Ashley E. Racette

Ashley Racette Discusses Succession Planning for Small Businesses:  Sustaining Your Legacy and the Importance of Planning

The arts are such an important part of what makes a community, and, in the Motor City, we have a long and impressive history of innovative and entrepreneurial creators who carve their own unique artistic paths. One of the most recent additions to Detroit's performance community is Opera MODO (founded in 2011).

In observance of Earth Day 2018, Kerr Russell colleagues returned to the garden at Votrobeck Playground in Detroit for spring planting and clean-up on Saturday, April 21. Thank you to Joanne Geha Swanson both for organizing the effort and for these beautiful photos - view the full album here. 

On April 5, Kerr Russell member Fred Herrmann (antitrust, litigation, dispute resolution) was honored at a luncheon, held at the Detroit Marriott - Troy, alongside the rest of Michigan Lawyers Weekly's "Leaders in the Law" Class of 2018. Kerr Russell attendees included Jim Cambridge, Jason Bank, Dan Schulte, Dan Ferris, Jeff May, Anna Valk, Ashley Racette, and Roy Sexton. Fred's wife Mindy Herrmann was there as well. (Picture left. To the left, Fred receives his award from Opinion Editor Agenique Smiley.)

Kerr Russell is pleased to support Detroit Public Television, and, beginning April 2, the following spot will air during PBS NewsHour (weekdays, 6-7 pm) and the Nightly Business Report (weekdays, 7-7:30 pm). View the spot here.

Kerr Russell's latest ad "Driven By Results" debuts in Crain's M&A, Biggest Deals issue this week. The ad emphasizes the firm's 143-year presence in Detroit as part of the larger business and legal community. "We understand the region. We know what moves Michigan. We are committed to the community."

On February 7, Kerr Russell turned out in force to support Life is a Cabaret: LIVE Musical Fundraiser for Relay For Life of Canton and Plymouth, MI. Director of Marketing Roy Sexton performed a number of songs during the show and served as a co-emcee alongside Christopher Tremblay, Ed.D.. Kerr Russell attendees (pictured) included Angie Lyons-Hincks, Candice Hadley, Brandy Mathie, Ashley Racette, Sue Smith, Cindy Villeneuve, Jan Clarey, Jeffrey May, Kathleen Westfall, Gail Showler, Laura Evans Jones, Karen Schumer, Debra Behrmann, Heather Kalfayan, Kristina Kalfayan, Kelly Hinojosa, Jackie Klima, Susan Willis, and their friends and family.

Kerr Russell is proud of Detroit. We are proud to have had a seat at the table here since 1874. Our exceptional attorneys understand the unique challenges facing business leaders. Our legal solutions are prompt, accurate, economical, and focused around your needs in every area. We know Michigan business like the back of our hands.

Be on the lookout for our updated in-magazine advertising for the Michigan Osteopathic Association's TRIAD and Michigan State Medical Society's Michigan Medicine, among other publications in future months. [Design by Nikki Horn.]

One of our traditions here at Kerr Russell is to hold a holiday raffle to benefit three local charities as well as to conduct a toy drive for local children. This year's raffle (many of the beautiful and festive prizes picture here) raised a record total of $3,450 which will be divided equally among three organizations: Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, Inc., and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor.

It's a time to celebrate, reflect and remember. However you mark the holidays, we hope your days are filled with warmth and thankfulness, good times, and endless cheer. As another year draws to a close, we at Kerr Russell are grateful to you. You give purpose to our work and add meaning to our relationships. Your trust is a cherished gift. Enjoy these images as we get our offices ready to celebrate the holiday season. Design by Mandy Lark of Lark Interior Design.

Kerr Russell hosted Royal Oak's Boulevard Investment Banking at our Detroit office for a lunch-and-learn event on Thursday, November 30. From Boulevard's website: "Boulevard is a boutique, investment banking and private investment firm focused on working with owners, operators, and businesses active in the middle market.

From the Detroit Bar Association: "Congratulations to Mayor Mike Duggan who was presented the Dennis Archer Public Service Award by the Detroit Bar Foundation Thursday, November 16 at the Detroit Yacht Club. Also congratulations to the Detroit Bar Legal Scholars for their original legal work product that advances the field of law and our Corporate Citizen Outreach Recognition of DTE Energy, Matrix Human Services, Ally Financial and General Motors Company."

Kudos to Matrix Human Services for receiving Corporate Citizen Outreach Recognition from the Detroit Bar Association Foundation. The award was presented on November 16 at the Detroit Bar Association Foundation's Dennis W. Archer Public Service Award event - which also honors legal professionals whose careers demonstrate an outstanding commitment to public service.

Kerr Russell introduces the second ad in the new "Est. in Detroit 1874" series: "A culture of connection." The piece emphasizes the firm's 143-year presence in Detroit as part of the larger business and legal community. "We are relationship focused. We know our people and our clients are the lifeblood of our firm."

With this month's issue of dbusiness, focused on Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit, Kerr Russell launches its new brand advertising with "A Track Record of Results." Working with Identity Public Relations and Marketing, Kerr Russell's marketing team developed the creative to emphasize the firm's longstanding place in Detroit's legal and business history.

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, for the eighth consecutive year, announce the "Best Law Firms" rankings.

From dBusiness: "On Oct. 10, dBusiness magazine hosted a breakfast to honor the 2017 Class of 30 in Their Thirties at the Gem Theatre in downtown Detroit. The keynote speaker was Tony Michaels, president and CEO of The Parade Co. in Detroit, who addressed the business side of planning and operating America’s Thanksgiving Parade Presented by Art Van as well as the Ford Fireworks and other family-orientated events."

Kerr Russell attorneys William Blasses, Jason Bank, Kate McCarroll, Ashley Racette, Broc Gullett, and Katherine Cser celebrated the DBusiness Magazine’s "30 in Their 30s" honorees and learned about The Parade Company at the dBusiness Breakfast on October 10 at the Gem/Century Theatres.

Today was a day of team building and team spirit, camaraderie and good-natured rivalry. To raise money for Kerr Russell’s holiday giving initiatives, attorneys and colleagues were encouraged, for a small donation, to wear their favorite team apparel - with an obvious leaning toward tomorrow’s big game between the Spartans and the Wolverines.

If you want to know how a firm can thrive for over 140 years in a city that has faced considerable challenges, walk through the door of Kerr Russell’s suite on the 25th floor of the Detroit Center and get a feel for the people.

Kerr Russell lawyers Ashley Racette and Kathleen Westfall participated in the Lakeshore Legal Aid Expungement Clinic pro-bono program on August 8, 2017.

Kerr Russell is honored to have been named to the 2017 State Bar of Michigan Pro-Bono Circle of Excellence at the Leadership Level. Kerr Russell attorneys Jeffrey May, Ashley Racette and John Kenny participated in the  Lakeshore Legal Aid/Southwest Solutions/Drivers License Restoration Veterans Clinic, a pro-bono program, on July 11, 2017.