Issue: Fall 2023
133 results
Briefs Fall 2023
Celebrating Milestone Reunions
Hundreds of alumni and their guests returned to Ann Arbor over two weekends this fall to celebrate their Reunion.
Impact Fall 2023
John Hoyns, ’79: Helping Airlines Survive COVID
After decades of serving aviation clients, John Hoyns thought he had seen the worst of the airline industry’s ups and downs. That was until the coronavirus pandemic upended the industry and presented a slew of unexpected challenges.
Impact Fall 2023
Eric R. Lamison, ’95: Alumnus Establishes Fund for Law Quad Preservation
Eric Lamison describes his experience at Michigan Law as nothing short of an awakening. “Being in the Law Quad, the classrooms, Hutchins Hall, the Lawyers Club, the Reading Room, and the library below truly impacted me,” he says. “I always felt grateful to be there.”
Impact Fall 2023
Peter H. DeHaas, ’63: Boosting Financial Independence for Future Generations
Peter DeHaas spent his career working toward financial freedom—an aspirational goal that he was able to achieve with a little help along the way. With gratitude for the financial aid he received as a student, DeHaas recently established a $12 million trust to help the next generation of Michigan Law students achieve their career and financial goals.
Class Note Fall 2023
Heather L. Fesnak, a partner at Akerman LLP in Tampa, Florida, was appointed deputy chair of the firm’s consumer financial services, data, and technology (CFS+) practice. She began her work with Akerman in 2011 as an associate and was promoted to partner in 2015. She has led the CFS+ team since becoming partner and represents a range of financial services providers within the residential mortgage lending and service industry. She serves internally on Akerman’s professional development council.
Class Note Fall 2023
Thomas J. Hughes joined Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP in August as a corporate partner in its Chicago office. He represents public and private companies, private equity firms, portfolio companies, and family offices on a variety of US and cross-border transactions. Before joining Benesch, he was a partner in the Chicago office of Baker McKenzie.
Class Note Fall 2023
Alison Gillis Vratil became the director of compliance at Excellere Partners in September. The Denver-based private equity firm specializes in partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams through recapitalizations and management buyouts.
Class Note Fall 2023
Yan Zhang has joined the San Francisco office of Norton Rose Fulbright as a partner. His expertise is in cross-border transactions, representing private and public companies in corporate and securities matters. He also represents financial institutions that invest in or provide services to those companies. Previously, he was a partner at Baker Botts in Palo Alto, California.
Class Note Fall 2023
Reena R. Bajowala joined Greenberg Traurig LLP after five years with Ice Miller LLP, where she was a partner and chair of the data security and privacy practice. She is a shareholder in Greenberg Traurig’s data security and cybersecurity practice, based in Chicago.
Class Note Fall 2023
Jennifer DeCasper made history as the first woman of color to run a Republican presidential campaign by serving in that role for South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott. In 2022, she started her own firm after serving as Scott’s chief of staff—also making her the first woman of color to hold that position in the Senate.