We are proud that our firm and attorneys have been recognized for excellence in the practice of law from our peers and the legal community.
The Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ system is utilized to estimate the legal ability and ethical standards of an attorney. AV Preeminent®: The highest Martindale-Hubbell peer rating standard. This is given to attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards by their peers. Kemp Klein attorneys Rated as AV Preeminent by Matindale-Hubbell: William B. Acker, C. Leslie Banas, Richard Bruder, Joseph P. Buttiglieri, Ralph A. Castelli, Jr., James P. Davey, Earle E. Endelman, Mark R. Filipp, Alan A. May, Raymond L. Morrow, Norman D. Orr, Thomas C. Rauch, Amy A. Stawski, Michael D. Umphrey, Robert S. Zawideh.
The 2024 Edition of Super Lawyers has recognized 9 Kemp Klein attorneys as Super Lawyers and 4 Kemp Klein attorneys as Rising Stars for their work in their respective practice areas. 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), Alan A. May (Estate & Probate), Brian H. Rolfe (Estate & Probate), Amy A. Stawski (Family Law), Robert S. Zawideh (Estate & Trust Litigation). Rising Stars: William E. Haines II (Estate & Probate), Austin W. Probst (Estate & Probate), Casey W. Callahan (Estate & Probate Law), Suzan Gabbara (Criminal Law)
Kemp Klein has been ranked in the Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list regionally in 18 practice areas. Firms included in the 2025 Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers.
Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise. Kemp Klein received the following rankings in the 2025 Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”:
Regional Tier 1
Troy – Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Elder Law, Family Law, Litigation – Trusts & Estates, Real Estate Law, Tax Law, Trusts & Estates Law
Regional Tier 2
Troy – Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Litigation and Controversy – Tax
Regional Tier 3
Troy – Appellate Practice, Arbitration, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
The 2025 Edition of Best Lawyers in America® has recognized 21 Kemp Klein attorneys as Best Lawyers, 4 Kemp Klein attorneys as Ones to Watch and 1 Kemp Klein attorney as “Lawyer of the Year.” Best Lawyers: William B. Acker (Tax Litigation and Controversy, Real Estate Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates), C. Leslie Banas (Corporate Law, Real Estate Law), Richard C. Bruder (Business Organizations, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law), Joseph P. Buttiglieri (Family Law, Trusts & Estates Litigation), Ralph A. Castelli Jr. (Corporate Law, Real Estate Law and Trusts and Estates Litigation), James P. Davey (Commercial Litigation and Construction Litigation), Mark R. Filipp (Commercial Litigation, Labor and Employment Litigation), Faith M. Gaudaen (Commercial Litigation), Brian R. Jenney (Elder Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates), David D. Marsh (Real Estate Law and Land Use and Zoning Law), Alan A. May (Trusts & Estates Litigation, Trusts and Estates), Edward M. Nahhat (Appellate Practice, Trusts and Estates Litigation and Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television), Ronald S. Nixon (Commercial Litigation), Neal Nusholtz (Tax Law, Litigation and Controversy – Tax and Trusts and Estates), Norman D. Orr (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Corporate Law), Thomas C. Rauch (Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law), Brian H. Rolfe (Commercial Litigation and Corporate Law), Amy A. Stawski (Family Law), Cynthia L. Umphrey (Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, Trusts and Estates), Michael D. Umphrey *2025 Lawyer of the Year* (Business Organizations, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, Trusts and Estates), Robert S. Zawideh (Arbitration, Commercial Litigation and Trusts and Estates Litigation). Ones to Watch: Casey Callahan (Business Organizations, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, Corporate Law), William E. Haines II (Elder Law and Trusts and Estates Litigation), Austin W. Probst (Commercial Litigation, Family Law, Trusts and Estates Litigation), Beth Schlosser (Trusts and Estates Litigation, Trusts and Estates).
Kemp Klein has twenty four attorneys who have been selected for inclusion in the DBusiness Magazine 2025 list of Top Lawyers. William B. Acker was recognized for his work in 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, Amanda Afton Martin was recognized for Tax Law and 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.
The State Bar of Michigan Litigation Section has recognized Robert S. Zawideh with the Litigation Excellence Award. The requirements to be recognized for this honor include the following: Involvement in significant legal matters, Depth of legal knowledge, Superior written and oral advocacy skills, Commitment to civility and professionalism, Outstanding reputation among peers and Commitment to the improvement of the legal profession.
Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s program Influential Women of Law honors women attorneys 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. Kemp Klein attorney Amanda Afton Martin was recognized in the 2024 class. 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. Click here to read more about Ms. Martin’s recognition.
Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s program 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. Kemp Klein attorney Robert S. Zawideh was recognized in the 2024 class of Michigan Lawyers Weekly Leaders in the Law. The program recognizes attorneys and professionals in law-related fields who have a significant accomplishment or achievement. These include outstanding contributions to the practice of law in Michigan, significant achievements through the practice of law, leadership in improving the justice system and important contributions to Michigan’s legal community and/or the community at large.
Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s program Michigan’s Go To Lawyers identifies and honors the top lawyers in a particular field of law as nominated by their peers. Kemp Klein attorney C. Leslie Banas was recognized as a Go To Lawyer for her practice in Commercial Real Estate.
Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s program Michigan’s Go To Lawyers identifies and honors the top lawyers in a particular field of law as nominated by their peers. Kemp Klein attorney David D. Marsh was recognized as a Go To Lawyer for his practice in Business Transactions.
Kemp Klein has 17 Attorneys who maintain a Martindale-Avvo 10.0 Superb Top Attorney Rating. This list includes: Ronald S. Nixon, Robert S. Zawideh, Richard C. Bruder, Ralph A. Castelli, Neal Nusholtz, Mark R. Filipp, Joseph P. Buttiglieri, James P. Davey, Faith M. Gaudaen, Earle E. Endelman, Cynthia L. Umphrey, Casey W. Callahan, C. Leslie Banas, Brian H. Rolfe, Brian R. Jenney, Austin W. Probst and Alan A. May. 97% of U.S. based attorneys have been rated by Martindale-Avvo. The 10.0 Superb Top Attorney Rating is the highest score on Martindale-Avvo
Kemp Klein Has Been Recognized as One of the 2024 Best Places to Work: Law Firms by Bridgetower Media® and Best Companies Group®. Best Companies Group® publishes its annual list to recognize top performing law firms nationally based on such factors as employee satisfaction, employee benefits, company policies and more. The Best Places to Work: Law Firms program honors firms that prioritize their employees’ well-being and create a positive work environment. 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.
Kemp Klein has been nominated for the Community Impact Award at the Troy Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. The Community Impact Award recognizes organizations and companies that are positively impacting their communities in ways that inspire integrity and respond creatively to needs in underserved communities. The nomination reads: ”The Kemp Klein Law Firm has made a significant impact in the community. Their recent Golf Outing Benefitted SAY Detroit, which provides housing and needs for people in underserved communities. They have also sponsored many community events for local initiatives such as Stage Nature Center, Oakland Literacy Council, The Mighty Gobbler 5K and more.” To read more about this honor please click here.
