James H. Combs

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...

Melissa K. Bridges represents banks and other financial institutions in a broad range of operational, regulatory compliance, and lending matters. She represents depository institutions and other financial companies in matters before regulatory and licensing agencies. She also assists financial services clients in connection with the development of new products and the implementation of new technologies. Her clients include national, regional, and community banks, credit unions, and mortgage c...

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...

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...

David M. Moss is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. David M., who practices law in Southfield, Michigan, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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...

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...

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.

Dondi R. Vesprini is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Dondi R., 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 Dondi R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.