Meet Brian

A leader looking to help.

Here is more about me.  I was the first in my immediate family to attend college, or law school.  You can see my academic accomplishments below, but that doesn't tell my whole story.  On my father's side of the family I was raised by soldiers.  I attempted to serve my country in Virginia, but aged out of the process.  I feel service to my country is very important.  

I grew up down the street from multiple Auto Plants and understand what it means to work hard for a living.  I started a small business in 2009 with $20, and some credit cards and turned it into 1.5 million dollars revenue throughout the years, on top of being an attorney. I grew up in Warren Michigan until I was a toddler, then moved to Sterling Heights where I attended Junior High, and High School at Stevenson High School.  I then moved to Rochester after living on campus at Oakland University as a Resident Assistant for five years and moved back to Rochester after completing law school.  

My cousin was a Marine, my father was in the Air Force, my Grandpa was Army, and my Great Uncle got an Army Purple Heart in World War II.

My father came to this country to live a better life, and his son is now considering help lead Michigan. My father doesn't understand politics, but I know my grandparents from Poland would be proud of their choice to come to America. I am a first generation American on my Father's side of the family.

On my mother's side, my family has been very involved in Democratic politics for many years, going back to the 1930's.  My Great uncle Edwin was elected to the State Board of Education in 1964, and was Michiganian of the Year in 1996.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/michigan/michiganians-of-year/2015/11/05/michiganians-year-since-1978/75243120/

His son Paul worked directly for Governor Granholm.  My family's bar in 1934 is below.  My great grandfather helped build Detroit, and here is some more of my family's history as archived by the University of Michigan. 

https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/detroitchenestreet/archives/transcribed-audio-interviews/adelaine-banach-richard-jaye/

My extended family also has roots in the area, owning one of the premier Italian restaurants in downtown Rochester.  Here is me, my cousin's Kristina, Eva, and their cousin Andrea, please visit Andrea's restaurant in Downtown Rochester The Via Bologna, or Joe Bologna's in Sterling Heights, and a photo of their restaurant in Rochester.  I care about Michigan, and all the residents in it, from the wealthiest to those struggling to pay the bills week to week.  Here is their website:  Home | Benvenuti (joebologna.com)

Here is an article about myself:

Oakland University - News Archive - Alumnus interns for state supreme court justice

I first started my legal career in the Detroit Office of McGuireWoods LLP (name later changed)  https://www.mcguirewoods.com/, I was fortunate to work with many attorneys that spent time working in Washington DC, and in the White House for various administrations.  One attorney clerked for Justice Ginsburg.

I also spent a year teaching in the public school system, and it was a humbling experience spending a school year teaching in the Avondale Public School District, after leaving a large law firm.  I will never forget my days teaching.  I have also been teaching currently in MI10, and it made my decision to go back to school to be a teacher, while keeping my law firm at night.  I am proud to have been accepted into the best School of Education in America, the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.  This will allow me to attain my teaching certificate and get a graduate degree in Education in the future from Ann Arbor.

• Alumni Keynote Speaker, Oakland University Admitted Student Reception (2005)

• Recipient, Applied Technology in Business Scholarship: (Full Tuition) (2000, 2001) 

• Recipient, Keeper of the Dream Scholarship; Recognition of Student Leadership (2001)   I was the first white male to win an award in 2001 for breaking down racial barriers in the name of Dr. King. I hope to carry forward Dr. King's dream in the United States Congress fighting for all people.  

• Established the $5,000 Justice Marilyn Kelly Keeper of the Dream Scholarship (2007)  

  I was a law clerk (judicial intern performs the same duties, just unpaid) to Justice Kelly in 2004. Justice Kelly is the former Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court.

• Recipient, Sydney Fink Diversity Scholarship; Recognition of Student Leadership (2000)

• Resident Assistant, Oakland University Housing (2000-2002)  

   I enjoyed my time as a Student Leader at Oakland University. I helped thousands of students as an RA, OGL,   Peer Mentor, and President of the Resident Halls.

• President, Residence Hall Council; presided over 1,500 students (1999, 2000)

• Student Orientation Leader and Peer Mentor, summers during college.

• Spring 2005 GPA: 3.417/4.00; Cumulative GPA: 3.184/4.00

• Class Rank: 21/83

• Passed the Michigan Bar Exam with an MBE scaled score above 150

• Member, Moot Court Board of Directors (2003-2005)

• Selected, National Order of Barristers (2005)

• Team Member, American College of Trial Lawyers National Trial Competition; One of Four Selected to Participate in National Competition (Fall 2004);

•  Moot Court Hall of Fame

• Recipient, Book Award for Professional Responsibility (1st in class) (Fall 2003)

• Member, Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity (Fall 2002-Winter 2005)

• Member, State Bar of Michigan, 2005 to present

• Member, Oakland Bar Association