Butzel has promoted Lori Thomas Simoncic to COO, Edward M. Przybylo to director of operations, and Dana Burleigh to director of human resources.

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 engaged in the planning and execution of all aspects of Butzel’s short- and long-term growth objectives and all facets of the firm’s operations.
Simoncic is a member of numerous firm committees. She also is chair of the firm’s privacy and cybersecurity compliance committee and is a member of Butzel’s AI task force.
She 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.
Simoncic 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.
Simoncic received her undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant and master’s degree from Ball State University in Indiana. She is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA).

Przybylo leads Butzel’s operations functions in 10 office locations throughout the country. He has concentrated his career in operations and account management within the legal, manufacturing, commercial, and automotive sectors.
Przybylo’s 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 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 earned a bachelor’s degree in information technology and security, networking from Baker College in Royal Oak. He is a member of the firm’s privacy and cybersecurity compliance and technology committee.

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. She 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 human resources policies and procedures as well as maintaining 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 is also 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.
Burleigh earned a degree in business administration and management from Macomb Community College.