In the News

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.”

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?”

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.”

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.”

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, discusses exceptions to federal time-off regulations for exempt employees in the Society for Human Resource Management article, “Some Deductions for Salaried Staff Are Permitted.”

Dykema, a national law firm, announced today that it has been listed as one of the best law firms in the United States for client service performance. The firm's superior client service places the firm in the top 15 percent of all law firms.

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 in the section “On Legalizing Marijuana in Michigan” for Crain’s Detroit Business special series, “Outlook 2018: Charting Uncertain Waters in the Year Ahead.”

Jason E. Grinnell, Los Angeles-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Real Estate practice group, comments on the momentous effect of the Whole Foods Market purchase on the retail sphere in the Law360 story, “3 Issues That Defined The 2017 Real Estate Market.”

Daniel R. Stern, San Antonio-based member of Dykema’s Labor and Employment practice group, shares some seasonal wisdom with Corporate Counsel in the article, “5 Legal Tips for a Safe and Happy Holiday Office Party.”

John A. Ferroli, Grand Rapids-based member in Dykema’s Litigation Practice, and Thomas B. Alleman, Dallas-based member in the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group and Director of the firm’s Insurance Industry Group, collaborated on a litigation webinar which was reported in detail by the Grand Rapids Legal News in its article, “Dykema Webinar Shares Broad Environmental Litigation Expertise.”

Jeffrey Gifford and Meagan McKeown, San Antonio-based attorneys in Dykema’s Corporate Finance Practice Group, report on the propitious results collected in Dykema’s 13th Annual M&A Outlook Survey for the Law360 Expert Analysis column, “An Optimistic M&A Outlook For 2018.”

Tania Shapiro-Barr, Minneapolis-based senior attorney in Dykema’s Intellectual Property practice group, evaluated the Supreme Court Justices’ deliberations during the November 27 oral arguments for Oil States Energy Services LLC v. Green’s Energy Group LLC.

Tania Shapiro-Barr, Minneapolis-based senior attorney in Dykema’s Intellectual Property practice group, predicts the possible consequences should the Supreme Court abolish the Patent Trial and Appeal Board’s authority to conduct inter partes reviews in the Law360 article, “5 Things To Watch As High Court Tackles AIA Reviews.”

Van Lindberg, San Antonio-based senior counsel in Dykema’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, raises some thought-provoking questions about the dilemmas facing developers of autonomous vehicles in the Detroit Free Press story, “Morality, Ethics of a Self-Driving Car: Who Decides Who lives, Dies?”

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, comments on the uncertainty of alternative finance systems in the deBanked article, “Lights, Camera, Crypto-Transaction – How a Lending Journalist Raised Millions to Build Magic Lamps Through the Murky World of Initial Coin Offerings.”

Ernie Aliseda, McAllen-based member of Dykema’s Commercial Litigation Group, was again selected as one of two judges evaluating applications to the five service academies (the U.S. Military, Naval, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine academies) by Senator Ted Cruz.

Elizabeth Khalil, Chicago-based member in Dykema’s Government Policy Practice Group, and R. Lance Boldrey, Lansing-based member of Dykema’s Gaming & Indian Law practice group as well as leader of the firm’s emerging Cannabis Law practice team, were quoted in the Detroit Free Press article, “State Preparing For Cash — Lots Of It — When Medical Marijuana Applications Come In.”

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 Bloomberg BNA Banking News report, “Banks Join Legal Fight Over Website Access for Visually Impaired.”

Paul M. Laurenza, leader of the firm's Automotive Government Policy & Practice group, discusses the government’s likely postponement of mandatorily equipping vehicles with V2V technology and the debate about sharing V2V’s assigned bandwidth in the Law360 article, “Murky Connected-Car Regime Won’t Halt Auto Tech Push.”

An INTA Bulletin article, “INTA Hosts USPTO Dialogue: A View from the Outside,” lauded the contributions of Jennifer Fraser, Washington, D.C.-based member in Dykema’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, and three other panelists for sharing their previous experiences at the United States Patent & Trademark Office with an audience of USPTO trademark examining attorneys.

Nick Wittner, Bloomfield Hills-based of counsel, served as the Chair and Organizer of the Legal Segment of the Autonomous Vehicle Safety Regulation World Congress, which was held at The Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Mich., October 23-24, 2017. In addition, Tom Alleman, Dallas-based member and Director of Dykema’s Insurance Industry Group, also served as a panelist for the event.

Jim Hermon, Detroit-based member in Dykema’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, discusses the enormous rewards and the importance of Pro Bono service in an interview with The LexBlog Network, “Pro Bono Litigation Making an Impact on The U.S. Supreme Court— an Interview with James F. Hermon of Dykema Gossett PLLC.”

Heidi Naasko, Ann Arbor-based litigator and Dykema's National Pro Bono and Diversity Counsel, was quoted in the United States Law Week article, “Big Law Lights the Way for Corporate Clients Expanding Pro Bono.”

Bonnie Mayfield, Detroit-based member of Dykema’s Litigation and Labor & Employment practices, was the subject of an inspiring interview in the “Asked and Answered…” column of the Detroit Legal News, following her appointment as Chair of the International Association of Defense Counsel's (IADC) Diversity Committee.

Dykema’s 13th Annual M&A survey, prepared by the Corporate Finance Practice Group including Tom Vaughn, Jeff Gifford, Jin Kyu-Koh and Bill Lentine, was the subject of the San Antonio Business Journal article, “New Survey Find M&A Market To Strengthen Next Year.”

Cale A. Johnson, Bloomfield Hills-based member in Dykema’s Litigation practice, was recently named one of 30 “Up & Coming Lawyers” for 2017 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. A luncheon celebrating the honorees will be held December 7 at the Detroit Marriott in Troy, Michigan.