Tag: Birmingham
Kemp Klein Attorney Ralph A. Castelli Named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly's 'Go To Lawyers' Commercial Real Estate List
Kemp Klein is pleased to announce that Kemp Klein Shareholder and Chairman Emeritus Ralph A. Castelli was named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s ‘Go To Lawyers’ Commercial Real Estate List. The “Go To Lawyers” program identifies and recognizes the top lawyers across the state in a given practice area.
To be considered for this award one must be the following:
- A lawyer who is well respected in his or her field, well-versed in the nuances of the case law, statutes and regulations clients will encounter.
- A lawyer who is experienced and enjoys a record of success, with many cases and/or transactions that give testimony to the quality advice he or she can provide.
- A lawyer to whom other lawyers make referrals because of his or her expertise and accomplishments.
- A lawyer who can think creatively and identify all options for a client.
- A lawyer you would name when a friend from another state calls and says she has a client who needs some legal help in a given part of our state.
- A lawyer you might call yourself if you needed legal help in his or her field.
Ralph Castelli is a sought-after attorney for business and real estate transactions as well as estate planning and general corporate law. He is a skilled negotiator who analyzes and problem solves complicated issues and uses his decades of experience to prevail on behalf of his clients.
Mr. Castelli maintains an “AV” peer review rating with Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, the highest peer review rating for attorneys. He has also been listed as one of the top 5% of attorneys in Michigan by Super Lawyers Magazine. In 2025 The Best Lawyers in America® recognized Ralph Castelli as a Best Lawyer for his work in Corporate Law, Real Estate Law and Trusts and Estates. Mr. Castelli has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® since 2013. Mr. Castelli was named Lawyer of the Year by The Best Lawyers in America® in 2019. Mr. Castelli was recognized by DBusiness Magazine as a 2025 DBusiness Top Lawyer for his work in Corporate Law. In Addition, Ralph Castelli was named to the “Leaders in Law” Class of 2018 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Michigan Lawyers Weekly will publish the “Michigan’s Go to Lawyers Commercial Real Estate Law” issue on January 27, 2025.
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
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 is Sponsoring the 2024 Annual Oakland County Bar Foundation's Fellows Reception
The Fellows Reception honors those who support the charitable works of the OCBF. Membership in the Fellows program is evidence of professional distinction and constitutes a professional honor. The number of Fellows is limited to less than 10 percent of the total active membership of the State Bar of Michigan who practice in Oakland County. In order to become a Fellow, you must be nominated by a current OCBF Fellow. This is an invitation-only free event for members of the OCBF Fellows program.
Kemp Klein Attorneys who are OCBF Fellows:
Amy Stawski – Life Fellow
Amanda Martin – Fellow
Thomas Trainer – Life Fellow
Stavroula Varlamos – Fellow
Robert Zawideh – Life Fellow
C. Leslie Banas – Life Fellow
Cynthia Brazzil – Life Fellow
Ralph Castelli – Life Fellow
Earle Endelman – Life Fellow
Brian Jenney – Life Fellow
Brian Rolfe – Philanthropist Fellow
The Event takes place Monday January 22, 2024, at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, MI.
For more information about the Oakland County Bar Foundation: https://www.ocba.org/?pg=ocbf
Kemp Klein Supported Oakland Literacy Council's Annual Ex Libris Event
Kemp Klein recently sponsored Oakland Literacy Council’s Annual Ex Libris Event. This fundraising event benefits adult literacy by funding new tutors, providing curriculum and technology for learners. Kemp Klein believes that literacy is vital, and in alignment with that belief, the Kemp Klein Foundation has supported Oakland Literacy Council for 29 years.
For over 37 years, the Oakland Literacy Council has enabled adult students to achieve individual literacy goals through a partnership with trained volunteer tutors. They serve native-English speaking adults who need basic reading, writing, and math skills, and foreign-born adults who need English reading, writing, or conversation skills.
Learn more about Oakland Literacy Council: https://www.oaklandliteracy.com/
Learn more about The Kemp Klein Foundation: https://kkue.com/community_involvement/
Brian Jenney Sponsors The 2023 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. 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 23, starting at 8:30 am for the 1 Mile fun run/walk and 9:00 am for the 5K. The race will begin at Lutheran Church of the Master, 3333 Coolidge Hwy., in Troy. The course winds 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/
Brian Jenney Sponsors The Community House of Birmingham's 90 & Beyond Celebration Luncheon
On behalf of Kemp Klein, Brian Jenney is supporting the 2023 90 & Beyond Celebration Luncheon by The Community House Birmingham. Mr. Jenney has sponsored this event in the past and remains an active supporter of the Community House Foundation.
The 90 & Beyond Celebration Luncheon celebrates, honors and thanks citizens who have reached 90 years of age and beyond for their personal and professional contributions to the community.
For more information about the event: https://www.communityhouse.com/social-events/
