Chelsea Lawyers

Arvin Pearlman is nationally known for the successful outcomes he has obtained on behalf of railroad workers who are injured or killed in the course of their employment. Since concentrating his practice on Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) litigation in 1979, Arvin has tried numerous personal injury cases before judges and juries across the United States, many with multi-million dollar awards. FELA cases arise from many types of railroad workplace negligence including unsafe work environments, exposure to harmful substances and occupational illness, faulty equipment, and off-site injuries. He is designated legal counsel for the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen in...

Jay Yasso, a senior shareholder with Sommers Schwartz, focuses his practice on medical malpractice, automobile negligence, and personal injury. He has litigated, mediated and facilitated numerous multi-million dollar settlements on behalf of injured victims for over twenty years, and his experience and expertise allows him to sit on mediation panels in Oakland, Wayne and Macomb County Circuit Courts.

In addition, for the last 23 years, Jay’s professional practice has also focused on representing individuals and businesses in the entertainment industry, including representing record companies, recording artists, music and film producers, production companies, artist managers, agents, songwriters, music publishers, models and modeling...

Lance Young is a senior shareholder at Sommers Schwartz, P.C., and co-chairs the firm’s Complex Litigation Department. For almost twenty years, Lance has successfully represented investors, employees, consumers, and other injured parties in high-profile class actions and multidistrict proceedings involving violations of federal and state securities, antitrust, wage and hour, and consumer protection laws. His current cases include the nationally publicized In Re Auto Parts Antitrust Litigation and multi-state Real Estate Transfer Tax litigation, along with several vehicle defect cases pending against major auto manufacturers. He also co-manages and supports the firm’s busy Fair Labor Standards Act practice

I am an experienced attorney and have been practicing law for 23 years and have handled thousands of cases. I always focus on obtaining the best possible results. I am very aggressive and dedicated to client satisfaction. Last year I was named as one of Michigan's Super Lawyers.

Ben Wilensky is a member of Sommers Schwartz’s Personal Injury Litigation Group and focuses his practice on representing railroad workers who seek compensation for on-the-job injuries under the Federal Employers' Liability Act.

After graduating from Michigan State University, Ben served as an aide to U.S. Senators Jon Corzine and Frank Lautenberg in Washington, D.C. He then pursued his law degree at Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he was an Executive Articles Editor and a member of the Executive Board of the Law Review, and a professorial research assistant, before earning his Juris Doctor.

In addition to his active FELA practice, Ben has...

Tracy M. Clark is a bankruptcy attorney with the Michigan law firm of Steinberg Shapiro & Clark. Ms. Clark has been practicing bankruptcy law since 1999 in the areas of debtor and creditor rights. Ms. Clark enjoys developing solutions to the legal problems faced by financially distressed individuals and businesses and, when necessary, litigating those issues at the trial and appellate levels. Ms. Clark believes that every client deserves her full attention and takes pride in personally meeting with all of her clients and handling her cases from beginning to end. Using this approach, Ms. Clark has successfully guided numerous...

Evan has always shown tremendous dedication and empathy for his clients and the catastrophic issues they face. His rapid trajectory to partner is due to his hard work, excellent handling of cases and high praise from his clients. His leadership at the firm and his quick and enthusiastic handling of responsibilities have led him to be named a Partner in 2021. He handles complex cases including those heading to trial. He has experience in a wide range of personal injury cases including medical malpractice, sex abuse and harassment, auto and trucking cases. Evan is a committed attorney who fights and succeeds...

Tiffany L. DeBruin is an experienced Lansing criminal defense attorney who has represented clients on charges ranging from assault and domestic violence to minor traffic infractions. Each day she helps people who have wrongfully been accused of crimes or who have made a simple mistake. Tiffany strives to fight the charges her clients face and protect their rights.

Kevin has been a truck accident lawyer for close to 25 years. He litigates cases involving large commercial vehicles and semi-trucks, Michigan No-Fault laws and insurance coverage disputes. Kevin has argued complex legal issues before the Michigan Court of Appeals and achieved victories for his clients every time. Kevin has obtained millions of dollars for his injured clients and is a tenacious fighter both inside and out of the courtroom.

Ilana S. Wilenkin is a Michigan native who grew up in a family of attorneys. She always possessed a strong motivation to assist others, so she cultivated that motivation by becoming an attorney herself. She graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, with honors, in 2000.

Ms. Wilenkin joined attorney Stuart M. Feldheim at Feldheim & Wilenkin, P.C. in 2004. She became a partner at the firm in 2008. Her practice is exclusively devoted to ERISA and non-ERISA short and long-term disability claims and life insurance denials. Ms. Wilenkin is admitted to practice before the Michigan state...

Lee Steinberg graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1967. After graduating Wayne State University, he taught in the Detroit School System while going to night school at the Detroit College of Law. After graduating from the Detroit College of Law, he worked for personal injury firms before opening his law practice 1976. Lee has obtained substantial jury verdicts and awards against defendants, both local and national including British Petroleum, the City of Detroit and numerous insurance companies. He also tried cases in the State of Texas and obtained the first medical malpractice verdict in San...

I am a former prosecutor who began my legal journey as a partner at Kassab Arabo, PLLC, before transitioning to work for the government. My time at the prosecutor's office was invaluable, allowing me to hone my skills in handling criminal cases. I am committed to providing my clients, who I treat as if they were family, with the highest quality legal counsel. Fighting vigorously on their behalf is my top priority.

Mark Carlson attended Defiance College where he competed in track and field for three years, graduating in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. He then went on to attend Thomas M. Cooley Law School, receiving his Juris Doctor in 2010. Mark has been a licensed member of the Michigan Bar Association since 2012. Mark was a sole practitioner focusing on criminal law from 2012 until 2022, when he joined the Mike Morse Law Firm. In his spare time, Mark enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and dogs. He is also a big fan of movies...

Steven Jedinak has experience throughout Southeastern Michigan practicing in the areas of criminal defense, family law, probate administration, guardianships, conservatorships and civil litigation. Steven graduated from the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio and is committed to working hard to find the best solution to his clients' legal problems.

Ron Weiner represents consumers in their claims against large corporations and insurance companies. He is a devoted advocate who assures that his clients have the same legal firepower as their opponents. Ron received his B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1983. He received his law degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1987. Ron then became an assistant prosecuting attorney for Macomb County. He has represented plaintiffs in many personal injury cases for more than 30 years. Ron has also authored articles and presented seminars. Annually, he co-moderates the Michigan Association for Justice’s Seminar in the Snow in...

I am Ali Chokr, an attorney with a focus on family law and criminal defense. My practice areas include high-asset divorce, child custody, spousal support, and property division. I also have a strong background in personal injury, medical malpractice, and criminal law, which allows me to provide knowledgeable legal counsel for a variety of complex cases. As a dedicated advocate, I am committed to protecting my clients' rights and achieving favorable outcomes.

Rob Ash is an associate in Sommers Schwartz’s Complex Litigation groups. A substantial portion of Rob’s practice is devoted to collective and class actions arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and similar state laws, and he appears in state and federal courts across the United States to represent employees against their corporate employers.

Rob also represents clients involved in personal injury actions and other kinds of employment disputes apart from wage and overtime abuse. Over the course of his career, he has recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for people who have been seriously injured as the...

Tony Chapman graduated from the University of Michigan in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education. He was awarded the Maize and Blue Scholarship, the highest honor bestowed upon a graduating senior, for outstanding academic achievement and community service. Tony then graduated Cum Laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2006 with his Juris Doctor. He is our Senior Intake Attorney and keeps very busy interviewing and meeting with new clients every day. Tony joined the firm in 2010, and he has a vast understanding of personal injury law. He takes pride in helping our new clients...

Parisa Sadrnia is a first-generation American born from Vietnamese and Iranian parents, who immigrated to the United States in the 1970's. Parisa grew up in Troy, Michigan, and graduated from Wayne State University in 2013 with a degree in Psychology and several Dean's List honors. After completing her undergraduate studies, Parisa attended Western Michigan's Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Auburn Hills, Michigan. While in law school, Parisa received several awards and was an Academic Resource Graduate Assistant, a Teaching Assistant, an Associate Editor on Law Review, and the Editor-In-Chief of Cooley's Law Journal of Practical and Clinical Law. In addition,...

Former Assistant Prosecutor. I am also a landlord. UM Law graduate.

George G. Burke, III is a licensed attorney in the State of Michigan and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He earned his undergraduate degree in political science from Syracuse University where he graduated cum laude in 1989. He graduated from Boston College Law School in 1992. George's practice focuses on personal injury litigation, with an emphasis on automobile negligence and Michigan no-fault insurance cases. He is a member of the Michigan Association for Justice. Email: george@buckfirelaw.com

Joe Bourgon serves as the firm’s Chief Executive Officer, overseeing the firm’s operations and stewarding its continued growth and profitability. Under Joe’s guidance, Sommers Schwartz has renewed its focus on litigation by strengthening the Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice groups, establishing national presence and notoriety for the Mass Tort and Class Action departments, and expanding the Complex Business, Employment, and Wage & Hour Litigation practices. In addition, he has successfully spearheaded efforts to streamline various back-office functions and navigated the many challenges associated with the firm’s recent office relocation. Joe began his career in commercial banking before becoming a...

At the Law Office of John V. Deku, PLC, I provide my clients with personal and dedicated attention directly from the attorney who will handle their case. I take the time to walk you through all of the steps of your case, give you advice about all of your legal options and make sure that any questions you have are adequately answered. Your best interests are the driving force behind my representation of you. If I am unable to provide you the representation your situation needs I will help find you a competent attorney who can.

At Dagher Immigration Law we are dedicated to providing legal counsel to individuals, businesses, educational institutions and others with regard to matters related to immigration benefits and I-9 compliance, as well as filing and processing documents of permanent U.S. residency and temporary visas (including H-1B, L, O, and TN), NAFTA applications, transferee benefits, and other corporate immigration benefits related to overseas businesses and facilities. We specialize in family immigration law, handling all types of family immigrant petitions, spousal petitions, fiancee petitions and waivers of inadmissibility. We seek to resolve immigration issues...

Kristen Robinson concentrates her practice in domestic relations litigation. She also has the capability to assist clients who desire to settle their cases on the terms that work for their respective families, rather than allowing the court process to dictate the important decisions in their lives. In addition to representing clients as an advocate, Kristen is a trained neutral mediator, chosen by other lawyers and appointed by the court to assist other parties in settling their family law matters. Kristen represents clients who have cases in Oakland County, Macomb County and Wayne County. She was elected by her peers...

Attorney Derek Jacques is an experienced family law and divorce attorney, who also practices consumer bankruptcy law. He lives downriver and has a passion for helping those in his surrounding communities.

Alan T. Ackerman is the managing partner of Michigan-based Ackerman & Ackerman, P.C. Alan has been aggressively fighting for the rights of displaced and undercompensated condemnation and eminent domain victims for more than 30 years. Over the past three decades, he and his firm have tried 45 monetarily significant cases at both the state and federal level which have resulted in Just Compensation each exceeding the original offer by more than $1 million. He has been an adjunct professor teaching eminent domain law at the University of Detroit Law School since 1983, and now serves as an adjunct professor at Michigan State...

My practice is concentrated on business and construction law matters, including litigation of contract, construction lien and payment bond claims. I represent owners, design professionals, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. I also represent clients who specialize in water and wastewater construction.

Emily Long is a capable Oakland County criminal defense lawyer who doesn’t waiver in her commitment to those she fights for. She is an aggressive force in and out of the courtroom, putting her legal knowledge and defensive skill to use for those facing criminal charges of all kinds. She has tried more than 50 cases and is not afraid to go to court when it is necessary. She formerly served as a prosecutor and this experience has allowed her to better prepare a strategy that may effectively combat the efforts of the prosecution. She takes these cases personally and...

After graduating the University of Detroit School of Law, James B. Rasor went on to pursue a diverse legal career. Founding Rasor Law Firm in 1994, he now offers his exceptional legal services in a wide range of practice areas. Mr. Rasor is proud to provide counsel for personal injury claims, criminal defense, and other matters in Royal Oak. He has been named in the list of Top Lawyers by DBusiness for personal injury and has taken numerous trials to verdict over the course of his career. Above all else, Mr. Rasor is committed to providing effective, caring, and personalized...

JEFFREY R. CAMPBELL is an associate with Wachler & Associates, P.C. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Central Michigan University. Mr. Campbell graduated from Wayne State University Law School in 2005. While in law school, Mr. Campbell served as an Articles Editor for the Journal of Law and Society and as a member of Moot Court. Mr. Campbell practices in all areas of healthcare law and devotes a substantial portion of his practice to representing providers in the Medicare and other third party payor audit appeals process. He also provides assistance to clients in transactional...

Rod Johnston is a member of the Complex Litigation Group, participating in the firm’s direct and class action litigation on behalf of those harmed as a result of wage and overtime violations and consumer fraud.

After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and MBA from Wayne State University, Rod had an extensive career in the commercial real estate industry and was responsible for various development, leasing, and investment activities. He then pursued his Juris Doctor at WMU Cooley Law School, where he also served as a student attorney in the Estate Planning Clinic before graduating magna cum laude in 2015.