Susan S. Westerman

Maureen Rouse-Ayoub 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. Maureen, who practices law in Novi, Michigan, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Maureen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Paul R. Fransway concentrates his practice on franchise, distribution, trademark and unfair competition law. He serves as primary franchise counsel for a number of national franchisors, and he helps them comply with disclosure and registration requirements under the Federal Trade Commission and various state laws. Mr. Fransway is also an expert in all aspects of franchise contract enforcement, including covenants not to compete, trademark infringement, and post-termination remedies, both in c...

Suzanne Sukkar is a U.S. Business Immigration Attorney whose practice focuses on global workforce mobility, employment-based sponsorship and visa matters, immigration audit and compliance for corporate and individual clients across a vast array of industries. Suzanne renders expert strategic and tactical counsel to a broad clientele base including visa matters for client’s employees at all levels of the corporate organizational structure, from the highest level executives, to the entry-...

Mr. Bagdady advocates on behalf of clients faced with high stakes disputes. Clients entrust him with their most critical contested matters. He has a focus on intellectual property litigation and has also litigated cases in a wide range of substantive areas of law including commercial and securities litigation. Mr. Bagdady Co-Chairs Bodman’s Intellectual Property Group. As a leading member of Bodman’s Intellectual Property and Brand Protection team, Mr. Bagdady advocates for client...

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

Ms. Kornfield assists clients in intellectual property matters, including information systems acquisition, copyrights, trademarks, e-commerce, noncompete agreements and other post employment restrictions, and protection against economic espionage. She handles transactional and litigation matters and has been lead counsel in national intellectual property litigation. She has been selected as an expert witness, mediator, and arbitrator in intellectual property disputes. She serves on an Advisor...

Angela Alvarez Sujek focuses her practice on trademark and copyright clearance, prosecution and enforcement, advertising and marketing, licensing, and corporate transactions involving intellectual property assets. She has handled international trademark protection and enforcement for large portfolios in the automotive, manufacturing, financial, food services, and medical device industries. She has handled numerous contentious actions at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Angela has provide...

Lawrence (Larry) J. Buckfire is the managing partner and lead trial attorney at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. The Michigan personal injury law firm has six attorneys who specialize in serious injury, accident, and medical malpractice cases. The firm represents clients throughout the State of Michigan, and has offices in both Southfield and Ann Arbor. Lawrence earned his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Michigan in 1986 and his juris doctor degree from Wayne State Unive...

Colleen Shevnock has extensive experience as counsel to banks and other institutional lenders in commercial lending matters. She is accomplished in the negotiation and documentation of all types of loan transactions, from single-bank middle market credit facilities to lead counsel to agent bank in multibank, syndicated credit facilities, including secured and unsecured credits, leveraged buyouts, construction lending, foreign currency facilities and letters of credit. Ms. Shevnock has served ...

Timothy R. Damschroder is the co-chair of the Business Practice Group. He specializes in middle market M&A transactions (typically ranging from $30 million to $1 billion) and corporate finance. He has substantial experience serving as outside general counsel to automotive, industrial and technology companies. He manages many major client accounts with responsibility for quality control, staffing, workflow, and overall client satisfaction. His middle market activities involve companies in ...