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PROMINENT ASSIGNMENTS
Successfully represented a mortgage lender in the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in connection with a property forfeiture sought by the federal government.
Serves as general counsel to a major mixed-use, community transforming real estate development, which faces challenges involving all aspects of law.
Negotiated a sophisticated subcontract for the installation of material handling equipment for what was anticipated to be a $500 million nationwide project.
Developed standard construction contracts for a well-known institution of higher learning and a major international corporation.
Successfully argued a pro bono case in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit involving the doctrine of constructive notice and a bankruptcy trustee�s status as a hypothetical bona fide purchaser.
Secured a significant inverse condemnation award when a city refused a rezoning request.
Negotiated nationwide commercial leases for a major industrial corporation and a major retailer.
Authored what is known as the "Bible" of Michigan real property law.
REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS
Andrie Inc.
Chicago Title Insurance Company
Grand Hotel Company
Gynecologic Oncology of West Michigan
Harbor Shores Community Redevelopment Inc.
Mary Free Bed Hospital & Rehabilitation Center
Sara Lee Corporation
Ticor Title Insurance Company
University of Michigan
Whirlpool Corporatio
Workstage, LLC
AREAS OF PRACTICE EMPHASIS
Commercial Contracts
Construction
Real Estate
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Best Lawyers in America, for both real estate law and construction law (since 1996)
Top Super Lawyer, Michigan Super Lawyers, 2006, 2007, 2008
Who's Who in American Law
Outstanding Young Men in America (1981)
Member, Wayne Law Review, 1972-1973
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
Elected Member, the American Law Institute (Service to date on the following Members Consultative Groups: Restatement of Property; Revision of UCC Article 2; Restatement of Agency; Restatement of Restitution; Project on the Law of Nonprofit Organizations)
Elected Member, American College of Real Estate Lawyers
Member, State Bar of Michigan Professional Ethics Committee and Land Title Standards Committee
Member, National Board of Editors of The Practical Real Estate Lawyer (1998-2004)
Member, National Real Estate Law Advisory Board, ALI-ABA (2007-present)
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Trustee, Mary Free Bed Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, 1997-2007; Board Chair 2005-2007
Blue and Gold Information Officer, United States Naval Academy
Member, Mary Free Bed Orthotics and Prosthetics Board
Moderator, "Ethics In View -Public Education Reform," one-hour television show for WGVU, Grand Rapids� PBS affiliate (1993)
Moderator, Free Press, Free Speech, "Free Society, How Much Is Too Much?," ninety-minute television show for GRTV, Grand Rapids, Michigan (1994)
Co-Chair, David Doyle For State Senate Committee
Co-Chair, Logie For Mayor Committee
Member, Steering Committee, Marge Byington for Congress
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
A Practitioners Guide to Construction Law (ALI-ABA 2000)
Michigan Real Estate Forms with Practice Commentary (LexisNexis, 1988)
Michigan Real Property Law: Principles and Commentary (Michigan ICLE)
ICLE books written include Michigan Real Property Law (chapter author), Michigan Law of Damages and Other Remedies (chapter author)
ICLE courses taught include 3rd Annual Solo & Small Firm Institute, Upper Michigan Legal Institute, John Cameron on Real Estate 2005: Updates and Practice Advice, Business Boot Camp II: Basic Training For Every Business Lawyer
Papers written for the Eastern Mineral Law Foundation Special Institute include Michigan Property Tax Matters, The Michigan Dormant Minerals Act, and Michigan Tax Titles
Member of the National Board of Editors of The Practical Real Estate Lawyer
EDUCATION
United States Naval Academy
Albion, B.A., 1971
Wayne State University Law School, J.D. 1974 (cum laude) | 