Rebecca Filiatraut graduated in 1991 from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. In 1994 she received her Juris Doctor from the Detroit College of Law. While attending law school she worked at the Public Defenders Office, representing individuals charged with misdemeanors at the 36th District Court in Detroit. After her graduation, she spent several years working for a large and nationally recognized personal injury law firm. It was here that she began her career of handling federal civil rights cases which has spanned over the course of her more than twenty years in practice. Rebecca focused on §1983 civil rights actions involving police and jail misconduct, as well as other complex matters such as trucking and medical malpractice cases. Seeking to further broaden her experience, she also practiced on the defense side for a number of years, successfully defending a multitude of cases, primarily on behalf of a number of different municipalities and police departments, as well as other businesses and insurance carriers across the State of Michigan. After gaining experience on the defense side, Rebecca returned to the work she loved, representing individuals against large corporations and insurance companies in order to help these people obtain rightful compensation for their injuries. Rebecca has extensive trial experience in both state and federal courts on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants, having been involved in some very high-profile and notable jury trials during the course of her career. She is licensed to practice in the State of Michigan, as well as the United States District Courts of both the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Rebecca is an active supporter of the legal community and a member of several associations, including the State Bar of Michigan Negligence Section and the Michigan Association for Justice.

Andrew Turner is a skilled patent attorney who focuses on post-grant proceedings and patent prosecution and has worked with a variety of clients in diverse technical fields including audio and lighting systems, exercise equipment , and autonomous and electrified vehicle systems. Andrew is a registered patent attorney, with degrees in both electrical and mechanical engineering, and focuses his practice on patent prosecution and post-grant proceedings. He co-chairs Brook’s post-grant proceedings practice group and has worked on over 50 IPR proceedings representing petitioners and patent owners. Andrew also has experience with reexaminations, reissues, and appeals to the Federal Circuit. His practice also includes intellectual portfolio management and opinion preparation. Andrew has extensive experience with autonomous and electrified vehicle systems, LED lighting systems, audio systems, electric machines, controls, electronics, and exercise equipment. Andrew has worked with clients of various sizes, from individual entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies. He particularly enjoys working with innovative people in different sectors and helping clients solve complex issues. He excels at developing strategies for prosecuting patent applications and challenging/defending patents. Prior to his legal career, Andrew was an engineer in the automotive industry. He worked on the development of several electro-mechanical systems including adjustable pedals, brake systems, and battery charging systems. Andrew utilizes his engineering industry experience to counsel clients in view of their business concerns and to communicate with inventors and patent examiners on technical issues.

Ben plays a pivotal role in guiding the development of patent portfolios, leveraging his deep knowledge and enthusiasm for cutting-edge technologies. With two decades of experience and having prepared over 1,000 patent applications, he frequently addresses complex patent issues and provides insights on infringement, patentability, and validity, honing his expertise across a broad spectrum of technological domains. Currently a Ph.D. candidate in electrical and computer engineering, Ben’s academic interests and patent experience span a range of fields including artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, microelectronics, optics and photonics, power transmission, secure communications, and signal processing. One of his current research projects focuses on the development of deep learning models for the recognition and analysis of disordered speech. In the realm of intellectual property law, Ben has developed a proficiency in using analytical tools to extract competitive data and trends. He leverages this expertise to advise clients on strategic patent decisions. Before attending law school, Ben spent several years designing and developing engineered automotive components. This hands-on experience instilled in him a philosophy of continuous improvement, which he now applies to managing client dockets. His approach aims to enhance outcomes, reduce case pendency, and control costs, reflecting a comprehensive and client-focused patent management strategy.

Ardiana Culaj joined Thurswell Law in 2009. She specializes in medical malpractice and birth injury litigation. Ms. Culaj is a second-generation attorney, following her parents, who served as a prosecutor and a judge in their native Kosovo. She earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in political science from Oakland University in 2003 and a law degree from Wayne State University in 2007. While in law school, she interned for Justice Marilyn Kelly of the Michigan Supreme Court and served as a student attorney in the Wayne State Disability Law Clinic. In 2015, Ms. Culaj was recognized as one of the top 30 women lawyers in Michigan, following her victory in the Court of Appeals on a wrongful death case involving a non-viable fetus (< 24 weeks gestation). Her determination and zealous representation resulted, for the first time in Michigan history, in the legal recognition of a wrongful death action on behalf of a non-viable fetus. Her major success in Simpson v. Pickens, et al, 311 Mich. App. 127 (2015) has helped pave the way for parents who seek justice and accountability for the loss of their non-viable fetus resulting from negligence. As a result of her efforts, families can seek damages such as the loss of love, affection, society, and companionship for the death of their loved one. Fewer than 10 other states recognize such claims.

Zachary conducts penetration tests to identify vulnerabilities, evaluate defenses, and strengthen security. He analyzes stored data through discovery and classification to ensure compliance with regulations. Additionally, he supports cyber incident response by identifying, mitigating, and documenting security incidents to minimize impact and prevent recurrence. Zachary is a privacy and security analyst with a background in cybersecurity, including encryption, access control, physical security, training, threat analysis, and authentication. He supports organizations in addressing security challenges and improving their defenses. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity from Kennesaw State University, graduating magna cum laude, and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Cybersecurity at Eastern Michigan University.

Cary M. Makrouer specializes in personal injury and victim’s rights cases, including slip and fall accidents, automobile negligence, dog bites, and police misconduct. He was the winner of the 10th-largest trial verdict in the State of Michigan in 2001 and the 13th-largest trial verdict in the State of Michigan in 2005. Mr. Makrouer is BV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, which recognizes a combination of achieving a very high legal ability and ethical standards rating. In 2008, 2009, and 2010, he was recognized as a Super Lawyer by Law & Politics magazine. Mr. Makrouer has been with Thurswell Law since 1988. He graduated with honors from Michigan State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and earned a law degree from the Detroit College of Law. Mr. Makrouer was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1976.

I have over 30 years' experience as an attorney. My firm specializes in employment rights, including discrimination, civil rights, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, whistleblower rights, medical leave and disability rights, unemployment benefits, and more. My goal is to maximize the recovery for those whose rights have been compromised.