Miller Canfield is pleased to announce that for the fourth year in a row, we have earned the designation of Mansfield Certified Plus, making us the only Michigan-headquartered firm and one of just 92 nationwide to meet the criteria in 2021.

Firms earn Mansfield certification by demonstrating that at least 30 percent of people affirmatively considered for firm governance positions, promotions and lateral-hire opportunities are women and attorneys from underrepresented groups, such as people of color, LGBTQ+ and attorneys with disabilities. To earn Mansfield Certified Plus, firms must not only consider women and people who are from underrepresented groups, but they must meet the goal of at least 30% representation in leadership roles.

Pat McGow, co-leader of our Public Finance Group, has been elected as a fellow to the prestigious American College of Bond Counsel. The group was formed in 1995 to recognize attorneys who have established reputations among their peers for their skill, experience and high standards of professional and ethical conduct in the practice of bond law.

Congratulations to Miller Canfield real estate attorney Reshma Sambare, who is among the 34 lawyers to be named in Michigan Lawyers Weekly's Women in the Law Class of 2021.

Reshma joined Miller Canfield in 2013. Her practice is focused on commercial and industrial real estate development, public-private partnership (P3) projects, and India-U.S. cross-border transactions. Having earned an engineering degree and worked as a commercial construction manager prior to law school, she brings a unique mix of legal knowledge and real-world construction experience to her representation of clients in construction and real estate.

We are pleased to announce that 53 Miller Canfield lawyers have been recognized in the Michigan, Illinois and Ohio editions of Super Lawyers 2021.

Four Miller Canfield lawyers were also named on Super Lawyers top lists. They are:

• Thomas Cranmer: Top 10 2021 Michigan Super Lawyers
• Gerald Gleeson: Top 100 2021 Michigan Super Lawyers
• Amy Johnston: Top 50 2021 Women Michigan Super Lawyers
• Megan Norris: Top 10 2021 Michigan Super Lawyers, Top 50 2021 Women Michigan Super Lawyers

We are pleased to share several recent additions to our team which enhance our ability to serve some of the firm's fastest growing practice areas.

Aaron Schwaderer, who was an associate at Miller Canfield from 2012 to 2015, has rejoined our Financial Institutions and Transactions Group. Aaron's practice focuses on representing financial institutions in connection with commercial loan transactions, asset-based lending and all aspects of secured and unsecured lending. He previously served in the U.S. Navy as a flight instructor.

Congratulations to Miller Canfield associate Barbara Moore, who has been selected to participate in Leadership Kalamazoo, an intensive nine-month community leadership development resource that brings together a diverse group of current and emerging leaders.

A member of our Employment and Labor Group, Barbara's practice is focused on matters related to workplace policies, discrimination claims, and wage and hour compliance.

"Barbara is an impressive up-and-coming leader," said Miller Canfield CEO Megan Norris. "We are tremendously proud of not only her work in the firm, but also her deep commitment to serving the community."

Chief Diversity Officer Michelle Crockett has been named in the Crain's Detroit Business 2021 Notable Executives in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Leaders in DEI were selected based on their career accomplishments, track record of success in the field and the effectiveness of their efforts. View her Crain's profile here>>

We are proud to share that Chambers USA has named former Miller Canfield CEO Thomas Linn among 10 attorneys nationwide to be shortlisted for Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year recognition in the Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards: North America 2021 honors.

Thom has a long history of service to others. After he stepped down as the firm's CEO, he agreed to co-chair Miller Canfield's pro bono committee. He expanded the firm's program to include active committee members in each U.S. office, created a program for summer associates to provide meaningful pro bono work, established relationships with various community resource organizations to engage in partnerships for providing legal services, instituted consistent internal messaging to encourage pro bono service and chaired the firm's bimonthly committee meetings. Today, he serves as a consistent supporter of Miller Canfield's Pro Bono Counsel Wendy Richards, and is an active provider of pro bono service, typically contributing more than 200 hours of service per year.

We are pleased to announce that Amy Johnston has been elected to serve as the new Chair of Miller Canfield's Managing Directors. Her election marks the first time in the firm's history that our top two leadership positions are held by women. Megan Norris became the firm's CEO in February 2021. Additionally, in 2020 the firm named Michelle Crockett as its Deputy Executive Officer and Chief Diversity Officer.

We are pleased to announce that Scott Eldridge has been named among Michigan Lawyers Weekly's Go-To Lawyers for employment law.

Scott is a principal attorney in the firm's Employment and Labor Group. He is also a member of the firm's Board of Managing Directors and serves as the Resident Director of our office in Lansing, Michigan.