In the News

The week of July 24, 2017, marks the 50th anniversary of a period of unrest in Detroit, leading to an uprising that gripped the city and the nation. At the time, Dykema was a much smaller firm than it is today, consisting of only between 40-50 attorneys. Many Dykema attorneys volunteered their time to represent those arrested, some of whom were just in the wrong place at the wrong time during law enforcement sweeps of affected areas.

James G. Aldrich, Jr., Bloomfield Hills-based member in Dykema’s Labor & Employment Practice Group and Leader of the Firm's Immigration Team, was quoted in the Michigan Radio story, “More H-2B Visas Could Offer Relief for Michigan Tourism Industry.”

Wilhelm E. Liebmann, San Antonio-based member of the Business Services Department and Leader of the Corporate Finance Practice Group, was quoted extensively in the Texas CEO Magazine article, “How to Increase the Value of Your Business: Preparing for an M&A Transaction.”

Thomas B. Alleman, Dallas-based member in Dykema’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group and Director of the firm’s Insurance Industry Group, points out possible areas of uncertainty, incidental to the CFPB’s new arbitration rule banning companies from denying consumers the right to sue, in the Auto Finance News article, “Arbitration Rule to Prompt Confusion for Renegotiated Terms.”

Robert A. Boonin, Detroit and Ann Arbor–based member in Dykema’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, and former chair of the Wage and Hour Defense Institute, comments upon the Department of Labor’s brief asking the 5th Circuit Court to ignore the overtime salary thresholds stipulated in the DOL’s job re-classification rules—while retaining the authority to set salaries limit—in the Business Insurance article, “Labor Department Overtime Brief Leaves Issue in Flux.”

San Antonio-based Dykema attorneys Jane Bockus and Deborah Williamson were quoted in the Rivard Report article, “New Jewish Youth Center Honors Respected Community Leader.”

Christopher D. Kratovil, Managing Member of Dykema’s Dallas office, and member in the Litigation Practice Group, was tapped by Law360 to analyze some of the decisions handed down in the 2017 Session of the Texas Supreme Court in its midyear report, “Top Texas Supreme Court Rulings Of 2017.”

Robert A. Boonin, Detroit and Ann Arbor–based member in Dykema’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, and former chair of the Wage and Hour Defense Institute, was quoted in the Society for Human Resource Management article, “DOJ Abandons Defense of Increased Salary Level in 2016 Overtime Rule.”

On the 241st anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Dykema was extremely proud to once again partner with the National Archives Foundation and our client, John Hancock, for the July 4th at the National Archives celebration.

Van Lindberg, San Antonio-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, discusses how a landmark case, Impression Products, Inc. v. Lexmark International, Inc, could impact automakers in the Mobility Finance article, “How a Supreme Court Case Could Transform AV Ownership.”

From June 23-25, the Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum conducted its fourth year of airshow performances over the Detroit River in connection with the GM River Days festival. Dykema coordinated the FAA waiver for the show. The 135,000 people in attendance saw aerobatic performances, World War II aircraft, formation demonstrations, and even a U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight consisting of a rare TF-51D Mustang flying in formation with two A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft.

Brian A. Colao, Dallas-based member and Director of the firm's Dental Service Organizations Industry Group, appeared in a Dentist’s Money Digest video interview in which he weighed the factors involved in selecting the best location for a dental practice.

James M. (Marty) Truss, San Antonio-based member and Co-Leader of Dykema’s Energy Industry Group, was cautiously optimistic in the San Antonio Express-News and the Laredo Morning Times article “How Big Was the Oil Boom in South Texas? A New Report Has the Numbers.”

Arlene Switzer Steinfield, Dallas-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Labor and Employment Practice, was the subject of a Dentist’s Money Digest video interview in which she provided examples of employment situations dental professionals face which might require the counsel of an L&E lawyer.

Marsha G. Gentner, Washington, D.C.-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, was quoted in three leading IP publications following the U.S. Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in Matal v. Tam, which deemed that the Lanham Act's ban on disparaging trademarks being registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office violates the First Amendment.

Erin Fonté, Austin-based Leader of Dykema’s Financial Services Regulatory and Compliance Group and Co-Leader of the firm’s Privacy and Data Security Practice, and who also serves on the Federal Reserve’s Faster Payments Task Force, explains why the state of Texas is an attractive location for Fintech companies in the deBanked article, “The ‘Loan’ Star State – Texas is an alternative finance nexus.”

During Dykema's 4th Annual Definitive Conference for Dental Service Organizations, Brian Colao, Dallas-based member and Director of the firm's Dental Service Organizations Industry Group, sat down with Dentist's Money Digest to discuss the importance of hiring attorneys familiar with dental regulations.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that pro bono clients Samira Hakimi and her two sons, four and eight years old, and Nazifa Nabizada and her 10-month old son were granted asylum in the United States after more than five months of detention in the Karnes County Detention Facility. Rene Ruiz and James “Marty" Truss, San Antonio-based members in the firm’s Government Policy & Practice group, represented the Hakimi family. David West, a member in Dykema Cox Smith’s Financial Services Litigation practice, and Josué Galván, a Commercial Litigation associate, represented the Nabizada family.

Jacqueline M. Allen, Dallas-based attorney in Dykema’s Corporate Finance Practice Group, authored a Law360 column, “NetSpend Case Has Relevance Beyond Prepaid Card Industry.”

Robert A. Boonin, Detroit and Ann Arbor–based member in Dykema’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, and former chair of the Wage and Hour Defense Institute, was quoted at length in the Crain’s Detroit Business article, “Overtime Limbo: Court Case Over Proposed Eligibility Rule Change Remains Unresolved.”

Robert A. Boonin, Detroit and Ann Arbor–based member in Dykema’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, and former chair of the Wage and Hour Defense Institute, was quoted in the Society for Human Resource Management article, “DOL Will Submit Request for Information on Overtime Rule.”

Robert A. Boonin, Detroit and Ann Arbor–based member in Dykema’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, and former chair of the Wage and Hour Defense Institute, was quoted in the Society for Human Resource Management article, “Labor Department Revokes Expansive Definitions of ‘Employer.’”

Elizabeth Khalil, Chicago-based member in Dykema’s Government Policy Practice Group, was quoted in the Bloomberg BNA: Banking article, “CFPB: Look to Enforcement for Compliance Path.”

Dykema’s Fourth Annual Definitive Conference for Dental Service Organizations is one of the summer conferences recommended by Group Dentistry Now. The meeting, scheduled June 15–16 in New Orleans, LA, will explore legal, regulatory, financial and other dental industry concerns.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that the firm’s Immigration and Automotive Product Liability Litigation practices have been ranked by the Legal 500 United States 2017 (The Legal 500). In addition to the practice rankings, eight total Dykema attorneys received individual recognition within the two practice categories, including naming Kathleen Campbell Walker as a “Leading Lawyer” in Immigration.

Van Lindberg, San Antonio-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, was interviewed on WOAI’s CyberTalkRadio program.

Jaime Ramón, Dallas-based member of Dykema’s Labor & Employment practice group and a former director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), was quoted in the BloombergBNA Daily Labor Report article, “Trump’s Proposed EEOC-OFCCP Merger May Need Congressional Action.”

Van Lindberg, San Antonio-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, was mentioned in the Community Impact Newspaper article, “Economic Outlook Forum speakers talk about job forecasts, growth in Houston.”

John (Jack) P. Schaedel, Los Angeles-based member in Dykema’s Labor & Employment practice group, was quoted at in the USA Today article, “Roger Ailes' death complicates sexual harassment cases against him.”

Dykema is proud to announce that it was honored by the District of Columbia Access to Justice Commission for being one of 47 firms to participate in the 2016 Raising the Bar in D.C. campaign.

World Champion Quarterback, Broadcaster, and Entrepreneur, Joe Theismann has committed to speak at Dykema's 4th Annual Definitive Conference for Dental Service Organizations in New Orleans this June.

Brendan J. Cahill, Bloomfield Hills-based member in Dykema’s Corporate Finance practice and director of the firm’s Automotive Industry group, was quoted extensively in the Automotive News report, “Self-Driving Technology Could Boost Market for Mergers and Acquisitions.”

Robert Boonin, Detroit and Ann Arbor–based member in Dykema’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, and former chair of the Wage and Hour Defense Institute, was quoted at length in the Society for Human Resource Management article, “Overtime Reply Brief Delayed Until June 30.”

Teresa Ereon Giltner, Dallas-based member in Dykema’s Real Estate practice group and chair of the Commercial Real Estate Women of Dallas (CREW Dallas), a nonprofit organization which raises funds to benefit women and children, was interviewed by Fox 4 KDFW in Dallas regarding CREW’s partnership with the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) for its annual charity golf tournament, the Texas Shootout.

Dante A. Stella, Detroit-based head of Dykema's Discovery Management and E-Discovery Group, shared his insights with The American Lawyer in its article, “E-Discovery Could Be Key in Trump Travel Ban Litigation.”

Dykema is pleased to announce that it was included in the report, BTI Brand Elite 2017: Client Perceptions of the Best-Branded Law Firms, revealing that Dykema is ranked among the top law firms in the nation in regards to the best brand standing among GCs and legal decision makers.

Jane E. Bockus, San Antonio–based member in Dykema’s Products, Class Actions & Professional Liability Practice Group, was listed as a defense attorney for Imerys Talc America in the National Law Journal story, “J&J, Backed by Battalion of Lawyers, Opens 5th Talcum Powder Trial.”

Jason M. Ross, Dallas-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Litigation Group, whose practice focuses on white collar criminal defense and securities law, was quoted in the Law360 article, “5th Circ. Tells Ex-CEO Fraudster To Pay Victim's Legal Tab.”

Jason Hanselman and Gary Gordon, Lansing-based members in Dykema’s Government Policy & Practice group, were identified as the House of Representatives defense attorneys in the Detroit News article, “Gamrat Sues House, Husband, Others in Federal Court.”

Abad Lopez, Chicago-based member in Dykema’s Labor & Employment practice group, was quoted in the Society for Human Resource Management story, “Supreme Court Bolsters District Court Determinations on EEOC Subpoenas.”

Lance Boldrey, Lansing-based member of Dykema’s Gaming & Indian Law practice group, and leader of the firm’s emerging Cannabis Law practice team, was quoted extensively in the Law360 analysis, “Seneca Nation’s Halt To Revenue Sharing Raises Questions.”

Dykema is pleased to announce that Detroit-based attorneys Peter M. Kellett, Michael P. Cooney, Sherrie L. Farrell and Andrew J. Kolozsvary, each a member of the firm’s Litigation Department, have co-authored a chapter in the Thomson Reuters and American Bar Association Section of Litigation book, Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts, 4th Edition.

Van Lindberg, San Antonio-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, was featured in the Houston Metro Community Impact Newspaper in its article, “5 Takeaways from Friday’s Economic Outlook Forum at Southwestern Energy’s Headquarters.”

Wilhelm E. Liebmann, San Antonio-based member of the Business Services Department and Leader of the Corporate Finance Practice Group, was quoted in the Law360 article, “7 Questions Corporate Attys Are Fielding From Clients.”

Brian Melendez, Managing Member of Dykema’s Minneapolis office and Member of Dykema’s Business Litigation Group, commented on the dismissal of a CFPB’s lawsuit accusing a payment processor of violating the rights of consumers in the BNA Banking Report story, “CFPB’s Next Move in Processor Case Bears Watching.”

Josh Sutin, San Antonio-based member in Dykema’s Tax Practice group, conducted a seminar for some 100 business leaders in Laredo, TX, which was covered by the Laredo Morning Times in its article, “IBC Prepares Employers for Health Care Reform.”

Donna K. McElroy, San Antonio-based member of Dykema’s Labor and Employment practice group, was quoted in the San Antonio Business Journal article, “Harassment Claims Inside Geekdom Highlight Grey Area for Co-Working Spaces.”

Jason E. Grinnell, Los Angeles-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Real Estate practice group, enlightened developers who anticipate the relaxation of federal environmental and banking restrictions in the Law360 Analysis, “4 Must-Knows For Developers As Trump Cabinet Ramps Up.”

Shannon Heim, Minneapolis-based Senior Counsel in Dykema’s Government Policy and Regulated Industries groups, was quoted extensively in the Alaska Dispatch News article, “For Rural Alaska Broadband, the 'Middle Mile' is Everything.”

Robert P. Tiplady, Ann Arbor-based member of Dykema’s Taxation Group, and co-speaker at a State Bar presentation on the Michigan Domestic Asset Protection Trust Act, appeared in a photo feature in the Detroit & Flint-Genesee Legal News. Tiplady chaired the Michigan State Bar subcommittee that drafted the DAPT bill permitting creditor-shielded trusts, which became effective as law March 8.

Several Dykema attorneys are preparing to attend South by Southwest (SXSW), an annual event focusing on interactive media, film and music, in the following week. Van Lindberg, San Antonio-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Intellectual Property group, is serving on a SXSW Interactive panel titled “Open Source in a Restricted & Regulated Environment.” Dykema is also co-sponsoring the private “FinTech Luminares VIP Event” 

Daniel R. Stern, San Antonio-based member of Dykema’s Labor and Employment practice group, advises employers to prepare for prohibitions of inquiries into a job applicant’s pay history in the Human Resource Executive Online article, “Salary-History Bans Expanding.”

Deborah D. Williamson, San Antonio-based member in Dykema’s Bankruptcy Practice Group and an American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) commissioner, was quoted in the Wall Street Journal story, “Oil Companies Target Excess Debt.”

Sheryl Toby, metro Detroit-based member of Dykema's Business Services Department, was featured on MSNBC’s “Your Business” program on Sunday, March 5, 2017. Sheryl was interviewed for the segment titled “How do small businesses survive being paid later?”

The Fiscal Agency and Financial Advisory Authority (AAFAF) of the Territory of Puerto Rico has engaged Dykema Gossett to advise with the restructuring of the Island’s public debt, in accordance with the provisions of the 2016 Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA). Dykema’s experience handling public finance matters, governmental reorganizations, and legislation made it a natural choice for Puerto Rico’s new administration in its efforts to resolve its fiscal state.

Jason Grinnell, Los Angeles-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Real Estate practice group, has been named to Law360’s 12-member Real Estate Editorial Advisory Board. Grinnell also served on the Real Estate Editorial Advisory Board in 2016 as well. According to the publishers, the Board’s purpose is to provide professional insights and feedback on features.

Grant P. Gilezan , Detroit-based member and leader of Dykema’s Environmental Law Practice Group, was praised in the FBA Newsletter for his committee’s beneficial “New Lawyers’ Seminar” for the Eastern District of Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.

Thomas S. Vaughn, Detroit-based member and co-leader of Dykema's M&A practice, contributed the closing comments for the U.S. News and World Report article, “Top M&A Targets in 2017”. Like most industry experts, Vaughan is optimistic about 2017’s deals and anticipates transaction levels comparable to those of the previous two years.

Dykema’s nationally recognized Financial Industry Group has announced the release of the NextGen Financial Services Report, a blog that provides thoughtful analysis of the most important issues in the consumer and commercial financial services industry.

John (Jack) P. Schaedel, Los Angeles-based member in Dykema’s Labor & Employment practice group, was quoted at length in the HR DIVE article, “Employee vs. Independent Contractor: The State of Worker Classification.”

Lance Boldrey, Lansing-based member of Dykema’s Gaming & Indian Law practice group, and leader of the firm’s emerging Cannabis Law practice team, compiled 10 tips for evaluating marijuana investment prospects in the legal/financial column of Marijuana Venture.

Today, the United States Supreme Court ruled 8-0 in favor of 13-year-old pro bono client Ehlena Fry in her lawsuit against Napoleon (Mich.) Community Schools. Ehlena has cerebral palsy and had a service dog that her former school district did not allow her to bring to her elementary school, claiming that it would provide a human aide instead which it believed would be sufficient to meet her needs.

Abad Lopez, Chicago-based member in Dykema’s Labor & Employment practice group, was tapped by the Society for Human Resource Management to shed light on the current Supreme Court Case which would ultimately determine how much information employers must provide in response to an EEOC subpoena.

Robert P. Tiplady, Ann Arbor-based member of Dykema’s Taxation Group, chaired the Michigan State Bar Probate and Estate Planning Section subcommittee that drafted Domestic Asset Protection Trust (DAPT) legislation for the state of Michigan. Michigan is the 17th state to enact a law permitting creditor-shielded trusts. The law becomes effective March 8, 2017.

Marsha G. Gentner, Washington, D.C.-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, and a member of the Firm’s Cannabis Law Practice Group, explained the intent of one of the provisions of California AB 64 in the Inside Counsel article, “California Marijuana Trademark and Patenting Strains.”

Eric T. Fingerhut, Washington, D.C.-based leader of Dykema’s Trademark practice, was featured in Westlaw Journal—Intellectual Property’s Expert Interview Q&A column. The article is titled “Dykema’s Eric Fingerhut Gives Trademark Holders Advice on Trump’s Tweets.”

Thomas B. Alleman, Dallas-based member in Dykema’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group and Director of the firm’s Insurance Industry Group, provided the closing comments in The Deal report, “Congress, Gorsuch May Team Up to Roll Back Agency Power.”

Robert P. Tiplady, Ann Arbor-based member of Dykema’s Taxation & Estates Practice Group, explained the intent behind Michigan’s version of domestic asset protection trust law in the Forbes article, “ Michigan Debuts the Latest State Asset Protection Trust.”

Erin Fonté, Austin-based member in Dykema’s Corporate Finance Practice Group and leader of the firm’s Financial Services Regulatory and Compliance Group, was quoted in PC Magazine’s February cover story, “Blockchain: The Invisible Tech That’s Changing the World.”

Eric T. Fingerhut, Washington, D.C.-based leader of Dykema’s Trademark practice, was interviewed in an IPPro The Internet column on domain name protection.

Will Liebmann, San Antonio-based member of the Business Services Department and Leader of the Corporate Finance Practice Group, was quoted at length in Financier Worldwide’s February cover story, “Unlocking Cross-Border M&A and JV Deal Opportunities.”

Lindsay Riley, San Antonio-based attorney in Dykema's Litigation Department, was recently selected as one of only 16 members of the inaugural Bexar County Women’s Bar Foundation LEAD Academy. Class members are chosen based on their accomplishments in the legal community and demonstrated potential to become leaders. 

Cale A. Johnson, Bloomfield Hills-based member of Dykema’s Business Litigation Practice Group, was quoted in the FTC Watch article, “Veteran antitrust lawyers: New guidance on DOJ leniency program creates uncertainty.”

Paul M. Laurenza, Managing Member of Dykema’s Washington, D.C., office and leader of the firm's Automotive Government Policy & Practice group, and Thomas B. Alleman, Dallas-based member in Dykema’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group and Director of the firm’s Insurance Industry Group, were quoted in the BloombergBNA International Trade Reporter piece, “Trump Can Start NAFTA Talks Without Congress, Analysts Say.”