Brian R. Watkins

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...

Jennifer Oertel provides strategic business advice and practical legal guidance to a broad range of tax-exempt organizations. She has an extensive business law background in securities, private equity, mergers & acquisitions, and corporate governance, which she leverages to further the business interests of her tax-exempt clients and the investors who support them. Jennifer’s clients include impact funds, individual impact investors, social enterprises, family and corporate foundati...

Joshua E. Ney is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law. Joshua E., who practices law in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joshua E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joanne advises clients on a wide range of state and local tax matters, with a focus on tax controversy, litigation, and planning. She represents businesses of all sizes—from closely held companies to Fortune 500 corporations—in disputes involving Michigan’s corporate income tax, sales and use tax, withholding, and individual income tax. Her practice also includes handling multistate tax issues and helping clients understand and respond to audits, assessments, and refund clai...

John Shea is an attorney in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he has been in private practice since 1988. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1983 and to Michigan's bar in 1985, and is also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and United States District Courts in the Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, Northern District of Illinois, and Southern District of Indiana. He has a trial practice in...

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

Sandra L. Jasinski is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Sandra, who practices law in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sandra is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Sandra represents clients principally in commercial litigation and appellate work and in alternative dispute resolutio...

Mr. Manley is a member of the Banking, Business, and Emerging Companies and Venture Capital practice groups. He represents clients in a variety of general business transactions and in matters involving corporate governance, commercial contractual issues, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and debt and equity financing. Most recently, Mr. Manley practiced in the New York office of a global law firm where he focused on complex financial transactions. In that role, he worked with comme...

Thomas J. Vitale is a litigator and business lawyer whose practice centers on the construction, manufacturing, and real estate industries. He represents clients in both state and federal courts in a wide range of commercial disputes and also serves as outside counsel to businesses across Michigan. Tom regularly works with national and local construction companies on litigation and contract matters. His experience includes handling lien and bond notices/filings, negotiating construction agreem...

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.