Carole S. Empey

Mr. Shulman represents lenders in loan originations. His practice also encompasses loan workouts, contract and other general business matters, as well as counseling lenders on lender liability issues. In addition, he represents lenders acting in non-lending capacities such as trustee or escrow agent. Mr. Shulman has extensive experience representing lenders providing credit enhancements for commercial paper back-up facilities and municipal bonds and representing lenders purchasing tax exempt ...

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...

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...

John M. Toth is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. John M., who practices law in Southfield, Michigan, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian R. Trumbauer focuses his practice in the area of debtor-creditor rights and bankruptcy, with a particular emphasis on representing banks and other financial institutions in loan workouts, commercial bankruptcy cases and troubled credit situations. He has represented secured and unsecured creditors, debtors, trustees, creditors’ committees and other interested parties in bankruptcy cases and debtor-creditor disputes. Mr. Trumbauer has served as a member of a standing Advisory Commi...

Paul F. Novak is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Antitrust Law. Paul F., who practices law in Detroit, Michigan, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ted Sylwestrzak has more than thirty-five years’ experience representing lenders. As a member of both Dickinson Wright’s Banking and Finance Group and Bankruptcy Group, he advises lenders in all areas of lending and in all aspects of their lending relationships. He is well-known by clients for his proactive approach, practical business judgment, and getting the deal closed with creative solutions. His representation includes structuring and documenting secured loans (with an empha...

Michelle C. Harrell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Litigation - Real Estate. Michelle C., who practices law in Southfield, Michigan, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michelle C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Edward Hood is a trial and arbitration attorney with decades of experience guiding clients through complex business disputes nationwide. Ed’s practice focuses on construction disputes, commercial litigation, and corporate governance matters. In addition to his litigation practice, Ed serves as an advisor on legal ethics and risk management issues. He counsels lawyers and law firms on professional liability matters and internal governance issues, drawing on his 20 years of experience as ...