Chris Holman spends some time with Amanda J. Dernovshek, Attorney, Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC, Lansing, MI with 6 offices across the state.

Watch Amanda and Chris discuss this new webinar series launching later this month in the YouTube video below:

In their conversation, Chris looks to find out about the new Legal Strategies for Women Leaders series and how you came up with the idea. How often will the webinars be offered? What are the program topics? What is the cost? How can an MBN listener find out more information or register?

Foster Swift also shared a press release about this topic.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Michigan ranks in the “Top 10 States” with the highest percentage of women business owners at 36.8% per capita, according to maxfilings.com. To help women leaders stay up to date on the laws, regulations, and other resources that may benefit them, Foster Swift has developed a “Legal Strategies for Women Leaders” webinar series. The series, with episodes in April, June, August, and October of 2022, will kick off on April 19.

Topics for the first year are geared towards women who are established in their businesses, as well as women business executives. While not a substitute for legal advice, the goal of this program is to educate attendees and communicate that it is not up to one person to keep a business going but that it takes a team of different professionals to get the work done.

“Keeping a finger on the pulse of the evolving legal landscape and available resources creates a competitive advantage,” says Amanda Dernovshek, attorney with Foster Swift’s business and tax practice.

“Our goal in developing this program is to discuss legal issues that women-owned businesses face and provide a platform to promote resources for women-owned businesses as well as provide women leaders with a framework for evaluating options and selecting qualified legal counsel so they may achieve goals personally and professionally. We hope that our presentations will be approachable, informative, and demonstrate our interest and dedication to advancing women in business.

The first session is scheduled for April 19 at 9 am EST. Each session will last about 30 minutes. Amanda will be discussing ‘Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Certification.’ This conversation will address the following questions:

· What is the women-owned small business certification?

· What agency or organization certifies a business as women-owned?

· What are the requirements for WOSB and how can Foster Swift assist in the process?

· How can certification benefit women business owners?

Each session will have ample opportunities for participants to ask questions and discuss the legal opportunities and challenges that women leaders face. The remaining tentative topics in the coming months include:

· Executive compensation options & negotiation with employee benefits attorney Mindi Johnson on June 7.

· Protecting your business assets and the importance of a pre-nuptial agreement to protect your business with family law attorneys Jackie Dupler & Andrea Badalucco on August 9.

· Effective estate planning and planned giving with estate planning attorney Amanda Afton Martin on October 4.

To register for the April 19 session, please use the following Zoom link:

· https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cmLhtTdoSrmsCjeYYOc_Bw · Contact info@fosterswift.com if you have further questions about this program

Below is a list of all women attorneys at the Foster Swift law firm:

Name Practice Area Office

Leslie A. Abdoo Municipal & Public Entity Grand Rapids

Andrea Badalucco Family Law Southfield

Alicia W. Birach Workers’ Compensation Southfield

Amanda J. Dernovshek Business & Tax Lansing

Jackie A. Dupler Family Law Lansing

Julie I. Fershtman Insurance Defense Southfield

Sarah J. Gabis Municipal & Public Entity Southfield

Laura J. Genovich Bankruptcy & Municipal Law Grand Rapids

Anna K. Gibson Estate Planning Lansing

Stefania Gismondi No-Fault Litigation Southfield

Julie L. Hamlet Employee Benefits Grand Rapids

Mindi M. Johnson Employee Benefits Grand Rapids

Lydia M. Kessler Insurance Coverage Southfield

Kaitlyn E. Manley Municipal & Public Entity Grand Rapids

Amanda Afton Martin Estate Planning Southfield

Alaina M. Nelson Estate Planning Lansing

Rachel G. Olney No-Fault Litigation Southfield

Caroline Renner Health Care Law Grand Rapids

Katherine A. Ruttkofsky Insurance Defense Southfield

Patricia J. Scott Bankruptcy Law Lansing

Anne M. Seurynck Municipal & Public Entity Grand Rapids

Hilary J. Stafford General Litigation Lansing

Sydney Steele General Litigation Southfield

Deanna Swisher Commercial Litigation Lansing

Jennifer B. Van Regenmorter Health Care Law Holland

Emily R. Wisniewski Business & Tax Lansing

###

Since 1902, Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC has provided comprehensive legal services to businesses, municipalities, and individuals. The firm employs nearly 100- attorneys and over 100 support staff in six locations: Lansing, Detroit, Southfield, Grand Rapids, Holland and St. Joseph. For more information about the firm, its attorneys and to access recent publications, visit www.fosterswift.com.