In the News

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that it is ranked as a Top 10 U.S. firm in Law360’s “The Best Firms For Minority Attorneys” report. Dykema was listed as the eighth-best U.S. firm in the 300-599 lawyer category when it comes to the racial and ethnic minority diversity of its attorneys.

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that it is ranked as a top U.S. firm for diversity in The American Lawyer’s annual “Diversity Scorecard” report. With a Diversity Score of 25.9, Dykema ranks 96th out of all Am Law 200 and National Law Journal 250 law firms, up 21 spots from the firm’s previous ranking.

Leonard Wolfe, Lansing-based member of Dykema’s Government Policy & Practice Group, will serve as a featured speaker at the 2018 National Charter Schools Conference in Austin, Texas, June 17-20, 2018.

Natalie Brouwer Potts, Chicago-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Labor & Employment practice, was interviewed by Ryan Whitacre, Managing Director, In-House Practice Group at Major, Lindsey & Africa, in The Recorder, article, “Q&A: Title IX in the Wake of the USC Physician Sexual Misconduct Scandal.”

Jim Hermon, Detroit-based member in Dykema’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, was quoted in the Crain’s Detroit Business article, “Splitting up is hard to do: Visteon-Leuliette severance fight shows old rules are changing.”

Jarrod Smith, Lansing-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Public Finance practice, served as a featured speaker at the 2018 Michigan Investor Summit which took place June 7 in Detroit. The Summit involved the State Treasurer and others on behalf of the State, the Michigan Finance Authority, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the State Building Authority, and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, John Naglick and others on behalf of the City of Detroit. 

Dommond Lonnie, Los Angeles-based member in Dykema’s Litigation Department and Director of the firm’s Automotive Industry Group, was quoted in the Law360 article, “Automotive Regulation To Watch: Midyear Report.”

Elisa Lintemuth, Grand Rapids-based member in Dykema’s Labor & Employment practice group, provided the closing comments in the Bloomberg.com article, “Tax-Law Typo Risks Bankrupting #MeToo Victims Without GOP Fix.”

William C. Lentine, Bloomfield Hills-based member in Dykema’s Taxation and Estates Practice Group, recently served as a featured speaker at the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) Anti-Fraud Issues, Litigation & Business Valuation, Mergers & Acquisitions Conference in Livonia, Michigan.

Van Lindberg, San Antonio-based member in Dykema’s Intellectual Property practice group, was quoted extensively in the Managing Intellectual Property article, “How AI Affects Patent Prosecution and Litigation.”

Thomas B. Alleman, Dallas-based member in Dykema’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group and Director of the Firm’s Insurance Industry Group, was quoted at length in the Law360 article “Contractors May Be Missing Cyberrisks With Insurance Plans.”

Jonathan W. Michael, Chicago-based member in Dykema's Tax & Estate Planning Practice, will serve as a featured speaker at the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education's 61st Annual Estate Planning Short Course. This two-day event, which is considered the preeminent legal education event for estate planning attorneys and trust officers in the State of Illinois, will take place in Champaign May 14-15 and in Chicago May 23-24.

Dykema's Privacy and Data Security Group has announced the release of "The Firewall," a blog providing thorough analysis of emerging issues in privacy and cybersecurity law. The ever-changing world of data and privacy security continually affects how companies operate. Understanding the emerging security threats and the latest government regulatory developments is a critical responsibility of businesses in all industries.

Sherrie L. Farrell, office managing member of Dykema’s Detroit office and chair of the Firm's Diversity and Inclusion Committee, was featured in the Detroit Legal News photo write-up, “Diversity Doer,” which reported on the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association’s Corporate Counsel Breakfast. During the event, Farrell and other notable members of the legal community enjoyed a presentation followed by a discussion session.

Thomas S. Vaughn, Detroit-based member and co-leader of Dykema's M&A practice, and Brian Page, Grand Rapids-based member in Dykema’s Real Estate practice, were quoted at length in the MiBiz.com article, “Tax Reform Adds Fuel to M&A Deal Flow in Q1.”

Elizabeth Khalil, Chicago-based member in Dykema’s Government Policy Practice Group, and Joe Hickey, Bloomfield Hills-based member in the firm's Financial Services Litigation Practice Group, will each serve as featured speakers at the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) Legal Issues & Regulatory Compliance Conference set to take place in Los Angeles from April 29- May 2.

Elisa Lintemuth, Grand Rapids-based member in Dykema’s Labor & Employment practice group, contributes some timely advice in the Society for Human Resource Management story, “Reduce Summer Interns’ Vulnerability to Harassment,” which offers guidelines for protecting summer associates and other classes of temporary employees.

Lansing-based attorneys Gary P. Gordon and Jason T. Hanselman of Dykema’s Government Policy & Practice group were photographed for Bridge Magazine’s Public Sector column, “Legal Marijuana Headed to Michigan Ballot; Prevailing Wage Repeal to Court.”

Tania Shapiro-Barr, Minneapolis-based senior attorney in Dykema’s Intellectual Property practice group, was tapped by World Intellectual Property Review to analyze the consequences of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Oil States v. Greene’s Energy for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in the article, “SCOTUS Oil States Decision May Raise More Challenges to IPR: Lawyers.”

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is pleased to announce that seven of its Dallas-based attorneys are listed as “Best Lawyers in Dallas,” in a special editorial feature in the May 2018 issue of D Magazine. 

Eric T. Fingerhut, Office Managing Member of Dykema's Washington, D.C., office and former leader of Dykema’s Trademark & Copyright Practice, co-authored the World Intellectual Property Review article, “Drawing the Battle Lines: Adidas’s Mission to Protect Its Three Stripes.”

Van Lindberg, San Antonio-based member in Dykema’s Intellectual Property practice group, evaluates the opinions reached by the U.S. Supreme Court in Oil States v. Green Energy and SAS Institute Inc. v. Iancu in IPWatchdog, Law360, and IPPRO Patents, noting that the SAS Institute ruling is more likely to affect the Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s inter partes right to review and revoke existing patent grants than the Oil States decision.

William C. Lentine, Bloomfield Hills-based member in Dykema’s Taxation and Estates Practice Group, recently served as a featured speaker for the Taxation Section of the State Bar of Michigan’s presentation “Section 280E: Planning and Considerations.” The presentation took a look at the taxation of cannabis and discussed certain aspects of structuring businesses to comply with tax law.

Richard Cheng, Dallas-based member of Dykema's Health Care Practice Group, will serve as a featured speaker at the 23rd Annual Asian Pacific Interest Section Conference for the State Bar of Texas in Austin. Cheng's presentation is titled "Legal Issues in the Cannabis Industry."

Dykema is proud to announce that Jason T. Hanselman, Lansing-based member in Dykema’s Government Policy & Practice group, is participating as a contestant in the Sparrow Foundation’s 9th Annual Dapper Dads Challenge & Fashion Show. Since its inception, this popular event has raised more than $1,600,000 in support of for the Sparrow Foundation’s Women Working Wonders (W3) Committee, which works tirelessly to support the physical and psychological health of women in mid-Michigan.

A pro bono training program for attorneys willing to represent low-income Detroit renters fighting dislodgement that is being spearheaded by Dykema was featured in the Bloomberg Law United States Law Week article, “Dykema, Ford Help Detroit Tenants Facing Eviction.”

Brian A. Colao, Dallas-based member and Director of the firm's Dental Service Organizations (DSO) Industry Group, was recognized as the foremost expert in the field and invited by DentistAdvisors.com to explore the nature of DSOs in its Dentist Money Show interview.

Dykema is proud to announce that the Legal Marketing Association (LMA) recognized its Business Development and Marketing Department as the First Place winner in the Communications: Promotional and Collateral Materials category of the 2018 Your Honor Awards for work relating to the Dykema Alumni Program. Additionally, the firm earned Second Place honors in the Marketing Management and Leadership: Internal Marketing category for its work in Dykema’s lateral integration program.

Van Lindberg, San Antonio-based member in Dykema’s Intellectual Property practice group, comments on how the Oracle v. Google opinion will more clearly establish what constitutes unlicensed use for API (application programming interface) software in the Westlaw Journal Intellectual Property cover story, “Oracle’s Fair-Use Win Against Google Could Have Big Impact, Attorneys Say.”

In response to the Texas Department of State Health Services’ threatened confiscation of foods containing cannabidiol oil (CBD), Richard Y. Cheng, Dallas-based member of Dykema's Health Care Practice Group and General Counsel for the Texas Cannabis Industry Association, has submitted a position paper challenging the SHS’s authority to confiscate such products.

William Kohler, Detroit-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Corporate Finance Practice Group and co-leader of the Autonomous and Connected Vehicle Team, talks about autonomous vehicle lawsuits in the Houston Matters radio interview, “Who’s At Fault When A Self-Driving Car Hurts Someone?”

Richard Y. Cheng, Dallas-based member in Dykema’s health care practice group, was quoted in the Health Care on Bloomberg Law article, “Taking an Experimental Drug Could Jeopardize Your Health Insurance.” 

Joanne R. Lax, Bloomfield Hills-based member in Dykema’s Health Care Practice Group and American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA) board member, praised former mentor and Dykema retiree J. Kay Felt in the AHLA Connections feature, “Profiles of Early AHLA Leaders: J. Kay Felt.”

Robert A. Boonin, Detroit and Ann Arbor–based member in Dykema’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, was quoted in the Society for Human Resource Management news roundup, “DOL’s PAID Program Will Launch in Early April.”

Dykema’s San Antonio office was recognized for donating 2,473 pro bono hours last year in the San Antonio Business Journal, placing it at the top of the publication’s “Pro Bono Law Firms” list. The Journal also noted Dykema’s company-wide number of donated hours, which totaled 13,912 in 2017.

Tom Alleman, Dallas-based member and Director of Dykema’s Insurance Industry Group, served as a featured speaker at the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA) Q1 Mobility Supplier Forum. The forum took place March 8, 2018, at Flex Automotive’s Silicon Valley Customer Innovation Center in Milpitas, Calif.

Elisa Lintemuth, Grand Rapids-based member in Dykema’s Labor & Employment practice group, was recognized for her career accomplishments in the Grand Rapids Legal News interview, “Elisa Lintemuth, Newly-Elected Member of Dykema, Helps Fulfill GR Office Goals.”

Jill M. Wheaton, Ann Arbor-based member in Dykema’s Litigation Department and Leader of the firm’s Appellate practice, served as a nationally recognized speaker at the DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar's joint conference of its Trial Tactics and Appellate Advocacy seminars, which took place at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on March 15, 2018. 

In response to a recent bill package under consideration by the Michigan legislature, Dykema’s Government Policy & Practice Group was tapped by a consortium of Michigan’s public universities to study the consequences of extending the statutory time limit for reporting sex crimes. The universities’ countermeasure and Dykema’s analysis were covered coast-to-coast by national and local media.

Elizabeth Khalil, Chicago-based member in Dykema’s Government Policy Practice Group, was interviewed by Venminder, Inc. for a podcast in which she delved into third-party risk issues as they apply to financial institutions.

James Azadian, Los Angeles-based member in Dykema's Commercial Litigation Practice Group and the firm’s nationwide appellate practice, co-authored the article “2018 New State and Federal Laws” for the Orange County Lawyer.

Phyllis G. Adams, Ann Arbor-based member in Dykema’s Health Care Practice, was named one of 30 “Leaders in the Law” for 2018 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. A luncheon celebrating the honorees will be held April 5, 2018, at the Detroit Marriott Troy, where the publication will announce the 2018 “Lawyer of the Year.”

Richard Cheng, Dallas-based member of Dykema's Health Care Practice Group, will serve as a featured speaker at the 36th Annual Convention of the Texas & New Mexico Hospice Organization March 2-5, 2018, in San Antonio.

Robert A. Boonin, Detroit and Ann Arbor–based member in Dykema’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, provided the closing comments in the BNA Daily Labor Report Snapshot feature, “Labor Dept. Officials Sit Out Employment Lawyers Conference.”

Van Lindberg, San Antonio-based member in Dykema’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, was quoted at length in the Automotive World article, “Patent Report Shows Shift Away From Traditional Technologies.”

Brian A. Colao, Dallas-based member and Director of the firm's Dental Service Organizations Industry Group, made a guest appearance on the Bulletproof Dental Practice Podcast while attending the Voices of Dentistry Summit in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Christopher D. Kratovil, managing member of Dykema’s Dallas office and member in the firm's Litigation Practice Group, discusses the expanding opportunities in the metroplex due to the flourishing local legal market in the Law360 article, “Why BigLaw Firms Are Hungry To Enter And Grow In Dallas.”

Reed R. Heimbecher, managing member of Dykema’s Minneapolis office and leader of the firm’s intellectual property transactional practice group, enthusiastically discusses his vision for the growing office, the complexity of drafting patent applications, and which IP cases are the ones to watch in the Star Tribune article, “Dykema Minneapolis Office Managing Partner Reed Heimbecher Sees Big Things for Law Firm.”

Marsha G. Gentner, Washington, D.C.-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, evaluates the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s chances for a rehearing of In re: Brunetti in the World Trademark Review report, “A Steep Uphill Battle: Experts Pessimistic Over USPTO Bid for U-turn on Scandalous Marks.”

Dan Harkins, San Antonio-based Director of Dykema’s Intellectual Property Department, was quoted in the Westlaw Journal: Intellectual Property report, “ISPs Must Enforce Copyright Rules in Wake of Cox’s DMCA Loss, Attorneys Say.”

Phylis J. Speedlin, San Antonio-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Litigation group and former Fourth Court of Appeals Justice, served as one of 40 mentors for the annual San Antonio Business Journal Bizwomen Mentoring Monday career development session. The event attracted more than 150 students and women seeking professional advice from the community’s most accomplished female business leaders.

Sheryl L. Toby, metro Detroit-based member of Dykema’s Business Services Department, Automotive Industry Group, has authored “Successful Manufacturing Contracting—It’s More than Standard Terms and Conditions” for Manufacturing Today (vol. 18, issue 1).

William Kohler, Detroit-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Corporate Finance Practice Group and co-leader of the Autonomous and Connected Vehicle Team, and Thomas B. Alleman, Dallas-based member in the Commercial Litigation Practice Group and Director of the Insurance Industry Group, talked to Law360 about assigning culpability and amending regulations affecting autonomous vehicle lawsuits in the article “3 Questions About Self-Driving Car Liability.”

Van Lindberg, San Antonio-based member in Dykema’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, was invited to explain the significance of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) with the host of WOAI CyberTalkRadio.

Van Lindberg, San Antonio-based member in Dykema’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, discusses a possible predicament for the new head of the United States Patent and Trademark Office in the WIPR article, “Fee Diversion Looms As Iancu Appointment Approaches.”

Marsha G. Gentner, Washington, D.C.-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, contributed the closing comments in the World IP Review article, “Cleveland Indians Retire Controversial Chief Wahoo Trademark.” 

Daniel R. Stern, San Antonio-based member of Dykema’s Labor and Employment practice group, was interviewed in the Business News Daily article, “How to Properly Handle a Workplace Investigation.”

Dykema’s Health Care Practice has launched a new blog, “Homeostasis: Dykema’ s Health Care Law Blog,” a resource that analyzes legal developments, discusses industry trends, and offers valuable information for those working in the Health Care Industry.

Gary P. Gordon, Lansing-based member in Dykema’s Government Policy practice, and former Chief Deputy Attorney General for the State of Michigan, was quoted in The Detroit News story, “Board Orders Review of Prevailing Wage Repeal Signatures.” The piece also featured a photo of Jason T. Hanselman, Lansing-based member in the Government & Policy Practice Group.

Jason T. Hanselman, Lansing-based member in Dykema’s Government Policy & Practice group, was quoted in the Detroit News story, “Prevailing Wage Group Tries to Avoid Signature Scrutiny.”

William Kohler, Detroit-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Corporate Finance Practice Group and co-leader of the Autonomous and Connected Vehicle Team, will serve as a featured speaker at Autonomous Vehicles Silicon Valley from February 26-28, 2018.

Elizabeth Khalil, Chicago-based member in Dykema’s Government Policy Practice Group, discusses the increasingly adverse regulatory climate facing the marijuana industry in her Law360 article, “The Challenges Of Marijuana Banking Just Got Bigger.”

Lansing-based attorneys Gary Gordon and Jason Hanselman of Dykema’s Government Policy practice were both mentioned in the Michigan Information & Research Service (MIRS) article “Prevailing Wage Repealers Want State To Drop Expanded Sig Review.”

Jason E. Grinnell, Los Angeles-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Real Estate practice group, discusses options for tenant flexibility in the Law360 article, “4 Things To Keep In Mind When Negotiating Retail Leases.”

Marsha G. Gentner, Washington, D.C.-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Intellectual Property Practice Group was quoted in the Westlaw Journal: Intellectual Property’s lead story, “Copyright Suit Against Spotify Has Merit, Attorneys Say.”

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, commented on the change in the Department of Labor’s regulatory stance since the end of the Obama administration in the Society for Human Resource Management report, “DOL Opinion Letters Explain Deductions, Bonuses, Exemptions.”

Elizabeth Khalil, Chicago-based member in Dykema’s Government Policy Practice Group, contemplated actions the CFPB might take under Mick Mulvaney’s leadership in the Bloomberg BNA article, ”Consumer Finance Lawyers Prep Wish Lists as CFPB Retools.”

Thomas S. Vaughn, Detroit-based member and co-leader of Dykema's M&A practice, and Michael P. Fannon, Bloomfield Hills-based associate in the Corporate Finance practice group, have analyzed the survey results for middle market activities gleaned from Dykema’s 13th Annual M & A Outlook Survey in the BloombergLaw Big Law Business article, “The Middle Market Deal Comes of Age.”

Paul M. Laurenza, leader of Dykema’s Automotive Government Policy & Practice group, contributed to Law360’s analysis column, “Transportation Legislation And Regulation To Watch In 2018.”

Daniel R. Stern, San Antonio-based member of Dykema’s Labor and Employment practice group, contributed some timely advice to the Law360 story, “5 Tips For Staving Off Workplace Harassment In 2018.”

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 Elizabeth Khalil, Chicago-based member in Dykema’s Government Policy Practice Group, are contributors to the American Bar Association’s 2018 publication, Electronic Payment Systems: Law and Emerging Technologies.

Bonnie Mayfield, Detroit-based member of Dykema’s Litigation and Labor & Employment practices, and Chair of the International Association of Defense Counsel's Diversity Committee, was quoted in the Law360 article, “4 Ways GCs Can Help Law Firms Become More Diverse In 2018.”