Westland Lawyers

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...

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.

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...

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...

Ari Kresch, founder of 1-800-LAW-FIRM, is an energetic visionary who sees a bright future for the consumer and for those lawyers who are committed to creating extreme value by leveraging technology. He doesn't mind being called a market disrupter or taking heat for advocating the elimination of hourly fees. He strives to make legal access simple and relevant by aggressively expanding 1-800-LAW-FIRM’s customized legal offerings not available anywhere else. For consumers from middle school to retirement, Ari is designing easy to understand legal products and services that arms them in ways that the little guy could never before afford. ...

Corene C. Ford has practiced law in Michigan since 2003, specializing in litigating a wide variety of civil matters including in the areas of condominium and HOA, real estate law, business law, landlord tenant, contract disputes, collections, landlord tenant, as well as personal injury cases. Corene is also a certified court appointed mediator. She has successfully mediated dozens of cases ranging from simple real estate disputes to complex commercial matters.

After graduating with a B.S. from Eastern Michigan University in 1999, Corene attended Vermont Law School from which she received a JD and Master of Studies in Environmental Law, cum laude,...

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

I've focused my career on building successful businesses. Over the past decade I created several nationally recognized organizations in the technology, marketing and real estate industries. By accurately evaluating market opportunities, targeting customer needs, and developing differentiated solutions, Industry focus includes: -Law and Accounting Firms -B2B private corporations -Information Technology -Investment Banking, Venture Capital & Private Equity Selected Highlights: -Co-founder - Instadium.com -Co-founder - Website4you.com -Co-founder - GoWebBaby USA, LLC

I'm a former electrical engineer who focuses on patent preparation and prosecution in the electrical and computer arts, particularly in autonomous vehicles. My technical background is computers, digital signal processing, and communications. I am a co-inventor on ten issued U.S. patents. I am currently accepting new clients.

Thomas D. Pascaris, Esq., is CEO of Pascaris Law Firm, PLLC. He received his bachelor’s in Finance, Business administration, and a minor in Political Science from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and his Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Thomas specializes in many legal areas including Divorce, Bankruptcy, Estate Planning, and Business Formation and Transactions. Thomas holds a board seat on the City of Farmington Downtown Development Authority, and was recently selected as Dbusiness Magazine’s 30 in their 30 for 2018.

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.

I sue debt collectors and credit reporting agencies. My services are free to consumers. When debt collectors abuse people, I sue them to stop the calls and make the debt collector pay my client. I also sue credit reporting agencies that fail to properly update consumer's credit reports. Again, our services are free to consumers.

Since 2016, I have been serving as an expert witness and assisting in trials dealing with hazing and Risk Management engendered lawsuits involving fraternities. I have been involved in over 25 matters in the past four years primarily involving hazing and substance abuse related tragedies. I am primarily working on behalf of plaintiffs, but have represented a national fraternity, and two individual defendants.

I am an “anti-hazing and risk management Specialist”. I was the Executive Director of Delta Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity for over 29 years. In such role, I became familiar with just about all conduct by undergraduate young men...

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...

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...

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

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,...

Sandra is the founder of Kas-Mikha Legal Group PLLC in Southfield, Michigan. She received her Juris Doctorate from University of Detroit Mercy and her Bachelor’s in Communication and Media Studies from Wayne State University. Specializing in personal injury and family law, Sandra works with vulnerable clients on a daily basis. As an attorney and counselor at law, Sandra epitomizes her role as a counselor by empathizing with fragile clients and minimizing their worries. Sandra’s top priority is always client satisfaction. She tirelessly negotiates with opposing counsel to ensure the best possible outcome for all of her clients. She also understands how...

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...

Michael R. Shaffer earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1995 from Michigan State University. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1999 from Wayne State University Law School. Shaffer joined Buckfire Law in September 2022 with extensive experience in Michigan’s No-Fault Law and auto accident litigation. Prior to joining Buckfire Law, he worked for 17 years for a well-known plaintiff firm specializing in auto law. Shaffer’s primary focus will be on first-party automotive claims, third-party auto negligence, and motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents. He also handles other personal injury claims including dog attacks, slip and falls, and wrongful death lawsuits.

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....

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.

Michael Bonvolanta earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 2011 from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 2015 from the University of Detroit – Mercy School of Law where he graduated magna cum laude. He was admitted to the Frank Murphy Honor Society and served as a member of UDM’s Moot Court Board of Advocates. Bonvolanta is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Michigan, the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, and the United States District Court for...

A third-generation plaintiff attorney, Kimberly Steinberg Goodman has provided injured persons incomparable assistance since her admission to the State Bar of Michigan. From the initial interview through the appellate process, Kimberly devotes the utmost care and attention to every case in order to get the most favorable result for her clients. Kimberly earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History of Art from the University of Michigan in 1992 and entered the workforce for several years before earning her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit School of Law in 1997. Since then, Kimberly has litigated in state, federal, and...

Sarah Gorski earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 2005 from Eastern Michigan University. She earned her Juris Doctor degree in 2017 from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity, and Chair of the Mock Trial Board. Gorski focuses primarily on first-party automobile claims, third-party auto negligence, motorcycle and bicycle accidents. She also handles other personal injury claims, including slip and falls, dog bites, and wrongful death lawsuits.

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.

Nicolas A. Vesprini earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 2000 from Oakland University. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 2003 from the University of Detroit – Mercy School of Law where he served as the Executive Director of Moot Court Board, represented the law school in national moot court competition, and was an active member of the Student Bar Association Board of Governors, and a Book Award recipient. Nicolas is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Michigan, and the United States District Court for...

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...

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...

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.

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...

Andrea has over a decade of courtroom experience in civil, criminal, family law, and juvenile matters. She devoted a significant portion of her caseload to tackling family law matters, helping her clients face the complex family court systems and working hard to resolve their family issues. She understands that family law matters are emotional and often stressful. Her goal is always to provide compassionate, caring representation that keeps in mind her clients’ best interests. Through her dedicated advocacy, she gives her client a voice and makes sure their side of the story is hear through the legal system.

Mr. Wright is general counsel to numerous corporations both in the United States and abroad, advising senior management regarding general corporate affairs, finance, business planning and the resolution of business disputes.
Mr. Wright is often called upon to negotiate complex business and legal issues, including the purchase or sale of a client company or its assets, and the resolution of contentious disputes between clients and suppliers, competitors, or government regulators. Mr. Wright frequently lectures to lawyers and business executives on the topics of international business transactions, enforcement of commercial agreements, and business financing.
Mr. Wright is a member of the American Bar...

Laura L. Sheets is an associate with Liddle & Dubin, P.C. Ms. Sheets believed that a law degree would be a tremendous tool to help people. She wanted to use that tool to make a positive impact in people’s lives and in their communities. She has fulfilled that goal working for Liddle & Dubin, P.C. Ms. Sheets has been with LD for more than a decade and has devoted the bulk of her practice to helping people who have been damaged by catastrophic sewage backups or who have suffered because of a neighboring corporate polluter. ...

When you come to The Law Offices of Stuart Lee Sherman, you can have confidence that your case can receive the help you need from an estate planning lawyer in Oakland County. Attorney Sherman has earned his highly-respected reputation, and he is ready to stand beside you and support you today. He attended Indiana University in Bloomington, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree. From there, he went on to earn his Juris Doctorate at Wayne State University, before continuing on in his education and receiving his LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law. Attorney Sherman has a...