Stavroula Varlamos

Emily Palacios is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation - Construction and Litigation - Real Estate. Emily, who practices law in Detroit, Michigan, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Emily is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James W. Rose is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. James W., who practices law in Southfield, Michigan, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ms. Aref represents financial institutions in commercial lending transactions, including the structuring, negotiating and documenting of loan transactions, including syndicated loans, bilateral loans, subordinated loans and participations. She also has experience assisting corporate clients, including private equity firms, with borrowing and re-financing transactions, including secured and unsecured credit facilities, asset-based lending facilities, leveraged lending facilities, mezzanine fin...

Ms. Machnik represents financial institutions in Canada and the United States in cross-border transactions, acting on behalf of agents and lenders in multi-jurisdictional asset-based, acquisition, commercial, and equipment finance transactions involving public and private debtors. She also advises financial institutions seeking to expand their operations across the border on applicable laws, regulations, and market dynamics. Ms. Machnik holds law degrees from the United States and Canada and ...

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

Melissa K. Bridges represents banks and other financial institutions in a broad range of operational, regulatory compliance, and lending matters. She represents depository institutions and other financial companies in matters before regulatory and licensing agencies. She also assists financial services clients in connection with the development of new products and the implementation of new technologies. Her clients include national, regional, and community banks, credit unions, and mortgage c...

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

Ms. Quasarano is a member of the Firm’s Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group. She has extensive experience in commercial litigation matters. Ms. Quasarano served as an adjunct professor at the University of Detroit-Mercy Law School from 1992 to 1995 and at Wayne State University Law School from 1995 to 1996. In law school, Ms. Quasarano was editor in chief of the Wayne Law Review and an oralist on the first place team at the 1990 National Administrative Moot Cour...

Mr. Kochanek represents lenders in secured and unsecured loan originations, including multi-currency loan facilities, syndicated credit arrangements, and loans secured by stock and other assets located outside the United States, principally in Europe, Mexico, South America, and the Pacific Rim. He also has substantial experience in commercial mortgage financings, both construction and end loans, and other real estate transactions, and in commercial financing and real estate transactions in no...

Mr. Scavone is chair of Bodman’s Real Estate Practice Group. He has represented banks and other financial institutions in a wide variety of complex, multi-million dollar, secured loans and other financial arrangements involving real estate. Such financings include mortgage loans, land acquisition and development loans, and construction financing for projects as diverse as shopping centers, apartment projects, office buildings, manufacturing facilities, residential developments, golf cou...