Kevin C. Backus

Mr. Contis is a shareholder in the firm’s Business Practice Group, and Real Estate Practice Group. Mr. Contis concentrates his practice in the areas of, real estate acquisition and development, construction, mortgage and end-loan lending, participation loans, commercial and industrial leasing for landlords and tenants (including master leases, ground leases and subleases) and business planning. Mr. Contis regularly works with lenders, owners and court appointed receivers in the sale of ...

Richard E. Rassel, III focuses his practice primarily on the areas of business, real estate, and land use litigation as well as business and real estate transactions. Richard’s clients include public and private companies across a wide spectrum of industries such as real estate, engineering, telecom, manufacturing, automotive, insurance, health care , retail, technology, staffing, investment funds and trusts. In 2016, Richard assisted in closing three significant M&A deals and recov...

Leslie Banas counsels companies and individuals in business and real estate matters. She assists clients in organizing business entities, acquiring assets, negotiating contracts, and satisfying regulatory requirements. Her clients include entrepreneurial and established companies in the real estate, housing, service, health care, manufacturing, hospitality and other industries. Ms. Banas represents real estate owners and investors in dealing with office, retail, hospitality, industrial and co...

Experience Mr. Wulfmeier is a partner in our Litigation Group with over 35 years of experience defending health care providers in complex medical malpractice cases; representing both husbands and wives in acrimonious marital, custody and property disputes; and representing plaintiffs and defendants in personal injury cases arising out of catastrophic injuries involving industrial machinery, automobiles and motorcycles. Mr. Wulfmeier has acted as chief trial counsel in over 400 medical malprac...

William L. Thompson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. William L., who practices law in Birmingham, Michigan, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christopher Smith is a distinguished intellectual property attorney specializing in patent litigation, IP counseling, licensing, and patent and trademark prosecution, with extensive experience representing Fortune 500 companies and startups across diverse industries. Christopher Smith is a highly regarded intellectual property attorney, recognized for his work in IP litigation, especially in patent litigation. His practice encompasses patent and trademark prosecution and the preparation of co...

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...

Jennifer L. McManus is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Jennifer L., who practices law in Royal Oak, Michigan, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Richard Jones is Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Licensing Practice Group and handles a wide range of intellectual property matters. Over the last few years, he has led on the following issues: representation of OEM in connection with divestiture of Military related IP assets; representation of OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) in connection with Global Vehicle Design and Assembly Agreement; representation of a Tier 1 Automotive Supplier in Divestiture of IP Assets; prepar...

Victoria Lehman manages all aspects of litigation and serves as trial counsel for the defense of hospitals and healthcare providers in medical malpractice litigation, premises liability and general negligence claims. Her practice focuses primarily on the defense of healthcare providers and health systems in all facets of litigation, from initial investigation through trial. She has significant experience managing high exposure claims, with a strong emphasis on pre-suit resolution and alternat...