Jerry T. Rupley

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...

Kathleen M. Gatti is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Kathleen M., 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 Kathleen M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Marlo Johnson Roebuck is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor Law - Management. Marlo Johnson, who practices law in Southfield, Michigan, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Marlo Johnson is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

As a mediator, investigator, consultant, litigator, negotiator and arbitrator, Patricia Nemeth, Of Counsel, at Nemeth Law, P.C., which specializes in management, labor and employment law. Certified by the American Arbitration Association as a Commercial and Employment Certified Arbitrator, she is also a Certified Mediator for the International Mediation Institute and the state of Michigan. Ms. Nemeth is certified as an investigator for the Association of Workplace Investigation and ATIXA Civi...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

Jay L. Welford is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Jay L., who practices law in Southfield, Michigan, has been recognized since 2003. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jay L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.