Press Releases

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that Benchmark Litigation 2020 named the firm as a "Highly Recommended" law firm for litigation in the state of Michigan as well as a "Recommended" firm for Labor and Employment in the state of Michigan. In addition, Benchmark Litigation 2020 also ranked 10 Dykema attorneys within a variety of lists, including "Local Litigation Stars,” "Future Stars," "40 & Under Hot List" and "Labor & Employment Stars."

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Frank D. Ballantine to its Corporate Finance Practice Group as a Member in the firm’s Chicago office. Ballantine joins Dykema from Clark Hill PLC’s Chicago office.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of five attorneys to its San Antonio office in a variety of practice areas and industry groups since August 19, 2019. Ryan Borelo, Priscila Mosqueda De La Garza, Daniel A. Ray, Katherine Spiser and Katherine (Katina) A. Zampas each join the firm as associates.

A year after record optimism in the wake of sweeping federal tax reform in the United States, respondents to Dykema’s 15th Annual M&A Outlook Survey have tempered expectations for the M&A market, including some notes of pessimism about the broader economy.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that the firm was nationally ranked in 11 practice areas in the 2020 U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” list, as well as receiving a total of 123 metropolitan rankings representing various areas of law.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of attorneys Mike Toth and Ashley Shapiro Bunyard to its Austin office, both in the firm’s Litigation Department.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that corporate counsel from around the nation ranked Dykema as one of the top three firms in America in the area of Complex Commercial Litigation and among the top 16 firms in the nation for Product Liability Litigation. The rankings were published in BTI’s Litigation Outlook 2020 report, which names Dykema a “Powerhouse” for Complex Commercial Litigation and a “Standout” in Product Liability Litigation.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today the addition of Stacey L. McGraw to its Insurance Industry Group and Business Litigation Practice as a Member in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office. McGraw joins Dykema from Troutman Sanders LLP.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of attorneys Israel R. Silvas, Mike Toth and Alexis B. Farrell to its growing Dallas office, and to the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group. In addition, Dykema’s Dallas office also welcomed Charleen Maranto as Practice Group Manager for its Dental Service Organizations Industry Group.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is extremely proud to announce that Jeff Huron, Office Managing Member of Dykema’s Los Angeles office, and Jimmy Azadian, Member in the firm’s Litigation Department and Appellate Practice Group, were each selected as nominees for the Los Angeles Business Journal’s annual “Leaders in the Law” awards. Both Huron and Azadian were featured among other nominees in a special section of the October 14, 2019, issue of the Los Angeles Daily Business Journal. In addition, both were invited to attend the publication’s awards dinner on Tuesday, October 22, at the LA Grand Hotel in downtown Los Angeles, where finalists will be announced.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced that Bonnie Mayfield, a Bloomfield Hills-based member in Dykema’s Litigation practice, received multifaceted, formal recognition for her service and dedication to the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC). The IADC’s core purpose is to enhance the development of skills, professionalism, and camaraderie to serve and benefit its members and their clients, as well as the civil justice system, the legal profession, and society in general.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced that Melanie L. Fry, member in the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group, was selected as the 2019 recipient of the Bexar County Women’s Bar Foundation (BCWB) Belva Lockwood Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. Fry will be presented with the award at the BCWB’s annual Autumn Affair set for Oct. 25, 2019, at the Witte Museum in San Antonio.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today the appointment of Michael Carey and Mark Malven to lead the firm’s Mobility and Advanced Transportation Team. Both members of Dykema’s Automotive Industry Group, each attorney has several years of automotive practice in different disciplines; Carey as a litigator and Malven as a transactional attorney.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Cory L. Webster as a Senior Counsel in the firm’s Los Angeles office, where he will be a member of the firm’s nationwide appellate practice. Webster comes to Dykema after serving as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Consuelo M. Callahan of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that Alison Ashmore, Dallas-based member in the firm’s Litigation Department, was named one of the “2019 Dallas Top Women in Legal” by the National Diversity Council (NDC) and its affiliate, the Texas Diversity Council (TXDC). Ashmore was presented the award at an award breakfast during the 3rd Annual Dallas Legal Diversity Week on Sept. 24 at the Dallas Marriot City Center.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today the addition of Thomas T. Moga to its Intellectual Property & IP Litigation Department and Automotive Industry Group as a Senior Counsel in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office. Moga joins Dykema from the Dearborn, Mich., office of LeClairRyan.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that J. Michael Bernard, Detroit-based Member in the firm’s Corporate Finance Practice Group, was elected as Chairman of the World Services Group (WSG) for 2019 – 2020. Bernard officially took over the Chairman position at the WSG 18th Annual Meeting, which took place in Washington, D.C., from September 4-6.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today the addition of Joanne L. Zimolzak to its Insurance Industry Group and Business Litigation Practice as a Member in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office. Zimolzak joins Dykema after practicing at LeClairRyan. Prior to LeClairRyan, she served as the Office Managing Partner of the Dentons LLP Washington, D.C., office.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 26 of its attorneys from the firm’s four Texas offices—and from multiple practice areas—were named to the 2019 Texas Super Lawyers list by Texas Super Lawyers Magazine. In March of this year, 13 of the Firm’s attorneys were also included on the 2019 Texas Rising Stars list.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, represented the Emmet County Lakeshore Association and the Protection of Rights Alliance (PORA) in the U.S. Federal District Court for the Western District of Michigan’s dismissal of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians v. Whitmer case.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 40 of its attorneys from the firm’s five Michigan offices—and from multiple practice areas—were named to the 2019 Super Lawyers list by Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine. Additionally, 20 of the firm’s attorneys were named to the 2019 Michigan Rising Stars list.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 119 of its attorneys, in multiple practice areas and markets, have been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2020 guide. Additionally, 18 of the firm’s practitioners have been named Best Lawyers 2020 “Lawyer of the Year,” a special distinction conferred upon a single lawyer within a practice area and metropolitan market.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that Sean C. Griffin, a Member in Dykema’s Washington, D.C., office, was named to the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel’s (FDCC) Board of Directors. The FDCC named Griffin as a director on August 3 during its annual meeting.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Robert D. Leavitt to its Financial Industry Group and Business Services Department as a Senior Counsel in the firm’s Chicago office. He has experience practicing in-house, including time with Citibank, as well as with private firms, most recently Johnson and Colmar in Bannockburn, Ill.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that Sherrie Farrell has been named to the inaugural Lawyers of Color Nation’s Best listing. The list recognizes exceptional, diverse law firm partners and senior-level corporate counsel and is presented by Major, Lindsey & Africa with the support of the Diverse Partners Network.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that Michael Carey and Kristina Kaluza, both from the firm's Minneapolis office, have each been recognized as 2019 "Rising Stars" in the Minnesota edition of Super Lawyers. 

Dykema, a leading national law firm, represented the Associated General Contractors of America, San Diego Chapter and Associated General Contractors of America Apprenticeship Program Trust (AGC) in securing a preliminary injunction in the Superior Court of California, San Diego County, precluding the City from applying conditions disallowed by a San Diego Ordinance.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that its Taxation Practice Group has launched the Dykema Opportunity Zone Resource Center (“OZ Center”) to help its clients and interested parties better understand the rules for investing in qualified opportunity zones, which offer a number of tax incentives to investors.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Timothy J. McCarthy to its Commercial Litigation Practice Group as a Senior Counsel in the firm’s Dallas office. He joins Dykema after two decades of practicing at various firms in New York City, including Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP, White & Case, and most recently, Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, represented Kia Motors America Inc. and Kia Motors Corp. in its Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals class action settlement victory on June 6, 2019.

Dykema, a leading national law firm in dental services, is proud to announce that its Dental Service Organizations (DSO) Industry Group provided legal representation to Bain Capital Double Impact, the impact investing business of Bain Capital, in its investment in Rodeo Dental & Orthodontics, a premier group-practice provider of specialty dental services to families throughout the state of Texas.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that it served as legal counsel to McDonald’s in the sale of the company’s former corporate world headquarters, an 80-acre site located in Oak Brook, Ill. The property, which featured a 331,630-square-foot headquarters building, a 130,484-square-foot building (Hamburger University) and a 218-room Hyatt hotel, was sold to John Paul DeJoria, CEO and co-founder of Paul Mitchell hair care products.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced that Eric S. Klein, a member in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, has been appointed as Leader of Dykema’s Health Care Practice Group.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that four of its Los Angeles-based attorneys have been named 2019 Rising Stars in the Southern California edition of Super Lawyers.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Lauren E. Quigley to its Corporate Finance Practice Group as a senior counsel in the firm’s Chicago office. Quigley, who previously worked as an associate with Dykema in 2013-2014, rejoins the firm after practicing at Buckley Sandler LLP.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that the firm’s Automotive Product Liability Litigation, Automotive Litigation and Immigration practices have been ranked by the Legal 500 United States 2019 (The Legal 500). In addition to the practice rankings, 10 Dykema attorneys received individual recognition, including Terri Reiskin and Derek Whitefield being named “Leading Lawyers.”

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that the firm has hired Mary Beth Walsh as its Director of Lateral Recruiting. Prior to joining Dykema, Walsh served as Director of Attorney Recruitment & Development at the Chicago-based firm Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Scott A. Hughes to its Government Policy & Practice Group as a Senior Counsel in the firm’s Lansing office. He joins Dykema after serving as General Counsel for the Michigan State Senate.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that on April 29, 2019, its client Specialty Auto Parts USA, Inc. prevailed over Holley Performance Products, Inc. in a significant appellate victory in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. The Sixth Circuit’s 15-page opinion will require Holley Performance Products, which was acquired by Sentinel Capital Partners in October 2018, to answer serious allegations of wrongful conduct in its prior dealings with Specialty.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that Kyle R. Dufrane, Detroit-based member in the Firm’s Financial Services Litigation Practice Group, has been reappointed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the State’s Military Appeals Tribunal for a term that expires in April 2023. Dufrane has now been appointed by Governors from both major political parties, with his first appointment to the Tribunal coming from Governor Rick Snyder in 2011.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that Lawyers of Color named the Firm one of its Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Leaders. As published in the Black Student’s Guide to Law Schools & Firms, Dykema is ranked 38th amongst large law firms with 4.85 percent black attorneys.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 17 attorneys from multiple offices and practice areas received individual rankings and 10 practice areas have been recognized in the 2019 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business guide.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that it served as outside legal counsel for Atar Capital, a Los Angeles-based global private investment firm (Atar), in its acquisition of Sustainable Solutions Group (SSG) through Atar’s portfolio company, Recycling and Waste Solutions (RWS). The transaction marks the third acquisition for which Dykema has assisted Atar in the past six months.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that five attorneys from the firm’s Washington, D.C., office, and from multiple practice areas, were named to the 2019 Super Lawyers list by Washington D.C. Super Lawyers Magazine.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Denise M. Drake to its Corporate Finance Practice Group as a senior counsel in the firm’s San Antonio office.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced that the firm was included on the shortlist of nominees for Advisen’s Cyber Law Firm of the Year Award. The winner will be announced at Advisen’s Sixth Annual Cyber Risk Awards Gala Event taking place at Gotham Hall in New York City on Wednesday, June 19th at 6:00 p.m.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced that a case the Firm was involved in was named the winner of the Litigation of the Year – Cartel Defence at the Global Competition Review’s 9th annual GCR Awards. The award recognizes the decision from the Eastern District of Michigan denying class certification in Automotive Parts Antitrust Litigation in which Dykema served as Counsel to AB SKF, a leading Swedish-based bearings technology provider.

Dykema, a national law firm and the leading law firm in dental services, is proud to announce that Boxing Hall of Famer, Olympic Champion and bestselling author Sugar Ray Leonard will serve as the keynote speaker at Dykema’s 6th Annual Definitive Conference for Dental Service Organizations, which is set to take place at The Omni Dallas Hotel from July 10-12, 2019.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Thomas H. Hutchinson to its Litigation Department as a senior counsel in the firm’s Los Angeles office. Hutchinson, who previously practiced with Dykema, rejoins the firm from Veatch Carlson, LLP.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, proudly announced that it received a perfect score of 100 on the 2019 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s premier benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation. Dykema joins the ranks of more than 560 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Tracy D. Winston to its Government Policy & Practice Group as a government policy advisor in the firm’s Lansing office. Prior to joining Dykema, Winston served as Democratic Caucus Policy Advisor for the Michigan House of Representatives.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced that William J. Kohler, co-leader of the firm’s Mobility and Advanced Transportation Team and senior counsel in its Corporate Finance Practice Group, has been appointed by the Connected Vehicle Trade Association (CVTA) to serve as a member of its Board of Directors.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Michael A. Dorfman, Robert “Dean” Hagan, and Heidi J. Herman to its Chicago office. Dorfman joins Dykema as Member in its Intellectual Property and IP Litigation Department, while Hagan and Herman each join as Senior Counsel in the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 13 of its Texas-based attorneys have been named 2019 Rising Stars in the Texas edition of Super Lawyers Magazine. Additionally, Alison Ashmore was recognized on the “Up-and-Coming 100: 2019 Texas Rising Stars List," as well as the “Up-and-Coming 50: 2019 Women Texas Rising Stars List."

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that the firm has hired Paul R. Boken as its Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining Dykema, Boken served as COO of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, a 500 attorney, multi-office law firm based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce the formation of its dedicated Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) team. As one of only a few law firms currently defending Illinois companies against BIPA class action suits, Dykema is uniquely situated to handle the anticipated influx in related litigation due to arise as a result of the statute and recent case law developments.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Michael R. Carey to its Products, Class Actions & Professional Liability Practice Group as a Member in the firm’s Minneapolis office. He joins Dykema from Bowman and Brooke LLP, where he practiced for more than a decade.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of four attorneys to its growing Dallas office. Jeffrey J. Cox, Deron L. Wade, Prescott W. Smith and Clay A. Cossé each join the firm’s Products, Class Actions & Professional Liability Practice group from Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of The Honorable William B. Murphy to its Business Litigation Practice Group as a senior counsel in the firm’s Grand Rapids office. Judge Murphy joins Dykema after serving on Michigan’s Court of Appeals for the past 30 years, including five years as Chief Judge of the Court, and three terms as the Court’s Chief Judge Pro Tem. Judge Murphy has been one of the longest serving judges on the Michigan Court of Appeals since the Court’s inception.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced that Brian A. Colao, Director of Dykema’s Dental Service Organizations Industry Group, was selected for inclusion in Group Dentistry Now’s “2019 DSO Influencer’s List.” Colao is just one of seven individuals chosen for the publication’s inaugural list and is the only attorney to receive this recognition.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that Eric T. Fingerhut and Jennifer Fraser, Washington, D.C.-based members in Dykema’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, were each ranked in World Trademark Review 1000 (WTR 1000 2019). Both Fingerhut and Fraser, as well as Dykema, received recognition in the United States: DC Metro Area category. This marks the eighth consecutive year that both Fingerhut and Fraser have been recognized as top practitioners.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that Jeff Huron and Derek Whitefield, each from the firm’s Los Angeles office, were named to the 2019 Super Lawyers list by Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced that three of its San Antonio-based attorneys were chosen to hold leadership positions with the Bexar County Women’s Bar Foundation for 2019. Lindsay Riley was named president-elect, Danielle Rushing will serve as secretary, and Melanie Fry will remain in her position as a director with the Foundation. In addition, both Rushing and Dykema attorney Rachel Skinner Fernandez were selected to be a part of the Foundation’s LEAD (Lead. Empower. Advance. Develop.) Academy Class of 2019.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced that Tom Alleman, Dallas-based Co-Director of the firm’s Insurance Industry Group, was elected as a Fellow to the American College of Coverage Counsel (ACCC). Alleman joins Dykema colleague Sean Hanifin, who was elected in 2014, as Fellows of the ACCC.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, today announced the addition of Shelly J. Edgerton, who joins the Government Policy and Practice group as a senior counsel in the firm’s Lansing office. Edgerton joins Dykema after serving as Director and Chief Data Systems Officer of the State of Michigan’s Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs (LARA).

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that a total of 15 attorneys from the firm’s Chicago office, and from multiple practice areas, were named to the 2019 Super Lawyers list by Illinois Super Lawyers Magazine. Additionally, four of the firm’s Illinois-based attorneys were named to the 2019 Illinois Rising Stars list as well.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that its Executive Board elected nine new members to the firm effective January 1, 2019.