Distinguished attorney, Philip J. Kessler, joins Honigman’s growing Litigation Department as a partner

Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP is pleased to announce that Philip J. Kessler joined the firm as a partner in its growing Litigation Department. Kessler brings more than 40 years of experience and a national reputation as a successful trial lawyer to Honigman. He will be located in the firm’s Detroit office. Kessler is the third highly experienced litigator recruited to the firm in the past three months. Since January 1, 2013, 10 attorneys have joined Honigman’s Litigation Department.

“I am extremely pleased to join Honigman. Many of my clients are Michigan-based companies with national and international interests and it is important for me to be part of a firm with such a strong foundation here,” said Kessler. “In Michigan, there is no better place to be than Honigman. The firm has a stellar reputation among its clients and peers. Its highly ranked national litigation practice is well-known and continues to expand.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Phil into our firm and our top ranked Litigation Department,” commented David Foltyn, Chairman and CEO of Honigman. “He has an outstanding national reputation as a leading trial lawyer and a solid international practice that will add to our expanding global presence.”

Kessler focuses his practice on the prosecution and defense of public and private companies, as well as individuals and partnerships, in a broad range of business and intellectual property issues. He is a prominent trial lawyer with extensive experience in a wide variety of matters, including antitrust, audit malpractice, contracts, securities fraud, corporate control contests, and intra-corporate and partnership disputes. Kessler also litigates intellectual property issues arising from copyright, trademark, trade secret, unfair competition and patent infringement claims. He represents clients in numerous industries, including automotive, advertising, health care, pharmaceutical, financial services, real estate and manufacturing. In addition, Kessler has recently been involved in high-profile, high-risk international arbitrations, working with a prominent barrister at 12 Gray’s Inn Square in London.

He is a Fellow and has served as a member of the Board of Regents and on the Executive Committee of the distinguished American College of Trial Lawyers. He also is a Fellow of The International Society of Barristers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. In addition, Kessler is a Trustee, Secretary and Executive Committee member of the U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society and is also a member of the Appeal Board of the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law in London, England. He has been consistently recognized as a leading lawyer by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, The Best Lawyers in America and Michigan Super Lawyers.

He earned his J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law and an A.B., with distinction, from the University of Michigan. He is admitted to practice in Michigan and New York.

Kessler joined Honigman from Thompson & Knight LLP’s offices in Detroit and in New York City.

Honigman's Litigation Department attorneys are well recognized by their clients and peers. For the past nine years, the firm has ranked in the first tier of litigation practices in Michigan by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. For the past four years, it also received high national rankings in several litigation practice areas, including bankruptcy, commercial, construction, environmental, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, regulatory enforcement, securities and tax by U.S. News/Best Lawyers. In addition, more than half of the firm’s senior trial attorneys are named in The Best Lawyers in America. Honigman’s Litigation Department represents clients in a wide range of industries, including automotive, financial services, construction, higher education, media and entertainment, life sciences, real estate, manufacturing, health care, technology, retail, gaming and hospitality, professional services, consulting, consumer products, aerospace and defense.