Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that Ashley Higginson has been named in Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Up & Coming Lawyers Class of 2023. Honorees are recognized for excellence in the profession as standouts among their peers during their first 10 years of practice.

Higginson is a principal attorney in the firm’s office in Lansing, Michigan, where she is a key member of the firm’s Employment and Labor Group and its Higher Education practice, which serves colleges and universities nationwide. She leads the team that conducts investigations into reports of sexual harassment and misconduct pursuant to Title IX.

Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that Carl von Ende has been named in the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame Class of 2023. The annual program recognizes Michigan’s legal leaders who are over the age of 60 or who have been in practice for 30 years for their successful careers and valuable contributions to the community.

A member of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group for more than 50 years, von Ende specializes in trial, appeal, arbitration and mediation of antitrust, securities, intellectual property, corporate governance and debtor-creditor litigation. He is a trusted advisor and mentor to attorneys, from the most experienced senior principal to the newest associate.

Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that four attorneys have been promoted to principalship. The announcement was made by CEO Megan Norris at the firm’s annual meeting.

“Our new principal attorneys have proven themselves to be leaders within the firm and outstanding professionals, each carving out unique niche practices and honing their outstanding legal skills,” said Norris. “They are assets to Miller Canfield and our clients.”

The firm’s new principal attorneys are:

Congratulations to principal attorney Danielle Mason Anderson, who has been elected to serve as the new Chair of Miller Canfield's Managing Directors.

Danielle's practice has a particular emphasis on commercial litigation and creditors' rights resolution with a concentration on loan enforcements, insolvency, bankruptcy and receiverships. She also does general litigation for corporate clients involving collection, loans, mortgages and defaults. She has been the Resident Director of Miller Canfield’s office in Kalamazoo, Michigan, since 2014 and was elected to the Managing Directors in 2019.

Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that Sherri Wellman is among the 2022 Michigan Lawyers Weekly Notable Women in Law.

Wellman is a principal attorney and the deputy leader of Miller Canfield’s Energy and Environmental Group. She has more than 30 years of experience in administrative, energy, public utility and telecommunications law, representing electric and gas public utilities, oil and natural gas producers, and transmission companies in administrative proceedings and before the courts.

Congratulations to Miller Canfield associate attorneys Morgan Esters and Nashara Peart, who have been selected as Detroit Bar Association 2022 Outstanding Young Lawyer Pro Bono Award winners.

Morgan and Nashara are members of Miller Canfield's nationally recognized Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group. They were honored for their efforts in recent significant pro bono matter successes, including a prisoner civil rights and First Amendment retaliation case in which the jury found in favor of their client and awarded compensatory and punitive damages.

Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that Carrick Craig has joined the law firm’s Employment and Labor Group in its office in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Craig comes to the firm from Western Michigan University, where he served as General Counsel and had spent more than two decades providing legal advice and assistance to the university.

“Carrick will be instrumental in supporting our expanding Higher Education practice, which is known for providing a full range of services to colleges and universities, from advising on real estate, finance and transactional matters to taking on some of the most complex litigation and Title IX matters in the country,” said Miller Canfield CEO Megan Norris.

Miller Canfield Chief Diversity Officer and Deputy Executive Officer Michelle Crockett has been appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court to serve on its Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Judiciary, which launched this year.

The commission was formed early in 2022 with a directive to assess and work toward the elimination of disparities within the Michigan judiciary and justice system. Members include a broad cross-section of judges, court administrators, attorneys and members of the community.

Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that Chambers USA 2022 has ranked 12 of the firm’s attorneys and seven of its practice areas among the best in the U.S.

The firm earned rankings in the practice areas of Banking & Finance, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Corporate/M&A, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, Litigation, and Real Estate.

Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that five attorneys have joined the international law firm’s offices in Detroit and Chicago.

Michael Janes has joined the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group in Detroit. His practice concentrates on medical malpractice and product liability defense. Janes has been active in many professional associations, including the American Board of Trial Advocates, where he is the treasurer and has served as a board member since 2020 and as membership chair in 2021. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Janes previously served as president and longtime board member of the Association of Defense Trial Counsel and has chaired the State Bar of Michigan Negligence Law Section Council. He is a fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation and is the recipient of the 2016 Michigan Association of Justice Respected Advocate Award. Janes earned his J.D. at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.