Butzel promotes Lori Thomas Simoncic to Chief Operating Officer
Ed Przybylo appointed Operations Director and Dana Burleigh is Director of Human Resources
DETROIT, Mich. – Butzel has promoted the following leaders: Lori Thomas Simoncic is Chief Operating Officer; Edward M. Przybylo is Director of Operations and Dana Burleigh is Director of Human Resources.
Lori Thomas Simoncic
Lori Thomas Simoncic is celebrating 24 years with Butzel. She has served in the roles of Chief Human Resources Officer and Director of Human Resources, among other positions within the Human Resources Department.
She is deeply engaged in the planning and execution of all aspects of Butzel’s strategic plan to achieve the firm’s vision and short- and long-term growth objectives and all facets of the firm’s operations.
Her deep experience informs her success in maintaining Butzel’s standard of excellence while continually improving all aspects of firm operations.
Simoncic is a strong advocate of employee wellness and providing connections and growth opportunities. She is a member of numerous firm committees. Simoncic also is Chair of the firm’s Privacy and Cybersecurity Compliance Committee, and is a member of Butzel’s AI Task Force.
She is active in the community and has served as an Advisory Board Member at Midnight Golf Program, an organization dedicated to equipping young adults to succeed in college, in their careers, and beyond, through the discipline of golf. She also supports Folds of Honor, an organization that helps dependents of fallen military heroes through scholarships and other support and is an American Dunes Founder. American Dunes is a golf club dedicated to the mission of supporting families of fallen and disabled service members and their families and is the legacy course to the birthplace of Folds of Honor.
Simoncic is a graduate of Central Michigan University (B.S.) and Ball State University (M.A.). She is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA).
Edward M. Przybylo
Edward (Ed) Przybylo, Sr., leads Butzel’s operations functions in ten office locations throughout the country.
He has concentrated his career in operations and account management within the legal, manufacturing, commercial, and automotive sectors. For more than two decades, Przybylo’s focus has been in the legal industry. His expertise includes deployment of new technology, asset management, client relations, change management, leadership development, contract negotiations, and process improvement.
For nearly a decade, Przybylo has led Butzel’s operations initiatives and directed a staff of professionals in all facets inherent to the efficient and cost-effective delivery of the high-quality service programs that are integral to the operations of the firm. He has implemented numerous programs throughout various departments essential to the firm’s operation—all while achieving financial improvement and increased productivity for the firm and its clients.
Przybylo’s strong background in vendor relations, information technology, and project management, among other skills developed during his career, have informed his success in the negotiation of contracts to acquire equipment, hardware, information technology, and other operations for the firm. He has directed extensive projects resulting in the successful launch of business operations at several of Butzel’s office locations, including infrastructure improvements and technology and hardware installations, to ensure a smooth transition for all firm personnel.
Przybylo earned a Bachelor of Computer Information Technology and Security, Networking from Baker College. He is a member of the firm’s Privacy and Cybersecurity Compliance and Technology Committees
Dana Burleigh
Dana Burleigh has an extensive human resources background. She joined Butzel in 2022 as a human resources manager. Prior to joining Butzel, she was an office manager for a local law firm.
She manages Butzel’s legal support teams; coordinates employee recognition programs, analyzes compensation and monitors the firm’s performance management program. Burleigh assists in organizational training and development efforts for legal support staff including skills assessments and program development in coordination with the technical training specialist. She develops, recommends, and implements HR policies and procedures; maintains a handbook on practices and procedures for the firm. She participates in developing department goals, objectives, and procedures and works with firm managers to coach, counsel and guide them on firm policies.
Burleigh also is responsible for the daily administration of the firm’s 401(k) benefit. She monitors and manages the firm’s PTO. She works in tandem with other departments, Butzel’s leadership and various committees on firm initiatives.
She is active in the community. She is a volunteer she has served as a volunteer with Lighthouse, which helps local families in need. She also served as co-director of the food pantry and community dinner at a local church.
Burleigh earned a degree in Business Administration and Management from Macomb Community College.
