WARNER NORCROSS + JUDD - Key Persons
Alan Rogalski has more than 30 years of experience counseling pharmacists, pharmacies, physicians, physicians' groups, hospitals and other health care providers in matters arising from regulatory compliance failures that jeopardize health care practices and place clients at risk of civil penalties or even criminal convictions. A former licensed clinical pharmacist for Henry Ford Health Systems, Alan continued in that position for several years, even after earning his law degree, transitioning from clinical pharmacy practice to quality assurance and risk prevention.
Alan is an avid - and adventurous - skier. He mentions an artist, James Niehues, who is known for doing artistic renderings of most of the major ski resorts around the world. The resorts frequently superimpose these renderings onto their trail maps. At least in North America, if Niehues has painted it, Alan has probably skied it. He reports occasionally taking the lift as high as it will go and then climbing for another hour or so, to the top of the mountain, "to look around and see the grandeur of it all, before skiing down on that pristine, untouched snow."
Job Titles:
- Co - Chair
- Partner
- Named American Bar Foundation Fellow February 17, 2021
- Participate in Executive Leadership Program August 2, 2016
- Warner Partner
As a prosecutor, I watched some of the brightest and best-intentioned individuals and companies make poor decisions when they became the subject of criminal, civil or administrative investigation. Now as a private-practice lawyer, I am determined to help clients avoid such missteps. I know the real-world implications of investigations and criminal prosecutions, and I fully appreciate the fact that your liberty, reputation and livelihood are at stake.
One of the reasons I became a lawyer is a dislike for gray areas - a sentiment I think our clients share. Rules and regulations may be open to interpretation, but they always provide guidelines that are necessary to plan and act. I enjoy staying abreast of the regulatory changes and helping clients figure out what they can and can't do within those bounds.
Both as a clinical pharmacist and an attorney, I have been immersed in the health care space since I began working in clinical laboratories and pharmacies over four decades ago. Whether an individual, a group practice, a health care institution, or a university, if they provide a health care service, insure health care services or educate and train health care professionals, I have represented them. As a licensed health care professional and attorney, I have a unique appreciation for the challenges my clients face and understand how to help them maintain compliance and avoid or overcome adversity.
Brian Lennon specializes in criminal defense - particularly of health care fraud and other white collar and drug offenses, as well as corporate internal investigations and compliance matters. For False Claims Act matters, a distinct focus, he also provides civil defense, and expects to see a number of cases soon arising tied to the receipt (and alleged misuse) of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds. Brian works with clients in all corners of Michigan and represents a significant number of professional service providers in the Detroit area.
Brian Masternak is a seasoned civil litigator who focuses dually in both securities and products/competition cases. In his burgeoning securities practice, he represents broker-dealers, investment advisors and associated persons in customer arbitration and litigation proceedings, actions alleging regulatory violations and various other enforcement actions brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or financial self-regulatory organizations (SROs).
Job Titles:
- Member of Warner 's Business
Celia Kaechele is a member of Warner's Business and Corporate Services Practice Group. She works closely with the firm's investment management advisory clients and assists closely held businesses on a variety of matters including formation, early-stage financing, corporate governance, securities law compliance, and both mergers and acquisitions and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs).
Celia is a runner and does some of her best legal strategizing while out there on the pavement, usually on the river walk alongside the Detroit River. She is also on the board of a nonprofit that hosts a model United Nations conference ever y year - something she participated in in high school and continue s to be involved in as a volunteer.
Job Titles:
- Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation Leadership Post June 15, 2015
- Named Board President of Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation September 6, 2017
Job Titles:
- Returns to Warner As Senior Counsel August 5, 2020
I grew up playing sports and thrive in competitive environments. I believe in sportsmanship and fighting fair - I always try not to make problems bigger or worse than they need to be. A client recently told me, "Brian, you may be the least lawyerly lawyer I know." He meant that as a huge compliment. But I will always rise to the challenge when litigating on behalf of a client.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Development Committee Member ( 2018 - Present )
I'm a cordial, easygoing lawyer who builds strong relationships, gets to know my clients well and advocates vigorously for them with everything I have. They appreciate my ability to distill very complex legal concepts and discuss them in a simple, understandable manner.
Boiling it all down, I'm a problem-solver. Clients trust me to guide them through their most challenging problems as if they are my own and help them to make the right decision when the stakes are high. I am particularly drawn to those issues that are the most complex and technical. I enjoy learning from my clients about their highly specialized industries and products as we work through their issues. Having been raised in a family of teachers, I also enjoy taking the most complicated technical issues and explaining them to a jury, judge or regulator in a simple, non-lawyer way to help them better identify and understand.
I am thrilled to be managing partner of Warner − where I began my career over 30 years ago. It all started with a job in the mail room, delivering mail to various Warner offices across the state. I then decided to attend law school and returned to Warner, working my way up through the ranks as a summer associate, associate, partner and now managing partner of the firm. I have enjoyed every minute of it. I am a true believer in Warner, our people and our culture. I look forward to continuing to help grow this dynamic and forward-thinking law firm.
I'm a very practical lawyer focused on achieving legal outcomes that serve to realize clients' business objectives. As an advisor who earns clients' trust, I take an active role in the client relationship and help people think through potential approaches to strategic transactions and other matters. Rather than being risk-averse by nature, I help identify opportunities to find a risk-based approach to address legal and business issues.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Elected Managing Partner of Warner January 4, 2022
- Managing Partner of Warner
- Meet Our Managing Partner
Mark Wassink is managing partner of Warner and has dedicated his life's work to leading the firm while holding various positions throughout his legal career - including chair of the firm's Professional Staff Committee, chair of the Recruiting Committee, leadership team member of the DEI Action Committee - all while maintaining a successful corporate law career. His focus is and has always been to support Warner in being an inclusive and welcoming place for all.
Job Titles:
- Doubles Down: Governor 's Executive Orders Are Void October 13, 2020
- Rules Against Governor 's Executive Orders October 3, 2020
Back to the Movies: State of Michigan Moves to Permit Gatherings and Events September 25, 2020
My goal is to give clients sensible and cost-effective advice that makes the most sense for their unique situation. Clients count on me to always be straight with them about the best way to pursue (or, if appropriate, not pursue) protection for their invention. I will never waste a client's time or money.
For more than 30 years, Tony Kolenic has represented private sector, tax-exempt and governmental employers in all facets of employee benefits and executive compensation. He regularly counsels clients regarding compliance with ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and various labor and securities laws impacting 401(k) plans, defined benefit plans, multiemployer plans, health care plans, stock option plans, change in control agreements and employee stock ownership plans, as well as all related employee benefit and executive compensation programs. He is the former chair of the firm's Employee Benefits Practice Group.
Job Titles:
- HR and Benefits Executive Panel in Kalamazoo August 18, 2015
- HR and Benefits Executive Panel in Midland October 5, 2016
- HR and Benefits Executive Panel in Novi October 5, 2016
Job Titles:
- Elected President of Federal Bar Association West Michigan Chapter November 20, 2019
Job Titles:
- Attorney Carly a. Zagaroli to Firm January 23, 2015