Spots aired during January 2016 on WJR-AM radio and WJR.com streaming radio.

1. Radio Spot Targeting General Business

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Patent Attorney Stefan D. Osterbur Joins IP Law Firm Reising Ethington, P.C.

December 7, 2015 – Intellectual property law firm Reising Ethington P.C. announced that attorney Stefan D. Osterbur has joined the firm as Of Counsel. Osterbur comes to Reising Ethington from Fishman Stewart Yamaguchi PLLC (formerly Rader, Fishman, & Grauer PLLC) where he was a Partner and had worked for over nine years.

Mike Adams, a member of Reising’s management committee, is pleased to welcome Stefan aboard: “We are very excited that Stefan has chosen to join Reising Ethington. His experience representing global corporations in patent-related matters will be a great addition and a great fit to what we believe is already a world-class team of Intellectual Property attorneys.”

Osterbur’s practice is primarily directed to domestic and foreign patent prosecution, preparation of legal opinions concerning patent infringement and validity issues, trade secrets, and intellectual property litigation. He has counseled clients on a wide variety of intellectual property matters, including patent portfolio management, infringement and clearance issues, and intellectual property transactions.His expertise includes a variety of mechanical and electrical technologies including engine components, industrial and marine power generation systems, medical devices, robotics, telecommunications, alternative fuels, information technology and networking, garment fabrication and decoration systems, vehicle reinforcement components, and manufacturing.

Osterbur earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Kettering University in Flint, MI (formerly GMI), and a his law degree from Wayne State University Law School, cum laude.

About Reising Ethington
Since its founding in 1865, the firm has specialized solely in the practice of intellectual property law, including the prosecution and litigation of patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Please visit www.reising.com to learn more about the firm and its attorneys.

Contact: Corey Beaubien, Reising Ethington Shareholder
Phone: 248-689-3500, Email: beaubien@reising.com

Attorney John Fyke Joins Lipson Neilson’s Phoenix Office

The Lipson Neilson law firm’s Phoenix office has expanded its Real Estate and Professional Liability Defense litigation teams with the addition of attorney John F. Fyke. An experienced litigator, John has successfully represented real estate agents and brokers, architects, engineers, appraisers and lawyers in professional liability cases. His real estate practice includes commercial litigation and transactions as well as representing homeowner associations and condominium associations. In addition to his practice, John is an adjunct professor with Arizona Summit Law School. John also brings over a decade of practical business experience primarily with a national media company.

About Lipson Neilson
Founded in 1985, Lipson, Neilson, Cole, Seltzer, Garin, P.C. has offices in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Bloomfield Hills and Grand Rapids. The firm is widely known for its excellence in the professional liability lines, offering invaluable insight and experience to its clients across all industries. The firm represents clients in Arizona, across the USA, and around the world. You can learn more at www.lipsonneilson.com.

Contact: Dax Watson – Lipson, Neilson, Cole, Seltzer, Garin, P.C.
Phone: 602-626-8888, Email: DWatson@lipsonneilson.com

Former Bar Counsel for the State Bar of Nevada Joins Lipson Neilson Las Vegas Office as Of Counsel

Former Bar Counsel for the State Bar of Nevada, David A. Clark, has joined the Las Vegas office of Lipson, Neilson, Cole, Seltzer, Garin, P.C. as Of Counsel. He brings comprehensive knowledge and experience in attorney regulation to the practice areas of Professional Liability, Attorney Discipline, and Commercial Litigation. His position with the firm started August 17, 2105.

For 15 years, Mr. Clark was a prosecutor in the Office of Bar Counsel, culminating in five years as Chief Discipline Counsel for the State Bar. This service followed 10 years of private practice in California and Nevada in personal injury and commercial litigation, and included first-chair jury and bench trials in state and federal court.

At the State Bar, Mr. Clark prosecuted personally more than a thousand attorney grievances from investigation through trial and appeal, along with direct petitions to the Supreme Court for emergency suspensions and reciprocal discipline. Two of his cases resulted in reported decisions, In re Discipline of Droz, 123 Nev. 163, 160 P.3d 881 (2007) and In re Discipline of Lerner, 124 Nev. 1232, 197 P.3d 1067 (2008).

In addition, Mr. Clark obtained several injunctions and contempt orders in state court against parties engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. He also successfully defended the State Bar in federal court in Nevada and California against actions arising from State Bar prosecutions.

“We’re very excited that David has joined the firm. His experience will be a great addition to what we believe is already an excellent team of professional liability defense and commercial litigation lawyers. I think his decision to join Lipson Neilson is a good indication of our reputation and our work,” said Joe Garin, Managing Partner of the firm’s Las Vegas office.

Mr. Clark established the training regimen and content for members of the Southern and Northern Disciplinary Boards, which hears discipline prosecutions. He proposed and obtained numerous rule changes to Nevada Rules of Professional Conduct and the Supreme Court Rules governing attorney discipline. He drafted the first-ever Disciplinary Rules of Procedure that were adopted by a task force and the Board of Governors in July 2014.

Aside from prosecuting attorney discipline at the State Bar, Mr. Clark also served as General Counsel (3 years) to the Board of Governors and Acting Director of Admissions for the July 2010 bar exam.

Mr. Clark has presented countless CLE-accredited seminars on all aspects of attorney ethics for the State Bar of Nevada, the Clark County Bar Assn., as well as the National Organization of Bar Counsel (NOBC) and the National Assn. of Bar Executives (NABE). He has spoken on ethics and attorney discipline before chapters of paralegal groups and SIU fraud investigators, as well as in-house for the Nevada Attorney General’s office and the Clark County District Attorney. He has written articles in Nevada Lawyer and appeared on television and radio regarding ethics and the unauthorized practice of law.

Mr. Clark received his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles following a B.S. in Political Science from Claremont McKenna College. He is admitted in Nevada and California (inactive), the District of Nevada, the Central District of California, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

He has been a volunteer judge at the local, state, and national levels for the We The People program, a civics competition for elementary and high school students. He is a 19-year member of the Howard D. McKibben Inn of Court in Las Vegas. Since 2004, he has taught paralegal ethics and legal research as an adjunct instructor at College of Southern Nevada, where he also serves on the Paralegal Studies Advisory Board. For 20 years Mr. Clark was a Board Trustee of Nevada Treatment Center, at one time the largest non-profit drug and alcohol treatment program in Nevada, until its closure in 2013.

To learn more about Lipson, Neilson, Cole, Seltzer & Garin, P.C. please visit www.lipsonneilson.com, or contact Joe Garin, Managing Partner, Lipson Neilson Las Vegas: Ph. 702-382-1500, email: jgarin@lipsonneilson.com

Reising Ethington Celebrates 150 Years of Intellectual Property Law

In 1865, when Col. Thomas S. Sprague opened his patent practice in Detroit, he could not have imagined that what he was establishing would someday grow to a firm representing inventive geniuses like Ransom E. Olds (Oldsmobile), David D. Buick, the Fisher brothers, Elijah J. McCoy (the “real McCoy”), and Michael J. Owens (Owens-Illinois); as well as global clients that include automotive manufacturers and suppliers, medical technology companies, aerospace companies, universities, hospitals, makers of manufacturing equipment, and consumer product companies.

Today, Reising Ethington works with clients in a broad range of technologies including mechanical, electrical, chemical, materials, computer science, and software and business methods. Its attorneys are casebook authors, adjunct professors, article writers, and speakers — leaders in intellectual property law.

According to Reising Ethington Shareholder Jim Stevens,

“We are proud of our history and continue to operate the firm based on the core values that have served us well for a century-and-a-half: client service, expertise across all aspects of intellectual property law, and taking care of our attorneys and staff. Our clients’ technologies are advancing faster than ever and an important part of our job is to know their products, emerging technologies, and business objectives so that we can secure intellectual property rights for clients that consistently meet or exceed their expectations.”

Since its founding in 1865, the firm has specialized solely in the practice of intellectual property law, including the prosecution and litigation of patents, trademarks, and copyrights. Other areas of specialization include managing global patent portfolios, trade secrets, licensing, and unfair competition matters. Please visit www.reising.com to learn more about the firm and its attorneys.

Contact:
Corey Beaubien, Reising Ethington Shareholder
Phone: 248-689-3500, Email: beaubien@reising.com

Michigan Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on Two Medical Malpractice Cases That May Impact All Cases

On May 5, the Michigan Supreme Court held oral argument in Tyra v Organ Procurement Agency of Michigan (Docket Nos. 148079 & 148087) and Furr v McLeod (Docket No, 149344, two medical malpractice case whose resolution will affect how medical malpractice cases are handled in Michigan and could affect how attorneys in all civil cases and probate court litigation raise claims and defenses.

Attorneys C. Thomas Ludden and Karen Smyth, of the Lipson, Neilson, Cole, Seltzer, Garin, P.C. appeared on behalf of one of the Defendant-Appellants in Tyra, to argue that the Michigan Supreme Court should find that the failure of a plaintiff to abide by the statutorily mandated waiting period prevents them from commencing a medical malpractice lawsuit. As a result, the Supreme Court should find that all of the claims in Tyra are now barred by the statute of limitations.

Additionally, Tyra raises the question of how factually specific affirmative defenses and other pleadings must be under the Michigan Court Rules and what the proper court remedy should be if a party does not believe that a party has filed factually sufficient pleadings. This ruling could govern how factually specific complaint and other pleading must be. A decision in this matter is expected by July 31, 2015, when the current Michigan Supreme Court term ends. Click here for details and audio recording of Oral Arguments.

About Lipson Neilson
This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Lipson Neilson law firm that continues to expand its national footprint. During the past six months, the firm merged with the Theresa Law Center, opened an office in Phoenix that is staffed with three seasoned Arizona attorneys, added a well-known Of Counsel (attorney Hal Ostrow) in Grand Rapids, and added an Associate in the firm’s Las Vegas office. Headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, the firm also has offices in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Las Vegas and Phoenix. The firm services clients in the U.S. and around the world. For additional information please visit www.lipsonneilson.com

Lipson Neilson Expands into Arizona with New Office in Phoenix

Lipson, Neilson, Cole, Seltzer & Garin, P.C. has opened an office in Phoenix at One E. Camelback Rd., Suite 550, Phoenix, Arizona 85012 (phone: 602-626-8888). The new office will be run by Arizona attorney Dax Watson and will include a team of lawyers who complement Lipson Neilson’s core strengths in professional liability defense, real estate matters, and commercial litigation. In addition to Dax Watson, attorneys Susan Watson and Michael Orcutt will work in this office.

The new Phoenix office enhances Lipson Neilson’s national prominence in the professional liability industry, and the synergy of the firm’s five offices. “We’re very excited that Dax, Susan and Michael have joined the firm. Their experience will be a great addition to what we believe is already a very good team of professional liability defense lawyers. I think their decision to move to Lipson Neilson is a good indication of our reputation and our work,” said Joe Garin, Managing Partner of the firm’s Las Vegas office.

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Lipson Neilson law firm. Now, with offices in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and the firm’s headquarters in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, the firm is more capable than ever to serve clients anywhere in the country.

Colombo & Colombo Celebrates 110 Years

Founded in 1905 by Louis Colombo Sr., a man who achieved prominence in Detroit during an era of towering lawyers and great courtroom oratory, this year marks the 110th anniversary of the Colombo & Colombo law firm. Throughout its history the firm has provided counsel to some of the most well-known names in the country. For example, Henry Ford was so impressed with attorney Louis Colombo Sr. that he wanted to hire him to work at the Ford Motor Company. When Louis Sr. explained that he could not leave his private practice, Henry Ford sent a car to drive him to the Ford Motor Company every afternoon during the week.

During the mid-1940s, Louis Sr.’s son, attorney Fred Colombo, was hired by a group of local auto dealers to handle their labor relations. He created an auto dealership association to facilitate and ease the negotiation process. Soon after, similar associations were created for other car lines. Unbeknownst to Fred, his ideas would help this industry evolve into what it is today, and the firm would become widely known for its expertise in the laws affecting auto dealerships.

In 1995, to help clients compete in a global economy the firm was a founding member of the www.LegusLaw.com. LEGUS International Network of Law Firms. This network currently includes 80 member law firms and helps Colombo attorneys provide effective and efficient client representation anywhere in the world.

More recently, Colombo attorneys assisted numerous auto dealers throughout Michigan in securing the return of their franchises after General Motors and Chrysler initially terminated them as a part of their post-bankruptcy actions.

Last year, the firm launched the first blog ever that is solely dedicated to the legal issues facing dealerships: www.MichiganDealerLaw.com. This blog provides insight for auto dealerships, as well as motorcycle, watercraft, RV, and power sports dealerships.

Colombo attorneys continue to provide counsel and representation to clients with employment and labor issues, EEOC claims, sexual harassment and discrimination issues. They handle corporate and transactional law, dealership and franchise disputes, estate planning and administration, probate, family law and real estate law.

The firm’s clients include auto dealers and related associations, pension associations, employee benefit trusts, manufacturers, construction contractors, profit and non-profit corporations, public and private employers, manufacturer’s representatives, individuals, and many others.

To find out more about the firm, please visit www.colombopc.com, or call Managing Partner Michael O’Shaughnessy at 248-645-9300.

Leading Special Needs Planning & Elder Care Law Firm, Theresa Law Center, Merges With Lipson Neilson

The Theresa Law Center, a well-known elder law, special needs advocacy and estate planning law firm, is pleased to announce that they have merged with Lipson, Neilson, Cole, Seltzer & Garin, P.C. “This merger is a result of the shared approach to business practiced at both firms by highly motivated attorneys with extensive experience serving clients and their families. Our mission is to be the preeminent Estate and Special Needs Planning, Elder Care and Probate law practice in Michigan. The merger creates a practice team that is unrivaled in experience and expertise in these very specialized areas of the law.” said Theresa Law Center founder Mary T. Schmitt Smith.

Steven Malach, leader of the Estate Planning and Probate law practice at Lipson Neilson and founder of the Center for Estate Planning said, “We are confident this merger will benefit clients of both firms, and the synergy will help attract new clients. Mary is known nationwide for her expertise and her commitment to our profession. She is Michigan’s first Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA), and she actually invented a concept called the Interceptor Trust to protect assets of individuals with disabilities. This concept became so popular that the U.S. Congress adopted it as federal law, and these trusts are now used by attorneys throughout the USA to protect the assets of people with special needs. These are just a couple examples of why we are excited to be working alongside Mary and the staff of Theresa Law Center.”

About the Theresa Law Center
Mary T. Schmitt Smith established the Theresa Law Center, PC to continue over a twenty plus year tradition of providing legal advocacy for clients with a passion for protection. The Center advises clients about estate planning, tax and probate options, with a distinct focus on drafting and administration of Special Needs Trusts. Mary has maintained an AV-rating by Martindale Hubbell every year since 1999. She has served on the Board of Directors of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, (NAELA) and was recognized as a Fellow in the Academy in 2003. Also during 2003, she became the 9th recipient of the national Theresa Foundation Award, in recognition of her community service for people with disabilities. Mary is a charter member of the Special Needs Alliance, a national network of lawyers dedicated to Disability and Public Benefits Law; www.specialneedsalliance.org.

Mary has presented on probate, tax, estate planning and special needs trust topics for Bar Associations and law schools in Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Texas and New Jersey, as well as the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. She is admitted to practice before the U. S. Tax Court, and the U. S. Court of Appeals (6th Circuit), where she successfully appealed a federal trial court decision interpreting Medicaid law, in favor of a client with a Special Needs Trust in 2005. Mary has been designated as a Super Lawyer for the last 8 years (2007-2014) in Elder Law, Estate Planning & Probate, Trust & Estate Litigation as reported on superlawyers.com. You can learn more about the Theresa Law Center by visiting www.theresalaw.com.

Reising Ethington Attorney Successfully Cancels Trademark Registration in China

Patent attorney Matt Schmidt successfully canceled a trademark registration in China paving the way for the client’s application to register in China. Matt has successfully defeated cancelation proceedings multiple times in several countries. Matt is a Shareholder of Reising Ethington PC, an Intellectual Property firm with offices in Troy, Michigan and Southlake, Texas.

In Today’s Legal Environment Arbitration is Not Always the Low Cost Alternative

By Attorney Michael O’Shaughnessy, Managing Partner at Colombo & Colombo, P.C.

During the past few decades the inclusion of a “Forced Arbitration” clause was commonly recommended for employers to include in their employment contracts. The primary rationale for this was that arbitration is faster and less costly compared to going to court. However, given the changes in arbitration costs and processes during recent years, it might be wise to rethink the automatic inclusion of arbitration clauses in legal contracts. Total costs: The 9 arbitration cases incurred $921,042.22 in total costs and outside counsel fees; an average of $102,338.02 per case. The 10 litigation cases incurred $704,908.20 in total costs and outside counsel fees; an average of $70,490.82 per case ($30,000 less per case vs. arbitration cases.) Click here for full article

The LinkedIn Lawyer

LinkedIn, known as the “professional network”, is reportedly the most popular business social networking site used by attorneys. It is certainly the most important social network you can use today to promote your practice.

The modern day equivalent of both your resume and your rolodex, LinkedIn can showcase your knowledge, skills and accomplishments. More importantly, it connects you with others including potential clients, current clients and potential referral sources.

Surprisingly, most lawyers have barely scratched the surface of both the features and the potential of LinkedIn. Click here for full article.

Joanne Bender Joins 2XL Company as Associate Director of Content Development

Auburn Hills, MI – Sept. 3, 2014 – Joanne Bender, a freelance writer and researcher, has joined the 2XL Company as the Associate Director of Content Development. This new position has been created to support the growing demand by 2XL’s attorney and law firm clients that rely heavily on publishing as a way to demonstrate their authority in a particular category.

“We’re very excited to have Joanne join our Content Development team. She knows how to develop extremely focused content, and the process she uses to research and develop content will apply to any industry or practice area.” said 2XL Company CEO Mike Kneffel. “We’re investing in marketing people and marketing services that will directly help our clients convert targeted prospects into revenue generating clients. I’m very confident that Joanne will be a valuable asset.”

According to a survey of Chief Legal Officers conducted by Altman Weil, Inc., providing timely updates on legal developments via published articles, newsletters, blogs, e-alerts and social media posts are among the most influential ways a lawyer can demonstrate an understanding of an industry. While our clients know publishing articles will help develop new business opportunities, the time and budget it takes to maintain a publishing strategy is not always easy to find.

About the 2XL Company
Founded in 1994, our flagship product The 2XL Program was designed specifically to create individually tailored marketing plans for attorneys. This proprietary marketing program applies the most successful aspects of corporate marketing practices with a thorough understanding of the legal industry. Our focused strategy helps to build, support and sustain new revenue creation for lawyers throughout the firm. We work with individual lawyers to methodically approach the target prospects and convert them into revenue generating clients. The bottom line is that more lawyers become actively involved in the new business process.

Contact:
Mike Kneffel, 2XL Company
Phone: 248-818-0007
Email: mike@2XLcompany.com

Patent Attorney William Kolakowski Joins Reising Ethington, P.C.

The Intellectual Property law firm of Reising Ethington P.C. is proud to announce that patent attorney William Kolakowski has joined the firm as Of Counsel. Kolakowski’s practice focuses on medical devices (including medical imaging systems, medical device position tracking and navigation systems, and electrophysiological mapping and ablation catheters), engine and motor control systems, motor architectures, data storage and retrieval, electronic interfaces, sensors, power transmission devices, and vehicle components. His experience includes serving as the lead intellectual property counsel on several mergers and acquisitions involving purchase prices exceeding $100 million; authoring more than two hundred original patent applications; and handling numerous appeals to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. He also has extensive experience litigating intellectual property disputes. Click here to learn more.

Attorney Joe Garin Named to Nevada’s 2014 Legal Elite List

In recognition of his accomplishments, attorney Joe Garin, of the Lipson, Neilson, Cole, Seltzer and Garin, P.C. law firm, has been named one of Nevada’s Legal Elite for 2014. This annual list highlights Nevada’s top attorneys as chosen by their peers. Published by the Nevada Business Magazine, this year’s Legal Elite list includes only the top 4% of the 8,600 attorneys practicing in Nevada. In addition to being one of Nevada’s Legal Elite, Joe is also recognized as a national leader in Professional Liability law, and Insurance Litigation & Litigation Management. Joe has defended more than 400 lawyers and law firms during his career in this very specialized area of the law. He is a featured speaker at continuing education conferences in Nevada and across the USA, and he annually teaches a continuing legal education seminar, State of the Law – Legal Malpractice, in cooperation with various local bar associations. Joe is the Vice–Chair of the Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility to the Nevada State Bar. He also serves as Co-Chair on the Lawyer Professional Liability Committee of The Claims and Litigation Management (CLM) Alliance. To learn more about Joe Garin please visit www.lipsonneilson.com.

Attorney Coriann Gastol Joins Colombo & Colombo, P.C.

Colombo & Colombo, P.C. is pleased to announce that attorney Coriann Gastol has joined the firm as an Associate. Licensed to practice law in both Michigan and Indiana, Coriann’s practice includes litigation, transactional law, mergers and acquisitions, real estate law, and estate planning. Coriann’s experience includes serving as an intern for U.S. Senator Carl Levin (Michigan), as a staff assistant for U.S. Senator Jim Talent (Missouri), an intern for the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office (Missouri), a Judicial Extern for Judge Kathleen Lang at the Laporte Superior Court #1 (Indiana), and a Judicial Extern for Administrative Law Judge Young Kim, EEOC in Chicago. Click here to learn more.

Attorney Karen Smyth Named President of Michigan Chapter of the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance

The law firm of Lipson, Neilson, Cole, Seltzer & Garin, P.C., is proud to announce that Karen Smyth, a Partner at the firm, will serve as President of the newly formed Michigan chapter of the prestigious Claims & Litigation Management (CLM) Alliance. Individual Members are extended membership by nomination from a CLM Fellow. During her two-year term, Ms. Smyth will be responsible for overseeing the Michigan chapter’s officers and committees, helping to build membership and promoting the highest standards of claims and litigation management by bringing together the thought leaders in both industries. CLM’s Members and Fellows include risk and litigation managers, insurance and claims professionals, corporate counsel, outside counsel and third party vendors. Click here to learn more.