Author: Adam Diemond
Kemp Klein is Supporting Oakland Literacy Council’s 2025 Ex Libris Event
The 36th annual Ex Libris fundraising dinner will celebrate literacy and the accomplishments of students and Oakland Literacy Council volunteers.
The 2025 Ex Libris Keynote Speaker is Rob Edwards who has written two classic animated films for Walt Disney Feature Animation: the Academy Award, and Golden Globe-nominated THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG and the Academy Award-nominated TREASURE PLANET. In 2025, he has had three films release on the big screen, including Marvel’s CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD, SNEAKS, and the THE KING OF KINGS. Edwards’ extensive film credits also include consulting on TANGLED, WRECK-IT RALPH, and FROZEN. He is a 20-year veteran of television, where he wrote and produced several television shows, including THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR, FULL HOUSE, A DIFFERENT WORLD, STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP, ROC, and IN LIVING COLOR.
Kemp Klein is an Epic Sponsor of the event. We believe literacy is vital, and in alignment with that belief, the Kemp Klein Foundation has supported Oakland Literacy Council for 31 years. To learn more about the Kemp Klein Foundation: https://kkue.com/kemp-klein-foundation
The event takes place October 23, 2025 at the Village Club in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Cocktails are at 5:30 and Dinner is at 6:30.
To purchase tickets and for more information about the event: https://www.oaklandliteracy.com/exlibris2025
Kemp Klein's 4th Annual Charity Golf Outing Benefiting First Tee - Greater Detroit Smashes Fundraising Records
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Troy, Michigan 10/7/2025 — The Kemp Klein Foundation’s 4th Annual Charity Golf Outing was a tremendous success, raising $50,000.00 for First Tee-Greater Detroit, almost doubling donations raised in previous years’ outings. First Tee-Greater Detroit uses golf-based personal growth programs to help area youth build golf, growth, and leadership skills that empower them in all areas of life, including school, friendships and, eventually, careers. This year’s event, held at beautiful Links of Novi Singh Golf Course in Novi, Michigan on September 8, 2025, featured a silent auction and a delectable dinner after a sunny day on the course.
“It’s just an honor to be part of this event to work with a charity like First Tee-Greater Detroit. They strive every day to improve the health and wellness of local youth and their families by developing in these kids the strength of character that empowers them throughout their lives. It’s been a privilege to do what we can to support First Tee,” says Vice-President and Director Robert Zawideh, co-chair of Kemp Klein’s Litigation Group. “We’re so proud of our sponsors, volunteers and all the golfers who came together to ensure its success.”
The Kemp Klein Foundation’s mission is to provide support to charitable organizations and promote volunteerism throughout the firm and community. Since its inception, the Foundation has contributed over $1,000,000 to hundreds of worthwhile causes which reflect our shared values.
For more information on First Tee-Greater Detroit, go to: https://firstteegreaterdetroit.org/
For more information regarding the event, go to: kkue.com/golf2025
Event Contact: Robert Zawideh – (248) 619-2599 / robert.zawideh@kkue.com
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Published: https://www.openpr.com/news/4212697/kemp-klein-s-4th-annual-charity-golf-outing-benefiting-first-tee
Kemp Klein is Sponsoring Common Ground's 2025 Celebration of Hope Gala
The 2025 Celebration of Hope Gala is Common Ground’s annual fundraiser that supports their mission of helping people move from crisis to hope.
Kemp Klein is Table Sponsor of the 2025 Celebration of Hope Gala through our Resiliency Partnership. Kemp Klein is a proud Legacy Society Benefactor for Common Ground and current member of their Circle of Hope. We have provided in excess of $200,000 in pro bono work to Common Ground. In addition to the pro bono work and financial contributions, we have hosted joint events for staff and clients of Common Ground, participated in Common Ground’s Adopt-A-Family initiative, sponsored The Ride 2 End Suicide, and we have held blanket making and other events to help those in need.
This year, two Common Ground advocates will be honored with the Kay White Legacy Award; Gary Dembs (Common Ground ambassador and Advisory Board member), and Kemp Klein (long-time supporter of Common Ground services in several capacities). The Kay White Legacy Award recognizes dedication and leadership to Common Ground and its mission to help move people from crisis to hope. Honorees embody the selfless commitment and inspirational spirit, in one or more of the following areas: leadership, business savvy, fundraising, volunteerism, and recruitment.
The Gala will shine with warmth, elegance, and the energy of like-minded supporters, sponsors and guests. Attendees will celebrate what has been accomplished and what is yet to come with fine dining, music, silent auction, and a program highlighting Common Ground’s mission of helping people move from Crisis to Hope.
The Celebration of Hope Gala takes place on October 24th, 2025.
Royal Park Hotel, 600 E. University Drive, Rochester, MI 48307
6:30pm – 9:30pm
Click here for information and registration: https://commongroundhelps.org/event/celebration-of-hope
For more information on the Common Ground: https://commongroundhelps.org
Alan A. May Recognized as One of the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Leaders in the Law
Congratulations to Kemp Shareholder Alan A. May on being recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a 2025 Leader in the Law!
The Leaders in the Law honorees set the standard for the legal profession in Michigan through their exceptional contributions to the practice of law and the justice system. Each year, Michigan Lawyers Weekly celebrates attorneys whose leadership, expertise, and service have made a lasting impact on their clients, their communities, and the legal field.
Mr. May’s recognition reflects more than four decades of distinguished service to Michigan’s legal community. A respected authority in probate, trust, guardianship, and conservatorship matters, he has served as a Wayne County Public Administrator since 1980—protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring integrity in fiduciary matters. In addition to his extensive litigation experience, Mr. May is a prolific author and educator, having published numerous articles and taught courses at Wayne State University and Oakland University.
Throughout his career, Mr. May has been consistently honored for his excellence in practice, including recognition by Best Lawyers in America, Michigan Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell’s Register of Preeminent Lawyers. His scholarship, leadership, and mentorship have strengthened Michigan’s legal community and inspired generations of attorneys.
Click here to learn more about Mr. May
Michigan Lawyers Weekly will celebrate the 2025 Leaders in the Law honorees at a special awards ceremony on Friday, November 14, 2025, in Lathrup Village, MI. Kemp Klein is proud to support this event as a Bronze Sponsor.
For more information on this honor: https://milawyersweekly.com/event/leaders-in-the-law
Kemp Klein Attorney C. Leslie Banas Was Chosen as One of the 2025 Michigan Lawyers Weekly Influential Women of Law Honorees
Congratulations to Kemp Klein Shareholder C. Leslie Banas on being recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly for the 2025 Women of Law Award!
The Michigan Lawyers Weekly Influential Women of Law award honors women attorneys and judges for their excellent work on behalf of the justice system and for their clients, their commitment to their communities and their service to the profession. These honorees are inspiring and accomplished leaders, serve as mentors to others, and contribute significant time and effort to volunteerism and/or pro bono initiatives.
Leslie Banas counsels companies and individuals in business and real estate matters. She assists clients in organizing business entities, acquiring assets, negotiating contracts, and satisfying regulatory requirements. Her clients include entrepreneurial and established companies in real estate, housing, service, health care, manufacturing, hospitality and other industries. In addition, Ms. Banas works with non-profit educational, health care and community organizations in organizational and governance matters, applying for grants and entering into joint venture arrangements.
Michigan Lawyers Weekly will hold a ceremony to honor the award winners on Friday, September 26th, in Southfield, MI. Kemp Klein is a Bronze Sponsor of the event.
For more information on this honor: https://milawyersweekly.com/event/influential-women-in-law
KEMP KLEIN SHAREHOLDER ALAN A. MAY'S LATEST NOVEL REVIEWED BY WASHINGTON LAWYER MAGAZINE
Kemp Klein is pleased to announce that Kemp Klein Shareholder Alan A. May‘s latest novel, “The Past is a Foreign Country,” has been reviewed by Washington Lawyer Magazine. Washington Lawyer Magazine is the official, flagship publication of the District of Columbia Bar, or D.C. Bar. The review is featured on page 38 on the September – October issue.
Click here to read the full review.
In the review Jeremy Conrad of Washington Lawyer discussed how Mr. May’s novel is a reflection on 20th-century America’s moral complexity. “May’s own thoughts and reactions to the social problems of the period that his character visits are apparent. He looks on with disgust at the racial violence and rhetoric, and he is filled with hope at the signs of progress he knows will come in the decades ahead. “All I wanted to do was go back in time and see some of the greatest sporting events in history,” he says. “Everywhere we go it’s bigotry, antisemitism, and hate.”
Click here to purchase The Past is a Foreign Country by Alan A. May.
Thirteen Kemp Klein Attorneys Named Michigan Super Lawyers
We are proud to announce that thirteen of Kemp Klein’s attorneys were recognized as 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers.
The following attorneys were named 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers:
C. Leslie Banas – Business / Corporate Law
Joseph P. Buttiglieri – Estate & Trust Litigation
Ralph A. Castelli, Jr. – Business / Corporate Law
Mark R. Filipp – Employment Litigation: Defense
Brian R. Jenney – Estate & Probate Law
Alan A. May – Estate & Probate Law
Brian H. Rolfe – Business Litigation
Amy A. Stawski – Family Law
Cynthia L. Umphrey – Business / Corporate Law
Robert S. Zawideh – Estate & Trust Litigation
Brian Jenney was also added to the Top 100: Michigan Super Lawyers: 2025 list.
The following attorneys were named 2025 Michigan Rising Stars:
Casey W. Callahan – Estate & Probate Law
William E. Haines II – Estate & Probate Law
Austin W. Probst – Estate & Probate Law
Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.
Super Lawyers recognizes the top attorneys nationwide, across a variety of practice areas and firm sizes, using a patented process of independent research and peer input. The lawyers selected include those with many years of experience, as well as the Rising Stars of the profession.
Super Lawyers is a resource designed to aid those needing an attorney and has grown over three decades with an unparalleled reach in print magazines and online.
For more on Kemp Klein’s recognition click here.