Best Lawyers in Michigan, United States for Real Estate Law
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Leslee Lewis provides legal advice to businesses (from privately held to Fortune 500), banks, nonprofits, and municipalities on matters such as business organization and governance, qualification and licensing of nonprofit entities, financing, contracts, consulting agreements, asset purchases, multi-million dollar loan originations and modifications, real estate purchasing and disposition, construction and development, secured transactions and mortgages, leases, title, conservation easements,...
Matthew B. Van Dyk is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Matthew B., who practices law in Kalamazoo, Michigan, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Michael J. Lusardi provides counsel to companies and individuals in the acquisition, disposition, leasing, development, construction, and financing of office, retail, industrial, mixed-use, and residential projects throughout the United States. He frequently works as real estate counsel for corporate clients, representing them in the acquisition, development, and leasing of real estate and assisting in day-to-day real estate affairs. Prior to joining Dickinson Wright, Michael practiced in Kat...
C. Kim Shierk possesses more than thirty years of experience and maintains one of the most highly regarded real estate law practices in Michigan. Ms. Shierk’s practice focuses on residential and commercial real estate development, with an emphasis on condominium law and a wide range of community property development. She also has extensive experience in telecommunications law. Ms. Shierk is a frequent lecturer on a variety of real estate-related topics for the Institute of Continuing Le...
Bill is a member of the Financial Services Practice Group and has significant experience in public financing, commercial and investment real estate lending and bankruptcy law. He represents financial institutions in a variety of commercial loans with Native American borrowers and has experience with related commercial lending issues such as waivers of sovereign immunity, submission to jurisdiction, governing law and trust lands.
J. Scott Timmer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. J. Scott, who practices law in Norton Shores, Michigan, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Scott is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
David T. Caldon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law and Real Estate Law. David T., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Mr. Scavone is chair of Bodman’s Real Estate Practice Group. He has represented banks and other financial institutions in a wide variety of complex, multi-million dollar, secured loans and other financial arrangements involving real estate. Such financings include mortgage loans, land acquisition and development loans, and construction financing for projects as diverse as shopping centers, apartment projects, office buildings, manufacturing facilities, residential developments, golf cou...
Ms. Zelenock represents national and regional lenders, mortgage bankers and loan servicers, with emphasis on capital markets, conduit and bank financing, including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac multifamily and manufactured housing lending. Ms. Zelenock has served as closing or supervising counsel for several billion dollars in commercial mortgage loans destined for securitization, including a variety of loan sizes and property types (multifamily, office, manufactured housing communities, nursing...
John G. Cameron, Jr., practices principally in the areas of real estate, construction, and general business law. He has written numerous chapters and articles and, in addition to writing the two-volume Michigan Real Property Law: Principles and Commentary (Michigan ICLE 3d ed) (often referred to as the “Bible” of Michigan real property law), is the author of the five-volume treatise Michigan Real Estate Forms & Practice (Aspen Publishers 1998) and A Practitioner’s Guide ...
Mr. Contis is a shareholder in the firm’s Business Practice Group, and Real Estate Practice Group. Mr. Contis concentrates his practice in the areas of, real estate acquisition and development, construction, mortgage and end-loan lending, participation loans, commercial and industrial leasing for landlords and tenants (including master leases, ground leases and subleases) and business planning. Mr. Contis regularly works with lenders, owners and court appointed receivers in the sale of ...
Eric R. Starck is a Member of the Firm and has been practicing law since 2001. His corporate practice focuses on commercial real estate, land use, zoning and environmental law.Mr. Starck advises clients in all areas of real estate law, including the acquisition, construction, financing, leasing and disposition of real property. He also advises clients on zoning, land use, environmental compliance and environmental due diligence issues. Mr. Starck is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and s...
Jennifer Goulah represents financial institutions, corporations, and individual clients in connection with complex real estate purchases, sales, and leases, and in connection with negotiating and documenting real estate finance transactions. She has extensive experience examining and assessing legal documents pertaining to interests in commercial land and access to natural resources and in advising clients as to legal procedures required to convey and establish legal interests in real estate....
For over 20 years, Todd has worked with and assisted businesses, developers, investors, financial institution, and brokers. He has helped them identify and navigate challenges and opportunities associated with general business transactions as well as complex real estate acquisitions and sales, residential and commercial condominium developments, commercial and industrial leasing, financing transactions, zoning and land use matters, joint ventures, and land development and construction project...
Melissa leads the Real Estate Practice Team, and focuses her practice on corporate and real estate matters, with an emphasis on commercial sales, acquisitions, leasing, redevelopment, and construction law. She has extensive experience in structuring primary and replacement real estate financing with banks, private investors, and joint ventures, including mezzanine and other uniquely structured secured loan facilities. Melissa offers her clients significant experience in negotiating commercial...
Gregory J. Gamalski is a member of Bodman’s Real Estate Practice Group. He counsels individuals and public and private businesses on real estate matters involving zoning, land use, acquisition, disposition, development, financing, and property tax issues. He also represents corporate clients in a variety of general business transactions. Mr. Gamalski has extensive experience in the real estate industry. Before joining Bodman he practiced with another Detroit-area business law firm where...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.