RECOGNITION
Kemp Klein Law Firm and its attorneys have been recognized by peers and leading legal organizations for excellence in the practice of law. These recognitions reflect our long-standing commitment to professional integrity, legal skill, and client service across a wide range of practice areas. The honors and awards listed below highlight both firm-wide achievements and individual attorney distinctions earned through peer review, professional evaluation, and community involvement.
The Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ system is used to evaluate an attorney’s legal ability and ethical standards. AV Preeminent® is the highest Martindale-Hubbell peer rating and is awarded to attorneys who are recognized by their peers for the highest levels of professional excellence, legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards. Kemp Klein attorneys have been rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-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 2025 edition of Super Lawyers recognized 12 Kemp Klein attorneys as Super Lawyers and three 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), Suzan Gabbara (Criminal 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), Cynthia L. Umphrey (Business / Corporate 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)
Brian R. Jenney was also added to the Top 100: Michigan Super Lawyers: 2025 list.
Kemp Klein has been ranked in the Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list regionally in 19 practice areas. Firms included in the 2026 Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence based on consistently strong ratings from clients and peers.
Achieving a tiered ranking reflects a distinctive combination of quality legal practice and depth of legal expertise. Kemp Klein received the following rankings in the 2026 Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list:
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, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Real Estate Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Tax Law, Trusts & Estates Law
Regional Tier 2
Troy – Arbitration, Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television, Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Regional Tier 3
Troy – Appellate Practice, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
The 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in America® recognized 21 Kemp Klein attorneys as Best Lawyers, four Kemp Klein attorneys as Ones to Watch, and one 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 *2026 Lawyer of the Year* (Business Organizations, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Venture Capital Law), Joseph P. Buttiglieri (Family Law, Trusts & Estates Litigation), Ralph A. Castelli Jr. (Corporate Law, Real Estate Law and Trusts and Estates), James P. Davey (Commercial Litigation and Construction Litigation), Mark R. Filipp (Commercial Litigation, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment), 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, Tax Law, 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 (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, Trusts and Estates), William E. Haines II (Elder Law and Trusts and Estates Litigation, Business Organizations), Tyler Knurek (Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates), Margaret Lindauer (Elder Law, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates).
David Marsh
Tyler Knurek
Margaret Lindauer
Robert Zawideh
Michael Umphrey
Cynthia Umphrey
Amy Stawski
Thomas Rauch
Norman Orr
Neal Nusholtz
Ronald Nixon
Edward Nahhat
Alan May
Brian Rolfe
Brian Jenney
William Haines
Faith Gaudaen
Mark Filipp
James Davey
Ralph Castelli
Casey W. Callahan
Joseph P. Buttiglieri
Richard C. Bruder
C. Leslie Banas
William Acker
Kemp Klein has twenty-four attorneys who were selected for inclusion in DBusiness Magazine’s 2026 list of Top Lawyers.
William E. Haines II was recognized for Trusts & Estates, William B. Acker was recognized for his work in Tax Law, Ronald S. Nixon was recognized for Appellate 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, and Securities 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, 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 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 Corporate Law, 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 distributed to licensed attorneys within the metropolitan Detroit area. Inclusion in DBusiness Magazine’s Top Lawyers list is based solely on an attorney’s standing among their peers.
William Haines
William Acker
Ronald Nixon
Robert Zawideh
Richard C. Bruder
Raymond Morrow
Ralph Castelli
Norman Orr
Neal Nusholtz
Matthew W. Frank
Mark Filipp
Joseph P. Buttiglieri
James Davey
Faith Gaudaen
Edward Nahhat
David Marsh
Cynthia Umphrey
C. Leslie Banas
Brian Rolfe
Brian Jenney
Austin Probst
Amy Stawski
Amanda Afton Martin
Alan May
Crain’s Detroit Business has recognized Matthew W. Frank as one of its Notable M&A Dealmakers. The Crain’s Detroit Business Notable M&A Dealmakers honor experienced attorneys and executives who lead complex merger and acquisition transactions involving companies across the country and around the globe. Collectively, these professionals have overseen billions of dollars in transactions, ranging from private equity roll-up mergers to business expansions and major exits.
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 C. Leslie Banas was recognized in the 2025 class. 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 Alan A. May was recognized in the 2025 class of Michigan Lawyers Weekly Leaders in 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 attorneys Ralph A. Castelli and C. Leslie Banas have been recognized as Go To Lawyers for their 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 Matthew W. Frank was recognized as a Go To Lawyer for his practice in Business Litigation.
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.
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 Amy A. Stawski was recognized as a Go To Lawyer for her practice in Family Law.
Kemp Klein has 18 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, Matthew W. Frank, 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 was recognized as one of the 2024 Best Places to Work: Law Firms by Best Companies Group, with recognition featured by Bridgetower Media. The Best Places to Work: Law Firms program evaluates law firms nationwide based on employee satisfaction, workplace culture, benefits, and company policies, and honors firms that prioritize employee well-being and a positive work environment.
Kemp Klein was again included in the 2025 Best Places to Work: Law Firms rankings published by Best Companies Group, reflecting the firm’s continued commitment to fostering a respectful, collaborative, and supportive workplace. The firm’s workplace culture and leadership approach were also highlighted in a feature published by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, which examined how Kemp Klein promotes a culture of respect within the firm. Additional information is available here.
Kemp Klein was honored with Common Ground’s Kay White Legacy Award at the 2025 Celebration of Hope Gala, recognizing the firm’s nearly two decades of partnership and dedication to helping move people from crisis to hope. CEO Emeritus Ralph Castelli accepted the award on behalf of the firm, which has contributed more than $200,000 in pro bono legal services and supported numerous community initiatives, including the Adopt-A-Family program, The Ride 2 End Suicide, and local volunteer events. As a Legacy Society Benefactor and Circle of Hope member, Kemp Klein is proud to continue its longstanding support of Common Ground’s mission to provide critical crisis intervention, mental health support, and compassionate care to individuals and families across Michigan. To read more about this honor, please here.
Kemp Klein has been nominated for the second straight year 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, “Over the past year, Kemp Klein Law Firm has made a significant impact in the community through active support and participation in local initiatives like the Troy Stage Nature Center’s Nature Uncorked Fundraiser, Troy Historic Village’s Scarecrow Row, and the Mighty Gobbler 5K. Their commitment extends beyond participation, as shown by the Kemp Klein Foundation’s third annual golf outing, which raised $33,000 for Forgotten Harvest—providing meals for approximately 129,000 people.” To read more about this honor please click here.