Litigation - Real Estate Commercial Litigation Land Use and Zoning Law
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Troy.
Richard E. Rassel III
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2017 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Richard E. Rassel, III focuses his practice primarily on the areas of business, real estate, and land use litigation as well as business and real estate transactions.
Richard’s clients include public and private companies across a wide spectrum of industries such as real estate, engineering, telecom, manufacturing, automotive, insurance, health care, retail, technology, staffing, investment funds and trusts.
In 2016, Richard assisted in closing three significant M&A deals and recovered nearly $10 million in settlement value for his client resulting from damaged international air cargo.
Richard's successful representation of a 50% owner of a real estate development, resulting in an approximate $5 million dollar settlement on behalf of his client, was cited among the top ten verdicts and settlements in Detroit in 2012.
Additionally, Richard represents several clients in cases alleging violations of the U.S. Constitution, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Fair Housing Act arising from municipal zoning and land use decisions.
Richard has been certified as a public Arbitrator by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) since 2013.
Richard is frequently honored by peers and ranking organizations for outstanding accomplishment in his field, including consistently being named as a “Michigan Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters annually since 2008, and in 2016 he was named to the publication "Best Lawyers in America."
Overview
- Wayne State University, J.D., graduated 1997
- Michigan, 1997
- Brother Rice High School Business Alliance - President
- Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) - Public Arbitrator
- Nexlink Communications, LLC - Director
- Oakland County Bar Association - Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
- Oakland County Bar Association - Inn of Court
- Oakland County Bar Association - Trial Section
- State Bar of Michigan, Litigation Section - Member
- State Bar of Michigan, Real Property Section - Zoning and Land Use Committee
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, 1998
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 1998
- Michigan, 1997
- Brother Rice High School Business Alliance - President
- Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) - Public Arbitrator
- Nexlink Communications, LLC - Director
- Oakland County Bar Association - Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
- Oakland County Bar Association - Inn of Court
- Oakland County Bar Association - Trial Section
- State Bar of Michigan, Litigation Section - Member
- State Bar of Michigan, Real Property Section - Zoning and Land Use Committee
- Wayne State University, J.D., graduated 1997
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, 1998
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 1998
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Litigation - Real Estate, Troy (2026)
- Litigation - Real Estate, Troy (2024)
- Litigation - Real Estate, Troy (2022)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Commercial Litigation
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Litigation - Real Estate
Awards:
Selected to "Best Lawyers in America" (2016-present)
- Selected to Michigan “Super Lawyers” (2008-present)
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