Author: Adam Diemond
Kemp Klein Attorneys and Staff Craft No-Sew Blankets for Common Ground
For the seventh consecutive year, the attorneys and staff of Kemp Klein Law Firm came together to create hand tied fleece blankets for Common Ground’s clients. Each blanket was carefully crafted by hand, representing more than warmth. It reflects comfort, compassion, and the reminder that no one facing hardship is alone. Common Ground distributes these blankets to children, individuals experiencing trauma or homelessness, and families and individuals navigating crisis. We are grateful to the Columbia Center for generously providing space for this meaningful event.
In 2025, Kemp Klein was deeply honored to receive Common Ground’s Kay White Legacy Award in recognition of our longstanding partnership and shared commitment to serving those in need. As a Circle of Hope member and Legacy Society Benefactor, the firm has provided more than $200,000 in pro bono legal services in support of Common Ground’s mission. Beyond financial and legal contributions, our team has stood alongside Common Ground through resiliency initiatives such as the Ride 2 End Suicide, sponsorship of the Celebration of Hope Gala, and hands on service projects that bring direct comfort to clients during difficult moments.
Common Ground is a Michigan-based nonprofit crisis services organization dedicated to helping people move from crisis to hope. As one of the state’s most comprehensive crisis response agencies, Common Ground provides free, confidential, 24/7 support by phone, text, and online chat, including access to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for anyone facing a mental health, emotional, or behavioral health emergency. Through its Resource & Crisis Hub and trained specialists, the organization listens without judgment, offers emotional support, and connects callers with local resources and immediate assistance. Common Ground meets people where they are, helping individuals, youths, adults, and families in crisis to feel heard, supported, and not alone.
Since its inception, the Kemp Klein Foundation has contributed more than $1,000,000 to hundreds of worthy causes. Every member of the firm is encouraged to participate, whether through hands on volunteer efforts or supporting charitable initiatives in other meaningful ways. It is our belief that by working with and giving back to our local communities, everyone succeeds.
Austin W. Probst Named a 2026 Michigan Lawyers Weekly Up & Coming Lawyer
TROY, MI — Kemp Klein Law Firm is proud to announce that Austin W. Probst has been named a 2026 Up & Coming Lawyer by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, an honor recognizing outstanding attorneys in their first 10 years of practice who are establishing themselves as future leaders in the legal profession.
The Michigan Lawyers Weekly Up & Coming Lawyers program highlights attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional ambition, accomplishment, and dedication to the practice of law early in their careers. Honorees are selected based on their professional achievements, leadership potential, and the meaningful impact they are making for clients and within the legal community.
Austin represents families, individuals, and fiduciaries in a wide range of probate, estate, and trust matters, including estate planning, Medicaid planning, and complex probate and trust disputes. His practice encompasses guardianships, conservatorships, estate and trust administration, and litigation, and he regularly appears before both trial and appellate courts.
Known for his thoughtful and client focused approach, Austin advises clients through some of the most financially and emotionally challenging moments of their lives. He brings a balance of technical knowledge, sensitivity, and precision to his work, helping clients navigate disputes and long term planning with clarity and confidence.
This recognition reflects Austin’s strong professional trajectory and his growing reputation as a trusted advocate and advisor. His commitment to high quality legal work and service aligns with Kemp Klein’s longstanding values of excellence, integrity and efficiency.
For more information about Kemp Klein Law Firm, visit
https://kkue.com
Learn more about Michigan Lawyers Weekly and the Up & Coming Lawyers program
https://milawyersweekly.com
Kemp Klein Law Firm congratulates Austin W. Probst on this well deserved recognition and looks forward to his continued success and leadership within the firm and the legal profession.
Kemp Klein Nominated for Community Impact Award in 2026 Troy Chamber Business Excellence Awards
Kemp Klein was honored to be nominated for the third consecutive year for the Community Impact Award as part of the 2026 Troy Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards presented by Horizon Bank, with the Community Impact Award presented by BAE Networks. The Troy Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards celebrate and recognize the achievements of organizations and working professionals within the Troy business community.
We are grateful to have been included among the nominees and to stand alongside so many organizations making meaningful contributions to the community.
The Community Impact Award presented by BAE Networks recognizes organizations and companies that positively impact their communities through integrity driven leadership and creative responses to the needs of underserved populations.
Certificate presented to Kemp Klein Law Firm recognizing the firm as a nominee for the Community Impact Award at the 2026 Troy Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards, an event celebrating organizations that make a meaningful impact in the Troy, Michigan community.
The nomination states:
“I chose Kemp Klein Law Firm because of their longstanding and deeply rooted commitment to community service, demonstrated through both financial generosity and hands on engagement. Through the attorney and staff funded Kemp Klein Foundation, the firm has contributed more than 1 million dollars to local nonprofits, with continued visible impact throughout 2025 supporting organizations that address literacy, housing stability, food insecurity, and crisis intervention. In addition to charitable giving, Kemp Klein attorneys actively volunteer their time through community education efforts such as OCBA PAL’s Senior Law Day and youth seminars, helping empower individuals with practical legal knowledge. This consistent, values driven approach has created lasting benefits for the Troy community and the greater region.”
Kemp Klein Leadership presenting First Tee – Greater Detroit with the Proceeds from the 2025 Kemp Klein Foundation Golf Outing. Pictured are Donna Kemp, Brian Rolfe, John Kemp, Carl Bentley, Tanya Hill, Robert Zawideh, Zachary Pretzer, John Page, and Amanda Shaer.
Many of the initiatives for which Kemp Klein has been recognized are made possible through the Kemp Klein Foundation, which was established in 1994. The Foundation encourages participation from all members of the firm, offering opportunities ranging from hands on volunteer work to fundraising initiatives such as casual Fridays. The Kemp Klein Foundation is funded through casual Friday donations and direct contributions from the firm. Since its inception, the Foundation has contributed more than 1 million dollars to hundreds of charitable organizations that reflect the shared values of the individuals at Kemp Klein.
Read more about Kemp Klein’s dedication to Community Involvement: https://kkue.com/community_involvement
For more information on the TC Biz Excellence Awards: https://cca.troychamber.com/EvtListing.aspx?class=E&dbid2=mitroy&&evtid=20630822
Ralph A. Castelli Named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame, Class of 2026
TROY, MI — Kemp Klein Law Firm is proud to announce that Ralph A. Castelli has been named to the 2026 Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame, an honor recognizing Michigan’s most accomplished legal professionals for their career-long excellence and contributions to the legal profession and the community.
The Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame program recognizes legal leaders who have practiced law for 30 years or more and who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement, leadership, and service. Honorees are selected for the lasting impact they have made in the courtroom or boardroom, within their firms or legal departments, through community involvement, and in local, state, and national bar associations.
Ralph Castelli’s legal practice has spanned decades and involves a wide range of sophisticated business matters, including business planning and structuring, exit planning, shareholder and partner separations, and the full spectrum of real estate and business transactions. He is widely respected for his strategic insight, sound judgment, and steady leadership in complex matters.
In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Castelli successfully served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Kemp Klein Law Firm for 26 years, playing a central role in guiding the firm through significant growth while reinforcing a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and integrity.
Mr. Castelli is also a board member and former president of the Kemp Klein Foundation, which sponsors Common Ground and supports numerous local and national charitable causes, reflecting his long-standing commitment to community service.
The Hall of Fame induction event will take place on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. EDT, at The Mint at Michigan First Conference Center in Lathrup Village, Michigan.
For more information about Kemp Klein Law Firm, visit:
https://kkue.com
Learn more about Michigan Lawyers Weekly and the Hall of Fame program: https://milawyersweekly.com/event/hall-of-fame-up-coming-lawyers
Kemp Klein Law Firm congratulates Ralph A. Castelli on this well-deserved honor and thanks him for his decades of leadership, mentorship, and service to the firm, the legal profession, and the community.
In Re Plank Revocable Living Trust
Alan A. May
In Re Ladney 1992 Trust
Alan A. May
Kemp Klein Proudly Participates in Oakland County Foster Closet’s 2025 Holiday Initiative for Children
This holiday season, Kemp Klein was proud to support the important work of Oakland County Foster Closet through its 2025 Holiday Initiative for Children. As part of this community effort, our firm fulfilled holiday wish lists for eight children in Oakland County, helping bring joy, comfort, and meaningful moments to local foster youth during the holidays.
Oakland County Foster Closet is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children in foster care by providing essential items such as clothing, shoes, personal care products, and comfort items at no cost to families and caregivers. By meeting immediate needs and easing transitions into foster homes, the organization helps children feel supported, confident, and cared for. In 2025, Oakland County Foster Closet sponsored 298 children, making a significant impact on families across Oakland County during the holiday season.
In addition to supporting foster children, members of the Kemp Klein team also contributed hygiene products to the Victims Assistance Program at Common Ground, extending our holiday outreach to individuals and families facing crisis.
Common Ground provides vital crisis intervention services throughout Southeast Michigan, including emergency shelter, counseling, advocacy, and support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other traumatic situations. The Victims Assistance Program focuses on addressing urgent needs while promoting dignity, safety, and healing. Donations of hygiene supplies help ensure individuals seeking assistance have access to basic necessities during times of uncertainty.
For more information about Oakland County Foster Closet, visit https://ocfostercloset.org.
For more information about Common Ground, visit https://commongroundhelps.org.
Community involvement and service are core values at Kemp Klein. We are grateful for the opportunity to support organizations like Oakland County Foster Closet and Common Ground that strengthen our local communities and make a lasting difference for children and families throughout Oakland County. To learn more about Kemp Klein’s community involvement, visit https://kkue.com/communityinvolvement.
IRC Section 1014 SLAT – Basis Step Up
–Published in LISI Financial Products Planning Newsletter – Archive Message #3255
Neal Nusholtz
Brian Jenney Sponsors The 2025 Mighty Gobbler 5k and 1 Mile Run / Walk
On behalf of Kemp Klein, attorney Brian Jenney is proud to support the 2025 Mighty Gobbler 5K and 1 Mile Run and Walk. Now entering its eleventh year, the Mighty Gobbler has become a cherished Thanksgiving tradition in Troy. Kemp Klein is honored to serve as a Silver Sponsor once again. Since 2015, this event has raised more than sixty five thousand dollars to support meaningful services throughout our community, and we are grateful to have been part of its impact for many years.
The 2025 Mighty Gobbler 5K and 1 Mile Run and Walk will take place on November 27. The one mile fun run and walk begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5K at 9:00 a.m. The race starts at 3290 West Big Beaver Road in Troy, and the course winds through nearby neighborhoods and commercial areas using a combination of roads and sidewalks.
This year’s event benefits three important local charities: Micah 6 Community, Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, and Troy People Concerned. Micah 6 Community serves Pontiac residents by increasing access to fresh food, promoting economic development, stabilizing neighborhoods, and offering spiritual and emotional support. Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers empowers older and disabled adults to maintain independence and quality of life through a network of trained and dedicated volunteers. Troy People Concerned supports Troy residents in times of need by providing assistance, information, and referrals.
Kemp Klein is proud to champion organizations that strengthen our region and support our neighbors.
For more information about the event: https://www.mightygobbler.com
Learn more about Kemp Klein’s Community Involvement here: https://kkue.com/communityinvolvement
