Spartan Profiles: Anessa Kramer

RISING TRADEMARK ATTORNEY

            Every year Crain’s Detroit Business identifies 40 rising stars who have had major achievements before reaching age 40.  One of this year’s stars is an attorney who was able to land all of Ford Motor Company’s trademark work around the globe.  Indeed, Anessa Owen Kramer, ’92, a lawyer with Southfield’s Brooks Kushman P.C., led the effort to secure the huge Ford account.  “The reason we were successful is that we thought out of the box,” says Kramer.  “We came up with some creative ways to save Ford a lot of money.  In Canada, for example, there were 20 firms handling their trademark work and we were able to present a more comprehensive plan that consolidated much of that work.” 

            Since that coup, she has helped her firm land some other major accounts, including Comcast and Starbucks.  Having gone to high school in Mount Pleasant, she chose to attend MSU “because it was close and a place where I felt comfortable.” 

            Anessa calls MSU “a great experience.”   “MSU prepared me well for my law school education and for my legal career,” she notes.  “I still have lifelong friends from MSU.”  

            She says her favorite professor was Harold Spaeth in political science.  “He used the Socratic method,” recalls Anessa.  “It was very intimidating.  But looking back, I really appreciate it because it prepared me to face law school.  That kind of training also helps prepare you for appearing in court.” 

            Besides her legal work, Anessa is very active with the Jewish Federation of Detroit, co-chairing the Ben-Gurion Society and the Shalom Baby Committee.  She is married and has two children ages four and two. 

            How does she find the time to handle motherhood, work and volunteer?  “I guess I don’t sleep,” she jokes, adding, “It’s all about networking. If you have success in one area, it leads to involvement in other areas.”