 Majority of Okemos Law Firm Members are "Best in America" Majority of Okemos Law Firm Members are "Michigan Super Lawyers" Ross Bower begins term as President of Young Lawyers Section FSBR attorney Ross Bower has been selected to serve as the President of the Young Lawyers Section of the Ingham County Bar Association for the 2010/2011 term. During the coming year, Ross will spearhead the Section’s “Horn of Plenty” clothing drive, educational programs for students in the mid-Michigan area, a judges’ “do’s and don’ts” roundtable event for young lawyers, and monthly submissions to the Ingham County Legal News. He will also work with the Section on fundraising to support local charities and continue the Section’s educational programs. Mr. Bower is “excited to work with a number of bright and dedicated young lawyers on our Board who share the common goals of helping disadvantaged members of our community, and educating our young people and new lawyers. YLS did a fantastic job reaching those goals under the past President, and I look forward to continuing those efforts.” Mr. Bower has been a member of FSBR since 2008. His practice focuses on the representation of municipal clients across the state, matters before the Michigan Tax Tribunal and in the representation of public utilities. Stacy Hissong Joins FSBR Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC welcomes Stacy L. Hissong to its Local Government Group. Ms. Hissong brings her recognized expertise in the representation of drain commissioners and other municipal authorities to Fahey Schultz’s growing municipal practice. Prior to joining Fahey Schultz, Ms. Hissong was a Shareholder with the Hubbard Law Firm in Lansing and later with the real estate appraisal firm of Vertalka and Vertalka, where she worked as a commercial real estate appraiser. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Ingham County Bar Association, the Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners, and the International Right of Way Association. Ms. Hissong earned her law degree at Thomas M. Cooley Law School (magna cum laude) in 1996, where she was a member of the school’s Law Review. Before attending law school, Ms. Hissong received a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. Bill Fahey presenting at MTA’s UP Summit Bill Fahey will present two workshops on Friday, August 6, 2010, at the MTA’s UP Summit in Harris (near Escanaba), a first-ever Michigan Townships Association event. Hear Mr. Fahey explain “Township Contracts” (before lunch) and bring your questions to his session on “Ask the Experts” (after lunch). For more information on this MTA event, or to register, please contact the MTA at (517) 321-6467 Ext. 251. Ross Bower participates in “Ask the Lawyer” Continuing the firm’s commitment to community service, attorney Ross Bower recently offered free consultations to Lansing-area residents as part of the Ingham County Bar Association and Legal Services of South Central Michigan’s “Ask the Lawyer” event. Mr. Bower provided pro bono advice during the event in the areas of land use and administrative law. Two Men and A Truck® Retain FSBR Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes is pleased to report that it now serves as legal counsel to Two Men and A Truck®/International. The firm will provide corporate, employment and general counsel advice to the company as needed. Two Men And A Truck is the nation’s largest franchised local moving company. Its home office is in Lansing, Michigan. Two Men And A Truck® has over 200 franchisees worldwide and a fleet of more than 1,300 trucks. We are proud to serve a company like Two Men And A Truck, with whom we share a common mission … “to continuously strive to exceed our client’s expectations in value and high standard of satisfaction.” Matthew Drake Named a “Top 5 Under 35” Attorney Matthew D. Drake has been recognized as one of the “Top 5” attorneys under the age of 35 in Ingham County for 2010. The award recipients were selected by the Board of Directors of the Ingham County Bar Association and recognized at the Association’s Barristers Night on April 22. The Board of Directors made its selection based upon the nominees’ legal scholarship, advancement of the legal profession, and community involvement and service. This is the first year the award has been given by the Bar Association. Mr. Drake joined the firm at its inception in 2008. He serves the firm’s many municipal clients as an assistant city, township, and village attorney. He also co-chairs the firm’s Trademark Practice Group, specializing in trademark registration and enforcement, where he devised the group’s unique four-step enforcement process to protect valuable trademarks. Mr. Drake is devoted to a number of causes – mainly the success of at-risk youths and the support of children with physical “differences.” Matt has mentored one young man in particular for many years. With Matt’s guidance and support, the young man is headed to college and surely, a successful career down the road. Rhonda Mask Named Legal Professional of the Year for Lansing Area Rhonda Mask, a Paralegal with the firm, has been named “Legal Professional of the Year” by the Lansing-area Chapter of the National Association of Legal Professionals (NALS). The award was announced at the Association’s Annual Awards Night and Installation of Officers Dinner on April 15. The award recognizes a legal professional from the Association who represents the high standards of professionalism and service of NALS. In addition to being recognized as Legal Professional of the Year, Ms. Mask was elected President of the Association for the 2010-2011 year. As President, Ms. Mask will oversee the numerous educational programs offered to legal professionals by NALS of Lansing. NALS offers certification programs for legal secretaries and paralegals annually. For more information on the available programs, those interested may contact Ms. Mask at (517) 381-3206. Ms. Mask joined the firm shortly after its founding in 2008. In nominating her for the award, the firm noted that Ms. Mask “is the consummate legal professional.” In addition to serving in the capacity as a legal assistant to multiple attorneys at the firm, Ms. Mask also helps the firm’s management in its day-to-day operation. Protecting Your Township Boundaries Workshops Bill Fahey will be giving Protecting Your Township Boundaries workshops for the MTA in April. Learn about city and village annexation techniques; annexation problems of charter townships; township defensive strategies against annexation and village-to-city incorporation; detachment of city territory; dissolution of villages; division of assets on incorporation, annexation or detachment; and how to use Acts 425 and 108 to settle boundary disputes and achieve win-win solutions. You can attend the workshops in either Mt. Pleasant (April 13) or Paw Paw (April 29). Each workshop will run from 1-4 pm, preceded by lunch at 12:30. To register for one of the workshops, call MTA at (517) 321-6467. Firm Sponsors Second Annual Regionalism Forum Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC is again sponsoring the Lansing Economic Club’s Regionalism Forum for 2010. This encore of last year’s popular event will bring together the chief executives of Lansing, East Lansing, Meridian Township, Delhi Township, and Delta Township for an open discussion of the problems and opportunities facing the Greater Lansing Region and the inter-municipal initiatives that are planned and ongoing. The event is scheduled for May 6, 2010, at 12:00 p.m. in the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center. For additional information, contact the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce at 517.487.6340 or by email at events@lansingchamber.org. Burzych Appointed to State Bar of Michigan Business Impact Committee Mark J. Burzych has been appointed to the State Bar of Michigan’s Business Impact Committee. The Committee is part of the State Bar of Michigan’s Judicial Crossroads Task Force that will focus on the future of Michigan’s court system. Mr. Burzych, along with the other appointed committee members, will embark on a comprehensive review and evaluation of our justice system and make recommendations on how Michigan can best meet the needs of the public and business in the face of the transformational economic changes underway in our state. The Business Impact Committee is due to have its recommendation to the Task Force by mid-2010. Mark J. Burzych featured author of “Restaurateur” Mark Burzych continues to be a featured author for the Michigan Restaurant Association’s bi-monthly magazine “Restaurateur”. The articles entitled “Ask the Experts” generally address issues related to franchise law. Ross Bower Receives Breath Test Operator Certification Ross Bower participated in the Michigan State Police Traffic Safety Division’s Evidential Breath Test Training in Ann Arbor. He was the only attorney to receive breath test operator certification upon completion of the DataMaster (Breathalyzer) training. Ross is now a “Class II” operator. He also recently participated in a training session related to the “new” breathalyzer being rolled out in municipalities across the state, the DataMaster DMT. Bill Fahey and Steve Schultz to lecture at MTA Annual Conference The Michigan Township Association’s Annual Conference in January, 2010 will feature four presentations by Bill Fahey and Steve Schultz. Steve Schultz will present two sessions to Conference attendees focusing on “Collective Bargaining Strategies in Tough Economic Times” and “Negotiating Employee Compensation and Benefits.” Bill Fahey will present two sessions on “Joint Service Contracts” and “Park Commissions.” In addition, clients and friends should be sure to stop by the firm’s booth in the Exhibition Hall at the Conference. This year, the firm will be located at Booth #301, which is located right across from the MTA booth as you enter the Exhibition Hall. Steve Schultz Discusses Arbitration at MPSI The Michigan Public Service Institute annually brings together more than 100 Public Works Directors and other management staff from all over the state for an in-depth training session on a variety of topics relevant to the management of municipal public works departments. Steve Schultz recently spoke in Mt. Pleasant to the Institute’s 2009 attendees on “Arbitration – How to Avoid It, and What to Expect if You Can’t.” The session presented several case studies and a wide ranging discussion of the arbitration process. Trademark Practice Group Update Mark Burzych and Matthew Drake lead Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC’s Trademark Practice Group, which specializes in trademark registration and enforcement. Federal trademark registration provides enhanced protection for trademarks and domain names. In addition, the firm’s four step enforcement process includes monitoring and due diligence, cease and desist correspondence, negotiated settlements, and, if necessary, litigation. Click here to read more about the firm’s trademark enforcement process. |
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