Law Is A Service Business

Our Service Pledge:  We understand that the legal business is a service business built on meeting customer expectation and solving problems.  To keep cases and legal solutions on track, we document legal goals and strategies from the outset, define phases of representation and set legal budgets which fit within our clients' means and expectations.  We are not afraid to answer the tough questions and welcome client contact and participation as part of a true team effort.  There is a reason why our clients come back. Customer service does make all the difference.

Ask Us About Value-Based Billing

Embracing alternative and value-based business models:  We embrace alternative billing models which support our principle of 'paying value for value provided.'  If our activities are not providing real value to solving your legal problem, we don't bill it.  We never bill for phone calls under 10 minutes (we love to speak with our clients without having to worry about the billing clock).  Basic transactional and administrative activities (like transmittal letters, filing and other paper moving tasks) can add up to 15% or more of your monthly legal bill with many traditional billing models.  We treat these activities as part of the cost of business.  You only pay for activities which solve legal problems or are directed at accomplishing your legal goals.

Technology Advantage

Leveraging leading edge technology:  We are one of the most technologically advanced firms in Michigan.  Our incorporation of technology into our case management process creates efficiencies, promotes collaboration and provides more legal value per client dollar. You get more value at a reduced cost.  We stay focused on delivering results.

Hire The Best

Experience and Expertise:  We offer a breadth of experience in a variety of litigation and niche legal matters.  We encourage you to compare our credentials, experience and proven results with other law firms.  We are confident that you will conclude that this law firm is in the best position to deliver results within budget. If we can't handle your legal problem, we will help you find someone who can.

Our Staff

Attorneys

• Enrico Schaefer
• Mark Clark
• Brian Hall

Virtual Workers

    Lawyers

• Martha Mothershead

    Paralegals / Law Clerks

• John Di Giacomo
• Scott Burger

   Case Manager

In-house Staff

    Practice Assistant / Office Manager

• Jenny Frashier

    Legal Assistants / Paralegals

• Al Dalesandro
• Cathy A. Maddasion

    Administrative Assistant

• Nick Glauch

Attorney Enrico Schaefer

Founding Attorney Enrico Schaefer

Mr. Schaefer is a seasoned trial attorney located in Michigan with several million dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients. Originally from Detroit, he graduated from Albion College with a degree in Political Science in 1986 and then from the Michigan State University College of Law, earning the degree of Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, in 1989. Mr. Schaefer has first chair trial experience in a wide variety of litigation matters, including class action litigation, personal injury, wrongful death, intellectual property, commercial and fiduciary litigation. Mr. Schaefer handles all sorts of cases, big and small, and enjoys helping real people solve real legal problems. Mr. Schaefer also encourages innovative billing strategies, client service, value-based billing and focuses his energy on changing the way law is practiced.

Enrico Schaefer's Professional Resume

EMPLOYMENT

Founder, Traverse Legal, PLC, Traverse City, MI, January 2005 - present. Firm dedicated to changing the way law is practiced. Focused on delivering value-based solutions to clients.

Partner, Smith & Johnson, PC, Traverse City, MI, January 2000 - December 2004. General Practice firm. Handled complex litigation in areas of personal injury, wrongful death, employment law, first-amendment and defamation, commercial transactions, non-compete contracts, trade secret theft and other litigation and commercial matters.

Founder, EPLF, PC, Bingham Farms & Leland, MI, May 1995- present. Business, commercial and intellectual property representation and litigation. Firm was founded specifically to pursue the case Overlooked Opinions, Inc. v. TransNational Communications, Inc. in the Federal District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Case involved breach of contract, unfair trade practices, intellectual property rights violations, FCC regulatory issues, insurance coverage disputes and UCC Article 9 security and collection issues. Also handled a variety of commercial and transactional work for telecommunications clients, including loans, financing and vendor-supplier contracts. The jury returned a $2.4 million dollar verdict in favor of Mr. Schaefer's client.

Of Counsel, Hilborn & Hilborn, PC, Birmingham, MI, January 1999 - 2000. Litigation firm specializing in national product liability and commercial litigation. Handled complex litigation on a project basis in cases pending throughout the United States.

President and General Counsel, All-One Intranet, Inc., Boulder, CO, October 1996 - June 1998. Internet technology company located in Boulder, CO. Provided representation and managed outside counsel in a variety of corporate, finance and commercial contract issues, including: corporate structure; venture capital financing; reseller and strategic partner contracts; merger strategies and vendor relations.

Litigation Attorney, Jaques Admiralty Law Firm, Detroit, MI, September 1993 - January 1995. Admiralty & maritime law firm focusing on complex toxic tort litigation and mass tort class action on behalf of merchant mariners. Toxins included asbestos and benzene. Front-line involvement with mass tort class action proceedings, federal MDL litigation, bankruptcy proceeding against insolvent ship owners and insurance (P & I) coverage disputes.

Litigation Attorney, Bowman and Brooke, Detroit, MI, July 1991- September 1993. Automotive product liability and toxic tort defense litigation. Represented automotive manufacturers and large insurance carriers in complex product liability litigation on a national basis. Handled all aspects of litigation, from case strategy and pre-suit investigation through discovery and trial.

Law Clerk, The Honorable Richard F. Suhrheinrich, July 1990- July 1991. U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Detroit, MI & Cincinnati, OH

EDUCATION

Michigan State University College of Law, January 1990, Summa Cum Laude (Rank 1 / 96). Numerous academic awards and scholarships. Recipient, American Jurisprudence Awards: Contracts, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Corporations, Evidence, Estates and Trusts and Research Writing and Advocacy. Managing Editor, Detroit College of Law Review, 1989. Author: Case Note Publication, "Barring the Tort Claims of Fire Fighters and Police Officers," Detroit College of Law Review, Issue 3, Summer 1988.

Albion College, Albion, MI, January 1986. B.A. Political Science

MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS

Michigan State Bar, admitted January 1990
Detroit Bar Association, since 1991
Defense Research Institute (DRI), 1990-93
American Trial Lawyers Association
Michigan Trial Lawyers Association
Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim Bar Association

PERSONAL

Extensive experience in internet-based technologies, including client / server software, data security and data transmission.
Enrico enjoys backcountry camping, hiking, jogging and reading.

Alternative Billing Becomes National Trend

Larry Bodine's Blog reprints an article from the April 18 issue of the Chicago Tribune titled "Hourly legal fees under attack, Traditional billing by time spent is standard at most big law firms, but McGuireWoods is advertising alternatives." 

One of the more interesting things about entering the blogosphere has been the realization that we at Traverse Legal are not the only people who (1) believe hourly billing is bad for clients and bad for the profession of law and (2) are trying to change the way law is practiced.   In the above noted article, there are several references to large law firms which offer innovative and service-oriented billing alternatives to their clients.  Here are some of my favorite quotes:

• Survey after survey of in-house law departments shows that their top priority is reducing the money they spend on outside law firms.  Some of the growth in legal expenses is out of their control, as companies deal with more lawsuits and regulations and turn to outside lawyers to handle these matters.
• One Chicago firm has found that alternative arrangements work in handling large, complex lawsuits. Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott, a boutique litigation firm, typically charges a flat fee, payable in monthly installments. The client retains a percentage that it pays only if the firm is successful. Otherwise, the client keeps the money.
• "We like to get paid for results rather than the hours," said Sidney "Skip" Herman, Bartlit Beck's managing partner.
• McGuireWoods has been offering alternatives to hourly bills for years. About 35 percent of the firm's annual revenue of about $300 million comes from alternative billing arrangements.

Traverse Legal looks forward to continuing its innovation on billing models which serve client goals and stay within budget. We are part of a national trend to deliver more value to clients by leveraging technology and focusing on focusing on client goals.

Traditional Firms Destined to Perish

Dennis Kennedy reports a great link to a great article which covers a range of topic.  My reading suggests an unspoken premise that most  traditional firms will soon perish.   He  links to an article titled The Tech Evolution: Change or Die, By Laura Owen, Law Technology News [January 4, 2005].  Ms. Owen sets forth a wish list for corporate clients and projects the future of legal practice.  Some of my favorite quotes [and there are many]:

Move your legal work to low cost firms located in the Midwest, South or other regions away from high cost centers. Doesn't sound like technology here, but it is. Extranets provide ways for companies to work with firms across the country (and the world ). Web-based worksites are always open, always on. Work flow tools -- putting the right person in the right order at the right time -- can dramatically improve productivity and reduce costs. ...

Bundle work for leverage. A solid request for proposal (RFP) process can achieve incredible results. If you combine your buying power by bundling all of your legal work into one bid, i.e., all real estate work in the U.S., or all legal work in all practice areas for a particular country, legal departments can improve the quality of work they get from outside counsel, and decrease costs.

Coupled with a consortium of legal departments, a combined legal spend that represents a ready-made set of customers can motivate outside law firms to acquire the right technology to get the work done in a more efficient, price-conscious manner. With a volume of similar transactions over which to spread the work, firms can be more aggressive on pricing than if they bet the ranch on one transaction, while improving their profit margins. ...

Move 80 percent of your fees to a non-billable hour basis. Hourly rates hinder progress -- there's no incentive for firms to improve productivity if they make more money by billing more hours. In-house counsel must demand fixed prices for work; firms must learn that a fixed price is not based solely on time.

Fixed prices encourage firms to use more technology to improve productivity while clients save in legal fees. ...

Both links are a must read for anyone considering the future of legal practice for solos and mega firms alike.

Lawyers: Beware of Technology!

Monica Bay at The Common Scold asked an interesting question the other week which I finally got around to answering.

The Question: "Q: What's the biggest mistake small firms make when using litigation support technology?"

My Response:  Having been the point person at several law firms implementing various levels of technology, I think there are a few things that regularly get lost in translation:

1.  Technology is not a one time spend.  It is an annual budget which requires a big down strokes of capital, and then monthly expenses for maintenance, upgrades and add-ons.  I can't count the times someone has asked me whether we will have to spend any more money this year on the computer systems.  My answer is always the same, 'of course.'

2.  Technology does not always work as planned. Expectations are important.  The goal is not to eliminate down time.  It is to reduce down time and make sure support mechanisms are in place when things go wrong.

3.  Can we shift the cost of technology to our clients?  I hate this question for many reasons.  I suppose the answer may be yes, with adequate disclosures to the client.  But any firm that passes technology costs to clients is missing the point of technology. Technology allows lawyers to provide more efficient service to clients and higher quality services.  Technology to me has always been about client satisfaction and retention.  The value of that exceeds the investment you will make if technology is installed, maintained and used correctly.

4.  The alternative to investing in technology is being left behind. When lawyers wince at the cost of software or hardware, remind them what the pay for their Yellow Pages advertisements.  Do they make their cleints pay for ad space?  While the Yellow Pages may bring a new client in the door, technology and good service will keep them coming back and improve the odds of success for both you and your client.

Re-Defining Legal Value

Dennis Kennedy - a true voice in the area of alternative billing and delivering value to clients -- comments on a   Law Practice Today interview of Jeff Carr concerning alternative billing which could not be more 'right on.'.

On forming his own firm: "I thought I was fed up with being a lawyer. What I learned was I didn’t hate the practice of law, I hated the business of law as it was being practiced at law firms. What brought me back to in-house practice after this little five-year experiment was the fact that at my core I’m a lawyer. I worry about our profession and I worry about the failing of lawyers in law firms to understand that they are in a business and to understand that it is a customer service business, and understand what customer service means."

On the great attorney / client "disconnect": "If you think of the law firm model, the economic model is based upon total revenue brought in the door. And that’s a function of hourly rate times the number of hours that you actually bill for and can collect for. That has absolutely no relationship, whatsoever, to the value that the corporate client places on the services."

On what has been called the "latent market for legal services": "I think quite frankly legal services have gotten too expensive in this country. Look at the rise of things like Nolo Press and Willmaker, software packages, that essentially permit people to do a lot of what would have been done by a lawyer on their own. Let’s face it, most legal work, about eighty percent of it, in any context, whether it’s your personal stuff, or whether it’s in a corporate world, is commodity type of practice. It’s really that only twenty percent are high value, high risk, bet the company, go to jail, lose your house matters. Those are the things that you really need the specialized service for. I think, in general, legal services have been priced out of the market for the general

Law Practice today has some great articles on alternative billing, one of the pillars which will support the Traverse Legal law firm. 

The question presented is can lawyers provide legal value to clients in fewer hours and thus less cost? Anyone who has worked in a law firm knows the answer is a resounding 'yes' in many types of cases and matters.  Lawyers must,  however, commit to find legal solutions for clients as opposed to creating problems which 'front' for an excuse to bill (or allowing an angry client to make poor decisions which provide little value but drive costs up), (2) to handle cases and matters which are within your core talents and (3) farm out issues and matters to other 'value billing lawyers who specialize in such matters.

All the incentives of hourly billing are to hold a file until the client has spent substantial funds.  Hourly billing contains literally no incentives to solve problems.

Dennis Kennedy scores again with his great link page for resources concerning alternative billing strategies and controversies.

And yes Dennis, we have read Arthur G. Greene's article on alternative billing which we agree is a must read for anyone interested in this important topic. As Mr Greene notes:

Lawyers have to understand value.
Lawyers have to deliver value.
Lawyers have to communicate value.

From the client’s perspective, a fair fee is often described as being both predictable and providing value commensurate with the dollars spent. In many situations, hourly billing does neither. And from the lawyer’s perspective, a fair fee is one that rewards the lawyer’s efficiency and expertise, and provides a return on the lawyer’s investment in technology and related systems. Hourly billing provides none of these benefits.

Value-based billing serves the client's interest and provides access to justice for many who could not otherwise afford it.  Value-based billing serves the lawyers business interest in that it creates opportunities to provide legal services to a broader market and to build relationships with clients which result in repeat business and referrals.  A good lawyer becomes a low cost resource for people with all sorts of legal problems.  'Word of mouth' brings people to the law office's front door, not the yellow pages.

The Ultimate Advantage: Great Customer Service

Since when did lawyers and law firms become exempt from the laws which govern other service industries?

The [non]billable hour points to an interesting article by Mark Merenda about the movement towards customer service in providing legal services. He correctly notes:

The fact is, even if you are very, very good at what you do, that circumstance will not set you apart from, or above, your competitors. Most of them are pretty good, too. And moreover, your clients are not really capable of distinguishing between an A-plus or a C-plus attorney or financial advisor. They aren't qualified.

But every one of your clients considers him- or herself to be an expert on customer service. They know when they are being ignored, or treated rudely. They know when someone doesn't return a phone call, or keeps them waiting 20 minutes past the appointed time.  They understand when your office looks like a pigsty and your staff is condescending and your phone answering system is a nightmare.

At Traverse Legal, we put the 'service' back in legal services. We offer leading edge communication technology and collaboration tools at our cost.  And don't be afraid to call us.  We don't charge for most phone calls with our clients because we like to know what is going on with you.  We have removed the traditional barriers  which law firms have raised to customer service.  Traverse Legal is focused on providing you with the customer service which you deserve.

The Value Of Virtual Law Clerks & Paralegals

This blogcast discusses the value of our innovative outsourcing program, spearheaded nationally by Traverse Legal.

Our virtual paralegal and law clerk program provides more value at a reduced cost to our clients.  On our flat fee cases (which comprise approximately 35% of our matters), it allows us to deliver solutions to clients within budget and on time.


MP3 File

Understanding Value-Billing

Enrico Schaefer discusses the matching of alternative billing structures to clients, working with budgets set by clients and delivering real value-based solutions to clients.


MP3 File

Jenny Frashier, Practice Assistant.

Practice Assistant Jenny Frashier

Ms. Frashier has extensive experience as a legal secretary, paralegal and law office manager.  Her legal jobs over the last 30 years have covered civil litigation, domestic relations, probate, real estate, corporate, collection, Social Security, Workers’ Compensation and personal injury matters. She has worked for five law firms and one hospital system over her 30 year legal career. She brings extensive experience and commitment to her work and interaction with the firm's clients, other lawyers and the local bar.

EXPERIENCE

Practice Assistant, Traverse Legal, PLC, Traverse City, MI., 2005 - Present.  Duties include all aspects of office management, client relations and paralegal activities.

Legal Assistant, Smith & Johnson, Attorneys, P.C., Traverse City, MI., 2001-2005.  Served as an assistant in the litigation department.  Duties included monitoring deadlines; preparation and filing of all pleadings relating to personal injury litigation; scheduling depositions, court hearings, and appointments; transcribing dictation; filing; and answering phones.

Legal Support Staff, Plunkett & Cooney, P.C. (formerly DuBois, Westerman, Cooper, et al), Gaylord, MI., 1985-2001.  Duties included maintaining multiple calendars with court hearing dates and a tickler system for meeting deadlines; scheduling court hearings, independent medical evaluations, depositions and appointments; as well as transcribing dictation, filing, and fielding telephone calls for multiple attorneys.  Maintained all collection litigation matters for the firm by preparing complaints, arranging for service of process, submitting default entries and proposed judgments, processing garnishments and executions against property, and scheduling debtor’s examinations.

Administrative Secretary, Otsego Memorial Hospital, Gaylord, MI., 1977-1979.  Duties included transcribing correspondence for the Hospital Administrator, taking minutes at Board meetings, composing articles for the employee newsletter, taking photographs of new hires and maintaining the employee photo identification system, and assisting the payroll and personnel departments.

Legal Secretary, Law Offices of Deneen A. Watson, Harrisburg, IL., 1975-1977.  Served as sole secretary and receptionist for Mr. Watson in his general practice law firm.  Duties included answering incoming calls, transcribing dictation from shorthand, scheduling appointments and maintaining the attorney’s calendar.

Office Occupations Trainee, Law Offices of Conger & Elliot, Carmi, IL., 1973-1975
Worked part-time during the school years and full-time during the summers.  Duties included transcribing dictation from shorthand, personal delivery of documents to the Courthouse, answering multiple phone lines, maintenance of the firm library and office filing system.

EDUCATION

Office Occupations Program, Little Wabash Vocational Center, Centerville, IL., 1973-1975
Honors Graduate, Carmi Community High School, Carmi, IL., 1975

Martha Mothershead, Virtual Attorney

Martha is a seasoned researcher and writer, devoted to plain English. She believes that for their hard-earned dollars, clients are entitled to documents they can understand. Creative, well-written arguments win cases. Clean contract language prevents breaches. Martha is excited to be working with the Traverse Legal team as an independent contractor.

EDUCATION

University of Detroit School of Law, Detroit, MI, Juris Doctor, 1985 (Although Martha has her law license, she is performing paralegal work for Traverse Legal at this time.  She is a great value at her paralegal rate). Won 'Best Brief' and 'Best Oral Advocate' awards in law school’s Moot Court Competition. Participated in two national moot court competitions with law school's travel team. Member, Order of the Barristers.                                 

Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI, Bachelor of Arts, English, 1980. Recipient of a local history research grant in sophomore year. Lived and studied in Bonn, Germany, for two semesters. Speak conversational German.

EXPERIENCE

Traverse Legal, PLC, Traverse City, MI.  Virtual paralegal providing litigation support.

Smith & Johnson Attorneys, Traverse City, MI, Litigation support, 2003-2005.

Martha F. Mothershead, P.C, Mothershead & Henderson, P.C., St. Clair Shores, MI, 1990-93. Founder of a general-practice law firm, concentrating in divorce and probate law.

Thomas, Garvey, Garvey & Sciotti, P.C., St. Clair Shores, MI, 1987-90. Responsibilities at this personal injury law firm included arguing motions in court; representing clients at depositions, mediations and pretrial conferences; conducting research and discovery; drafting pleadings, motions and briefs.

Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Ann Arbor, MI, 1987.
Researched, wrote and edited most of a lawyers' professional practice guide to no-fault automobile insurance law in Michigan.

Addison Group, Inc., Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, 1987-90. As house counsel, handled all legal matters, as well as all purchasing, payroll, billing and collections, for family-owned marketing firm.                                              

Gromek, Bendure & Thomas, P.C., Detroit, MI,  1984-86. Responsibilities at this insurance defense firm included legal research, writing appellate briefs, and arguing before the Michigan Court of Appeals.

The Oxford Leader, Oxford, MI, 1980-82.  Reporter and jack-of-all-trades for a small weekly newspaper. Duties included conducting interviews and research, writing news and feature articles, and photography. Won 1982 Michigan Press Association award for Photography. Ability to meet deadlines was absolutely essential.

MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS

State Bar of Michigan, admitted July, 1985, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim Bar Association,
Leelanau Children’s Center, finance committee, Leland Education Foundation, Leelanau Historical Society, Leelanau Conservancy.

PERSONAL

Martha enjoys skiing, swimming, boating, bicycling and reading. Pottery and tile making are her long-time loves. She has also written two children’s books and is in the process of self-publishing the first.

What Can Technology Do For You?

Technology offers tremendous cost saving potential to both lawyers and clients.  Technology also creates an opportunity for lawyers and law firms to be transparent to their clients.  By transparent I mean that the client can have complete access to their digital file online and can see what the lawyer is doing day to day. 

At Traverse Legal, we believe that technology has created an opportunity to revolutionize legal practice.  We are a paperless, high-tech law office, perhaps one of the most high-tech offices in Michigan.  Technology allows us to do many day to day tasks much more quickly.  This saves the lawyer time and you money. 

Let me give you an example.  A lawyer receives a phone call from opposing counsel asking about an ongoing discovery issue, which remains unresolved.  In a paper based law firm, that lawyer has to go find all of the correspondence and pleadings relevant to the issue before calling the adverse attorney on the phone.  Finding that paper, let alone the file it exist in, takes a lot of time.  Lawyers bill you for that time. 

In a paperless office, we have complete access to all file materials directly from our laptops.  In a matter of seconds, we can pull up each piece of relevant correspondence and each pleading, which relates to the issue.  Not only does this make us more efficient, it also makes us more effective.  If the other attorney did not take the time to pull out all of the relevant materials, we are automatically at a tremendous advantage.  Instead of talking off the cuff, we can cite each and every key fact and case directly from our desktop or laptop computers. 

There are hundreds of day to day examples where technology can make a business person, including the lawyer, more efficient and effective.  This not only drives legal costs down, but also increases the quality of the representation you receive.  If you are not using a law firm committed to the use of technology to innovate legal practice, then you are spending money on legal fees needlessly.  Contact Traverse Legal today and find out what high-tech legal service can do for you.  If you are not absolutely satisfied with the service we provide and the price for that service, we will discount your bill to any level you find acceptable.

Attorney Brian Hall

Attorney Brian Hall

Mr. Hall is a 2002 graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and received his Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Michigan State University College of Law in 2007.  His practice areas include general civil litigation, business law, and intellectual property, including trademarks and domain name disputes.  Like his partner, Enrico, Brian seeks to change the way law is practiced by defining strategy and deliverables at the outset in order to deliver value to his clients.

EXPERIENCE

Summer Associate, Traverse Legal PLC,, Traverse City, MI, May 2006-Aug. 2006.
Drafted complaints, answers, discovery, trial briefs, various motioins, and legal memorandum primarily dealing with IP, contract, and general civil litigation matters. Gained experience with WIPO domain name dispute arbitration, trademark filing, non-compete agreement matters, and various other general civil matters. Observed depositions, civil hearings, and settlement negotiations.

Law Clerk, United States Attorney’s Office-MDFL, Tampa, FL, June 2005-Aug. 2005.
Drafted legal memorandum, client letters, and motions as part of the Civil Division.  Observed civil hearings, civil trials, and criminal trials in the United States Federal District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Team Lead, Accenture, Cincinnati, OH, 7/2002 – 7/2004.
Responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of a global business intelligence solution.  Served as the subject matter expert for all service and performance management reporting capabilities.  Worked with clients in various industries to collect business requirements and interacted with developers to create a new reporting and outsourcing capability.  Became certified in ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) and contributed to the development of the processes and procedures that governed the Cincinnati Solution Center. Regularly traveled to personally interact with team members, clients, and outsourcing partners.

EDUCATION

J.D., Michigan State University College of Law, 2007, cum laude
   -Michigan State Law Review, Executive Editor, 2006-2007
   -Michigan State Law Review, Staff, 2005-2006
   -Trial Practice Certificate Program
  -MSU College of Law American Inn of Court, Member, 2006-2007

B.S., Miami University, Richard T. Farmer School of Business, 2002
   -Management Information Systems Major, Marketing Minor, Business Consulting Concentration
   -Phi Kappa Psi National Fraternity

MEMBERSHIP and AFFILIATIONS

• Michigan State Bar, admitted November 2007
• Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim Bar Association

PERSONAL

Brian enjoys running, golfing, fundraising, and spending time with friends and family.

Nick Glauch

Nick is a recent High School graduate who handles the digital filing system, physical storage issues, and office management at Traverse Legal. This fall he will be studying at the University of Michigan where he will major in pre-law studies.

Education

Traverse City West Senior High, Class of 2006, Summa Cum Laude

Northwestern Michigan College, 2004 - 2006 Dual enrolled student in ethics, international relations and english.

Northwestern Michigan College Aviation Division, 2006 Completed Part 141 training as required by the Federal Aviation Administration and received Private Pilot License; rated: single-engine land.

Experience

McLain Cycle and Fitness, Sales Representative Aug. 2005 - Feb. 2006, sold bikes and fitness equipment, and conducted repair work right off of the Traverse Area Recreational Trail.

Student Ambassador to Italy, Austria, France and Switzerland, summer of 2005. Travelled across Europe to make human connections beyond borders with the People to People Ambassador program.

Class President, 2002 - 2005, led and represented Class of 2006 through Freshmen, Sophomore, and Junior years, chaired weekly meetings, and led the organization of the 2005 TC West Prom.

Memberships and Affiliations

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association since 2004

Attorney Mark Clark

Attorney Mark Clark

Mr. Clark is a 1985 graduate of Kenyon College and received his Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Michigan State University College of Law in 1988. He practiced in Port Huron from 1988 until 2007 with a wide range of practice areas such as general civil litigation including personal injury and insurance defense, commercial litigation, real estate and zoning matters, condemnation law and business law, including formation of corporations, limited liability companies and general business counsel.Internet law, copyright and trademark law including issues under the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA).

EMPLOYMENT

Partner, Fletcher, Clark, Tomlinson, Fealko & Monaghan, P.C., 1988-2007. A general practice law firm with a focus on municipal law as well as a large litigation practice including wrongful death and injury, and complex civil litigation, as well as business formation and business counseling. 

EDUCATION

Michigan State University College of Law, May 1998, Juris Doctor, Cum Laude. Numerous academic awards and Managing Editor, Law Review, 1998.

Kenyon College, May 1995, Bachelor of Arts, English.

MEMBERSHIP and AFFILIATIONS

• Michigan State Bar, November, 1988.
• St. Clair County Bar Association
• Michigan Trial Lawyers Association, 1989-1993.

PERSONAL

Mr. Clark enjoys sailing, skiing, snowboarding and windsurfing. His three sons and wife Tracey keep him involved in a long list of other activities.

Cathy A. Maddasion

Legal Assistant Cathy A. Maddasion

Ms. Maddasion has over 15 years of experience working in the legal field as a legal secretary, paralegal and office administration.  Her legal jobs over the past 15 years have covered family/divorce, corporate,  municipal, general civil litigation, real estate, Social Security disability, insurance, probate and estate planning.  She has previously worked for law firms in both the Lansing/Okemos and Traverse City areas.  Cathy’s professional work experience also includes working for over two years at Inland Seas Engineering, Inc. as their Office Manager and Human Resources Manager. She brings both quality experience and strong dedication to her work and interactions with the firm’s clients, other lawyers and the local community.

EXPERIENCE

Legal Assistant, Traverse Legal, PLC, Traverse City, Michigan, 2007 to present.  Duties include various legal assistant duties, billing clerk, and  assisting with general office management matters.

Office Manager, Human Resources Manager and Employee Advocate, Inland Seas Engineering, Inc., Traverse City and Flushing, Michigan, 2005 to 2007.  Primary responsibilities included handling general daily office operations, performing general human resources management duties, being an advocate for employees regarding workplace conflicts and other employment issues, and assisting with general marketing/advertising for the company.

Paralegal and Administrative Assistant, Running, Wise & Ford, P.L.C., Traverse City, Michigan, 1999 to 2005.  Worked primarily for Sandra P. Howard regarding legal matters and also worked for the partners regarding office administration matters.  Legal assistant duties included drafting of various legal documents, scheduling of meetings/court dates/appointments, assist during client conferences, train and oversee receptionist and other support staff.  Office administration duties included performing general bookkeeping duties, accounts receivables, accounts payable, maintaining updated firm’s insurance plan and participants information.

Legal Secretary and Legal Assistant, Reid and Reid, PLLC II, Lansing,  Michigan, 1996 to 1999.  Sole secretary and legal assistant to Patrick T. Reid and Patrick Timothy Reid, II.  Duties included dictation and drafting of legal documents, train and oversee legal interns and receptionist, calculate and prepare billings to clients, assist with the scheduling of meetings/court dates/ appointments, conduct research for laws and statutes, and oversee accounts receivables and related documentation.

EDUCATION

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY - Traverse City, Michigan 2004 to present
Major: Masters in Human Resources Management - expected graduation in June 2008

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY - Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 1987 – 1991
Major:  Legal Assistant, Bachelors of Science

ASSOCIATIONS

• Traverse Area Human Resources Association Member – 2006 to present
• State Bar of Michigan – Legal Assistants Section – 2004 to present
• Chairperson of the Fife Lake Ducks Unlimited Chapter – 2002 to present

John Di Giacomo, Virtual Law Clerk

Mr. Di Giacomo is currently a law student at Michigan State University College of law and has taken specialized classes in copyright, trademark, trade secrets, communications law, arbitration, legal ethics, and business law.  He holds a Bachelors of Science from Central Michigan University in philosophy and sociology where he was a member of the dean's list and Phi Sigma Tau, the International Honors Society in Philosophy.  Mr. Di Giacomo is a firm proponent of using technology and flat-rate billing to promote transparency and client empowerment in the practice of law.

Experience

Virtual Law Clerk, Traverse Legal PLC, Traverse City, MI, May 2006-Present
Drafted client letters, complaints, memorandums of law, motions, confidentiality agreements, and other legal documents.  Consulted with clients and prepared complaints and responses for NAF domain disputes.  Performed legal research in the areas of copyright, trademark, trade secrets, patents, non-compete agreements, tribal sovereignty, admiralty jurisdiction, and contract law.

Thompson's Harbor Management LLC, Lansing, MI, October 2007-Present
Managing partner in internet development company specializing in monetizing HD video content for the web.

Hospice of Central Michigan, Mount Pleasant, MI, 2006
Wrote proposal for $3 million capital campaign.  Created web interface for off-sight access of ISO work instructions and standards of operation for on-call nurses.  Kept database cataloging client census and statistics to supply meta-data for administrative efficiency. 

Education

J.D., Michigan State University College of Law, expected degree 2009

Bachelors of Science, Central Michigan University, 2005
-Philosophy & Sociology (Criminology Concentration)
-Dean's List
-Phi Sigma Tau, International Honors Society in Philosophy

Memberships and Affiliations

• Member, Anglers of the Au Sable
• Member, Electronic Frontier Foundation
• Former Bylaws Committee Member, Libertarian Party of Michigan

Personal

John is interested in technology, conservationist issues, kayaking, and entrepreneurial internet startups.   When not working for Traverse Legal, John spends his summers fly fishing the storied trout waters of northern Michigan. 

Scott Burger, Virtual Law Clerk

Mr. Burger is a 2006 graduate of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan and is currently working toward his Juris Doctor degree from Michigan State University College of Law, which he expects to achieve in 2009.  His legal interests include business and securities law, property law, and intellectual property law, including trademarks, domain disputes, and copyright issues.

EXPERIENCE

Law Clerk, State of MI 55th District Court – Judge Thomas P. Boyd, Mason, MI, Jan. 2008-Apr. 2008.

Drafted motion recommendations for the Judge’s review.  Observed civil hearings, criminal hearings, and criminal preliminary examinations.  Reviewed party motions for Michigan Court Rules compliance.  Drafted memoranda on state statutory law issues.

Legal Extern, MSU Office of Contract and Grant Administration, East Lansing, MI, May 2007-Aug. 2007

Performed legal research and drafted memoranda regarding patent, copyright, and contractual issues.  Assisted in interpretation of contracts.  Learned the grant process in the university system, particularly involving Federal Acquisition Regulations and limited rights in technical data.

EDUCATION

J.D., Michigan State University College of Law, expected 2009
- Intellectual Property Concentration
- Michigan State University Journal of International Law, Articles Editor 2008-2009
- Michigan State University Journal of International Law, Associate Staff 2007-2008
- Intellectual Property Law Society, Treasurer 2007-2008

B.A., University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, 2006
- History Major

PERSONAL

Scott enjoys college football, computers, working out, and golfing.