News

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Butzel Long attorney Jennifer Dukarski has been named a “2016 Honoree for Michigan Women in the Law” by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

DETROIT, Mich. – Butzel Long, one of Michigan’s leading law firms, has relocated its Washington, D.C. office to1909 K. Street, N.W., Suite 500, Washington, D.C. The main telephone number remains the same – (202) 454-2800.

DETROIT, Mich. – Butzel Long is expanding once again with the addition of three new attorneys Joshua J. Chinsky, Mark E. Crane and Michael R. Griffie.

Chinsky, an associate, specializes in White Collar Criminal Defense and is based in the firm’s Detroit office. Crane, a shareholder, focuses his practice in Family Law and is based in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office. Griffie, an associate, specializes in Labor and Employment Law and is based in the Detroit office.

“We welcome Josh, Mark and Michael as we continue to grow our team to meet our clients’ needs,” said Justin G. Klimko, President and Managing Shareholder, Butzel Long.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Butzel Long attorney and shareholder Claudia Rast has been appointed to serve a one-year term on the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Cybersecurity Legal Task Force by the ABA President-Elect. Task Force members are charged with examining risks posed by criminals, terrorists and nations that seek to steal personal and financial information, disrupt critical infrastructure, and wage cyberwar.

Special report: The Litigators

14 of the lead attorneys behind recent major court action

This report showcases 14 of the lead attorneys behind recent major court action. Why these men and women? The attorneys profiled are the result of litigation reporter Chad Halcom's efforts combing through court filings, sending queries to law firms in our database, and reaching out to a range of other personalities to identify attorneys. These are the litigators driving the big verdicts, major settlements and interesting litigation around the state.

The cases in this report are the result of a subjective selection, but we believe they represent a cross-section of the cases that matter in the Michigan business community today.

— Jennette Smith, editor

'Adopt-A-Biz': Law firm assists start-ups with 'INCubator' program

By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News

Blackbourne Worldwide - a woman-owned business with cutting-edge artificial intelligence and unique hacking approaches and techniques - has received the new Adopt-A-Biz program award from the Macomb-Oakland University INCubator program.

The year-long Mac-OU INC package includes a full suite of services and a fully furnished office, made possible through the generous sponsorships of the Butzel Long law firm and Logistic Specialties, Inc (LSI).

By Steve Thorpe
LegalNews

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals recently issued an opinion in the appeal by the Estate of Chris Kyle in a lawsuit brought by Jesse Ventura known as the “American Sniper” lawsuit. Ventura brought a defamation claim against Kyle, the author of “American Sniper,” for comments made in the book.

Detroit-based law firm increases attorney rankings and recognition in Chambers’ “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2016 – The Client’s Guide”

DETROIT, Mich. – Butzel Long attorneys and practice areas have been recognized by Chambers USA 2016. – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2016 – The Client’s Guide. Notably, the firm’s Immigration Practice Department is the only Michigan law firm ranked in Immigration by Chambers.

Series hosted by Henry Gornbein, with leading members of the legal community discussing matters of family law, the court system, divorce, criminal defense, and all issues of practical relevance to attorneys and their clients.

Attorney’s article also runs in Automotive Engineering Magazine

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Butzel Long attorney Daniel P. Malone co-authored a peer-review technical paper on automotive safety. SAE International published it in April 2016, http://papers.sae.org/2016-01-7000. The technical paper discusses multiple key automotive safety issues. The article is titled, “NHTSA and the Next 50 Years: Time for Congress to Act Boldly (Again).”

DETROIT, Mich. – Most state and federal non-discrimination laws prohibit employers from taking actions. However, for religious practices and disabilities, employers are legally required to take affirmative steps to accommodate employees.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Butzel Long attorney Jennifer Dukarski has been appointed to serve as the liaison to the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Young Lawyers Division on the Forum on Communications Law Governing Committee.

Two-way trade: Attorney represents clients in Mexico, U.S.

By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News

Six million U.S. jobs depend on trade with Mexico – including 175,000 Michigan jobs.

Detroit-based law firm increases attorney rankings and recognition in Chambers’ “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2016 – The Client’s Guide”

DETROIT, Mich. – Butzel Long attorneys Geaneen M. Arends and Paul M. Mersino will participate in a panel program on May 25, 2016 during Detroit StartUp Week, a five-day entrepreneurship conference.

DETROIT, Mich. – Butzel Long immigration law attorney Reginald A. Pacis was a featured speaker during the Kiwanis Club of Cosmopolitan Detroit Prayer Breakfast on May 21, 2016 at the Philippine American Cultural Center of Michigan in Southfield.

Attorneys: 'Work to be done' for employers to adjust to new OT rules

The U.S. Department of Labor last week finalized its updated ruling on overtime regulations that greatly expand the amount of workers eligible for overtime pay.

While the agency touts a meaningful boost to the paychecks of millions of workers, businesses are now working to reduce the ruling's impact.

New law's message to business: Protect trade secrets

The Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 was signed into law earlier this month by President Obama, and the act is now effective. Below is a recap of what is new and what every company should be looking to do in light of this new law. Specifically, there are new provisions that must be written into every noncompete or other restrictive covenant signed by any employee.

Michigan races to stay in the drivers' seat on autonomous vehicle legislation

LANSING — In 2013, Michigan legislators adopted the state's first laws for driverless vehicles, allowing them to share the road with live motorists only while being tested.

That legislation helped Michigan become an early leader in the race to build a self-driving car, said Mike Kowall, a state senator from Oakland County who sponsored the bills.

But for Michigan to win — especially against the tech giants of Silicon Valley, which are developing their own prototypes — he believes the state also needs to lead by regulation, before a patchwork of rules crops up across state lines.

Among the pioneers: Employee benefits attorney began as a paralegal in Detroit

By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News

Although Nancy Keppelman enjoyed studying music in college, she knew she lacked the chops to be a professional musician.