Michael Best Elevates Six Attorneys to Partnership 

Michael Best is thrilled to announce the election of six attorneys to the firm’s partnership, effective July 16, 2026. The newly named partners are: Ena Allen, Kellye Fabian Story, Devin Hayes, Emi Passini, David Shea, and Becky Thornton. 

Ena Allen, Litigation, Milwaukee 
Allen defends and advocates for clients from a wide range of industries, including healthcare, real estate, finance, manufacturing, and more. She has experience handling complex, high-value litigation from inception through resolution. 

Kellye Fabian Story, Litigation, Chicago
Story is a seasoned litigator and counselor with experience in various areas of law including employment, conflict resolution, policy review and development, governance, investigations, and litigation. She also helps develop restorative justice and reconciliation plans for nonprofits and faith-based organizations that have experienced trauma or significant conflict. 

Devin Hayes, Labor & Employment, Milwaukee 
Hayes’ practice focuses on risk avoidance and employer defense where he frequently represents employers in administrative proceedings and state and federal court litigation. He also regularly counsels clients on day-to-day employment matters and provides supervision and management training on all aspects of employment law. 

Emi Passini, Labor & Employment, Denver & Milwaukee
Passini represents management in a wide variety of employment litigation matters and assists in employment law compliance matters. She frequently represents employers in administrative proceedings and state and federal courts and assists in developing and maintaining compliant employment policies. She is also active in the Higher Education Industry group. 

David Shea, Litigation, Madison
Shea represents clients in a range of complex commercial litigation disputes across many subject matters, including construction litigation. He has experience with a variety of legal issues, such as breach of contract, negligence, fraud, defamation, bankruptcy, wrongful termination, and breach of fiduciary duty. 

Becky Thornton, Litigation, Raleigh
Thornton is a diligent advocate and trusted counselor with a diverse and robust litigation practice. She specializes in complex matters where she represents clients across a broad range of industries. She has successfully represented clients in state and federal courts, as well as at the appellate level before the North Carolina Court of Appeals, the North Carolina Supreme Court, and Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.