Press Releases

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that it received a perfect score of 100 percent on the 2016 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Dykema joins the ranks of 407 major U.S. businesses which also earned top marks this year. 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 34 attorneys from its Detroit, Bloomfield Hills and Ann Arbor offices have been named to dbusiness magazine’s list of 2016 Top Lawyers. dbusiness is a regional publication covering business news in Southeast Michigan.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Bryan L. Elwood to its Corporate Finance Practice Group as a senior counsel in the firm’s Dallas office. Prior to joining Dykema, Elwood practiced in the Dallas office of Greenberg Traurig, LLP for more than 10 years.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced that Bonnie Mayfield, a Bloomfield Hills-based member in Dykema’s Litigation practice, was named Vice Chair of Diversity Programs for the Diversity Committee of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC). 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that the firm was nationally ranked in 19 practice areas in the 2016 U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” list, as well as receiving a total of 151 metropolitan rankings representing various areas of law.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Elizabeth Khalil to its Government Policy & Practice Group in the firm’s Chicago office. Elizabeth will also spend time in the Washington, D.C., office, as well as in the firm’s Michigan and Texas offices. Prior to joining Dykema, she served as Acting Special Assistant to Mark Pearce, Director of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's Division of Depositor and Consumer Protection. 

In Dykema’s 11th annual M&A Outlook Survey, respondents showed less optimism regarding growth in M&A and the U.S. economy during the next 12 months.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 10 of the firm’s attorneys were named “local litigation stars” by Benchmark Litigation, while four additional attorneys were named as “future stars.” Benchmark Litigation also listed Dykema as a “Highly Recommended” firm for the state of Michigan.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that James S. Brady has been selected to receive Western Michigan University’s Distinguished Alumni Award for 2015. He will receive the award this Friday at WMU’s Bernhard Center.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced that Laura C. Baucus, a member of  the firm’s Litigation Department, has been appointed as the Office Managing Member of the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office. 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Jack Schaedel to its Labor & Employment Practice Group as a Member in the firm’s Los Angeles office. Prior to joining Dykema, he was a Partner in Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, working out of its Pasadena office. 

Dykema, a national law firm, has teamed up with The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF), a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending discrimination against transgender people, to bring the “Name Change Project” to Michigan. The “Name Change Project” provides legal assistance for transgender people who are seeking to legally change their names to reflect their true identities as men and women.

Dykema today announced that energy litigator James M. “Marty” Truss has been sworn in as the 91st president of the San Antonio Bar Association (SABA).

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 26 of its attorneys from the firm’s Texas offices, and from multiple practice areas, were named to the 2015 Super Lawyers list by Texas Super Lawyers Magazine. 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 54 of its attorneys from the firm’s five Michigan offices, and from multiple practice areas, were named to the 2015 Super Lawyers list by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine. Additionally, 24 of the firm's attorneys were named to the 2015 Rising Stars list. 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 132 of the its attorneys, in multiple practice areas and markets, have been recognized in the 2016 Best Lawyers in America guide. This number of Dykema attorneys on the Best Lawyers list represents more than 30 percent of all lawyers in the firm.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Lea Courington and R. Chris Harvey, both as senior counsel, to its Dallas office at Comerica Bank Tower. Prior to joining Dykema, both Courington and Harvey practiced at the Dallas firm of Stewart Courington Dugger Dean, PLLC.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Jennifer Fraser to its Intellectual Property Practice Group as a Member in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office. Prior to joining Dykema, she served as Co-Chair of Novak Druce Connolly Bove + Quigg LLP’s national trademark and copyright practice, working out of its Washington, D.C., office.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that Brian Melendez and Timothy D. Kelly, both from the firm’s Minneapolis office, have been named 2015 Super Lawyers in the by Minnesota Super Lawyers Magazine. Additionally, Jared D. Kemper was recognized as a 2015 Minnesota Rising Star.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Jeffrey A. Goldman to its Tax Practice Group as senior counsel in the firm’s Chicago office. Prior to joining Dykema, he practiced in the Chicago office of Holland & Knight.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced that Jason T. Hanselman, Lansing-based member in the Firm’s Government Policy and Practice group, has been elected President of the Ingham County Bar Association (ICBA) for a one-year term beginning July 1, 2015.

The skies over the Detroit River reverberated with the sounds of screaming engines as the Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum put on its first-ever airshow on Detroit’s riverfront during the GM River Days festival. Dykema, a national law firm, supported the event by securing the Federal Aviation Administration waiver, coordinating the U.S. Coast Guard to provide a safety zone on the river surface, negotiating all performer contracts, and providing legal support for other functions. 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced that Phil Hardberger, Senior Counsel in the firm’s San Antonio office, has been selected to receive the Texas Bar Foundation’s Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer Award. The award recognizes attorneys whose practice has spanned 50 years or more and who adhere to the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession and service to the public. 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced that it received the Outstanding Service Award from the Texas Tech Law Alumni Association. The award was presented to the firm during the annual Texas Tech Law School Alumni Reception at the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting in San Antonio.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that the firm’s Automotive Industry Group has been ranked by the Legal 500 United States 2015 (Legal 500) in the area of Litigation - Product liability and mass tort defense - automotive/transport. Additionally, Michael Cooney, Terri Reiskin and Nicholas Wittner were also recognized in this category as well.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that four of its Los Angeles-based attorneys have been named 2015 Rising Stars in the Southern California edition of Super Lawyers.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that Michigan Governor Rick Snyder appointed Bill Perrone, Office Managing Member of the firm’s Lansing office, to the Michigan Board of Dentistry. Perrone will serve a four-year term, which expires on June 30, 2019.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced that Steve Tupper has been named the lead legal officer and judge advocate for the Michigan Wing of Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Tupper served as assistant to the position for four years prior to the appointment. 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton appointed Shannon Heim, Minneapolis-based senior counsel and head of Dykema’s Telecommunications Regulatory practice, to the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband. Heim will serve as a member of the task force during Governor Dayton’s second term.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 22 of its attorneys and 13 of its practice areas have been recognized in the 2015 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business guide.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that James S. Brady has received the Marion Hilligan Public Service Award from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School to reflect a lifetime of community service. He was honored earlier this month during the annual Law Day luncheon hosted by the law school and the Grand Rapids Bar Association.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that Christopher Kratovil has been elected to membership in the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation. Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation are selected for their outstanding professional achievements and demonstrated commitment to the improvement of the justice system throughout the state of Texas. Annually, just one-third of one percent of Texas State Bar members are invited to become Fellows.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that Gina Torielli has received the Barbara R. Smith Award from Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit for her role as a member of the Grand Bargain Mediation Team for the City of Detroit Bankruptcy. She and other team members were honored during the Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit’s Awards Luncheon on May 18, 2015 at the Detroit Athletic Club.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced that it has named Edward S. Weil Director of the firm’s Financial Industry Group. With more than 25 years of  industry experience, Weil will lead the group’s more than 90 experienced attorneys in representing and providing strategic counsel to all types of financial-services-related companies. 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that Gina Torielli has received United Way of Washtenaw County’s Volunteer of the Year award. She was honored during the United Way of Washtenaw County’s 2015 Annual Meeting & Volunteer Luncheon on Tuesday, April 21st at the Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Mich. 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that its Chairman and CEO, Peter Kellett, has been elected as a member of the Detroit Economic Club (DEC) board of directors. 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that James P. Feeney has received the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel’s (MDTC) Annual Excellence In Defense Award. He will be honored during an awards banquet hosted by the MDTC on Friday, May 15th at The H Hotel in Midland, Mich.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that four of its Texas attorneys have been named 2015 Rising Stars in the Texas edition of Super Lawyers.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced it will combine with Texas-based Cox Smith. The combination will give Dykema a significantly expanded presence in Texas, where Cox Smith is a leading firm with deep history. The addition of Cox Smith’s 118 lawyers will give the combined firm more than 450 attorneys in 15 offices. The combination will take effect May 1, 2015.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that Mark Malven, Ann Arbor and Bloomfield Hills-based member, authored a treatise published by the Practising Law Institute (PLI) titled, “Technology Transactions: A Practical Guide to Drafting and Negotiating Commercial Agreements.”

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Jim Brandell as a Government Policy Advisor and leader of the Government Relations group in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office. Brandell, previously served for more than a decade as Chief of Staff for immediate past House Ways and Means Chairman and U.S. Congressman Dave Camp of Michigan’s 4th Congressional District.  

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that Sherrie Farrell has been named to Savoy Magazine’s 2015 Most Influential Black Lawyers list. The list is comprised of the “best of the best” of African American partners in leading national law firms as well as corporate counsel from Fortune 1000 corporations. 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that Sherrie Farrell has been recognized by The Michigan Chronicle as a 2015 Woman of Excellence. Farrell was selected from near hundreds of nominees to join this exclusive group of 350 of Southeast Michigan’s most-influential women. 

A team of attorneys at Dykema, a leading national law firm, secured a $2.13 million attorneys’ fee award for Alarm Detection Systems and three other private alarm companies on February 17 from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The award caps off ongoing litigation for the companies, which ultimately defeated the monopolization of the alarm industry by a local government entity. 

Richard C. Goetz, Senior Counsel and Leader of Dykema’s International Practice Group, has been named a 2015 BTI Client Service All-Star, an honor accorded to just 354 attorneys. He received this recognition from leading corporate counsel and other legal decision-makers for his performance and client service.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced that Jonathan Feld has been named head of the White-Collar Criminal Defense & Government Investigations Team, effective February 2015. 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Donna A. O’Connor to its Health Care Practice Group as senior counsel in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office. She joins Dykema after spending more than seven years working in-house for Detroit Medical Center, which was acquired by Vanguard Health Systems in 2011 and Tenet Healthcare Corporation in 2013. 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the formation and launch of their Food & Beverage Practice Group, creating a sought-after industry group for clients navigating the myriad issues that arise from operating in the food and beverage industry. The group will be led by David Graham, Senior Counsel and a member of the Products and Professional Liability Practice Group in Dykema’s Minneapolis office.

Cox Smith today announced that attorney Heather Frayre has joined the firm’s nationally and internationally recognized immigration practice and Cliff Riley has joined the firm’s litigation department. 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that Bonnie Mayfield, Bloomfield Hills-based Member of Dykema’s Litigation and Labor & Employment practices, will be a featured speaker at the upcoming, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) 2015 Midyear Meeting in February 2015.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Zammurad H. (Bob) Feroze to its Real Estate Practice Group as a Member in the firm’s Dallas office. Prior to joining Dykema, Feroze served as the Chair of the Real Estate Department at Hughes & Luce in Dallas, which later merged with K&L Gates LLP. 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that Jeff Huron and Derek Whitefield, both from the firm’s Los Angeles office, were named to the 2015 Super Lawyers list by Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine. 

TAGLaw® recently appointed Deborah Williamson of Cox Smith (Texas, USA) as a member of its Advisory Board. The Advisory Board is a vital component of TAGLaw’s membership, which encompasses 155 independent member firms throughout 87 countries. 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that its Executive Board has elected four new members to the firm effective January 1, 2015; Danielle M. Graceffa, Robert M. Horwitz, Steven C. Liedel and Todd C. Schebor.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that a total of 17 attorneys from the firm’s Chicago and Lisle offices, and from multiple practice areas, were named to the 2015 Super Lawyers list by Illinois Super Lawyers Magazine. Additionally, five of the firm’s Illinois-based attorneys were named to the 2015 Illinois Rising Stars list as well. 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Gina M. Torielli to its Taxation Group as senior counsel in the firm’s Ann Arbor office. Torielli, who was an associate with Dykema from 1991-96, rejoins the firm after serving as a consultant on municipal finance and state tax issues arising in the court-ordered mediation of the City of Detroit's bankruptcy.