Miller Johnson Adds Four New Litigation Attorneys

Laci Reséndiz, Sara Weskalnies, James Buster and Rich Perez joined Miller Johnson as Associates in the firm’s litigation section.

Laci Reséndiz works on a wide variety of matters representing clients in all stages of disputes. Prior to joining Miller Johnson, Ms. Reséndiz was a Law Clerk with the United States District Court – Western District of Michigan and a Research Attorney with the Michigan Court of Appeals. She was also a Judicial Extern to the Honorable Renee H. Toliver, U.S. Magistrate Court, Northern District of Texas while in law school.

Ms. Reséndiz earned her J.D., magna cum laude, in 2017 from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. She was a Faculty Research Fellow from 2016-2017. She is fluent in Spanish and was Vice President of Internal Affairs for the Hispanic Law Students Association. She earned both a B.S. in Sociology magna cum laude and a B.A. in Spanish magna cum laude from Grand Valley State University in 2009 where she was active with Phi Kappa Phi and was in the GVSU Honors College. Ms. Reséndiz was a member of Teach for America Corps and taught at schools in Dallas and Houston, TX before attending law school.

Sara Weskalnies represents clients in contract and agreements, commercial law, government investigations, cybersecurity, personal injury, real estate, and appellate cases. She was a Research Attorney with the Michigan Court of Appeals and an Interim Law Clerk to the Honorable Yolanda L. Curtin with the Hartford County Circuit Court in Maryland before starting at Miller Johnson. In addition, Ms. Weskalnies was a Legal Extern at the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Professional Responsibility while in law school.

Ms. Weskalnies earned her J.D. magna cum laude in 2018 from Michigan State University College of Law. She was Associate Editor of the Law Review and received a Juris Prudence Award for media law. Ms. Weskalnies earned a B.S. summa cum laude from Towson University in 2014.

James Buster has been practicing law in Michigan since 2016. His practice is concentrated primarily in commercial litigation and real estate matters. Mr. Buster represents corporations, family-owned businesses, and individual clients in federal and state courts. He has developed a keen understanding of COVID-19 related issues regarding federal mandates, executive orders, county health departments’ orders and judicial reopening matters.

Mr. Buster is Judge Advocate General, Captain (0-3), in the United States Army Reserve. He serves as the International Law Officer for an Army Reserve unit in Michigan. Mr. Buster received his law degree, summa cum laude from Wayne State University Law School in 2016. He received his B.A. in Political Science, summa cum laude, from Oakland University in 2013.

Rich Perez assists corporations, businesses and individuals with commercial matters, including fraud, contract disputes, and complex litigation. He has provided guidance on COVID-19 related issues from executive orders and local health authority guidance to liability protection. Mr. Perez has assisted on an array of federal and state criminal matters, including drug crimes, operating while intoxicated (or OWI or DUI), and COVID-19 enforcement related crimes.

Mr. Perez received his law degree, summa cum laude, from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School in 2019. He was recognized with the WMU Cooley Law School Leadership Achievement Award and served as Vice President of the West Michigan Student Bar Association. Mr. Perez received his B.S. in Criminal Justice from Grand Valley State University in 2015.

Miller Johnson is a full-service firm providing legal counsel to businesses and individuals in corporate, employment and labor, litigation, employee benefits, and estate planning matters.

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