Kenneth A. Thompson was born in Michigan in 1980. He grew up in Westland, Michigan with his mother and sister after losing his father to a heart attack at 6 years of age. At age 12, Mr. Thompson and his sister ran away from an abusive home situation and entered the juvenile justice system. For years he fought this system to remain in a healthy and safe environment against a policy that just wanted to reunite the family at any cost. This system yanked the Thompson children away from caring loving guardians (a minister and his wife) and placed them back into an abusive reunited family. This led to a young teenage explaining to police officers why he was fleeing his house in zero degree temperatures after being locked out and continuously abused. Mr. Thompson became familiar with police officers threatening jail while others offered advice. Mr. Thompson had to grow up fast to understand the juvenile justice system. He learned enough by age 15 to realize having a highly- trained legal advocate on your side was the only way to escape a difficult situation. Mr. Thompson spent time in a foster home in Saline, Michigan. He attended Saline High School from 1995 to 1997 and left the juvenile justice system at age 17 to reside with his older sister. He then completed high school at John Glenn in Westland, Michigan. Mr. Thompson attended Eastern Michigan University where he majored in Political Science and minored in English Writing. He received a Bachelor of Science in 2007. He went on to attend Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School where he received his doctorate degree in January 2015. Mr. Thompson had a passion for wanting to help children and those that just could not obtain justice for themselves. He started a legal courier and process serving business at age 18, so he could be around lawyers and learn about their careers. He operated this business for over 20 years and had the privilege of working for over 140 law offices in Metro Detroit. This business allowed him to interact with some of the best lawyers and courts every day. Mr. Thompson took calls on a daily basis from lawyers asking legal questions about the process and how to get things done for their clients. He became an expert in his field even before obtaining a law degree. Mr. Thompson spent the first 6 months of his legal career helping other lawyers in their difficult legal situations with their clients, since starting his own private practice. In just six months of his career, he handled over 34 hearings in different areas of law and criminal jury trials. The start of his career has been incredibly successful in the mere number of cases he has won. Mr. Thompson states the key to success is doing your homework, as well as finding a connection with opposing counsel, judges, and juries. Most important is holding strong to one's faith. If you are looking for an attorney that has been there himself and can understand your personal struggle with empathy, compassion, and will fight like no lawyer you have ever seen, then Mr. Thompson is the right choice for you.

Paul J. Dillon is the managing partner of the firm. Since 1992, Mr. Dillon maintains specialties in the fields of business law, real estate law, personal injury, employment, and criminal matters. Mr. Dillon combines his outstanding academic and legal credentials with the business and accounting experience he obtained while working for a national accounting and consulting firm, to identify and explain to clients, adversaries, and juries the financial impact of various legal issues and disputes. After spending nearly five years with the consulting practice of Arthur Anderson & Co., Mr. Dillon earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Detroit School of Law in 1992. During law school, Mr. Dillon was awarded clerkship at the Wayne County Circuit Court, the United States Attorney General's Office, and Pepper Hamilton LLP, a nationally recognized law firm. Mr. Dillon received his bachelor of arts in 1984 from Kalamazoo College, where he captained the Division III football team for two years, while also being active in intercollegiate baseball and wrestling. Mr. Dillon also studied in Hannover, Germany for a semester of his undergraduate experience. He has been honored to have been designated as a Michigan Super Lawyer and continues to strive to the highest of standards for the practice of law. Paul is married to JoDee, his wife of twenty-nine years. The Dillon’s have five children and live in Plymouth where both Paul and JoDee attended Salem High School. Paul enjoys watching his children participate in a variety of sports.

The Michigan personal injury attorneys at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C., have a reputation for meticulous case preparation-an approach that results in major verdicts and settlements for our clients. We handle all types of accident and injury cases, including auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death cases, medical malpractice lawsuits, nursing home neglect cases, slip and fall cases, dog bite attack cases, and all other personal injury matters. Our family-owned Michigan personal injury law firm was founded by David and Vicky Buckfire in 1968. They're now retired and their two sons, Daniel and Lawrence, run the firm. They have continued the firm's reputation as an award winning personal injury law firm in Michigan and have assembled a top team of lawyers and support staff. They have earned the highest possible rating in the legal profession for ability and integrity and are rated Superb by the top Internet lawyer rating service Daniel Buckfire specializes in cases involving automobile negligence, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, no-fault insurance litigation, dram shop liability, and general negligence cases. He is rated as a "Superb" lawyer by the top internet lawyer rating service and "Best Personal Injury Lawyer" by a Detroit business magazine. Daniel's adept knowledge of these areas of law has resulted in numerous significant settlements and verdicts on behalf of his injured clients. He is member of the Michigan Association for Justice and the American Association for Justice. He is also a member of the Brain Injury Association of Michigan and the Michigan Brain Injury Provider's Council.

Lawrence J. Buckfire (Larry Buckfire) earned his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Michigan in 1986 and his juris doctor degree from Wayne State University School of Law in 1989. He has been in private practice since successfully completing the bar exam in 1989. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, State of Ohio, and in the United States District Court. Lawrence is the lead trial attorney and managing partner at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. The law firm was founded in 1969 by his father David Buckfire with the principle of representing clients with the highest degree of integrity, compassion, and professionalism. Lawrence’s mother, Vicky Buckfire, joined David in the firm several years later. Lawrence and Daniel both joined their parents upon their completion of law school. Mr. Buckfire has devoted his legal career to helping the most vulnerable members of our society, children and the elderly. He specializes in child lead paint poisoning, wrongful death, nursing home neglect, medical malpractice, and other serious injury cases. “Successfully pursuing these cases is the best way to protect the members of our community from future harm,” said Larry.

Dondi R. Vesprini earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 1996 from Oakland University with a minor in Sociology. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1999 from the University of Detroit – Mercy School of Law where he was on the Moot Court Board of Directors, represented the law school in national moot court competition, and was a member of the St. Thomas More Society. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Michigan, the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati, Ohio. Prior to joining Buckfire & Buckfire, Dondi worked for 11 years as a trial attorney for the Law Offices of Lawrence S. Katkowsky, P.C., which specialized in motorcycle accidents. Previously, Dondi worked for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office for two years where he tried felony drug cases and also worked on criminal appeals. Dondi has recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for his injured clients and specializes in issues affecting motorcyclists such as motorcycle accidents, roadway defect accidents, and Michigan No Fault claims. He also litigates wrongful death, automobile negligence, slip and fall, dog bite attacks, and other personal injury matters. In addition to trial work, he has also argued cases in front of the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dondi’s advocacy extends beyond the courtroom as he proposes legislation and meets with the Governor’s office, legislators and lobbyists regarding legislation affecting injured motorcyclists and non-motorcyclists alike, including but not limited to the Michigan motorcycle helmet law and fighting to preserve Michigan’s No Fault system and the benefits it provides to injured people. He recently drafted an amendment to MCL 500.3114, which was formally introduced as House Bill 4809 on May 6, 2021.

Randall M. Blau earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Kalamazoo College in 1993 and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit School of Law in 1996. He is admitted to practice law in state and federal courts throughout Michigan and has handled cases in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Minnesota and Florida. He has obtained numerous settlements that have been listed in the Top Ten Settlements of the Year for the State of Michigan multiple times during the last decade. Randy has obtained millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for his injured clients. He specializes in medical malpractice, birth injuries, nursing home negligence, wrongful death, and automobile negligence cases. He is a member of the Michigan Association for Justice, the Oakland County Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan. Randy has been an invited speaker at a variety of legal seminars, an invited member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and has been consistently listed in Who’s Who in Law throughout his career.

Robert Lantzy is a graduate of Central Michigan University and graduated cum laude from the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University in 1997. Robert is an experienced trial attorney and concentrates his practice in many areas of civil litigation, including truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, motor vehicle accidents, dog attacks, lead paint exposure and child lead poisoning, mold exposure and cases involving other general environmental contamination. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Michigan Association for Justice, and the Macomb County Bar Association. Robert spent the first years of his legal career as a defense attorney handling cases for insurance companies and their insured. He was named a Partner at a preeminent insurance defense law firm before joining Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Lantzy has developed a successful track record of significant trial verdicts. He is well-received by juries due to his detailed trial preparation and his presentation which provides jurors with great insight into his integrity and his compassion for helping his injured clients. He has been named a “Super Lawyer” for his accomplishments. Clients consistently provide excellent feedback in the form of five-star reviews and thoughtful and compassionate praise of his file handling and resolution of claims on behalf of his clients. Robert has been a featured speaker for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, hospital case managers, city and county health departments and motorcycle advocate organizations.

Nicolas A. Vesprini earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 2000 from Oakland University. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 2003 from the University of Detroit – Mercy School of Law where he served as the Executive Director of Moot Court Board, represented the law school in national moot court competition, and was an active member of the Student Bar Association Board of Governors, and a Book Award recipient. Nicolas is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Michigan, and the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. Prior to joining Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C., Nicolas served as a partner at a preeminent insurance defense law firm with a focus on defense litigation in catastrophic first-party automobile claims, third-party auto negligence, personal injury, premises liability and general negligence. He represented various national clients and several major insurance carriers throughout the state of Michigan. He has tried cases in both state and federal court and has argued before the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Christopher Frayer earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Northwood University in 1991. He later earned his Juris Doctor degree in 2001 from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Chris joined the firm in February 2024, focusing primarily on medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, birth injury, civil rights, and governmental claims. Prior to joining Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C., Chris served as a medical malpractice attorney at a firm in metro Detroit. He previously represented healthcare companies, professionals, and corporate clients litigating medical malpractice cases in state and federal courts.

Michael Bonvolanta earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 2011 from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 2015 from the University of Detroit – Mercy School of Law where he graduated magna cum laude. He was admitted to the Frank Murphy Honor Society and served as a member of UDM’s Moot Court Board of Advocates. Bonvolanta is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Michigan, the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, and the United States District Court for the Western District of New York. Bonvolanta joined the firm in January 2020, and focuses primarily on medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, birth injury, civil rights and governmental claims. Prior to joining Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C., Bonvolanta served as an associate at a full-service litigation firm in metro Detroit with a focus on municipal law, land use and zoning, medical malpractice defense and legal malpractice defense. He represented various national clients throughout the state of Michigan. Call (888) 797-8787 for a free case review and speak to Michael J. Bonvolanta about your case today.