Sixteen Dickinson Wright Lawyers Elected as Members and Partners of the Firm
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Dickinson Wright is pleased to announce the election of 16 new members and partners of the firm, effective January 1, 2026.
“Congratulations to this year’s class of new members and partners on this well-deserved honor. Each lawyer brings unique and valuable qualities, perspectives, and skills that they have developed throughout their legal career. We are honored and proud of their accomplishments and thrilled that they are now members and partners,” says Michael Hammer, CEO of Dickinson Wright.
Below are Dickinson Wright’s new members and partners for 2026:
Jessica Brouckaert Bartlett is a Member in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. She advises members of Congress, candidates, political committees, corporations, nonprofits, and donors on all matters related to participation in the political process. This includes compliance with state and federal campaign finance and election laws, tax laws, lobbying laws, the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), pay-to-play laws, and First Amendment and defamation litigation. Jessica received her B.A. from the University of Mississippi and her J.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Law.
Manuel Cardona is a Member in the firm’s Columbus office. He has a nationwide practice representing clients of all sizes in a wide variety of areas of law including commercial litigation, IP, class actions, banking, education, bankruptcy and political . He has successfully handled cases through all aspects of litigation and obtained numerous dismissals in high stakes litigation whether it be via dispositive motions or trial. He was named a 2024 Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (“LCLD”) Pathfinder. Manuel received his B.A. from Wright State University and his J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law.
Jacob Clark is a Member in the firm’s Ann Arbor office. His practice includes litigation and dispute resolution, international trade, compliance, investigations, and white-collar defense, corporate, and labor and employment matters. He advises Fortune 500 multinationals, family-owned companies, and individuals across a wide array of legal practice areas and high-profile cases, providing unique insight into the legal complexities and business realities for his clients operating across borders in an interconnected, global economy. Jacob spent nearly a decade living, studying, and working in China and leverages his international experience to provide more effective legal solutions and counsel to his clients. He speaks, reads, and writes Chinese (Mandarin) and can conduct his legal work in his second language. Jacob is a member of the Detroit Chinese Business Association and the International Law section of the State Bar of Michigan. He received his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin, his J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law, and his LL.M. in International Dispute Resolution from the University of London.
Ryan Cooper is a Partner in the firm’s Toronto office. His practice includes mergers & acquisitions, financing, and general corporate and commercial matters, with a particular emphasis on corporate and partnership structuring. Ryan has experience representing individual, corporate, and private equity clients in the acquisition and disposition of small and mid-market businesses. He also advises lenders and borrowers on secured financing transactions. He is a member of the Law Society of Ontario. Ryan received his J.D. from Queen’s University.
Kaitlyn Elias is a Member in the firm’s Troy office. She focuses her practice on commercial litigation and real estate matters. She regularly assists developers with permitting utility-scale renewable energy projects, landlords with evictions, lease terminations and negotiations, and lenders with foreclosures, receiverships, and other litigation matters. She is an active member of the Oakland County Bar Association and is also a certified mediator. She is recognized as a leader in her field by Michigan Super Lawyers “Rising Stars,” Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch,” and DBusiness Top Lawyers. Kaitlyn received her B.A. from Western Michigan University and her J.D. from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.
Paxton Endres is a Member in the firm’s Phoenix office. He represents clients in all areas of family law, including divorce and legal separation, property division, spousal maintenance, child custody and parenting time, legal decision-making, child support, paternity matters, and post-decree modifications and enforcement actions. A skilled trial lawyer, Paxton has successfully advocated for clients in trials, mediations, and oral arguments, and he is adept at negotiating settlement agreements that safeguard his clients’ long-term interests. He received his B.A. from the University of Arizona and his J.D. from The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law.
Claire E. F. Grimes is a Member in the firm’s Phoenix office. She focuses her practice on complex matters related to commercial litigation, with a particular focus on class actions. Claire’s experience involves dispositive motion briefing, fact and expert discovery, research and analysis of complex legal issues, and class certification briefing and oral argument. She has successfully handled various aspects of class action lawsuits brought against large insurance companies nationwide. She is recognized as a leader in her field by Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch” and the Legal 500 United States. Claire received her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her J.D. from Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
Christopher Johnson is a Member in the firm’s Denver office. He focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance with an emphasis on private equity and venture capital matters, commercial transactions, and outside general counsel matters. He is proud to be a trusted legal and strategic advisor to a wide range of business clients, helping them pursue new opportunities while managing and mitigating risk. He is recognized as a leader in his field by Best Lawyers in America and Colorado Super Lawyers “Rising Stars.” Christopher received his B.A. from Michigan State University and his J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law.
Stephen Montgomery is a Member in the firm’s Nashville office. He practices in the areas of bankruptcy, commercial litigation, estate planning and probate, commercial real estate, and commercial transactions. He represents businesses with entity formation, contract drafting, purchasing and selling assets and ownership interests, and resolving business disputes. He is recognized as a leader in his field by Best Lawyers in America. Stephen received his B.A. from Vanderbilt University and his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School.
Rebecca Papi is a Member in the firm’s Detroit office. Her practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, general corporate matters, and corporate formation and governance. She also advises on commercial banking and finance transactions, including representing lenders and borrowers in secured and unsecured financings, acquisition financings, and complex credit facilities. Rebecca is recognized as a leader in her field by Michigan Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star.” She received her B.S., summa cum laude, from Central Michigan University and her J.D., summa cum laude, from Michigan State University College of Law.
Ina Quinn is a Member in the firm’s Ft. Lauderdale office. She focuses her practice on patent preparation, prosecution, and client counseling, particularly in the chemical, material science and biochemical/life sciences fields. With prior experience as in-house counsel and a patent examiner with the USPTO, Ina’s background enables her to advise clients with insights from multiple perspectives. By understanding a client’s business goals and knowing which strategies are most successful in patent prosecution with the USPTO, she is able to effectively navigate the process for her clients. Ina received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida and her J.D. from Michigan State University.
David Seifer is a Partner in the firm’s Toronto office. He has a broad commercial litigation practice, which includes contract disputes, bankruptcy and insolvency, and shareholder oppression. In addition to David’s commercial litigation practice, he also has experience with administrative law, particularly assisting clients with judicial review of government decisions. He is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Ontario Bar Association, and the Toronto Lawyers Association. David received his HBA from Western University Ivey Business School and his J.D. from Western University.
Kevin Shimp is a Member in the firm’s Columbus office. He focuses his practice on government affairs at the Ohio Statehouse with a particular emphasis on technology, education, and business issues including insurance law, workers’ compensation, and employment law. In addition, Kevin advocates for policy changes before the Governor’s Office and state executive agencies, assists clients facing regulatory enforcement actions, and provides association management services to small and mid-size trade organizations. He serves as President, Board of Directors for the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education and is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association Certified Grievance Committee and Thomas J. Moyer Legacy Committee. Kevin received his B.A. The Ohio State University and his J.D. from Capital University Law School.
Phillip Smith is a Member in the firm’s Grand Rapids office. With numerous complex deals to his credit, Phil is a trusted advisor in Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate, Corporate Finance, and Real Estate. He counsels a broad range of clients on many complex and strategic matters, including business formation, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, outside general counsel, business succession planning, loan documentation, and real estate transactions. He represents clients, both business and individual, in a variety of industries, including investment and development funds, automotive component and equipment manufacturers, tool-and-die businesses, hotel and hospitality owners and operators, including several national hospitality clients, telecommunications and fiber optic providers, construction companies, golf courses, transportation and logistics providers, and retail businesses. Prior to beginning his legal career, he served for six years in the United States Army with one deployment to Afghanistan, achieving the rank of Captain. He is recognized as a leader in his field and currently recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” (for multiple consecutive years). Phil received his B.S. from the United States Military Academy (West Point) and his J.D. from Indiana University Maurer School of Law. An active member in his community, he provides services to several national veterans relate non-profits and he volunteers his time and serves with many local charities and religious organizations.
John Weiss is a Member in the firm’s Grand Rapids office. John guides his clients in successfully navigating all aspects of local government and public sector law. John counsels clients in securing zoning relief and entitlements, negotiating development agreements and economic incentives, complying with statutory and ordinance requirements, and strategically preparing development projects for review and approval by administrative and legislative bodies. Benefitted by his experiences as a law clerk to Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Welch and a staff attorney at the Michigan Court of Appeals, John also regularly handles all types of appellate matters and has obtained client victories on a wide range of issues including disputes concerning ordinance interpretation and municipal law, governmental immunity, constitutional law, and zoning. He is recognized as a leader in his field by Michigan Super Lawyers “Rising Stars.” John received his B.A. from the University of Michigan and his J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law.
Anthony Wong is a Member in the firm’s Ft. Lauderdale office. He is a dedicated attorney with a comprehensive background in commercial litigation. He has developed a robust practice with a particular focus on construction, transportation, and insurance sectors. His hands-on experience in these sectors ensures that he’s not just representing clients but is also working hand-in-hand with them to safeguard their interests. Anthony received his A.B. from the University of California and his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.
“Congratulations to this year’s class of new members and partners on this well-deserved honor. Each lawyer brings unique and valuable qualities, perspectives, and skills that they have developed throughout their legal career. We are honored and proud of their accomplishments and thrilled that they are now members and partners,” says Michael Hammer, CEO of Dickinson Wright.
Below are Dickinson Wright’s new members and partners for 2026:
Jessica Brouckaert Bartlett is a Member in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. She advises members of Congress, candidates, political committees, corporations, nonprofits, and donors on all matters related to participation in the political process. This includes compliance with state and federal campaign finance and election laws, tax laws, lobbying laws, the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), pay-to-play laws, and First Amendment and defamation litigation. Jessica received her B.A. from the University of Mississippi and her J.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Law.
Manuel Cardona is a Member in the firm’s Columbus office. He has a nationwide practice representing clients of all sizes in a wide variety of areas of law including commercial litigation, IP, class actions, banking, education, bankruptcy and political . He has successfully handled cases through all aspects of litigation and obtained numerous dismissals in high stakes litigation whether it be via dispositive motions or trial. He was named a 2024 Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (“LCLD”) Pathfinder. Manuel received his B.A. from Wright State University and his J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law.
Jacob Clark is a Member in the firm’s Ann Arbor office. His practice includes litigation and dispute resolution, international trade, compliance, investigations, and white-collar defense, corporate, and labor and employment matters. He advises Fortune 500 multinationals, family-owned companies, and individuals across a wide array of legal practice areas and high-profile cases, providing unique insight into the legal complexities and business realities for his clients operating across borders in an interconnected, global economy. Jacob spent nearly a decade living, studying, and working in China and leverages his international experience to provide more effective legal solutions and counsel to his clients. He speaks, reads, and writes Chinese (Mandarin) and can conduct his legal work in his second language. Jacob is a member of the Detroit Chinese Business Association and the International Law section of the State Bar of Michigan. He received his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin, his J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law, and his LL.M. in International Dispute Resolution from the University of London.
Ryan Cooper is a Partner in the firm’s Toronto office. His practice includes mergers & acquisitions, financing, and general corporate and commercial matters, with a particular emphasis on corporate and partnership structuring. Ryan has experience representing individual, corporate, and private equity clients in the acquisition and disposition of small and mid-market businesses. He also advises lenders and borrowers on secured financing transactions. He is a member of the Law Society of Ontario. Ryan received his J.D. from Queen’s University.
Kaitlyn Elias is a Member in the firm’s Troy office. She focuses her practice on commercial litigation and real estate matters. She regularly assists developers with permitting utility-scale renewable energy projects, landlords with evictions, lease terminations and negotiations, and lenders with foreclosures, receiverships, and other litigation matters. She is an active member of the Oakland County Bar Association and is also a certified mediator. She is recognized as a leader in her field by Michigan Super Lawyers “Rising Stars,” Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch,” and DBusiness Top Lawyers. Kaitlyn received her B.A. from Western Michigan University and her J.D. from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.
Paxton Endres is a Member in the firm’s Phoenix office. He represents clients in all areas of family law, including divorce and legal separation, property division, spousal maintenance, child custody and parenting time, legal decision-making, child support, paternity matters, and post-decree modifications and enforcement actions. A skilled trial lawyer, Paxton has successfully advocated for clients in trials, mediations, and oral arguments, and he is adept at negotiating settlement agreements that safeguard his clients’ long-term interests. He received his B.A. from the University of Arizona and his J.D. from The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law.
Claire E. F. Grimes is a Member in the firm’s Phoenix office. She focuses her practice on complex matters related to commercial litigation, with a particular focus on class actions. Claire’s experience involves dispositive motion briefing, fact and expert discovery, research and analysis of complex legal issues, and class certification briefing and oral argument. She has successfully handled various aspects of class action lawsuits brought against large insurance companies nationwide. She is recognized as a leader in her field by Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch” and the Legal 500 United States. Claire received her B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her J.D. from Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
Christopher Johnson is a Member in the firm’s Denver office. He focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance with an emphasis on private equity and venture capital matters, commercial transactions, and outside general counsel matters. He is proud to be a trusted legal and strategic advisor to a wide range of business clients, helping them pursue new opportunities while managing and mitigating risk. He is recognized as a leader in his field by Best Lawyers in America and Colorado Super Lawyers “Rising Stars.” Christopher received his B.A. from Michigan State University and his J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law.
Stephen Montgomery is a Member in the firm’s Nashville office. He practices in the areas of bankruptcy, commercial litigation, estate planning and probate, commercial real estate, and commercial transactions. He represents businesses with entity formation, contract drafting, purchasing and selling assets and ownership interests, and resolving business disputes. He is recognized as a leader in his field by Best Lawyers in America. Stephen received his B.A. from Vanderbilt University and his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School.
Rebecca Papi is a Member in the firm’s Detroit office. Her practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, general corporate matters, and corporate formation and governance. She also advises on commercial banking and finance transactions, including representing lenders and borrowers in secured and unsecured financings, acquisition financings, and complex credit facilities. Rebecca is recognized as a leader in her field by Michigan Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star.” She received her B.S., summa cum laude, from Central Michigan University and her J.D., summa cum laude, from Michigan State University College of Law.
Ina Quinn is a Member in the firm’s Ft. Lauderdale office. She focuses her practice on patent preparation, prosecution, and client counseling, particularly in the chemical, material science and biochemical/life sciences fields. With prior experience as in-house counsel and a patent examiner with the USPTO, Ina’s background enables her to advise clients with insights from multiple perspectives. By understanding a client’s business goals and knowing which strategies are most successful in patent prosecution with the USPTO, she is able to effectively navigate the process for her clients. Ina received her B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Florida and her J.D. from Michigan State University.
David Seifer is a Partner in the firm’s Toronto office. He has a broad commercial litigation practice, which includes contract disputes, bankruptcy and insolvency, and shareholder oppression. In addition to David’s commercial litigation practice, he also has experience with administrative law, particularly assisting clients with judicial review of government decisions. He is a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Ontario Bar Association, and the Toronto Lawyers Association. David received his HBA from Western University Ivey Business School and his J.D. from Western University.
Kevin Shimp is a Member in the firm’s Columbus office. He focuses his practice on government affairs at the Ohio Statehouse with a particular emphasis on technology, education, and business issues including insurance law, workers’ compensation, and employment law. In addition, Kevin advocates for policy changes before the Governor’s Office and state executive agencies, assists clients facing regulatory enforcement actions, and provides association management services to small and mid-size trade organizations. He serves as President, Board of Directors for the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education and is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association Certified Grievance Committee and Thomas J. Moyer Legacy Committee. Kevin received his B.A. The Ohio State University and his J.D. from Capital University Law School.
Phillip Smith is a Member in the firm’s Grand Rapids office. With numerous complex deals to his credit, Phil is a trusted advisor in Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate, Corporate Finance, and Real Estate. He counsels a broad range of clients on many complex and strategic matters, including business formation, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, outside general counsel, business succession planning, loan documentation, and real estate transactions. He represents clients, both business and individual, in a variety of industries, including investment and development funds, automotive component and equipment manufacturers, tool-and-die businesses, hotel and hospitality owners and operators, including several national hospitality clients, telecommunications and fiber optic providers, construction companies, golf courses, transportation and logistics providers, and retail businesses. Prior to beginning his legal career, he served for six years in the United States Army with one deployment to Afghanistan, achieving the rank of Captain. He is recognized as a leader in his field and currently recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” (for multiple consecutive years). Phil received his B.S. from the United States Military Academy (West Point) and his J.D. from Indiana University Maurer School of Law. An active member in his community, he provides services to several national veterans relate non-profits and he volunteers his time and serves with many local charities and religious organizations.
John Weiss is a Member in the firm’s Grand Rapids office. John guides his clients in successfully navigating all aspects of local government and public sector law. John counsels clients in securing zoning relief and entitlements, negotiating development agreements and economic incentives, complying with statutory and ordinance requirements, and strategically preparing development projects for review and approval by administrative and legislative bodies. Benefitted by his experiences as a law clerk to Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Welch and a staff attorney at the Michigan Court of Appeals, John also regularly handles all types of appellate matters and has obtained client victories on a wide range of issues including disputes concerning ordinance interpretation and municipal law, governmental immunity, constitutional law, and zoning. He is recognized as a leader in his field by Michigan Super Lawyers “Rising Stars.” John received his B.A. from the University of Michigan and his J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law.
Anthony Wong is a Member in the firm’s Ft. Lauderdale office. He is a dedicated attorney with a comprehensive background in commercial litigation. He has developed a robust practice with a particular focus on construction, transportation, and insurance sectors. His hands-on experience in these sectors ensures that he’s not just representing clients but is also working hand-in-hand with them to safeguard their interests. Anthony received his A.B. from the University of California and his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.
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