Business Law and General Counsel
We work closely with owners, officers, board members, controllers, accountants and leaders to assist with day-to-day issues, permitting, licensing, contract matters, as well as all aspects of various business acquisitions, investments, sales, developments and financing. We work in cooperation with our clients’ accountants and tax advisors.
Drafting, reviewing, negotiating and enforcing contracts is one of our specialties.
We are experienced with drafting and enforcing innumerable types of contracts, and prosecuting, defending, and resolving various contract disputes. In addition to public pension systems, we serve as counsel to construction companies, automotive suppliers and developers. Experience includes development agreements, non-compete agreements, employment matters, union labor matters and disputes, construction liens, as well as dispute resolution, litigation and arbitration pursuant to the American Arbitration Association Rules. We have substantial experience in drafting and working with complex investment agreements and joint ventures in a wide range of asset classes. Through the representation of mortgage companies, pension funds, Greektown Casino, various developers and entrepreneurs, we have negotiated and documented development agreements and loan documentation serving sometimes as counsel to lenders, and sometimes as counsel to borrowers. Having worked from both sides, we have a wealth of information and experience to advise about practical, cost effective and feasible financing arrangements.
The key to a successful investment or lending/borrowing opportunity is the knowledge gained prior to investing or lending. Our goal is to provide our clients with insight into any business and/or investment adventure they consider.
We provide analysis and reports on various proposed loans and/or investments under consideration by business owners, lenders, investors and pension systems, including but not limited to, permanent and construction financing for real estate acquisition and development, equity/participation investments, startup companies and developments, mergers, joint ventures, and matters considered for loans and/or investments. It is important to know the background of the people that seek your investment and/or loan of money, the risks associated with the loan, the industry, business and/or investment, as well as the potential for profitability, participation and exit opportunities. With our real estate, finance and business background, due diligence assignments are a significant portion of our business.
We take pride in assisting each client with pro-active measures to avoid litigation and many times find that the most effective measures are pre-emptive. However, sometimes litigation is the necessary route. That’s when we will provide you with an aggressive, yet practical approach to pursuing your goals.
We are keenly aware of the need to focus on providing our clients with cost-effective and efficient strategies and procedures each step of the way. Numerous clients who initially sought assistance from the firm due to major conflicts and litigation battles have since continued to retain the firm in the negotiating process – before entering into contracts or relationships. Lawsuits are costly and remind everyone that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Document management in multi-million dollar lawsuits is second nature to this small, yet extremely organized firm.
In addition to state court actions in district court, circuit court, the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court, we litigate in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Eastern District of Michigan, and in courts in other jurisdictions after being admitted pro hac vice. We handle complex commercial arbitration matters in Michigan and elsewhere.
Historical representation includes:
- Restaurants, bars, hotels, casinos, concessionaires;
- Automotive suppliers, electrical suppliers, construction firms, retrofit construction suppliers, concrete contractors;
- Franchisees and franchisors;
- Non-profit organizations;
- Mortgage companies, credit unions, venture firms; and
- Individuals with investing, estate planning and/or probate issues
Services include:
- Negotiation, Preparation and Enforcement of Contracts/Transaction Documents
- Investment and Loan Analysis and Financing
- Mergers/Acquisitions
- Financing
- Dispute Resolution
- Complex Commercial Litigation
- Business Planning
- Corporate Governance, Entity Organization and Business Dissolution
- Joint Ventures
- Commercial Transactions
- Collections
- Landlord/Tenant matters
- Employment Matters
