Clark Hill PLC Grows National Litigation Management Practice; Team to be Led by Attorney Jacqueline H. Sellers

DETROIT--July 5, 2006--Clark Hill PLC has announced the expansion of its national Litigation Management Practice, led by attorney Jacqueline H. Sellers, effective immediately. Sellers will lead the expanded practice group, which has added attorneys Althea L. Simpson, Celia Banks Washington and case managers Eugene J. Turner, Angela M. Carroll, LaShonda T. Neely, Elaine Gregory-McKenzie, Jenean Matthews and Kanise L. James, out of the firm's Detroit office.

"Our firm is pleased to announce the addition of Jackie Sellers and her talented team of professionals to our national Litigation Management Practice," said Clark Hill CEO John Hern. "Jackie's creative leadership is a tremendous asset to our firm, and her position as National Alternative Dispute Resolution Counsel to a major auto manufacturer is a terrific example of her profound ability to manage complex, multi-faceted client issues. Jackie's experience and perspective will add value to our existing clients."

Sellers joins Clark Hill with nearly 20 years of experience as a litigation attorney. In her current capacity, she manages a major auto manufacturer's warranty, fire and accident claims. Sellers also served as National Supervising Counsel for the manufacturer's warranty litigation group for 15 years and as National Product Liability Discovery Counsel for its product liability import matters for 12 years.

"Clark Hill's innovative culture, combined with our experience and dedication to client service made this move a natural fit," said Sellers. "We are looking forward to offering our clients the benefits associated with the firm including leading edge technology, predictable fee structures and the extended resources of a deep bench."

Sellers was previously a shareholder and practice group chair at a prominent law firm in Troy, Michigan. In addition, she has also served as a judicial clerk to former Michigan State Supreme Court Justice Dennis W. Archer. She earned her B.A. from Howard University and her J.D. from Detroit College of Law.

Sellers' team includes attorney Althea L. Simpson, who joins Clark Hill as a senior attorney. Simpson focuses her practice on unfair and deceptive trade practices, lemon law, consumer fraud, breach of warranty, Magnuson-Moss and other consumer protection statute claims. She is the primary contact with local counsel in the day-to-day management of national warranty matters.

Simpson earned her B.A. from the University of Michigan, and her J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law.

Celia Banks Washington joins Clark Hill as an associate attorney. Washington focuses her practice in the area of consumer law. She also specializes in state lemon law, UCC, Deceptive Trade Practices Act, Magnuson-Moss Act, accident and fire arbitration, and other consumer law actions. Washington previously managed breach of warranty claims for a "Big Three" auto manufacturer. She served as Assistant Corporate Counsel with the City of Detroit Law Department. Washington was also a judicial law clerk and staff attorney for the Honorable David Breck, Sixth Circuit Court.

Washington earned her B.A. from Davenport University, and her J.D. from Michigan State University - Detroit College of Law.

Firm Profile

Since 1890, Clark Hill PLC has been serving the business, government, nonprofit and personal needs of clients throughout Michigan and beyond. With offices in Detroit, Birmingham, Grand Rapids, and Lansing, Clark Hill is a full service law firm with more than 145 attorneys. For more information, visit www.clarkhill.com.

Editor's Note: High-resolution photos are available by contacting Maureen Conway at 313-965-8414, or mconway@clarkhill.com