (November 1988) of the Federal Litigation Guide Reporter; "Attacking The Professional Medical Malpractice Expert Witness," Vol. 3, Issue 20 (August, 1991), The Federal Litigation Guide Reporter; "Inadequate Credentialing May Represent A $52,000,000.00 Bomb," published privately for use of Clients, 1992. Recipient, 1992 Michigan Health and Hospital Association Special Recognition Award. Committees: Past Chairman, U.S. District Court Rules Advisory Committee; Past Chairman, U.S. District Court Professional Assistance Committee; Joint Michigan Legislative Study Committee on Medical Malpractice 1972-1973; Past Chairman, Michigan Insurance Review Committee 1974-1978; Michigan Health and Hospital Association Task Force on Arbitration 1976-1977; Arbitration Criteria Subcommittee of Arbitration Advisory Committee Michigan Commissioner of Insurance 1976-1979; Third Judicial Circuit Court Scheduling; Committee, 1981-1982. Member: Michigan Health and Hospital Association Task Force on Medical Liability Reform 1988; Michigan Health and Hospital Association Medical Liability Coalition 1991; Medical-Legal Advisory Council for Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1974. Past Member, Board of Editors, Federal Litigation Guide Reporter. Member, Panel of Arbitrators, American Arbitration Association. Board Positions: Member, Board of Directors, FinCor Holdings, Inc.; Member, Board of Directors, Michigan Hospital Association Insurance Company; Member, Board of Directors, American University of the Caribbean Medical School; Member, Board of Trustees, St. John Macomb Hospital. Past Member, Board of Trustees, St. John Riverview Hospital. Member: State Bar of Michigan (1955 Chairman Panel - Attorney Discipline Board 1983; Member, Sections on: Negligence; Healthcare Law); State Bar Foundation. Fellow: American College of Trial Lawyers. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Professional Negligence; Hospital Liability; Personal Injury Claims and Products Liability.Email: Richard A. Kitch
Gregory G. Drutchas (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, June 2, 1949; admitted to bar, 1973, Michigan; 1974, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; 1977, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; 1983, U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan; 1985, U.S. Supreme Court. Education: University of Michigan (A.B., 1970); Duke University (J.D., 1973). Phi Delta Phi; Kappa Tau Alpha. Co-Author: "Consent Forms in Plain Language-A Guideline for the Development of Consent Forms in Plain Language Style," Michigan Hospitals, June, 1985; "Hospital Law: Theory and Application," Chapter, Handbook of Hospital Risk Management, Aspen Publication, 1986. Author: "Learning From Litigation," Michigan Hospitals, June, 1984; "From Me' to Us': Insurance Law Evolution in the Twentieth Century," Michigan Bar Journal, 50th Anniversary Edition, September, 1985; "Restoring the Balance," Michigan Hospitals, November, 1985; "Tort Reform: Still Looking to Restore the Balance," Michigan Hospitals, March 1989; "Hospital Policy Reviews Legal Implications," Trustee Magazine, September 1989. Co-Author: with Carol A. Tarnowsky, "Writing and Coordinating Hospital Policies in a Multihospital System," Perspectives in Healthcare Risk Management, American Society For Healthcare Risk Management, Vol. 12, No. 3, Summer, 1992; with Kenneth Frantz, "The `New' Choice - Profit or Tax Exempt Nonprofit Organization," Michigan Health and Hospitals, March/April, 1996. Member: Oakland County (Member, Medical-Legal Committee, 1981-1983; 1992-1996; Vice Chairman, 1978-1979 and Chairman, 1979-1980, Liaison to Court of Appeals Committee; Member, 1980-1983 and Chairman, 1992) and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Michigan (Member, 1981 and Chairman, 1985-1987, Insurance Law Committee; Member, 1997, Secretary, 1998-2000, Chair-Elect, 2000-2001 and Chair, 2001-2002, Council of Health Law Section); Michigan Health and Hospital Association (Member: Committee on Public Policy and Government, 1984-1985; Council on Networks, 1996-1997; Council on Small or Rural Hospitals, 1997-1998; Legislative Policy Panel 2004); AHLA; Michigan Society of Healthcare Attorneys (Board Member, 2003). [Capt., U.S. Air Force Reserve, 1973-1982]. Practice Areas: Health Care Law; Insurance; Corporations; Commercial Litigation.Email: Gregory G. Drutchas
Ronald E. Wagner (Managing Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, April 8, 1944; admitted to bar, 1975, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan; 1978, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. Education: Western Michigan University (B.A., 1966; M.A., 1969); Detroit College of Law (J.D., 1975). Adjunct Professor of Law at Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University, 1985-1998. Member: Detroit and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Michigan; Michigan Defense Trial Counsel; Defense Research Institute. (Managing Principal). Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Products Liability; Commercial Litigation.Email: Ronald E. Wagner
Ralph F. Valitutti, Jr. (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, November 8, 1950; admitted to bar, 1976, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; 1977, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; 1979, U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan. Education: Babson College (B.S.B.A., 1972); Detroit College of Law (J.D., 1976). Co-author: "Hospital Law: Theory and Application," Chapter, Handbook of Hospital Risk Management, Aspen Publication, 1986. Member, Michigan Medical School Council of Deans, 1978-1980. Member: Detroit Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan (Chairperson, Medical/Legal Committee, 1981-1983); Federal Bar Association; Association for Defense Trial Counsel; American Society of Law and Medicine; Michigan Defense Trial Counsel; Michigan Society of Hospital Attorneys. (Also at Mount Clemens and Marquette Offices). Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Birth Trauma; Governmental Law; Products Liability.Email: Ralph F. Valitutti, Jr.
Harry J. Sherbrook (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, December 27, 1951; admitted to bar, 1977, Michigan; U.S. District Court, Eastern MichiganU.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. Education: University of Michigan (B.G.S., 1974); Detroit College of Law (J.D., 1977). Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice.Email: Harry J. Sherbrook
Anthony G. Arnone (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, November 11, 1952; admitted to bar, 1977, Michigan. Education: University of Detroit (B.A., cum laude, 1974); Detroit College of Law (J.D., 1977). Member: Detroit Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan; Italian-American Bar; American Society of Law and Medicine; Michigan Defense Trial Counsel. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice.Email: Anthony G. Arnone
Charles W. Fisher (Principal) born Oak Park, Illinois, May 24, 1950; admitted to bar, 1979, Michigan; 1995, Ohio. Education: University of Michigan (B.A., Music, 1973); Detroit College of Law (J.D., 1979). Pi Kappa Lambda. Recipient, American Jurisprudence Book Awards in: Tort Law; Administrative Law; Commercial Transactions. Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Birth Trauma.Email: Charles W. Fisher
Victor J. Abela (Principal) born Malta, April 26, 1946; admitted to bar, 1975, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan. Education: Wayne State University (B.A., 1970); Detroit College of Law (J.D., 1975). Former Instructor, Oakland University Paralegal Program. Member: State Bar of Michigan; Michigan Self-Insurance Association (Member, Workers Disability Compensation, 1975). [BM-1-United States Coast Guard-1965-1973]. (Mount Clemens Office). Languages: Maltese. Practice Areas: Workers Compensation Defense.Email: Victor J. Abela
John P. Ryan (Principal) born Des Moines, Iowa, May 23, 1953; admitted to bar, 1981, Michigan; U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan. Education: University of Michigan (B.G.S., 1976); Thomas M. Cooley Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1981). Fellow: Michigan State Bar Foundation. Member: State Bar of Michigan (Member, Negligence Section). (Okemos Office). Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Birth Trauma; Mass Torts; Government Administration.Email: John P. Ryan
William D. Chaklos (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, January 31, 1956; admitted to bar, 1981, Michigan. Education: Michigan State University (B.A., with high honors, 1978); Thomas M. Cooley Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1981). Member: Detroit and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Michigan (Member: Health Care Committee; Lawyers Professional Liability Insurance Committee); The Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Long Term Care; General Litigation.Email: William D. Chaklos
Steve N. Cheolas (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, May 25, 1955; admitted to bar, 1980, Michigan. Education: Hillsdale College (B.L.S., 1977); Wake Forest University (J.D., 1980). Member: Macomb County Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan. (Mount Clemens Office). Practice Areas: Birth Trauma; Medical Malpractice.Email: Steve N. Cheolas
Susan Healy Zitterman (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, February 20, 1956; admitted to bar, 1981, Michigan; 1985, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; 1986, U.S. Supreme Court; 1991, Ohio. Education: University of Michigan (B.A., with distinction, 1978); Wayne State University (J.D., 1981). Prehearing Attorney for Michigan Court of Appeals, 1981-1982. Law Clerk for Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Myron H. Wahls, 1982-1983. Member: State Bar of Michigan (Chairman: Standing Committee on Appellate Court Administration, 1987-1993; 1995 and 1998 Bench Bar Foundation Conference; Council Member, Appellate Section, 1998-2004; Co-Chairman, Michigan Court Practice Committee, 1997-2004); The Incorporated Society of Irish American Lawyers. Practice Areas: Appellate Practice; Healthcare Business Transactions; Healthcare Regulation.Email: Susan Healy Zitterman
John Stephen Wasung (Principal) (Toledo, Ohio Office; see Toledo, Ohio listing for biography).
William W. Vertes (Principal) born Trenton, Michigan, July 23, 1958; admitted to bar, 1983, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: Michigan State University, Honors College (B.A., with honors, 1980); University of Notre Dame (J.D., 1983). Member: Detroit Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Birth Trauma.Email: William W. Vertes
John Paul Hessburg (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, April 12, 1961; admitted to bar, 1986, Michigan; 1989, District of Columbia. Education: St. John's University (B.S., 1983); Catholic University (J.D., 1986). Associate Editor, 1984-1985, Managing Editor, 1985-1986, Journal of Contemporary Health Law and Policy. General Counsel, Mediventures, Inc., 1989-1992. Member: Federal Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan; District of Columbia Bar. Practice Areas: Long Term Care; Health Care; Regulatory; Medical Malpractice; Administrative Law; Professional Negligence; Products Liability; Computer Contracts.Email: John Paul Hessburg
Karen Bernard Berkery (Principal) born Montclair, New Jersey, August 19, 1959; admitted to bar, 1985, New York and Michigan; 1988, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; 1989, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; 1990, U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan. Education: Douglass College, Rutgers University (B.A., with honors and distinction, 1981); State University of New York at Buffalo (J.D., cum laude, 1984). Hearing Referee, 1999, Michigan Department of Civil Rights. Case Counsel, Michigan Civil Rights Commission, 2000. Member: New York State Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan; Michigan Society of Hospital Attorneys. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment.Email: Karen Bernard Berkery
R. Michael O'Boyle (Principal) born Alma, Michigan, May 18, 1957; admitted to bar, 1983, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: Kalamazoo College; Western Michigan University (B.A., 1979); University of Detroit (J.D., 1983). Member: State Bar of Michigan. (Mount Clemens Office). Practice Areas: Workers Compensation.Email: R. Michael O'Boyle
Daniel R. Shirey (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, April 6, 1960; admitted to bar, 1986, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; 1988, Florida. Education: Michigan State University (B.A., with honors, 1982); University of Illinois (J.D., 1986). Delta Theta Phi. Member: State Bar of Michigan; The Florida Bar. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Estate Planning and Probate; Products Liability.Email: Daniel R. Shirey
John M. Sier (Principal) born Sterling, Illinois, October 28, 1961; admitted to bar, 1986, Iowa, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; 1991, U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan; 1996, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; 2003, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio. Education: Loyola University (A.B., 1983); Drake University (M.A., J.D., 1986). Phi Alpha Delta. Panelist, American Arbitration Association Panel of Construction Neutrals. Construction Documents Technologist, Construction Specifications Institute. Member: Detroit and Iowa State Bar Associations; State Bar of Michigan; Catholic Lawyers Society (President, 1999-2001; Emeritus Director, 2002); Building Owners and Managers Association of Metropolitan Detroit (Secretary and Board Member, 2002). Practice Areas: Commercial and Construction Litigation; Construction Contracts; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Construction Claims; Construction Defects.Email: John M. Sier
Stephen R. Brzezinski (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, November 1, 1963; admitted to bar, 1988, Michigan. Education: University of Michigan (A.B., 1985); University of Detroit (J.D., 1988). Author: "Obtaining Indemnification And/Or Contribution from Sexual Harassing Employees," Laches, 1992; "Employers Beware: Employers Must Allow Disabled Employees a Reasonable Time to Heal," The Communicator, 1992; "Maternity Leave -Which Policies Are Lawful?" The Communicator, 1992. Member: Detroit and Oakland County (Member, Employment and Labor Law Sections) Bar Associations; State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Birth Trauma.Email: Stephen R. Brzezinski
Thomas R. Shimmel (Principal) born Trenton, Michigan, July 7, 1962; admitted to bar, 1988, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: Albion College (B.A., 1984); Wayne State University (J.D., 1987). Phi Alpha Theta; Omicron Delta Epsilon. Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Birth Trauma.Email: Thomas R. Shimmel
Michael J. Watza (Principal) born Pontiac, Michigan, August 16, 1956; admitted to bar, 1986, Michigan; 1987, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: Michigan State University (B.A., 1978); Detroit College of Law (J.D., 1986). Kitch Drutchas Wagner DeNardis & Valitutti - Shareholder/Co-Chair of Commercial and Governmental Litigation Group Mr. Watza's areas of concentration include litigation involving governmental issues and commercial matters. He has represented clients in State and Federal trial courts as well as regulatory and administrative agencies throughout the State of Michigan and argued in both the State and U.S. Courts of Appeal on their behalf. Mr. Watza also represents his clients' interests in the halls of the Michigan Legislature through the drafting of legislation on various issues. Adjunct Professor of Law at Michigan State University - Detroit College of Law, 2001 Michigan Registered Lobbyist-1999-2000 Commercial Mediator - Wayne County Mediation Tribunal-1995. Panelist for the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission 1996. Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Governmental Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Regulatory Litigation; Insurance Litigation; Cable Franchising; Telecommunications Regulation; Government Affairs; Municipal Law; Mass Torts.Email: Michael J. Watza
Sara Mae Gerbitz (Principal) born Washington, D.C., March 12, 1962; admitted to bar, 1987, Ohio and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; 1988, Michigan; 1989, U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan. Education: Ohio State University (B.A., 1984); University of Toledo (J.D., 1987). Order of the Barristers, 1987. Member: Jessup International Law Moot Court Team, 1985-1986; Moot Court Board, 1986-1987. Member: Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association; Ohio State Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Birth Trauma; Managed Care Litigation.Email: Sara Mae Gerbitz
Mark A. Wisniewski (Principal) born Southfield, Michigan, November 11, 1965; admitted to bar, 1990, Michigan; 1991, Illinois. Education: University of Michigan (A.B., 1987); University of Detroit (J.D., 1990). University of Detroit Law Review, Associate Editor, 1989-1990, Staff Member, 1988-1989. Member: Illinois State Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan; Wayne County Asbestos Steering Committee. Practice Areas: Personal Injury Defense; Premises Defense; Asbestos Personal Injury; Medical Malpractice Defense; Pharmacy Malpractice Defense; Complex and Multi-District Litigation.Email: Mark A. Wisniewski
Richard J. Joppich (Principal) born December 15, 1959; admitted to bar, 1988, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan; 1989, U .S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. Education: Bowling Green State University (B.A., 1982); Detroit College of Law (J.D., 1988). Recipient, Pro Bono Service Commendations and Distinguished Service Awards, Detroit Bar Association Volunteer Lawyer Program and Wayne County Neighborhood Legal Services. Case Evaluator, Washtenaw County Circuit Court. Mediator, 48th District Court, Small Claims Division. Member: Washtenaw County Bar Association (Chair, Trial Practice Section, 1997-1999); State Bar of Michigan (Negligence Law Section); Michigan Society of Hospital Risk Managers; Michigan Rural Health Association. (Okemos Office). Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Personal Injury; Commercial Transactions; Real Estate.Email: Richard J. Joppich
Ellen M. Keefe-Garner (Principal) born Kwajalein Island, Marshall Islands; admitted to bar, 1987, Illinois; 1994, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois; 2000, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing (R.N., 1978); DePaul University (B.S., Nursing, with highest honors, 1982); John Marshall Law School (J.D., with high distinction, 1987). Sigma Theta Tau. Member, Order of John Marshall. Member, John Marshall Law Review, 1985-1986. Associate Lead Article Editor, John Marshall Law Review, Spring/Summer, 1986. Licensed Registered Nurse, Illinois, since 1978; Michigan, since 2000. Author: Comment, "The Medical Malpractice Reform Act of 1985: Legislative Surgery Prescribed To Save Illinois Review Panels," 19 The John Marshall Law Review 637, 1986; Recent Development, "Malley v. Briggs: The Court Offers a Civil Remedy for Fourth Amendment Violations On The Wake Of An Eroding Exclusionary Rule," 19 The John Marshall Law Review 1101, 1986. Member: Washtenaw County Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan; Michigan Society of Hospital Risk Managers. Practice Areas: Health Care; Birth Trauma; Medical Malpractice.Email: Ellen M. Keefe-Garner
Barbara A. Martin (Principal) born Petoskey, Michigan, April 17, 1958; admitted to bar, 1990, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: Albion College (B.A., Economics and Political Science, 1980); University of Detroit (J.D., 1990). Member, Professional Management Program, Omicron Delta Epsilon, Albion College. Member, Moot Court Board of Directors, The Order of Barristers, University of Detroit School of Law, Law Review. Member, American Inn of Court. Member: Oakland County Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan; Michigan Society of Health Care Risk Management. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice Defense; Medical-Legal Issues; General Negligence.Email: Barbara A. Martin
Julia Kelly McNelis (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, March 13, 1961; admitted to bar, 1990, Michigan. Education: University of Michigan (B.S.N., 1983); Wayne State University (J.D., 1990). Member, Wayne State Moot Court National Team. Recipient, American Jurisprudence Award for the Study of Evidence. Registered Nurse, Michigan, 1983. Member: Macomb County and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Michigan. (Mount Clemens Office). Practice Areas: Birth Trauma; Medical Malpractice; Medical Staff.Email: Julia Kelly McNelis
Dean A. Etsios (Principal) born New York, New York, October 9, 1964; admitted to bar, 1990, Michigan. Education: Colgate University; University of Michigan (B.A., 1986); University College, Faculty of Law, London, England (1988); East China Institute of Politics and Law, Shanghai, P.R.C. (1989); Indiana University (J.D., 1990). Member: Detroit and Hellenic Bar Associations; State Bar of Michigan; Michigan Society of Health Care Risk Management. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice Defense; General Civil Litigation; Probate; Premises Liability.Email: Dean A. Etsios
Cheryl A. Cardelli (Principal) admitted to bar, 1983, Michigan. Education: Central Michigan University (A.B., cum laude, 1970; M.A., 1978); Detroit College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1983). Author: "Drug and Alcohol Testing of Employees," Defense Research Institute (DRI) Employment Law Basics Monograph, 1997. Co-Author: "How to Use the Architects and Contractors Statute of Response for Product Liability Claims," Newsbriefs, Summer, 1994; "Product Liability Relief for Component Manufacturers," 32 For the Defense 20, May, 1990. Member: Detroit Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice Defense; Employment Defense.Email: Cheryl A. Cardelli
Laura L. Witty (Principal) born Chicago, Illinois, March 22, 1968; admitted to bar, 1994, Michigan. Education: University of Michigan (A.B., 1990); University of Detroit (J.D., 1993). Co-Author: "Medicolegal Genetic Issues," Clinics in Perinatology, Vol. 28, No. 2, June 2001. Speaker: "The Juror's Perspective on Obstetrical Malpractice," ACOG Division 5 Meeting, (2003); "Current Developments in HIPAA," Michigan State Medical Society Foundation (2004); "Documentation in the LRC and Labor and Delivery - Legal Perspectives," Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center Grand Rounds (2005). Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Birth Trauma; Catastrophic Damage Control.Email: Laura L. Witty
Donald B. Lenderman (Principal) born Plymouth, Wisconsin, September 18, 1963; admitted to bar, 1989, Illinois and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois; 1992, U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois; 1998, Michigan. Education: Northwestern University (B.A., 1985); DePaul University (J.D., 1989). Author: "Review and Analysis of Illinois Tort Reform Legislation of 1995," IDC Quarterly, Vol. 5, No. 2, 1995. Member, Chicago Land Health Care Risk Management Society, 1995-1997. Member: Illinois State Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan. Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Birth Trauma; Obstetrics/Gynecology Litigation.Email: Donald B. Lenderman
Richard J. Suhrheinrich (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, April 14, 1966; admitted to bar, 1992, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan; 1993, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; 1996, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: Vanderbilt University (B.A., Mathematics, 1988); Indiana University (M.B.A., 1992; J.D., cum laude, 1992). Phi Alpha Delta. Adjunct Professor, Michigan State University-Detroit College of Law. Member, Michigan Society of Health Care Risk Management. Member: State Bar of Michigan (Hearing Panelist, Attorney Discipline Board, 2004; Member: Neligence Section; Litigation Section); Michigan Defense Trial Counsel (Chair, Professional Liability Section, 2004); American Inns of Court. (Okemos Office). Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Health Care; Long Term Care.Email: Richard J. Suhrheinrich
Lauri A. Read (Principal) born Covington, Kentucky, February 18, 1966; admitted to bar, 1990, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: University of Kentucky (B.A., 1987); Washington University (J.D., 1990). Articles Editor, Washington University Journal of Urban and Contemporary Law, 1989-1990. Member: State Bar of Michigan. (Mount Clemens Office). Practice Areas: Workers Compensation.Email: Lauri A. Read
Lisa Panah (Principal) admitted to bar, 1992, Michigan, Illinois and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: University of Michigan (B.A., 1988); Wayne State University (J.D., 1991); DePaul University (LL.M., Health Law, 1996). Author: "Common Law Tort Liability of Health Maintenance Organizations," Journal of Health and Hospital Law, Vol. 29, No. 3, 1996; "New Simplification & Privacy Provisions," ProNational Insurance Co. Health Systems Risk Review, Vol. 7 No. 1, 1999; "New and Revised Federal Anti-Kickback Safe Harbors," ProNational Insurance Co. Health Systems Risk Review, Vol.8 No. 2, 2000; "Reform Package Signed Into Law," ProNational Insurance Co Health Systems Risk Review, Vol. 8 No. 4, 2000. Contributing Author: State by State Guide to Managed Care Law, Aspen Publishing, Inc., 2000 and 2001 editions. Managing Editor, "Michigan Healthcare Regulations: A Compilation of Michigan Regulations for Healthcare Providers," Kitch Drutchas Wagner et al. and State Bar of Michigan Health Care Law Section, 1999. Member: Illinois State and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Michigan (Council Member, 2002 and Secretary, 2004, Health Care Law Section); Michigan Society of Healthcare Attorneys (Board Member, 2002-2005); American Health Lawyers Association; Healthcare Financial Management Association. Practice Areas: Health Care Law.Email: Lisa Panah
Timothy S. Groustra (Principal) born Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, September 3, 1968; admitted to bar, 1993, Michigan; 1997, Arkansas and U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. Education: Clark University (B.A., 1990); University of Detroit (J.D., 1993). Member: State Bar of Michigan; Arkansas Bar Association; Transportation Lawyers Association. (Mount Clemens Office). Reported Cases: People v. Moore, 246 Mich. App. 176 (2001); Poffenbarger v. Kaplan, 224 Mich. App. 1 (1997). Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Insurance Litigation; General Litigation; Government.Email: Timothy S. Groustra
Mary Catherine Storen (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, February 29, 1968; admitted to bar, 1994, Michigan. Education: Michigan State University (B.A., with honors, 1990); University of Detroit (J.D., 1993). Member, Frank Murphy Honor Society. Member: State Bar of Michigan; Women's Economic Club of Detroit. (Okemos Office). Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Birth Trauma.Email: Mary Catherine Storen
Eric M. St. Onge (Principal) born Lansing, Michigan, July 17, 1970; admitted to bar, 1997, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan. Education: Michigan State University (B.A., 1993); University of Arkansas at Little Rock (J.D., 1997). Member: Ingham County Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan. (Okemos Office). Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice Defense; Birth Trauma.Email: Eric M. St. Onge
Thomas D. Esordi (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, April 8, 1966; admitted to bar, 1991, Michigan. Education: Kenyon College (A.B., 1988); University of Detroit (J.D., 1991). Recipient, Richard C. Vanglish Tax Moot Court Award, 1990. Member, Michigan Society of Planning. Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Corporate Law; Business Law; Civil Litigation; Labor and Employment; Real Estate; Commercial Litigation.Email: Thomas D. Esordi
Alan J. Taylor (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, November 13, 1969; admitted to bar, 1994, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; 2003 U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan. Education: London School of Economics (1990); University of Michigan (B.A., Economics, with distinction, 1991); Wayne State University (J.D., 1994). Member, Student Board of Governors (1991-1994). Student Recruitment Committee (1991-1994). Moot Court (1992-1993). Member: State Bar of Michigan (Member, Sections on: General Practice; Real Property, Litigation & Computer Law); American Bar Association; Building Owners and Managers Association; Institute of Real Estate Management; Michigan Manufactured Housing Association; Michigan Land-Title Association; Engineering Society of Detroit. Practice Areas: Real Estate; Commercial Litigation; Business Law; NASD Arbitration; Creditors Rights.Email: Alan J. Taylor
Susan Douglas MacGregor (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, July 15, 1960; admitted to bar, 1988, Michigan. Education: Ferris State University (B.S., 1981); Valparaiso University (J.D., 1988). Contributing Writer, "Upper Peninsula Business Today," (1997). Adjunct Faculty, Northern Michigan University, 1999-2001. Faculty, Michigan Technical Education Center at Bay College, 2004. Graduate, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) Trial Academy, 1996. Board Member, Federal Bar Association, Western District of Michigan, 1995. Member, Steering Committee, Upper Michigan Courtroom Advocacy Workshop, 1997. Member: Michigan Defense Trial Counsel; Defense Research Institute; Society for Human Resource Management. (Marquette Office). Practice Areas: Labor and Employment; Workers Compensation; ERISA; Governmental Liability; Medical Malpractice; Insurance.Email: Susan Douglas MacGregor
Anne E. Lawter (Principal) born Flint, Michigan, June 12, 1968; admitted to bar, 1997, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan; 2000, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: Michigan State University; University of Michigan (B.A., 1989); Thomas M. Cooley Law School (J.D., 1996). Member: State Bar of Michigan; University of Michigan Alumni Association. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice Defense; Equine Law; Health Care.Email: Anne E. Lawter
R. Scott Glover (Principal) born West Branch, Michigan, March 21, 1974; admitted to bar, 1999, Michigan. Education: Western Michigan University (B.A., 1996); Wayne State University (J.D., 1999). Editor-in-Chief, Moot Court. Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Insurance Law; Health Care Law; Medical Malpractice.Email: R. Scott Glover
David C. Wiegel (Principal) born Dearborn, Michigan, March 12, 1965; admitted to bar, 1997, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: Michigan State University (B.S., 1988); University of Detroit Mercy (J.D., cum laude, 1997). Member: State Bar of Michigan; American Bar Association; Catholic Lawyers Society. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Insurance Defense; Civil Litigation; Products Liability.Email: David C. Wiegel
Margaret A. Chamberlain (Principal) born Joliet, Illinois, September 10, 1966; admitted to bar, 1998, Michigan. Education: Knox College (B.A., 1988); Thomas M. Cooley Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1997). Member: State Bar of Michigan; American Health Lawyers Association; Health Care Association of Michigan. Practice Areas: Administrative Law; Long Term Care; Health Care Regulation.Email: Margaret A. Chamberlain
Jenna Paunovich (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, March 11, 1975; admitted to bar, 2000, Michigan. Education: University of Michigan (B.S., cum laude, 1997); Thomas M. Cooley Law School (J.D., cum laude, 2000). Screening Editor, Law Review. Member, University of Michigan Alumni Association. Member: State Bar of Michigan; American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Birth Trauma.Email: Jenna Paunovich
Adam B. Kutinsky (Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, June 24, 1975; admitted to bar, 2000, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: Michigan State University, James Madison College (B.A., 1997); Wayne State University (J.D., 2000). Author: "Treatment of Executory Contracts and Leases Under the Bankruptcy Code," Laches, May 2001; "Update on legislation and legal challenges to Proposal A," Visions, 2005; "Legal Update Concerning Mold Litigation in Federal Court," Visions, 2005; "Has the Michigan Court of Appeals Created a Presumption Against the Use of Equitable Subrogation by Sophisticated Financial Institutions?" Laches, February 2006; "Title Insurance and the Legal Environment," The Title Examiner, a publication of the Michigan Land Title Association, Winter 2006; "Advising a Business Regarding Business-Income-Loss Claims," The Michigan Business Law Journal, Spring 2007. Speaker, "Landlord-Tenant Law for the Experienced Practitioner in Michigan," Sterling Education Services, Inc., August 2, 2005; CPCU Society, Candidate Member. Candidate Member, CPCU Society Greater Detroit Chapter, 2009. Member: Oakland County Bar Association (Member, Real Estate Section); State Bar of Michigan; Michigan Land Title Association. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Insurance Coverage; Title Litigation; Creditors Rights.Email: Adam B. Kutinsky
Paula Meyer Besler (Principal) admitted to bar, 1989, Illinois. Education: University of Illinois (B.S., 1986); Loyola University, Chicago School of Law (J.D., 1989). Adjunct Professor, Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Member: Illinois State Bar Association. (Chicago, Illinois Office). Practice Areas: Long Term Care; Medical Malpractice.
ASSOCIATE PRINCIPALS
Dina M. Ferrari (Associate Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, July 16, 1972; admitted to bar, 1997, Michigan. Education: Michigan State University (B.A., 1994); University of Detroit (J.D., 1997). Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Birth Trauma.Email: Dina M. Ferrari
Christina A. Ginter (Associate Principal) born Trenton, Michigan, February 8, 1971; admitted to bar, 1996, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; 1998, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. Education: University of Michigan (B.A., 1993; J.D., cum laude, 1995). Member: State Bar of Michigan (Member, State Bar Appellate Practice Court Liaison/Rules Comment Committee; Member, Appellate Practice Section Counsel, 2005). Practice Areas: Appellate Practice.Email: Christina A. Ginter
Joyce A. Reynolds (Associate Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, May 3, 1947; admitted to bar, 1986, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: Michigan State University (B.A., 1970; M.A., 1978); Detroit College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1986). Sigma Nu Phi. Member, Women's Economic Club of Detroit. Member: State Bar of Michigan (Member, Sections on: Probate and Estate Planning; Real Property Law). Practice Areas: Commercial Real Estate; General Corporate; Corporate Transactions.Email: Joyce A. Reynolds
Kimberly K. Pendrick (Associate Principal) born Trenton, Michigan, October 25, 1967; admitted to bar, 1999, Michigan; U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan. Education: University of Michigan (B.G.S., 1996); Wayne State University (J.D., 1999). Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment; Civil Rights.Email: Kimberly K. Pendrick
Christine E. Rice (Associate Principal) born St. Louis, Missouri, December 6, 1972; admitted to bar, 1998, Michigan; U.S. District Court, District of Western Michigan. Education: St. Louis University (B.A., cum laude, 1995); University of Notre Dame (J.D., 1998). Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Mass Tort(100%).Email: Christine E. Rice
Paul B. Addis (Associate Principal) born Royal Oak, Michigan, February 3, 1975; admitted to bar, 2000, Michigan. Education: Michigan State University (B.S., 1997; J.D., 2000). Member: State Bar of Michigan. (Mount Clemens Office). Practice Areas: Insurance Defense; Medical Malpractice Defense; General Practice.Email: Paul B. Addis
Beth A. Wittmann (Associate Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, May 19, 1976; admitted to bar, 2001, Michigan. Education: Kalamazoo College (B.A., 1998); Wayne State University (J.D., 2001). Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Appellate Practice.Email: Beth A. Wittmann
Anne M. Brossia (Associate Principal) (Toledo, Ohio Office; see Toledo, Ohio listing for biography).
Patrick B. Cavanaugh (Associate Principal) (Toledo, Ohio Office; see Toledo, Ohio listing for biography).
Steven P. McCauslin (Associate Principal) born Southfield, Michigan, March 24, 1976; admitted to bar, 2001, Michigan. Education: Michigan State University (B.A., 1998); University of Detroit Mercy (J.D., 2001). Member, Law Review, University of Detroit Mercy, 2000-2001. Member: State Bar of Michigan; American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Products Liability; Mass Torts; Commercial Collections.Email: Steven P. McCauslin
Lori L. Perné (Associate Principal) (Toledo, Ohio Office; see Toledo, Ohio listing for biography).
Mark M. Sesi (Associate Principal) born Southfield, Michigan, July 28, 1976; admitted to bar, 2001, Michigan. Education: Michigan State University (B.A., 1998; J.D., 2001). Member: State Bar of Michigan; American Bar Association. (Mount Clemens Office). Practice Areas: Litigation; Workers Compensation.Email: Mark M. Sesi
Michael J. St. John (Associate Principal) born Royal Oak, Michigan, July 5, 1975; admitted to bar, 2002, Michigan. Education: University of Michigan at Ann Arbor (B.A., 1997; J.D., 2001); Western Illinois University at Macomb (M.S., 1999). Member: State Bar of Michigan (Governing Council, Student Section, 1999-2001) Languages: German. Practice Areas: Birth Trauma.Email: Michael J. St. John
Ryan D. Ewles (Associate Principal) born Warren, Michigan, February 26, 1976; admitted to bar, 2002, Michigan. Education: University of Michigan (B.A., 1999); DePaul University College of Law (J.D., 2002). Member: State Bar of Michigan. (Mount Clemens Office). Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice.Email: Ryan D. Ewles
David T. Henderson (Associate Principal) (Toledo, Ohio Office; see Toledo, Ohio listing for biography).
James R. McCullen (Associate Principal) born Dearborn, Michigan, July 27, 1968; admitted to bar, 2001, Michigan. Education: Wayne State University (B.A., 1991; J.D., 2001). Recipient, David Martin Memorial Award for Excellence in Tort Law, 1999. Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Birth Trauma.Email: James R. McCullen
Gina C. Mundy (Associate Principal) born Michigan, January 20, 1976; admitted to bar, 2002, Michigan. Education: Eastern Michigan University (B.S., 1998); University of Detroit Mercy (J.D., 2002). Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Birth Trauma.Email: Gina C. Mundy
Andrew D. Harris (Associate Principal) born Rochester, Michigan, August 2, 1977; admitted to bar, 2003, Michigan; 2005, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: University of Michigan (B.A., 2000); Wayne State University (J.D., 2003). Member, Wayne State University Moot Court Team. Volunteer, National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Volunteer Coach, Birmingham, Michigan Little League. Member: Oakland County and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Construction Law; Premises Liability.Email: Andrew D. Harris
Carl T. Rashid (Associate Principal) born Detroit, Michigan, 1977; admitted to bar, 2003, Michigan. Education: Michigan State University (B.A., 1999); Michigan State University College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2003). Member: State Bar of Michigan; American Bar Association; Arab American Bar Association. (Mount Clemens Office). Practice Areas: Litigation; Real Estate.Email: Carl T. Rashid
Terence P. Durkin (Associate Principal) born Darien, Illinois, December 4, 1972; admitted to bar, 2001, Michigan; 2003, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: Millikin University (B.A., 1995); Thomas M. Cooley Law School (J.D., 2001). Law Clerk for Honorable Thomas S. Eveland 56th Circuit, 2001-2002. Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice.Email: Terence P. Durkin
Michael E. Geraghty (Associate Principal) born Lakewood, Ohio, April 14, 1969; admitted to bar, 1997, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: John Carroll University (B.A., 1991); University of Detroit Mercy School of Law (J.D., 1997). Member: Oakland County Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan; Michigan Trial Lawyers Association; The Association of Trial Lawyers of America; Incorporated Society of Irish/American Lawyers. Practice Areas: Birth Trauma; Medical Malpractice.Email: Michael E. Geraghty
SENIOR ASSOCIATES
Mindy Barry (Senior Associate) born Willingboro, New Jersey, 1968; admitted to bar, 2003, Virginia; 2006, Michigan. Education: Colgate University (B.A., 1991); Georgetown University (J.D., 2003). Member: Virginia State Bar; State Bar of Michigan. (Also at Mount Clemens Office). Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Mindy Barry
Scott J. Brogan (Senior Associate) admitted to bar, 1998, Michigan; 1999, U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan. Education: Northern Michigan University (B.A., 1995); University of Michigan (J.D., 1998). Member: State Bar of Michigan. (Marquette Office). Languages: German. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; General Practice; Criminal Law.Email: Scott J. Brogan
Amy Carriveau (Senior Associate) born 1979; admitted to bar, 2004, Michigan. Education: Albion College (B.A., magna cum laude, 2001); University of Detroit Mercy School of Law (J.D., 2004). Recipient, Webster Academic Scholarship, 1997-2001. Intern, House Democratic Leader Mr. Richard Gepahardt, Capitol Hill, Washington D.C., 1999. Recipient, Cavanagh Scholarship, 2001-2004. Finalist, G. Mennen Williams Moot Court Competition, 2002. Law Clerk, Levine, Benjamin, Tushman, Bratt, Jerris & Stein, P.C., 2002-2005. Member: State Bar of Michigan; American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Birth Trauma.Email: Amy Carriveau
Rebecca E. Chavez (Senior Associate) born June 13, 1979; admitted to bar, 2005, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: University of Michigan (B.S., 2001; J.D., 2004). Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Corporate Law; Commercial Litigation; Commercial Real Estate.Email: Rebecca E. Chavez
Ryan M. Dempsey (Senior Associate) born Detroit, Michigan, 1980; admitted to bar, 2006, Michigan. Education: Michigan State University (B.A., 2002); Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (J.D., 2005). Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Mass Torts; Products Liability.Email: Ryan M. Dempsey
Teri L. Dennings (Senior Associate) admitted to bar, 2005, Michigan. Education: Eastern Michigan University (B.S., Poli. Sci./African American Studies, 2004); Wayne State University (J.D., 2005). Member: Detroit Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan; Women Lawyers of Michigan Association. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment.Email: Teri L. Dennings
Christina Anne Doyle (Senior Associate) born Grand Rapids, Michigan, August 20, 1980; admitted to bar, 2005, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: University of Arizona (1998-1999); Michigan State University (B.A., summa cum laude, 2002); University of Michigan (J.D., 2005). (Mount Clemens Office). Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice.Email: Christina Anne Doyle
Patrick B. Ellis (Senior Associate) born Grand Rapids, Michigan, October 6, 1978; admitted to bar, 2004, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan. Education: Kalamazoo College (B.A., 2001); Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology (J.D., 2004). Recipient, CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Secured Transactions, Fall, 2002. Member: Grand Rapids Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan. (Okemos Office). Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Birth Trauma.Email: Patrick B. Ellis
Genevieve E. Kolasa (Senior Associate) born Southfield, Michigan, November 1, 1979; admitted to bar, 2004, Michigan. Education: University of Michigan (B.A., 2001); Dickinson School of Law of Pennsylvania State University (J.D., 2004). Member: State Bar of Michigan; American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Birth Trauma.Email: Genevieve E. Kolasa
Brett J. Miller (Senior Associate) born 1979; admitted to bar, 2005, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Education: James Madison University (B.A. in History, cum laude, 2002); University of Detroit Mercy School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2005). Member: Oakland County and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Michigan. (Marquette Office). Practice Areas: Employment Litigation; Labor Law.Email: Brett J. Miller
David C. Moll (Senior Associate) born Detroit, Michigan, March, 1971; admitted to bar, 2002, Michigan. Education: University of Michigan, Dearborn (A.B., 1994); Wayne State University Law School (J.D., cum laude, 2002). Member: State Bar of Michigan; American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Mass Torts; Products Liability.
Heather Marie Olson (Senior Associate) born August 17, 1980; admitted to bar, 2005, Michigan; 2008, New York. Education: Hamilton College (B.A., 2002); Wayne State University (J.D., 2005). Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Commercial Law; Construction Law; Real Estate.Email: Heather Marie Olson
Margaret M. Philpot (Senior Associate) born Detroit, Michigan, May 31, 1955; admitted to bar, 2000, Michigan. Education: Spring Arbor College (B.A., 1997); Thomas M. Cooley Law School (J.D., cum laude, 2000). Quarter Finalist, National Moot Court, Pace Environment Competition, 1999. Pre-emption Editor, Thomas M. Cooley Law Review. Adjunct Professor, Intra-School Moot Court & Law Practice Programs, Thomas M. Cooley, 2001-2002. Member: Washtenaw County Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan; Thomas M. Cooley Inns of Court. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice.Email: Margaret M. Philpot
Thomas P. Sullivan (Senior Associate) (Toledo, Ohio Office; see Toledo, Ohio listing for biography).
A. Gabe Sybesma (Senior Associate) born East Lansing, Michigan, June 17, 1977; admitted to bar, 2003, Michigan. Education: Central Michigan University (B.S., cum laude, 2000); University of Detroit Mercy (J.D., 2003). Member, 2001-2003, and Title Editor, 2002-2003, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law Review, 2001-2003. Vice-President and Co-Founder, Entertainment and Sports Law Society, 2000-2003. Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Mass Torts; Medical Malpractice.Email: A. Gabe Sybesma
Andrea M. Szumlinski (Senior Associate) born Royal Oak, Michigan, December 5, 1978; admitted to bar, 2006, Michigan. Education: Michigan State University (B.A., 2002); Thomas M. Cooley Law School (J.D., 2005). Member: State Bar of Michigan; American Bar Association (Member, Health Law Section, 2002-2006). Practice Areas: Health Care; Long Term Care; Medical Malpractice.Email: Andrea M. Szumlinski
Erik Warsow (Senior Associate) born Wyandotte, Michigan, January 21, 1979; admitted to bar, 2004, Michigan. Education: University of Michigan (B.S., 2001); Wayne State University (J.D., 2004). Member: State of Michigan; American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice.Email: Erik Warsow
Eric Wittmer (Senior Associate) born Chicago, Illinois, April 2, 1971; admitted to bar, 2005, Illinois and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois. (Not admitted in Michigan). Education: Drake University (B.A., 1993); John Marshall Law School (J.D., 2005). President, Plato Academy School Board. Member: Chicago, Illinois State and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Litigation; Long Term Care; Medical Malpractice.Email: Eric Wittmer
ASSOCIATES
Kimberly M. Babcock (Associate) born Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1982; admitted to bar, 2007, Michigan. Education: Western Michigan University (B.A., 2004); Michigan State University College of Law (J.D., 2007). Recipient, Jurisprudence Achievement Awards in Research, Writing and Advocacy I and II and Evidence. Finalist, Best Brief Competition - Research, Writing and Advocacy, Michigan State University College of Law, 2005. Member, Michigan State Law Review, 2005-2007. Member: State Bar of Michigan; American Bar Association (Member; Law Student Division). (Okemos Office). Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice.Email: Kimberly M. Babcock
Kathryn Buis (Associate) born Kalamazoo, Michigan; admitted to bar, 2008, Michigan. Education: Albion College (B.A., Political Science, 2004); Ave Maria School of Law (J.D., 2008). Member: State Bar of Michigan.Email: Kathryn Buis
Victoria Shay Cotter (Associate) born Kalamazoo, Michigan; admitted to bar, 2008, Michigan. Education: University of Michigan (B.A., 2004); Wayne State University Law School (J.D., 2008). Member: State Bar of Michigan. Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Negligence Defense.Email: Victoria Shay Cotter
Timothy C. Gutwald (Associate) born Rochester, Michigan, October 24, 1979; admitted to bar, 2007, Michigan. Education: Kalamazoo College (B.A., 2003); Michigan State University College of Law (J.D., 2006). Member: Oakland County Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Birth Trauma.Email: Timothy C. Gutwald
Nathan R. Kaczmarek (Associate) born Detroit, Michigan, July 29, 1980; admitted to bar, 2006, Michigan. Education: Hillsdale College (B.A., 2002); Thomas M. Cooley Law School (J.D., 2005). Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice.Email: Nathan R. Kaczmarek
Lori Keen Adamcheski (Associate) born Trenton, Michigan, November 18, 1981; admitted to bar, 2006, Michigan. Education: Wayne State University (B.A. 2003); University of Detroit Mercy (J.D. 2006). Member: Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment.Email: Lori Keen Adamcheski
Lindsay C. Kelley-Bliven (Associate) born Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1978; admitted to bar, 2007, Michigan. Education: University of Michigan (B.A., 2000); Wayne State University Law School (J.D., 2006). Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Birth Trauma.Email: Lindsay C. Kelley-Bliven
Robert T. Kent (Associate) born Royal Oak, Michigan; admitted to bar, 2008, Michigan. Education: Michigan State University (B.A., 2004); Wayne State University Law School (J.D., 2008). Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Government; Real Estate; Insurance.Email: Robert T. Kent
David Pontes (Associate) born Detroit, Michigan, 1977; admitted to bar, 2007, Michigan. Education: University of Vermont (B.A., 1999); Wayne State University (J.D., 2006). Member: State Bar of Michigan. (Mount Clemens Office). Languages: Portuguese. Practice Areas: Insurance Defense; Criminal Defense.Email: David Pontes
Kelly Ann Sabo (Associate) born Oak Lawn, Illinois; admitted to bar, 2007, Illinois. (Not admitted in Michigan). Education: Augustana College (B.A., 2004); Capital University Law School (J.D., 2007). Member: Chicago, Illinois State and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Long Term Care; Medical Malpractice.Email: Kelly Ann Sabo
Cheryl Ann Verran (Associate) born Rochester, Michigan, 1980; admitted to bar, 2007, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; 2008, U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas. Education: University of Michigan (B.S., 2004); Thomas M. Cooley Law School (J.D., 2007). Member: Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan; Michigan Alumni Association. Practice Areas: Construction Law; Real Estate.Email: Cheryl Ann Verran
OF COUNSEL
Albert B. Addis, P.C. (Of Counsel) born Mt. Clemens, Michigan, June 8, 1950; admitted to bar, 1980, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; 1988, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. Education: Oakland University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1972); Detroit College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1980). Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association. Member: Macomb County, Oakland County and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Michigan. (Mount Clemens Office). Practice Areas: Trial Practice; Trucking Defense; Governmental Law; General Practice; Medicare Fraud Defense; Medicaid Fraud Defense.Email: Albert B. Addis, P.C.
William D. Hodgman (Of Counsel) born Detroit, Michigan, August 27, 1942; admitted to bar, 1968, Michigan. Education: Georgetown University (A.B., 1964); University of Michigan (J.D., 1967). Member: Detroit and American (Member, Sections on: Taxation; Corporation, Banking and Business Law) Bar Associations; State Bar of Michigan (Member, Taxation Section). Practice Areas: Corporate Law; Mergers and Acquisitions; Probate; Health Care.Email: William D. Hodgman
Carrie L. Fuca (Of Counsel) born Mount Clemens, Michigan, January 17, 1973; admitted to bar, 1998, Michigan. Education: Michigan State University (B.A., 1995); Wayne State University (J.D., 1998). Delta Theta Phi (Member, Board of Governors). Member: Macomb County Bar Association (Member, Board of Directors, Young Lawyers Section, 1999); State Bar of Michigan. (Mount Clemens Office). Practice Areas: Bicycle Accidents; Electrical Injury; Motor Vehicle Accidents and Injuries; Slip and Fall; Spinal Injury.Email: Carrie L. Fuca
Steven E. Johnson (Of Counsel) born Albany, New York; admitted to bar, 2006, Michigan; 2007, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. Education: Michigan State University (B.S., Communication, 2003); Michigan State University College of Law (J.D., with Trial Practice Institute Certificate, 2006). Member: Oakland County Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan. (Okemos Office). Practice Areas: Health Law; Health Care.Email: Steven E. Johnson
Joseph M. La Bella (Of Counsel) born Bay City, Michigan, March 30, 1955; admitted to bar, 1985, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; 1987, U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan. Education: Western Michigan University (B.A., 1978); University of Detroit (J.D., 1985). Author, "Legal Update Manual for Hospital Security Officers," self-published annually. Member: Detroit Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Product Liability; Premises Liability; Litigation.Email: Joseph M. La Bella
Michael R. Shpiece (Of Counsel) born 1956; admitted to bar, 1985, Michigan. Education: Wayne State University (Ph.B., 1977); University of Michigan (J.D., magna cum laude, 1984). Adjunct Professor, Employee Benefits, Wayne State University Law School, 1996. Chairman of the Board, Michigan Freedom of Information Committee, 1996-1998. Deputy Director, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulation, 1983-1985. Chair, Farmington Hills Ad Hoc Ethics Committee, 1990-1996. President, Friends of Child Abuse Prevention, 1993. Member: Farmington Board of Education, 1975-1983; American Statistical Association; International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans; Economic Club of Detroit. Member: State Bar of Michigan; American Bar Association (Chair, Employee Benefits Committee, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section; Member, Joint Committee on Employee Benefits); American Health Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Employee Benefits; ERISA; Insurance; Health Care; Hospital Law; Administrative Law; Legislative Practice.Email: Michael R. Shpiece
Hugh A. Woodrow (Of Counsel) born Windsor, Ontario, Canada, June 23, 1968; admitted to bar, 1997, Michigan. Education: Wayne State University (B.S., 1993); Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University (J.D., 1997). Member: State Bar of Michigan. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Real Estate; Contracts.Email: Hugh A. Woodrow