Shannon K. Smith

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...

Rebecca Cantor is a registered patent attorney with an extensive background in patent litigation as well as trademark protection and enforcement. Rebecca serves as the Chair of Brooks Kushman's life science practice group. She concentrates her practice on intellectual property litigation, with a focus on patent litigation involving a wide range of technologies including pharmaceuticals and other life sciences technologies. Rebecca also has experience in trademark disputes, both in Federal Cou...

Julius H. Giarmarco, J.D., LL.M., is chair of the firm's Trusts and Estates Practice Group. Julius received his law degree from Wayne State University, and his master of laws from New York University. He is licensed to practice law in both Michigan and New York. Julius' primary practice areas include estate planning, business succession planning, wealth transfer planning, and life insurance applications. He is a former instructor in both the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Certified Fina...

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

Donald J. Gasiorek is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Donald J., who practices law in Farmington Hills, Michigan, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Donald J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Paul has extensive experience in in all facets of intellectual property law. Paul’s practice involves assisting individuals, small businesses, and Fortune 500 companies in building and managing IP portfolios. He provides counseling with regard to invention development and harvesting, worldwide enforcement, patent and trademark procurement, intellectual property landscaping, clearance, and litigation matters, working to craft strategies that enable clients to work toward their unique goa...

Mahesh K. Nayak concentrates his practice in litigation and business law. He regularly engages in international and cross-border matters. Prior to joining private practice in 1999, Mahesh served both as Assistant Attorney General with the Michigan Attorney General's Office and as a criminal prosecutor with the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office in Detroit, Michigan. Mahesh had the advantage of trying many cases at a young age. Corporate Counsel Mahesh serves as a trusted advisor to business own...

Rachel Smith has a wide range of knowledge stemming from her extensive experience over the past two decades. With a degree in Electrical Engineering, she focuses on software, supplier, and medical device businesses, aiming to ensure that their IP protection aligns with their business needs and goals. Rachel is a registered patent attorney and focuses primarily on domestic and foreign patent prosecution in the electrical arts. Rachel consults clients from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups. Sh...

Ken Sachs is the Chair of Bodman’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice Group and is based in the firm’s Troy and Detroit offices. He has over 20 years of experience advising clients regarding their employee benefit plans, executive benefit programs and business planning. He also represents public and private entities concerning their corporate, fiduciary, and governance responsibilities. He designs, drafts, and establishes retirement plans, welfare plans, medical...