Melvin J. Muskovitz

Thomas J. Vitale is a litigator and business lawyer whose practice centers on the construction, manufacturing, and real estate industries. He represents clients in both state and federal courts in a wide range of commercial disputes and also serves as outside counsel to businesses across Michigan. Tom regularly works with national and local construction companies on litigation and contract matters. His experience includes handling lien and bond notices/filings, negotiating construction agreem...

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...

John Shea is an attorney in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he has been in private practice since 1988. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1983 and to Michigan's bar in 1985, and is also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and United States District Courts in the Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, Northern District of Illinois, and Southern District of Indiana. He has a trial practice in...

Timothy R. Damschroder is the co-chair of the Business Practice Group. He specializes in middle market M&A transactions (typically ranging from $30 million to $1 billion) and corporate finance. He has substantial experience serving as outside general counsel to automotive, industrial and technology companies. He manages many major client accounts with responsibility for quality control, staffing, workflow, and overall client satisfaction. His middle market activities involve companies in ...

Mr. Berman concentrates his practice in construction, contracts, real estate and business matters including claims and alternative dispute resolution. He also focuses on "green" building and "lean" construction matters. Mr. Berman is active in several major construction industry associations. He a member of the Forum on the Construction Industry of the American Bar Association, the Washtenaw Contractors Association, and the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Ann Arbor. Mr. Berman ...

Michael (Mike) Hammer was elected Dickinson Wright’s Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2019. As CEO, Mike oversees all aspects of the Firm’s professional service and business operations, and develops and implements the Firm’s strategic direction, working closely with his management group, elected governing board, practice leaders and administrative officers. Mike is a 30-year veteran of the Firm, and previously served as Deputy CEO for ten years. As Deputy CEO, M...

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...

Bradley S. Defoe is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Real Estate Law. Bradley S., who practices law in Novi, Michigan, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bradley S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Daniel T. Geherin is a board-certified trial attorney with over 20 years’ experience practicing criminal law. Mr. Geherin graduated with Honors from Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in Humanities/Pre-Law, and graduated cum laude from law school at California Western in San Diego, CA. In law school, he was an Executive Editor of his school's Law Review and completed two internships with the San Diego County District Attorney's Office. Upon graduation, he joined the Los ...

Jordan Schreier represents clients in the area of ERISA, employee benefits and executive compensation. His practice primarily involves advising profit and nonprofit employers on planning and compliance issues involving all aspects of employee benefits, including welfare benefits, qualified retirement and other deferred compensation plans. His experience includes counseling on executive compensation programs, controlled group planning, participation in multiemployer fringe benefits funds and w...