VANDEVEER GARZIA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- SHAREHOLDER
- Shareholder With
ADAM K. GORDON is a Shareholder with Vandeveer Garzia with over 24 years of experience in defending insurance companies and their insureds throughout the State of Michigan in both State and Federal Courts. In his career as an insurance defense litigation attorney, he has represented both small and large insurance corporations in a wide variety of matters which range from catastrophic first party No-Fault automobile insurance claims to provider lawsuits. Likewise, he has defended hundreds of third party defendants in cases which range in severity from minor injuries to death.
While in law school, Adam served on the Moot Court Board of Directors. Mr. Gordon began his career with Vandeveer Garzia, P.C. as a law clerk in the late 1980's. He joined the firm as an associate from 1995 through 1999 where he tried dozens of cases to verdict. He left Vandeveer for a 17-year career with a competing law firm. In 2016, he returned as a Shareholder with a diverse clientele defending cases in various areas of law including Automobile Negligence, Premises Liability, Dram Shop Liability, No-Fault and Commercial Litigation. In addition, he is routinely called upon by corporate and insurance company clients to develop and conduct seminars on various law-related topics in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and elsewhere.
In addition to handling a full trial docket, Adam is currently the firm's Secretary and General Counsel as well as a Co-Managing Partner of the firm.
Mr. Gordon serves as a Defense Arbitrator and as a Facilitator on a regular basis.
Outside the practice of law, Adam is an accomplished sailor and novice skier.
Job Titles:
- ASSOCIATE
- Associate Attorney With
Anastasia E. Kilanowski-Reyes is an Associate Attorney with Vandeveer Garzia. Anastasia attended Loyola University Chicago were she earned her Bachelor's degree. She then attended the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. While attending law school she was a recipient of the Law Dean's scholarship, was on the Dean's list and received the Book Award in Criminal Procedure. Anastasia graduated cum laude in 2018.
Andrew Malec joined Vandeveer Garzia in 2021 after graduating from Michigan State University College of Law. His practice predominantly focuses on defense litigation, including First-Party Personal Injury Protection and Third-Party automobile negligence, as well as other general civil litigation matters throughout Michigan's trial courts. In Law School, Andrew competed in several national appellate moot court competitions, including the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition and the Jerome Prince Memorial Evidence Competition. He is published in MSU College of Law's International Law Review and served as President of the Student Bar Association for the 2020-2021 academic year.
ASHLEY A. SLAGHT is a Partner at Vandeveer Garzia. She focuses her practice on defense litigation in the areas of first and third-party automobile negligence, premises liability, and general negligence. Ashley has no-fault trial experience, including trial to no-cause jury verdict.
Ashley earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Oakland University, graduating with honors and her juris doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. While attending law school, Ashley received an academic honors scholarship and earned several Book Awards for her academic performance. In addition, Ashley served as a team member of the National Mock Trial Team. Ashley supplemented her classroom education with a judicial internship in the Genesee County Circuit Court for the Hon. Joseph J. Farah. Ashley also participated in the Oakland County Bar Association's Inns of Court program.
Job Titles:
- ASSOCIATE
- Attorney
- Member of the State Bar of Michigan
CANDICE J. COSBY is an Associate Attorney at Vandeveer Garzia. She focuses her practice on defense litigation in the areas of first and third-party automobile negligence, premises liability, and general negligence.
Candice graduated cum laude from Western Michigan University- Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2018. While in law school, she received several honors, and earned Book Awards for her academic performance in the following courses: Alternate Dispute Resolution for Advocates, Bankruptcy, Criminal Law, Law Office Management, and Pretrial Skills. In addition, Candice served as a Teaching Assistant, Senator for the Student Bar Association, and Student Attorney in the law school's Estate Planning Clinic. She also served as a co-chair of the Intramural Academic Games Events.
Candice also serves as a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Oakland County Bar Association, and American Bar Association.
Cassidy M. Capoferri is an Associate Attorney at Vandeveer Garzia. Her practice focuses primarily on defense litigation in the areas of first and third-party automobile negligence, premises liability, and general negligence.
Cassidy graduated summa cum laude from Wayne State University in 2020 and cum laude from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2023. While in law school, she served as an Executive Editor of the Law Review and had her Law Review note published with the journal. She received several honors, including a book award in Sales and the Dean's Fellowship award. Prior to joining Vandeveer Garzia as an attorney, Cassidy clerked for the firm throughout law school.
Job Titles:
- SHAREHOLDER
- Member of the State Bar of Michigan
DAVID B. TIMMIS is a Shareholder with the law firm of Vandeveer Garzia. He practices out of the Troy, Michigan office. Mr. Timmis is a litigator with significant trial experience in complex matters, who has been able to achieve very positive results for his clients. Mr. Timmis has received an "AV" peer rating, the highest rating available from Martindale Hubbell. Mr. Timmis has been named a Super Lawyer from 2007 to the present. Super Lawyers is a survey conducted by the publishers of Law and Politics. It identifies the top 5 percent of attorneys in the state as chosen by their peers and through the independent research of Law and Politics. Mr. Timmis was also recognized as a "Top Lawyer" in the area of Commercial Litigation by DBusiness Magazine, a local publication that recognizes the premier attorneys throughout the state.
Mr. Timmis also handles auto negligence, premises liability, product liability, and civil rights claims. Mr. Timmis serves as local counsel for Coca-Cola Refreshments USA, Inc. in the State of Michigan. He also serves as counsel for the County of Oakland, handling various matters, including automobile negligence and premises liability actions, in which the County is involved. Mr. Timmis is also involved in a wide variety of litigation involving commercial matters, contract actions and employment law. He has also involved himself extensively in defamation and invasion of privacy claims. Mr. Timmis is frequently called upon to act as an arbitrator in all areas of civil litigation.
Mr. Timmis was born on July 4, 1962 in Detroit, Michigan. He is a 1984 graduate of Albion College, with a major in Economics and Management. Mr. Timmis received the degree of Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit in 1987. Mr. Timmis served as a law clerk for the Honorable Barry Grant, Probate Court Judge for the County of Oakland. He also served as a law clerk throughout law school at Vandeveer Garzia. Upon his graduation in 1987, he became associated with Vandeveer Garzia where he remains today as a Shareholder and a member of the firm's Management Committee.
Mr. Timmis is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Negligence Law Section. He is admitted to practice in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan and Western District of Michigan. Mr. Timmis has presented successful oral arguments in the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. He is also a member of the Oakland County Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
Job Titles:
- SHAREHOLDER
- Lead Counsel
- Shareholder With
DONALD C. BROWNELL is a Shareholder with Vandeveer Garzia and focuses his practice on the defense of civil litigation matters throughout the State of Michigan. Mr. Brownell currently serves as the President of Vandeveer Garzia and is a Co-Managing Partner of the firm. Mr. Brownell has been an attorney with Vandeveer Garzia since 1993.
Mr. Brownell is lead counsel of a team of attorneys handling construction claims, premises liability claims, product claims, professional negligence matters as well as transportation, trucking and highway liability matters. Mr. Brownell is also involved in the defense of several insurance carriers involving catastrophic First Party Automobile claims. Mr. Brownell also represents a diverse group of clients in commercial disputes. Mr. Brownell has experience in lead paint claims, mold claims, food borne illness claims, product design and manufacturing defect claims, and real estate disputes.
Mr. Brownell is also actively involved in risk management for several clients, drafting policy and procedures manuals to address specific client's issues and needs. Mr. Brownell has also led a team of attorneys in drafting new policy language for insurance carriers to address new statutes and case law.As a trial lawyer Mr. Brownell has defended clients in the State Courts of Michigan, the Federal Courts and has been admitted pro hac vice in numerous other states to defend clients when needed. Mr. Brownell has tried numerous cases to verdict, including catastrophic injury matters, product liability matters, premises liability matters, construction matters as well as insurance coverage claims. Mr. Brownell has also appeared before the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati and has significant appellate experience.
Mr. Brownell serves as a Case Evaluator in Wayne County. Mr. Brownell also routinely conducts seminars for various clients and national insurance carriers. Mr. Brownell has also been a speaker for The Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Michigan.
Elena Simopoulos is an associate attorney at Vandeveer Garzia. Her practice focuses on general civil defense litigation. Elena received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan with a double major in Political Science and International Studies. She graduated from Wayne State University Law School in 2021. While in law school, Elena competed in Mock Trial and was a member of the Health Law Society. Before coming to Vandeveer Garzia, Elena specialized in medical malpractice defense.
GARY A. MILLER is a litigator. He has regularly appeared in both state and federal courts and also actively participated in a variety of alternative dispute resolution forums not only on behalf of clients, but also as a mediator/facilitator. He concentrates his practice in the defense of clients and has substantial experience in litigation which poses serious exposure to the defendant. This includes commercial trucking, construction, product and employment litigation. His background in the defense of professional liability claims, including medical malpractice, leaves him well versed in medical issues particularly as they apply to various personal injury claims.
He has had the privilege of representing a variety of professional clients including: accountants, architects, attorneys, chiropractors, dentists, nurses, nursing homes, physician assistants, physicians and podiatrists as well as medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Gary is of-counsel with Vandeveer Garzia. He has served on the firm's management committee as both Secretary and Vice President. From 1990 to 1993 and again in early 2000, Gary served as co-chairman of the Medical Legal Committee which is a joint committee of the Wayne County Medical Society and the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association. He has spoken at numerous seminars offered by the committee. He has also lectured at the Negligence Section of the State Bar and for the National Business Institute Seminar. He has authored articles in the Michigan Defense Quarterly. For over 30 years he has sat as a case evaluator for the Wayne County Mediation Tribunal with particular emphasis on their medical malpractice panel.
Job Titles:
- PARTNER
- Partner With the Firm
Scot Garrison is a Partner with the Firm. He practices in the areas of First-Party and Third-Party Auto Negligence, and general civil matters. Prior to joining the Vandeveer Garzia, Scot was a Judicial Staff Attorney in Oakland County Circuit Court for over twenty-two years, where he gained valuable experience in practically every area of the law. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Oakland University and Oakland Community College, where he teaches legal research and writing as part of the paralegal programs. Scot is also an elected member of the State Bar of Michigan's Representative Assembly.
Job Titles:
- ASSOCIATE
- Associate Attorney With
Jennifer J. Lauria is an Associate Attorney with Vandeveer Garzia. Her practice focuses on First-Party and Third-Party Automobile Negligence and general civil matters. Jennifer attended Central Michigan University where she obtained her bachelor's degree in psychology and then went on to attend Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law. After law school, Jennifer served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Isabella County before entering the civil litigation field.
Job Titles:
- ASSOCIATE
- Associate Attorney With
John Ghaly is an Associate Attorney with Vandeveer Garzia. John attended Oakland University and later went on to graduate from the University of Akron School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in both Ohio and Michigan. His practice is focused on civil litigation concerning worker's compensation and auto injury claims.
JOHN J. LYNCH has had over 30 years of experience in the most complex types of litigation, including Federal Multi-District Litigation. As a result of those activities, he has appeared regularly in the Michigan and Federal Courts, including the Michigan Supreme Court and the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. He is also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Lynch has served as lead counsel in litigation concerning Highway Vehicle Litigation, Public Transportation Law, Construction Accident Claims, Product Liability and Mass Tort Litigation, the defense of Professionals (Accountants, CPA's, Attorneys, Architect/Engineers), and Real Estate Claims including the defense of real estate professionals. John Lynch has served as both panel member and presenter to arbitration boards, mediation processes and facilitation procedures. He serves as an approved panel member on many dispute resolution organizations.
He is licensed to practice in all Courts in the State of Michigan including the Michigan Supreme Court and the Federal Judicial System including the Sixth and Fourth Circuit Courts of Appeal and the U. S. Supreme Court. In addition, he is, and maintains a license as a real estate broker in Michigan and was originally licensed as a broker in 1988. Mr. Lynch is a member of numerous local, state and national bar associations. He is a lecturer for the Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education.
MATTHEW J. CHAPIN is an Executive Partner at Vandeveer Garzia. He focuses his practice on defense litigation in the areas of first and third-party motor vehicle claims, personal injury, catastrophic first-party automobile claims, premises liability claims, complex construction matters, workers' compensation matters, and general negligence. In 2013, Matthew graduated from the University Detroit Mercy School of Law. While in law school, Matthew was a member of the law review and earned the Golden Book Award in the school's legal writing and research course. Prior to joining Vandeveer Garzia, Matthew gained experience practicing in the area of creditors' rights and bankruptcy law. Since joining the firm, Matthew has gained valuable experience and has obtained successful results in a variety of matters, including defending wrongful death and premises liability claims.
Job Titles:
- ASSOCIATE
- Associate Attorney With
Meghan Berkery is an Associate Attorney with Vandeveer Garzia. She focuses her practice in the area of business and commercial litigation, in addition to other complex civil litigation matters, including negligence, employment law, contract actions, construction litigation, municipal law, premises liability, and appellate practice. Meghan graduated from Lehigh University in 2016 and cum laude from the University Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2019. While in law school, she was a law clerk at the Michigan Attorney General's office, served as an editor of Law Review, and was a member of the American Inns of Court. Prior to joining Vandeveer Garzia, Meghan worked as a Research Attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals.
Michaelene Sowinski is a Partner with Vandeveer Garzia. Michaelene began her career in the legal field over 25 years ago as a law clerk for her brother who is also an attorney. She now has over 13 years of experience as a personal injury attorney litigating complex medical malpractice and automobile negligence claims. Michaelene works tirelessly to represent her client's best interests. When not practicing law, Michaelene enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering, traveling, and playing tennis.
Job Titles:
- ASSOCIATE
- Associate Attorney With
Noah S. Zeidan is an Associate Attorney with Vandeveer Garzia. His practice focuses on first and third party automobile negligence and general civil litigation. Noah attended Michigan State University and later the Michigan State University College of Law as a scholarship student. After law school, he served as the Assistant Prosecutor for Wexford County before entering the field of Civil Litigation.
SAJID M. ISLAM is a Partner at Vandeveer Garzia. He practices in the area of defense litigation, including first-party personal protection insurance, third-party automobile negligence, property protection insurance, municipal, real property, general negligence, insurance coverage and priority disputes. Mr. Islam also counsels businesses in various matters involving contracts, business transactions and regulatory compliance.
While in law school, Mr. Islam served as a Senior Member of the Moot Court Board of Advocates, participated in the Patrick A. Keenan Appellate Advocacy Competition and participated in the New York City Bar Association's National Moot Court Competition. Mr. Islam earned several Book Awards throughout law school. Mr. Islam joined Vandeveer Garzia as a law clerk in May of 2015, and accepted an Associate Attorney position with the firm in October 2017. Mr. Islam was elevated to a Partner of the law firm in December 2021.
SALMAN ISLAM is aPartner with Vandeveer Garzia practicing in the areas of first-party personal protection insurance claims, third-party automobile negligence, and commercial litigation. Salman's main area of focus is in first-party personal protection insurance claims under the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.
Salman graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2010. While in law school, he served as a student attorney in Thomas M. Cooley's Estate Planning Clinic. Additionally, Salman earned his L.L.M. in Taxation from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2012. Prior to joining Vandeveer Garzia, he practiced in the areas of employment discrimination, commercial litigation, estate planning, and business law.
Job Titles:
- EXECUTIVE
- PARTNER
- Executive Partner With
Samantha Boyd is an Executive Partner with Vandeveer Garzia. She has devoted her career to specializing in the areas of first party No-Fault, third-party auto negligence, premises liability, and general negligence litigation. She represents various insurance carriers throughout the State of Michigan and strives to achieve the best results for her clients. Samantha also is a member of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel and State Bar of Michigan - Insurance and Litigation sections.
Samantha developed a passion for litigation while in law school. She was an Executive Director for the Moot Court Board of Advocates as well as a Title Editor for UDM's Law Review. During her time with the Board of Advocates, Samantha represented her school at the New York City Bar Association's National Moot Court Competition in Columbus, Ohio. Samantha received awards and honors during law school, became a member of the National Order of Barristers, and received a Book Award for the highest grade in torts.
Job Titles:
- ASSOCIATE
- Associate Attorney With
Sam Kane is an Associate Attorney with Vandeveer Garzia. His practice focuses on First and Third Party Automobile Negligence and general Civil Litigation. Prior to joining Vandeveer Garzia, he was a Law Clerk and Deputy Magistrate in Kotzebue Alaska, a bush-town located thirty miles north of the arctic circle. He then clerked for Judge Clinton Canady III in the Ingham County Circuit Court.
Sam attended Regent University School of Law where he was a member of Law Review and Moot Court Board. While in law school, he received book awards in Intellectual Property and Business Analytics & Finance. Upon graduation, he was awarded with the Corporate, Commercial, and Transactional Law Award.
Prior to law school, Sam attended Indiana Wesleyan where he was a member of the Men's Varsity Soccer team for four years. At Indiana Wesleyan, he majored in Pre-law and minored in Economics. Between university and law school, he spent a year in Korea. His current hobbies include ultra-running, and he completed the Leadville 100 mile race in August 2022.
Job Titles:
- EXECUTIVE
- PARTNER
- Executive Partner With
SARAH L. GORDON is an Executive Partner with Vandeveer Garzia. Sarah practices extensively in the areas of first and third-party auto negligence, premises liability and general civil litigation. While attending the Michigan State University College of Law, Sarah was a member of The Michigan State Law Review. She has served as a case evaluator in both Huron and Tuscola Counties.
Job Titles:
- ASSOCIATE
- Associate Attorney With
Sarah M. Potoczny is an Associate Attorney with Vandeveer Garzia. She focuses her practice on automobile negligence and mass transit liability. Sarah attended Western Michigan University where she graduated Cum Laude with a double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice. She then attended Michigan State University- College of Law where she participated in a Family Law clerkship during her third year. Before joining the firm, Sarah distinguished herself as a litigator in the arenas of Family Law and Insurance defense.
Scott Pugliese is a seasoned litigator and trial attorney that's represented clients before state and federal courts, administrative bodies, and arbitrators to successfully resolve a broad spectrum of commercial, contract, civil, and creditor rights issues. Scott also collaborates with clients to draft, review, and analyze a wide range of contracts to minimize risk and explain options available to meet business objectives.
Prior to joining Vandeveer Garzia, Scott was in-house counsel for one of the world's largest private companies where he was responsible for managing and directing all levels of civil and commercial litigation. Scott also identified the potential for future risks in non-litigation matters as well, including contract negotiations and drafting.
Scott previously served as a federal judicial law clerk for the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.
THOMAS M. PETERS graduated from Wayne State University Law School in 1973 and joined the Vandeveer Garzia firm. He has served the Firm as its Treasurer and eight years as its President and Managing Shareholder. Tom practices principally in the defense of products, trucking companies, construction, business and personal injury lawsuits. He has substantial experience in serious exposure litigation, complex litigation and insurance matters in both the state and federal courts. Tom has represented consumer and industrial product manufacturers with CPSC involvement as well as trucking companies, their owners and insurers. Currently, he represents both American and foreign lighter manufacturers nationally in all forms of litigation. His representation of consumer product manufacturers includes working with a select group of product liability attorneys throughout the country in developing and maintaining a defense program designed to dramatically reduce claims and lawsuits against consumer product manufacturers.
Tom is a past president of the Association of Defense Trial Counsel, a Detroit metropolitan organization. He is also a past board member of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel and belongs to the International Association of Defense Counsel and served on its State Membership Committee for the State of Michigan from 1989 to 1999. Tom has been elected to and is past Chairperson for the Negligence Section Council of the Michigan State Bar and its roughly 3,000 lawyers. He has sat for over 15 years on the Committee for Wayne County Mediation Tribunal Association selecting defense and neutral mediators. He sits as a mediator in Oakland County Circuit Court and Wayne County Circuit Court. He has acted as a defense and neutral arbitrator and is doing increasingly more work as a sole mediator/facilitator in private mediation. Tom is also currently handling mediations for Federal Court Class Action TCPA cases.
Tom has assisted clients in securing defense counsel in most states in the United States and in countries outside of the United States. Tom has worked in all state and federal courts in Michigan and in many other states. He has also supervised litigation/trials in many other states.
TIMOTHY J. CONNAUGHTON is a Shareholder at Vandeveer Garzia who practices in the areas of first and third party automobile negligence, premises liability, civil rights, employment law, contract disputes, insurance coverage, and general civil litigation. He has experience representing insurance companies, construction companies, municipal corporations, rental car agencies and various other corporate and individual clients. He has successfully presented oral argument in the Michigan Court of Appeals on multiple occasions and has extensive and successful trial experience.
Job Titles:
- ASSOCIATE
- Associate Attorney With
Veronica G. Prange is an Associate Attorney with Vandeveer Garzia. She focuses her practice on first and third-party automobile negligence and general civil litigation. Veronica attended the University of Michigan where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Political Science. She then attended the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law where she was the President of the St. Thomas More Society in her second year and earned several Book Awards, including for the highest grades in Applied Legal Theory and Analysis and Advanced Legal Research.
Victor Balta is a Partner with Vandeveer Garzia. He handles complex civil litigation matters, including negligence, business and commercial law and litigation, professional & healthcare liability, auto and PIP litigation, and premises liability.
In law school, Victor was a Managing Editor of the Michigan State Law Review and a member of the Trial Practice Institute. During law school, Victor won several Jurisprudence awards for the highest student achievement in several courses. Prior to joining Vandeveer Garzia, Victor has handled numerous complex legal matters and appeals, including gross negligence, statutory immunity, employment discrimination, and police misconduct claims.
Victor has successfully briefed and argued cases involving recreational waivers; the Michigan Governmental Tort Liability Act; the Michigan Ski Area Safety Act; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act; and 42 U.S.C. 1983.
Job Titles:
- ASSOCIATE
- Associate Attorney With
William R. MacFarlane is an associate attorney with Vandeveer Garzia. He attended the University of Michigan, from which he received a Bachelor's Degree in History. He then went on to attend Wake Forest University School of Law. While in law school, he served as an executive editor for Wake Forest's Journal of Business and Intellectual Property Law, and on the board of Wake Forest's LGBTQ+ student association: OUTLaw.