Advisory Boards

Real Property Law Advisory Board

Geaneen M. Arends

Butzel Long, Detroit

Geaneen M. Arends is a shareholder practicing in her firm's Detroit office. She concentrates her practice on general business law and commercial real estate. Ms. Arends assists business clients with general business planning, entity formation and maintenance, mergers, acquisitions, private placements, woman-owned/minority-owned/disadvantaged business certification, insurance and risk management issues, and general business contracts. She has also advised business clients on...View Full Bio

Kellie M. Blair

Matta Blair PLC, Bloomfield Hills

Kellie M. Blair is a partner in her firm. She concentrates her practice in the areas of real estate litigation and transactions, business litigation, and commercial litigation. Ms. Blair has significant experience in real estate title insurance, real estate litigation, real estate errors and omissions, commercial litigation, employment litigation, construction liens, broker liability defense, corporate partnership and limited liability formation,...View Full Bio

Ponce D. Clay

Clay Law PLC, Detroit

Before starting his career in law, Ponce D. Clay was an officer in the U.S. Navy for over 20 years, deployed primarily in the Pacific, South America, and the Caribbean, retiring with the rank of lieutenant commander. Mr. Clay focuses his firm, which was founded in 2012 as a certified veteran-owned business, on real estate matters, probate administration, juvenile defense,...View Full Bio

Sara G. Lachman

Lachman PLC, Grand Rapids

Sara G. Lachman is a real estate attorney and managing partner with the firm. Drawing on experience from her 17-year career, Ms. Lachman's areas of expertise include probate and trust litigation, land contracts and land contract disputes, homeowners association law, zoning issues and appeals, land use and development, commercial and residential construction, and agricultural land issues. She has been named...View Full Bio

Deborah S. Lapin

Maddin Hauser Roth & Heller PC, Southfield

Deborah S. Lapin is a shareholder in the firm's Financial Services and Real Property Litigation Group and practices in the areas of real estate litigation, particularly mortgage related disputes, title insurance coverage disputes, and other contractual disputes. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Mortgage Brokers Association, the Federal Bar Association (Eastern District of Michigan), and...View Full Bio

Stephan K. Lobert

Lobert Law Office PC, Big Rapids

President and attorney at law for his firm, Stephan K. Lobert practices in the areas of real estate, estate planning, business, and probate and trust administration. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Mecosta-Osceola Bar Association, and the Mecosta County Chamber of Commerce. In 2014, Mr. Lobert was recognized as Mecosta County's favorite attorney by the...View Full Bio

Kayleigh B. Long

Hirzel Law PLC, Farmington

Kayleigh B. Long is a member at the firm and focuses her practice in the areas of community association law and appellate litigation. Ms. Long obtained her JD from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, where she graduated in the top five of her class and served as the senior executive editor on the "Indiana Law Review." Ms....View Full Bio

Joseph H. Wener

Couzens Lansky Fealk Ellis Roeder & Lazar PC, Farmington Hills

Licensed to practice in both Ontario and Michigan, Joseph H. Wener practices in the areas of real estate law, corporate and business law, commercial transactions, and issues pertaining to or involving Canadian law. With experience in both Canada and the United States, he has practiced extensively in the area of residential and commercial real estate transactions, representing individuals, corporate clients,...View Full Bio

Matthew J. Franson

ICLE Advisory Board Liaison

Matthew J. Franson joined ICLE in September 2021. Mr. Franson works with a diverse group of contributors to update and publish print and online resources in the areas of no-fault, insurance, criminal law, and cannabis law. He also plans and moderates studio seminars on these topics. Before joining ICLE, Mr. Franson was a law clerk and practiced with multiple firms...View Full Bio

News From ICLE

ICLE Is an Accredited MCJE Provider
If you are a Michigan judicial officer, completing your mandatory MCJE requirement just got easier. As of March 7, 2024, ICLE became an accredited MCJE provider. This approval was granted by the Michigan Continuing Judicial Education Board. We will provide details soon about how you can earn credit from ICLE’s in-person, livestreamed, and on-demand seminars. Until then, visit www.courts.michigan.gov/mcje.

New Edition
The Second Edition of Construction Law and Liens in Michigan covers everything from creating and perfecting a construction lien to removing, discharging, and foreclosing on one. Includes a new chapter on construction contracts and more. Included in the Premium Partnership.

Meet Our Contributors

Hon. Anthony P. Patti

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan

Detroit

Hon. Anthony P. Patti was appointed as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan in 2015. Before that appointment, he had extensive employment litigation experience and served as general outside employment counsel...

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