Municipal Law Department Named As "Top-Listed" In State Of Michigan
Press Release 08/27/2010

  William P. Hampton        Derk W. Beckerleg         Thomas R. Schultz          Gary L. Dovre

Secrest Wardle is pleased to announce that its Municipal Law Department has been named as “Top-Listed” in the State of Michigan by Best Lawyers in America®, a resource for locating outstanding attorneys who specialize in specific practice areas. Four Secrest Wardle Partners have been notified of their inclusion in the 2011 edition.      

Selection follows a peer-review process. Those named “Top Listed” in the category of Municipal Law include: William P. Hampton, attorney for the Cities of Bloomfield Hills and Auburn Hills, and attorney for the Townships of Bloomfield, West Bloomfield and Orion; Thomas R. Schultz, attorney for the Cities of Novi and Farmington; Derk W. Beckerleg, Tax Tribunal specialist and assistant attorney for the City of Auburn Hills, and Gary L. Dovre, attorney for the Villages of Lake Orion and Bingham Farms and attorney for the Township of West Bloomfield. Mr. Hampton, who has been named in Best Lawyers in America® for over ten years, is also listed by the publication in the areas of Commercial Litigation, Family Law and Real Estate Law.

 

More Shake Ups on the Michigan Supreme Court
NEWS FLASH!! 08/26/2010

Hours ago, Justice Elizabeth Weaver surprisingly resigned her post as a Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. Justice Weaver was originally a Republican nominee to the Court, but renounced her ties with the Republican Party earlier this year. 

Governor Jennifer Granholm announced her appointment of Court of Appeals Judge Alton Davis to replace Justice Weaver. No legislative affirmation of the appointment is required under the Michigan Constitution. 

Justice Davis hails from northern Michigan, and has a reputation as a liberal jurist who leans in favor of plaintiffs. Justice Davis will serve out the remainder of Justice Weaver's term, which ends this year. It is anticipated that Justice Davis will garner a nomination from the Democratic Party at their upcoming convention this weekend for the election this fall. 

While Justice Weaver recently voted with the new liberal side of the Court on many issues, she still sided with conservatives regarding the open and obvious defense. With this recent appointment, Lugo v Ameritech and its progeny are in real danger.

Drew Broaddus Joins Appellate Department
Press Release 07/26/2010

Secrest, Wardle, Lynch, Hampton, Truex & Morley, P.C. is pleased to announce that Drew Broaddus, an experienced appellate attorney, recently joined the firm’s appellate department. 

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Janet Callahan Barnes Retires
In The News 07/06/2010

(Back row left to right) Roger Wardle, Mark Morley, William Hampton, Mark Masters, Thomas Azoni, Terrance Lynch (Front row) Bruce Truex and Janet Callahan Barnes

 

Janet Callahan Barnes was recently honored at her June 18, 2010 retirement party given by Secrest Wardle after 24 years of service as an outstanding appellate attorney. The senior partners of the firm presented Ms. Barnes with a Resolution from the Michigan Supreme Court bearing signatures of all seven Supreme Court justices attesting to her accomplishments.

 

Ms. Barnes graduated from the Detroit College of Law in 1981 with honors and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan the same year. She served as a judicial clerk to Supreme Court justice, Hon. Thomas Giles Kavanagh from 1979 -1981.

 

Ms. Barnes joined Secrest Wardle in 1986 becoming a partner in 2001 and was named Lawyer of the Year in 2007.

 

She will be greatly missed by her colleagues.

Caroline Grech-Clapper Named To 2010-2011 "Who's Who in North America"
Press Release 06/09/2010

Secrest, Wardle is pleased to announce that Caroline Grech-Clapper, a partner in its Farmington Hills office, was recently selected for inclusion in the 2010-2011 edition of Montclair Publishing's "Who's Who in North America."

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Kristin Bricker Kolb Awarded Certification Of Completion For Probate And Estate Planning
Kristin Bricker Kolb Certified Probate And Estate Planner 04/5/2010

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Secrest Wardle Named To 20 Largest Law Firms in Southeastern Michigan
dbusiness Magazine 04/01/2010

When legal challenges arise, metro Detroit business leaders don't often venture far for expert advice. The region is home to some of the largest and most experienced law firms in the country...

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Focus: Law - Estate Development Co. v. Oakland County Road Commission
Crain's Detroit Business 03/01/2010

A developer with six large lots planned for development off Orchard Lake's Mirror Lake was awarded $2.2 million after the Road Commission for Oakland County, during a road construction project on Pontiac Trial, blocked the drain serving the lake and caused it to flood.

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Dennis Pollard Joins Municipal Department
Secrest Wardle Announces Newest Municipal Team Member 01/25/2010

Dennis Pollard, a well seasoned litigation and transactional attorney, recently joined Secrest Wardle as a partner in the firm’s Municipal Department. With the addition of Mr. Pollard, the team now has 16 attorneys serving multiple municipalities.  Secrest Wardle’s Municipal Department was rated by Best Lawyers In America® as having the number one municipal law department in Michigan for 2010.

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Sidney Klingler Joins Secrest Wardle Appellate Team
Press Release 11/30/2009

Secrest Wardle is excited to announce Ms. Sidney Klingler as its newest associate attorney. With the addition of Ms. Klingler, the Appellate Team has an impressive 44 years of combined appellate experience in this complicated and exacting field of practice. The Secrest Wardle Appellate Department handles all phases of appeals in all appellate courts.

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Chaldean Women In The Law: Past, Present, And Future
Thursday, November 19, 2009 - Chaldean American Bar Association Presents 11/04/2009

Thursday, November 19, 2009 starting at 7:00 p.m. at Shenandoah County Club, 5600 Walnut Lake Rd, West Bloomfield, MI 48323.

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Secrest Wardle Rated Number One Municipal Law Department In State Of Michigan
Press Release 09/02/2009

Secrest Wardle has been ranked as having the number one Municipal Law Department in the State of Michigan by Best Lawyers in America, a resource for locating outstanding attorneys who specialize in specific practice areas.  Four Secrest Wardle partners have been notified of their inclusion in the 2010 edition.

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Supreme Court Poised To Reverse Kreiner
Breaking News! 08/20/2009

On August 20, 2009, The Michigan Supreme Court granted leave to appeal in McCormick v. Carrier.  On October 22, 2009, the Court had denied the Plaintiff's application to appeal the Court of Appeals' ruling in favor of the defense but has now reversed itself.

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Krystal Hermiz New President Of Chaldean American Bar Association
Michigan Lawyer's Weekly 07/22/2009

At its annual meeting on June 23, 2009, the Chaldean American Bar Association (C.A.B.A.) announced Krystal D. Hermiz as their 2009-2010 President elect.  Mrs. Hermiz commented that she is "excited to have the opportunity to serve my community and I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead."

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