Shawn N. Hopper

Trial attorney with extensive litigation experience in federal and state courts throughout Michigan and Illinois in the following substantive areas of law: Commercial Litigation, with particular experience and expertise in the areas of contract disputes, business torts, misappropriation of trade secrets, and non-competition agreements. Insurance Defense Litigation, with particular experience and expertise representing insurers in defense of claims related to life, health, disability and ERISA...

Jeffrey M. Weiss is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Jeffrey M., who practices law in Southfield, Michigan, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrew is a legal and business advisor with extensive experience in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, finance, commercial and tax matters. His clients rely on him to act as a trusted advisor and to provide practical advice with respect to major corporate events and transactions, and he serves as outside counsel for a number of his clients. Enjoys working collaboratively with clients to develop creative and pragmatic solutions to business and legal issues. Andrew has extensive M&A a...

Ted Sylwestrzak has more than thirty-five years’ experience representing lenders. As a member of both Dickinson Wright’s Banking and Finance Group and Bankruptcy Group, he advises lenders in all areas of lending and in all aspects of their lending relationships. He is well-known by clients for his proactive approach, practical business judgment, and getting the deal closed with creative solutions. His representation includes structuring and documenting secured loans (with an empha...

Jaimee L. Witten specializes in representing clients in workouts, commercial bankruptcies, handling troubled suppliers, and other creditor’s rights situations. Her experience, ability to think quickly, and innate efficiency enable her to deliver the time-sensitive work product often required by clients dealing with these crisis situations. Jaimee began her career in Washington D.C. at Arnold & Porter LLP (now Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer), in its bankruptcy practice group, repre...

Mr. Raphelson focuses his practice on commercial litigation particularly related to the automotive industry, and intellectual property litigation. He also dedicates a substantial amount of time to general commercial cases such as contract disputes, finance and banking litigation, corporate governance and dissolution, dealer and franchise termination, and other corporate law disputes. He is a former member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Ad Hoc Committee on Legislation, ex-officio chairma...

Mr. Deason concentrates his practice in corporate and business law including corporate governance, finance, organization, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial transactions. He is an expert in local government law and served as a director and as president of the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys. Mr. Deason has extensive experience in aviation law. He counsels individuals and corporations in the acquisition of private aircraft and represents the owner of a major fixed base operat...

Sarah is the managing partner at Christensen Law, where she recently celebrated her 12th anniversary. Integral to the successful operations of the firm, Sarah has been working alongside founder David Christensen since 2009, partnering on major trials protecting the rights of accident victims. Sarah is responsive and compassionate when it comes to her clients, and a strong litigator with a history of successful verdicts won in challenging court situations. Sarah has far more trial experience t...

Eli Maroko is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Immigration Law. Eli, who practices law in Southfield, Michigan, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Eli is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian R. Trumbauer focuses his practice in the area of debtor-creditor rights and bankruptcy, with a particular emphasis on representing banks and other financial institutions in loan workouts, commercial bankruptcy cases and troubled credit situations. He has represented secured and unsecured creditors, debtors, trustees, creditors’ committees and other interested parties in bankruptcy cases and debtor-creditor disputes. Mr. Trumbauer has served as a member of a standing Advisory Commi...