Kotz Sangster Wysocki P.C., a leading business law firm based in Detroit, has announced that attorney Douglas Eyre has joined the firm in its Detroit office. Eyre is a seasoned attorney, bringing over 20 years of experience in construction law and commercial litigation to the firm.
Kotz Sangster attorneys have been recognized as 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.
On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the FTC published a final rule banning new non-compete clauses in employment contracts with all workers after its effective date. The rule goes into effect 120 days following its publication in the Federal Register. Existing non-compete agreements, except for those covering senior executives, are unenforceable after the effective date.
On the heels of its recent expansion in four Southwest Michigan communities, Kotz Sangster has opened an office in St. Joseph and signed on four new attorneys to better serve clients in the region.
Joining the firm are Kathy Bowman, John Colip, Amber Lind, and retired Berrien County Circuit Court Judge John Dewane.
Kotz Sangster’s growth in the region is consistent with the firm’s strategy of offering clients a higher level of accessibility to its attorneys and providing more personalized service. Over the past two years, the firm has expanded or added offices across the region including South Haven, Niles, Buchanan, and most recently, St. Joseph.
“This expansion is really about growing relationships – the partnerships we have with our clients, our peers and our communities,” said Mitt Drew, the firm’s Southwest Michigan Managing Director. “Our clients trust us because we earn it. We’re there when they need us, and we care about their outcomes because we have a stake in the relationship. This commitment is reflected not only through the high-level of services provided to each client, but also in our bricks and mortar presence in each community that we serve.”
Working out of the St. Joseph office are John Dewane, Matt Derby and Amber Lind. Judge Dewane, now retired from Berrien County Circuit Court, has over 40 years of experience in public sector work, commercial litigation, and employment/labor law. Matt Derby, who worked at the firm’s Detroit office, has relocated to St. Joseph bringing deep experience in private and public sector employment and labor law along with municipal law. Amber Lind is returning to her roots in Southwest Michigan after serving at a prominent Detroit firm in probate matters, civil litigation, domestic relations, estate planning and criminal law.
In Buchanan, Kotz Sangster signed on John Colip who has practiced 35 years in Southwest Michigan in family law, estate planning and real estate law. And in South Haven, Kathy Bowman has merged her practice with Kotz Sangster and will be serving with 30 years’ experience in estate planning and real estate law. The firm’s South Haven office is also staffed by Andrew Barnes, who has extensive experience in real estate law, civil litigation and estate planning.
Kotz Sangster serves clients across Michigan with responsive service, excellent legal advice and winning solutions. Founded in 1978, the firm has 38 attorneys with offices in Detroit, Bloomfield Hills, Grand Rapids, Niles, Buchanan, South Haven and St. Joseph.
Pictured (left to right) are: John R. Colip, Kelly L. Travis, Amber D. Lind, Kathleen Kinney Bowman, Matthew S. Derby, Mowitt S. Drew III, Andrew W. Barnes and John E. Dewane.