Charles M. Russman

Practice Areas

Education

Georgetown University Law Center
LL.M., Taxation and Employee Benefits Certificate, with distinction, 2008

Wayne State University Law School
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., 2007

Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
B.A., Psychology, 2004

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Employee Benefits Attorney

Charles is an experienced attorney whose practice is focused on employee benefits, executive compensation, tax and data privacy matters. He helps clients design and implement benefits plans including wrap plans, cafeteria plans, health and welfare plans, 401(k)s, pension plans, 457 plans and 403 (b) plans, and provides guidance and counsel on employer fiduciary matters. He regularly assists employers with income tax withholding and unemployment tax questions. Russman also provides counsel and expertise to financial institutions and other businesses regarding IRAs, Health Savings Accounts and Educational Savings Accounts.

With a strong background in data privacy matters, Charles counsels clients on policies and procedures, assistance with regulatory compliance, risk assessment, and data breach prevention and response. He is an IAPP-certified information privacy professional (CIPP/US and CIPP/E) and certified information program manager (CIPM). 

Charles frequently writes and speaks on a variety of employee benefit matters, including COBRA, HIPAA, and implications of the Affordable Care Act. He has also written and presented on privacy and cybersecurity matters for educational institutions and municipalities. 

 

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Banking and Finance Law, Employee Benefits, 2023

Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star, Employee Benefits (ERISA), 2021

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Up and Coming Lawyer, 2016

Professional Affiliations

International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)

Jewish Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan

Presentations

Affordable Care Act: A Practical Refresher, 2023

Privacy and Cybersecurity for Educational Institutions and Municipalities, 2019-2023

SECURE 2.0, 2023

Benefits and Compensation for Educational Institutions, 2022

COBRA: A Detailed Training, 2019-2022

HIPAA for Employers: A Comprehensive Review, 2019-2022

Privacy Considerations for Employee Benefits, 2019 and 2022

Employee Benefits for Educational Institutions: Considerations for During and After COVID, 2021

Privacy in and for Schools, 2021

CARES Act for Employers, 2020

Tea and Tidbits: Avoiding Discrimination in Employee Benefits, 2020

Marisa K. McConnell

Practice Areas

Education

Georgetown Law
Washington, D.C.
J.D., 2022
Georgetown Law Journal, Executive Editor of the Annual Review of Criminal Procedure

University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California
B.A., Public Health with minor in Public Policy, 2018

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Attorney

Marisa is an associate attorney working primarily with Varnum’s family law and litigation teams. As part of the family law team, Marisa has experience working on matters concerning child support, collaborative divorces, custody and parenting time, property division, retirement benefits, same-sex divorces, personal protection orders, prenuptial agreements, and post-judgment issues. As a member of the litigation team, Marisa assists with a variety of litigation matters, including environmental, contractual, criminal, and property issues. Marisa is a skilled researcher with additional experience in estate planning, healthcare, and Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) projects.

Before joining Varnum, Marisa interned with the San Francisco Public Defender’s office where she assisted in the representation of juvenile clients. She also served as a Guardian Ad Litem intern with the Children’s Law Center in Washington, D.C., providing litigation support in child welfare cases. During law school, Marisa was a member of the Georgetown Law Journal and worked with the Criminal Justice Clinic, during which she gained valuable advocacy experience representing indigent defendants. Prior to law school, Marisa interned with the World Health Organization’s violence against women team and served as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Alaska, assisting families fleeing domestic violence. Marisa’s experience in the public sector has equipped her with the skills necessary to handle unique and challenging client matters.

Professional Affiliations

 State Bar of Michigan

Brittany Minix

Practice Areas

Education

Western Michigan University  Kalamazoo, Michigan                          B.S. Criminal Justice, 2016

Estate Planning Paralegal

Brittany Minix is a paralegal who focuses on estate and trust administration. She is experienced with the preparation of pleadings in both Michigan and Florida, as well as filing in various courts. She assists in creating inventories, docketing important administration deadlines, communications with creditors, and performs research using Accurint. Brittany also has experience with family law matters, as well as general litigation.

Brittany has a variety of law firm and court experience. She holds a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice and an associate degree in Addiction Studies from Western Michigan University.

Certifications

Paralegal Certification

Professional Affiliations

National Association of Legal Professionals (NALS)

Notary Public, State of Michigan

Community Involvement

Animal Rescue Project, foster program and volunteer

Attorneys for Animals, volunteer

Barn Sanctuary, volunteer

United Way – Kalamazoo Family and Children’s Services, volunteer

Staci R. DeRegnaucourt

Staci R. DeRegnaucourt

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Michigan State University College of Law
East Lansing, Michigan
J.D., magna cum laude, 2011

Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
B.S., Civil & Environmental Engineering, 2008

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Intellectual Property Attorney

Staci is a registered patent attorney with an engineering background, who provides a full range of intellectual property services, including trademark, copyright, and patent clearance, procurement, licensing, and enforcement; anti-counterfeiting; IP portfolio and brand management; startup consulting; and IP due diligence. She serves as co-chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Team.

Serving a diverse client group including Fortune 100 companies, SMEs, start-ups, and solo entrepreneurs, Staci maintains a business-minded, client-centric, holistic, and worldwide approach to intellectual property. Staci understands that clients invest in intellectual property in order to protect and improve their marketplace position, and she works to strategically compile intellectual property portfolios, unique to the client, that not only boast valuable brick-and-mortar intellectual property rights, but that also allow such intellectual property rights to be commercialized, enforced, and leveraged as revenue-generating and market-safeguarding tools.

Staci advises clients that operate in the mechanical, electro-mechanical, and material engineering arts and has prepared and prosecuted utility patent applications in a variety of technology areas including: OEM and aftermarket automotive systems, components, and control strategies for conventional (ICE) vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV); HVAC systems; energy absorption devices; structural barriers and traffic management systems; coastline restoration products and apparatuses; industrial equipment; tooling for manufacturing systems; automation systems; robotic components; medical devices; building products; consumer goods; and sporting goods and equipment.

Staci also assists clients in a broad range of market sectors, to procure and enforce design patent and trade dress rights for the ornamental characteristics embodied in, or applied to, their respective products including, unique product configurations; unique product ornamentation; ornamental product packaging; computer-generated icons; and static, dynamic, and animated graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

Moreover, Staci routinely counsels clients in domestic and international trademark, trade dress, and unfair competition matters including the selection and adoption of trademarks, the management and prosecution of trademark portfolios, and the worldwide enforcement of trademark rights. Staci also represents clients in trademark opposition, cancellation, and appeal proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) and coordinates such matters with foreign counsel internationally.

Staci has also represented clients in intellectual property litigation, enforcement matters, and proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), the International Trade Commission (ITC), Uniform Domain Dispute Resolution (UDRP) administrative bodies, and United States courts.

Honors and Recognitions

DBusiness Magazine, Top Lawyers, Intellectual Property & Patent Law, 2016

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Go To Lawyer for Intellectual Property Law, 2022

Michigan Super Lawyers®, Rising Star, Intellectual Property, 2017 – 2021

World Trademark Review, WTR 1000, World’s Leading Trademark Professional, 2015 – 2022

World Trademark Review, WTR 1000, Global Leaders, 2019 – 2021

Professional Affiliations

International Trademark Association, Designs Committee, 2020 – 2024

Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association

Michigan Intellectual Property Inn of Court

Society of Women Engineers

State Bar of Michigan

Presentations

Guest Speaker – Trademark Counterfeiting and Gray Market Goods, Trademark Counterfeiting Course 533Y, Michigan State University College of Law (Spring 2021).

Panelist, E-Commerce and Counterfeits:  Evolving Consumer Behaviors, A Brand’s New World (2020), Hosted by the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection at Michigan State University.

Panelist, Distribution and Retail, World IP Day – Bridging the Intersection of Intellectual Property and Regulations (2019), Hosted by the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection at Michigan State University

Shawn A. Strand

Practice Areas

Education

University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., magna cum laude, 2007

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.A., Computer Science, 2000

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Corporate Attorney

Shawn is an experienced tax attorney with a focus on corporate and partnership taxation issues. He advises clients on mergers and acquisitions, tax-exempt entities, individual tax collection matters and taxation of real estate transactions, including complex Section 1031 exchanges.

Shawn also advises clients regarding federal income tax planning and entity structuring. He works with individuals on the formation and operation of family offices.

Honors and Recognitions

Michigan Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2013 – 2017

Rebecca K. Wrock

Rebecca K. Wrock

Practice Areas

Education

University of Alabama School of Law
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
LL.M., Taxation, cum laude, 2016

Wayne State University Law School
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., 2014

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.S., 2010

Bar Admissions

Florida

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Florida state courts

All Michigan state courts

Estate Planning Attorney

Rebecca is a member of the Estate Planning Practice Team where her practice includes all aspects of estate planning and estate settlement, including tax planning, cottage planning, charitable gift planning, business succession planning, long-term care planning, prenuptial agreements, and estate and trust administration services. From simple to sophisticated plans, she has helped clients to put protections in place for their minor and adult children, spouses and unmarried partners, aging parents, loved ones with disabilities, and loved ones who may need assistance with managing finances.

A substantial portion of Rebecca’s practice also involves crafting Trusts for animal companions (pet trusts), and she frequently speaks and writes on this topic for community groups, law students and other lawyers.

Rebecca is experienced in the nonprofit sector as chairperson of the board of directors of Barn Sanctuary and vice president of the board of directors of Attorneys for Animals. Rebecca also assists nonprofit organizations with qualifying for and maintaining tax-exempt status and has been named to Crain’s list of Notable Women in Nonprofits.

Rebecca is a member of the adjunct faculty at Wayne State University Law School, a contributor to the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and serves as a Council Member for both the Probate & Estate Planning Section and the Animal Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Within the firm, she serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Rebecca has been recognized for her contributions to the legal and wider communities by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers and the National Law Review.

Certifications and Accreditations

Animal Friendly Attorney™

Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) and State Bar of Michigan, certificate of completion in the areas of probate and estate planning

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch, Nonprofit/Charities Law, Trusts and Estates, 2022 and 2023

Crain’s Detroit Business, Notable Women in Nonprofits, 2018

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Up & Coming Lawyer, 2018

Hour Detroit©, Top Attorneys: Outstanding Young Women Lawyers in Michigan, since 2017

Michigan Super Lawyers®, Rising Star, Estate Planning and Probate, since 2016

Professional Affiliations

Florida Bar: Animal Law Section; Elder Law Section; Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section; Out of State Division

State Bar of Michigan: Animal Law Section, Council Member; Elder Law and Disability Rights Section; Probate and Estate Planning Section, Council Member

Washtenaw County Bar Association

Women Lawyers Association of Michigan: Oakland Chapter; Washtenaw County Chapter

Community Involvement

Animal Legal Defense Fund

Attorneys for Animals: vice president; Board member

Barn Sanctuary: chairperson; Board member

Wayne State University Law School, adjunct professor

Presentations

Pet Trusts, Michigan Humane Society (2023)

Drafting Estate Planning Documents, 32nd Annual: Preserving Cottage Properties, ICLE (2023)

“Estate Planning for Pets,” Michigan State University (2022)

“How to Leave Your Fortune to Your Pets,” The University of Michigan (2020)

“Estate Planning for Millennials,” ICLE 59th Annual Probate and Estate Planning Institute (2019)

“Pet Trusts and Pet Planning” (2019 series)

“Planning for Pets,” ICLE 58th Annual Probate and Estate Planning Institute (2018)

“Six Feet Over, Six Feet Under: A Panel Discussion on the Rights of the Dying and Mourning” (2017)

“Protect Your Pet’s Future” (2017-2019 series)

Sarah L. Wixson

Sarah L. Wixson

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Wayne State University Law School
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., 2012
The Wayne Law Review, Senior Note and Comment Editor

Hope College
Holland, Michigan
B.A., cum laude, 2008

Universidad de Sevilla
Seville, Spain
Study Abroad Program, Fall 2007

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Languages 

Spanish

Business, Health Care and Real Estate Attorney

Sarah’s unique practice includes serving clients in various industries and professions with a variety of business, litigation, health care and real estate services. She works with physicians, physician groups, hospitals and health care entities on mergers and acquisitions; compliance, including Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute compliance; and regulatory work. Her transactional experience ranges from working on multimillion dollar acquisitions to assisting smaller entities. She also works with clients on ACO matters, contracting, master service agreements and licensing. 

As a litigator, Sarah represents businesses and individuals in a variety of matters. Her background in shareholder and other corporate disputes is a significant asset in negotiating and structuring various entities as well as advising on pre-litigation matters. She has successfully prosecuted claims and defended corporate clients and individuals in connection with partnership agreements, contracts, business arrangements, shareholder disputes, real estate matters and complex commercial litigation. 

Within her real estate practice, Sarah provides an array of services to clients ranging from individuals to commercial developers. For the past three years, Sarah has been named by Best Lawyers® as one of the “Ones to Watch,” a designation given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers in recognition of their outstanding professional excellence in private practice.

Experience

Defended a Detroit-based beverage manufacturer in a breach of contract dispute, resulting in a big win when $650,000 of alleged claims were dismissed by the Oakland County Circuit Court following the motion for summary disposition. Additionally, the client’s countersuit was successfully settled.

Obtained a $450,000 default judgment following Washtenaw County Circuit Court’s ruling finding the defendant liable for committing defamation, business defamation, invasion of privacy and tortious interference. The Washtenaw County Circuit Court further dismissed all of defendant’s counterclaims with prejudice.

Successfully defended against enforcement of a non-compete agreement and had a temporary restraining order vacated concerning the same.

Represented a health care entity in its acquisition of another home health care service entity.

Routinely advises individual physicians and physician groups on health care-related contracts and employment contracts, including master service agreements.

Defended mortgage corporation against claims for fraud, innocent misrepresentation, silent fraud and breach of contract. The matter was dismissed with prejudice following oral argument on the motion for summary disposition.

Prosecuted claims for corporate client against insurance company and broker for declaratory judgment, reformation, breach of contract, constructive fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and negligence.

Prosecuted federal intellectual property claims and negotiated successful settlement for corporate client.

Defended corporate client against claims for waste and breach of fiduciary duty, and prosecuted client’s counterclaim resulting in a settlement.

Defended corporate client against claims for breach of contract and declaratory judgment.

Defended corporate client against federal claim for violation of U.S.C. Section 3729(a)(1)(A) leading to plaintiffs dismissing their claims against client.

Represented and advised physician groups in business dealings, including the acquisition of a 60-physician practice by a health system, regulatory and compliance work, and the development of a substance use disorder practice.

Represented a developer in connection with all aspects of a condominium development.

Represented startup healthcare and dental practices, including physical therapy and acute pain practices.

Represented healthcare practices in shareholder and employee disputes.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch, Construction, Health Care and Real Estate Law, since 2021

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Up and Coming Lawyer, 2020

Michigan Super Lawyers®, 2022

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association, Litigation Section, Young Advocates Committee

American Health Lawyers Association

Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow

Washtenaw County Bar Association, Business Section, co-chair

Community Involvement

Growing Hope, Board, President

Shalini Nangia

Shalini Nangia

Practice Areas

Education

Ohio State University College of Law
Columbus, Ohio
J.D., 1995

Ohio University
Athens, Ohio
B.S., summa cum laude, 1992

Bar Admissions

Florida

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Languages

Hindi

Family Law Attorney

Shalini is a member of the Family Law Practice Team. She specializes in family law litigation, including high-income and high-asset divorces, collaborative divorces, custody and parenting time, child support, paternity, property division, retirement benefits and post-judgment matters. Her goal is to help clients during one of the most difficult times of their lives get from Point A to Point B in the most efficient and painless manner possible.

Shalini is a trained mediator and a regular presenter for the Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE). She is fluent in Hindi.

Honors and Recognitions

National Law Review, Thought Leader Award (Family Law Practice Team), 2020

Professional Affiliations

State Bar of Michigan – Family Law Section

Washtenaw County Bar Association – Board Member

Collaborative Practice of Michigan (CPIM)

International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP)

Dispute Resolution Center of Washtenaw County – Mediator

Wayne County Family Law Bar Association

South Asian Bar Association

The Florida Bar

Community Involvement

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, past adjunct professor

Presentations

Presenter, ICLE webinar: Advising Domestic Violence Victims During COVID-19 (Top Tips in Ten Minutes)

Presenter, ICLE webinar: Custody, Parenting Time, and Support Through Judgment (certificate)

Presenter, ICLE webinar: Objecting to a Friend of the Court Recommendation (Top Tips in Ten Minutes)

Presenter, ICLE webinar: Family Law Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic, May 14, 2020

Presenter, ICLE webinar: Demonstration: Family Law Deposition, July 13, 2020

Presenter, ICLE webinar: Child Support Formula Changes for 2021, November 2, 2020

Presenter, ICLE webinar: Handling Property Division and Spousal Support Issues, April 30, 2021

Presenter, ICLE webinar: Family Law Institute, 20th Annual, December 22, 2021

 

Matthew E. Maltz

Matthew E. Maltz

Practice Areas

Education

University of Chicago Law School
Chicago, Illinois
J.D., with honors, 2012

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.A., with distinction, 2008

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Corporate Attorney

Matt is a corporate attorney with a broad range of transactional experience focused on public and private mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, equity investments and private equity transactions. He also provides general corporate and day-to-day legal advice to public and private companies and entrepreneurs at all stages of growth.

Jordan C. Valentine

Jordan C. Giles

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Michigan State University College of Law 
East Lansing, MI 
J.D., magna cum laude, 2020

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI
B.A., summa cum laude, Political Science and Philosophy, 2016

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Attorney

Jordan is an associate at Varnum. She is a skilled researcher with experience in litigation, corporate, labor and employment, immigration, privacy and mobility, and family law matters. Prior to joining Varnum, she served as an intern at a variety of legal offices where she drafted contracts, lease agreements and court documents and provided analysis and assistance with other legal issues.

Jordan was part of the Varnum litigation team that successfully defended a Detroit-based beverage manufacturer in a breach of contract dispute resulting in a dismissal of a $650,000 alleged claim. She regularly provides litigation support in the successful settlement of cases worth millions of dollars. In her first week at Varnum, she provided important support in a matter involving the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act that was ultimately decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.
 
Jordan also assists the Privacy and Mobility team, drafting memorandums and conducting research for Varnum’s autonomous and connected vehicle clients.

Experience

Served on the Varnum team that successfully defended a Detroit-based beverage manufacturer in a breach of contract dispute resulting in a dismissal of a $650,000 alleged claim.
 
Served on the team securing a win for Varnum client in Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) matter, successfully defending client through extensive appeals process and ultimate ruling by U.S. Supreme Court.

Professional Affiliations

State Bar of Michigan

Community Involvement

Michigan State University College of Law, Mock Trial and Moot Court teams, Judge

Eastern Michigan University, Mock Trial and Moot Court teams, Judge

Hillman Advocacy Clinic held by the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, 2022