Justine R. Guliana Laranja is an Associate Attorney at Dawda PLC. Her practice focuses on real estate, estate planning, and litigation. She advises clients on complex legal matters involving contract disputes, commercial properties, and business proceedings. As a first-generation Chaldean American, Justine brings a unique cultural perspective to serving clients and navigating cross-cultural legal challenges.

Justine graduated Cum Laude from Michigan State University College of Law in 2025. During her time at MSU Law, she distinguished herself academically, earning Jurisprudence Awards (highest grade) in Professional Responsibility and Immigration Law Clinic I, as well as receiving a rare A+ in Construction Law—a mark of exceptional achievement. Her academic excellence demonstrates both her mastery of complex legal doctrine and her practical application skills.

While in law school, Justine gained significant advocacy experience through her participation in the ABA Arbitration Competition, where she led her team to the National Championship as Finalists both years she competed. This experience honed her skills in alternative dispute resolution, oral advocacy, and strategic case preparation. She further distinguished herself through the Immigration Law Clinic, where she made her first court appearance and successfully secured asylum for her clients—a testament to her advocacy skills and commitment to serving vulnerable populations.

Justine served as a Bluebook Peer Mentor, holding office hours to assist fellow students with legal citation and research methodology in accordance with the Bluebook formatting standards. This role developed her analytical precision and ability to communicate complex technical requirements clearly and effectively. She was also an active member of the Middle Eastern Law Student Association and the Women’s Law Caucus, demonstrating her commitment to community engagement and professional development.

Prior to joining Dawda PLC as an Associate Attorney, Justine served as a Summer Associate at the firm, where she gained valuable exposure to the firm’s practice areas and client base. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in International Relations from Michigan State University’s prestigious James Madison College. Her international relations background provides her with valuable insight into geopolitical considerations that inform her legal counsel.

Justine’s approach to client service emphasizes zealous advocacy, cultural compassion, and strategic problem-solving. She is committed to delivering comprehensive legal counsel that protects her clients’ interests while achieving practical, results-oriented solutions.

Paul Arslanian brings extensive experience in estate planning, tax and business planning, banking and financial, and probate and trust administration to Dawda PLC. Since his admission to the State Bar of Michigan in 1985, Mr. Arslanian has exclusively represented individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, and business owners in accomplishing various estate, tax, and business planning objectives.

Paul’s comprehensive background encompasses both legal practice and financial services. He is a licensed life and health insurance producer, holds a Series 65 license as an Investment Advisor Representative, and formerly served as a Certified Public Accountant. His professional experience includes several years as a tax manager with the prestigious accounting firm Coopers & Lybrand, providing him with invaluable insight into complex tax matters and business structures.

Mr. Arslanian frequently lectures on estate and tax planning matters, sharing his expertise with both professional and client audiences. His multifaceted background in law, accounting, and financial services enables him to provide comprehensive counsel that addresses all aspects of his clients’ estate planning and business needs.

Paul’s practice focuses on developing sophisticated estate planning strategies, structuring business transactions for optimal tax efficiency, and guiding fiduciaries through complex trust and estate administration matters. His extensive experience with tax planning and business succession ensures that clients receive well-rounded advice that considers both current objectives and long-term financial goals.

Katie L. Ringler is an Associate at Dawda PLC. She concentrates her practice in the areas of estate planning, trust and estate administration, probate, and taxation. She works with individuals and families of all estate sizes to help them understand the options available for wealth transfer and preservation that provide maximum flexibility for evolving needs, giving careful consideration to those family members with special needs.  Kate partners with her colleagues to ensure all aspects of her clients’ affairs have been considered, including real estate and business matters.

Kate has significant experience in administration matters after the death of a loved one, helping fiduciaries through the estate administration process.  She assists with the transfer of assets, filing of tax returns, and overall implementation of the decedent’s estate plan.

Prior to joining Dawda, Kate worked at a large international bank where she advised the line of businesses on fiduciary responsibilities and compliance matters. She is well-versed in all aspects of trust administration and uses her experience to better protect her clients’ interests.

Kate received her L.L.M. in Taxation from Northwestern University, and her Juris Doctor degree and Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Carolina. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, serves as the Trusts and Estates Committee Chair of the Tax Section of the State Bar, and is a member of the Junior League of Detroit.

Elle Madsen Ritsema is an Associate Attorney at Dawda PLC. Her growing practice focuses on corporate law, commercial real estate, and estate planning. Elle advises businesses of all sizes on diverse transactional and legal concerns, such as entity formation, corporate governance, and stock transactions. She also counsels clients on all aspects of real estate law, including both residential and commercial property transactions, zoning and land use, and commercial leasing. She has experience working with nonprofit organizations, automobile dealerships, and real estate developers. Elle also assists individuals with both straightforward and complex estate planning matters.

Elle graduated from the Frederik Meijer Honors College at Grand Valley State University in 2019 with her B.A. in legal studies with a minor in Spanish and an emphasis on land use planning. She then attended Wayne State University for Law School, where she was involved with Law Review, Moot Court, and the Women’s Law Caucus. She participated in the prestigious ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition, where she competed as both an oralist and brief writer. During law school, Elle also worked as a corporate research assistant and served as a judicial extern at the Michigan Court of Appeals, where she split her time between the Research Department and the Honorable Judge Elizabeth L. Gleicher’s chambers.

Paul A. Bringer is Of Counsel at Dawda PLC. He has spent the past 25 years at the firm concentrating his practice on transactional real estate and estate planning. Paul also has prior experience as a land developer.

Paul serves as an advisor to developers and lenders involved in transactional real estate matters as well as entity structure and estate planning matters.

Paul’s responsibilities include development of strategies to achieve client goals and the implementation of those strategies, including all aspects of the negotiation and documentation of those transactions.

He has received numerous awards throughout his career, including being recognized by The Best Lawyers in America as one of the best lawyers in real estate law three years in a row, and has been honored by DBusiness Magazine as a top real estate lawyer in Metro Detroit in 2010. In addition, Paul has taught numerous classes and seminars on real estate law complexities.

Paul earned his B.B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1972, then went on to earn his J.D. at Michigan State University.