Dykema Announces Executive Board Appointments

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that the firm has selected six members to serve on its Executive Board for a three-year term commencing on January 1, 2018. The appointed attorneys are listed below with brief descriptions of their practices and other roles they hold with the firm:

Brendan J. Cahill – Bloomfield Hills
Brendan Cahill serves as Director of Dykema’s Automotive Industry Group. He focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions and joint venture transactions; business planning and general corporate counseling. His experience includes middle market acquisitions and dispositions for strategic and private equity clients, with particular experience in the automotive and manufacturing industries.

Cahill earned a J.D. from the University of Michigan and a B.A., with honors, from the University of Notre Dame.

Erin F. Fonté – Austin
Erin Fonté leads Dykema’s Financial Services Regulatory and Compliance Group and is Co-Leader of the firm’s Privacy and Data Security Practice. She assists clients with a broad range of matters related to financial technology (FinTech), payments/payment systems, digital commerce, banking and financial services, technology/Internet products, privacy and data protection laws, and general corporate matters. She also regularly advises financial institutions and alternative payment providers regarding mobile banking, mobile payments and mobile wallet products and services.

Fonté, who is Past President of the Texas Association of Bank Counsel, earned a J.D., with distinction, from Stanford Law School and a B.A., with honors, from the University of Texas at Austin.

Wilhelm E. Liebmann – San Antonio
Will Liebmann leads Dykema’s Corporate Finance Practice Group. He advises public and private companies on mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, private placements, joint ventures, complex transactions, securities matters and general corporate and partnership matters. He also counsels companies on corporate governance, financial reporting and disclosure, and SEC compliance issues.

Liebmann earned a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and a B.B.A. from Texas A&M University.

Edward S. Weil – Chicago
Ed Weil serves as Director of Dykema’s Financial Industry Group. In his practice, he litigates a wide variety of commercial matters, including fraud, business tort, breach of fiduciary duty, and trade secrets misappropriation and competition-related claims, as well as partnership disputes and corporate governance claims. In his financial services practice, Weil represents large and mid-sized banks, CMBS special servicers, purchasers of non-performing commercial debt, investors and title insurers in litigation.

Weil earned a J.D. from Northwestern University, where he was a member of the Law Review,  and a B.A. from Wesleyan University. 

Michael P. Wippler – Los Angeles
Mike Wippler serves as Managing Member of Dykema’s Los Angeles office. His practice focuses on business counseling, litigation and the negotiation and documentation of business and real estate transactions. Wippler, whose clients include mortgage lenders, real estate developers, medical device manufacturers, OEMs, automobile manufacturers, and individuals, has negotiated and documented real estate and business transactions in the United States, Latin America and Asia.

Wippler earned a J.D. from the University of California Hastings College of the Law, an Advanced Studies Certificate from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth (United Kingdom), and a B.A. from the University of California, San Diego.

Leonard C. Wolfe – Lansing
Len Wolfe was reelected for a second term on Dykema’s Executive Board. He also previously served the firm as Director of its Regulated Industries Department and Leader of its Government Policy & Practice Group. Wolfe’s practice covers several areas of legal representation, including government reorganization and restructuring, education law, state procurement and representing clients before various state departments, agencies, and boards. He also represents clients in a number of high-profile public policy litigation matters.

Wolfe, who previously served on the Michigan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, earned a J.D. from Indiana University and a B.A. from James Madison College at Michigan State University.