February 4, 2008 — Bodman LLP has announced the admission of four new partners: G. Christopher Bernard, Anthony P. Cracchiolo, Andrea M. DeFrain and Brian C. Summerfield.
Bernard, of Bodman’s Ann Arbor office, represents businesses and municipal governments in complex commercial litigation and routinely advises clients regarding contract and statutory issues. He is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and Wayne State University Law School and served for eight years as a U.S. Marine Corps officer. He was previously an associate attorney with Bodman.
Cracchiolo, of Bodman’s Detroit office, focuses his practice in estate planning, estate, gift and income tax matters, estate and trust administration, probate litigation, tax planning for closely-held business owners, and family succession planning. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and Wayne State University Law School. He was previously an associate attorney with Bodman.
DeFrain, of Bodman’s Troy office, concentrates her practice in estate planning, estate and gift taxation, wealth transfer planning, estate tax analysis, preparation of estate plans, and preparation of qualified and non-qualified retirement plans under ERISA. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and Washington University School of Law. She was previously a senior attorney with Bodman.
Summerfield, of Bodman’s Troy office, specializes in commercial litigation with emphasis on real property disputes, lender liability defense, and bankruptcy matters. Before joining Bodman he served as a senior trial attorney with the United States Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota Law School. He was previously an associate attorney with Bodman.
Bodman is one of Michigan’s leading business law firms with 140 lawyers and five offices. Bodman has a diverse client base that includes individuals and businesses in a variety of industries, with emphasis on financial services, automotive, high tech, health care, real estate and construction, manufacturing, and other sectors.