Daniel S. Hilker

As a lifelong auto enthusiast, Steven has never been far from the action. Having worked as a senior project engineer at General Motors, representing clients in the automotive industry seemed like a natural next step. He has served as in-house patent counsel for a Tier 1 supplier, as well as acting as primary outside counsel for a number of Tier 1 and lower Tier suppliers in private practice. Now, having gained decades of experience representing automotive industry entities, clients look to hi...

Suzanne Sukkar is a U.S. Business Immigration Attorney whose practice focuses on global workforce mobility, employment-based sponsorship and visa matters, immigration audit and compliance for corporate and individual clients across a vast array of industries. Suzanne renders expert strategic and tactical counsel to a broad clientele base including visa matters for client’s employees at all levels of the corporate organizational structure, from the highest level executives, to the entry-...

Lawrence (Larry) J. Buckfire is the managing partner and lead trial attorney at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. The Michigan personal injury law firm has six attorneys who specialize in serious injury, accident, and medical malpractice cases. The firm represents clients throughout the State of Michigan, and has offices in both Southfield and Ann Arbor. Lawrence earned his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Michigan in 1986 and his juris doctor degree from Wayne State Unive...

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...

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...

Paul’s practice focuses upon representation of business and individual taxpayers in federal tax planning as well as in controversies at administrative levels and the tax court and before federal courts. Paul has served as a past Adjunct Professor in the Graduate Tax Program at Walsh College and is also a committee chair and frequent speaker at the American Bar Association Taxation Committee meetings. He is a regular contributor to the Michigan Business Law Journal on tax matters. Paul i...

Sam J. Vitale is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation. Sam J. practices law in Novi, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Sam J. Vitale since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Sam J. Vitale is held by other lawyers.

Joshua E. Ney is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Patent Law. Joshua E. practices law in Ann Arbor, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Joshua E. Ney since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Joshua E. Ney is held by other lawyers.

Ms. Kornfield assists clients in intellectual property matters, including information systems acquisition, copyrights, trademarks, e-commerce, noncompete agreements and other post employment restrictions, and protection against economic espionage. She handles transactional and litigation matters and has been lead counsel in national intellectual property litigation. She has been selected as an expert witness, mediator, and arbitrator in intellectual property disputes. She serves on an Advisor...

Daniel L. Buckfire earned his undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Michigan Business School in 1989.Mr. Buckfire was Phi Beta Kappa and graduated in the top 10% of his class. He graduated cum laude from the prestigious University of Michigan Law School in 1991 and has been engaged in the private practice of law since his successful completion of the bar exam. Daniel L. Buckfire specializes in Michigan car accident cases, no-fault insurance claims, dram shop liability, and...