Category: Firm News & Announcements
Robert S. Zawideh Recognized As One Of The Michigan Lawyers Weekly Leaders In The Law
Congratulations to Kemp Klein Vice President and Shareholder Robert S. Zawideh on being recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a 2024 Leader in the Law!
The Leaders in the Law honorees are setting the standard for other lawyers through their outstanding contributions to the practice of law and the justice system in Michigan. They have demonstrated tremendous leadership and offer a wealth of expertise in diverse areas of the law. The Leaders in the Law Award is Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s annual salute to leaders in the state’s legal community.
Mr. Zawideh was recognized for his contributions to the practice of law. Robert S. Zawideh represents interested persons in high-net worth trust and estate disputes. He serves as the head of Kemp Klein’s Litigation Practice Group. His litigation practice has taken him before Michigan’s trial and appellate courts, including the Supreme Court, as well as federal courts, state courts and arbitration panels across the country.
Michigan Lawyers Weekly will hold an award ceremony to honor the 2024 Leaders in the Law. The event takes place Tuesday, December 3rd, in Troy, MI. Kemp Klein is a Bronze Sponsor of the event.
For more information on this honor: https://milawyersweekly.com/event/leaders-in-the-law
24 Kemp Klein Attorneys Have Been Recognized As 2025 DBusiness Top Lawyers
Kemp Klein is pleased to announce that twenty four of our attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the DBusiness Magazine 2025 list of Top Lawyers.
Amanda Afton Martin was recognized for Tax Law
Robert S. Zawideh was recognized for his work in Trust and Estates
Richard C. Bruder was recognized for his work in Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Raymond L. Morrow was recognized for his work in Litigation – Construction
Ralph A. Castelli was recognized for his work in Corporate Law
Norman D. Orr was recognized for his work in Bankruptcy and Creditor / Debtor Rights Law
Neal Nusholtz was recognized for Tax Law
Michael D. Umphrey was recognized for Tax Law
Matthew W. Frank was recognized for Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Mark R. Filipp was recognized for Labor and Employment Law
Joseph P. Buttiglieri was recognized for Mediation and Trust & Estates
James P. Davey was recognized for Litigation – Construction
Faith M. Gaudaen was recognized for Litigation – Construction
Edward M. Nahhat was recognized for Appellate Law
David D. Marsh was recognized for Real Estate Law
Cynthia L. Umphrey was recognized for Trust & Estates and Corporate Law
Casey W. Callahan was recognized for Trusts and Estates
C. Leslie Banas was recognized for Real Estate Law
Brian H. Rolfe was recognized for Litigation – Commercial
Brian R. Jenney was recognized for Trusts and Estates
Austin W. Probst was recognized for Trusts and Estates
Amy W. Stawski was recognized for Family Law
William B. Acker was recognized for his work in Tax Law
Alan A. May was recognized for Trusts and Estates
The DBusiness Top Lawyers selection is based on an online peer-review survey sent out to the certified lawyers within the metro Detroit area. Inclusion in DBusiness Magazine’s Top Lawyers list is based solely upon one’s standing within their peer group.
Kemp Klein Has Been Recognized in Best Lawyers® – 2025 Edition of Best Law Firms®
Kemp Klein has been recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms® , a testament to its unwavering commitment to legal excellence. Ranked by Best Law Firms regionally in 18 practice areas, Kemp Klein has distinguished itself in the legal industry, earning this prestigious accolade.
Firms included in the 2025 Best Law Firms® list are recognized for professional excellence with impressive ratings from clients and peers. To be considered for this milestone achievement, at least one lawyer in the law firm must be recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.
“At Best Lawyers, we are proud to recognize law firms that show an unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and client satisfaction,” said Philip Greer, Chief Executive Officer of Best Lawyers. “In the legal arena, credibility is earned through consistent quality, which has propelled these firms to the forefront of the legal industry.” For more information about Kemp Klein’s recognitions, please visit: https://kkue.com/recognition.
Achieving a ranking in Best Law Firms signifies high-quality legal practice and a depth of legal proficiency. Recognized firms, categorized into three tiers, receive acclaim on both national and metropolitan levels, reflecting the extent of their practice and geographic reach. Receiving a tier designation represents an elite status, reflecting the integrity and reputation earned by law firms.
The 2025 edition of Best Law Firms® includes rankings in 75 national practice areas and 127 metropolitan-based practice areas. The highest-rated firm in each national practice area attains the prestigious “Law Firm of the Year” honor. The transparent, collaborative research process employs qualitative and quantitative data from peer and client reviews, supported by proprietary algorithmic technology, to produce a tiered system of industry-led rankings of the top 4% of the industry.
Kemp Klein received the following rankings in the 2025 Best Law Firms®:
- Regional Tier 1
- Regional Tier 2
- Regional Tier 3
About Kemp Klein
About Kemp Klein: Kemp Klein is a full-service law firm dedicated to providing a comprehensive range of legal services, for both individuals and businesses, with the highest professional standards of excellence, integrity and efficiency. Spanning more than 50 years in business, its Midwest based practice has grown to serve clients locally, nationally, and internationally in areas such as estate planning, business/corporate law and litigation, probate and trust law and litigation, family law, bankruptcy and collections, employment, real estate, landlord/tenant, and tax law. For more information about Kemp Klein, please visit https://kkue.com/. .
About Best Law Firms®
Best Law Firms®, ranked by Best Lawyers® and respected for over 14 years, is the most credible ranking of exceptional law firms globally. It is rooted in a rigorous, peer-to-peer, industry-driven evaluation. A ranking from Best Law Firms signifies a high-quality practice and a breadth of legal expertise. Ranked firms, presented in three tiers, are recognized on a national and metropolitan scale, providing legal professionals with an elevated stature from the Best Law Firms recognition. For more information, visit www.bestlawfirms.com.
About Best Lawyers®
Best Lawyers® is the oldest and most respected peer-review research and marketing company in the legal profession. Best Lawyers compiles extensive recognitions by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which tens of thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate the work of their fellow legal professionals within their local market and specialty. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, recognition by Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. For more information, visit www.bestlawyers.com.
Kemp Klein Has Been Recognized as One of the 2024 Best Places to Work: Law Firms by Bridgetower Media® and Best Companies Group®
Kemp Klein Law Firm has been named by Best Companies Group (BCG) as one of its 2024 Best Places to Work: Law Firms!
BCG, a sister company of Michigan Lawyers Weekly, publishes its annual list to recognize top performing law firms nationally based on such factors as employee satisfaction, employee benefits, company policies and more. In addition to being named one of the nation’s top firms in 2024, Kemp Klein Law Firm was the only Michigan law firm selected for the honor this year.
The Best Places to Work: Law Firms program honors firms that prioritize their employees’ well-being and create a positive work environment. This prestigious program includes a two-part process consisting of employee surveys and an independent evaluative step in which firms are compared against hundreds of industry benchmarks. The combined scores determine the top firms and final rankings. Best Companies Group, a research firm for more than 70 Best Places to Work programs worldwide, also manages the annual Cool Places to Work review for Crain’s Detroit Business.
Kemp Klein was featured by Michigan Lawyers Weekly for winning the 2024 Best Places to Work Law Firms Award in the article Kemp Klein aims higher:
Kemp Klein continues to aim higher
BridgeTower Media, which is the parent company of Michigan Lawyers Weekly and numerous other legal publications, will run print and digital announcements honoring the “Best Law Firms to Work For” in their publications across the country.
Kemp Klein is a full-service law firm dedicated to providing a comprehensive range of legal services, for both individuals and businesses, with the highest professional standards of excellence, integrity and efficiency. Spanning more than 50 years in business, its Midwest based practice has grown to serve clients locally, nationally, and internationally in areas such as estate planning, business/corporate law and litigation, probate and trust law and litigation, family law, bankruptcy and collections, employment, real estate, landlord/tenant, and tax law. For more information, please visit https://kkue.com/.
Kemp Klein is Supporting Oakland Literacy Council’s Annual Ex Libris Event
The 35th annual Ex Libris fundraising dinner will celebrate literacy and the accomplishments of students and Oakland Literacy Council volunteers. This event will also commemorate the 40th anniversary of Oakland Literacy Council and their work in the community.
We believe literacy is vital, and in alignment with that belief, the Kemp Klein Foundation has supported Oakland Literacy Council for 30 years. To learn more about the Kemp Klein Foundation: https://kkue.com/kemp-klein-foundation
The event takes place November 14th, 2024 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/exlibris2024sponsor
Kemp Klein is Sponsoring Common Ground's 2024 Celebration of Hope Gala
As part of Kemp Klein’s Resiliency Partnership we are supporting Common Ground’s 2024 Celebration of Hope Gala. The Celebration of Hope Gala is the largest annual fundraising event for Common Ground, a crisis response agency located in Oakland County and serving the state of Michigan. This event is filled with warmth, camaraderie and elegance and celebrates effective crisis care with supporters, sponsors, leadership and volunteers!
Common Ground’s Celebration of Hope Gala takes place Friday, October 18th, 2024 from 6:30pm – 10:00pm at the Birmingham Community House.
For more information on the event: https://commongroundhelps.org/event/celebration-of-hope-gala
Kemp Klein is a proud Legacy Society Benefactor for Common Ground. 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, Ride 2 End Suicide and we have held blanket making and other events to help those in need.
Brian Jenney Sponsors The 2024 Mighty Gobbler 5k and 1 Mile Run / Walk
On behalf of Kemp Klein, Brian Jenney is supporting The Mighty Gobbler 5k and 1 Mile Run / Walk. The Mighty Gobbler 5K and 1 Mile Run/Walk is going into it’s 10th year. Kemp Klein is a Silver Sponsor of the event. Last year this event raised $16,000 for charity and had over 1,300 participants. We have been a proud supporter of this event for many years.
The Mighty Gobbler 5K and 1 Mile Run / Walk takes place on November 28, starting at 8:30 am for the 1 Mile fun run/walk and 9:00 am for the 5K. The race will begin at 3290 W. Big Beaver Road, in Troy, MI. The course flows through neighborhoods and commercial areas, and is a mixture of roads and sidewalks.
The event benefits three local charities Micah 6 Community, Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers and Troy People Concerned. Micah 6 Community serves Pontiac residents through programs that increase their access to fresh food; promote economic development; stabilize neighborhoods; and provide spiritual and emotional support. Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers makes it possible for older and disabled adults to enjoy independence and quality of life through a network of supported, prepared and fulfilled volunteers. Troy People Concerned is a service organization supporting Troy residents in time of need with assistance, information and referrals.
For more information about the event: https://www.mightygobbler.com/
Kemp Klein Law Firm Announces New Podcast "Pro Bono with Ed Nahhat
TROY, Mich. , Sept. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Kemp Klein Law Firm is proud to host its first podcast “Pro Bono with Ed Nahhat” anchored by Shareholder Ed Nahhat. The podcast will be released monthly and feature personal profiles and inspiring stories exploring the adventures, challenges, and personal rewards of a career in law. Pro Bono will also showcase notable guests and experts from outside Kemp Klein, providing insights into the dynamics and achievements of an effective legal team working together.
“The client comes before the law, not above it. The Pro Bono podcast gives me the chance to give back to clients and peers after 30 years plus of practice. Here we get to talk openly about what legal careers mean to us, what inspires us every day, how we fight for our clients, and how we stand up for legal principles in society. I hope it inspires you, too,” stated Ed Nahhat.
“Ed’s podcast will allow listeners to learn about our legal team, keep current on legal trends and hear stories that make our profession interesting and exciting from those who have lived them,” commented Kemp Klein CEO and President Brian Rolfe.
The first episode features Shareholder, Joseph P. Buttiglieri.
Joe provides insights that everyone can relate to, including:
- Joe began his career in 1976, a time predating the internet and email. He reminisces of an era when communication primarily relied on phone calls and letters, highlighting the necessity for lawyers to adjust to advancing technologies.
- Listeners will gain insights into Joe’s motivations for entering the legal profession and his perspective on law as a cornerstone of a civil society, particularly shaped by his experiences during the 1960s.
- The discussion not only showcases Joe’s achievements as a successful litigator and highly sought-after mediator, but also imparts valuable lessons on adaptability, respect, and the enduring significance of personal integrity in the practice of law.
“Speaking with Ed allowed me to reflect on my career and how practicing law has changed over the years and how the main motivation will always remain providing the highest level of service to clients,” said Joe.
“Ed’s podcast will allow listeners to learn about our legal team, keep current on legal trends and hear stories that make our profession interesting and exciting from those who have lived them,” commented Kemp Klein CEO and President Brian Rolfe.
“Speaking with Ed allowed me to reflect on my career and how practicing law has changed over the years and how the main motivation will always remain providing the highest level of service to clients,” said Kemp Klein Shareholder Joseph P. Buttiglieri
Listen to the podcast: https://kkue.com/pro-bono-with-edward-nahhat-episode-01-joseph-p-
buttiglieri/ or on Spotify, Apple or watch on YouTube.
About Kemp Klein:
Kemp Klein is a full-service law firm committed to delivering a comprehensive range of legal services with the utmost professional standards of excellence, integrity, and efficiency. With over 50 years of experience, our Midwest-based practice has expanded to cater to clients at local, national, and international levels. Our expertise covers various areas, including estate planning, business/corporate law and litigation, probate and trust law and litigation, family law, bankruptcy and collections, employment, real estate, landlord/tenant, and tax law.
For more information about our firm and services, please visit our official website at https://kkue.com/.
Media Contact
Vito Curcuru, Kemp Klein, 586-215-4270, [email protected], https://kkue.com/
Kemp Klein Announces the Addition of Margaret Lindauer as Associate
TROY, Mich., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Kemp Klein Law Firm is pleased to announce the addition of Margaret Lindauer as Associate Attorney. Lindauer will be integral to several practice groups, including estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder law, and tax planning.
She is dedicated to guiding her clients through the design, preparation, and implementation of their estate plans, and she also assists them in navigating probate and trust administrations.
Brian Rolfe, CEO and President of Kemp Klein, stated, “We are very excited to welcome Margaret to our team. Her versatility and experience will allow us to perpetuate the firm’s accelerated growth.”
Margaret grew up in Chelsea, Michigan before moving to Chicago to complete her studies. While she was in Chicago, she attended DePaul University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences in Political Science in 2017. During that time, she received a Fulbright Scholarship to travel to Japan, studied for a semester in London, where she worked for the Prime Minister’s office, interned in the United States Senate, and worked for a Representative in the Illinois House of Representatives, where she was recognized for her research on nuclear power plants.
“I am thrilled to join the Kemp Klein team. I look forward to bringing my legal and tax experience to the firm to serve clients and contribute to the firm’s practice teams,” said Lindauer.
Ms. Lindauer earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law in 2020. During her time there, she was a member of the Moot Court Team and gained experience working with the Cook County State Attorney’s Office, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, and The Chicago Community Trust. She also holds ICLE’s Probate & Estate Planning Certificate.
For more information, you can view Margaret’s biography at https://kkue.com/margaret-lindauer/.
About Kemp Klein:
Kemp Klein is a full-service law firm dedicated to providing a wide array of legal services with the highest standards of excellence, integrity, and efficiency. With over 50 years of experience, our Midwest-based practice has grown to serve clients locally, nationally, and internationally. Our areas of expertise include estate planning, business and corporate law and litigation, probate and trust law and litigation, family law, bankruptcy and collections, employment law, real estate, landlord/tenant issues, and tax law.
For more information about our firm and services, please visit our official website at kkue.com.
Media Contact
Vito Curcuru, Kemp Klein, 586-215-4270, [email protected], https://kkue.com/
SOURCE Kemp Klein
Kemp Klein Sponsored Common Ground's 2024 Ride 2 End Suicide
The Ride 2 End Suicide is an annual bicycle ride fundraiser to raise money for suicide awareness, prevention, education and counseling. This Ride brings together survivors of suicide, their families, friends, supporters and local biking enthusiasts. The Ride is an opportunity to move for something that matters –whether that’s for health, recovery, or in memory of a loved one with the goal to raise money for life saving suicide prevention programs. Kemp Klein was the Finish Line Sponsor for the event.
The 2024 Ride 2 End Suicide took place Saturday, May 18th. The Ride 2 End Suicide was (up to) a 20-mile paved path throughout Stony Creek Metropark. The starting point was located at Capital Banquet Center in Washington, MI.
The Kemp Klein Foundation is a proud Legacy Society Benefactor for Common Ground. Kemp Klein has provided more than $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 and we have held blanket making and other events to help those in need. Since its inception, the Kemp Klein Foundation has contributed over $1,000,000 to hundreds of worthwhile causes.
