News & Events

Fall, 2012

  • Ten attorneys from the Farmington Hills office have been named as Michigan Super Lawyers for 2012. Selections are made on a state-by-state basis and attorneys are chosen based on peer recognition and professional achievements in their practice area. The following attorneys from Couzens Lansky have been recognized:


    * Business Edition 2012

    If Business Edition, 2012 has been noted, these attorneys have been recognized in a separate national publication for their outstanding achievement in their area of business practice. Each attorney receiving this award exhibits excellence in the practice of law and has also been included on a Super Lawyers list in 2011.

Fall, 2012
  • Couzens Lansky is pleased to announce that Jerry M. Ellis, a shareholder of the firm, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for both the Farmington/Farmington Hills Education Foundation and the Farmington/Farmington Hills Foundation for Youth and Families. He is also serving as a Board Member and was the former President of the Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Ellis specializes in the areas of bankruptcy, creditor’s rights, commercial law, corporate law and litigation.

Fall, 2012
  • Donald M. Lansky, a shareholder of the firm, spoke at a Financial Planning Seminar sponsored by the Botsford Commons Senior Community. He discussed estate and tax planning strategies for seniors. Mr. Lansky’s primary concentration areas include business mergers and acquisitions, business law, estate and charitable planning law, tax law related to local, State, Federal and International Law.

Fall, 2012
  • Couzens Lansky is pleased to announce that Ronn S. Nadis, a shareholder of the firm, has been elected to serve as Chair of the Real Estate Section of the State Bar of Michigan. His primary concentration areas include real estate law, commercial and real estate litigation, business law and probate.

Fall, 2012
  • Couzens Lansky will be presenting a seminar entitled "2012 Critical Legal Developments: Health Care and Taxes - Destination Unknown" on Tuesday morning, October 30, 2012. This seminar is offered to CPAs, Accountants, Insurance and Financial Professionals and qualifies for 4 CPE, CFP and CE Credits. Seminar topics include "Update on State and Federal Tax Laws", "Dealing with Health Care Reform" and "Tax Planning Today for an Uncertain Future". Contact Kelly Gibson (our seminar coordinator) at 248.489.8600 or Kelly.Gibson@couzens.com for information about registering for any of the firm’s seminars. In light of prior full-capacity seminars, registration is limited.

Summer, 2012
  • Couzens Lansky is pleased to announce that the lawyers and staff formerly with Nadis & Neuman, P.C. have joined the firm and will work in the Farmington Hills office. Ronn Nadis and Phillip Neuman have become shareholders of the firm. Michael Dorocak and Sarah Heisler Gidley have become associates and Robert Berlow is of counsel.

    The attorneys joining Couzens Lansky concentrate on commercial real estate transactions, including development, finance and leasing; all real estate litigation including title litigation, mortgage priority disputes, real estate fraud, boundary disputes, and zoning disputes; landlord-tenant matters; commercial and corporate law, including business disputes; and appellate litigation. They represent real estate developers and investors, financial institutions, and both large and small businesses in routine to complex transactions.

Summer, 2012
  • Four attorneys from the Farmington Hills office have been named as 2012 FIVE STAR Wealth Managers. Wealth managers help their clients manage financial matters and/or implement aspects of their financial strategies. These attorneys represent a select group of highly qualified individuals who were chosen because of their distinguishing attributes among financial services professionals. Additionally, award recipients must satisfy 10 objective eligibility and evaluation criteria to be considered. The following attorneys from Couzens Lansky have been recognized this year:

Summer, 2012
  • Alan C. Roeder, a shareholder of the Firm, serves on the Oakland County Business Roundtable and acts as an Ambassador for Oakland County. He is also serving on the Facility Committee at the Detroit Athletic Club. Mr. Roeder's primary concentration areas include real estate development and/or syndications law, federal income law, estate planning law and gift taxation law.

Summer, 2012
  • Eric Gould, a shareholder of Couzens Lansky, recently participated as a panelist on the webinar "Fundamentals of Tax-Exempt Healthcare Organizations" sponsored by the American Bar Association Health Law Section, Section of Taxation, Young Lawyers Division, and the ABA Center for Continuing Legal Education. He serves as a vice-chair of the Health Law Section’s Tax and Accounting Interest Group. Mr. Gould concentrates on tax planning, health care law, estate planning, business transactions, real estate transactions, general corporate matters, business succession planning and asset protection planning.

Spring, 2012
  • Couzens Lansky is pleased to announce that Donald C. Harms, Of Counsel to the firm, has been invited to assist with an estate planning seminar sponsored by Family Life Radio at two churches in the Detroit area. Mr. Harms' primary concentration areas include commercial and business law, residential and commercial real estate transactions, business succession planning, estate planning and non-profit organizations.

Spring, 2012

Spring, 2012
  • Renard J. Kolasa, an attorney at the Farmington Hills office, spoke on the topic of Business Succession Planning at a recent Michigan Agency Alliance seminar. He also spoke on Estate Planning and Charitable Giving for the United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas. Mr. Kolasa's primary concentration areas include small business law, estate planning law and non-profit organizations law.

Spring, 2012
  • Alan C. Roeder and Mark G. Landau, shareholders of Couzens Lansky, have been contributing speakers at several seminars for the NAIFA Greater Detroit, the Detroit Financial Group, the Flint NAIFA and Northwestern Mutual. They spoke on topics including LLCs in Estate and Business Planning, Common Mistakes in Estate Planning, Ethics and Who Should be the Beneficiary of your IRA? They also participated at several Client Appreciation Seminars.

    Mr. Roeder's primary concentration areas include real estate development and/or syndications law, federal income law, estate planning law and gift taxation law. Mr. Landau concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, probate, estate administration, buy sell agreements and taxation.

Winter, 2012
  • Couzens Lansky is pleased to announce that Jerry M. Ellis, a shareholder of the firm, has been elected to the Board of Directors for Botsford Hospital. Mr. Ellis specializes in the areas of bankruptcy, creditor’s rights, commercial law, corporate law and litigation.

Winter, 2012
  • Christopher M. Williams, an attorney in the firm, has been appointed to the Executive Board of the Great Lakes Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church. The Great Lakes Conference consists of over 80 churches throughout the states of Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Mr. Williams specializes in the areas of business law and real estate law.

Winter, 2011
  • Couzens Lansky is pleased to announce that Gregg A. Nathanson, a shareholder of the firm, was recently elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Commercial Board of Realtors. Mr. Nathanson concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate law, environmental law, finance, corporate and business law.

Winter, 2011
  • Joseph H. Wener recently represented the firm as an exhibitor at the Michigan Association of Public School Academies (MAPSA) Convention at Cobo Hall. In addition to representing charter and public schools, Mr. Wener’s areas of practice include real estate law, corporate and business law, commercial transactions and issues involving Canadian Law.

Winter, 2011
  • Lawrence F. Schiller, Of Counsel to Couzens Lansky, has been appointed as Chair of the Oakland County Bar Association’s Employee Benefits Committee for the 2011-2012 year. Mr. Schiller's primary concentration areas include Employee Benefits, ERISA, Pension and Profit Sharing Plans, Tax-Qualified Retirement Plans and Executive Compensation Law.

Winter, 2011
  • Gregg A. Nathanson, a shareholder of the firm, published an article entitled "To UnCap, or Not to UnCap, That is the Question" in the Fall 2011 Michigan Land Title Association Newsletter, The Title Examiner. The article addresses the impact of a new Supreme Court decision on real estate ownership. Mr. Nathanson concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate law, environmental law, finance, corporate and business law.

Fall, 2011
  • Couzens Lansky will be presenting a seminar entitled "2011 Critical Legal Advancements: Taxes, Planning Issues and Medicaid" on November 4, 2011. This seminar is offered to CPAs, Accountants, Insurance and Financial Professionals and qualifies for 4 CPE, CFP and CE Credits. Seminar topics include "The New Michigan Corporate Income Tax", "Planning Under Current State and Federal Tax Laws", "Preventing Problems with Proper Planning" and "Update on Medicaid Planning". Contact Kelly Gibson (our seminar coordinator) at 248.489.8600 or Kelly.Gibson@couzens.com for information about registering for any of the firm’s seminars.

Fall, 2011
  • Monica D. Moons, Of Counsel to the firm, will be a contributing speaker at the Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) seminar entitled "Fundamentals of Estate Planning". She will be discussing "Drafting the Durable Power of Attorney and Patient Advocate Designation." Ms. Moons' primary concentration areas include estate planning, estate and trust administration, tax planning, probate and tax litigation and real estate.

Fall, 2011
  • Eric J. Gould, a shareholder of the firm, has been appointed to serve as Vice Chair of the Tax & Accounting Interest Group of the ABA Health Law Section for 2011-2012. Mr. Gould specializes in tax planning, health care law, employee benefit planning, business transactions and corporate matters, business succession planning and asset protection planning.

Fall, 2011
  • Six shareholders of Couzens Lansky have been selected as 2011 Michigan Super Lawyers. They were chosen based on peer recognition and professional achievements in their practice area. Super Lawyers honors attorneys in 70 practice areas and they are selected on a state by state basis. No more than 5% of the attorneys in any state are included on this list. The following attorneys from Couzens Lansky have been recognized:

Summer, 2011
  • Couzens Lansky is pleased to announce that Jack S. Couzens, Mark G. Landau, Monica D. Moons and Gary Schwarcz have been chosen as 2011 FIVE STAR Wealth Managers. They are part of a select group, representing less than 7% of wealth managers in the Detroit metropolitan area. This award is based on survey results from thousands of consumers and other financial services professionals. Wealth managers help their clients manage financial matters and/or implement aspects of their financial strategies.

Summer, 2011
  • Gary Schwarcz of Couzens Lansky recently participated at the Management Information and Business Show held by the MACPA (Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants). Mr. Schwarcz spoke on the topics "Choice of Entity NOW - A Systematic Analysis of LLCs and S Corporations" and "Advanced Issues: Cancellation of Indebtedness Income".

    Mr. Schwarcz concentrates his practice in the areas of business planning, estate planning and taxation.

Spring, 2011
  • Couzens Lansky is pleased to announce that Hayley E. Rohn has joined the firm as an associate attorney.

    Ms. Rohn's primary concentration areas include Estate Planning, Elder Law, and Probate and Trust Administration.

Spring, 2011
  • Gregg A. Nathanson, a shareholder at Couzens Lansky, wrote two articles for the Spring 2011 edition of the Michigan Land Title Association's Newsletter, The Title Examiner. The first article, "Warranty Work Does Not Extend Time to Record Construction Lien", discusses the Michigan Court of Appeals decision on whether warranty work can extend the 90-day period to record a construction lien under the Michigan Construction Lien Act . The second article, "Title Policy Does Not Insure Against Subsequent Construction Liens", discusses the Michigan Court of Appeals recent decision interpreting a loan policy of title insurance. The Court held that the title insurance company was not liable to the insured lender as the result of construction liens recorded more than one and one half years after the date of the policy.

    He also wrote an article for the Commercial Board of Realtor's February 2011 Newsletter, "Michigan's Commercial Real Estate Broker's Lien Act - Did You Know ... ?". The article summarizes, in Q & A format, key aspects of the law, and certain finer points which may impact a commercial real estate broker's ability to record a lien and receive their commission.

    Mr. Nathanson's primary concentration areas include real estate law, environmental law, finance, corporate and business law.

Winter, 2011
  • Monica D. Moons, Of Counsel to Couzens Lansky, spoke on the topic "Real Estate Issues" at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) seminar entitled Fundamentals of Estate Administration. She is also making a presentation for the Ann Arbor Chapter of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA) and will speak on topics concerning ethics for accountants and recent estate and gift tax law changes. Ms. Moons' primary concentration areas include estate planning, estate and trust administration, tax planning, probate and tax litigation and real estate.

Winter, 2011
  • Mark G. Landau, Eric J. Gould and Alisa A. Kwang participated at the NAIFA - Greater Detroit (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors) Sales Congress. Mr. Landau, a shareholder at Couzens Lansky, specializes in the areas of estate planning, probate, estate administration, buy sell agreements and taxation. Mr. Gould who is a shareholder of the firm concentrates his practice in the areas of tax planning, health care law, estate planning, business transactions, real estate transactions, general corporate matters, business succession planning and asset protection planning. Ms. Kwang's primary practice areas include estate planning, probate and estate administration, elder law and real estate.

Winter, 2011
  • Couzens Lansky is pleased to announce that Mark G. Landau is now a shareholder of the firm. Mr. Landau concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, probate, estate administration, buy sell agreements and taxation.

Winter, 2011
  • Jerry M. Ellis, a shareholder of the firm, is serving as Chairman of the Board and President of the Greater Farmington Area Chamber of Commerce in 2011. He specializes in bankruptcy, creditors rights, commercial, corporate law and litigation.

Winter, 2011
  • Gregg A. Nathanson, a shareholder at Couzens Lansky, has been approved to lead Continuing Education classes for licensed real estate professionals on Michigan's Commercial Real Estate Broker's Lien Act. The class will include everything you need to know about the new legislation, including lease and purchase details, claim of lien and lien attachment, duty to notify, escrow, lawsuits and more. Mr. Nathanson recently led a roundtable discussion on this topic for the International Council of Shopping Centers - Continuing Education Program for Real Estate Professionals. Mr. Nathanson's primary concentration areas include real estate law, environmental law, finance, corporate and business law.

Winter, 2011
  • Joseph H. Wener, an attorney at the Farmington Hills office, wrote an article for the State Bar of Michigan Real Property Law Section February 2011 e-Newsletter, entitled Riparian Rights of Front-Lot Owners: The Statutory "Base Fee". Mr. Wener practices in the areas of real estate law, corporate business law, commercial transactions and Canadian law.

Fall, 2010
  • Jeffrey A. Levine, a shareholder of Couzens Lansky, is a contributing author for the book "Buying and Selling A Business in Michigan, Second Edition" published by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. Mr. Levine's chapter entitled "Closing and Postclosing Matters" addresses the importance of closing checklists, opinion letters, letters of intent, purchase agreements, escrow agreements, etc. in a transaction. Mr. Levine practices in the areas of buying and selling business interests; mergers, acquisitions and related transactions; and corporate, business, estate and individual planning.

Fall, 2010
  • Mark G. Landau, Of Counsel to the firm, is currently serving as President of NAIFA - Greater Detroit (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors). NAIFA is a non profit association representing over 500 licensed insurance agents and financial advisors in the greater Detroit area. Its mission is to enhance business and professional skills, promote the ethical conduct of its members and advocate for a positive legislative and regulatory environment. Mr. Landau concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, probate, estate administration, buy sell agreements and taxation.

Fall, 2010
  • Lisa J. Walters, a shareholder at Couzens Lansky, is a member of the Board of Directors for the Financial and Estate Planning Council of Metropolitan Detroit. The Council is dedicated to promoting an understanding of estate and business planning matters by the public. Through the board's efforts, the Governor of the State of Michigan proclaimed the week of October 17, 2010, Estate Planning Awareness Week in Michigan. Ms. Walters' primary concentration areas include Estate Planning, Elder Law and Probate and Trust Administration.

Fall, 2010
  • Gregg A. Nathanson, a shareholder at Couzens Lansky, wrote the article "Sixth Circuit Permits Government Foreclosure of Husband's Tax Lien on Entireties Property" for the September 2010 Michigan State Bar Real Property Law Section's eNewsletter. This article discusses the U.S. Court of Appeals decision to permit the IRS to foreclose a tax lien for debt owed by the husband alone against the marital home owned by husband and wife as entireties property. Mr. Nathanson's primary concentration areas include real estate law, environmental law, finance, corporate and business law.

Fall, 2010
  • Gary Schwarcz is a member of the Management Information and Business Show Tax Force of The Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA). He is involved in planning their 2010 CPE Mega Conference combined with the Fall Accounting Conference which will be held in Lansing, Michigan in October, 2010. Mr. Schwarcz will be speaking at the MACPA's CPE Mega Conference on October 20th at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo on the topic of a Tax Comparison of LLCs and S Corporations on Formation. Mr. Schwarcz concentrates his practice in the areas of business planning, estate planning and taxation.

Fall, 2010
  • Four shareholders from Couzens Lansky have been named 2010 Michigan Super Lawyers. They were recognized in the following practice areas:

    Jack S. Couzens,II - Estate Planning and Probate
    Jerry M. Ellis - Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights
    Gregg A. Nathanson - Real Estate
    Donald A. Wagner - Banking

    Michigan Super Lawyers is a listing that is published annually and recognizes lawyers in each state for outstanding achievements in their primary area of practice. Attorneys are nominated by their peers and the selection process includes independent panel review.

Fall, 2010
  • Donald M. Lansky, a shareholder of the firm, recently participated in the Annual Education Forum for residents of Monroe County in Michigan which was sponsored by Trowbridge Financial Services. Mr. Lansky spoke on topics concerning health care reform tax provisions and offered expertise in his areas of practice which include business mergers and acquisitions, business law, estate and charitable planning law and tax law related to local, state, federal and international law.

Fall, 2010
  • Gregg A. Nathanson was a facilitator of the breakfast roundtable discussion "What's New in Residential Transactions?" at the State Bar of Michigan, Real Property Law Section 2010 Summer Conference. A few of the topics discussed included: Opportunity to Claim Second Principal Residence Exemption for Hard to Sell Homes; Opportunity to Avoid Paying State Real Estate Transfer Taxes in Declining Residential Market; Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009; and Opportunity to Avoid Paying Income Tax on Forgiven Debt. A shareholder in the firm, Mr. Nathanson's primary concentration areas include real estate law, environmental law, finance, corporate and business law.

Summer, 2010
  • Couzens Lansky of Farmington Hills, MI is seeking an attorney with 2-5 years of experience in estate planning, estate administration and wealth transfer to assist in working with the firm's existing clients. The firm has a stable, active and growing client base. The ideal candidate will possess strong drafting and analytical skills, the ability to organize and handle multiple matters simultaneously and the skill to interact effectively with clients and other attorneys. A proven ability to speak and to write professionally in this area of the law is expected. This position may include opportunities to manage significant existing clients directly and to participate in administration of this practice group. Compensation is commensurate with experience and ability and includes a generous benefits package. Equal Opportunity Employer. Fax resume to 248.324.3947.

Summer, 2010
  • Christopher M. Williams and Joseph H. Wener have each written a case review for the State Bar of Michigan Real Property Law Section. Mr. Williams' review is entitled "Financial Hardship Does Not Necessarily Render Contract Performance Impossible" and Mr. Wener's review is entitled "Seller Disclosures: Silent Fraud as Buyer's Remedy". Mr. Williams concentrates in the areas of real estate, business law and litigation. Mr. Wener practices in the areas of real estate law, corporate business law, commercial transactions and Canadian law.

Spring, 2010
  • Kathryn Gilson Sussman participated as a financial specialist at the Personal Finance Expo hosted by an organization entitled "Your Money College". Ms. Sussman offered her expertise in the areas of estate planning, probate law and elder law. In addition to these areas of practice, she also concentrates on legal matters for non-profit organizations.

Spring, 2010
  • Lawrence F. Schiller participated as a speaker at a seminar hosted by The Oakland County Bar Association's Employee Benefits Committee. His topic was entitled "To Roth or Not to Roth, That Is the Question". Mr. Schiller focuses his practice in the areas of employee benefits, ERISA, pension and profit-sharing plans, tax qualified retirement plans and executive compensation law.

Winter, 2010
  • Monica D. Moons and Gary Schwarcz were selected as Five Star Wealth Managers, which honors individuals who help their clients prepare a financial plan and/or implement aspects of their financial plan. Wealth managers are evaluated by their peers and clients and represent less than 7% of the wealth managers in the local market.

    Ms. Moons was recognized for her contribution in the estate planning, taxation, trust services and will preparation area. Mr. Schwarcz was honored for his expertise in the estate planning, business planning, taxation and trust services practice area.



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