Our Attorneys

A. Rita Kostopoulos
Attorney

Founder of The Fresh Start Center Law Firm. Rita was born on November 25, 1962 and admitted to the Michigan Bar in November 2001. Rita’s areas of practice are consumer bankruptcy, business law and real estate law. In addition, Rita holds a Real Estate Brokers License and is the owner of Sparta Realty LLC. Rita also owns Astro Title Company.

EDUCATION: She attended Wayne State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Degree with a major in Management in May of 1998 (“Cum Laude” ); and immediately enrolled at the Wayne State University Law School (J.D. received in May of 2001).

Rita is a former law clerk to the Honorable James Biernat Sr., Macomb County Circuit Court, from 2000-2001. In addition, she was employed at the law offices of Lupo & Kockzur PC in Detroit.

MEMBER: State Bar of Michigan; admitted to practice in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; in the United States District Court, Western District of Michigan, ; Consumer Bankruptcy Association Member, American Bankruptcy Institute Member, and member of the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association. In addition, Rita is president of the Hellenic Bar Association, speaks reads and writes Greek fluently.

E-Mail Rita at: ritak@go4bankruptcy.com

 

Seohee Kong
Attorney

Seohee Kong, aka Sophie, is a Attorney at the law firm of Kostopoulos & Associates, PLLC. She earned her B.A. degree at Ewha Women’s University in South Korea in 2002. She earned her Master’s degree at Cornell University in 2004. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 2008. She took the Michigan State Bar exam on July 29-30, 2008.

 

John Kavadas
Attorney

John Kavadas is an associate in the law firm of Kostopoulos & Associates, PLLC. He earned his B.A. degree at the University of Michigan (1983) and his J.D. degree at the Detroit College of Law (1990). He was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan (1990), State Bar of Florida (1991) and the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan (1990).

 

Michael Benkstein
Attorney

Micheal Benkstein is an associate in the law firm of Kostopoulos & Associates, PLLC. He earned his B.A. degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1999) and his J.D. degree at the Michigan State University College of Law, East Lansing, Michigan, (2005). He was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan (2006), and the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan (2007). Professional Associations and Memberships: American Bankruptcy Institute 2007-2008; American Bar Association 2006-2008.

 

Steven Zeer
Attorney

Steven Zeer is an associate in the law firm of Kostopoulos & Associates, PLLC. He attended Michigan State University, graduating in 2003, and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School – Oakland Section, graduating in 2007. He was admitted to the Michigan State Bar in 2007 and the Eastern District of Michigan in 2008.

 

Daniel V. Padilla, Of Counsel

Daniel V. Padilla is a Trial Attorney and head of the Padilla and Associates where his main area of practice is personal injury law.   Mr. Padilla represents skilled trades, laborers and union workers for all personal injury matters.  He has lectured for professional groups on his areas of practice and serves as a Court  appointed Mediator and Arbitrator.   He received his B.A. degree from the University of Michigan and his J.D. degree from Wayne State University and William and Mary College.  

K. Dino Kostopoulos, of counsel

Practice Areas

* Commercial & Business Litigation
* Corporate
* Real Estate/ Construction
* Technology Transactions/ E-Business
* Bankruptcy & Restructuring

 

John Kostopoulos

Office Administrator / IT

John K. Kostopoulos is an administrative assistant in the law firm of Kostopoulos & Associates, PLLC. He has been employed since April of 2007.

 

 

Leo E. Alexander

Leo is the Office Manager/Bookkeeper for Kostopoulos & Associates PLLC. He has been with the firm since December 2004. Prior to his entry in the legal environment, Leo was a retired Mechanical Engineer and Business Investor. He was formerly employed at Boeing Aircraft and AT & T.

 

 

Kristen Cady

Kristen Cady is a legal assistant in the law firm of Kostopoulos & Associates, PLLC. She attended South Lake High School and earned her G.E.D. from Chippewa Schools in 2001.

 

 

 

Bridget Rodway

Bridget Rodway is a legal assistant in the law firm of Kostopoulos & Associates, PLLC.

 

 

 

Mirna Moncada

Mirna Moncada is a paralegal at the law firm of Kostopoulos & Associates, PLLC. She graduated from the University of Southern California and received her Bachelor of Science. She also attended Michigan State University-Law School, where she received her Juris Doctorate.

 

 

Tina Kostopoulos

Mrs.Kostopoulos is a mail clerk in the law firm of Kostopoulos & Associates PLLC.

 

 

 

Krystjan Szerzynski

File Clerk / Runner

 

 

 

Amanda Pulaski

Amanda is one of two receptionists at Kostopoulos & Associates and has been working with our firm since October of 2006. Before working at our firm Amanda worked with a boy with autism for 5 years and wants to go to school to be a Registered Nurse.