James L. Kresta

Shawn Strand is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Shawn, 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 Shawn is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Kevin M. DiDio is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Kevin M., who practices law in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kevin M. 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.