Monroe Lawyers

Melanie grew up in Dexter, graduating in 1996. She attended Western Michigan University for undergrad (1996-1999), majoring in political science-public law and then Michigan State University for Law School (2000-2003). After graduation and passing the bar exam she began her law practice in Grand Rapids at RizzoBryan. For the first 5 years, she practiced in the areas of both insurance defense and family law. Melanie moved back to South east Michigan and practiced primarily family law with Harris and Literski (Brighton) for over 12 years. She is a certified trained mediator. She opened MKS...

Canon J. Thomas graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Studies. During Canon’s undergraduate studies, he was very involved in his community. He co-founded the organization ReliveTheBAR, which is dedicated to strengthening the community between Black students and alumni of U of M through book drives and apparel. Canon was also a recipient of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Spirit Award. Canon received his Juris Doctor degree from Western State College of Law, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. During law school, Canon was a Dean’s Fellow, the inaugural Thurgood Marshall...

Lisa Screen practiced criminal law for over ten years before transitioning into the auto insurance arena in 2012. Screen has aggressively tried over 250 cases to a jury, and while as an assistant prosecuting attorney, she litigated several high-profile cases and was specially assigned to the Homicide Division for most of her tenure at the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office in Detroit, MI. She successfully convicted two individuals of murder despite the victim’s body never being located. Prior to working at the Prosecutor’s Office, she was an associate at a medical malpractice insurance defense firm. Up until she joined...

Bjornrae Kemp is an associate attorney at the Mike Morse Law Firm. He graduated from the University of Houston in 2009. He went on to earn his law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. Since 2020, he has been a member of the State Bar of Michigan and is also admitted to practice law in Texas. Bjornrae has represented accident victims for his entire legal career, recovering millions for his clients. In his free time, Bjornrae enjoys spending time with family, cooking, and reading.

ARTURO TRAFNY is an associate attorney with The Health Law Partners, P.C. Mr. Trafny received his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, where he received various honors, including a CALI: Excellence for the Future award for legal writing as well as a Top Associate Award for trial advocacy. While attending Chicago-Kent College of Law, Mr. Trafny conducted research on "The International Law Implications of Imposing a Border Tariff on Mexico" and presented his research at La Academia del Pueblo, an academic conference at Wayne State University.

Mr. Trafny graduated Magna Cum Laude from Wayne State University, where he received a B.A....

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.

A magna cum laude graduate of Wayne State University’s law school, Steve began his law career at a large firm and immediately became involved with community association law. In 2010, he joined Mark Makower and Nathaniel Abbate to start a firm focused on providing specialized legal services to community associations. Managing partner since 2013, Stephen is known for approaching problems methodically, ensuring that everyone is treated fairly and that all viewpoints are heard and respected. When not at work, he likes to spend time with his family, play guitar and go boating and skiing.

As a research and writing attorney, Debra Garlinghouse has dedicated herself to the representation of persons who have been seriously injured due to the negligence of others. Ms. Garlinghouse has authored numerous appellate briefs on cases decided by Michigan’s various appellate courts. She is also a member of the Michigan Association for Justice amicus committee, writing and submitting briefs to the Michigan Supreme Court on important issues in personal injury law. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and Michigan Association for Justice, and is a founding member of the Southeastern Michigan Chapter of the Cooley Alumni...

Michael Simon earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Wayne State University in 1987 and his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1990. While receiving his college and graduate education, he remained active in numerous organizations, including the Helenic Bar Association and the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity. After obtaining his law degree, he worked as a law clerk at the U.S. Attorney’s office, the Department of Justice in Grand Rapids and later at several metropolitan law firms. As a Trial/Litigation attorney, he has dedicated himself to the representation of persons who have been seriously injured...

I've been helping clients through challenging legal situations for over 24 years. Sometimes that means working intensely through hotly contested litigation. Sometimes that means working towards compromise and repose. It always means working with passion and conviction and bringing a thoughtful approach to the process, which is something I strive to do.

Andy Dragovic is a trial attorney who has been successfully representing victims of personal injury, wrongful death and catastrophic injury for over a decade.

Andy’s practice focus includes bringing justice to victims of:

Medical Malpractice
Automobile
Trucking Accidents
Sexual Assaults
Civil Rights Violations

Andy's practice is statewide, representing victims in courts all across the State of Michigan from Detroit, to Grand Rapids, to the Upper Peninsula. Andy practices in both federal and state courts and has been recognized as a top trial lawyer at the national level. Andy also sits as a case evaluator on the medical malpractice and personal injury panels for the Oakland County Circuit...

I practice all areas of criminal defense in both state and federal courts. I have a strong passion for helping our youth when they are charged with crimes. Most people that are charged with crimes have underlying issues that need to be addressed. We work closely with healthcare professionals through substance abuse counseling, mental health counseling, sexual deviancy counseling, and general counseling. Our approach is making sure the client gets their life back on track, all while helping them navigate their legal challenges through their court case. I love what I do. I thoroughly enjoy working with people through their...

Josh works in the law firm’s litigation division, where he focuses on No-Fault insurance lawsuits and helps auto accident victims receive their first-party personal injury protection (PIP) benefits.

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...

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...

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.

Judith Susskind is one of Michigan's foremost trial attorneys in the areas of medical malpractice and personal injury.

For more than 30 years, Judy has successfully handled a variety of medical malpractice cases, obtaining favorable outcomes for individuals and families whose lives were forever changed due to the negligence of doctors, nurses, and other health care providers. In 2002, she won a record-breaking three medical malpractice trials in less than 11 weeks, and in 2004, Michigan Lawyers Weekly named Judy "Lawyer of the Year," an honor based on peer recognition for being the "winning-est" lawyer for plaintiffs in the state....

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...

Michigan Attorney Kathryn Wayne-Spindler has built a full-service law firm that is pleased to be successfully helping clients with all their divorce, family law, adoption, child custody, change of domicile, estate planning, minor criminal defense and probate needs. She is an experienced and aggressive fighter in the courtroom. She is also known for being a compassionate counselor to her clients. She understands that her clients' cases are not just legal battles to be won, but life-changing events that can potentially be emotionally traumatic. She listens and advises with her client's best interests in mind. Years ago, Wayne-Spindler realized that...

Michigan State University 1986
Detroit College of Law 1989

Scott J. Sumner, J.D. is a graduate of Michigan State University, (1986) and Michigan State University/Detroit College of Law, (1989). He is a founding member of Sumner & Associates, P.C., and is its President and principal shareholder. Scott was the President of the Rochester Bar Association (2004-2005). He is a member of the State Bar Association and a member of the Oakland and Macomb County Bar Associations, since 1990, and is licensed to practice in the United States Federal Court. He is also a licensed and experienced Real Estate Broker and Residential Builder.

Attorney Matthew Van Steenkiste is committed to excellence. Mr. Van Steenkiste offers creative and practical solutions to complicated legal issues. Mr. Van Steenkiste offers a plethora of experience. In just the past year alone, Mr. Van Steenkiste has made over 200 court appearances in various District and Circuit Courts including the counties of Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, and Lapeer. Many attorneys do not make this many court appearances in their career. The law offices of Garmo & Kiste have a proven record of success throughout the entire state of Michigan including but not limited to the counties of...

Matthew I. Paletz is the Chief Executive Officer of Paletz Law. He oversees all operations of the Firm, as well as its future trajectory and growth. As CEO, he promotes the core values and spirit behind Paletz Law, and fosters its innovative culture. Matthew is also responsible for the financial and capital management of the Firm, and heads all marketing and promotional efforts. He strives to consistently ensure that the needs of his clients are met while being a leading advocate and supporter of legislative efforts on behalf of the real estate industry.

Matthew practices in the area of general civil...

From working in big law to opening his own practice, Sean has represented the intellectual property needs (e.g., patents, copyrights, and trademarks) of clients large and small for nearly a decade. He has drafted applications and performed opinion work for numerous large clients, such as IBM, Applied Materials, Toyota, Nvidia, Air Liquide, CareFusion, and Western Digital, as well as smaller clients and institutional clients. He has experience drafting and prosecuting applications for a broad variety of technologies including nanotechnology, automotive, artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacture, photolithography/maskless lithography, plasma physics, magnetic hard drive architecture, analog automation, bionic implants, bionics, chemistry, medical devices,...

David has practiced law in the Michigan for over 24 years. He joined the firm of Donald E. McGinnis, Jr., J.D., P.C. in September 1999. Prior to his admission to the State Bar of Michigan, he attended both Michigan State University and Elmira College, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. David then went on to attend the Detroit College of Law where he graduated Magna Cum Laude earning his Juris Doctorate degree. David has concentrated his practice in the broad spectrum of felony and misdemeanor criminal defense law and specializes in driver's license restoration. David has amassed great expertise and...

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...

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...

Matthew’s practice focuses on all aspects of both criminal defense and family law, including divorce, child custody and support issues, paternity, parenting time disputes and spousal support modifications. Specifically, Matthew ‘s talents are best utilized in high conflict family situations for professionals, especially cases involving mental health and substance abuse issues, dealing with narcissistic personality disorders and special needs children. Matthew is a proud Howell High School graduate and is a lifelong resident of Livingston County. Matthew is the recipient of: American Institute of Legal Advocates “Rising Star 2019” award, and the “Top Ranking Attorney” award for both 2020 and 2021 from...

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...

For over 25 years, Laura McMahon Lynch has earned a reputation as a highly respected Real Estate litigator, as well as a compassionate, driven Estate Planning attorney. Using her 11 years of experience as both a Special and Assistant Attorney General defending the State of Michigan, Laura aggressively represents clients in a wide range of litigation including real estate title disputes, construction lien foreclosure as well as complex contract-based lawsuits. She has become the confidant of countless clients who continue to trust her sensitivity and discretion. Laura is a certified Facilitative Mediator for the 3rd Circuit Court of Michigan. She has...