Todd C. Fracassi

Timothy H. Howlett is a Member and the Labor and Employment Practice Leader. Mr. Howlett focuses his practice on labor & employment counseling and labor & employment litigation. He has significant trial experience, including cases defending wrongful termination, race discrimination, disability discrimination, sex discrimination, due process and religious discrimination claims. He has represented clients in labor and employment administrative claims and arbitrations in several states i...

Nicolas A. Vesprini is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Nicolas A., 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 Nicolas A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

William Kohler, founder of VELN Legal, has been recognized as a top national and international business lawyer for many years. In addition to recognition by Best Lawyers, he has been similarly recognized by several other organizations. Mr. Kohler primarily supports businesses in transactions with other businesses. He is expert in virtually all types of commercial arrangements, including those involving important supply chain relationships, manufacturing, technology, software, services, and jo...

Tripp Lake is a seasoned trial lawyer with a focus on intellectual property and commercial litigation. His career is highlighted by successfully leading over 70 jury trials to verdict, including approximately 65 as the primary attorney. His legal proficiency is evident in his representation of clients in complex patent and trade secret litigation across various fields, including medical devices, LED technology, electrical systems, fluid dynamics, and mechanical engineering. Tripp also has a s...

With a practice focus on Banking and Financial Services, William Shield, Jr. has served as counsel to agent bank and bank groups in numerous commercial lending transactions, including restructurings and other refinancings, secured and unsecured credits, acquisition and spin off financings, international multiple borrower financings, general working capital facilities, start up and joint venture financings and construction lending. He has extensive experience in asset based and other secured l...

Mr. Burgess currently serves as Dickinson Wright’s Chairman. From 2010 through 2018, Mr. Burgess served as Dickinson Wright’s Chief Executive Officer, overseeing all aspects of the Firm’s professional and business operations, strategic planning, client relations and business expansion. For more than 20 years, served as counsel to secured lenders (including banks, insurance companies, lending syndicates, administrative agents, collateral agents and loan servicers) in all aspe...

Eric Bartley specializes in complex commercial real estate finance transactions for national bank and non-bank lenders on both portfolio investments as well as investments intended for securitization in the capital markets. Specifically, Eric has served as lead counsel for clients in commercial mortgage originations – both senior and subordinate lien positions, mezzanine financing, preferred equity investments, and the related negotiation of intercreditor and participation agreements on...

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

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