Best Lawyers in Detroit, Michigan

Mr. Amburn concentrates his practice on intellectual property protection and litigation. He prepares and prosecutes patent and trademark applications, drafts intellectual property opinions and agreements, and counsels clients in obtaining and enforcing intellectual property rights. He works on a wide variety of technologies including mechanical, software, and business methods. Mr. Amburn has over fourteen years of litigation experience including first chair jury trial, mediation, arbitration,...

Ms. Aref represents financial institutions in commercial lending transactions, including the structuring, negotiating and documenting of loan transactions, including syndicated loans, bilateral loans, subordinated loans and participations. She also has experience assisting corporate clients, including private equity firms, with borrowing and re-financing transactions, including secured and unsecured credit facilities, asset-based lending facilities, leveraged lending facilities, mezzanine fin...

Allison is a corporate attorney with experience in matters spanning a range of complex commercial transactions and business issues, with a particular focus on mergers and acquisitions. Allison is known for her pragmatic and creative approach to assisting clients in navigating their business and legal issues. She also brings her background in insolvency and restructuring to the table and routinely advises her clients on finance and insolvency-related matters. Allison works primarily with priva...

Mr. Bakst represents clients in the areas of creditors' rights, bankruptcy, reorganization, and insolvency. He regularly represents secured and unsecured creditors, debtors, trustees, and creditors' committees in loan workout and other negotiations and in state and federal courts. Upon graduation from Wayne State University Law School, Mr. Bakst clerked for a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan. He is a former two-term board member of the Detroit Chapter of the Turnarou...

Dave is a savvy, pragmatic problem-solver for clients involved in real estate, lending, and business. Dave's practice covers all aspects of real estate (including financing, development and work-outs), environmental law, corporate law, and business counseling. Dave also has an extensive creditor's rights practice, representing lenders both in court and out-of-court workouts, as well as protecting creditors' interests in bankruptcy proceedings. Dave has represented some of the area's largest r...

Eric Bartley specializes in complex commercial real estate finance transactions for national bank and non-bank lenders on both portfolio investments as well as investments intended for securitization in the capital markets. Specifically, Eric has served as lead counsel for clients in commercial mortgage originations – both senior and subordinate lien positions, mezzanine financing, preferred equity investments, and the related negotiation of intercreditor and participation agreements on...

Managing Director of the Private Equity Practice at Dickinson Wright PLLC. Mr. Bolton has extensive experience in all areas of corporate finance, private equity, mergers & acquisitions and securities. He has represented companies in a wide variety of transactions, including IPO and "going private" transactions, mergers, asset acquisitions or divestitures, recapitalizations, MBOs and LBOs. Mr. Bolton has also represented the sponsors of private equity and mezzanine funds in the organizatio...

Ms. Brouwer practices exclusively in labor and employment law, with particular experience in the defense of lawsuits against employers, including claims of race, age, religion, national origin, gender and disability discrimination, harassment and retaliation, as well as FLSA, FMLA and non-competition suits. She also provides harassment training and conducts discrimination and harassment investigations for employers. She has extensive experience in appearing before administrative agencies, inc...

Daniel L. Buckfire earned his undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Michigan Business School in 1989.Mr. Buckfire was Phi Beta Kappa and graduated in the top 10% of his class. He graduated cum laude from the prestigious University of Michigan Law School in 1991 and has been engaged in the private practice of law since his successful completion of the bar exam. Daniel L. Buckfire specializes in Michigan car accident cases, no-fault insurance claims, dram shop liability, and...

Lawrence (Larry) J. Buckfire is the managing partner and lead trial attorney at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. The Michigan personal injury law firm has six attorneys who specialize in serious injury, accident, and medical malpractice cases. The firm represents clients throughout the State of Michigan, and has offices in both Southfield and Ann Arbor. Lawrence earned his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Michigan in 1986 and his juris doctor degree from Wayne State Unive...

Mr. Burgess currently serves as Dickinson Wright’s Chairman. From 2010 through 2018, Mr. Burgess served as Dickinson Wright’s Chief Executive Officer, overseeing all aspects of the Firm’s professional and business operations, strategic planning, client relations and business expansion. For more than 20 years, served as counsel to secured lenders (including banks, insurance companies, lending syndicates, administrative agents, collateral agents and loan servicers) in all aspe...

Christopher A. Cornwall focuses his practice on complex Commercial and Business Litigation and Construction law. With a depth of experience in litigation, Mr. Cornwall represents corporations in business disputes, including breach of contract, tortious interference, fraud, non-compete provisions, shareholder claims and buy-sell agreements. He counsels business and private owners in real estate matters, including adverse possession, zoning issues, restrictive covenants, variances, boundary dis...

Mr. Curoe concentrates his practice primarily in representing high net worth individuals in estate planning, tax matters and business ventures. He specializes in helping wealthy individuals and business owners protect their assets, grow their businesses, and preserve a legacy for their families and charitable interests. Mr. Curoe also represents financial institutions and individual trustees on trust administration and litigation matters. He is the chair of Bodman's High Net Worth Practice Gr...

Brandon Dalziel represents business clients in matters involving health care, corporate and commercial law, including corporate organization, mergers and acquisitions, and other commercial transactions. He has represented a wide range of health care industry clients in complex transactions. Representative transactions include: numerous hospital member substitutions with hospital systems, the sale and purchase of medical, dental and other healthcare practices of varying size and complexity, ma...

Jessica Davis represents regional and national lenders in commercial loan originations, including single-lender, agented, and syndicated loans, as well as debt offerings and private placements. She also represents banks and equipment finance companies on equipment loan and lease originations, leveraged leases and lease acquisitions. Her commercial lending practice encompasses a wide variety of transactions, including multibank/ multi-borrower loans, senior and mezzanine financings, secured an...

Mr. Deason concentrates his practice in corporate and business law including corporate governance, finance, organization, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial transactions. He is an expert in local government law and served as a director and as president of the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys. Mr. Deason has extensive experience in aviation law. He counsels individuals and corporations in the acquisition of private aircraft and represents the owner of a major fixed base operat...

Mr. Deitch focuses his practice in corporate law, real estate law, and government relations. He has substantial experience in corporate governance matters, mergers and acquisitions, and structuring joint venture relationships, with a particular focus on the automotive and general industrial sectors. He also advises clients on all of the legal issues arising out of real estate development, leasing, and finance. As chair of Bodman's Automotive and Industrial Team, Mr. Deitch oversees the firm&r...

Acts as outside general counsel for employment matters, both with respect to counseling and litigation, for multiple employers with operations in Michigan and throughout the United States and in varied fields, including but not limited to, automotive, health care, public and private education, professional and consulting services, Information Technology services, and advertising. Work includes acting as general counsel for employment and litigation matters for foreign companies operating in t...

Phil DeRosier has nearly 20 years’ experience representing industry-leading corporations, banks, insurance companies, and individuals in the Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Court of Appeals, and U.S. Courts of Appeals. Phil has briefed and argued a wide variety of appeals, ranging from commercial contracts to insurance to business torts. He also devotes a significant part of his practice to briefing dispositive motions and working with trial counsel on pre- and post-trial motions, jury...

Mr. DeVito concentrates his practice on business and financial transactions and real estate matters, including: mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations of business entities; complex commercial and real estate lending and restructuring transactions; international business transactions; real estate sale and leasing transactions; securities law and private placements and healthcare related corporate matters. Mr. DeVito formerly served as Assistant General Counsel responsible for mergers and ac...

Robert J. Diehl, Jr., represents clients in complex business law matters and commercial transactions with a focus on debtor-creditor rights and bankruptcy.He represents lenders in out-of-court workouts and in bankruptcy proceedings involving all types of businesses and collateral, especially automotive-related businesses and real estate and construction businesses. Mr. Diehl has special expertise in matters relating to postpetition financing, lifting the automatic stay and maximizing realizat...

Mr. Dillon concentrates his practice in mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, investment and finance, tax and business structuring, commercial transactions and related tax issues. He represents public and private companies, emerging businesses, and investors. Mr. Dillon’s work customarily involves conducting legal due diligence, structuring transactions, and preparing and negotiating definitive agreements. Mr. Dillon is a certified public accountant and advises clients on the financia...

Mr. Dindoffer assists clients with a wide variety of environmental matters, including Brownfield redevelopment matters (including obtaining grants and tax incentives), environmental litigation, obtaining environmental permits, counseling them with respect to their responsibilities on environmental matters, and performing necessary due diligence and planning for corporate acquisitions, real estate purchases and financing. Mr. Dindoffer has extensive experience in environmental considerations o...

As both a lawyer and certified public accountant, Christopher J. Dine represents corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), trusts, foundations, and individual clients in tax, general business, and commercial matters. He regularly advises religious, non-profit, and tax-exempt organizations relating to obtaining and maintaining exempt status, corporate governance affairs, and general operational issues. Mr. Dine works extensively with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detr...

Mr. Finn represents lenders in secured and unsecured commercial financing transactions. He has represented commercial lenders in U.S.-dollar denominated commercial financings throughout the NAFTA region. He advises commercial banks on deposit and securities account issues related to secured lending. He has represented banks in multi-bank credit facilities, both as counsel to the lead bank and as advisor to banks participating in syndicated transactions. He also represents banks in connection ...

Brian P. Foley represents financial institutions, companies, and individuals in real estate matters, with an emphasis on commercial real estate secured financing transactions. He also regularly advises clients, as both lead and local counsel, in purchases and sales of real property (including sales of lender owned property), real estate workouts and foreclosures, loan sales (both performing and distressed), leasing transactions, and other general real estate matters.

Jim is a pragmatic problem-solver, a trusted counselor, and a leading real estate lawyer. He was named Detroit Real Estate Lawyer of the Year in 2012. Jim's practice covers all the aspects of real estate, including financing, development, bankruptcy, work-outs, environmental law, land planning and assembly, complex zoning, leasing and foreclosures. Jim combines broad knowledge with practical sense, so he makes complex real estate transactions work efficiently and properly. On top of that, he ...

Steve is unique: he combines extensive experience in complex litigation with extensive experience in complex business transactions. As a result, he brings a business perspective to commercial litigation, and a litigation perspective to commercial transactions. He has litigated employment disputes (in court and in arbitration), insurance disputes (on behalf of insurers and insureds), real estate disputes (on behalf of sellers, purchasers, lessors, lessees, mortgagors and mortgagees), corporate...

A third-generation plaintiff attorney, Kimberly Steinberg Goodman has provided injured persons incomparable assistance since her admission to the State Bar of Michigan. From the initial interview through the appellate process, Kimberly devotes the utmost care and attention to every case in order to get the most favorable result for her clients. Kimberly earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History of Art from the University of Michigan in 1992 and entered the workforce for several years befo...

Trial attorney with extensive litigation experience in federal and state courts throughout Michigan and Illinois in the following substantive areas of law: Commercial Litigation, with particular experience and expertise in the areas of contract disputes, business torts, misappropriation of trade secrets, and non-competition agreements. Insurance Defense Litigation, with particular experience and expertise representing insurers in defense of claims related to life, health, disability and ERISA...

With a practice focus on Appellate and Commercial & Business Litigation, Scott Hamilton has first-chaired more than 20 federal and state bench and jury trials and argued over 30 cases in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second, Sixth and Tenth Circuits, Michigan Supreme Court and Michigan Court of Appeals. With a strong background in Insurance & ERISA Litigation, Scott has represented large insurers in dozens of ERISA benefits actions in trial court and on appeal and has rep...

Mr. Hempstead concentrates his practice primarily in the areas of income, estate and gift tax planning for high net worth individuals, estate and trust administration, trust litigation, and charitable trusts and foundations. He is a member of the Probate and Estate Planning and Taxation sections of the State Bar of Michigan. He is also a member of the Financial and Estate Planning Council of Detroit. Mr. Hempstead was admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court in 1979. Crain&rsqu...

Ms. Hickey represents lenders in loan originations. Her practice encompasses secured transactions, loan workouts, and counseling lenders on lender liability and loan structure issues. Ms. Hickey’s practice also includes middle market lending, asset based loans, healthcare, educational institution and religious organization financing, international lending, captive insurance financing, private lending, real estate financing, multi-rate, multi-currency loans and facilities, agented and sy...

Mark R. High is a member in the Detroit, Mich. office of Dickinson Wright PLLC. He practices in the areas of business law, corporate finance, and international transactions. Mr. High has been practicing law for more than 25 years and serves as counsel to both public companies and closely-held businesses, as well as to the domestic operations of Canadian and other foreign companies. Mr. High received a B.A. degree, with honors, from The College of Wooster (Ohio) and his J.D. degree from Duke U...

Steve Howell has been practicing for over 40 years as a bankruptcy and insolvency lawyer providing a broad range of services in the distressed business context. A significant part of Steve’s practice is spent counseling lenders in troubled loan matters throughout the workout process, including exit strategies, refinancings, restructures, sales, out-of-court and court proceedings, bankruptcy and liquidation. Steve has also represented borrowers, creditors’ committees, creditors and...

Timothy H. Howlett is a Member and the Labor and Employment Practice Leader. Mr. Howlett focuses his practice on labor & employment counseling and labor & employment litigation. He has significant trial experience, including cases defending wrongful termination, race discrimination, disability discrimination, sex discrimination, due process and religious discrimination claims. He has represented clients in labor and employment administrative claims and arbitrations in several states i...

Mr. Kemsley represents banks, financial institutions, mortgage lenders and servicers, and other corporations in complex business and corporate litigation, including the defense of class actions. Mr. Kemsley has defended individual and class cases involving claimed violations of state consumer protection and deceptive practices laws, and federal laws and regulations including truth-in-lending laws. He has defended many large law firms in cases involving claims of legal malpractice and other mi...

I am a business lawyer with over 35 years of experience. I focus my practice on commercial, business and technology matters, software licensing and development agreements, data privacy and security, domestic and international distribution agreements, outsourcing, commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and general business and corporate law. I have been involved in transactions of various sizes and complexity, including representing software and technology companies in the sale of ...

Mr. Kochanek represents lenders in secured and unsecured loan originations, including multi-currency loan facilities, syndicated credit arrangements, and loans secured by stock and other assets located outside the United States, principally in Europe, Mexico, South America, and the Pacific Rim. He also has substantial experience in commercial mortgage financings, both construction and end loans, and other real estate transactions, and in commercial financing and real estate transactions in no...

Dan's practice covers a wide range of commercial lawsuits. He is an analytical and forceful litigator. Dan has significant experience in handling commercial disputes including automotive purchasing, supplier disputes, construction defect cases, and computer software issues. He also has extensive experience in shareholder disputes in close corporations with related antitrust and business tort issues. Dan has also handled professional disciplinary matters, including representation of law firms ...

Tripp Lake is a seasoned trial lawyer with a focus on intellectual property and commercial litigation. His career is highlighted by successfully leading over 70 jury trials to verdict, including approximately 65 as the primary attorney. His legal proficiency is evident in his representation of clients in complex patent and trade secret litigation across various fields, including medical devices, LED technology, electrical systems, fluid dynamics, and mechanical engineering. Tripp also has a s...

Doug LaLone is a partner at the firm. He serves as chair of the firm’s Strategic IP Practice Group which counsels start-up companies, PE, VC and IB firms on intellectual property strategies, due diligence and portfolio management concerns. Doug works on both the buy and sell side of M&A transactions. Doug has also successfully prosecuted and defended over 100 different Intellectual Property suits in numerous federal and state courts, and appeals before the Sixth Circuit Court of App...

Robert Lantzy is a graduate of the Central Michigan University and graduated cum laude from the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University in 1997. Robert is an experienced trial attorney and concentrates his practice in many areas of civil litigation, including truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, motor vehicle accidents, dog attacks, lead paint exposure and child lead poisoning, mold exposure and cases involving other general environmental contamination. He is a member of the Ame...

Mr. Larsen is vice chair of Bodman's Executive Committee and a member of the firm's High Net Worth Practice Group. He represents individual clients and financial institutions in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration, trust litigation, estate and gift tax, real estate transactions, the purchase, sale and lease of aircraft and watercraft, and closely-held business transactions and succession. Mr. Larsen has been named 2016 "Lawyer of the Year" for Litigation- Trusts and ...

John Lawrence has extensive experience in banking, financial services, and corporate finance, with particular emphases on government regulation of financial institutions, and on domestic and international commercial lending. He counsels depository institutions and holding companies on governmental regulation of their structure, activities and transactions, including mergers and acquisitions of financial institutions, and formation of U.S. and foreign subsidiaries. He also advises financial in...

Ms. Lentz concentrates her practice in representing high net worth individuals in estate planning, probate, and trusts. She regularly advises nonprofit and tax exempt organizations regarding obtaining and maintaining exempt status, corporate governance, and general operational issues. Ms. Lentz has been named 2016 "Lawyer of the Year" for Trusts and Estates by The Best Lawyers in America. She is listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2008-2017 under Trusts and Estates and in Michigan Super Law...

Ms. Lewis represents national and regional financial institutions on commercial loan origination matters, including the structuring, negotiation and documentation of agented and syndicated loan transactions. Her experience encompasses leveraged buyout and sponsor-financed transactions, asset-based loans, commercial real estate transactions, including mortgage warehouse and mortgage repurchase facilities, and multi-currency facilities. She also has extensive experience in negotiation and closi...

Ms. Machnik represents financial institutions in Canada and the United States in cross-border transactions, acting on behalf of agents and lenders in multi-jurisdictional asset-based, acquisition, commercial, and equipment finance transactions involving public and private debtors. She also advises financial institutions seeking to expand their operations across the border on applicable laws, regulations, and market dynamics. Ms. Machnik holds law degrees from the United States and Canada and ...

Andrew is a legal and business advisor with extensive experience in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, finance, commercial and tax matters. His clients rely on him to act as a trusted advisor and to provide practical advice with respect to major corporate events and transactions, and he serves as outside counsel for a number of his clients. Enjoys working collaboratively with clients to develop creative and pragmatic solutions to business and legal issues. Andrew has extensive M&A a...

Ralph E. McDowell assists clients primarily in the areas of commercial bankruptcy, debtors’ and creditors’ rights, and workouts. He has represented the interests of banks and other financial institutions in pre-bankruptcy workout situations, commercial bankruptcy cases, and troubled credit situations. His work with banks and financial institutions includes representation in court proceedings, sale of debt transactions, foreclosures, liquidation of assets, and forbearance arrangeme...