Chambers USA 2012 Recognizes Warner Norcross as Leading Michigan Law Firm

courtesy of Sabo Public Relations – March 1, 2012

For the 10th consecutive year, Warner Norcross & Judd LLP has been recognized as one of the leading law firms in Michigan by Chambers USA 2012.

Warner Norcross was ranked as one of Michigan’s leading law firms in the areas of banking and finance, corporate, mergers and acquisitions, employee benefits and executive compensation, and commercial litigation. Additionally, 10 attorneys were recognized individually for their work in the above areas, as well as bankruptcy.

The 10 attorneys are:

  • James H. Breay, chair of the Firm’s Commercial Finance Practice Group, who was recognized for his knowledge of banking regulatory matters.
  • Douglas A. Dozeman, who was recognized for his work in commercial litigation.
  • Richard A. Kay, who was acknowledged for his experience in commercial litigation.
  • Anthony J. Kolenic, Jr., chair of the Firm’s Employee Benefits Group, who was acknowledged for his experience in employee benefits and executive compensation law.
  • Mary Jo Larson, who was recognized for her experience in employee benefits and executive compensation law.
  • John H. McKendry, Jr., who was acknowledged for his work in employee benefits law and his expertise with pension plans.
  • Robert H. Skilton III, who was acknowledged for his work in the area of bankruptcy law.
  • George L. Whitfield, who was recognized for his employee benefits and executive compensation expertise.
  • Lisa B. Zimmer, who was recognized for her experience in employee benefits and executive compensation law.
  • Stephen C. Waterbury, who was acknowledged for his expertise in corporate law and mergers and acquisitions.

Chambers USA is published annually by London-based Chambers and Partners and highlights top firms and attorneys in each state.

Experienced Federal, U.S. Marine Corps Attorney Joins Warner Norcross

The law firm of Warner Norcross & Judd LLP has welcomed Brian P. Lennon as a new attorney.  

Lennon brings more than 17 years of experience with the federal and U.S. Marine Corps courts to his new role as senior counsel in the firm’s Criminal Defense Practice.  Warner’s compliance and criminal defense practice team provides a wide array of pre-charge, preventative services, such as internal investigations and compliance audits, and also defends individuals and companies in state and federal court criminal prosecutions and on appeal.  He will practice in the firm’s Grand Rapids office.

Prior to joining Warner Norcross, Lennon served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan.  During his 13-year tenure, he served as lead prosecutor for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, holding the district record for the most convictions in a single year.   In this role, he successfully prosecuted hundreds of defendants for various felony violations, including murder, bank robbery, firearms, racketeering and money laundering. Lennon also served as deputy criminal chief for four years.

He has also served as trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. and as a special assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia.

Lennon began his legal career after training as a Marine.  He spent four years in the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate in at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Va., serving first as a civil law officer and later as trial counsel.

Lennon received his undergraduate degree in government from Harvard College and his doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Notre Dame Law School.

A native of South Bend, Ind., Lennon currently resides in Grand Rapids with his wife, Susan, and their four children.

Metro Health Hospital Foundation Launches School Challenge to Fund for Student-Athlete Heart Screenings

courtesy of Sabo Public Relations – February 29, 2012

The Metro Health Hospital Foundation and 103.5 FM are launching a high school challenge to raise funds to provide free heart screenings for student athletes in the community.

Schools in the greater Grand Rapids area will compete with one another in the “King of Hearts Challenge” to raise money for community heart screenings for student athletes. Schools are encouraged to register for the challenge and the public is invited to attend the special kick-off party being held on Wednesday, Feb. 29, at the Metro Health café at 2 p.m.  Jared Veldheer, an offensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders and graduate of Forest Hills Northern High School, will join Metro Health for the party. Continue reading

Warner Norcross Elects Three Members to Management Committee

Courtesy of Sabo Publications – February 28, 2012

The law firm of Warner Norcross & Judd LLP has elected three partners to serve on its Management Committee.

Susan Gell Meyers and Stephen C. Waterbury will each serve three-year terms on the law firm’s 10-member Management Committee.  Jonathan P. Kok, who was completing a one-year term on the committee, was elected to serve a three-year term.

The committee, which is chaired by Managing Partner Douglas E. Wagner, is responsible for the strategic vision and the day-to-day operations of Warner Norcross, the largest law firm in West Michigan and one of the largest in the state.

Jon Kok focuses his practice in labor relations, employment compliance and employment arbitration issues.  He also concentrates on employment litigation, including discrimination, retaliation, defamation, wage and hour claims and related issues.  He is recognized as a Rising Star by Michigan Super Lawyer.

Susie Meyers focuses her practice on sophisticated estate and tax planning for individuals, business owners and other professionals.  She chairs the firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group.  She is recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers andBest Lawyers in America.

Steve Waterbury concentrates his practice in general and business law, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions.  He serves as counsel to many leading Michigan businesses, including publicly traded companies and privately held, multi-generational family-owned businesses.  He is recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA America’s Leading Business Lawyers.

About Warner Norcross & Judd

Warner Norcross & Judd is a corporate law firm with 220 attorneys practicing in six offices throughout Michigan: Grand Rapids, Holland, Lansing, Muskegon, Southfield and Sterling Heights. By providing discerning and proactive legal advice, Warner Norcross & Judd forges a better partnership with its clients. To learn more, visit www.wnj.com.

Ferris State University to Renovate Space at Grand Rapids Community College for Medical Program

Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan, approved a $1.4 million project to renovate space at the Grand Rapids Community College to house its new medical program.   

The renovation project is set to begin in May and should allow for use of the space with the beginning of the Fall programs.