Brian R. Watkins

Robert Lantzy is a graduate of the Central Michigan University and graduated cum laude from the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University in 1997. Robert is an experienced trial attorney and concentrates his practice in many areas of civil litigation, including truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, motor vehicle accidents, dog attacks, lead paint exposure and child lead poisoning, mold exposure and cases involving other general environmental contamination. He is a member of the Ame...

Mr. Walsh is the Chair of Bodman's Appellate Law Practice Group and has broad litigation experience at both the trial and appellate levels. Representing both plaintiffs and defendants, Mr. Walsh has obtained successful jury verdicts in numerous cases. He has argued more than 100 appeals in both state and federal appellate courts. Among the appeals Mr. Walsh has argued successfully are Shepherd Montessori Center Milan v. Ann Arbor Charter Twp ., 486 Mich. 311 (2010), McCart v. J. Walter Thomps...

Throughout his career, spanning more than 30 years, Mr. Simon has tried hundreds of criminal cases throughout the state of Michigan. He has established a reputation for providing vigorous and successful defenses to individuals throughout Washtenaw, Wayne, Jackson, Lenawee and Livingston counties in a wide range of criminal defense cases, including those involving OWI and DUI charges, domestic assault, assault & battery, theft offenses, traffic offenses, homicide allegations and alleged dr...

Paul R. Fransway concentrates his practice on franchise, distribution, trademark and unfair competition law. He serves as primary franchise counsel for a number of national franchisors, and he helps them comply with disclosure and registration requirements under the Federal Trade Commission and various state laws. Mr. Fransway is also an expert in all aspects of franchise contract enforcement, including covenants not to compete, trademark infringement, and post-termination remedies, both in c...

Mark Heusel is an experienced commercial business attorney and serves as the Chair of the Firm’s China/ASEAN Region Practice Group. He has more than 25 years of experience in representing multi-national companies in the manufacturing, retail and automotive industries. Mr. Heusel’s experience includes advising foreign companies in the areas of foreign direct investment in the United States, business formation, Greenfield investment, international trade, commercial transactional mat...

Michael (Mike) Hammer was elected Dickinson Wright’s Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2019. As CEO, Mike oversees all aspects of the Firm’s professional service and business operations, and develops and implements the Firm’s strategic direction, working closely with his management group, elected governing board, practice leaders and administrative officers. Mike is a 30-year veteran of the Firm, and previously served as Deputy CEO for ten years. As Deputy CEO, M...

Richard A. Hooker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Richard A., who practices law in Novi, Michigan, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sam J. Vitale is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation. Sam J., who practices law in Novi, Michigan, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sam J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Bagdady advocates on behalf of clients faced with high stakes disputes. Clients entrust him with their most critical contested matters. He has a focus on intellectual property litigation and has also litigated cases in a wide range of substantive areas of law including commercial and securities litigation. Mr. Bagdady Co-Chairs Bodman’s Intellectual Property Group. As a leading member of Bodman’s Intellectual Property and Brand Protection team, Mr. Bagdady advocates for client...

William Thacker’s practice concentrates on traditional labor matters, employment litigation and day-to-day counseling of clients on the various employee and labor relations issues that arise within their organizations. He advises clients during union representation campaigns and elections as well as non-Board recognition processes, including the negotiation and administration of card-check recognition agreements. Mr. Thacker negotiates collective bargaining agreements; advises clients r...