At Hertz Schram, we provide our clients with the bold, forward-thinking and uncommonly creative legal solutions they deserve. On this page, we share some of the events, media coverage and other information that have resulted from our thoughtful approach to serving clients in Michigan and throughout the country
Our innovative attorneys and legal staff are always in motion; from adeptly handling our clients’ cases to authoring legal articles to sponsoring charity events, we work tirelessly to advance the field of law and make our community the best place it can be.
Below, we highlight some of our most recent noteworthy news items and events. If you have questions about these or any other items involving firm, please feel free to contact us and speak with a member of the Hertz Schram team.
– Howard Hertz, Entertainment & Sports Law, Copyright & Trademark Law, and Intellectual Property Law
– Bradley J. Schram, Commercial Litigation, ADR Law Commercial Litigation, Real Estate Law Commercial, Real Estate Law Finance, Securities & Venture Finance Law
– Steve J. Weiss, Commercial Litigation, Civil Appellate Law
– Victor M. Norris, Criminal Defense Law DUI, Criminal Defense Law Felonies & Misdemeanors, Personal Injury Law General
– Jeffrey A. Robbins, Closely & Privately Held Business Law, Tax Law Business, Tax Law Individual, Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law
– Walter J. Piszczatowski, Criminal Appellate Law, Criminal Defense Law Felonies & Misdemeanors, Criminal Defense Law White Collar
– Kenneth F. Silver, Real Estate Law Associations & Condominiums, Real Estate Law Commercial
– Patricia A. Stamler, Civil Rights/Constitutional Law, Class Action/Mass Tort Plaintiff’s Law, Employment Law Employee, False Claims Act/Whistle Blower Law
– Eva T. Cantarella, Employee Benefits Law
– Lisa D. Stern, Family Law
– Robert P. Geller, Commercial Litigation, Employee Benefits Law
Leading Lawyers honorees are nominated based on surveys mailed to all lawyers in a state that ask them which of their peers they believe are the top lawyers within their respective region and/or area(s) of law. Recipients are then selected to by a panel based on their skill and excellence in their legal practice areas.
Congratulations to all of our honorees!
Click the following link to view the honorees’ bios and contact information: https://bit.ly/3AQUZB7
* Howard Hertz, Copyright Law & Trade Secrets
* Walter Piszczatowski, White-Collar Criminal Defense
* Steve Weiss, Medical Malpractice Law
* Kenneth Silver, Real Estate Law
* Gerald Cavellier, Family Law
* Lisa Stern, Family Law
* Joseph Bellanca, Copyright Law
DBusiness’s Top Lawyers list is based on an online peer-review survey that is open to all lawyers in the metro Detroit area. Inclusion in DBusiness magazine’s Top Lawyers list is based solely upon one’s standing within their peer group. Congratulations to our honorees!
Only a single lawyer in each specialty in a community can be honored as “Lawyer of the Year.”
Wally, a Shareholder at Hertz Schram, is nationally known for representing clients in high-profile white collar and other criminal defense matters, many of which have commanded significant media attention. Wally is regarded as one of the premier criminal defense practitioners by the bench, his fellow colleagues, and prosecutors.
Congratulations, Wally!
And the “2022 Best Lawyers in America” honorees are: Howard Hertz, Steve Weiss, Walter Piszczatowski, Gerald Cavellier, and Patricia Stamler!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FABULOUS FIVE TEAM for their success this year! WAY TO GO, TEAM!
You can view the Best Lawyer attorney bios by clicking on the following links:
* Howard Hertz, Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television and Entertainment Law – Music
* Steve Weiss, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
* Walter Piszczatowski, Criminal Defense White-Collar
* Gerald (Jerry) Cavellier, Family Law
* Patricia Stamler, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Employment Law – Individuals, and Civil Rights Law
If you have any legal claims or needs, please contact Hertz Schram at (248) 975-7272. or on our contact page.
We are very pleased to announce that Attorney Lisa Stern at Hertz Schram has received the “Women in the Law for 2021” award from Michigan Lawyer’s Weekly. Each year Michigan Lawyers Weekly® recognizes “women who have a commitment to excellence in the practice of law.” This year 34 lawyers were selected to receive this distinguished award. Michigan Lawyers Weekly® announced that Ms. Stern was chosen for her outstanding contributions to the practice of law in Michigan, for being an educator and role model for other attorneys, her tremendous leadership, and for her wealth of expertise in family law in providing quality counsel. This is an Outstanding accomplishment … CONGRATULATIONS TO LISA!
Lisa is a partner at Hertz Schram and her law practice centers exclusively on family law. Lisa is a highly recognized and honored attorney. Lisa also just received the Super Lawyers® award for 2021. To learn more about Ms. Stern’s background, you can read her bio here.
FUN FACT: Lisa went skydiving last year for the first time!
Do you have questions or legal needs about divorce, child custody, or parenting time? If so, Hertz Schram’s family law department can help you! Contact Lisa Stern at (248) 975-7272.
Hertz Schram is proud and honored to announce the 2021 Rising Stars by Super Lawyers® Honorees below:
* Matthew Turchyn, Esq., Business Litigation Attorney
* Fallon Yaldo, Esq., Medical Malpractice Attorney
Rising Stars is a designation of top-rated practicing attorneys selected through extensive evaluation by Super Lawyers®. Super Lawyers® evaluates each candidate across 12 key categories which includes peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection is made on an annual, state-by-state basis, by a Blue Ribbon Panel of attorneys. (Super Lawyers® is a registered trademark of Thomas Reuters).
Please contact Hertz Schram should you need legal assistance or have legal questions at (248) 975-7272.
Hertz Schram is proud and honored to announce the 2021 Super Lawyers Honorees below:
* Howard Hertz, Esq., Entertainment & Sports Attorney
* Bradley Schram, Esq., Securities & Corporate Finance Attorney
* Steve Weiss, Esq., Medical Malpractice Personal Injury Attorney
* Walter Piszczatowski, Criminal Defense White Collar Crimes Attorney
* Eva Canterella, Esq., Employee Benefits Attorney
* Gerald Cavellier, Esq., Family Law Attorney
* Lisa Stern, Family Law Attorney
* Patricia Stamler, Esq., Employment Litigation
* Elizabeth (Liz) Thomson, Esq., Class Action/Mass Torts
Super Lawyers evaluates each candidate across 12 key categories which includes peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection is made on an annual, state-by-state basis, by a Blue Ribbon Panel of attorneys. (Super Lawyers® is a registered trademark of Thomson Reuters).
Please contact Hertz Schram should you need legal assistance or have legal questions at (248) 975-7272.
Hertz Schram is proud to announce the firm is expanding its First Amendment and Media Law legal services by adding attorney Herschel Fink as Of Counsel to the firm. Herschel Fink is a First Amendment and Media Law attorney. Herschel will continue to represent newspapers, media organizations and entertainment companies, and is currently legal counsel to USA Today Network’s six Michigan newsrooms, including the Detroit Free Press. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Fink spent a decade before and during law school as a reporter and editor on major newspapers. You can read more about Herschel’s prestigious career by reading his full bio here.
The Detroit Free Press Editor was recently quoted as saying, “I think every news organization needs someone like Herschel… If we don’t have people like Herschel fighting for us, ultimately our freedoms are at risk.”
We encourage you to reach out with any questions or if you need legal assistance, please contact us at (248) 975-7272.
Patricia Stamler, shareholder and head of Hertz Schram’s employment law and whistleblower (qui tam) False Claims Act section, has been named as one of the attorneys for the female prison workers in the class action lawsuit recently filed in the federal court for the Northern District of Illinois. The claims are pending in federal court due to the outrageous sexual acts of the prison inmates on a daily basis toward the female prison workers. The sexual acts by the male inmates include such things as exposing themselves and masturbating in the presence of the female workers along with sexual and threatening comments. This has made the work environment hostile and unsafe for the female workers.
You can read more about the case by accessing the complaint here.
If you have an employment, sexual harassment, 1983 action or whistleblowers claim, contact Attorney Patricia Stamler at Hertz Schram to have your claim reviewed by calling (248) 975-7272.
This was the important question recently presented to the State of Michigan Court of Appeals. The case involves an elderly woman who sustained a fall at the hospital while undergoing a chest x-ray. Attorney Fallon Yaldo at Hertz Schram represents the Plaintiff. The Defendants filed a Motion for Summary Disposition arguing that the issue presented was one of medical malpractice and warranted dismissal for the failure to provide a Notice of Intent to File a Claim prior to the initiation of the lawsuit. After the trial court denied the motion for summary disposition, the Defendants appealed. The Court of Appeals affirmed the ruling of the lower court which was a huge victory for the Plaintiff. Had the Defendants been successful, the claim for damages sustained by the deceased Plaintiff would have been subject to the damages cap for medical malpractice actions. The ordinary negligence action will now continue in the circuit court. You can read the unpublished decision that was reported in the State Bar of Michigan’s e-Journal here.
We encourage you to reach out with any questions or if you need legal assistance, please contact us at (248) 975-7272.
Howard Hertz was recently featured in Downtown Newsmagazine. Howard is a founding partner of Hertz Schram who leads the media and entertainment law and intellectual property law sections of the firm. The firm has been in existence for over four decades. You can read more about Howard’s fascinating career in the Downtown Newsmagazine article here.
Howard has a passion for promoting artists and was quoted in the article to say, “In order for artists to survive in a changing music industry, I encourage people to go out to listen to live music when it is safe to do so and support artists you enjoy.”
We encourage you to reach out with any questions or if you need legal assistance, please contact us at (248) 975-7272.
Let’s give Patricia Stamler a round of applause for receiving the 2021 Leading Lawyers distinction for civil rights, class actions, Plaintiff employment, false claims/whistleblower. Congratulations, Patty! Well deserved recognition!
Patricia Stamler is a Shareholder and head of Hertz Schram ’s whistleblower False Claims Act (qui tam) practice section and stands out in Michigan’s legal profession. Patty’s law practice also includes employment and class action litigation. Patty is a highly recognized and honored attorney. She received the Women in the Law Award in 2018 from the Michigan Lawyers Weekly and Leading Lawyers Top 10 Women Lawyers in 2020 among other awards including an AV rating, Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyer, and DBusiness Top Lawyers.
Fun fact about Patty: She loves the outdoors, including hiking in Alaska’s wilderness after canning Salmon in Seward.
If you need to speak with someone about a whistleblower claim or litigation matter, contact Attorney Patricia Stamler at (248) 975-7272 to discuss the matter.
Attorney Jeffrey Robbins at Hertz Schram provides information on the new administration and the potential impact upon current income tax, gift tax, estate tax and generation-skipping transfer tax rates and applicable exemptions, that could mean a combination of increases in tax rates and reduced exemptions. Because there is no assurance when or if the current rates and exemptions will take effect, Jeffrey is encouraging clients and their advisors to review their estate plans for changes that are scheduled to occur. You can read more about this here on Jeff’s blog post which highlights the upcoming issues and provides a “checklist” of planning opportunities. We encourage you to reach out with any questions or if you need legal assistance, please contact us at (248) 975-7272.
Court of Appeals Hands Victory to Plaintiffs in Lawsuit Alleging Detroit Edison Company Misled Them Into Transferring to Volatile Cash Balance Plan
On March 23, 2021, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a major victory to pension plaintiff Leslie Nolan in her putative class action against The Detroit Edison Company (DTE), ruling that she plausibly alleged in her complaint that DTE misled her and other employees into transferring out of its “traditional” pension plan (TP) and into its new cash balance pension plan (CBP) without disclosing, among other things, that if interest rates fell, they might not earn new benefits for many years, if ever. In fact, Nolan earned no new benefits the entire 15½ years she was in the CBP! The lower district court had dismissed Nolan’s complaint on the grounds that she could not have been misled about the CBP and that her claims were untimely. The Sixth Circuit’s ruling revives Nolan’s complaint and allows Nolan to move forward on her claim of misleading, as well as on an additional claim that DTE breached the terms of its pension plan.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HERTZ SCHRAM TEAM OF LAWYERS! Representing Nolan and the putative class members are Eva Cantarella (lead counsel for the class), Robert Geller, and Patty Stamler–partners at Hertz Schram PC in Bloomfield Hills, MI. If you believe you are or were in DTE’s cash balance plan, you may be a member of the putative class. To find out for sure, contact Eva Cantarella at (248) 975-7272 or ecantarella@hertzschram.com.
A Leading Lawyer honoree is chosen by other attorneys who submit another peer’s name to be reviewed by Leading Lawyers to award those who have outstanding excellence and expertise in the specific area of the law.
Let’s give the following Hertz Schram chosen 2021 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗔𝗪𝗬𝗘𝗥𝗦 a round of applause for receiving the 2021 Leading Lawyers distinction:
Bradley J. Schram, Esq., Honoree for Commercial Litigation, Real Estate Law Commercial Litigation
Eva T. Cantarella, Esq., Honoree for Employee Benefits Law
Howard Hertz, Esq., Honoree for Arts, Entertainment & Sports Law, Copyright & Trademark Law, and Intellectual Property Law
Kenneth F. Silver, Esq., Honoree for Real Estate Law: Commercial
Lisa D. Stern, Esq., Honoree for Family Law
Patricia A. Stamler, Esq., Honoree for Civil Rights/Constitutional Law
Robert P. Geller, Esq., Honoree for Commercial Litigation & Employee Benefits Law
Steve J. Weiss, Esq., Honoree for Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Law
Victor M. Norris, Esq., Honoree for Criminal Defense Law: DUI, Commercial Litigation
Walter J. Piszczatowski, Esq., Honoree for Criminal Defense Law: Felonies & Misdemeanors
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE HERTZ SCHRAM LEADING LAWYERS FOR THE WELL DESERVED RECOGNITION!
Hertz Schram is proud and honored to announce the 2020 Rising Stars by Super Lawyers® Honorees below:
* Fallon Yaldo, Esq., Medical Malpractice Attorney
* Joseph Bellanca, Esq., Entertainment & Sports Attorney
* Matthew Turchyn, Esq., Business Litigation Attorney
Rising Stars is a designation of top-rated practicing attorneys selected through extensive evaluation by Super Lawyers®. Super Lawyers® evaluates each candidate across 12 key categories which includes peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection is made on an annual, state-by-state basis, by a Blue Ribbon Panel of attorneys. (Super Lawyers® is a registered trademark of Thomas Reuters). Please contact Hertz Schram should you need legal assistance or have legal questions at (248) 975-7272.
Hertz Schram is proud and honored to announce the 2020 Super Lawyers® Honorees below:
* * Howard Hertz, Esq., Entertainment & Sports Attorney
* Bradley Schram, Esq., Securities & Corporate Finance Attorney
* Steve Weiss, Esq., Medical Malpractice Personal Injury Attorney
* Wally Piszczatowski, Criminal Defense White Collar Crimes Attorney
* Eva Canterella, Esq., Employee Benefits Attorney
* Gerald Cavellier, Esq., Family Law Attorney
* Patricia Stamler, Esq., Employment Litigation
* Elizabeth (Liz) Thomson, Esq., Class Action/Mass Torts
Super Lawyers evaluates each candidate across 12 key categories which includes peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection is made on an annual, state-by-state basis, by a Blue Ribbon Panel of attorneys. (Super Lawyers® is a registered trademark of Thomas Reuters). Please contact Hertz Schram should you need legal assistance or have legal questions at (248) 975-7272.
Let’s give Patricia Stamler a round of applause for receiving the 2020 Leading Lawyers distinction for civil rights, class actions, Plaintiff employment, false claims/whistleblower. Congratulations, Patty! Well deserved recognition!
Patricia Stamler is a Shareholder and head of Hertz Schram’s Whistleblower (Qui Tam) False Claims Act practice section and stands out in Michigan’s legal profession. Patty’s law practice also includes employment and class action litigation. Patty is a highly recognized and honored attorney. She received the Women in the Law Award in 2018 from the Michigan Lawyers Weekly and Leading Lawyers Top 10 Women Lawyers in 2020 among other awards including AV rated, Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyer, and Dbusiness Top Lawyers. If you need to speak with someone about a whistleblower claim or litigation matter, contact Attorney Patricia Stamler at (248) 975-7272.
Let’s give a round of applause to Attorneys Gerald Cavellier and Lisa Stern for receiving the Best Family Law Lawyers 2020! Jerry and Lisa have built a successful family law practice at Hertz Schram by representing clients in divorce, child custody disputes, child support matters, step-parent adoption matters, and second family adoption for LGBTQ community. Let’s all help congratulate Jerry and Lisa on their success!
… and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® award goes to Matthew (Matt) J. Turchyn! Congratulations, Matt, on your 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® award!
The inaugural edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® recognizes lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice.
Matt’s legal practice at Hertz Schram is focused on Commercial Litigation, Securities Litigation, General Litigation, Appeals and Copyright & Trademark. Matt describes himself as “…a creative, strategic, and result-oriented advocate for [his] clients.” Let’s congratulate Matt on his success in 2020!
Join our Zoom event on September 8, 2020 at 4PM – 6PM for a live meeting with attorney Kenneth Silver and Michael Fluhler from Hertz Schram. Ken and Michael will be discussing INNOVATION & LICENSING. Contact Sandy Kott at skott@hertzschram.com or 248.335.5000 to register, or register via Zoom. REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO ATTEND VIA ZOOM.
Prefix Corp, a Michigan-based business, known for building auto prototypes and race engines has restructured its operating systems to assist hospitals and first responders by building face shields, face masks and other healthcare devices to meet the demand for personal protection equipment as reported by the Detroit News. We, at Hertz Schram, are proud of their efforts. Prefix Corp has plants located in Rochester Hills and Auburn Hills, Michigan and is a valued client of Hertz Schram! Good job, Prefix Corp!
Learn from the experts at Hertz Schram on the best way to protect yourself and your finances in the event you become ill or incapacitated during the pandemic. You can read this helpful article here. We encourage you to reach out with any questions or if you need legal assistance, please contact us at (248) 335-5000 or visit our COVID-19 information section on our website.
Hertz Schram has prepared another great article to provide you with information about the best way to prepare yourself in the event you become ill during the pandemic. You can read this helpful article on the firm’s website here. We encourage you to reach out with any questions or if you need legal assistance, please contact us at (248) 335-5000 or visit our COVID-19 information section on our website.
Attorney and Shareholder Patricia Stamler at Hertz Schram prepared another great article that provides important updates for the self-employed and independent contractors. You can read Patty’s article on the firm’s website here. We encourage you to reach out with any questions or if you need legal assistance, please contact us at (248) 335-5000 or visit our COVID-19 information section on our website.
YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SMALL BUSINESS PPP LOAN PROGRAM ARE ANSWERED IN THE ATTACHED VIDEO (LINK BELOW↓)!
Hertz Schram was part of a panel of experts that explained the newly enacted Cares Act, Paycheck Protection Program and SBA Loans along with a bank representative on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. The webinar can be accessed here.
Hertz Schram is addressing the needs of our clients and their advisors in response to the business disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team is dealing with numerous employment, business, tax and estate planning matters that have become acute as a result of the virus. We can help you with preparing and submitting your PPP application. Our team of experts provide COVID-19 small business updates almost daily pursuant to the new rules and regulations being enacted by the US Department of Treasury. You can access the firm’s COVID-19 updates by visiting the firm’s website here. We encourage you to contact us directly anytime at (248) 335-5000 so we can help your with your legal questions and needs.
Attorney and Shareholder Jeffrey Robbins at Hertz Schram is providing information just released from the U.S. Department of Small Businesses for the Paycheck Protection Program for Businesses on the Interim Final Rules released on April 3rd and on Monday, April 6, 2020. Information on these loans is changing very quickly as this is a new program and rules continue to be written and adjusted. Please check back to our website regularly for new updates. You can read Jeff’s article on the firm’s website here. We encourage you to reach out with any questions or if you need legal assistance, please contact us at (248) 335-5000 or visit our COVID-19 information section on our website.
Attorney and Shareholder Jeffrey Robbins at Hertz Schram is providing information on the interim guidelines under the Paycheck Protection Program for Businesses just released from the U.S. Department of Small Businesses. Information on these loans is changing very quickly as this is a new program and rules continue to be written and adjusted. Please check back to our website regularly for new updates. You can read Jeff’s article on the firm’s website here. We encourage you to reach out with any questions or if you need legal assistance, please contact us at (248) 335-5000 or visit our COVID-19 information section on our website.
Attorney and Shareholder Kenneth Silver at Hertz Schram prepared an informational article that summarizes the updated loan terms under the Paycheck Protection Program for Businesses. Information on these loans is changing very quickly as this is a new program and rules continue to be written and adjusted. Please check back to our website regularly for new updates. You can read Ken’s article on the firm’s website here. We encourage you to reach out with any questions or if you need legal assistance, please contact us at (248) 335-5000 or visit our COVID-19 information section on our website.
Attorney and Shareholder Patricia Stamler at Hertz Schram prepared a great article that lists the numerous consumer scams to lookout for those preying on the public’s fears from the COVID-19 pandemic. You can read Patty’s article on the firm’s website here. We encourage you to reach out with any questions or if you need legal assistance, please contact us at (248) 335-5000 or visit the firm website here.
Our attorneys have prepared summaries for you regarding the newly passed legislation by Congress in response to the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. Every state is deemed a “disaster” area under this legislation. We strongly recommend that you carefully review the summaries listed below as they describe Federal financial relief and assistance programs now available to workers and businesses impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.
You can read the summaries and the blog post here. Although our office is physically closed, we are operating our business remotely. We encourage you to reach out with any questions or if you need legal assistance, please contact us at (248) 335-5000 or visit the firm website here. Please note the firm’s website has a new COVID-19 Updates section on our website that you can access at any time to keep up with the changing laws related to this pandemic.
I have the answer for you! This update contains information about how the Coronavirus pandemic impacts workers and businesses in Michigan. You can read the blog post authored by Matthew Turchyn here. Contact us at (248) 335-5000 or visit the business and corporate law page here.
Attorney Kenneth Silver has a successful legal practice at Hertz Schram centered around the following practice areas:
As a successful attorney, Kenneth Silver describes his approach as “direct, responsive and effective.” Let’s give a big round of applause to Kenneth F. Silver on his election to the Probate Council where he will be able to use his expertise to help serve the legal community!
Our firm and our attorneys have been featured in a wide range of local, state and national publications, including the Detroit Free Press, the Oakland Press, the Flint Journal, Crain’s Detroit Business, Oakland Business Review, Ambassador magazine, Rolling Stone magazine, SPIN magazine and many other notable publications. Below is a sampling of articles that feature our attorneys.
The Hertz Schram Deal Incubator is an informal business forum intended to connect entrepreneurs, investors, financiers and anyone else interested in business.
Unlike other business forums, it is a unique opportunity to obtain feedback on new projects or concerns and to network with a wide variety of people. Over the past six years, the Hertz Schram Deal Incubator has developed a well-earned reputation as an invaluable networking and resource opportunity. It is often attended by those seeking new relationships – entrepreneurs seeking funding, investors looking for new projects and others who are just generally interested in business – in a very lively and informal setting.
The Deal Incubator meets at our office in Bloomfield Hills at 4 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month.