Category: Firm News & Announcements

DBusiness names Brian R. Jenney and Alan A. May Top Lawyers
Attorneys Brian R. Jenney and Alan A. May have been selected for inclusion in DBusiness Magazine’s 2023 list of Top Lawyers for Trusts & Estates. Thousands of votes were cast honoring excellence in 53 practice areas.
The list will appear in the November/December 2022 issue of DBusiness and online Monday, November 15 at www.dbusiness.com.
Detroit Legal News has recognized Kemp Klein for our charity golf outing
Detroit Legal News has recognized Kemp Klein for our charity golf outing. See how the sold-out event resulted in more than $30,000 getting donated to Forgotten Harvest which will provide 120,000 meals to Metro Detroiters in need…

Michigan Lawyers Weekly recognizes Kemp Klein for Chairty Golf Outing
We’re honored to be recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly for our charity golf outing! See how our clients, friends, vendors and employees helped us feed 120,000 Metro Detroiters in need…

Over 160 golfers and countless volunteers and sponsors converged on The Links of Novi for Kemp Klein’s first charity golf outing to benefit Forgotten Harvest on September 19, 2022. The sold-out event produced astounding results: over $30,000 donated to Forgotten Harvest which will provide 120,000 meals to Metro Detroiters in need. The Kemp Klein Foundation, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year, was the host organization through which all donations were made. The Foundation has donated over half a million dollars to local and national nonprofit organizations since its inception and has hosted charitable activities like blanket making and holiday gift collections for families in need. Forgotten Harvest delivers 144,000 pounds of surplus food per day to local charities five days a week, providing families in need with fresh and nutritious food free of charge. The organization rescues approximately 50 million pounds of food surpluses each year from grocery stores, markets, restaurants, and caterers and delivers it free of charge to emergency food providers in Metro Detroit. Kemp Klein attorney and shareholder Robert S. Zawideh spearheaded the event with help from many Kemp Klein staffers and volunteers. Sponsors Included: The Kemp Family Foundation, |

Kemp Klein Attorney, Bob Zawideh Sits Down with Forgotten Harvest Chief Development Officer, Tim Hudson
Bob Zawideh sits down with Forgotten Harvest Chief Development Officer, Tim Hudson for an inside look at how they feed thousands of your neighbors every day.
Click below to see why we’re thrilled to support Forgotten Harvest at next week’s inaugural Kemp Klein Golf Outing.
Get an inside look at this incredible organization!
Nixon Wins Appeal in Favor of Charities
Case Summary: Upon his death, Raymond Rech’s trust gave three-quarters of his multi-million-dollar estate to three charities. The remaining quarter was held in trust to support his sister during her lifetime, after which the trust stated the remainder should be divided equally between the three charities. The sister’s grandchildren fought the distribution, claiming that a seemingly conflicting provision of the trust gave them the remainder, and the probate court agreed.
Resolution: Kemp Klein Appellate Attorney Ronald S. Nixon successfully represented the trustee in appealing the decision, winning over a million dollars back for the charities and defending Raymond Rech’s intent. The lesson learned from this case is that your estate planning documents need to be clear and not include unnecessary language that could be leveraged by those whom you do not want to receive your inheritance.
For further information regarding these matters, please contact Mr. Nixon at 248.619.2855 or via email.
Former Kemp Klein Attorney Thomas L. Boyer Passes Away
We are sad to announce the passing of retired Kemp Klein attorney and shareholder Tom Boyer.
Tom worked for Kemp Klein for 42 years and was well liked and respected among his colleagues. In his decades at Kemp Klein, Tom became known for his expertise in Union, Labor, and Employment Law. Around the office, Tom loved to discuss baseball and football, especially when it applied to his alma mater, Notre Dame. He enjoyed travel and golf and he possessed an unrivaled expertise in fine wines.
Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 49 years, Susan, three children, Stephen, Catherine Gillespie (Doug), and Jennifer Greenfield (Bob), and three grandchildren, Norah, Daniel, and Eleanor.
Kemp Klein extends our deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Boyer.
His full obituary may be read here.
Brian R. Jenney recognized by Best Lawyers in America as 2023 Lawyer of the Year for Elder Law
We are very proud to announce Kemp Klein Attorney, Brian R. Jenney was recently recognized by Best Lawyers in America® as the 2023 Lawyer of the Year for Elder Law.
This award is bestowed by Best Lawyers to only one lawyer with the highest average of votes in their particular practice and region, indicative of a stellar reputation and work ethic. For 2023, only 5,484 lawyers, 0.4% of all practicing U.S. lawyers, across the country were presented this award.
Brian Jenney helps families and individuals with elder law and special needs issues as well as estate planning and administration. For those planning ahead, Mr. Jenney prepares wills, trusts and powers of attorney to ensure proper future handling of medical decisions, finances and the distribution of assets. For family members with more immediate elder care issues, Mr. Jenney can assist with guardianships and conservatorships of ailing family members. In addition, Mr. Jenney helps families work through the administration of wills and trusts and the related tax issues after the loss of a loved one.
You may contact Mr.Jenney at 248-740-5688 or via email.

Eighteen of the firm’s lawyers have been included in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in America®
William B. Acker – Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Real Estate Law, Tax Law, and Trusts & Estates
C. Leslie Banas – Corporate Law and Real Estate Law
Cynthia E. Brazzil – Corporate Law
Richard C. Bruder – Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Joseph P. Buttiglieri – Litigation – Trusts & Estates
Ralph A. Castelli, Jr. – Corporate Law and Real Estate Law
Mark R. Filipp – Litigation – Labor and Employment
Brian R. Jenney – Elder Law and Trusts & Estates
David D. Marsh – Real Estate Law
Alan A. May – Litigation – Trusts & Estates and Trusts & Estates
Norman D. Orr – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Corporate Law
Thomas C. Rauch – Real Estate Law
Brian H. Rolfe – Commercial Litigation
Stuart Sinai – Securities Regulation
Amy A. Stawski – Family Law
Thomas V. Trainer – Elder Law and Trusts & Estates
Michael D. Umphrey – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Trusts & Estates
Robert S. Zawideh – Arbitration and Litigation – Trusts & Estates

Ten Kemp Klein Attorneys Named Michigan Super Lawyers
We’re proud to announce ten of the firm’s lawyers were recognized as 2022 Michigan Super Lawyers:
Leslie C. 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
Thomas V. Trainer – Elder Law
Austin W. Probst was named a 2022 Super Lawyers Rising Star – 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, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.