James Ryan is an Associate Attorney at Dawda PLC. His practice focuses on corporate law and real estate. He advises clients on transactional matters, corporate governance, and commercial real estate transactions, with particular emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and corporate structuring. Drawing from his experience in commercial litigation and his work with emerging businesses, James brings a comprehensive perspective to helping clients navigate complex legal and business challenges.

James graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2024, where he received his business law certificate of concentration with honors. He was the recipient of the prestigious Samson Fellowship, a merit-based award recognizing academic excellence. During his time at UW Law, James served as Vice President of the Real Estate and Securities Investments Society, demonstrating his commitment to professional development in his practice areas.

While in law school, James served as a student attorney at the Wisconsin Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic, where he gained substantive transactional experience. He drafted operating agreements for scaling service businesses, prepared partnership agreements for entrepreneurs launching new applications, and assisted in negotiating leasing contracts for nonprofit organizations to ensure compliance with tax credit regulations. This experience developed his practical skills in structuring business entities and advising entrepreneurs on legal and operational matters.

James also served as a judicial intern at the Wisconsin Supreme Court for Justice Rebecca G. Bradley. In this capacity, he drafted bench memoranda summarizing case facts and procedural posture while providing recommended rulings. He conducted extensive legal research into statutory interpretation and constitutional issues to assist the Justices in preparing for oral arguments. This experience strengthened his analytical abilities and deepened his understanding of appellate practice and judicial decision-making.

Prior to law school, James earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Government with honors from Michigan State University in 2018. He achieved Dean’s List recognition in four of five semesters during his undergraduate studies at Michigan State.

Before joining Dawda PLC, James practiced as an Associate Attorney at Foster Swift Collins & Smith, PC, where he specialized in commercial litigation and corporate transactional work. He assisted in the due diligence process for mergers, acquisitions, and investment transactions. His work included advising on the structuring of joint ventures, assessing equity contributions, and drafting debt financing arrangements and mutual non-disclosure agreements. He also drafted corporate governance documents, including bylaws, operating agreements, and shareholder agreements, as well as purchase and sale agreements for commercial assets. Previously, he served as a Summer Associate at Foster Swift in 2023.

James’s approach to client service emphasizes thorough analysis, practical solutions, and clear communication. He is committed to delivering strategic counsel that protects his clients’ interests while helping them achieve their business objectives.

Sydney Carmoney is an Associate Attorney at Dawda PLC. Her practice focuses on real estate. She advises clients on a range of transactional matters. Drawing from her business administration background and clinical experience serving community organizations, Sydney brings a practical, solutions-oriented approach to helping clients navigate complex legal and operational challenges.

Sydney graduated Cum Laude from Michigan State University College of Law in 2025. During her time at MSU Law, she gained substantive experience through her participation in the Equitable Entrepreneurship and Innovation Law Clinic (EEILC), where she provided counsel to a Homeowner’s Association on amending and restating governing documents, including bylaws and Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CCRs), to implement tree preservation provisions within common areas.

Sydney also served at Lakeshore Legal Aid, where she provided pro bono legal services to underserved communities in Detroit and metro-Detroit. Her work focused on family law matters, including guardianships, wage garnishments, Personal Protection Orders (PPOs), and child custody disputes. This experience strengthened her ability to handle sensitive matters with professionalism and compassion while advocating effectively for her clients’ interests.

Prior to law school, Sydney earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business in 2022. During her undergraduate studies, she was an active member of Grand Valley’s Women in Business club, where she focused on professional development, leadership skills, and community engagement. Her business education provides her with valuable insight into the operational and strategic considerations that inform her legal counsel.

Sydney’s approach to client service emphasizes clear communication, attention to detail, and practical solutions tailored to each client’s unique circumstances. She is committed to delivering thorough, strategic counsel that protects her clients’ interests while helping them achieve their business and personal objectives.

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.

Aidan Schurig is an Associate at Dawda PLC. He concentrates his practice in real estate, construction, corporate law, and finance. As part of his practice, Aidan counsels both small and large businesses on various legal matters and contributes to the development of residential and commercial real estate projects.

Aidan graduated from Wayne State University Law School in 2024, where he attended as a full merit scholarship recipient. During law school, he served as a member of the Journal of Business Law and as a Board Member of the Business Law Society. He also gained valuable experience as a student attorney in the Legal Advocacy for People with Cancer Clinic, a medical-legal partnership between Wayne State Law School and Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center, where he provided legal representation to low-income cancer patients in matters related to housing, insurance, employment, estate planning, and public benefits.

Prior to joining the firm as an Associate, Aidan served as both a Summer Associate and law clerk at Dawda, where he worked on various aspects of civil litigation, business transactions, and residential and commercial real estate matters including development, acquisitions, sales, leases, and land use. He previously worked as a law clerk at Linnell & Associates, further expanding his experience in these areas.

Aidan earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Summa Cum Laude, from Oakland University in 2020, where he was a member of the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors Society and received Dean’s List distinction for all semesters attended. He began his undergraduate career at DePauw University as a dual-sport collegiate athlete in Swimming and Track & Field. His background also includes experience as a licensed residential real estate agent in Michigan, providing him with valuable insights into the real estate industry.

Adam Salomon is an Associate Attorney at Dawda PLC. His practice focuses on corporate law, real estate, and taxation. He advises clients on various business and real estate matters, with particular emphasis on corporate transactions and document drafting. Drawing from his background in finance and experience with family-owned businesses, Adam brings a unique perspective to helping clients navigate both legal and business challenges.

Adam graduated Summa Cum Laude from Michigan State University College of Law in 2024, ranking 9th in his class of 218 students. During his time at MSU Law, he distinguished himself academically, earning Jurisprudence Awards (highest grade) in eight courses, including Basic Income Taxation, Corporate Income Taxation, Constitutional Law II, Professional Responsibility, Pretrial II, Secured Transactions, Sales and Leases, and Contract Drafting.

While in law school, Adam participated in the Alvin L. Storrs Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic and The Geoffrey Fieger Trial Practice Institute, where he gained valuable practical experience. He served as a law clerk for the Michigan Tax Tribunal, where he drafted orders for Principal Residence Exemptions, summarized hearings, and expanded his knowledge of Michigan property taxation.

Prior to law school, Adam earned his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business in 2021. His business education, combined with his experience working in his father’s small business, provides him with valuable insights into the practical challenges faced by business owners.

Adam’s approach to client service emphasizes building trust through enthusiasm, optimism, and honest communication while managing expectations. He is committed to finding innovative solutions and delivering the best possible outcomes for his clients through dedicated effort and creative problem-solving.

John F. Youngblood’s corporate law practice is focused on counseling business entities and their ownership and management on a wide variety of day-to-day issues, along with the more significant “bet the company” issues. He likens his role to that of the typical general counsel employed full-time by a business, but he achieves the same results as an outside general counsel for the organizations he works with. He counsels clients on a wide range of issues and often engages other attorneys at Dawda when the issues require the input and involvement of highly qualified specialists in various disciplines within the law, such as commercial property acquisitions or sales, complex financing transactions, litigation, environmental issues, taxation, and personal estate planning.

While he has a clientele engaged in a wide range of business types, his corporate practice has a significant focus on the retail motor vehicle business and related entities. He represents an extensive number of individual and multi-dealership enterprises, including some of the largest sales volume dealerships in the country. He routinely represents clients in the negotiations of the sale and purchase of dealerships. His clients also include several dealer line group advertising associations throughout Michigan and neighboring states.

PRACTICE AREAS

• • Corporate Law
  • Real Estate

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.

Thomas R. August is a Senior Attorney at Dawda PLC, and has been practicing real estate law for more than 25 years. He has represented clients in transactions in more than 30 states as well as in Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean.

Thomas’ experience includes the negotiation and documentation of purchase, sale, lease, and financing transactions, along with related development and land use agreements. His work includes assisting clients in the examination of title and survey matters, key lease review, and related due diligence activities.

He has significant experience representing clients in the acquisition, development, financing, leasing, operating, and sale of assets in the industrial, retail, multifamily, manufactured housing, office, medical/dental, and warehouse arenas, as well as the assembly and development of vacant land. His clients include public and privately held companies, special purpose funds, banks, insurance companies, family offices, nonprofit organizations, and joint ventures.