Derek Howard

Roger focuses his practice on Corporate law and Commercial Transactions. He is experienced with contract negotiations involving joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers/acquisitions, and related agreements, including, e.g., joint venture relationships involving the design, development and supply of various automotive systems and components. He is skilled at drafting and negotiating a broad spectrum of contracts and related documents, with extensive experience concerning automotive supply ...

With a unique background in construction management and finance, Mr. Chioini’s primary practice focuses on representing construction companies, businesses, and families in a wide array of matters ranging from contract review to arbitration and litigation to complex divorce matters. During the serious downturn of the economy in Michigan in 2008, Mr. Chioini was successful in assisting his clients in shoring up and defending their accounts receivables through the implementation of liens a...

Eric McGlothlin is an experienced public finance attorney in Michigan and Arizona. As bond counsel, he advises municipalities, schools and other governmental entities on the issuance of tax-exempt and taxable debt to finance all types of long and short-term capital needs. He helps his clients find the right legal structure, authorize financings and comply with federal and state tax and securities laws. Eric is instrumental as underwriter’s counsel, where he guides underwriters through d...

Akeel has been recognized as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA), a Lawyer of the Year by the Michigan Lawyers Weekly, nominated in top 5% of attorneys in the State of Michigan by Law & Politics Super lawyer Magazine for 13 consecutive years, in addition to being nationally recognized by US News & World News Report as a Tier One - Civil Rights lawyer. Akeel has been involved in several high profile employment discrimination cases, where he has manag...

Deborah (“Deb”) Grace advises private companies, non-profits, colleges, universities, and governmental entities on the complex tax and labor laws that impact the benefits that these entities offer to their employees. She counsels private companies and equity funds on the benefit plan implications of business acquisitions and dispositions, including due diligence review and advising on the integration of benefit programs based on the structure of the business deal. Her experience i...

I am an intellectual property (IP) and business attorney with over 25 years of experience. I am an advisor, a strategist, a litigator, a deal maker, and a problem solver. But most of all, I am an invested team member. Together, we plan pathways forward, take measured business risks, and develop mitigation plans for foreseeable bumps in the road. We are in it together. My IP experience does not fit neatly in a box. I have managed issues involving one or more of patents, trade secrets, trademar...

Ms. Piper specializes in workplace law, education law, and litigation. She represents and counsels employers on contemporary employment law issues, such as workplace bullying; social media issues; background checks; and employee privacy; as well as traditional employment law issues such as discrimination, sexual and other forms of illegal harassment, and retaliation issues; accommodating employees with disabilities; FMLA issues; wage and hour issues; reductions-in-force, discipline and discha...

Alexander Ayar is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Real Estate. Alexander practices law in Birmingham, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Alexander Ayar since 2027. 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 Alexander Ayar is held by other lawyers.

Craig W. Hammond focuses his practice in the areas of public finance, banking and economic development law, with more than 30 years of experience representing lenders, state and local units of government, underwriters and borrowers in connection with economic development projects and tax exempt bond financings. Craig is recognized as one of the leading public finance attorneys in the State of Michigan in financings for senior housing, health care, higher education, charter schools, economic d...

J. Thomas MacFarlane works extensively with individuals on estate planning, tax planning and probate matters and with businesses on succession planning and corporate restructuring. Thomas counsels clients on the various wealth preservation strategies which are available to high net worth individuals. He is also frequently asked to represent beneficiaries or fiduciaries in complex estate contests and trust disputes. Tom has represented clients in all aspects of corporate law and has counseled ...