Howell Lawyers

PRACTICE OF BANKRUPTCY LAW SINCE 1992. Martindale-Hubbell “BV” rated. 2008 Macomb County Bar Association Pro Bono Services Award. 2008 Speaker, “Legal Forum For Seniors” Macomb Bar Association, June 5, 2008. Continuing Legal Education 2015- ABI Consumer Bankruptcy Conference (November 11, 2015). 2015-State Bar of Michigan Social Security Law Seminar (October 2, 2015). 2014-ABI Consumer Bankruptcy Conference (November 11, 2014). 2014- State Bar of Michigan Social Security Law Seminar (October 3, 2014). 2013-ABI Consumer Bankruptcy Conference (November 11, 2013). 2013- State Bar of Michigan Social Security Law Seminar (October 18, 2013)....

Matthew Ferri, J.D., M.B.A., is a Michigan estate planning attorney. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Life Care Planning Law Firms Association, ElderCounsel, WealthCounsel, the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, the Michigan Forum of Estate Planners, the Italian American Bar Association of Michigan, and the Purposeful Planning Institute. Mr. Ferri holds U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Accreditation. His practice focus and expertise includes: advanced estate planning, Medicaid planning, elder law, special needs planning, Veterans benefits planning, business formation, and business succession planning. He is the author of Keeping Control, a Game Plan to Protect Your...

Sufen Hilf (Li) is a highly respected immigration attorney, with extensive experience in the areas of: business immigration; family immigration; naturalization; asylum applications and removal (deportation) proceedings. She is an active member of the Michigan chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and is licensed to practice in the State of Michigan, Federal District Court, and Immigration Court. As a former native of mainland China, she fluently speaks mandarin Chinese. “I am especially sensitive to the needs of my clients, because I immigrated to the country in 1988, and "became a United States citizen in 2000". I take pride in...

Joseph Brugnoli has always been driven to defend and protect; first by serving in the in the Army in the 75th Ranger Regiment then as a police officer. Becoming an attorney felt like the natural progression for his future and he found that his law enforcement background served as an invaluable asset to his clients. His time in the Army paired with almost 11 years as a police officer has put him through just about every type of intense situation and taught him how to come out ahead. Battle tested and razor sharp, Joseph Brugnoli’s unique background allows him to...

I enjoy the interaction with people where I can explain something that may seem complex in a way that helps them understand. As a former teacher, I do enjoy those ah-ha moments where things click. I enjoy talking with clients and getting to know them and their situation, so that I can find the best possible solutions for their needs. I believe that effective estate planning is a critical component of my client’s life planning. I believe that family fights over inheritance are unnecessary and wasteful. Families achieve better outcomes through planning rather than fighting. While it is...

Elizabeth Abdnour is an attorney and partner at Abdnour Weiker LLP fighting for fair and equitable treatment at school and in the workplace. Liz is an experienced, compassionate, and client-centered attorney and advocate who has committed her career to working towards justice and equality for all people. Liz's legal expertise includes special education, school discipline, Title IX, civil rights, disability, employment, and sexual and domestic violence. ? For the first eight years of her career, Liz worked as a legal services attorney, representing low-income individuals in a variety of civil legal matters. Liz spent two years as the supervising attorney of a...

Tax resolution is all that I and my Ayar Law attorneys do. My expertise is not only in dealing with the tax code, but in favorably resolving Federal and State tax problems. I know the procedural rules inside and out, and I know how things actually work at the IRS, so I can get things done. From disputes in audit, to appeals, tax dept relief to unfiled tax returns, foreign bank accounts to criminal tax defense, and unpaid payroll taxes; I and my firm have saved clients millions of dollars in penalties and debts and prevented hundreds of threatened levies and...

ANDREW B. WACHLER is the principal of WACHLER & ASSOCIATES, P.C. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Michigan in 1974 and was the recipient of the William J. Branstom Award. He graduated Cum Laude from Wayne State University Law School in 1978. He was admitted to the Michigan Bar and the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan in 1978. Mr. Wachler is a member of the American Bar Association Health Law Section through which he served on the HIPAA Task Force, the Programs Committee, and the editorial board of The Health Lawyer publication. Mr....

After graduating law school, I went to work for the Wayne County (Detroit) Public Defenders' Office. I tried every imaginable case: murder, carjacking, armed robbery, assault cases, theft cases, a disinterment case (!)--all with not guilty verdicts each time. Naturally, I negotiated many plea agreements with the prosecutors' office and the Court. These plea agreements were outstanding. My clients are set apart. I work with them on their cases, I work with them on their personal matters and I give them my devoted time.
Now, after over 25 years of criminal defense practice, I have...

A staunch champion of injury victims throughout her career, Kira Damusis has a wealth of pre-litigation and litigation experience which she gained working as an attorney at a number of Detroit area law firms before joining The Smith Law Offices, where she has brought her expertise in handling automobile accidents, premises liability, dog bites, and has further expanded into family law, bankruptcy, debt negotiation and collections.

Kira first entered the world of personal injury practice before becoming licensed to practice working as a law clerk while she studied for the Michigan State Bar Exam. With both personal and professional experience of...

Nicholas Leydorf is a graduate of Michigan State University and The Catholic University of America: Columbus School of Law. Nicholas has extensive experience in all types of criminal defense cases, including high profile criminal cases. He enjoys spending time with his family and has previously served the East Lansing Rotary Club as a board member.

Meghan Kennedy Riordan has 25 years of experience in all aspects of immigration law. She has extensive experience in both employment-based and family related immigration law, issues of inadmissibility and removability, and naturalization/citizenship, as well as inbound/outbound corporate migration, immigration-related audits and I-9 compliance.

Ramona Howard was born and raised in the Metro Detroit area. She earned both her undergraduate and law degrees from Wayne State University. After earning her Juris Doctor, she began her legal career working for a small personal injury firm, and it was there that she cultivated her interest in medical malpractice litigation.

With the exception of a year spent working in the Pre-Hearing division of the Michigan Court of Appeals, Ramona has dedicated her entire legal career representing clients with medical malpractice and personal injury claims at both the trial and at the appellate levels.

Evan Ficaj (pronounced Fitz–Eye) is a skilled attorney who deeply understands the dreams and hurdles encountered by artists, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. With extensive experience in business and corporate law, contracts, entertainment, finance, estate planning, technology, public relations, and management, Evan is a formidable ally for those prepared to make a substantial impact. Before establishing the Evan Ficaj Law Firm, Evan held the position of Attorney Advisor at the US Small Business Administration. He advised over 4,000 small business loans spanning all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, and Guam. His proficiency in business and corporate law, loan compliance, and closing...

Tad Roumayah focuses his practice primarily on employment litigation, representing employees who have encountered discrimination and retaliation, including violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Family Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, wrongful discharge, whistleblower protection claims, wage and hour violations and other employment issues and disputes. Additionally, he represents people and businesses involved in contract disputes and business torts, and advises companies on their human resource policies, procedures, and other employment-related matters.

Tad has been successful in litigating employment cases in both state and federal court. That said, he also appreciates that...

My mission is to assist clients in making informed and educated decisions with no false representation, and to provide realistic expectations for their outcomes. Over the course of the last several years, I have represented thousands of clients, handled multi-million dollar trusts, and provided pro-bono work for select local residents in need.

Attorney David J. Kramer has represented thousands of clients facing criminal charges in both State and Federal Court in the State of Michigan since 1992. An aggressive, highly motivated lawyer, Attorney David J. Kramer works diligently to get the best results for his clients.

Since graduating from The University of Texas School of Law, one of the nation’s top law schools, Liisa Speaker has become well known for her excellent written and oral advocacy. Her appellate skills have helped clients obtain victories in appeals ranging from custody disputes to no-fault automobile insurance litigation to real property case and to probate appeals. Liisa Speaker is an attorney who practices exclusively in the field of appeals, she opened Speaker Law Firm in 2007. She has focused her appellate practice on family law, adoption, and child welfare cases. Liisa has represented clients in the Michigan Court of Appeals...

Phil was admitted to practice law in 1991 and he is now in his 28th year as an attorney. Phil is one of the founding partners of Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz and Associates, P.C. and he focuses his practice in the areas of personal injury, automobile accident claims, no-fault claims also known as personal injury protection benefits, third party automobile negligence claims, slip and fall injuries, motorcycle injuries, trucking accidents and general civil litigation. Phil grew up in St. Clair Shores and Royal Oak and he has been fortunate to return to Macomb County to practice law.

From 1995 to present, Phil...

Scott M. Neuman is an aggressive, experienced attorney with offices in the Lansing and Detroit Areas. He has been helping people in Michigan for over 20 years and has handled over 4,000 cases. You can reach him by calling 517-349-2700 or 1-888-684-3999, by email at xneumanx@aol.com, or via our contact form.

Marc E. Lipton earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan., graduating with high distinction. from the University of Michigan. He went to Harvard Law School where he received his Juris Doctor and graduated Cum Laude. Marc is the longest-serving current member of Lipton Law. He was admitted to the Michigan State Bar in 1990 and joined his father’s firm the same year. He began serving as a managing partner as well as handling complex litigation. Marc focuses his practice on complex catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. He has been the lead counsel on many cases resulting in multi-million-dollar...

I am a Partner at Hertz Schram PC specializing in civil litigation and appeals.

Rich is a Founding Member of Foley, Baron, Metzger, & Juip PLLC. He has a national civil litigation practice with special emphasis on environmental litigation, products liability and chemical exposure matters. He has considerable experience in spill response and forensic analysis at historical sites of contamination. His experience also includes property transactions including environmental due diligence, hazardous waste, CERCLA and RCRA issues, and Michigan’s Natural Resources Environmental Protection Act (NREPA). Rich’s extensive practice also includes business issues and commercial litigation, construction law, mass torts, product liability, aviation law and due diligence and regulatory work on cannabis licensing

After practicing law...

Ben’s practice focuses on environmental, toxic tort, mass tort and products liability litigation, permitting and compliance with environmental regulations, assisting with chemical release response and cleanup and defending and resolving actual or potential regulatory violations. He also has experience defending against personal injury lawsuits, class action lawsuits relating to alleged nuisance odors, particulate matter and groundwater and soil contamination. Ben’s extensive practice also includes business issues and commercial litigation. He has assisted clients in their efforts to obtain environmental permits, resolving permit violations, and litigating denied permits under Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA). He also has considerable...

Jason Thompson represents clients in class action and multidistrict litigation (MDL) involving consumer protection, employment rights, and mass tort cases in federal and state courts throughout the United States. His clients include individuals as well as municipalities, healthcare plans, and unions.

Over the past 23 years, Jason has been recognized for his excellence as a trial lawyer, including selection by his peers as a Super LawyerTM, board certification by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and an AV Preeminent Lawyer rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Jason has been appointed as class counsel and in MDL leadership positions in cases involving antitrust, overtime pay,...

Ronald W. Chapman is the owner of Chapman Law Group and has been practicing law for over 25 years in Michigan and Florida. He is AV® Rated. Ron is a recognized leader in the legal community and a frequent speaker in the area of medical malpractice and risk management. In 1997 Ron was ranked as one of the top ten speakers for Skillpath, Inc. Ron graduated from California State University, Sacramento (BA, Cum Laude 1979), University of Southern California School of Administration (MPA 1980) and Wayne State Law School (JD 1984). After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the United States Air...

Melvin J. Babi serves as the managing partner of Babi Legal Group, P.L.L.C. where he serves as managing partner of Babi Legal Group, P.L.L.C., a respected general practice law firm in Novi, Michigan. In his private practice, Mr. Babi advises consumers and small businesses in areas including bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, debt-resolution, real estate law, business law, corporate law, contract drafting and negotiating and criminal and civil litigation. Mr. Babi has assisted thousands of clients in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases, saving their homes, vehicles and other assets with strategic bankruptcy planning. He has also saved his clients...

Attorney Robert Bishop has been a licensed attorney and a member of the State Bar of Michigan since 2003. He has practiced exclusively in the area of consumer bankruptcy law. Robert has also managed bankruptcy operations at two of the largest financial services companies involved in debt purchase and collection. He graduated with Honor from Michigan State University in 1999 with a degree in Supply Chain Management. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Michigan State University Law School in 2003, graduating Cum Laude. Robert has attended the following seminars: Consumer Bankruptcy Association Seminar 2003, New Bankruptcy...

As founder and lead partner of The Liblang Law Firm, P.C., Dani K. Liblang is committed to representing clients in Birmingham, Michigan, and the surrounding areas. She focuses her practice on cases involving personal injury, lemon laws and collection harassment. Ms. Liblang also handles matters concerning credit issues, fraud, misrepresentation, special research, brief writing and alternative dispute resolution.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts with honors in psychology from Oakland University, Ms. Liblang went on to graduate cum laude with a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 1981.

With more than 30 years of experience, Ms....

Ann Arbor divorce attorney Lana Panagoulia serves several counties in Michigan including: Washtenaw, Lenawee, Oakland, Monroe, Livingston, Jackson, Genesee, Ingham and Macomb Counties. Working in the courts and schools, Lana is an experienced divorce and family lawyer and is dedicated to providing top divorce and family law representation. Lana Panagoulia serves individuals, families, and children in all family law matters, including divorce, child custody, alimony, child support, guardianship, same-gender legal matters, and property division. Although she has a full-service law firm, she concentrates her practice in the area of domestic relations matters. Lana has a teaching background with a...

When facing a federal criminal indictment Ronald W. Chapman II is a trusted name in Federal Defendants. He's a seasoned attorney with an unmatched record of securing acquittals in high-profile cases. With over 15 years of experience, Ron has solidified his position as a leader in federal criminal defense, specializing in white-collar crime, health care fraud, and opioid prescribing prosecutions. Renowned for his expertise, Ron frequently shares his insights on esteemed national television stations like Fox News, BBC World, and Scripps News, offering his analysis on the latest developments in federal criminal cases. Ron's accomplishments extend far beyond the courtroom. Having successfully...

Patrick Derkacz grew up in Warren, Michigan where he attended public school. He graduated from Warren Mott High school in 1984 where he played football. He then went to Eastern Michigan University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry in 1988. After graduation he worked as an analytical chemist for the Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical Research Division in Ann Arbor, Michigan for several years.

Mr. Derkacz went back to law school at the Detroit College of Law (now Michigan State University Law School) in 1990. He graduated from DCL with Honors in 1993. While in Law School he participated in the...

William Weise brings with him a history of getting exceptional results with criminal defense charges and experience handling major cases such as homicides and felony violent crimes. He also has familiarity with innovative defense and trial techniques stemming from evidence related to latent fingerprints, cellular triangulation and other tracking technologies. Bill Weise uses aggressive and creative defense strategies to give his clients the edge on getting the best possible results in all types of criminal cases including violent crimes, DUI defense, sex crimes and drug charges. Changes to the medical marijuana laws involving acceptable amounts of the drug to be...

Born in Detroit, Michigan in the 60's. My parents taught me the value of a strong work ethic, humility, gratitude and family. I love learning and am fascinated with the intersection of law, psychology, medicine and justice. I love to cook, sail, travel, ski and laugh. I am a hockey-softball-baseball mom, and a mentor to as many young lawyers as ask. I enjoy teaching and making a difference. Do one thing every day that makes you smile. I do.

Robert J. Lantzy received his undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University in 1993 and graduated cum laude from Michigan State University College of Law in 1997. Mr. Lantzy is an experienced trial attorney and has concentrated his practice in several areas of civil litigation, including lead paint exposure, trucking accident cases, premises liability cases, and wrongful death lawsuits. Robert is licensed to practice law in Michigan and Ohio. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Michigan Association for Justice, and the Macomb County Bar Association.

Sean is currently the founder of the Murphy Law Firm PLC. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Sean was named a Super Lawyers' Rising Star every year since 2019, and he was named a DBusiness Top Lawyer in 2019 and 2022. Sean graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and Business Administration. After Western Michigan, Sean went on to graduate from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, graduating summa cum laude and first in his class....

Steve Reina was raised in a City of Detroit family short on money but long on faith: faith that hard work does pay off, faith that when people do things for the best of reasons, they get the best results and perhaps most importantly that we speak mostly truly when we speak through actions. Our ultimate signature in life is what we do. What Steve Reina did was graduate with honors from High School a year early. What Steve did achieve was an undergraduate degree with honors where he also served as Honors Student President. What Steve did achieve was...

Tom Ludden is the head of the Appellate Law Practice group at Lipson Neilson P.C. He regularly argues before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Michigan Court of Appeals and has also appeared in the United States and Michigan Supreme Courts. Mr. Ludden has been counsel of record in published decisions resolving issues related to due process, medical and legal malpractice, defamation, class action certification, judicial ethics, the priority of interests in real property, estate planning and the statute of limitations.

Matt Klakulak clerked for Justice Marilyn Kelly of the Michigan Supreme Court his first year out of law school and shortly thereafter joined Robert Harrison & Associates, PLC, where he remained for 10 years. More than half that firm’s practice was criminal defense, and he had the opportunity to work on some very high profile cases as well as practice in the areas of personal injury, employment and appellate law, among others.

Research and writing has always been a point of strength and passion in Matt Klakulak's practice of law. He joined the Fieger Firm in 2011 to focus his efforts...