Joseph C. Smith

Mark R. High is a member in the Detroit, Mich. office of Dickinson Wright PLLC. He practices in the areas of business law, corporate finance, and international transactions. Mr. High has been practicing law for more than 25 years and serves as counsel to both public companies and closely-held businesses, as well as to the domestic operations of Canadian and other foreign companies. Mr. High received a B.A. degree, with honors, from The College of Wooster (Ohio) and his J.D. degree from Duke U...

Dustin Hoff is a highly successful trial attorney who joined Christensen Law in 2015. With over a decade of experience in personal injury litigation, Dustin is recognized for attaining high-value settlements and verdicts in complex PI and wrongful death suits. As one of our top litigators, his excellence in the courtroom has earned numerous accolades, including membership in the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), an invitation-only organization comprised of the nation&rsqu...

With a practice focus on Banking and Financial Services, William Shield, Jr. has served as counsel to agent bank and bank groups in numerous commercial lending transactions, including restructurings and other refinancings, secured and unsecured credits, acquisition and spin off financings, international multiple borrower financings, general working capital facilities, start up and joint venture financings and construction lending. He has extensive experience in asset based and other secured l...

Ms. Lewis represents national and regional financial institutions on commercial loan origination matters, including the structuring, negotiation and documentation of agented and syndicated loan transactions. Her experience encompasses leveraged buyout and sponsor-financed transactions, asset-based loans, commercial real estate transactions, including mortgage warehouse and mortgage repurchase facilities, and multi-currency facilities. She also has extensive experience in negotiation and closi...

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.

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...

Jeremy Knox is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Jeremy, who practices law in Southfield, Michigan, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeremy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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...

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 ...