News & Events

November, 2009

• Alan C. Roeder, a shareholder of Couzens Lansky, has recently presented seminars to several local professional organizations on the topic of "Estate Planning Made Easy." Mr. Roeder practices in the areas of estate planning law, gift taxation law, real estate law, probate law, elder law and charitable planning. These seminars can be qualified for CPE credits. Contact Mr. Roeder or the Firm's seminar coordinator, Kelly Gibson, at 248-489-8600 or Kelly.Gibson@Couzens.com for information about registering for any of the Firm's seminars or to inquire about having an attorney speak to a group you are involved with.

• The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, in Anton/Snipes v. AT&T, recently affirmed the jury verdicts in a large sales commission case won by lead counsel David A. Lawrence and co-counsel Phillip L. Sternberg, both shareholders of the Firm. Mr. Lawrence concentrates his practice in the areas of civil litigation, labor and employment law and commission sales representatives. Mr. Sternberg focuses primarily on complex commercial litigation, contract and personal injury law.

• Nineteen lawyers with Couzens Lansky have been named as "Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit - 2010" in the November/December 2009 edition of dbusiness, Detroit's Premier Business Journal. The ratings were based on the 2010 Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings involving peer voting for attorneys possessing the highest professional ability and ethical standards in various practice areas. These lawyers include:
  
  Jack S. Couzens,II - Estate Planning, Corporate Law, Employee Benefits
  Jerry M. Ellis - Bankruptcy, Creditors Rights, Litigation
  Sheldon A. Fealk - Commercial Law, Labor and Employment Law, Corporate Law
  Eric J. Gould - Taxation, Corporate Law, Estate Planning
  Cynthia L.M. Johnson - Health Care, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Corporate Law
  Renard J. Kolasa - Small Business Law, Estate Planning, Nonprofit and Charitable Organizations
  Mark G. Landau - Business Law
  Donald M. Lansky - Mergers and Acquisitions, Business Law, Estate Planning
  Harold A. Larson - Buying and Selling of Businesses, Estate Planning, Real Estate
  Bruce J. Lazar - Construction Litigation, Litigation, Corporate Law
  Jeffrey A. Levine - Mergers and Acquisitions, Taxation, Estate Planning
  Monica D. Moons - Estate Litigation, Trusts and Estates, Estate Planning
  Gregg A. Nathanson - Real Estate, Environmental Law, Business Law
  Kenneth F. Posner - Real Estate, Commercial Law, Litigation
  Alan C. Roeder - Real Estate, Taxation, Estate Planning
  Lawrence F. Schiller - Employee Benefits, Erisa, Pension and Profit Sharing Plans
  Kathryn Gilson Sussman - Estate Planning, Estate and Gift Taxation, Elder Law
  Donald A. Wagner - Banking and Finance, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions
  Lisa J. Walters - Estate Planning, Estate and Gift Taxation, Charitable Giving
  

• Harold A. Larson, Of Counsel to the Firm, recently completed nine years as legal counsel to Covenant Community Care, Inc., a faith-based, non-profit medical/dental clinic located in Southwest Detroit. Mr. Larson was one of the founders of the organization. The clinic provides low cost and some no cost primary care to approximately 1,000 medical patients and 250 dental patients per month and was recently designated a Federally Qualified Health Center. Mr. Larson concentrates his practice in the areas of business start-ups and acquisitions, estate planning and administration, real estate and non-profit entities.

• Mark G. Landau, Of Counsel to the Firm, and Gary Schwarcz recently presented continuing education course materials for the Detroit chapters of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and the Society of Financial Service Professionals. Mr. Landau's course was titled "Buy Sell Agreements". Mr. Schwarcz' course was titled "Limited Liability Companies in Estate and Business Planning". Mr. Landau concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, probate, estate administration, buy sell agreements and taxation. Mr. Schwarcz focuses his practice in the areas of business planning, estate planning and taxation. Contact either of these gentlemen or the Firm's seminar coordinator, Kelly Gibson, at 248-489-8600 or Kelly.Gibson@Couzens.com, for information about registering for any of the Firm's seminars or to inquire about having an attorney speak to a group you are involved with.

• Gregg A. Nathanson, a shareholder of the Firm, is the editor of the book "Michigan Residential Real Estate Transactions, September 2009 Update". This book is published by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and is a useful resource for attorneys and other professionals involved in the sale and purchase of real estate. In addition to editing the book, Mr. Nathanson wrote the chapter entitled "Closings". Mr. Nathanson's primary concentration areas include real estate law, environmental law, finance, corporate and business law.

• Jerry M. Ellis, a shareholder of the Firm, was re-elected as Mayor of the City of Farmington Hills for an additional two-year term. Mr. Ellis also serves as Chairman of the Farmington Hills Redevelopment Committee and Chairman of the Southwestern Oakland Cable Commission. His primary concentration areas at Couzens Lansky include Bankruptcy, Creditors Rights, Commercial, Corporate Law and Litigation.

• On October 20, 2009, Couzens Lansky is presenting a seminar entitled "Critical Legal Advancements: Continued Changes, Continued Planning". Several members of our firm will participate and will cover topics such as maximizing creditor claims, update on cross-border issues with Canada, current developments in estate planning and administration and current developments in Michigan tax law.
  
  This seminar is for CPAs, Accountants and Business Professionals and qualifies for 3 CPE credits. Contact the Firm's seminar coordinator, Kelly Gibson, at 248-489-8600 or Kelly.Gibson@Couzens.com for information about registering for any of its seminars or to inquire about having one of its attorneys speak to a group you are involved with.

• Couzens Lansky is pleased to announce that Mark G. Landau has joined the firm as Of Counsel. Mr. Landau focuses his practice primarily in the areas of estate planning, probate and estate administration, buy-sell agreements and tax. He regularly presents seminars on these topics and has extensive experience in the estate planning and tax practice areas.

• Lisa J. Walters was a presenter at a seminar entitled "Removing the Mysteries of Probate Court" sponsored by Citizens Alliance for the Oakland County Probate and Circuit Courts. Ms. Walters was one of the presenters who spoke before Oakland County citizens on such topics as understanding probate, estate planning documents, personal representatives, Wills, guardianships and conservatorships. Ms. Walters, a shareholder of the firm, practices in the areas of estate planning law, probate law, elder law and charitable planning.

• Cynthia L. M. Johnson, a shareholder located in our Detroit office, is a candidate to become a state-appointed emergency financial manager. Michigan’s Treasury Department has assembled a pool of candidates who would be appointed to exercise direct control over a municipality’s finances should the need arise. Emergency financial managers have a background in municipal management or expertise in turning around businesses. The Treasury Department has placed her on a list for consideration by local governing units seeking to retain the services of an experienced business turnaround expert on a contract basis. Ms. Johnson’s primary practice areas in the field of law include health care, corporate law and commercial litigation.

• The Firm is pleased to announce that the following three shareholders have been selected for inclusion in the 2009 "Michigan Super Lawyers" list: Jack S. Couzens, in the practice of estate planning and probate law, Gregg A. Nathanson in real estate and Donald A. Wagner in banking. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers who have achieved a high degree of recognition and professional achievement. Only 5 percent of the attorneys in the state are chosen and the selection process is based on peer nominations, panel review and independent research.

• Employees of Couzens Lansky participated as a group in a 5K Run/Walk which benefited the Thin Blue Line of Michigan and the Michigan State Police Fallen Trooper Memorial. We are honored that we have many members of our team who are committed to charitable causes in our community.

• Cynthia L.M. Johnson, a shareholder of Couzens Lansky who works in the Detroit office, serves as adjunct professor at community colleges in the area. Her focus is to help the unemployed learn about business law issues that can assist them when starting new entrepreneurial businesses. She is also involved in a community educational effort through "Making Detroit Better" to help Detroit voters make intelligent decisions about supporting local candidates for office. Ms. Johnson's primary practice areas include health care and corporate law and commercial litigation.

• Monica D. Moons, Of Counsel to the firm, completed a year as Chair of the Probate, Estates and Trust Committee of the Oakland County Bar Association. This committee works to advance programs and services in the areas of probate, estate planning and elder law.
  
  Ms. Moons was also added to the Registry for "Women of Excellence" of the National Association of Professional & Executive Women. This organization recognizes women with expertise in virtually every industry. Ms. Moons' primary concentration areas include estate planning, estate and trust administration, tax planning, probate and tax litigation and real estate.

• Gregg A. Nathanson and Gary Schwarcz were featured presenters at the Michigan Association for Justice No-Fault Seminar. Members of this organization help Michigan's working families seek justice when they are injured by an unsafe product or as a result of negligence. Mr. Nathanson was a member of a panel that discussed home modification and special transportation claims and Mr. Schwarcz participated with a panel that addressed tax issues associated with attendant care claims.
  
  Gregg Nathanson, a shareholder of Couzens Lansky, concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate law, environmental law, finance, corporate and business law. Gary Schwarcz's practice focuses on business planning, estate planning and taxation.

• Gregg A. Nathanson helped co-coordinate the Habitat for Humanity Build in Grand Rapids, Michigan during the Michigan Land Title Association (MLTA) 2009 summer convention. This was the first time the MLTA actively devoted its time, energy and money during an annual convention to support a Habitat home construction project.

• Eric J. Gould and Gregg A. Nathanson, shareholders of Couzens Lansky, helped a lending affiliate for Habitat for Humanity qualify for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. This will permit Habitat to utilize more sophisticated financing techniques in order to fulfill their mission of building safe, affordable housing for needy Michigan families.
  
  Mr. Gould has expertise in the following areas of law: tax planning, health care law, estate planning, business transactions, real estate transactions, general corporate matters, business succession planning, and asset protection planning. Mr. Nathanson focuses primarily on real estate, environmental, finance, corporate and business law.

• Administrative staff members of Couzens Lansky are committed to their community and we are proud that they participate in local events by contributing time and effort and giving in other ways for charitable causes. Already this year, they have supported American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Hydrocephalus Association, The Purple Heart, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Alzheimer's Association, Greater Michigan Chapter.

• Jerry M. Ellis, a shareholder of Couzens, Lansky, serves as Mayor of the City of Farmington Hills, Michigan. He is up for re-election in November, 2009. Mr. Ellis was first elected to City Council in 1996 and has been an active board member of several committees and commissions within city and county government. Mr. Ellis concentrates his practice in the areas of bankruptcy, creditors rights, commercial law, corporate law and litigation.

• Lisa J. Walters, a shareholder of the firm, joined the Board of Directors of the Financial and Estate Planning Council of Metropolitan Detroit. The Council engages in studies, discussions and activities which will improve their combined services to their clients and is dedicated to promoting an understanding of estate and business planning matters by the public. Ms. Walters' primary concentration areas include estate planning law, probate law, elder law and charitable planning.

• Gregg A. Nathanson serves on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Land Title Association and he is acting Chairman of the Membership Committee. Members of the association assist in the selection of a title insurance policy product to protect the consumer. Mr. Nathanson is a shareholder of the firm and his primary concentration areas include real estate law, environmental law, finance, corporate and business law.

• David A. Lawrence, a shareholder of the firm, was quoted in an article in the New York Post, May 14, 2009 concerning pension litigation he and Lawrence F. Schiller are handling. Mr. Lawrence provides legal services in the areas of civil litigation and labor and employment law. Mr. Schiller, Of Counsel to the firm, has expertise in employee benefits, ERISA, pension and profit-sharing plans, tax-qualified retirement plans and executive compensation law.

• Christopher M. Williams, an attorney at the Farmington Hills office, participated in a seminar for the Real Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. He was a featured presenter on the topic of Property Tax Appeals. Mr. Williams' practice focuses on complex real estate and business issues. He publishes articles and news concerning Michigan real estate law on his blog: http://www.realestatelawinmichigan.com.

• Alisa A. Kwang, an attorney in the firm's estate planning, probate and estate administration practice area, recently presented a seminar entitled "What Every Family Should Know: Planning For Your Family's Future." Ms. Kwang addressed more than 100 parents of students at the American Chinese School of Greater Detroit in Birmingham, Michigan. Her seminar focused primarily on taxes, probate, distributing assets and other estate planning considerations. Ms. Kwang's practice areas also include elder law and real estate law.

• Bruce J. Lazar and Donald A. Wagner, shareholders located at the Farmington Hills office, were quoted in the Crain's Detroit Business article "Chrysler: Big blow for many suppliers", May 4, 2009. Mr. Lazar's primary concentration areas include construction litigation, ERISA litigation, employment and commercial litigation and corporate law. Mr. Wagner's practice areas include banking and finance, corporate law and mergers and acquisitions law.

• Eric J. Gould, a shareholder of the firm, is a contributing author of the book, "30 Day Total Business Makeover" (www.30daytotalbusinessmakeover.com). This book features practical ideas to set goals, attract clients, manage people...and be financially secure. Mr. Gould's chapter is entitled "Maximize The Benefits of Your Business and Minimize Your Exposure." He is also a contributing attorney to HOAleader.com's Special Report for Homeowners' Association Management and various monthly newsletter articles. Mr. Gould's primary concentration areas are tax planning, health care law, estate planning, business transactions, real estate transactions, general corporate matters, business succession planning and asset protection planning.

• On May 27, 2009, the Firm is presenting a seminar entitled "Critical Legal Advancements: A Year of Change, A Call to Action". Highlights include a review of current developments in federal tax law, current developments in retirement plans, transfer taxes and property taxes and planning during economic turmoil. This seminar is for CPAs, Accountants and Business Professionals and qualifies for 3 CPE credits. Contact the Firm's seminar coordinator, Kelly Gibson, at 248-489-8600 or Kelly.Gibson@Couzens.com for information about registering for any of its seminars or to inquire about having one of its attorneys speak to a group you are involved with.

• Donald A. Wagner, a shareholder of the firm, represents financial institutions and clients in the area of commercial lending. He was quoted in the Detroit Free Press in an article concerning the use of Detroit Pension Board funds, April 20, 2009.

• Couzens Lansky is pleased to announce that Gary Schwarcz has joined the firm and will work in the Farmington Hills office. Mr. Schwarcz concentrates his practice in the areas of business planning, estate planning and taxation.
  
  Prior to joining Couzens, Lansky, Mr. Schwarcz was with Maroko and Landau, P.C. of Farmington Hills, Michigan.

• Jack S. Couzens, II was recently honored by the Detroit Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals as a Legend within his professional services field. He was recognized at their first annual Lunch with Legends program for his years and expertise in the areas of estate planning, qualified planning, employee benefits and corporate law.

• On October 27, 2008, the Firm is presenting a seminar entitled “Critical Legal Advancements”. Highlights include a review of current developments in fiduciary duties, renewed attention to worker classification and important developments in retirement plans, taxes and more. This seminar is for CPAs, Accountants and Business Professionals and qualifies for 3 CPE credits. Contact the Firm’s seminar coordinator, Kelly Gibson, at 248-489-8600 or Kelly.Gibson@Couzens.com for information about registering for any of its seminars or to inquire about having one of its attorneys speak to a group you are involved with.

• The Firm is pleased to announce that three of its attorneys have recently been selected for inclusion in the publication “Michigan Super Lawyers”. These include Jack S. Couzens, in the practice of estate planning and probate law; Gregg A. Nathanson in real estate; and Donald A. Wagner in banking. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers who have achieved a high degree of recognition and professional achievement. Only 5 percent of the attorneys in the state are chosen and the selection process is based on peer nominations, panel review and independent research.

December, 2007

• On December 5, 2007, the Firm is presenting a seminar entitled “Recent Developments and What You Need To Know Before Year End”. Highlights include a review of the new State of Michigan taxes, updated deferred compensation rules, and other recent tax law developments. This seminar qualifies for 3 CPE credits. Call the Firm’s seminar coordinator at 248-489-8600 for information about registering for any of its seminars or to inquire about having one of its attorneys speak to a group you are involved with.

November, 2007

• Joseph H. Wener made a presentation entitled: "Buying and Selling Real Estate" for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, the education provider of the State Bar of Michigan, on November 15, 2007. The presentation dealt with all aspects of buying and selling real estate in Michigan. Included was information on the role of the attorney, real estate agency relationships and responsibilities, agreements of purchase and sale, conveyance issues, and closing and post-closing concerns. Mr. Wener has extensive experience in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate law, including construction and inventory based loans. Please call him at 248-489-8600 with any questions.

November, 2007

• Jeffrey A. Levine made a presentation entitled: “Advanced Estate Planning and Wealth Preservation Ideas 2007 and Beyond” for NAIFA – Greater Detroit and FSP – Detroit Chapter on November 14, 2007. The presentation dealt with Advanced Estate Planning Ideas, including those dealing with family limited partnerships, total return trusts/marital deduction planning with QTIP trusts, employer-owned life insurance, self-canceling installment notes, new private annuity proposed regulations, and sales to intentionally defective grantor trusts. Mr. Levine has extensive experience in all aspects of business mergers and acquisitions, business and individual tax law, estate planning and employee benefit law. Please call him at 248-489-8600 with any questions.

November, 2007

• Jerry M. Ellis, a senior member of the firm has been elected Mayor of Farmington Hills. Mr. Ellis has been a community leader for over 20 years, having served in numerous positions, including as a City Council member for over 11 years, a member and Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Chairman of the Southwest Oakland Cable Commission and Chairman of the Farmington Hills Redevelopment Committee.

Mr. Ellis has also served as a Board Member of the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority. He previously served on the 47th District Court Facilities Committee, the Year 2000 Committee, the Ice Arena Committee, and the Major Sports Park Committee. He is a member of the Farmington/Farmington Hills Exchange Club.

Mr. Ellis' legal practice with Couzens Lansky focuses on commercial law, corporate law and litigation, including bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, contracts and business disputes. He has handled numerous complex litigation matters in state and federal courts and alternative dispute resolution forums.

October, 2007

• Lawrence F. Schiller made a presentation entitled: "Essentials of Pension Distributions (and Other Miscellaneous Topics)", to the Probate Committee of the Oakland County Bar Association, on October 29, 2007. The presentation dealt with all aspects of pension distributions, including forms of distribution, taxation of distributions, and excise taxes. The new non-spouse rollover provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 were highlighted. Mr. Schiller has extensive experience in all aspects of employee benefit law, including design, implementation and application. Please call him at 248-489-8600 with any questions.

September, 2007

• The Firm is pleased to announce that five of its attorneys have recently been selected for inclusion in the publication “Michigan Super Lawyers”. These include Donald M. Lansky and Jeffrey A. Levine, in the practice area of mergers and acquisitions; Gregg A. Nathanson and Kenneth F. Posner, in real estate; and Donald A. Wagner in banking. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers who have achieved a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

March, 2007

• Monica D. Moons and Lawrence F. Schiller will present "Life and Death: Planning To Remove The IRS Lien On Your Retirement Assets" at an Oakland County Bar Association Seminar presented by the Probate, Estates and Trusts Committee and The Employee Benefits Committee. This seminar will be held on March 20, 2007 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. They will be speaking about the following topics: minimum required distributions, non-spouse rollovers, Roth 401(k)s and IRAs, trusts and estates as beneficiaries and trust accounting and income tax issues. To register for this seminar, phone 248.334.3400.

March, 2007

• Couzens Lansky is pleased to announce that Donald C. Harms recently joined the firm as Of Counsel and Kathleen M. Brandimore recently joined the firm as an associate.

  Mr. Harms specializes in the areas of Business Planning, Estate Planning and Real Estate.

  Ms. Brandimore concentrates in the area of Insurance Defense.

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