Foley & Mansfield
Attorney Named Golden Gavel Winner

June 19, 2006— The Detroit office of national litigation firm Foley & Mansfield announced today attorney Jana Berger received the Golden Gavel Award on May 20, 2006 by the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel.

            The award, in its second year, recognizes and honors achievements of defense attorneys with 10 years or less of practice experience. Award nominees must have demonstrated significant achievement in two or more of the following: significant contribution to community, charitable organization, pro bono representation, or a legal professional organization; significant and outstanding professional proficiency and skill; and significant dedication to advancing “young” attorneys and to serving the unique needs of his/her professional peers.

Berger serves as defense counsel to various corporations in cases involving environmental toxins, such as asbestos, manganese and lead, as well as construction defects. She also has experience in tribal gaming laws, as well as tribal law and tribal courts. She is recognized by International Masters of Gaming Law. In 1999, Berger’s article analyzing tribal gaming rights in support of Narragansett Tribal gaming in Rhode Island was published in Gaming Law Review.

Berger served as amicus curiae counsel for the Michigan Association of Counties in a case involving an issue of first impression. Her argument before the Court of Appeals led to the establishment of case precedent in support of Michigan counties.

Berger is also recognized as an expert on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy regulations. She has authored numerous articles on the privacy regulations for legal, as well as health-related publications. She has also spoken before numerous audiences, including the Michigan Association of Counties, the Michigan Association of Community Mental Health Boards, the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority, as well as other public and private organizations.

Berger graduated from Roger Williams University School of Law in 1998 with a Juris Doctorate. She is a member of the Michigan Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel.