DETROIT BUSINESS MAIN 03-05-07 a 9 CDB.Qxd

DETROIT BUSINESS MAIN 03-05-07 A 9 CDB 3/2/2007 10:29 AM Page 1

March 5, 2007 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 9 OTHER VOICES: Consolidation will save state tax dollars

In her State of the State school districts, will bring vices offers opportunities for joint have worked for years to imple- agers need to work together across speech, Gov. Jennifer enormous efficiencies but programming if not full integra- ment joint emergency dispatch. A jurisdictions. We need to develop Granholm offered a clear will take time to accom- tion at substantial savings. few, like Livingston, have managed viable plans for shared services vision for the future of plish. One example: Many local gov- to make it happen. Others, like and follow through with aggres- Michigan, while at the Shared services, on the ernments are making investments Kent, are still trying to get it off the sive implementation. same time offering a num- other hand, can be accom- in software whose capabilities ex- ground. Still others, like Washte- Shared services can potentially ber of practical steps for plished much faster and ceed what any one unit of govern- naw, have given up altogether. save millions of dollars and at the getting us from here to also offer significant op- ment needs. It is not uncommon for There are obstacles. Lack of polit- same time improve the quality of there. portunities for lowering significant computing ability to be ical will, entrenched bureaucracies, services delivered. Given our cir- All of us feel the effects the cost of government paid for but never implemented. collective-bargaining constraints cumstances, it seems an obvious of the faltering economy while increasing the quali- Joint investments in technology and the investments local govern- choice. D. Kerry Laycock and are beginning to see ty of service provided. can save scarce IT resources and ments already have made in people Business leaders must press the impact it is having on Back-office functions such as provide a system to support the in- and systems are among them. elected officials to focus on this op- state and local government. We are human resources, payroll, pur- tegration of many functions and But the governor deserves sup- portunity and to execute on the in the midst of deliberations about chasing and information technolo- services across jurisdictions. port to implement these changes. governor’s good ideas. what to cut and how to raise taxes. gy are among the candidates. Po- Of course, like so much in life, Local elected officials must make D. Kerry Laycock is an organiza- Yet our needs continue to grow. I tentially every public service from this is easier said than done. For ex- intergovernmental cooperation a tional consultant with offices in hate to use an old saw, but we need recreation programs to safety ser- ample, many Michigan counties policy priority. Public-sector man- Ann Arbor. to do more with less. Michigan has more than 2,700 governmental entities. This includes counties, cities, townships and villages. It also includes K-12 ©2007 Southwest Airlines Co. school districts, intermediate school districts, community col- leges and various authorities. Gov. Granholm thinks this is inefficient. I agree. The governor made two specific proposals: Provide financial incentives for school districts to consolidate business services. Base revenue-sharing in- creases to cities and counties on their efforts to share services or consolidate. Consolidation, particularly of

LETTERS CONTINUED “EFFICIENT OPERATIONS ■ From Page 8 that provides for a pay freeze for HAVE BEEN THE KEY TO OUR SUCCESS. the first three years for all school employees and contractors and SO WHAT OTHER AIRLINE then 1 percent and 2 percent in- WOULD WE FLY ON?” creases. Add in modest co-pays on health insurance (particularly pre- scriptions) and I think you’ve got a STEVE ULMANN deal that saves school districts money but makes sure employees Senior VP, Marketing are not left out in the cold. NETCO I’d also like to see the governor ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI strongly suggest that any new contracts follow this model and that teacher and administrator salaries and benefits are included. This strategy would help reduce costs and provide time for Michigan’s economy to recover. Let’s strive for quality education at a reason- “AS ONE OF THE PREMIER residential title companies in the nation, our focus has always been on able cost. fast, courteous, hassle-free service. So it only makes sense that our favorite airline would be Southwest. William Plumpe Detroit “My schedule is often uncertain, and Southwest Airlines’ flexible reservation system accommodates Lawmakers need to that. I also appreciate their straightforward pricing policies with no fees for changing your fl ights. And as a businessperson, I recognize Southwest as a company that has honed in on the most be accountable important keys of success to any service industry — to motivate its Employees to work hard and Editor: have fun while doing it.” In these austere economic times, I question whether raising taxes is the only answer to this state’s prob- Giving businessmen like Steve plenty of reasons to say such nice things about us is how we’ve lems (“Granholm proposal worries become The Official Airline of Business. B-to-B service providers,” and Opinion: “Granholm’s proposal not bold enough,” Feb. 12). How does this administration plan on holding our lawmakers accountable for properly spending these funds? What controls will this administration put in place to prohibit the misuse of funds or frivolous spending on pet projects promoted by special interest groups? While lawmakers are quick to take a dollar from taxpayers, they are vague on pre- cisely where the dollar was spent. A.J. Zaccanti Clinton Township DBpageAD.qxd 2/27/2007 2:30 PM Page 1 DETROIT BUSINESS MAIN 03-05-07 A 11 CDB 3/2/2007 10:23 AM Page 1

March 5, 2007 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 11

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK Robert Ankeny In-house counsel directory writes about the city of Detroit, Wayne We’ve compiled a directory of the County government and law. Call (313) top lawyers at more than 50 of 446-0404 or write metro Detroit’s biggest bankeny @crain.com companies. You can find it at law www.crainsdetroit.com/counsel.

Robert Ankeny Practicing the Anti-piracy patents z4Technologies Inc. v. Microsoft Corp., Autodesk Inc.

practice of law ommerce Township-based z4 Technologies, privately Verdict: $115 owned by David Colvin, sued software giants Microsoft million, plus $25 Students enrolling in the University Big C Corp. and Autodesk, charging that million enhanced this of Detroit Mercy School of Law product-activation technology used in their damages for fall have a new third-year software to reduce piracy infringed on two litigation misconduct. requirement: a law firm program. Jury verdict: April 19, of z4’s anti-piracy patents. After a weeklong It will include classes replicating 2006; judge’s order, big-firm practice and externships in cases, trial in April, 2006, a federal court jury in Aug. 18, 2006. courts and corporate law firms, and Texas found there was infringement and Venue: U.S. District aim at the practice of law rather than awarded $115 million against Microsoft and Court Eastern District theory or doctrine. $18 million against of Texas; Judge “It grows out of a series of Autodesk. In Leonard Davis. discussions about legal education August, 2006, Judge Filed: Sept. 22, with alumni and others in the legal big Colvin 2004. profession after I became dean in Leonard Davis 2002,” said UDM added a $25 million award for Plaintiff: z4 Dean Mark litigation misconduct. Technologies Inc., Gordon. The Both Autodesk and Microsoft Commerce Township. response, he bucks appealed the verdict and other said, was that court rulings to the U.S. Court of Lead attorney: often there was a Ernest Brooks, Appeals for the Federal Circuit “disconnect” in Brooks Kushman between what 2006’s top Washington. Autodesk P.C., Southfield. gets taught and subsequently Defendants: what practice is reached a Microsoft Corp., like. verdicts and confidential Redmond, Wash.; Gordon A 2006 study settlement with and Autodesk Inc., by the Stanford, Calif.-based settlements z4. The response San Diego. Carnegie Foundation for brief for z4 is due in late Attorney: Isabella Advancement of Teaching suggests: March, and a hearing on the Fu, in-house counsel; “The dramatic results of the first ISTOCKPHOTO.COM Fish & Richardson, rom KSR Microsoft appeal could be held this year of law school’s emphasis on San Diego. well-honed skills of legal analysis International summer. should be matched by similar skill in Co.’s patent case serving clients and a solid ethical F grounding.” that has the U.S. Supreme Gordon drafted an advisory board pondering the Tale of the (X-rated) tape of top lawyers from major law firms Court and corporations in Detroit and question of obviousness, Robert Ritchie aka Kid Rock v. World Wide Red Light District throughout the country to weigh UDM’s law curriculum. Dennis to local inventors going to ichigan-based rock star Kid Archer, former Michigan Supreme the mat with Microsoft and Rock and his company, Top Dog Court justice, now chairman of M Records Inc., sued California- Dickinson Wright P.L.L.C., chairs. winning, Southeast based World Wide Red Light District, “The advisers meet with us every Michigan and its attorneys operator of sexually explicit Web sites, six months, to help think about what on Feb. 21, 2006. World Wide had a law school can do to prepare contributed their fair share advertised sale of a 45-minute tape students for the realities of of interesting court cases featuring Rock and Scott Stapp, singer practice,” Gordon said. for the band Creed, engaged in sex acts Gordon also drafted a cadre of to the dockets in 2006. with several women on a tour bus in distinguished visiting professors 1999. from the senior ranks of major law Crain’s picked verdicts The lawsuit claimed violation of firms. and settlements that publicity and trademark rights “Instead of retiring, we’re inviting and invasion of privacy. senior lawyers to come on as full- stood out from the rest. Although the videos were time professors,” he said. Included supposed to sell for $70 to $80, are Lloyd Semple of Dykema Gossett Some are notable for their P.L.L.C.; Carol Clark of Honigman sheer dollar value. But the Kid Rock’s lawsuit claimed Miller Schwartz and Cohn L.L.P., and damage to his image and career Richard Rohr of Bodman L.L.P. section also includes would not be compensated by Dan Quick chairs the Dickinson snapshots of prominent payment of money damages alone. Wright hiring committee and U.S. District Judge John Feikens superintends the summer associate cases where a dollar figure issued a permanent injunction program. is harder to pin down. against World Wide prohibiting “It’s certainly true most first- or distribution of the video in all media, second-year law students don’t have To select the cases including on the Internet, forever. a practical appreciation of how a law firm runs, either financial or the featured on Pages 11-16, corporate culture. And not many Decision: June 14, 2006. know how to interact in a firm or with reporter Robert Ankeny Venue: U.S. District Court clients in the business world,” he called local attorneys, Eastern District of Michigan, said. Judge John Feikens. Quick said a program like UDM’s searched court records Filed: Feb. 21, 2006. could be valuable if it’s and consulted Verdict- Plaintiff: Robert Ritchie, aka Kid NEWSCOM “supplemental, not dominant.” He Rock; Top Dog Records Inc. said that second-year law students Search, a commercial Web : Kaveh Kashef, usually “learn the ‘how-to’ via frying Lead attorney Troy-based Cox Hodgman & pan, in the summer associate site that publishes Giarmarco P.C. program. But not everyone gets to information on verdicts participate in summer programs. Defendant: Worldwide Red Light “I wouldn’t want this to supplant and settlements District, Chatsworth, Calif. honing analytic and writing skills. But nationwide. Lead attorney: Peter Falkenstein, it could be a plus to have when they Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer & Weiss P.C., walk in the door,” he said. Ann Arbor. DETROIT BUSINESS MAIN 03-05-07 A 12,13 CDB 3/2/2007 10:25 AM Page 1

Page 12 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 5, 2007

FOCUS:LAW new! Biggest settlement in FHA history U.S. government v. ABN Amro Mortgage Group Inc. Oakland University BN Amro agreed to a set- Settlement: $41.2 million, Jan. 4, tlement of $41.2 million 2006. A with the U.S. Department of Venue: Out-of-court settlement. Housing and Urban Development and Plaintiff: U.S. Department of Lansing the Justice Department following Housing and Urban Development. an investigation into the falsifica- tion of documents for 28,097 loans. Lead attorneys: Asst. U.S. Attorney Leslie Matuja Wizner, The settlement included a pay- Detroit, and U.S. Justice ment of $16.85 million in cash and Department Civil Attorney David $24.35 million in waived govern- Leviss, Washington. ment insurance claims for 783 de- Grand Rapids Defendant: ABN Amro Mortgage faulted mortgages. Group Inc. of Ann Arbor, a The government alleged that subsidiary of Troy-based LaSalle ABN Amro made false certifications Bank Midwest N.A. to HUD in connection with more Lead attorney: Mitchell Kider, of than 28,000 federally insured mort- Weiner Brodsky Sidman & Kider start to finish gages, including 229 defaults that P.C., Washington. resulted in losses to HUD of $6.25 million. ABN Amro assisted in the The settlement was the largest at the campus of your choice investigation, U.S. Attorney in the history of the Federal Housing Stephen Murphy said. Administration. Complete all 90 credits for your law degree at any of Cooley’s three campuses! Cooley admits classes at three locations three times a year — and has the first and largest fully accredited weekend program in the country. Mason’s noncompete Cooley’s Oakland campus is located in Rochester’s Oakland County, neighboring more Radio One Inc. v. Ernest Wooten (aka John Mason) than 100 Fortune 500 corporate facilities. OU’s rolling, 1,441 acre campus offers all of ohn Mason (at right), a Dismissed: Feb. 7. the amenities of a major university and easy access to the sports, music, and arts and long-popular Detroit entertainment of the Motor City. J radio personality, an- Venue: U.S. District Court, nounced he would syndi- Eastern District of Cooley Law School. Everywhere you are. Michigan, Judge Lawrence cate his own show last sum- Zatkoff. mer, shortly after his For more information on Cooley or on completing your contract with WDMK 105.9 Filed: Sept. 7. law degree at any of Cooley’s three campuses, go to cooley.edu FM, Radio One’s Detroit sta- Plaintiff: Radio One Inc., tion, expired July 29, 2006. Lanham, Md. TMC.CD.10.06 Profiled in Crain’s and Lead attorney: Herschel P. other media, Mason said he Fink, Honigman Miller planned a syndicated radio Schwartz and Cohn L.L.P. program on a competing Defendant: John Mason, Detroit station after Labor Detroit radio personality. Day. Lead attorney: Henry Because his Radio One Baskin, The Baskin Law contract prohibited him Firm P.C., Birmingham. from appearing on competing stations for six months, junction prohibiting Ma- or until Jan. 29, 2007, Radio son from broadcasting on One sued him in U.S. District competing stations for six Multistate Tax Manager positions Court in Detroit, alleging vio- months. The case was dis- lation of the noncompete missed without prejudice provision, as well as im- on Feb. 7 after the noncom- Deloitte Tax LLP’s Multistate Tax Services practice has you may assume tax-planning responsibilities for our been ranked #1 in Multistate Tax Services by International corporate and individual clients. Tax Managers supervises proper solicitation of Radio pete period expired Jan. 29. Tax Review two years running. We offer valuable local assignments by the professional accountants serving as One advertisers and staff. Mason continues to work experience with a national perspective. We’re the largest Tax Consultants and Seniors. They have responsibility for Judge Lawrence Zatkoff for the Detroit Pistons, state and local tax practice in the United States, with over the development and motivation of engagement staff ruled that the contract re- where he’s well-known as 1,000 dedicated professionals who can identify, resolve, and provide them with leadership, counseling, and career and implement solutions to your complex state and local guidance. They have proven, extensive technical expertise strictions were valid, and the public-address an- tax issues. and have developed their reputation in a given industry/ issued a preliminary in- nouncer. service line. Tax Managers use their expertise in accounting and taxation to provide compliance and consulting services As a Tax Manager, qualifi ed applicants should possess: to corporate and individual clients. They must be familiar • Four or more years of public accounting experience or with the tax consulting process and the professionalism equivalent in law fi rms or industry necessary for the effective diagnosis, solution, development, Water fight • Excellent Research and Writing skills a must and implementation of clients’ tax needs. You’ll have the Carabell v. United States opportunity to develop and pursue creative strategies • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or other while using the latest technologies. As a Tax manager in business related fi eld; prior Big 4 experience a plus he U.S. Supreme Court ruled our Multistate Tax practice, you will be offering day- • CPA, Enrolled Agent or other appropriate certifi cation Decision: June 19, 2006. to-day management of accounts through delivering all 5-4 in June 2006 that the fed- required Venue: U.S. District Court, tax consulting services to the client and bringing in fi rm T eral government had misin- • Advanced Degree preferred Eastern District of Michigan, specialists when necessary. Your primary responsibilities terpreted the Clean Water Act and Judge Paul Borman. include oversee complex tax research projects for clients in sent two groups of Macomb Coun- diverse industries; participate in engagements requiring tax If you are interested in positions in the Detroit or Filed: July 26, 2001. analysis for a variety of entities and their affi liates; research ty property owners back to get a Chicago office, please visit the career section at www. Plaintiff: Keith and June Carabell, and analyze a wide range of tax issues such as deferred tax deloitte.com and complete an online profi le. lower court decision on develop- liability issues and tax implications of fi nancing techniques; ment of their 20-acre site which the Mt. Clemens. government claims is wetlands. Lead attorney: Timothy Stoepker, The high court set aside a 2003 Dickinson Wright P.L.L.C. decision by U.S. District Judge Defendant: U.S. Army Corps of Paul Borman in Detroit prohibit- Engineers, U.S. EPA. ing Mt. Clemens CPA Keith Cara- Lead attorney: Paul Clement, bell and his partners from devel- Solicitor General’s office, U.S. oping wetlands on the property Department of Justice. www.deloitte.com\us they owned in Chesterfield Town- About Deloitte ship without federal agency ap- state but blocked by the federal Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a Swiss Verein, its member firms and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates. As a Swiss Verein (association), agencies, he sued the Army Corps neither Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu nor any of its member firms has any liability for each other’s acts or omissions. Each of the member firms is a separate and independent legal proval. entity operating under the names “Deloitte”, “Deloitte & Touche”, “Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu” or other related names. Services are provided by the member firms or their and the U.S. Environmental Protec- subsidiaries or affiliates and not by the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Verein. Carabell had begun seeking per- Deloitte & Touche USA LLP is the U.S. member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. In the United States, services are provided by the subsidiaries of Deloitte & Touche USA LLP mits from the Michigan Department tion Agency in 2001 for blocking de- (Deloitte & Touche LLP, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP, Deloitte Tax LLP, and their subsidiaries), and not by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP. velopment of his property. Member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu of Environmental Quality and U.S. Copyright © 2007 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved. Army Corps of Engineers in 1992 to But the split high court ruling build about 130 condominium presented two different tests, units on 16 acres. Approved by the which could have a major impact DETROIT BUSINESS MAIN 03-05-07 A 12,13 CDB 3/2/2007 10:26 AM Page 2

March 5, 2007 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 13

FOCUS:LAW A question of discrimination Agnes Auvenshine v. Troy School District

gnes Auvenshine, a former Verdict: $2.4 million, April 28, Troy Athens High School 2006. A math teacher, was termi- Venue: U.S. District Court Eastern nated at the end of the 2002 school District of Michigan, Judge Detroit AU POIVRE year, the third year of her four- Marianne Battani. year probation period. She filed an Filed: Oct. 17, 2002. Equal Employment Opportunity Plaintiff: Agnes Auvenshine, complaint and received a right-to- Oxford. sue letter. Attorney: Joseph Golden, Auvenshine, of Chinese descent, Sommers Schwartz P.C., claimed that Athens principal Southfield. Catherine Cost criticized her and Defendant: Troy School District. implied that she needed to modify Attorney: Michael Ritenour, her behavior because her cultural Thomas DeGrood & Witenoff P.C., background was inhibiting her Southfield. teaching performance. She also claimed that Cost passed her over district and Cost for $1.2 million for a computer job in favor of a each. In lieu of an appeal, the par- white teacher. ties negotiated a confidential set- A federal court jury in Detroit tlement with facilitator Pamela issued verdicts against the school Harwood.

Detroit with Pepper: It’s a combination that’s been good for both. As a national law firm whose reputation for results goes back more than a century, Pepper brings seasoned Decision: Pending. Venue: U.S. Supreme Court firepower in corporate, litigation, real estate, private equity, bankruptcy and environmental following reversal of a 2003 matters to clients in a full range of industries. Learn more about what Pepper can do for you ruling in the U.S. District Court by visiting our Web site. by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Filed: Nov. 18, 2002. Plaintiff: Teleflex Inc.. Lead attorney: Rodger Young, Young & Susser P.C., Southfield. www.pepperlaw.com Defendant: KSR International Co. Lead attorney: James Dabney, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson L.L.P., New York City. An ‘obvious’ question KSR International Co. v. Teleflex Inc.

seemingly simple dispute over whether elec- A tronic adjustable floor pedals can be patented has fo- cused the U.S. Supreme Court’s attention on a key question in patent law: the “obviousness” clause. Teleflex Inc., a Limerick, Pa.- based company, sued KSR Inter-

DON KUREK national Co., a Canadian company with U.S. headquarters in Southfield, in November 2002 Preparing Practice-Ready Lawyers for infringement on its patent for an electronic throttle con- trol with adjustable floor pedal. Judge Lawrence Zatkoff on private-property owners. Jus- ruled on Dec. 12, 2003, that the Looking for New Associates, Law Clerks or Externs? tice Antonin Scalia’s objective Teleflex patent was invalid, finding that it was “inevitable” test, which is being used in some MSU College of Law can connect you with excellent candidates. federal circuits, says federal juris- that trained engineers would MSU COLLEGE OF LAW COURTROOM diction is to be strictly limited to join adjustable pedals with elec- wetlands with continuous running tronic devices and that there MSU Law offers a strong required curriculum enhanced by water into a navigable body of wa- were “analogous” previous de- specialty programs and experiential learning. Our students ter or into a water body that has a velopments. obtain hands-on learning opportunities through clinics, a rigorous continuous flow into the navigable But the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of trial practice program, transactional simulation courses, and an body of water. Appeals in January 2005 reversed extensive externship program. Other circuits have adopted Jus- that decision, ruling that find- tice Anthony Kennedy’s subjective ings were inadequate to support test that would give jurisdiction a claim that the claimed inven- based on an environmental analy- tion was “obvious.” Get to know an MSU Law student today. sis to determine whether the wet- This set the stage for the U.S. Contact Assistant Dean Elliot Spoon in Career Services at land has a significant nexus to Supreme Court, in an unusual 517/432-6830 or [email protected] navigable water. move, to take a patent case, On Feb. 16, the U.S. 6th Circuit and, potentially, clarify patent Court of Appeals sent the Carabell law. Following oral arguments case back to the U.S. District Court last Nov. 28, the U.S. Supreme in Detroit. Judge Borman has a Court could rule on issues in status conference scheduled the lawsuit by the end of its ses- March 29. sion in late spring or summer. DETROIT BUSINESS MAIN 03-05-07 A 14,15 CDB 3/2/2007 10:28 AM Page 1

Page 14 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 5, 2007

FOCUS:LAW

Verdict: $15.8 million, Oct. 11, The mistake was mutual 2006. Venue: Wayne County Circuit Ford Motor Co. Court. v. city of Woodhaven, et al Filed: Dec. 1, 2003. ord Motor Co. erro- Plaintiff: Julie Lowe. Settlement: $10 neously reported million. June 28, Lead attorney: Lynn Foley, F certain personal 2006. Cochran Foley & Associates P.C., property on its tax Livonia. Venue: Michigan statements and these er- Supreme Court (on Defendants: Henry Ford Health roneous reports were appeal from Michigan System, Riverside Hospital; et al. used by the cities and Tax Tribunal and state Lead attorney: Lori Barker, Bigler township in issuing tax Court of Appeals). Berry Johnston Szlykiel & Hunt The brawl that assessments. Filed: 2001. P.C., Troy. erupted at a When Ford sought a Plaintiff: Ford Motor 2004 Detroit refund under a provi- Co. Pistons game sion of law allowing re- Medical malpractice at The Palace Lead attorney: resulted in a fund of taxes paid due to Jeffrey Hyman, Lowe v. Henry Ford Health System lawsuit by an a mutual mistake of Honigman Miller injured fan. fact, the state Tax Tri- Schwartz and Cohn jury in Wayne County Cir- NEWSCOM bunal denied the L.L.P. cuit Court found that doc- claims, finding that the Defendant: City of Woodhaven, City of A tors, nurses and the hospi- Basket-brawl at The Palace mistake was not mutual but was unilateral, and Sterling Heights, and tal were negligent in June 2001, Haddad the Court of Appeals af- Bruce Township. when Julie Lowe was in Riverside v. Indiana Pacers firmed. Lead attorney: Hospital, then part of the Henry Ford Lawrence Dloski, etroit Pistons season ticket holder Those decisions, if Hospital System, delivering her Verdict: Oct. 19, 2006. Seibert and Dloski, Charles Haddad sought $2.5 million upheld, would have pre- baby. Venue: U.S. District Court Eastern District Mt. Clemens. vented taxpayers from D in damages for a beating he re- of Michigan, Judge Anna Diggs Taylor. They found that failure to per- seeking refunds of taxes form a C-section during early labor ceived during the brawling in the stands at Filed: Dec. 20, 2004. the Palace of Auburn Hills at the end of the assessed on erroneous- endangered the child. Also, they Plaintiff: Charles Haddad, Burt, Mich. game on Nov. 19, 2004. ly reported personal found that allowing a nurse to de- Lead attorney: Larry Charfoos, Charfoos property. The lawsuit alleged that Haddad, who tach Lowe from an electronic fetal & Christensen P.C., Detroit. But the state heart monitor in order to use the was sitting with the fan who drew the ire Defendant: Jermaine O’Neal, Indiana Supreme Court re- bathroom resulted in undetected of Indiana Pacers player Ron Artest, got Pacers. versed those rulings compression of the umbilical cord knocked down in the melee, then was hit Lead attorney: Brian Akkashian, and found that the tax that deprived the baby of oxygen. in the face by the Pacers’ Jermaine O’Neal. Dickinson Wright P.L.L.C., Detroit. assessments resulted The child, now 6, was born with After a seven-day trial in October 2006, a from mutual mistakes cerebral palsy and must use a federal court jury in Detroit found that mates and neither he nor the Indianapolis of fact made by both wheelchair and a feeding tube. O’Neal had acted in defense of his team- basketball team was liable for damages. Ford and the assessors.

Meet Timothy A. Stoepker Specializing in land use law DETROIT BUSINESS MAIN 03-05-07 A 14,15 CDB 3/2/2007 10:37 AM Page 2

March 5, 2007 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 15

FOCUS:LAW What’s a charitable institution? Cross-border stock dispute Whopping tax refunds, part one Wexford Medical Group v. LIMBC Acceptance Corp. Midland Cogeneration Venture L.P. city of Cadillac v. FMF Capital Group L.L.C. v. city of Midland his lawsuit, the largest cross-border securities dis- n what was one of its he Michigan Tax Tribunal refused Wexford Settlement: Approximately $94 Medical as a charitable institution and the pute on record in Michigan, arose from an initial longest hearings ever, million, Feb. 21 Court of Ap- T public offering in March 2005 of FMF Capital Group I the state Tax Tribunal T Venue: Michigan Court of Decision: May 3, 2006. peals affirmed the de- L.L.C. securities to the Canadian public after FMF ac- ruled that Midland Cogenera- Appeals, Michigan Tax Tribunal Venue: Michigan Supreme quired the Michigan-based tion Venture L.P.’s property cision. Filed: May 2, 1997 Court (appealed from subprime mortgage-lend- had been overvalued by The state Supreme Settlement: $21 million, Plaintiff: Midland Cogeneration Michigan Tax Tribunal, and Dec. 5, 2005. ing business of MFAC. $400 million when the city Court reversed both Venture L.P. state Court of Appeals). More than 4,000 investors of Midland assessed it for bodies and ruled that Court: Oakland County Attorney: Michael Shapiro, Filed: June 27, 2000 Circuit Court, Judge Wendy were buyers in the IPO and property taxes, which re- Wexford was entitled Plaintiff: Wexford Medical Honigman Miller Schwartz and Potts. another 4,000 in secondary sulted in refunds of $35.2 Cohn L.L.P. to a property-tax ex- Group. trading afterward. million in taxes and $11.5 Filed: Dec. 5, 2005. Defendant: City of Midland emption as a charita- Lead attorney: Stewart The securities traded on million in interest for the Plaintiffs: LIMBC Attorney: Mark Westrate, ble institution. Mandell, Honigman Miller Acceptance Corp., Toronto, the Toronto Stock Ex- years 1997 through 2000. Be- Schwartz and Cohn L.L.P. Westrate & Thomas, Dowagiac. In a decision with Canada, et al. change at $10 a share to cause of the tax cap imposed implications for other Defendant: City of Cadillac Lead attorneys: David start, but within eight by the Michigan Constitu- charitable organiza- Lead attorney: Roger Haron, Monica Navarro of months had dropped to 75 tion, the company also is to get further refunds for the years 2001 Wotila, McCurdy & Wotila tions, the high court Frank, Haron, Weiner & cents a share. through 2006 of approximately $43.6 million, plus interest. P.C., Cadillac. Navarro P.L.C., Troy; with said that if the overall Investors who sued Siskinds L.L.P. and Juroviesky Ricci L.L.P. of claimed those who made nature of Canada. the IPO should have an institu- Defendants: FMF Capital known that the company Whopping tax refunds, part two tion is L.L.C., Southfield, Michigan did not have sufficient re- The Dow Chemical Co. charitable, Fidelity Acceptance Corp., sources to buy back non- v. city of Midland it is a et al. performing loans and un- n December 12, the Settlement: $36 million, Dec. 12 chari- Lead attorney: Robert derstated risk to investors. Michigan Tax Tri- Pilcowitz, Bloomfield Hills. Venue: Michigan Tax Tribunal, table in- FMF insurers and Michi- O bunal entered con- Lansing stitution gan Fidelity Acceptance sent judgments in 11 com- Filed: July 8, 1997 for purpos- Corp. paid $21 million to in- panion cases concerning es of proper- vestors and underwriters. Auditors paid an additional the property tax appeals of Plaintiff: The Dow Chemical Co. ty-tax exemp- $5.3 million. Dow Chemical Co. proper- Lead attorney: Michael Shapiro, tion regardless of The suit began in Oakland County in late 2005 as a pro- ties in Midland. Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn L.L.P. how much money it posed class action and eventually spread to include lawsuits As a result of these set- devotes to charita- in London and Toronto, Ontario; and Quebec City, Quebec. tlements, Dow received Defendant: City of Midland ble activities in a Settlement documents have been completed in Oakland approximately $36 million Lead attorney: Robert F. IMAGES.COM/IMAGEZOO Rhoades, Miller Canfield Paddock particular County Circuit Court, where the case remains open while in property tax refunds & Stone P.L.C. year. some final issues are resolved in Ontario and Quebec. and interest.

For over 26 years, land use law has been Prominent Experience: Tim Stoepker's passion. He has successfully • Successfully argued Carabell v. Army Corps of applied this experience to some of the most Engineers before the United States Supreme Court deciding the limits of Federal jurisdiction significant residential, commercial, industrial and over wetlands institutional projects in the United States. Tim's • Counsel for residential, commercial and goal is to exceed the developer's expectations while industrial developers in rezoning, site plan, satisfying the needs of the involved governmental special land use, variances, wetland, woodland entity. The solutions frequently involve a creative and infrastructure permits and approvals approach. Tim Stoepker is one of the 230 great • National counsel to charter schools concerning attorneys in 40 practice areas at Dickinson Wright approval, development and construction matters who have helped our Firm earn its superior national reputation.

Contact: Tim Stoepker at 313-223-3473 E-mail: [email protected]

M www.dickinsonwright.com Great lawyers. Great law firm. DETROIT BUSINESS MAIN 03-05-07 A 16,17 CDB 3/2/2007 10:22 AM Page 1

Page 16 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 5, 2007

FOCUS:LAW

Merger dispute, or buyer’s remorse? What’s the pretext? Ruling: Sept. 13, 2006. Venue: U.S. District Court, Salt Valassis Communications Inc. v. Advo Inc. American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. v. Visteon Corp. Lake City, Utah, Judge Tena Campbell. ivonia-based Valassis Commu- Settlement: Valassis agreed n 2001, with two years remain- Verdict: $14.9 million, Aug. nications Inc. (NYSE: VCI) to pay $1.2 billion instead of ing on a long-term agreement 28, 2006. Judgment was Filed: Feb. 1, 2006. L sued Advo Inc. (NYSE: AD) to $1.3 billion, Dec. 19, 2006. I with American Axle & Manufac- entered Sept. 22. Plaintiff: Meshwerks Inc. get out of a $1.3 billion deal to buy Venue: Delaware Court of turing Holdings Inc. to supply axle Venue: Wayne County Circuit Lead attorney: Lewis Francis, direct-mail company Advo, claim- Chancery, Chancellor Leo forgings, Visteon Corp. terminated Court, Judge John Gillis Jr. Jones, Waldo, Holbrook, & ing that Advo misrepresented its Strine. the contract, claiming poor quali- Filed: March 1, 2001. McDonough, Salt Lake City, Utah. long-term financial health. Filed: Aug. 30, 2006. ty and slow delivery. American Plaintiff: American Axle & Defendants: Toyota Motor Sales Advo counter-sued to enforce Plaintiff: Valassis Axle sued, claiming the reasons Manufacturing Co., Detroit. USA, Inc.; Saatchi & Saatchi North America Inc.; Grace & Wild Inc. the July 2006 agreement, charging Communications Inc., Livonia. given for ending the agreement Lead attorney: William that Valassis’ court action Lead attorney: Kenneth were pretextual. Schaefer, Driggers, Schultz & Lead attorney: Brian Wassom, amounted to buyer’s remorse. Nachbar, Morris, Nichols, Arsht Both sides agreed to arbitra- Herbst P.C., Troy. Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn L.L.P. The two companies settled Dec. & Tunnell, Wilmington, Del. tion, and a three-member panel Defendant: Visteon Corp., Van 19, 2006, with Valassis to pay $1.2 Defendant: Advo Inc., found in favor of American Axle Buren Township. billion. On Feb. 14, 2007, the Livo- Windsor, Conn. and awarded it $14.9 million for Lead attorney: John nia-based coupon company said it Lead attorney: Eric Roth, profits it could have made on the Trentacosta, Foley & Lardner Creative tension would sell $590 million in senior un- Wachtell Lipton, New York. remaining 21 months of the con- L.L.P. Meshwerks Inc. v. Toyota Motor secured notes to finance the deal. tract. Sales USA, Inc., Saatchi & Saatchi North America Inc., Grace & Wild oyota Motor Sales USA and its ad agency won a summary T judgment on Meshwerks’ claim of copyright infringement, but the ruling has been appealed to the U.S. 19th Circuit Court of Appeals. Meshwerks was hired to create three-dimensional digital images replicating dimensions of Toyota vehicles for use in advertisements. Animated 3-D digital images of auto designs are not sufficiently creative to be protected as creative works under the Copyright Act, Judge Campbell ruled. A contrary ruling would have created confusion throughout the automotive and advertising industry regarding the ownership of now-ubiquitous digital images, Toyota lawyers said. Meshwerks sought Toyota profits in connection with the ads, which the auto company estimated as “in excess of $500,000.” When you consider

Verdict: $6.5 million, Nov. 7 2006 Venue: U.S. District Court, Eastern all the risks, you want District of Michigan, Judge George Caram Steeh. Filed: June 12, 2003 Plaintiff: DaimlerChrysler Motors no surprises, no mistakes. Co., Auburn Hills. Lead attorney: John Berg, Clark Hill P.L.L.C., Detroit, with Robert Thackston, Hawkins Parnell & Thackston L.L.P., Dallas, Texas Defendant: Bill Davis Racing Inc., High Point, N.C. Lead attorney: Fred Herrmann, Kerr, Russell and Weber plc, Detroit CONFIDENCE Racing with the enemy DaimlerChrysler Motors Co. v. When you’re serious about intellectual property litigation... Bill Davis Racing Inc. n 2003, DaimlerChrysler terminated its six-year motor sports rac- I ing agreement with Bill Davis Racing and sued for breach of contract, damages for loss of sponsor- Successful IP litigation must be aggressive ship fees, and testing and develop- yet controlled, authoritative yet persuasive. ment costs, after learning that members of the Bill Davis team par- It is high-stakes work where both preparation ticipated in wind tunnel testing on a and execution must be flawless. Brinks has Toyota Tundra, which was about to enter NASCAR competition. earned a national reputation as litigators Contract provisions prevented with a long history of winning jury verdicts, the team from driving or promoting vehicles of DaimlerChrysler com- leveraging a thorough knowledge of petitors or disclose the company’s technology, mastering the nuances of the racing technology without its approval. law and effectively communicating with Bill Davis Racing countersued, clients. Protect your intellectual property 866.222.0112 claiming damages for the unpaid portion of its contract and for lost with confidence. usebrinks.com sponsorship revenue. But in a one- day trial on Feb. 9, 2006, a jury ruled in favor of DaimlerChrysler and awarded $6.5 million in damages. DETROIT BUSINESS MAIN 03-05-07 A 16,17 CDB 3/1/2007 2:15 PM Page 2

March 5, 2007 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 17 PEOPLE ARCHITECTURE the Penobscot Building, the First Na- interim vice president of institutional from assessment, selection and on- tional Building and the Cadillac Tower, relations, Barbara Ann Karmanos boarding manager, DaimlerChrysler, Angela Jeruzal to business-develop- IN THE SPOTLIGHT The Northern Group Inc., Detroit, from Cancer Institute, Detroit. Auburn Hills. ment manager, Rossetti, Southfield, property manager for health care prop- from senior account executive, Marx Deloitte & Touche USA L.L.P. has Peter Bridges to erties, Farbman Group, Southfield. Layne & Co., Farmington Hills. named P. Charles (Chuck) Rossi managing direc- SUPPLIERS marketing and tor, Townsend RETAIL Search Group Bruce Aittama to vice president of BIOTECHNOLOGY business sales and marketing-automotive an- Jim Lake to man- L.L.C., Birming- Sheldon Schaffer to vice president, development tivibration division, Paulstra CRC, ager of compensa- ham, from manag- corporate development and intellectu- leader for the Novi, from vice president of sales and tion and benefits, ing director of op- al property, Aastrom Biosciences Inc., seven-state erations, Conway, marketing, Cooper-Standard Automo- Art Van Furniture, Ann Arbor, from business develop- North Central Mackenzie and tive, Novi. Warren, from di- ment consultant to the pharmaceuti- region. He will Dunleavy, Birm- cal industry. be based in rector of human ingham. Detroit. resources, Comer- ica Inc., Detroit. William Weather- CONSULTING “Chuck brings Bridges ston to vice presi- DIARY GUIDELINES Seok Chung to Ted Bott to vice president, business dent, and consultant to nonprofit or- a powerful mix marketing and Send news releases for Business development, Sundberg-Ferar, Walled Rossi ganizations, Harvey Hohauser & of marketing, sponsorship direc- Diary to Joanne Scharich, Crain’s Lake, from director, business develop- Associates, Troy, from independent communication and product tor, The Mall at Detroit Business, 1155 Gratiot ment. Lake executive consultant to nonprofit or- development experiences to our Partridge Creek, Ave., Detroit, MI 48207-2997 or ganizations, Beverly Hills. DISTRIBUTORS U.S. firms,” Thomas Dekar, Clinton Township, from marketing di- send e-mail to jscharich@crain. Deloitte & Touche USA’s vice rector, The Indianapolis Star, Indi- Susan Taylor to director of nursing, com. Use any Business Diary item Fox Run’s Renaissance Gardens, Chris Gallup to chairman and a regional managing anapolis. as a model for your release, and CFO, Ideation, principal, said in a press release. Novi, from director of nurses, West look for the appropriate category. Ann Arbor, from Bloomfield Nursing & Convalescent Rossi, 56, most recently was an SERVICES Without complete information, your corporate con- Center, West Bloomfield Township. item will not run. Photos are executive consultant to SML troller and human Kelly Gasior to vice president of mar- Sandra Rose Fiaschetti to executive as- welcome, but we cannot guarantee resources manag- Industries in Roseville, where he keting and public relations, Trinity sessment team leader, Development Di- they will be used. er. oversaw new automotive products Continuing Care Services, Novi, from mensions International, Southfield, and technologies. He is also a EDUCATION former executive vice president of Lisa Whitmore Detroit Public Television. Davis to develop- Rossi replaces Fred Miller, who is Gallup ment director, Eu- now director of strategic client gene Applebaum services. College of Phar- Rossi holds a doctorate in mass macy and Health Sciences, Wayne communication and a bachelor’s in State University, honors English and Detroit, from pub- communication, all from the lic-affairs direc- University of Michigan, and a tor, Office of the master’s in communication from Wayne County Northwestern University. Clerk, Detroit. neering services, V2Soft, Bingham FINANCE Farms, from vice president, Dynamic Davis Sharon Koenig to Variations, Canton Township. controller, Asset Acceptance Capital Mark Francischetti to vice president Corp., Warren, from corporate con- of sales and marketing, Americas, troller, Aksys Ltd., Lincolnshire, Ill. TechTeam Global Inc., Southfield, Scott Combs to business development from president, Orb Consulting officer, Michigan Commercial Credit, Group, Dayton, Ohio. Also, Steve Ey- Brighton, from senior audit consul- delman to chief technology officer tant, ABAC, Brighton. from vice president, TechTeam Gov- Rene Vallieres to business develop- ernment Solutions, Chantilly, Va. ment manager, wholesale lending division, IndyMac Bank F.S.B., Detroit LAW region, Detroit, from account executive, Wilmington Finance, Walled Jill Urban to marketing coordina- Lake. tor, Sommers Schwartz P.C., FOOD Southfield, from Mary Jean Raab, former senior vice marketing coordi- president and member of the execu- nator, The Gallup tive committee, Borders Group Inc., Organization, Ann Arbor, to the board of directors, Southfield. Bearclaw Coffee Co., Chelsea. William Carpenter MANUFACTURING to executive vice Urban Bill Rudnicki to di- president and rector of quality, COO, Olga’s Jervis B. Webb Co., Farmington Hills, Kitchen Inc., from quality manager, RCO Engineer- Troy, from COO, ing Inc., Roseville. Frisch’s Restau- rants Inc., Cincin- MEDIA nati. Jerome Vaughn to news program direc- HEALTH CARE tor, WDET 101.9 FM, Detroit, from news director, Michigan Radio, Ann Joseph Gordon to Arbor. Carpenter division president, Select Med- NONPROFITS ical Corp., Dear- born, from Suzie Heiney to development and com- regional vice munications director, Washtenaw president. Land Trust, Ann Arbor, from operations manager. Carol Wright to CFO, American Eric Firstenberg to director of Re- sourceConnect, Nonprofit Enterprise Laser Centers, at Work, Ann Arbor, from program Farmington Hills, manager, Great Lakes office, National from tax partner, Wildlife Federation, Ann Arbor. BDO Seidman Gordon L.L.P., Troy. REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY GROUPS Lottie Robertson to asset manager, Elizabeth Parkinson to director, mar- MayfieldGentry keting and public relations, Ann Arbor Realty Advisors Spark, Ann Arbor, from general man- Inc., Detroit, from ager, executive vice president, Creative project manager, Solutions Group, Edelman, Chicago. Ford Motor Co., Dearborn. INFO/TECHNOLOGY James Travnik to Scott Whiteman to director of engi- Robertson regional manager, DETROIT BUSINESS MAIN 03-05-07 A 18 CDB 3/1/2007 2:16 PM Page 1

Page 18 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 5, 2007 CALENDAR 3230 or www.inforummichigan.com. the United States; Daniel Hamilton, di- WEDNESDAY rector, Center for Transatlantic Rela- MARCH 7 WHERE’S THE MONEY? tions; and Klaus Scharioth, German Is your company venture-worthy? THURSDAY ambassador to the United States. New Magazine Accountability Re- Find out what panelists Ian Bund, Townsend Hotel, Birmingham. $35 search Unveiled. 8 a.m. Adcraft Club MARCH 8 chairman, Plymouth Venture members, $40 guests of members, $50 of Detroit. Rex Briggs, CEO, Market- others. Contact: (313) 963-8547. Partners; Ned Staebler, director of Macomb County’s Annual State of the ing Evolution, and author of What capital market for the Michigan County. 11:30 a.m. Macomb Chamber Sticks. San Marino Club, Troy. $20 Economic Development Corp.; Jan Alliance and Citizens First. County Best Practices from the Best-Man- members, $15 junior members (under Garfinkle, founder and managing Commissioner William Crouchman. aged Nonprofits: The Collaboration Im- 25), $25 others. Contact: (313) 872-7850. partner of Arboretum Ventures; and Best Western Sterling Inn, Sterling perative. 8-11:30 a.m. Crain’s Detroit and take the opportunity to submit David Weaver, president, Great Heights. $25 chamber members, $35 Business, DTE Energy Foundation, questions noon-1 p.m. March 19. What Men Don’t Tell Women About Lakes Angels, look for and where others. (586) 731-5400. Lawrence Technological University, Business. Noon-1:30 p.m. Inforum in they think the greatest opportunity Sponsored by Miller Canfield; the Association of Fundraising Profes- partnership with Commercial Real is. partners are the MEDC and the sionals, the Detroit Executive Service Corps, and Lawrence Tech’s Center Estate Women-Detroit. Chris Flett, au- Join us for Following the Money: Michigan Venture Capital MONDAY for Nonprofit Management. Michael thor and CEO of Think Tank Commu- Where Angel Investors and Venture Association. Register at MARCH 12 Brennan, CEO, United Way of South- nications. Atheneum Hotel, Detroit. , a free crainsdetroit.com by clicking on the Capitalists See Opportunity eastern Michigan; and Frank $40 members, $50 others. Add $10 to Crain’s Detroit Business Webinar on “Webinar” logo in the top right The Transatlantic Economy. Noon-1:30 registrations made after 5 p.m., March p.m. Detroit Economic Club. John Bru- Omowale Satterwhite, president, Na- venture capital and angel investing corner. 5 and at the door. Contact: (313) 578- ton, European Union ambassador to tional Community Development Insti- tute and lead consultant, Skillman Foundation’s Good Neighbors Initia- tive. Mosaic Youth Theatre and the Detroit Eastside Community Collabo- rative will be discussed. Center for Nonprofit Management, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield. $35. Contact: (248) 478-6076. COMING EVENTS Ethical Issues in Journalism. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. March 13. Eastern Michigan University College of Busi- ness. Mary Kramer, publisher of Crain’s Detroit Business. Free. Eastern Michigan University College of Busi- ness, Ypsilanti. Contact: (734) 487-4140.

“Funny Business,” a Conversation with Editors of The New Yorker. Noon- 1:30 p.m. March 15. Adcraft Club of Detroit. David Remnick, editor; and Bob Mankoff, cartoon editor, The New Yorker. San Marino Club, Troy, $32 members, $27 junior members (under 25), $37 others. (313) 872-7850.

Top 10 Michigan Business Women Awards Luncheon. 10 a.m. March 15. National Association of Women Busi- ness Owners Greater Detroit Chapter, National City Bank, and Corp! magazine. Petruzzello’s, Troy. $50 members, $60 others. Contact: (313) 961- 4748, or www.nawbogdc.org.

Economic Forecast. 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. March 15. The Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber, The Eccentric Newspapers, Bank of Birmingham, Endeavours, LaSalle Bank, and Miller Canfield. Samuel Kahan, senior economist, Feder- al Reserve Bank A LAW FIRM UNLIKE ANY OTHER of Chicago, De- troit Branch. Townsend Hotel, Birmingham. $45 members; $55 others. $335 for a corporate table of eight. Reserva- Kahan tions are required three business days in advance. Con- tact: (248) 644-1700 or www.bbcc.com.

Investing in Economic Wealth and Pro- ductive Capacity by Investing in Em- ployee Health. Noon-1:30 p.m. March 19. Detroit Economic Club. Michael Critelli, chairman and CEO, Pitney Bowes Inc. Troy Marriott. $35 mem- Uncommon Name. Uncommon Approach. Uncommon Value.™ bers, $40 guests of members, $50 others. Contact: (313) 963-8547.

At Dykema, we’re different from the rest. We've been doing things unlike any other law firm for more than a century by helping clients CALENDAR GUIDELINES achieve strategic business results. Dykema — uncommon value. More Calendar items can be found on the Web at www.crainsdetroit. com. Please send news releases for Calendar to Joanne Scharich, California | Illinois | Michigan | Washington, D.C. www.dykema.com Crain’s Detroit Business, 1155 Gratiot Ave., Detroit, MI 48207- 2997, or e-mail jscharich@ crain.com. You also may submit © 2006 Dykema Gossett PLLC Calendar items in the Calendar section of crainsdetroit.com. DBpageAD.qxd 2/27/2007 11:39 AM Page 1 DETROIT BUSINESS MAIN 03-05-07 A 20,21 CDB 3/1/2007 2:10 PM Page 1

Page 20 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 5, 2007 BUSINESS DIARY ACQUISITIONS design/build services for Bell Memori- The UPS Store has opened at 535 Gris- become MSG’s sixth Midwest office NEW SOFTWARE al Hospital, Ishpeming. Construction wold, Detroit. In addition to domestic and second Ohio office. Altair Engineering Inc., Troy, has en- Ilium Software, Ann Arbor, has re- is to begin in the spring. and international shipping, The UPS tered into an agreement to acquire Store offers black-and-white and color leased eWallet 5.0, a mobile solution controlling interest in Hicare Srl, a Virtualeyes L.L.C., a cyber reality firm NEW PRODUCTS duplications, document finishing, no- for the secure storage of passwords, privately held business intelligence based in Troy, created an interactive Azure Wireless, Rochester Hills, has tary, printing services, full-service confidential information and other software company headquartered in business directory for the Birming- introduced SafeScene, an RFID tech- packaging, freight crating and ship- personal data. Torino, Italy. ham Bloomfield Chamber’s Web site, nology-based accountability and de- ping, mailbox and postal services, and www.bbcc.com. tection system for first responders. Browning Investments, a holding com- office and packaging supplies. Tele- STARTUPS SmithGroup Inc., Detroit, has complet- pany based in Lake Orion, has ac- phone: (313) 963-7080. E-mail: ed planning and programming, and Long Walk Partners L.L.C. of Canton quired the assets of Creto Internation- [email protected]. NEW SERVICES schematic design is underway for a Township is a business and manage- al Inc., according to a company Applied Manufacturing Technologies statement. Details of the deal, which new Madonna University undergradu- Guy Hurley Blaser & Heuer L.L.C., ment consulting firm specializing Inc., Orion Township, announced new took place in August, were not re- ate science and media building. The Troy, has opened a subsidiary, Veritas in helping small- to medium-sized programming and development ser- leased. Creto makes masonry and 60,000-square-foot building at the Benefits Group L.L.C., to offer group organizations work and communicate vices to customize standard ergonom- wood preservers and moved to Brown- Livonia school is targeted for comple- employee benefit services to its com- more effectively. Telephone: (734) ic simulation tools. ing’s offices from Las Vegas last fall. tion in early 2009. mercial insurance and surety bond 931-1122. Web site: www.longwalk clients. Telephone: (248) 519-1400. Web Infinity and Ovation Yacht Charters, St. DeMaria Building Co., Detroit, an- partners.com. site: www.ghbh.com. Clair Shores, is preparing to launch CONTRACTS nounced the following new construc- the Infinity for the upcoming boating Automotive Art, Grosse Pointe Woods, tion contract awards: , Glacier Capital Fund L.L.C., a Bermu- Designer Interiors by Mary Olk, Troy, NextEnergy Corp. season. The new 117-foot yacht can ac- provides original paintings and illus- Detroit, hired DeMaria to build phases da-based boutique capital manage- has provided Cohen Homes of Farm- ment and short-term mezzanine and commodate up to 150 people for par- trations of classic cars, sports cars, ington Hills with complete interior 3 and 4 of its Alternative Fuel Platform ties, weddings, and business meet- muscle cars, trucks and motorcycles valued at $785,000. The platform will commercial mortgage lender, has merchandising and design services ings. The Infinity will dock at both for individuals, private collectors and help researchers test hydrogen pow- opened a loan office in the Penobscot for its condominium models and Jefferson Beach Marina in St. Clair businesses. Commissions and prints ered automobiles. The University of Building at 645 Griswold, Detroit. sales/selection center at the newest Shores, and at the Renaissance Cen- are also available. Mike Kelly, former Michigan hired DeMaria to renovate its Telephone: (877) 939-3863. Web site: phase of its Heron Hills community in ter. It is the sister ship to the Ovation. designer in the auto industry, is the Ray Fisher Baseball Stadium in Ann Ar- www.glaciercapitalfund.com. Commerce Township. Telephone: (586) 778-7030. Web site: owner. Telephone: (248) 709-5858. E- Innovative Technology Group Services, bor. The project is valued at $6 million. www.infinityyacht.com. Eastern Michigan University hired De- JOINT VENTURES mail: [email protected]. Shelby Township, developed a new With A Twist Studio, Rochester Hills, Maria and Beta Design of Grand Rapids Web site for Bob Neugebauer Travel, a Michael Freedland, a Bloomfield Hills has added digital retouching to its ser- to renovate and expand the Ypsilanti Roseville travel agency, at www. board-certified plastic surgeon, and vices. university’s Department of Public Safe- cosmetic dentist Alan Grodin of Claw- neugebauertravel.com. HandyPro, a Plymouth-based home ty. Construction is valued at $730,000. son have formed Body & Smile to offer DIARY GUIDELINES The Betty Brigade, an Ann Arbor per- handyman service, has launched Yazaki North America Inc., Canton comprehensive cosmetic packages. sonal-assistance company, has an- HandyPro Facilities Services for com- Send news releases for Business Township, will design, develop and Telephones: (866) 866-1303 and (248) nounced it is using Housekeeping As- mercial and corporate building re- Diary to Joanne Scharich, Crain’s manufacture the high-voltage connec- 288-1110. Web sites: www.freedland sociates Inc. of Ann Arbor exclusively pairs and renovations. The new ser- Detroit Business, 1155 Gratiot tion system and wiring for the 2009 for its clients’ cleaning needs. md.com and www.flossininclawson. vice will be available from HandyPro Ave., Detroit, MI 48207-2997 or Ford Fusion Hybrid. com. Douglas Communications Group, Roy- locations in Ann Arbor, Dallas and send e-mail to jscharich@crain. al Oak, has been chosen to provide Minneapolis. EXPANSIONS MERGERS com. Use any Business Diary item public-relations services for the com- Comerica Bank, Detroit, has intro- as a model for your release, and munity-planning firm of Carlisle/ Online Technologies Corp., Ann Arbor The Mannik & Smith Group Inc., a Can- duced the Comerica WorldPerks Check look for the appropriate category. Wortman Associates and for the Na- has finished an expansion of its main ton Township consulting engineering Card and the Comerica WorldPerks Without complete information, your tional Association for Industrial Tech- data center. The build-out includes ad- firm, has merged with Braun-Prenosil, Business Check Card, a check card that item will not run. Photos are nology, both in Ann Arbor. ditional network capacity, specialized a civil engineering, surveying and lets individuals and businesses earn welcome, but we cannot guarantee Hobbs + Black Associates, Ann Arbor, air conditioning systems, power trans- land-planning firm in Cleveland. WorldPerks airline miles for their sig- they will be used. has been selected to perform formers and uninterruptible power. Braun-Prenosil’s Cleveland office will nature-based check card purchases.

If your business relies on funds being there tomorrow, we’re the people to rely on today.

Member FDIC. See a banker for details and funds availability. All accounts and services subject to approval. Offer available only to new-to-Charter One Merchant Services merchants who have a Charter One business checking account. Standard rental agreement is required. Six-month period begins when contract is entered. Offe Midwest region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin). Loans subject to approval.