Smith Haughey Welcomes Four New Attorneys

Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge is pleased to announce that attorneys Philip A. Grashoff, Jr., Krista A. Jackson, Stacy M. Kramer and Thomas J. Vitale have joined the firm.

Phil Grashoff, Krista Jackson and Tom Vitale join Smith Haughey from the Grand Rapids office of a Detroit-based firm.

“The firm is excited to welcome Phil, Krista and Tom,” said Smith Haughey CEO Matt Wikander. “Their experience and areas of expertise are the perfect fit for Smith Haughey. They will bolster our robust litigation department and add depth to our business practice. We look forward to getting them on board and supporting their practices.”

Stacy Kramer returns to Smith Haughey after working as a litigation claims manager for a professional liability insurance carrier, a client of the firm. Stacy was previously an associate attorney in Smith Haughey’s Grand Rapids office.

“We’re thrilled to have Stacy back at the firm,” said Wikander. “She was an instrumental member of our medical malpractice defense group prior to her departure, and we welcome the insight and perspective she has gleaned from working in a different capacity with a client.”

Phil Grashoff is an environmental attorney who provides advice and assistance with complex environmental issues including facility compliance and permitting, land use, groundwater and soil remediation, environmental litigation, and many others. Among his many accolades is his inclusion in “The Best Lawyers in America” for environmental law for more than 28 years. In additional to his environmental practice, Phil also advises clients in the mining, agribusiness, food processing, and pharmaceutical industries, among others. He leads in the delivery of a wide range of legal services to these clients, including litigation, product liability, employment, real estate, energy, succession planning, insurance, and construction law. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and his juris doctor (cum laude) from Wayne State University.

Krista A. Jackson is an accomplished litigator who has extensive experience in civil litigation and appellate matters. She has represented business and individuals in a wide variety of cases including contract disputes, environmental litigation and insurance claims. Her clients span numerous industries, including agri-business, manufacturing, restaurants, and municipalities.  Krista has achieved outstanding results in state and federal courts, in numerous trials, and on appeal.

Krista earned her bachelor of arts from Calvin College before earning her juris doctor from the University of Virginia Law School.

Thomas J. Vitale has a wide range of experience representing clients in both state and federal courts. He focuses his practice on the construction, manufacturing and real estate industries. In construction and real estate litigation matters, Tom has successfully resolved matters for owners, real estate developers, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. He also serves as external general counsel to a variety of small to mid-size businesses, family-owned businesses, and agribusinesses, and has experience handling transactional matters in construction, automotive and agricultural areas, including supply agreements, commercial transactions, construction contracting, real estate development, financing and commercial leasing.

Tom earned his bachelor of arts from the University of Michigan before earning his juris doctor (cum laude) from Michigan State University’s College of Law.

Stacy M. Kramer is a medical malpractice defense attorney who defends healthcare facilities and professionals against claims of malpractice in courts throughout Michigan. She has represented clients in cases involving specialty areas of medicine ranging from neurosurgery, cardiology, emergency medicine, birth trauma, orthopedics, surgery, and many others. By appreciating complicated medical issues and managing complex discovery, she has been successful in numerous motions for summary disposition and effectively prepared cases for resolution and trial. Stacy returns to Smith Haughey after working as a litigation claims manager for a large professional liability insurer, which gives her a depth of knowledge and perspective that will be highly beneficial to clients.

A graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Stacy earned her juris doctor (cum laude) while serving as the Executive Editor of Publication for the Loyola University Chicago Law Journal. Prior to earning her J.D., Stacy earned her bachelor of arts from Butler University (summa cum laude).