Gerard V. Mantese

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...

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

Robert Labe ’s trusts and estates and business law practice is among the most highly regarded in the state. He possesses extensive experience in estate planning, estate and trust administration, contested estate and trust matters, business law, business succession planning and tax planning. Robert is a frequent lecturer and prolific author. He speaks at seminars before legal and professional groups, including as a lecturer at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education at the University...

Mr. Gonway specializes in real estate, mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, family offices and secured lending. His experience includes the acquisition, financing, construction, development and leasing of all types of commercial real estate (with particular expertise in multi-family housing), as well as the representation of clients in all aspects of corporate law, mergers and acquisitions and commercial transactions, including complex franchise acquisitions and private equity s...

Cynthia Umphrey helps families and business owners make significant personal and professional life decisions. Ms. Umphrey calls upon over 20 years of experience in estate planning, post-death administration, business structuring and business exit planning to guide you through life’s most important choices. Estate Planning & Post-Death Administration: Ms. Umphrey walks her clients through the entire estate planning process with care. Some concerns she will help you resolve include: h...

Samuel J. McKim III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation and Controversy - Tax. Samuel J., who practices law in Troy, Michigan, has been recognized since 1983. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Samuel J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Tom has over 30 years of experience in helping clients efficiently and effectively define their estate planning goals and to arrange their affairs accordingly. His expertise includes facilitating the direction of a client-centered and directed strategy and then drafting clear and understandable legal documents to implement it, thereby protecting client wealth, closely-held businesses, and families from taxes, post-mortem chaos and expense, and unnecessary complexity. He has expertise and expe...

Mr. Walters concentrates his practice in employee benefits, corporate law and estate planning. He has more than 25 years of experience counseling employers on all aspects of employee benefit plan formation, administration, and taxation. He also helps business clients form and develop their enterprises, including securing financing of assets and real estate. Mr. Walters frequently assists health care professionals with general corporate and employment matters with particular emphasis on retire...

Mr. Van Dusen concentrates his practice exclusively in litigation and alternative dispute resolution with a focus on insurance, commercial disputes, health care, class actions, and personal injury defense, including arbitration hearings, bench trials, jury trial, and appeals. His diverse litigation experience includes: Defense of catastrophic personal injury claims, including matters involving product liability, premises liability, automobile negligence, and intentional misconduct claims; Rep...