ON LAWA M O N T H L Y P U B L I C A T I O N F R O M C U M M I N G S , M C C L O R E Y , D A V I S & A C H O , P . L . C .

in thisissueCMDA HelpsTerminally IllChildren

Grand RapidsOpen House aSuccess

After 25 years,Mary Miller Retiresfrom CMDA

Office Locations

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JULY, 2003

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Timothy Young, Executive Committee

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On Wednesday, August 13, 2003 Eileen Husband and Christopher Schultz, both partners in our Livonia office, and Mark Cory an advisor from FranNet will be hosting a seminar on Exploring Franchise Opportunities. If you have everthought about owning a franchise, this is an exciting (and rare) opportunity to have a FranNet advisor, along with twoexperienced attorneys, provide you with the important information you need when looking into franchise opportunities.

The following topics will be discussed at the seminar:• An overview of franchising• Franchise law• Starting your own business• Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC)• The types of franchises available and how much they cost• Which franchises may best suit your needs and goals

WWWWWEDNESDAYEDNESDAYEDNESDAYEDNESDAYEDNESDAY, A, A, A, A, AUGUSTUGUSTUGUSTUGUSTUGUST 13, 20037 P.M. - 9 P.M.

CCCCCOSTOSTOSTOSTOST: F: F: F: F: FREEREEREEREEREE

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS600 HILTON BOULEVARD • ANN ARBOR, MI

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. PLEASE CALL JENNIFER SHERMAN

AT (734) 261-2400 BEFORE AUGUST 13, 2003 TO REGISTER.

DIRECTIONS TO HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS:I-94 TO EXIT 177 (STATE STREET). TRAVEL NORTH TO

BRIARWOOD DRIVE, TURN LEFT ONTO BRIARWOOD CIRCLE.

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FranNet is the world’s largest network of franchise advisors.They provide a broad array of services that include helping aprospective franchisee learn about the many choices that fran-chising offers to him or herself and assistance in the researchand decision process. Mark Cory, an advisor from FranNet,can introduce you to many different franchisers that fit yourneeds, so rather than traveling from place to place to learn aboutspecific businesses, you can learn the basics about several all inone spot.

Eileen Husband concentrates her practice on Franchise Law andLabor and Employment Law and has over 10 years of uniquespecialized experience in the franchise industry. Prior to join-ing CMDA, Ms. Husband served as General Counsel for LittleCaesar Enterprises, Inc., an international franchise with opera-tions in all 50 states and several foreign countries. She cur-rently represents and provides legal counsel to several promi-nent Michigan franchisees and restaurant developers.

Christopher Schultz concentrates his practice on Business andCorporate Law, Transactional Work, Estate Planning, Real Es-tate Law, Tax Law, Trade Name and Trademark. In addition tobeing an attorney, Mr. Schultz is a Certified Public Accountant.

ATTORNEYS JOINLIVONIA AND RIVERSIDE OFFICE

Cummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho is pleased toannounce that two attorneys recently joined ourfirm. Kenneth G. Galica has joined our Livonia,

Michigan office and Ashley L. Odor has joined our River-side, California office.

Kenneth G. Galica, an associate, concentrates his practiceon Municipal Liability Litigation, Product Liability and In-surance Defense.

He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan (Public Cor-porations Section); Oakland County Bar Association (Mu-nicipal Law and Negligence Committees); American BarAssociation (Litigation and Tort and Insurance Sections);Bay County Bar Association; Defense Research Institute;Michigan Defense Trial Counsel; and Association of De-fense Trial Counsel. Mr. Galica is also a Mediator for theWayne County, Oakland County and Bay County CircuitCourts.

Mr. Galica received his Juris Doctorate degree, cum laude, from

the Detroit College of Law (1977) and his Bachelor of Sciencedegree in Business Administration from Wayne State Univer-sity (1970). He can be reached by calling (734) 261-2400 orvia e-mail at kgalica@cmda-law.com.

Ashley “Ash” Odor, an associate, concentrates his practiceon Insurance Defense. He is a member of the State Bar ofCalifornia; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Cali-fornia; American Bar Association; Phi Alpha Delta LegalFraternity; and the Thomas Jefferson School of Law AlumniAssociation.

Mr. Odor received his Juris Doctorate degree, magna cumlaude, from Thomas Jefferson School of Law (2002). Whilein law school, he was a regional semifinalist in the NationalAppellate Advocacy Competition. He received his Bach-elor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Virginia Common-wealth University (1994). He can be reached by calling(909) 276-4080 or via e-mail at aodor@cmda-law.com.

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OOOOONNNNN L L L L LAWAWAWAWAW JULY 2003

Cummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho is pleasedto announce that our firm was recently ap-pointed the Michigan Chapter of the New York-

based Marty Lyons Foundation. Attorney Jim Achowas approached by Marty Lyons with the idea of add-ing a 13th. state chapter of the Marty Lyons Foundation,which will be run on a strictly pro bono basis.

The Marty Lyons Foundationwas established 21 years agoby New York Jets All-ProMarty Lyons to fulfill the spe-cial wishes of children, be-tween the ages of three andseventeen who have been di-agnosed as having a terminal orlife threatening illness.

A professional football player inthe National Football League, Marty played for twelveyears as a defensive lineman. Early in his career, Martybecame a surrogate father to a three-year-old boy whowas suffering from an advanced illness. Three yearslater, in 1982, the youngster’s death coincided withthe sudden death of Marty’s father and the birth of hisfirst child, a healthy son. These experiences profoundlyaffected Marty’s attitude toward life, fame and his fel-low human beings. With the encouragement and as-sistance of his family and friends, Marty became de-termined to establish a foundation dedicated to grant-ing the wishes of seriously ill children.

The Marty Lyons Foundation has kept hope alive inthe hearts of children with a terminal or life threaten-ing illness by making their special wish come true. A

fulfilled special wish has the ability to sweep the chil-dren and their family away from the daily heartache ofillness. It is a joyous time that creates a wonderfulmemory and a better quality of life. Every child has adream and, although the foundation can’t promise alifetime of happiness to these seriously ill children, theycan make one dream a reality. They have grantedwishes for a special trip to Disney, a computer sys-tem, a swimming pool, special renovations to allow achild to live at home, a swim with the dolphins, aCinderella-like “Sweet 16” birthday party and manymore.

Cummings, McClorey, Davis & AchoAttorney Jana Berger serves as the WishCoordinator of the Michigan chapter.She is working directlywith children’s hospitalsin Michigan, and thefamilies of terminally ill

children to make their special wishescome true. Since the foundation is non-profit, look for fund-raising events inupcoming newsletters.

Cummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho is proud to bepart of such a worthwhile and meaningful foundation.If you know a terminally ill child between the ages ofthree and seventeen, please contact Jana Berger. If youare interested in making a donation to the organizationor becoming a corporate sponsor, please contact TheresaBoyer at (734) 261-2400 or via e-mail at tboyer@cmda-law.com.

CCCCC U M M I N G SU M M I N G SU M M I N G SU M M I N G SU M M I N G S , M, M, M, M, M CCCCC CCCCC L O R E YL O R E YL O R E YL O R E YL O R E Y , D, D, D, D, D A V I SA V I SA V I SA V I SA V I S & A & A & A & A & A C H OC H OC H OC H OC H O , P . L . C ., P . L . C ., P . L . C ., P . L . C ., P . L . C .HHHHHELPSELPSELPSELPSELPS T T T T TERMINALLYERMINALLYERMINALLYERMINALLYERMINALLY I I I I ILLLLLLLLLL C C C C CHILDRENHILDRENHILDRENHILDRENHILDREN

M i c h i g a n � s P r e m i e r F u l l S e r v i c e L a w F i r m

A r e a s o f P r a c t i c eAppeals • Bankruptcy and Insolvency • Civil Litigation • Commercial Litigation • Corporate and Business Law • Domestic

Relations • Employment and Labor Law • Environmental Law • Estate Planning • Franchise Law• General Liability and Prevention • Government, Municipal and Administrative Law • HIPAA • Insurance and

Reinsurance Coverage, Defense and Subrogation • Mergers and Acquisitions • Personal Injury Litigation and Defense• Public Official Liability • Real Estate • School Law • Sports and Entertainment Law • Technology and Computers •

Turnaround and Financial Consulting • Workers’ Compensation Defense

Timothy Young, Executive Committee

Jana Berger serves asWish Coordinator.

Jim Acho wasapproached with theidea of setting up aMichigan chapter.

Marty Lyons was a six timeNFL All Pro.

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OOOOONNNNN L L L L LAWAWAWAWAW JULY 2003

Grand Rapids Open House a SuccessThe Open House held at our Grand Rapidsoffice on June 5, 2003 was a huge success.Several insurance companies, communityleaders and fellow tenants attended theevent. The attorneys in that office (RichardWinslow, Allan Vander Laan and ChrisCooke) can be reached at:

2851 Charlevoix Drive, S.E.Suite 327

Grand Rapids, MI 49546Telephone: (616) 975-7470Facsimile: (616) 975-7471

After working at Cummings,McClorey, Davis & Achofor 25 years, Mary Miller re-

tired from the firm on June 30, 2003.Aside from the co-founders of thefirm and one secretary, Mary hasworked at CMDA the longest. Shewill be missed by everyone that hasworked with her over the years. Inthe paragraphs below, a few em-ployees share stories of how they

met Mary and what it has been like working with her over theyears.

Twenty seven years ago Attorney Ronald Acho was working asan investigator in the workers’ compensation department at FordMotor Company. Working in that same area, but in a differentdepartment, was a young, attractive secretary. Mr. Acho recallsthat many of the support staff employees were too busy for himand were not always willing to help. But there was one person inparticular who was always willing to lend a hand. That one em-ployee was the young, attractive secretary. A short while later,Mr. Acho joined the firm and offered that helpful secretary a job.That young, attractive secretary was, of course, Mary Miller.

Vicki DeVitis has also worked at the firm for 25 years and dur-ing that time, Mary and her have some great times. Mr. Achouse to refer to them as the “Dynamic Duo” because they werealways together, during and after work, and always seemed tobe up to something. They have taken trips together and had alot of unforgettable moments, especially in their earlier days atthe firm. There are moments when they are having too much funand Mary turns to Vicki and says, “Here’s another fine mess yougot us in.”

Janet Rafaelli tells the story of the first time she met Mary Miller:I was sitting in our lobby waiting to be interviewed and throughthe doors walks this woman, impeccably dressed in a businesssuit, three inch heels, hair and nails perfect in every respect andwalking with such confidence. There I sat, fresh from the UpperPeninsula, thinking that if everyone looks like this, I will surelynot get this position and do I even want it? Well, CMDA took achance and hired me. It did not take long to discover that Mary’s

heart is softer than a down pillow, and she is generous, funnyand will always go to bat for you. I smile now, 17 years later, as Iwalk through our lobby and see someone waiting to be inter-viewed. I see that look on their face if Mary walks through thelobby, still impeccably dressed, heels a bit lower, but walkingwith the same confidence. I want to stop and say, “You could beso lucky to get this job and work with someone like Mary Miller.”

Kathy Ueberroth has known Mary for 13 years. She explainsthat Mary always demonstrates the utmost respect for clientsand employees of CMDA. “Mary is a very hard working em-ployee who, despite her own workload, is always available toassist, whether planning a firm function or helping an employeewith a specific project or problem.”

Dee Acho, who has worked with Mary for seven years, believesthe one trait that really stands out when you get to know Maryis her unfailing loyalty to the firm. Dee explains, “It’s obviousthat she truly cares about the firm that she started working at 25years ago, and you don’t find company loyalty like that verymuch today. That company loyalty translates into loyalty to herfriends as well.”

Mary relocated to Chicago with her husband, Larry. They areliving in an apartment while searching for a house. Once theyget settled, she may go back to work or do some volunteer work.She points out that once you have worked virtually your entirelife, it is hard to stop.

When asked what she will miss most about the firm, Mary’s re-sponse was simple, “everything.” She will miss the people thatshe has worked with over the years because they are like secondfamily to her. She anticipates that it will be difficult to not seethem or share her everyday life with them. She will also miss allof the clients that she has come to know over they years. Mostof all, she will miss nagging Mr. Cummings, her boss, all day.Mary explains, “I was blessed with great people to work with,and I will miss everything about my life here. I count my bless-ings for having the opportunity to be a part of this firm and watchit grow and prosper and for knowing such great people.”

Mary Miller at her desk.

Jennifer L. Sherman

E-Mail: rwinslow@cmda-law.com; avanderlaan@cmda-law.com; ccooke@cmda-law.com

Attorneys Rich Winslow and Allan VanderLaan from our Grand Rapids Office.

Attorneys and clients enjoy the event.

Roseville25509 Kelly Road Suite CRoseville, MI 48066Telephone: 586.775.5200Facsimile: 586.777.6896

Traverse City3939 M-72 EastWilliamsburg, MI 49690Telephone: 231.938.2888Facsimile: 231.938.2988

Phoenix1850 North CentralSuite 1450Phoenix, AZ 85004Telephone: 602.207.2829Facsimile: 602.207.6943

Riverside3801 University AvenueSuite 700Riverside, CA 92501Telephone: 909.276.4080Facsimile: 909.276.4405

OOOOONNNNN L L L L LAWAWAWAWAW is a monthly publication fromCummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho, P.L.C.

Comments and questions regarding specific ar-ticles should be addressed to the attention of thecontributing writer. Remarks concerning miscel-laneous features or comments to the editor shouldbe addressed to the attention of Jennifer Sherman.

CUMMINGS, MCCLOREY, DAVIS & ACHO

OFFICE LOCATIONS

Our VisionTo meld our legal expertise, professional support staff, technical resources and

variety of locations to deliver first rate legal services at a fair value to a full rangeof business, municipal, insurance and individual clients.

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ON LAW is intended for informational purposes only andshould not be used as a substitute for individual legaladvice. Please consult an attorney regarding your par-ticular situation.

CUMMINGS, MCCLOREY, DAVIS & ACHO, P.L.C.33900 SCHOOLCRAFT

LIVONIA, MICHIGAN 48150

Livonia33900 SchoolcraftLivonia, MI 48150Telephone: 734.261.2400Facsimile: 734.261.4510

Birmingham401 S. Old Woodward Ave.Suite 450Birmingham, MI 48009Telephone: 248.203.9004Facsimile: 248.203.9011

Grand Rapids2851 Charlevoix Drive, S.E.Suite 327Grand Rapids, MI 49546Telephone: 616.975.7470Facsimile: 616.975.7471

Marquette307 South Front StreetMarquette, MI 49855Telephone: 906.228.8263

Woodland Hills21031 Ventura Blvd.Suite 1200Woodland Hills, CA 91364Telephone: 818.884.6666Fascimile: 818.884.8677

Berlin, GermanyManquen, Lokau & PartnerRechtsanwälteRheinstraße 4512161 Berlin

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