Kemp Klein

 
Community Impact Award Nominee Kemp Klein Law Firm TC Biz Awards Troy Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards 2025 Presented By Horizon Bank Community Service Kemp Klein Foundation Troy Lawyer Law Firm Attorney Probate Estate Planning Tax Business Estates Litigation

Kemp Klein Has Been Nominated for the Community Impact Award in the 2025 Troy Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards

Community Impact Award Nominee Kemp Klein Law Firm TC Biz Awards Troy Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards 2025 Presented By Horizon Bank Community Service Kemp Klein Foundation Troy Lawyer Law Firm Attorney Probate Estate Planning Tax Business Estates Litigation

Kemp Klein is honored to be nominated for the second straight year in the Troy Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards presented by Horizon Bank for the Amour Women Community Impact Award. The Troy Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards celebrates and give recognition to the achievements of organizations and working professionals in the Troy business community.

The Amour Women 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. Voting for the TC Business Excellence Awards will be open until February 21, 2025 and is accessible here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TCBIZ25

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.”

 

Kemp Klein Foundation Golf Outing Forgotten Harvest Donation - $33,000
Kemp Klein Shareholder Robert S. Zawideh Presenting Forgotten Harvest with the Proceeds from the 3rd Annual Kemp Klein Golf Outing

 

Many of the activities for which Kemp Klein has been recognized have been made possible by the Kemp Klein Foundation. The Kemp Klein Foundation was started in 1994. Everyone at Kemp Klein is encouraged to be involved from hands-on volunteer opportunities to paying to participate in casual Fridays. The Kemp Klein Foundation is funded via proceeds from casual Friday donations and contributions from the firm. Since its inception, the Foundation has contributed over $1,000,000 to hundreds of worthwhile causes which reflect the shared values of the individuals at Kemp Klein. 

Read more about Kemp Klein’s dedication to Community Involvement: https://kkue.com/community_involvement

The Winners of the Troy Chamber Business Excellence Awards Presented by Horizon Bank will be announced on March, 6, 2025 at the MSU Management Education Center from 8:30AM – 10:30AM.

 


 

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 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"

Ralph Castelli Go To Lawyers Commercial Real Estate -25 Michigan Lawyers Weekly Troy Attorney
 


 

Kemp Klein Recently Sponsored Impact100 Oakland County's 2024 Annual Grant Awards Ceremony

Kemp Klein was an Event Sponsor of the Impact100 Oakland County 2024 Grant Awards Ceremony. Three organizations who have been making a difference in Oakland County were each awarded $97,333 grants at the event. The three organizations who were awarded grants were Hope Against Trafficking, Hospitality House Food Pantry and CARE House of Oakland County

The 2024 Impact100 Oakland County Annual Grant Awards Ceremony took place on November 7th, 2024 at the Rust Belt Market in Ferndale, MI.

Impact100 Oakland County is an all female membership philanthropic group which brings women together to engage in impactful, large-scale giving to support nonprofits serving Oakland County. Impact100 Oakland County’s goal is to provide high-impact grants that reach under-served populations, support nonprofits, and highlight unmet needs in our community. Through grant-making, they invest in nonprofits financially and by partnering with them to familiarize themselves with their programs, services, and the communities they serve. There are over 70 Chapters of Impact100 around the globe. 

For more information on Impact100 Oakland County please visit: impact100oaklandcounty.org

 


 

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.

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 Best Places To Work Law Firms - Best Place To Work In Michigan - Best Law Firm

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 Attorney Amanda Afton Martin and the Kemp Klein Foundation Sponsored the 4th Annual Live Out Loud - TURTLE Effect Foundation Memorial Bike Ride

The LIVE OUT LOUD Memorial Bike Ride took place in Colorado Springs, Colorado on October 19th, 2024. All trails began at the Greenland Open Space Trailhead location in Larkspur, Colorado. The event celebrates the inspiring life of Theodore “TURTLE” Wilson. Cycling was a passion of Turtle Wilson’s, and one he shared with vigor among his friends and community. TURTLE made friends around the WORLD and always strove to DO better, BE better, and to MAKE OTHERS BETTER in everything they did. 

The TURTLE Effect™ Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit committed to empowering talented and dedicated athletes to pursue their goals. Their mission is to perpetuate Theodore “TURTLE” Wilson’s drive to help others persevere through their challenges in order to achieve their potential and to share their own gifts with confidence in a “pay it forward” manner.

For more information on The TURTLE Effect, upcoming events and to donate please visit: https://turtleeffect.org

 


 

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/