Melissa A. Hagen

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

Prior to joining Dickinson Wright, Jim served as legal counsel for the Internal Revenue Service, as a Senior Tax Attorney with the Office of Chief Counsel, and as a Special Assistant United States Attorney with the Department of Justice, where he developed an expertise in tax appeals, audits, collections, and litigation. Since moving into the private sector and practicing law at Dickinson Wright, his unique expertise and extensive experience has proved to be invaluable in assisting individual...

Brandon Hubbard is engaged in a broad litigation practice representing large institutions, middle market companies, and emerging businesses and their principals. Having been with Dickinson Wright for more than a decade, Brandon has material trial, litigation and arbitration experience, and is often called upon to handle our clients’ most hotly-contested matters (public and private). Industries and areas of practice have included private equity and asset purchases, mergers and acquisitio...

Jarrod T. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Public Finance Law. Jarrod T., who practices law in Lansing, Michigan, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jarrod T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

With a practice focus on municipal finance, Kester So has served as bond counsel or underwriter’s counsel on a wide variety of bond issues, including bonds for health care, public power, higher education, student loan, transportation, unemployment insurance, tax increment financing, state revolving fund, environmental, school bond loan fund, State and local building authorities, airports, water and sewer, solid waste disposal and economic and industrial development bonds.

Stephen J. Rhodes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Appellate Practice, Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law and Utilities Law. Stephen J., who practices law in Okemos, Michigan, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

In Scott Knapp’s Business Litigation practice, he has represented clients in cases involving fraud, violations of non-compete agreements, misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of contract. He has represented Michigan’s largest health care company and insurance subsidiaries in many dozens of cases, including ERISA disputes and putative class actions brought by physicians and other health care providers; and has secured summary judgment dismissing a putative national class ac...

John S. Brennan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Municipal and Municipal Law. John S., who practices law in Okemos, Michigan, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stacy L. Hissong is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Municipal Law, Natural Resources Law and Water Law. Stacy L., who practices law in Okemos, Michigan, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stacy L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Peter Ellsworth has a depth of experience in state administrative law and litigation; commercial litigation; public utility regulation; hospital and health care regulation; gaming; insurance; elections and campaign finance; administrative litigation and judicial appeals; and commercial regulatory matters. He has counseled property and casualty insurance companies in litigation over credit scoring and has counseled gubernatorial campaigns. He has drafted and defended the validity of constituti...