KOM News

MARCH 2008

KOM WELCOMES DAVID M. BLAU, ASSOCIATE

KOM is pleased to announce that David M. Blau has joined the firm. Mr. Blau has been practicing law since 1996 and will work in the commercial litigation, real estate, business and bankruptcy law practice areas. Mr. Blau has experience representing builders, subcontractors, and suppliers in the filing and foreclosure of construction liens and payment bond claims, and representing creditors and Chapter 7 bankruptcy Trustees in bankruptcy matters. He handles contract claims, alter ego/successor corporate liability, shareholder disputes, corporation and partnership dissolution matters. Mr. Blau also represents purchasers and sellers in business transactions related to the purchase and sale of real and personal property and franchise work.

Mr. Blau is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Oakland County Bar Association - Real Estate Committee, Federal Bar Association, American Bankruptcy Institute, and International Council of Shopping Centers.

JANUARY 2008

PAUL S. MAGY ELECTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE BUILDING OWNERS AND MANAGERS ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT

Paul S. Magy was elected to the Board of Directors for The Building Owners and Managers Association of Metropolitan Detroit. BOMA is a primary source of information on office building development, leasing, building operating costs, energy consumption patterns, local and national building codes, legislation, occupancy statistics and technological developments. BOMA's Board of Directors leads the organization in developing and implementing the association's strategic plan. The Board also directs the operations of BOMA Detroit's nearly 400 members and the association's eight committees. BOMA International's members are building owners, managers, developers, leasing professionals, medical office building managers, corporate facility managers, asset managers, and the providers of the products and services needed to operate commercial properties. Collectively, BOMA members own or manage more than nine billion square feet of office space, which represents more than 80 percent of the prime office space in North America.

In addition to serving on the BOMA Board, Magy is Past State Director for the International Council of Shopping Centers in Michigan. He continues to serve on its National Law Committee and is an ICSC Regional Governmental Relations Chairman.

He has been honored as a Fellow for the Michigan State Bar Foundation and as a Life Member of the Judicial Conference of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

Magy concentrates his practice in commercial real estate and commercial litigation. His practice in commercial real estate includes acquisitions, development, financing, land use planning, zoning, leasing and selling commercial real estate, including litigation related to all of these areas. Magy is also a frequent public speaker, coordinating and participating in seminars on various real estate topics. He is also involved in various community and charitable organizations, currently serving as Chairman of the Board of the Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York.

KOM WELCOMES LANCE T. DENHA, ASSOCIATE

KOM is pleased to announce that Lance T. Denha has joined the firm. Mr. Denha will work in the business and bankruptcy law practice areas. In the business area, he specializes in general corporate law with a concentration in business and commercial transactions, property tax appeals, health care, immigration law, and liquor licensing matters. In the bankruptcy area, Mr. Denha's focus is on bankruptcy law matters, specializing in debtor representation, creditor relations, and related litigation.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Denha worked in business and corporate law where he advised companies in business formation and planning. He also specialized in real property law where he prepared, drafted and reviewed leases for commercial and residential real estate lease agreements. He also advised clients in landlord-tenant law and property tax appeals.

Mr. Denha is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, State Bar of Florida, American Bar Association, and Chaldean American Bar Association. Mr. Denha is licensed to practice law in Michigan and Florida.

JUNE 2007

KOM SHAREHOLDER APPOINTMENTS

KOM is pleased to announce that Terrance A. Hiller and Douglas M. Chapman have become shareholders of the firm.

Mr. Hiller is a member of the firm’s Bankruptcy, Commercial Litigation and Commercial Real Estate practice areas.  Mr. Hiller has extensive bankruptcy law and litigation experience.  His emphasis of practice includes representing Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustees, debtors, creditors and commercial landlords in both federal and state courts.  Mr. Hiller also conducts appeals in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

In 1992, Mr. Hiller earned his B.A. degree in Political Science-Prelaw from Michigan State University, and his law degree, J.D. in 1996 from Michigan State University College of Law.

In addition, Mr. Hiller is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, American Bar Association, American Bankruptcy Institute, Consumer Bankruptcy Association, Federal Bar Association, International Council of Shopping Centers and National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees.

Mr. Chapman is a member of the firm’s Insurance Coverage and Litigation practice areas. He has represented insurance companies against other insurers, policyholders, and third-party claimants in disputes spanning the gamut of liability and no-fault insurance coverage and litigation issues.   Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Chapman practiced insurance coverage and litigation in California with a concentration in construction defect, environmental contamination, automotive negligence, and trucker’s negligence. 

In 1990, Mr. Chapman earned his B.S. from University of California at Berkeley and his law degree in 1994 from Golden Gate University School of Law.

Mr. Chapman is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, American Bar Association, California State Bar Association and Washtenaw County Bar Association. Mr. Chapman is licensed to practice law in Michigan and California.

MAY 2007

KOM WELCOMES THEIR 2007 SUMMER ASSOCIATES

KOM is pleased to announce that Steven W. Paciorka and Sara M. Masterson have joined the firm as summer associates.

Mr. Paciorka received his B.A. in 1999 from Michigan State University in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy.  He is a second year student at Michigan State University College of Law. Steven has served as guardian ad litem for guardianship/conservatorship proceedings at Ingham County Probate Court. Steven received Jurisprudence Achievement Awards in Torts I and Civil Procedure II.  Mr. Paciorka is a member of the Business Law Society.

Ms. Masterson received her B.A. in 2004 with distinction from University of Michigan in Communication Studies.  She is a second year student at University of Michigan Law School.  Sara was Associate Editor and is presently Contributing Editor for the Michigan Telecommunications and Technology Law Review.  Sara has also held positions as Legal Assistant for the University of Michigan Urban Communities Clinic and Research Assistant for the U of M Ross School of Business.  Ms. Masterson is a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society and Native American Law Students Association.

APRIL 2007

KOM WELCOMES AMY L. WITT, ASSOCIATE

KOM is pleased to announce that Amy L. Witt, J.D. has joined the firm. Ms. Witt will work in the insurance coverage and commercial litigation law practice areas. 

Ms. Witt received her B.A. from Michigan State University in 1999 and her law degree from DePaul University in 2002.  Ms. Witt has represented insurance companies throughout the United States in complex insurance coverage matters involving asbestos, environmental issues, construction defect, and toxic torts.  Ms. Witt has experience in all aspects of insurance coverage law, including insurance coverage analysis and litigation. Prior to joining the firm, she practiced in Chicago, Illinois. 

Ms. Witt is licensed to practice in Illinois, Michigan and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.