Paula K. Manis

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...

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 A. Forrest is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Franchise Law. John A., who practices law in Okemos, Michigan, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Bryan J. Waldman is the president of the law firm of Sinas, Dramis, Larkin, Graves & Waldman . In 2024, 2022, 2020, 2017, and 2015, Bryan was selected the Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America in the area of Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, for the Lansing, Michigan region. His practice is limited to representing people in wrongful death and personal injury cases . He has litigated these types of cases in over 40 jurisdictions. Bryan has extensive experience handling...

Stacy L. Hissong is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Environmental 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.

The Business Services Practice Group at Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes, PLC focuses its practice on assisting clients grow their businesses. We assist clients to create a method of distributing the client's products or services to achieve the client's business goals. We assist clients in developing a corporate growth strategy, designing a distribution system, designing and documenting licensing relationships, or franchising the client's concept. We are experts in the regulatory requirements of ...

Christopher S. Patterson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law and Litigation - Municipal. Christopher S., who practices law in Okemos, Michigan, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michigan personal injury attorney James F. Graves received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and his law degree from Wayne State University Law School. He has served as President of the Ingham County Bar Association and the Ingham County Bar Foundation. He is currently a fellow and a board member of the Ingham County Bar Foundation. Mr. Graves is also a past Regional Chair of the State Bar of Michigan Access to Justice Fund and a past member of the State Bar Judicial...

Jarrod Smith is a member in Dickinson Wright's Lansing office, where his practice focuses on public finance, governmental policy and economic development law. Jarrod has extensive experience advising state and local issuers, as well as various underwriters and financial institutions in structuring and executing complex public finance transactions, leveraging his deep knowledge of governmental procedures and financial frameworks. Prior to joining Dickinson Wright, Jarrod worked in public finan...