class notes
1970s
Marilyn Kelly headshot
Marilyn Kelly

Marilyn Kelly ’71 was unanimously reappointed as chair of the Wayne State University Board of Governors by its members.

Daniel Makarski ’72 was awarded the State Bar of Michigan Negligence Law Section’s Earl J. Cline and Sherwin Schreier Award for Excellence in recognition of his skills as an attorney in the field of negligence law and dispute resolution. Makarski is a senior partner with Secrest Wardle.

Daniel Kelly ’74 recently retired as chief judge of the St. Clair County courts, having served 38 years on the bench — 12 years with the 72nd District Court, and 26 years with the 31st Circuit Court. Kelly was one of the original judges appointed to the business court to handle complex commercial litigation cases.

Jim Thome ’75 wrote the book Letters from Home: The Story of an American Family During World War II In Their Own Words (Xlibris Publishing). He earned his bachelor’s from the University of Michigan.

Richard J. Ehrlich ’76 was appointed by the governor to the Workers’ Compensation Board of Magistrates. Ehrlich is an attorney with Zamler, Shiffman & Karfis. He earned his bachelor’s from Wayne State University.

William Fagerman ’76 retired as chief circuit judge for the 28th Circuit Court of Michigan. He earned his bachelor’s from Michigan Technological University.

Peter Smit ’77 was elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates. Smit is a member of Varnum’s personal injury practice in Grand Rapids, where he focuses on business litigation defense. He earned his bachelor’s from Calvin University.

Gary Benjamin ’78 was appointed to the Cuyahoga County Council’s Community Reinvestment Advisory Subcommittee. Benjamin is advocacy director for Community Legal Aid Services Inc. and a part-time faculty member at Wayne Law. He earned his bachelor’s from Ohio Wesleyan University.

Blake Krueger ’78 was honored with a 2021 Father of the Year Award by the Father’s Day/Mother’s Day Council. Krueger is chairman of the board, CEO and director of Wolverine Worldwide. He earned his bachelor’s from Michigan State University.

Thaddeus Kedzierski ’79 was reelected for a third four-year term as mayor of the village of Grosse Pointe Shores. He earned his bachelor’s from Wayne State University.

1980s

Deborah Brouwer ’80 was named a Michigan Go To Lawyer in business law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Brouwer is co-managing partner of Detroit-based management side labor and employment law firm Nemeth Law. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s from the University of Michigan.

Marla Parker ’80 received the 2020 Oakland County Domestic Violence Prevention Award. Parker sits on the bench of the 47th District Court in Farmington Hills.

Lenny Segel ’80 was appointed by the governor to the Workers’ Compensation Board of Magistrates. He is an attorney with Bernstein and Bernstein.

Lee Hornberger LL.M. ’82 gave his “Impact of Virtual Hearings” presentation to the Michigan Supreme Court Judicial Conference in May 2021. Hornberger is an arbitrator and mediator for Traverse City. He earned his bachelor’s and J.D. from the University of Michigan.

David H. Williams ’82 was reappointed by the governor to the Workers’ Compensation Board of Magistrates. He has served in this role since 2013. Williams earned his bachelor’s from Wayne State University.

Kathleen Wilson-Thompson headshot
Kathleen Wilson-Thompson

Kathleen Wilson-Thompson J.D. ’82, LL.M. ’96 was appointed to the board of directors for Wolverine Worldwide. Wilson-Thompson currently serves on the board of directors at Tesla and recently retired as executive vice president and global chief human resources officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance. She earned her bachelor’s from the University of Michigan.

Kevin P. Kales ’83 was appointed by the governor to the Workers’ Compensation Board of Magistrates. Kales is an attorney with Legghio & Israel. He earned his bachelor’s from Wayne State University.

Ted Phillips ’83 was honored by The Detroit News with his inclusion in the 42nd class of Michiganians of the Year. Phillips is the executive director of the United Community Housing Coalition, where he has spent decades fighting for Detroiters who face evictions and tax foreclosures. He earned his bachelor’s from Wayne State University.

Crispin Birnbaum ’84 received an award from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court for her pro bono work as an Access to Justice Fellow. Her work focused on expanding free legal services to provide sealing and expungement of criminal records. Before becoming a fellow, Birnbaum retired in 2018 after a 34-year career in the public sector, including serving as general counsel of two state agencies.

Patricia Nemeth J.D. ’84, LL.M. ’90 was named to the Class of 2021 Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame. Nemeth is the founder of Nemeth Law, a Detroit-based management side labor and employment law firm. She earned her bachelor’s from the University of Michigan.

Rasul Raheem headshot
Rasul Raheem

Rasul Raheem J.D. ’84, LL.M. ’03 was appointed by the American Bar Association as a member of the Standing Committee on Professional Regulation for a one-year, unexpired term commencing with the adjournment of the organization’s 2021 annual meeting.

Richard L. Smart III headshot
Richard L. Smart III

Richard L. Smart III ’84 was appointed by the governor to the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice to represent public agencies concerned with delinquency prevention or treatment. He earned his bachelor’s from the University of Michigan.

Edward Ewell Jr. ’85 was featured in the Detroit Legal News articles, “An adept learner: Judge honed his legal skill set along winding career pathway” and “His first case left lasting impact on county judge.”

Kurt A. Olson ’85 joined the Birmingham law offices of Lippitt O’Keefe, focusing his practice as senior counsel on estate planning, probate and estate litigation, and elder financial abuse, as well as real estate and commercial litigation. He earned his bachelor’s from the University of Michigan.

E. Powell Miller ’86 was named Michigan Super Lawyers’ No. 1 attorney for 2020; Best Lawyers in America recognized him as a Best Lawyer in several areas, including Bet-the-Company Litigation; and Chambers and Partners reviewed him as a band 1 attorney. He earned his bachelor’s from Georgetown University.

Michael Schwartz ’86 recently retired as a principal from the national accounting firm RSM US to form Continental Lease Advisors, based in Chicago. He earned his bachelor’s from the University of Michigan.

Anne M. Yantus headshot
Anne M. Yantus

Anne M. Yantus ’86 received the Exemplary Pro Bono Service Award from Michigan Community Resources. Yantus is pro bono counsel at Bodman. She earned her bachelor’s from Wayne State University.

Linda Paullin-Hebden ’89 was named one of Michigan’s 2021 Notable Women in Law by Crain’s Detroit Business. Paullin-Hebden is an executive partner at Warner Norcross + Judd. She earned her bachelor’s from Alma College.

1990s

Matthew K. Casey ’90 was named executive partner of Warner Norcross + Judd, where he leads the Macomb office. He is also a member of Warner’s aerospace, defense and government services group.

Mary Massaron headshot
Mary Massaron

Mary Massaron ’90 was selected by the executive committee of the Lawyers for Civil Justice to receive its 2021 Al Cortese Award. She was also named one of Michigan’s 2021 Notable Women in Law by Crain’s Detroit Business. A partner with Plunkett Cooney, Massaron earned her bachelor’s from Marygrove College.

Jodee Fishman Raines ’92 was featured in The Detroit Jewish News article, “A Passion for Healing Detroit: Meet Jodee Raines, New Detroit Inc.’s New Jewish Ally.”

Brian A. McKenna ’93 was named partner at Sinas Dramis Law Firm. He manages the firm’s St. Clair Shores office as a personal injury lawyer. McKenna earned his bachelor’s from Ferris State University.

Sangeeta Shah headshot
Sangeeta Shah

Sangeeta Shah ’93 was named one of Michigan’s 2021 Notable Women in Law by Crain’s Detroit Business. Shah is CEO of Brooks Kushman. She earned her bachelor’s from Kalamazoo College.

Kim Yapchai ’93 was promoted to senior vice president and chief environmental, social and governance officer at Tenneco. She earned her bachelor’s from the University of Michigan.

Dana Nessel ’94 was named by Ms. Magazine as one of the Top Feminists of 2020. Michigan’s attorney general, Nessel earned a bachelor’s from the University of Michigan.

Chanille Carswell headshot
Chanille Carswell

Chanille Carswell ’95 was named one of Michigan’s 2021 Notable Women in Law by Crain’s Detroit Business. Carswell is chief diversity officer and litigation co-chair at Brooks Kushman. She earned her bachelor’s from Michigan State University.

Julian Swearengin ’96 has joined The Drone Racing League as general counsel. A former University of Michigan football player, Swearengin will combine his love of law and sports in his new role.

Karen McDonald ’98 was featured in the Michigan Advance article, “McDonald aims to bring human-first approach to Oakland County prosecutor’s office.” She earned her bachelor’s from Alma College.

Steve Tupper headshot
Steve Tupper

Steve Tupper ’98 was named the top legal officer of the year for, and was appointed to the national operations staff of, the Civil Air Patrol (U.S. Air Force Auxiliary), where he serves as a lieutenant colonel, legal officer, search and rescue pilot, and check airman. He also completed the Harvard Kennedy School senior executive fellows program. Tupper is the principal of Tupper Law Firm and associate general counsel (strategic) at OneStream Software. He earned his bachelor’s from Albion College and M.B.A. from Western Michigan University.

Debra Nance headshot
Debra Nance

Debra Nance ’99 was the recipient of the 2021 Joan Young Judicial Excellence Award, presented by the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan. She is vice chair of Wayne Law’s Black Law Alumni Council. Nance earned her bachelor’s from the University of Detroit.

2000s
Erin Martin headshot
Erin Martin

Erin Martin ’01 was named chief of staff at Little Caesars Pizza, where she has been since 2007 and most recently served as vice president of business support services and general counsel. Before joining Little Caesars, she was an attorney at Bodman. Martin earned her bachelor’s from Michigan State University.

Sara Gorman Rajan ’02 joined the legal team as associate attorney and mediator at Transitions Legal, a family law firm with specialties in collaborative divorce, gray divorce and mediation in Bloomfield Hills. She earned her bachelor’s from Oakland University.

Chandra Baker ’03 was elected as judge for the Michigan 3rd Circuit Court. She earned her bachelor’s from the University of Michigan.

Andrew Harris J.D. ’03, LL.M. ’10 was elected as chairman on the Michigan Sports Legacy Conservancy’s board of directors. Harris is a principal and commercial litigation attorney with Kitch. He earned his bachelor’s from the University of Michigan.

Monica Hunt ’05 was appointed as commissioner for Royal Oak, where she is the city’s first Black commissioner. Hunt earned her bachelor’s from Michigan State University.

David R. Janis ’05 was promoted to associate general counsel at Quicken Loans. He earned his bachelor’s from Michigan State University.

Corey M. Beaubien ’06 authored an expert chapter titled “A New Fault Line in the Modern Era of U.S. Patent Eligibility,” which was published in the 11th edition of the International Comparative Legal Guide to Patents 2021. He is a managing shareholder at Reising Ethington.

Thomas M. Amon ’08 was promoted to partner at Warner Norcross + Judd. Amon is a civil litigator whose practice focuses on commercial litigation, class action defense, toxic torts and real estate litigation. He earned his bachelor’s from Michigan State University.

Jennifer Colagiovanni headshot
Jennifer Colagiovanni

Jennifer Colagiovanni ’08 joined Wayne State University Law School as assistant dean of student affairs. Colagiovanni earned her bachelor’s from the University of Michigan.

Kerry Cahill ’09 became a partner at Sue Ellen Eisenberg & Associates. Cahill specializes in wrongful termination, civil rights disputes, and discrimination and harassment. She earned her bachelor’s from the University of Michigan.

Kara Hart-Negrich ’09 was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court’s Justice for All Commission, which is aimed at helping Michiganders solve civil legal problems such as landlord-tenant issues, family law disputes and access to benefits. She earned her bachelor’s from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

2010s
Stephanie Dowdy headshot
Stephanie Dowdy

Stephanie Dowdy ’12 was honored by the American Intellectual Property Law Association as a Woman to Watch in January 2021. She was also named a 2021 Rising Star by Texas Super Lawyers in March 2021. Dowdy earned her bachelor’s from Texas A&M University and her M.B.A. from Wayne State University.

Michael Serra ’13 had his article, “Face/Off: The Battle to Authenticate With Biometrics,” published in The Record of Yale Journal of Law and Technology. His article, “If Software Terms are ‘Agreed To’ and No One Is Around to Read Them, Is a User Legally Bound?” was also recently published in Michigan Bar Journal. Serra is product counsel at Cisco Systems, Inc., and earned his bachelor’s from Michigan State University.

Jordan Summers headshot
Jordan Summers

Jordan Summers ’13 has been appointed president and CEO for Credit Union Trust. He earned his bachelor’s and M.B.A. from Northwood University.

Tishia Browning headshot
Tishia Browning

Tishia Browning ’14 joined Rossman PC as an attorney at the firm’s Troy office where she specializes in commercial litigation, business transactions and corporate oppression matters, including corporate dissolution and buy-outs. Browning earned her bachelor’s from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

M. Katherine VanderVeen ’14 was promoted to member at Dickinson Wright, where she assists clients in a variety of industries with all aspects of commercial finance transactions. She earned her bachelor’s from Michigan State University.

Alex F. Bowman ’16 was promoted to partner at Honigman in Detroit. He earned his bachelor’s from the University of Virginia.

Tiye Greene headshot
Tiye Greene

Tiye Greene ’16 joined Wayne State University Law School as assistant director of student engagement and culture. Greene earned her bachelor’s from the University of Michigan.

Justin Zayid headshot
Justin Zayid

Justin Zayid ’16 opened his own law firm, Zayid Law, in March 2021. The firm specializes in criminal defense and is based in Bloomfield Hills. Zayid previously worked with Bowman and Brooke. He earned his bachelor’s from the University of Michigan.

Michael Emmer ’17 received the 36 Under 36 honor by The Detroit Jewish News and The Well. The award program recognizes activists, entrepreneurs, philanthropists and other outstanding professionals advancing the Jewish community across metro Detroit. Emmer is an attorney with Jaffe in the firm’s real estate practice group. He earned his bachelor’s from Michigan State University.

Mike Goedert headshot
Mike Goedert

Mike Goedert ‘19 joined Wayne State University Law School as the assistant director of career development. Goedert earned his bachelor’s from the University of Michigan.

2020s
Monique Eubanks headshot
Monique Eubanks

Monique Eubanks ’20 was featured in the Michigan Chronicle article, “Millennial Moment: Local Attorney Monique Eubanks Inspires Other Black Women Looking at Law,” which details her path to Wayne Law and how she’s creating a lane for herself and other Black women also looking at a career in law.

Taras Garapiak ’20 joined Rossman as an associate specializing in business law. He earned his bachelor’s from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Kareem Gibson ’20 joined the Detroit office of Miller Canfield as an associate in the financial institutions group. He earned his bachelor’s from the University of South Carolina.

Yezi (Amy) Yan headshot
Yezi (Amy) Yan

Yezi (Amy) Yan ’20 joined Varnum as an associate. She earned her bachelor’s from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts.

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