Best Lawyers in Michigan, United States for Real Estate Law

Bill Acker is a shareholder, director and corporate vice president. He maintains an “AV” peer review rating with Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, the highest peer review rating for attorneys. He was also selected for inclusion in the 2010-2019 issues of Michigan Super Lawyers magazine featuring the top 5% of attorneys in Michigan in the practice area of Estate Planning & Probate. He has also been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2020 in...

Jon is a partner in the real estate group. His practice is transaction-oriented, assisting clients in real estate purchases, sales, exchanges, leasing, financing and development matters. He represents businesses, institutions, developers, and investors in their real estate needs. In addition to Jon’s current community commitments, he has been involved in a variety of community organizations over the years including the State Bar of Michigan Access to Justice Campaign, Legal Aid of Weste...

Leslie Banas counsels companies and individuals in business and real estate matters. She assists clients in organizing business entities, acquiring assets, negotiating contracts, and satisfying regulatory requirements. Her clients include entrepreneurial and established companies in the real estate, housing, service, health care, manufacturing, hospitality and other industries. Ms. Banas represents real estate owners and investors in dealing with office, retail, hospitality, industrial and co...

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...

James R. Brown concentrates his law practice in municipal law and real property law. He represents many townships, villages, cities and other municipal bodies throughout West Michigan and elsewhere in the state. His law practice has a particular emphasis in the representation of townships, and he serves as general counsel for a large number of townships in Kent County and in surrounding counties. Jim is also an experienced township official, having served for 25 years as chairperson of the Gr...

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 ...

Practice Areas - Business and Corporate Planning, Commercial and Mortgage Financing, Corporate and Limited Liability Company Law, Estate Planning, Exit Planning, Family Business Planning, Mergers and Acquisitions, Real Estate His practice involves him in a wide variety of business planning/structuring situations, exit planning, shareholder/partner separations and the entire gamut of real estate and business transactions. Mr. Castelli represents a number of closely held businesses, resulting i...

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 ...

James B. Cunningham is a resident in our Nashville, Tennessee and Troy, Michigan offices and focuses his national practice in four primary areas: 1. Commercial real estate acquisition, divestiture and development matters, 2. Real estate finance and capital markets transactions, 3. Commercial loan workouts, resolutions and enforcement actions, specifically in the CMBS industry and 4. Corporate matters, with an emphasis on corporate mergers and acquisitions. James' commercial real estate practi...

Nyal is a partner in the Real Estate Practice Group. He focuses his practice on conveyance and lease transactions, land use approvals for various development projects including shopping centers, resorts, residential subdivisions, marinas and commercial projects, construction and permanent lending, on behalf of lenders and borrowers and real estate investment trusts. He has unique municipal experience having served as a member of the East Grand Rapids City Commission and Chairperson of its Pla...

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.

Brian P. Foley represents financial institutions, companies, and individuals in real estate matters, with an emphasis on commercial real estate secured financing transactions. He also regularly advises clients, as both lead and local counsel, in purchases and sales of real property (including sales of lender owned property), real estate workouts and foreclosures, loan sales (both performing and distressed), leasing transactions, and other general real estate matters.

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...

Fredric N. Goldberg practices in the area of corporate and business law, with an emphasis in transactional practice, and in the area of college and university law. In addition, he has developed substantive expertise in the field of water law and the law of natural resources generally. He was recently recognized in the 2010 Best Lawyers publication for his water law expertise. Fred is a member of the Grand Rapids Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan. He received his bachelor's degree ...

Mr. Gonway specializes in real estate, mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, family offices and secured lending. His experience includes the acquisition, financing, construction, development and leasing of all types of commercial real estate (with particular expertise in multi-family housing), as well as the representation of clients in all aspects of corporate law, mergers and acquisitions and commercial transactions, including complex franchise acquisitions and private equity s...

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...

Experience Mr. Heritage concentrates his practice in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, business formation and planning, corporate law, health care law and real estate law. He has over 17 years of experience in dealing with complex business and commercial transactions within a broad range of industries. Will’s practice includes representation of small to large privately-held businesses as well as international business clients. Many of his clients are involved in the automotive indu...

David has served as counsel in hundreds of real estate, lending and workout transactions and matters, and is particularly experienced in the negotiation and closing of sale and lease transactions for office, retail, multifamily and health care clients. Dedicated to providing practical legal advice in a responsive way when it comes to negotiating and closing even the most complex and challenging real estate transactions, David is committed to providing a high degree of attention to detail with...

Neil P. Jansen received his bachelor's degrees in Political Science and International Studies from Michigan State University in 1984 and his law degree from Wayne State University in 1988, where he was a member of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court team and Chancellor of the Moot Court Program. Neil practices in the areas of civil and real estate litigation, probate litigation, estate planning and eminent domain. He is a member of the Grand Rapids and American Bar Associations,...

Neil specializes in business, estate and gift tax planning, estate planning, probate, business succession planning, and real estate law, representing numerous individuals and businesses with their planning and business issues since 1984. Neil is a member of the estate planning, probate, real property, and business and taxation sections of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan, and the Grand Rapids Bar Association. Neil is a member of the Western Michigan Estate Planning Coun...

Monica Labe is a senior member of the firm and was the Practice Department Manager of the firm's Real Estate, Environmental and Energy practices from 2008-2011. She is currently a member of the firm's Management Group, serving as Deputy CEO in Charge of Practice Management and Business Development and Marketing and the prior four years, she oversaw the Finance, Accounting and Human Resources departments for the firm. Ms. Labe has extensive experience representing large multi-national corporat...

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,...

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...

David Marsh, a shareholder with the firm, has extensive experience in commercial and residential real estate transactions and environmental law matters. He has counseled purchasers and sellers of commercial and residential real estate with respect to drafting and negotiating purchase agreements, leases and closing documents; obtaining title insurance coverage; conducting necessary due diligence (including inspections and environmental surveys); and arranging for and negotiating financing. Mr....

Prior to joining Dickinson Wright, Jim served as legal counsel for the Internal Revenue Service, as a Senior Tax Attorney with the Office of Chief Counsel, and as a Special Assistant United States Attorney with the Department of Justice, where he developed an expertise in tax appeals, audits, collections, and litigation. Since moving into the private sector and practicing law at Dickinson Wright, his unique expertise and extensive experience has proved to be invaluable in assisting individual...

Steve is a partner and member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Team. He is experienced in corporate transactions and real estate matters.

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...

Daniel J. Parmeter, Jr. specializes in general business law, including entity formations, mergers and acquisitions, sales, finance, commercial transactions, and joint venture agreements; and in general real estate law, including acquisitions, sales, construction, leasing, condominiums, development and finance. Dan received his bachelor's degree from Hope College and his law degree from Case Western Reserve University where he graduated cum laude. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.

Michael Peterman has more than 30 years of experience as a finance and real estate attorney. He focuses his practice on real estate and commercial loan originations, real estate sales and acquisitions, and commercial leasing. He represents national and regional financial institutions in all areas of commercial lending with an emphasis on bi-lateral and syndicated real estate and construction originations and workouts, commercial and industrial asset-based loans, and international financing. I...

Richard Rattner has more than thirty years of experience in real estate law, with specialties in real estate acquisition, sale and loan transactions, land use development, zoning, and corporate law. Mr. Rattner is a member of the Oakland County Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan, the American Bar Association and the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation. He served on the Governing Council of the Real Property Law Section (RPLS) of the State Bar of Michigan and remains an active parti...

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...

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...

Jon is a business and real estate attorney at Rhoades McKee. He represents clients in complex mergers and acquisitions, commercial real estate deals, succession and exit planning, private placements, and bank financing transactions. Jon was the first attorney in Michigan to become a Certified Merger and Acquisition Advisor through Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors. Learn more on the firm website .

Art has extensive experience in condemnation (eminent domain), real estate and zoning matters, including the litigation of dozens of significant cases. He has represented clients in Michigan District and Circuit Courts, Federal District Courts, the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court and the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. Learn more on the firm website.

Mr. Spilkin serves as primary real estate counsel for large corporate clients, particularly those in the automotive industry, in matters involving the purchase of real estate for development, the sale of excess real estate, and their general day-to-day real estate activities. His real estate practice also includes the representation of buyers, sellers and developers in commercial, industrial and residential purchases and sales ranging from single family homes to multi-million dollar complex t...

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...

Benjamin A. Zainea, a native of Grand Rapids, graduated from Northview High School in 1992. He attended the University of Michigan School of Business Administration, where he served as president of the professional/service fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi and graduated with high distinction in 1996. He earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1999. Ben specializes in business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, business formation, general business and real estate la...

Mr. Zatz represents financial institutions and other clients in real estate and lending transactions.He has over 30 years of in-house and law firm experience providing lending and real estate related legal services. He is skilled in drafting, negotiation, risk identification, management, and process development and implementation. Before joining Bodman, Mr. Zatz served as a senior vice president and associate general counsel for Comerica Bank. At Comerica Bank, Mr. Zatz managed the legal depa...

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...

RJ. serves as a strategic partner and counselor to his clients and their business needs across multiple industries, including automotive, finance, health care, leasing, property development, real estate development, staffing, technology, and telecom. He prioritizes developing an intimate understanding of his clients' unique goals and challenges and applies his deep knowledge of the law to ensure proactive and results-based legal counsel. A formidable and accomplished advocate, RJ. also acts a...