Tag: elder law
Kemp Klein Proudly Participates in Oakland County Foster Closet’s 2025 Holiday Initiative for Children
This holiday season, Kemp Klein was proud to support the important work of Oakland County Foster Closet through its 2025 Holiday Initiative for Children. As part of this community effort, our firm fulfilled holiday wish lists for eight children in Oakland County, helping bring joy, comfort, and meaningful moments to local foster youth during the holidays.
Oakland County Foster Closet is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children in foster care by providing essential items such as clothing, shoes, personal care products, and comfort items at no cost to families and caregivers. By meeting immediate needs and easing transitions into foster homes, the organization helps children feel supported, confident, and cared for. In 2025, Oakland County Foster Closet sponsored 298 children, making a significant impact on families across Oakland County during the holiday season.
In addition to supporting foster children, members of the Kemp Klein team also contributed hygiene products to the Victims Assistance Program at Common Ground, extending our holiday outreach to individuals and families facing crisis.
Common Ground provides vital crisis intervention services throughout Southeast Michigan, including emergency shelter, counseling, advocacy, and support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other traumatic situations. The Victims Assistance Program focuses on addressing urgent needs while promoting dignity, safety, and healing. Donations of hygiene supplies help ensure individuals seeking assistance have access to basic necessities during times of uncertainty.
For more information about Oakland County Foster Closet, visit https://ocfostercloset.org.
For more information about Common Ground, visit https://commongroundhelps.org.
Community involvement and service are core values at Kemp Klein. We are grateful for the opportunity to support organizations like Oakland County Foster Closet and Common Ground that strengthen our local communities and make a lasting difference for children and families throughout Oakland County. To learn more about Kemp Klein’s community involvement, visit https://kkue.com/communityinvolvement.
Brian Jenney Sponsors The 2025 Mighty Gobbler 5k and 1 Mile Run / Walk
On behalf of Kemp Klein, attorney Brian Jenney is proud to support the 2025 Mighty Gobbler 5K and 1 Mile Run and Walk. Now entering its eleventh year, the Mighty Gobbler has become a cherished Thanksgiving tradition in Troy. Kemp Klein is honored to serve as a Silver Sponsor once again. Since 2015, this event has raised more than sixty five thousand dollars to support meaningful services throughout our community, and we are grateful to have been part of its impact for many years.
The 2025 Mighty Gobbler 5K and 1 Mile Run and Walk will take place on November 27. The one mile fun run and walk begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5K at 9:00 a.m. The race starts at 3290 West Big Beaver Road in Troy, and the course winds through nearby neighborhoods and commercial areas using a combination of roads and sidewalks.
This year’s event benefits three important local charities: Micah 6 Community, Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, and Troy People Concerned. Micah 6 Community serves Pontiac residents by increasing access to fresh food, promoting economic development, stabilizing neighborhoods, and offering spiritual and emotional support. Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers empowers older and disabled adults to maintain independence and quality of life through a network of trained and dedicated volunteers. Troy People Concerned supports Troy residents in times of need by providing assistance, information, and referrals.
Kemp Klein is proud to champion organizations that strengthen our region and support our neighbors.
For more information about the event: https://www.mightygobbler.com
Learn more about Kemp Klein’s Community Involvement here: https://kkue.com/communityinvolvement
24 Kemp Klein Attorneys Have Been Recognized As 2026 DBusiness Top Lawyers
Kemp Klein is honored to announce that twenty-four of our attorneys have been recognized in the DBusiness Magazine 2026 Top Lawyers list. This achievement reflects the exceptional talent, dedication, and client-focused service our attorneys bring to the firm and the communities we proudly serve.
Amanda Afton Martin was recognized for Tax Law
Robert S. Zawideh was recognized for 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
Ronald. S. Nixon was recognized for Appellate 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
William E. Haines II was recognized for Trusts & 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 list is determined through an extensive online peer-review survey distributed to certified attorneys across the metro Detroit region. Inclusion is based entirely on a lawyer’s reputation, expertise, and standing within the legal community as recognized by their peers.
To view the complete DBusiness Magazine Top Lawyers 2026 list, click here: https://www.dbusiness.com/top-lawyers/top-lawyers-2026
Kemp Klein Has Been Recognized in the 2026 Edition of Best Law Firms®
Troy, MI, United States, November 6, 2025 — Kemp Klein has been recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms® , a testament to its unwavering commitment to legal excellence. Ranked by Best Law Firms regionally in 19 practice areas, Kemp Klein has distinguished itself in the legal industry, earning this prestigious accolade.
Firms included in the 2026 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 2026 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.”
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 2026 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 2026 Best Law Firms®:
- Regional Tier 1
- Regional Tier 2
- Regional Tier 3
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 a list of all of Kemp Klein Practice Areas, please visit https://kkue.com/practice-areas/. For more information about Kemp Klein Law Firm, please visit https://kkue.com/.
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.
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.
Thirteen Kemp Klein Attorneys Named Michigan Super Lawyers
We are proud to announce that thirteen of Kemp Klein’s attorneys were recognized as 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers.
The following attorneys were named 2025 Michigan 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 Law
Alan A. May – Estate & Probate Law
Brian H. Rolfe – Business Litigation
Amy A. Stawski – Family Law
Cynthia L. Umphrey – Business / Corporate Law
Robert S. Zawideh – Estate & Trust Litigation
Brian Jenney was also added to the Top 100: Michigan Super Lawyers: 2025 list.
The following attorneys were named 2025 Michigan Rising Stars:
Casey W. Callahan – Estate & Probate Law
William E. Haines II – Estate & Probate Law
Austin W. Probst – 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 recognizes the top attorneys nationwide, across a variety of practice areas and firm sizes, using a patented process of independent research and peer input. The lawyers selected include those with many years of experience, as well as the Rising Stars of the profession.
Super Lawyers is a resource designed to aid those needing an attorney and has grown over three decades with an unparalleled reach in print magazines and online.
For more on Kemp Klein’s recognition click here.
Kemp Klein Law Firm is Sponsoring Oakland County Bar Foundation's 2025 Signature Event
Oakland County Bar Foundation’s highly anticipated annual fundraising event is celebrating its 26th year. Kemp Klein Law Firm is a Silver Sponsor for the event.
The Signature Event is the primary fundraising initiative of the Oakland County Bar Foundation. The OCBF funds many worthy non-profit organizations in order to meet its mission of ensuring access to justice and an understanding of law in our community.
In 2024, OCBF raised over $193,000. These funds are vital for supporting local nonprofits dedicated to helping those in need. This achievement was made possible by the generous contributions of sponsors and donors.
The event takes place Wednesday, May 7th, 2025, from 6-9pm at the Orchard Lake Country Club.
For more information and registration: https://www.ocba.org/?pg=signature-event
Kemp Klein Attorneys who are OCBF Fellows:
Austin Probst – Fellow
Margaret Lindauer – Fellow
Tyler Knurek – Fellow
Amanda Afton Martin – Fellow
Amy Stawski – Life Fellow
Brian Rolfe – Philanthropist Fellow
Robert Zawideh – Life Fellow
C. Leslie Banas – Life Fellow
Ralph Castelli – Life Fellow
Brian Jenney – Life Fellow
For more information about the Oakland County Bar Foundation: https://www.ocba.org/?pg=ocbf

Kemp Klein Attorneys Austin W. Probst, Margaret Lindauer and Tyler Knurek join the Oakland County Bar Foundation as Fellows
Austin W. Probst, Margaret Lindauer and Tyler Knurek join several other Kemp Klein attorneys by joining the Oakland County Bar Foundation. The Oakland County Bar Foundation promotes and funds programs designed to increase access, affordability, and understanding of the law and legal system. The Fellows program provides critical support for OCBF programs. It also provides a setting for dedicated individuals to come together in professional camaraderie to support the cause. Membership in the Oakland County Bar Foundation Fellows program is evidence of professional distinction and constitutes a professional honor.
On Monday January, 27th, 2025 The Oakland County Bar Foundation held their Annual Fellows Reception. The event took place at The Iroquois Club in Bloomfield Hills, MI. This event was exclusively open to members of the OCBF.
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.
Kemp Klein Attorneys who are OCBF Fellows:
Austin Probst – Fellow
Margaret Lindauer – Fellow
Tyler Knurek – Fellow
Amanda Afton Martin – Fellow
Amy Stawski – Life Fellow
Brian Rolfe – Philanthropist Fellow
Robert Zawideh – Life Fellow
C. Leslie Banas – Life Fellow
Ralph Castelli – Life Fellow
Brian Jenney – Life Fellow
For more information about the Oakland County Bar Foundation: https://www.ocba.org/?pg=ocbf
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’s “Michigan’s Go to Lawyers Commercial Real Estate Law” issue released on January 27, 2025.
Read More About Why Mr. Castelli Was Chosen As A Michigan Lawyer's Weekly "Go To Lawyer"
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.