Patrick T. Barone

Daniel G. Cohen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Daniel 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 Daniel G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael Costello concentrates his practice in commercial and corporate law and litigation. He provides his clients with deep expertise and insight into a broad range of legal and business issues having served for 23 years as general counsel to a publicly-traded company. Mr. Costello leverages this experience to provide efficient and effective counsel to large businesses in a variety of industries as well as high net worth individuals and their closely-held companies. He frequently advises boa...

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 ...

Nicholas Papasafakis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Nicholas, who practices law in Troy, Michigan, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicholas is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Akeel has been recognized as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA), a Lawyer of the Year by the Michigan Lawyers Weekly, nominated in top 5% of attorneys in the State of Michigan by Law & Politics Super lawyer Magazine for 13 consecutive years, in addition to being nationally recognized by US News & World News Report as a Tier One - Civil Rights lawyer. Akeel has been involved in several high profile employment discrimination cases, where he has manag...

Kenneth B. Chapie is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Kenneth B., who practices law in Troy, Michigan, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kenneth B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Barbara D. Urlaub is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Barbara D., who practices law in Farmington Hills, Michigan, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Barbara D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrea DeFrain has moved to of-counsel status after practicing since 1981 and as a member of the Bodman High Net Worth Practice Group since 2005. Ms. DeFrain concentrated her practice in the areas of estate planning, estate and gift taxation, and probate administration. During her career, she was an adviser to individuals and families on a variety of personal and related tax matters. She continues to participate in the firm’s representation of certain clients. In addition, Ms. DeFrain h...

Mr. Asmar is a member of the Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group. He represents clients involved in complex commercial litigation matters. Before joining Bodman, Mr. Asmar clerked for Justice Mary Beth Kelly of the Michigan Supreme Court. He has also worked for a Detroit-area litigation defense firm where he participated in a variety of cases involving civil rights, employment issues, commercial disputes, municipal liability, contractual claims, and constitutional cla...

J. Thomas MacFarlane works extensively with individuals on estate planning, tax planning and probate matters and with businesses on succession planning and corporate restructuring. Thomas counsels clients on the various wealth preservation strategies which are available to high net worth individuals. He is also frequently asked to represent beneficiaries or fiduciaries in complex estate contests and trust disputes. Tom has represented clients in all aspects of corporate law and has counseled ...