Katharine Buehner Smith

Trey Brice is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Trey, who practices law in Southfield, Michigan, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Trey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kimberly Ross Clayson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Kimberly Ross, 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 Kimberly Ross 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...

Ms. Machnik represents financial institutions in Canada and the United States in cross-border transactions, acting on behalf of agents and lenders in multi-jurisdictional asset-based, acquisition, commercial, and equipment finance transactions involving public and private debtors. She also advises financial institutions seeking to expand their operations across the border on applicable laws, regulations, and market dynamics. Ms. Machnik holds law degrees from the United States and Canada and ...

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...

Mr. Shannon helps corporate and individual clients resolve large, multifaceted business disputes through negotiation, litigation, or alternative dispute resolution processes. He has served clients in nearly every major industry with a particular focus on the automotive and industrial sectors, construction companies, and financial institutions. Mr. Shannon has served as lead counsel in complex matters requiring the management of large litigation teams, dozens of witnesses, millions of pages of...

Mr. Dindoffer assists clients with a wide variety of environmental matters, including Brownfield redevelopment matters (including obtaining grants and tax incentives), environmental litigation, obtaining environmental permits, counseling them with respect to their responsibilities on environmental matters, and performing necessary due diligence and planning for corporate acquisitions, real estate purchases and financing. Mr. Dindoffer has extensive experience in environmental considerations o...

Mr. Deitch focuses his practice in corporate law, real estate law, and government relations. He has substantial experience in corporate governance matters, mergers and acquisitions, and structuring joint venture relationships, with a particular focus on the automotive and general industrial sectors. He also advises clients on all of the legal issues arising out of real estate development, leasing, and finance. As chair of Bodman's Automotive and Industrial Team, Mr. Deitch oversees the firm&r...

With a practice focus on Appellate and Commercial & Business Litigation, Scott Hamilton has first-chaired more than 20 federal and state bench and jury trials and argued over 30 cases in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second, Sixth and Tenth Circuits, Michigan Supreme Court and Michigan Court of Appeals. With a strong background in Insurance & ERISA Litigation, Scott has represented large insurers in dozens of ERISA benefits actions in trial court and on appeal and has rep...

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...