News

Ten of the Firm's attorneys have been recognized by publisher Thomson Reuters as top-rated attorneys in their fields. Carol A. Rosati was included in the "Top 100: 2019 Michigan Attorneys" and "Top 50: 2019 Michigan Women" Lists. Ms. Rosati, Thomas R. Schultz, Steven P. Joppich, Patrick A. Aseltyne, Margaret T. Debler, Lisa J. Hamameh and Gary L. Dovre were selected for the 2019 Super Lawyers list in the area of State, Local & Municipal. Laura S. Amtsbuechler was included on the 2019 Super Lawyers list in the field of Employee Litigation: Defense and Employment & Labor: Employer. Finally, Laura Bailey Brown and Daniel Klemptner were selected to the Rising Stars list in the practice areas of Employee Litigation: Defense and Employment & Labor: Employer.

Nine of the Firm's attorneys have been listed in the The Best Lawyers in America© 2020: Carol A. Rosati (Litigation-Municipal and Municipal Law), Thomas R. Schultz (Litigation-Municipal and Municipal Law), Steven P. Joppich (Litigation-Municipal, Litigation-Real Estate and Municipal Law), Patrick A. Aseltyne (Mediation), Margaret T. Debler (Litigation-Municipal),  Stephen G. Meads (Municipal Law), Elizabeth Kudla Saarela (Municipal Law),  Lisa J. Hamameh (Municipal Law) and Gary L. Dovre (Litigation-Municipal and Municipal Law).  Additionally, Mr. Joppich was named as a Lawyer of the Year (Litigation-Municipal).

Congratulations to Mike Rosati on his retirement from the firm after a highly successful  career of serving and defending local communities throughout Michigan.  Mike has been a respected member of our firm for the last 26 years, and he will be greatly missed by his fellow attorneys, staff, and clients.  While we are sad to lose him as a colleague in the office, we are very excited for Mike as he takes this next step.  Please join us in extending best wishes to him.

From left: Marla Parker, City Attorney Stephen Meads, Farmington Mayor Steve Schneemann, Farmington Hills Mayor Ken Massey, and Judge James Brady.)

On January 9, 2019, the cities of Farmington and Farmington Hills honored RSJA Shareholder Stephen Meads for his 25 years of service as their prosecuting attorney. Farmington Hills Mayor Ken Massey and Farmington Mayor Steve Schneemann joined 47^th District Judge Marla Parker and Judge James Brady in presenting the award. District Court Administrator Dave Walsh cites the court’s working relationship with Mr. Meads as a key contributor to the organizational success of the Court.

At the event, the judges also recognized Dennis J. Pheney for his more than 35 years of service as a magistrate in the court.

Steve began his career in the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office. He has successfully defended both municipal and private clients in trial courts throughout the State of Michigan. His wife, Glenda, joined him at the ceremony.

Christopher J. Johnson, a co-founding shareholder of the law firm of Johnson, Rosati, Schultz & Joppich, has retired from  the firm and has joined  the staff of the Michigan Municipal League as general counsel.

“We will miss Chris,” said Carol Rosati, co-founder and managing shareholder at the firm. “We wish him all the best, confident that we will cross paths with him as we pursue our common goal of protecting the legal interests of Michigan communities.”

Johnson and Rosati founded the firm in 1993 to specialize in representing local governments. The executive committee is composed of Rosati, Thomas Schultz, Steven Joppich and Laura Amtsbuechler and they are joined by 23 other attorneys. They are a mix of generalists, serving as the primary counsel for communities, and specialists in nearly every element of municipal law.

“We have several lawyers who can easily step in and represent the communities Chris served,” Rosati said.

Rosati said the firm will change its name to Rosati, Schultz, Joppich, Amtsbuechler.

Founded in 1993, Johnson, Rosati, Schultz and Joppich has offices in Farmington Hills and Lansing. Its clients include cities, villages, townships, local authorities and commissions and regional agencies. Through the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority, the firm provides litigation defense to communities across the state.

Carol A. Rosati and Daniel A. Klemptner authored an article for the Michigan Public Risk Management Association August 2016 newsletter entitled: "The 'Sign' of Change: The Impact of Reed v Town of Gilbert On Local Sign Regulations."

The Firm has been recognized in Corp America's 2016 Legal Elite Awards receiving awards as "Most Highly Regarded Litigation Firm - Michigan" and "Best Zoning & Land Use Defense - Michigan."

In April 2016, Marcelyn A. Stepanski was honored in Washington D.C. by the International Municipal Lawyers Association with its Amicus Service Award for preparation of an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court.