Class Notes

Kenneth Boyer ‘70 Strobl Stark PLLC has added new lawyers to its team reflecting Strobl’s ongoing commitment to providing exceptional legal service and strategic counsel for businesses and individuals alike. Kenneth M. Boyer is an experienced attorney focusing on estate planning and business law, providing strategic guidance to protect and preserve clients’ assets. Kenneth is skilled in drafting comprehensive estate plans and structuring business entities to ensure legal compliance and long-term success.

John Obee ‘78 has co-authored his second book on the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement, Mississippi’s Black Cotton, published by the University of Georgia Press. The work features an introduction by Nikole Hannah-Jones and continues his scholarship on civil rights history.

Sandra Glazier ‘82, president and founding member of her firm, was inducted into the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils’ Estate Planning Hall of Fame® and named a 2025 recipient of the Accredited Estate Planner® (Distinguished) designation. The honor recognizes lifetime achievement and outstanding contributions to the estate planning profession. Glazier was one of only eight professionals nationwide to receive this distinction in 2025.

Kenneth R. Chadwell ‘86 was named a 2026 Top Lawyer by DBusiness magazine in the area of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Chadwell is an attorney in Plunkett Cooney’s Detroit office.

Neil Jansen ‘88 Mika Meyers PLC, a law firm based in Grand Rapids, is pleased to announce the election of its 2026 Management Committee. Congratulations to Jennifer A. Puplava (Chair), Neil P. Jansen, and Curtis L. Underwood on their leadership roles.

Neil Jansen ‘88, attorney and member at Mika Meyers, was selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a 2025 Leader in the Law. This honor recognizes attorneys for significant accomplishments in legal practice, contributions to the legal community and justice system in Michigan, and leadership within their communities. Jansen was among 34 attorneys selected for this distinction.

Mary Massaron ‘91 has been named a 2026 John P. Jacobs Appellate Advocacy Award recipient by the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel. Massaron is a partner at Plunkett Cooney and a member of the firm’s Appellate Law Practice Group, where she focuses on complex civil appellate matters in state and federal courts.

Laura L. Brownfield ‘95 has rejoined Plunkett Cooney as a partner in the Bloomfield Hills office and now leads the firm’s Trusts and Estates Practice Group. Brownfield brings 30 years of experience in estate planning and administration, advising closely held businesses, and counseling nonprofit organizations. She previously served as vice president and general counsel of a major southeast Michigan public charity and earlier worked at Plunkett Cooney as a senior attorney from 2014 to 2017.

Laura L. Brownfield ‘95 has been named to the board of directors of the Catholic Foundation of Michigan. Brownfield is a partner at Plunkett Cooney, where she focuses her practice on municipal law and governmental litigation, representing public entities and local governments.

Steve Tupper ‘98, managing shareholder of Tupper Law Firm PC, has been named Deputy Chief of the Legal Officer Corps for the Civil Air Patrol (U.S. Air Force Auxiliary). An airline transport pilot and air boss, Tupper also practices aviation and aerospace law.

Chandra Baker-Robinson ‘03, judge of the Third Circuit Court, was recently appointed to the Recipient Rights Advisory Committee of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. As the judge presiding over the mental health docket at the Wayne County Third Circuit Court, she will contribute her expertise to efforts aimed at improving the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system.

Benjamin M. Glazebrook ‘06 has been elected to the board of directors of Plunkett Cooney. Based in the firm’s Detroit office, Glazebrook serves as leader of the Transportation Law Practice Group and focuses his litigation defense practice on motor vehicle liability and Michigan No-Fault law. He represents policyholders of several national auto insurance providers in matters involving first- and third-party liability, as well as uninsured and underinsured motorist claims.

Michael C. Decker ‘11 was named Practice Department Chair for Litigation at Butzel. Based in the firm’s Troy office, Decker focuses his practice on construction and construction litigation, representing contractors, construction companies, owners, and sureties in complex public and private matters. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for Litigation–Construction, named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers, and selected as a Top Lawyer in Construction Litigation by DBusiness.

Dan Ringo ‘12, Senior Vice President at Walker-Miller Energy Services, has been named a contributor for Forbes, where he shares insights on leadership, workforce development, and business strategy. Ringo brings extensive experience in executive leadership, skilled trades, and operations to a national audience.

Steven Schaefer ‘13, was named deputy general counsel in the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Education.

Joseph A. Peterson ’15 was appointed to serve on the State Bar of Michigan District I Character and Fitness Committee. A senior tax attorney and Tax Law Practice Group Leader at Plunkett Cooney, Peterson focuses his practice on resolving individual and business tax controversies, including audit defense, collections, and litigation before the IRS, state agencies, and U.S. Tax Court.

Linda Oszust ‘16 has become an equity partner at the Troy, Michigan, business law firm Rossman, P.C.

Haba Yono ‘16 Promoted to Partner at Honigman LLP, effective January 1, 2026. Haba is a partner in the firm’s Labor and Employment department. She focuses her practice on employment counseling, litigation, and strategic workforce planning.

Brandon Barlog ‘17 has been named chief of the Appellate Division at the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. He previously served in the Circuit Court Division and has worked in the office since 2017. In 2023, he was recognized as part of Oakland County’s “40 Under 40” class.

Matthew Modelski ‘17 Elected partner at Burr Forman LLP. He is a member of the firm’s Real Estate practice group, where he represents sponsors, investors, and lenders in multifaceted transactions with a particular emphasis on development, acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, and financing (debt and equity) in the multi-family, self-storage, renewable energy, and industrial sectors.

LeRoy Ashley III ‘19 has joined Cantor Colburn LLP as an associate in the firm’s Electrical Engineering Practice Group. Ashley focuses on patent prosecution and intellectual property strategy across a range of technologies, including automotive systems, medical devices, wireless communications and manufacturing technologies.

Chelsea A. Saferian ‘19 was appointed to the State Bar of Michigan’s Insurance and Indemnity Law Section Council. Saferian practices in Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, where she handles insurance coverage matters involving property claims, Michigan No-Fault law, premises liability, and general insurance defense.

Danielle Chidiac ‘20 has been named to the 2026 Class of Up & Coming Lawyers by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Chidiac is an associate at Plunkett Cooney, where she focuses her practice on insurance coverage and represents property and casualty insurers in complex coverage matters, including environmental contamination, construction defect and product liability claims.

Courtney A. Lavender ‘21 has been selected as a member of the 2026 class of Fellows by Lawyers for Civil Justice (LCJ). Lavender is an appellate attorney at Plunkett Cooney, where she focuses her practice on appellate law, including motor vehicle negligence, commercial litigation, governmental law, and insurance coverage disputes.

Courtney A. Lavender ‘21 was elected to the State Bar of Michigan’s Appellate Practice Section Council, where she will serve a three-year term. Lavender is an appellate attorney in Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, focusing on commercial litigation, governmental law and insurance-related appellate matters.

Nicholas T. Badalamenti ‘22 was elected to a two-year term on the State Bar of Michigan’s Insurance and Indemnity Law Section Council. Badalamenti is an insurance coverage attorney in Plunkett Cooney’s Bloomfield Hills office, where he focuses on coverage litigation and provides counsel to insurance carriers.

Timothy “Max” Carey ‘24 has joined Rossman, P.C. in Troy, Michigan, as an associate attorney.

Noah Mathews ‘24 has joined the Troy, Michigan, business litigation firm Rossman, P.C. as an associate attorney.

Alysa Wiggins ‘24 recently joined Jackson Lewis, P.C. as an Associate Attorney in the firm’s Southfield, Michigan office. Her practice focuses on representing employers in workplace law matters, including preventive advice and counseling.

Evan P. Irvine ‘25 recently joined Plunkett Cooney’s Government Law Practice Group, representing municipalities and insurance policyholders in civil rights and governmental law matters. While at Wayne Law, he served as Legal Scholarship Editor for Law Review, co-president of APALSA, and was a member of the Jessup International Moot Court team.

Hailey A. Wolf ‘25 recently joined Plunkett Cooney’s Torts and Litigation and Transportation Law practice groups in the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office. Her practice focuses on defending individuals, businesses, insurers and municipalities in premises liability and motor vehicle No-Fault matters.