Brian C. Summerfield

Timothy H. Howlett is a Member and the Labor and Employment Practice Leader. Mr. Howlett focuses his practice on labor & employment counseling and labor & employment litigation. He has significant trial experience, including cases defending wrongful termination, race discrimination, disability discrimination, sex discrimination, due process and religious discrimination claims. He has represented clients in labor and employment administrative claims and arbitrations in several states i...

Brandon joined Christensen Law in 2023, taking on a full docket of matters both in early investigation and heading into trial. A 10-year veteran litigator with a successful record of winning verdicts and settlements, he brings extensive experience to the team. As a trial attorney, he considers himself fair but aggressive in defending plaintiff’s rights. Open, honest communication throughout the process is essential to building client trust and productive relationships, he believes. He e...

As a mediator, investigator, consultant, litigator, negotiator and arbitrator, Patricia Nemeth, Of Counsel, at Nemeth Law, P.C., which specializes in management, labor and employment law. Certified by the American Arbitration Association as a Commercial and Employment Certified Arbitrator, she is also a Certified Mediator for the International Mediation Institute and the state of Michigan. Ms. Nemeth is certified as an investigator for the Association of Workplace Investigation and ATIXA Civi...

Mr. Raphelson focuses his practice on commercial litigation particularly related to the automotive industry, and intellectual property litigation. He also dedicates a substantial amount of time to general commercial cases such as contract disputes, finance and banking litigation, corporate governance and dissolution, dealer and franchise termination, and other corporate law disputes. He is a former member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Ad Hoc Committee on Legislation, ex-officio chairma...

John M. Toth is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. John M., who practices law in Southfield, Michigan, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Christensen founded Christensen Law in 2014 to give clients the individualized attention that they need after serious accidents. “I really enjoy taking care of people,” he says. “I like beating large corporations on my clients’ behalf and protecting them when their lives are destroyed.” A native of California, Christensen has a bachelor’s degree in international relations from San Francisco State University. He obtained both his master’s degree ...

Scott R. Torpey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Scott R., who practices law in Southfield, Michigan, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Scott R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Scott Gyorke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Scott, who practices law in Detroit, Michigan, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Scott is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Phil DeRosier has nearly 20 years’ experience representing industry-leading corporations, banks, insurance companies, and individuals in the Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Court of Appeals, and U.S. Courts of Appeals. Phil has briefed and argued a wide variety of appeals, ranging from commercial contracts to insurance to business torts. He also devotes a significant part of his practice to briefing dispositive motions and working with trial counsel on pre- and post-trial motions, jury...

Maurice G. Jenkins is a principal in the Detroit, Michigan, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He has practiced labor and employment law for more than 30 years. A trial lawyer, Maurice, who is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, has first chaired jury trials, labor and civil rights arbitrations, NLRB hearings and state civil rights administrative cases on behalf of employers in such business sectors as automotive (OEM; Tier .5-4 supplie...