Dickinson Wright.pdf - Macomb County

Proposal Response Tab A
Appendix Tab 8
• Areas of Municipal Law Expertise Tab 8.1
• Municipal Clients Tab 8.2
• Attorney Resumes Tab 8.3
• Firm History. Tab 8.4
• Firm Profile Tab 8.5
Diversity Commitment Tab 8.6
=
c:>
c:J
rTl
ro
rn
'::J

Macomb County Charter Commission
December 18, 2008
Page 3
DlCKINSON WRIGHT PLLC
Our expertise in many other areas invariably comes into play in the context of our
representation of governmental entities, including but not limited to our extensive expertise in
thc areas of Land Usc, Zoning and Variances, Public Real Estate, Private Real Estate, Real
Estate and Construction related Litigation, Real Estate and related Contracting, Construction
Contracting, Bankruptcy, Business Technology, Commercial and Business Litigation, Corporate,
Immigration, Election Law, Intellectual Property, LaborlEmployment Relations, Municipal
Law & Finance, State and Local Taxation, and State Constitutional Law.
///../­
III. AREAS OF EXPERIENCE
Set forth below are descriptions of our firm's experience in the substantive areas of law
that we can bring to the Charter Commission:
• State Constitutional Law: Of particular importance in the drafting of a county charter
is Michigan constitutional law. Dickinson Wright attorneys have a long history of
working with the Michigan Constitution of 1963. Two of our lawyers were delegates
at the constitutional convention (one chaired the committee that drafted the actual
language of the Constitution). Others have advised governors and other public
officials on matters of constitutional law for many years, and another has taught
Michigan constitutional law at the law school level. Most recently, Dickinson Wright
served successfully as lead litigation counsel on behalf of opponents of a 2008 ballot
proposal that would have rewritten Michigan's Constitution.
• Charter Drafting: Dickinson Wright lawyers have participated in the development,
drafting and revision of charters, including the nccessary interface with the Michigan
Attorney General's office on permissive and mandatory charter provisions under
Michigan law. We also have reviewed charters on behalf ofthe State.
• State and Local Taxation: Dickinson Wright has several of the state's leading experts
on state and local taxation. Dickinson Wright lawyers have been called upon, for
cxample, to assist the Michigan Department of Treasury in the drafting, revision, and
interpretation of state tax laws, and have provided tax free advice to numerous clients,
both public and private.
• Municipal Finance: We have enjoyed a more than a half-century position as one of
the top firms in the State of Michigan in terms of municipal finance. Our bond
counsel opinions arc accepted in all significant bond and securities markets. Our fiml
also is one of only two in the state of Michigan that have two decades of broad
experience acting as bond counsel to tlle State of Michigan and various state
authorities. We presently serve as bond and note counsel to the State of Michigan,
bond counsel to State Housing Development Authority, State Hospital Finance
Authority, Michigan Department of Transportation, Michigan Strategic Fund, State
Counselors Al Law
DETROIT DLOOMFIELO HILLS LANSING GRAND RAPIDS
ANN ARBOR WASHINGTON, D.C. TORONTO

'0
Macomb County Charter Commission
December 18, 2008
Page 6
DICKINSON WRIGHT PLLC
down the hall, with the resources of one of the state's largest and most diverse law firms at your
beck and call, can be totally fulfilled by our integrated and holistic approach to the servicing of
our clients.
VII. LEGAL SERVICES TEAM
Our firm's size and depth provide us with an unsurpassed ability to craft appropriate legal
teams for each client. We have identified the following firm members as those we anticipate will
likely be involved, along with your primary contacts, in rendering services to the Charter
Commission:
Practice Areas
William T. Burgess (City Attorney for Real Estate, Land Use, Zoning
Grosse Pointe Farms)
Joseph W. DeLave
John G. Cameron, Jr.
Mark F. Makower
Peter H. Webster (former Oakland
County Commissioner)
Paul M. Wyzgoski Tax Exempt Bonds; Finance
Thomas V. Yates
Terry M. Donnelly
Kester K. So
Peter H. Ellsworth Charter, Election and Constitutional Issues
Michael A. Holmes
Jeffrey V. Stuckey
Peter S. Sheldon Snte and Local Taxativll
Thomas D. Hammerschmidt, Jr.
Dennis W. Archer Goverrunental Relations
Peter H. Ellsworth
Jeffrey V. Stuckey
Louis Theros (City Councilman, Grosse Labor Relations
Pointe Farms)
Timothy H. Howlett
James B. Perry
Resumes ofthe above attorneys are available under Tab B.3.
COllllselors At Law
DETROIT BLOOMFIELD HILLS LANSING GRAND RAPIDS
ANN A R II 0 R WAS II r N G rON, DC. TOR 0 N T 0

Macomb County Charter Commission
December 18, 2008
Page 8
DICKINSON WRIGHT PLLC
providing background guidance and information to such members and participating in such
meetings and proceedings as arc necessary.
IX. FEES FOR LEGAL SERVICES
The charges for our services will be a blended rate for work by all attorneys of
$280/hour. The proposed blended rate is a significant reduction of standard billing rates for our
partners (in some instances of more than 40%), as our firm recognizes the historic importance of
Macomb County drafting its first Charter. At the same time, it recognizes the specialized skill
sets of senior attorneys who will be needed to advise the Charter Commission on the various
topics it will address.
We also have established billing practices which we think you will find unique and
different from many firms with whom you may be familiar or from whom you may receive a
proposal. For example:
• We will not bill to have one of our attorneys attend Charter Commission meetings
when asked to attend.
• We will not bill for routine correspondence or telephone calls which are not
completed (i.e., no minimum billing increments or hidden fixed charges).
• We will not pass on to you our telephone charges unless it is a third-party vendor
charge.
• We will not charge for expedited deliveries that are our fault.
• We will not charge for travel expenses for the attorneys in our Southeast Michigan
offices, and will not bill for lodgings or meals unless approved by you in advance.
X. TIlE DICKINSON WRIGIIT COMMUNITY
We believe our community is rcflective of the community in which we are privileged to
be a )Jart, and this includes diversity and equal employment opportunity. Many of our attomcys
live in Macomb County and in the neighboring counties. We arc proud of our diversity and our
commitment to it. In fact, according to the Summer 2008 Minority Law Journal Diversity
Scorecard, Dickinson Wright has the highest score for diversity of any Michigan law firm: 18.0.
XI. REFERENCES
We would encourage you to feel free to contact Mr. Louis Theros if you would like
referenccs from any of our public-sector clients.
Counselors At Law
DETROIT J3LOOMFIELD I-IILLS LANSING GRAND RAPIDS
ANN ARBOR WASHINGTON, D.C. TORONTO

Areas of Municipal Law Expertise
Dickinson Wright has been intricately involved in addressing the entire spectrum of legal service
requirements for municipalities since its inception.
Our municipal rcpresentation includes services in all of the following areas, among others:
• Real Estate
• Construction
• Environmental Regulation
• Bidding
• Intergovenunental Cooperation
• Institutional Agreements and Contract Law
• Public Sector Legislation and Laws
• Freedom of Infonnation
• The Open Meetings Act
• Roberts Rules of Order
• Corporate and Municipal Bylaws
• Contract Negotiations and Grievance Resolution
• 501(C)(3) and othcrNot for Profit Entities such as Foundations/Trusts
• MERC Proceedings
• Employment Policies
• Civil Rights and Affirmative Action
• Employee Discipline
• Creditor Rights
• Intellectual Property
• Litigation
• Charitable Contributions
• Taxation
• Employee Benefit-c­
• Discipline and Suspensions
• Law Enforcement
• Bond Counsel Services
• Government Regulations
• Insurance
• State Capita! Outlay Requirements
• Appl'Opriate Use Policies
• Technology Acquisition and Ownership
• Student Employee Privacy Rights, Civil Service
• Immigration
• Elections
• Fcderal Compliance
• Board Govcrnancc

MUNICIPAL CLIENTS
State of Michigan
Bureau of State Lottery
Michigan Department of Transportation
Michigau Higher Education Facilitics Authority
Michigan Higher Education Student Loan Authority
Michigau Job Commission
Michigan Municipal Bond Authority
Michigau Municipal Electric Association
Michigan Municipal League
Michigan Public Education Facilities Authority
Michigau Public Power Agency
Michigan State Hospital Finance Authority
Michigan State Housing Developmcnt Authority
Michigan Strategic Fund
Michigau Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority
Michigan Underground Storage
Michigan, State Bar of
Michigau, State of
State of Michigan Building Authority
Statewide Services for the Hearing Impaircd
Allegan Connty
Allegan County Board of Public Works
Allegan County Drain Commissioner
Allegan County Road Commission
Units of Loeal Government (By Connty)
Allegan, City of
Holland, City of
City of Holland Building Authority
Holland Area Community Swimming Pool Authority
Antrim County
Antrim County Treasurer
Arenac County
Arenac, County 0 f
Standish Hospital Finance Authority

Baraga County
Baraga, County of
Baraga County Treasurer
L'Anse, Village of
Barry County
Barry, County of
Bay County
Bay County Department of Publie Works
Bay County Drain Commissioner
Bay County Public Schools
Auburn, City of
Essexville, City of
Berrien County
Galien Township Public Schools
Baroda, Village of
Benton Harbor, City of
Benton, Charter Township of
Berrien Springs, Village of
Berrien, Township of
Buchanan, City of
Buchanan, Township of
Coloma, City of
Coloma Downtown Development Authority
Coloma-Hagar Joint Fire Board
Coloma Public Library
Hagar, Township of
Lake, Charter Township of
Lincoln, Charter Township of
St. Joseph, City of
Three Oaks, Township of
Watervliet, City of
Watervliet, Township of
Weesaw, Township
Calhoun County
Calhoun County EDC
-2­

Cheboygan County
Cheboygan, County of
Cheboygan County Treasurer
Nunda, Township of
Clinton County
Clinton County Drain Commissioner
DeWitt, City of
DeWitt Building Authority
Eagle, Village of
Elsie, Village of
Crawford County
Crawford, County of
Crawford County Treasurer
Frederic, Township of
Lovells, Township of
South Branch, Township of
Delta County
Delta County EDC
Ensign, Township of
Dickinson County
City oflron Ri ver Hospital Finance Authority
Eaton County
Eaton County Drain Commissioner
Eaton Rapids. Hospital Finance Authority of the City of
Delta, EDC of the Township of
Dimondale, Village of
Winsor, Township of
Emmet County
Emmet County Treasurer
Harbor Springs Area Sewage Disposal Authority
Petoskey Hospital Finance Authority
-3­

Genesee County
Dendle Public Schools
Birch Run Area Schools
Clio Arca School District
Genesee County Drain Commissioner
Genesee COlmty EDC
Genesee County Land Dank
Genesee County Road Commission
Genesee County Treasurer
Genesee Sehool Distriet
Genesee, County of
Grand Blanc Community Schools
Kearsley Community Sehools
Montrose Community Schools
School District ofthe City of Flint
Argentine, Township of
Atlas, Township of
Clio, City of
Fenton, Charter Township of
Flint, Charter Township of
EDC of Flint Township
Flint, City of
Bishop International Airport Authority
EDC ofCity of Flint
Flushing, City of
Genesee, Charter Township of
Goodrich, Village of
Linden, City of
Montrose, Charter Township of
Richfield, Township of
Swartz Creek, City of
Vienna, Charter Township of
Gladwin County
Gladwin, County of
Gladwin County Drain Commissioncr
Gladwin County Treasurer
Gogebic County
Gogebic, County of
Gogebie County Treasurer
Grand Traverse County
Orand Traverse County EDC
-4­

Gratiot County
County of Gratiot Hospital Finance Authority
Gratiot County Board of Public Works
Gratiot County Building Authority
Gratiot COllnty EDC
Gratiot, County of
Alma, City of
Alma Rural Urban Fire Board
Ithaca, City of
Hillsdale County
Hillsdale, County of
Hi11sdale County Treasurer
City of Hillsdale Building Authority
City of Hillsdale Hospital Finance Authority
Waldron, Village of
Wright, Township of
Houghton County
Houghton County Treasurer
City of Hancock Hospital Finance Authority
Laird, Township of
Huron County
Harbor Bcach Community School District
Huron County Department of Public Works
Huron County Drain Commissioner
Huron Rcgional Water Authority
Bad Axe, City of
Harbor Beach, City of
Pigeon, Village of
Ubly, Village of
Ingham County
Ingham County Board of Public Works
Ingham County Drain Commissioner
Ingham County EDC
Ingham County Land Bank Authority
Ingham County of
Ingham County Road Commission
-5­

Lansing, City of
Lansing Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
Lansing Tax Increment Finance Authority
EDC of the City of Lansing
Board of Water and Light
Capital Region Airport Authority
Lansing, EDC of the Charter Township of
Leslie, City of
Meridian, EDC of Chartcr Township of
Stockbridge, Village of
Webberville, Township
Williamston, City of
EDC of the City of Williamston
Ionia County
Ionia County Drain Commissioncr
Portland, City of
Portland Downtown Development Authority
Saranac Housing Development Corporation
Jackson County
Jackson County Treasurer
Jackson EDC
Klllamazoo County
Kalamazoo County Mental Health Authority
Portage, City of
Kalkaska County
Kalkaska, County of
Kalkaska County Treasurer
Kcnt County
Davenport College
Grand Valley Regional BiosoIids Authority
Kent County Building Authority
Kent County Dcpt. of Public Works
Kent County Drain Commissioner
Kcnt, County of
Kent County Road Commission
Kent County Treasurer
Kent Hospital Finance Authority
North Kent Sewer Authority
-6­

Lake County
Ada, Township of
Cascade, Township of
Cascade Township Iluilding Authority
East Grand Rapids, City of
Grand Rapids, City of
Grand Rapids Ilrownfield Redevelopment Authority
Grand Rapids Building Authority
Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority
Grand Rapids, EDC ofthe City of
Grand Rapids Kent County Joint Iluilding Authority
Grand Rapids-Kent Convention Arena Authority
Momoe North Tax Increment Finance AutllOrity
Lowell, Charter Township of
Lowell, City of
Lowell Board of Light Authority
Lowell Building Authority
Rockford, City of
Weesaw, Township of
Lapeer County
Lapeer County Drain Commissioner
Lapeer County Intermediate School District
Lapeer County Treasurer
Lapeer, County of
Almont, Township of
Almont, Village of
Brown City, City of
Imlay City, City of
Marathon, Township of
North flraneh, Village of
Leelanau County
Leelanau, County of
Leelanau County Treasurer
-7­

Lenawee County
Lenawee County Drain Commissioner
Lenawee County Treasurer
Cambridge, Township of
Deerfield, Village of
Fairfield, Township of
Palmyra, Township of
Livingston County
Livingston County Drain Commissioner
Pinckney Community Schools
Brighton, City of
Howell, City of
Luce County
Helen Newberry Joy Hospital
Luce, County of
Luce County Treasurer
Newberry, Village of
Macomb County
Clinton, EDC ofthe Township of
Grosse Pointe Shores, Village of
Manistee County
Manistee, County of
Manistee Calmty Treasurer
Marquellc County
Marquette, Charter Township of
Marquette, City of
City of Marquette Board of Power and Light
City of Marquette Hospital Finance Authority
Mason County
Mason County Department of Puhlic Works
Hamlin, Township of
Ludington, City of
-8­

Mecosta County
Green, Township of
Midland County
Midland, County of
Midland County Drain Commissioner
Midland County Treasurer
Homer, Township of
Mills, Township of
Monroe County
Berlin, Township 0 f
LaSalle, Township of
Monroe, City of
Montcalm County
Montcalm County Drain Commissioner
Montcalm County Treasurer
Village 0 f Lakeview Hospital Finance Authority
Montmorency County
Montmorency County EDC
Muskegon County
Muskegon Connty EDC
Fruitport, Charter Township of
Laketon, Township of
Newaygo County
Newaygo, County of
Newaygo County Treasurer
Hesperia, Village of
Newaygo, City of
City ofNewaygo Local Development Tax Authority
Oakland Couuty
Bloomfield I!ills School District
Clarkston Community Schools
Cranbrook Educational Community
Grand Blanc Community Schools
Madison District Public Schools
-9­

Oakland County Community Mental Health
Oakland County Drain Commissioner
Oakland County of
Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital
Pontiac Schools
School District of the City of Birmingham
Troy School District
Waterford School District
Addison, Township of
Auburn Hills, City of
EDC ofthe City of Auburn Hills
Bloomfield Hills, City of
Bloomfield, Charter Township of
Charter Township of West Bloomfield Building Authority
Berkley, City of
Brandon, Charter Township of
Farmington Hills, City of
EDC of the City of Farmington Hills
Farmington Hills Hospital Finance Authority
Franklin, Village of
Highland, Charter Township of
Independence, Chatter Township of
EDC of the Charter Township ofIndependenee
Lyon, Charter Township of
Milford, Village of
Oakland, Charter Township of
Oxford, Charter Township of
Rochester lIills, City of
Southfield, City of
Springfield, Charter Township of
Troy, City of
Walled Lake, City of
Waterford, Charter Township of
EDC ofthe Charter Township of Waterford
White Lake, Charter Township of
Oceana County
Oceana, County of
Oeeana County Treasurer
Hart, City of
Hesperia, Vilbgc of
Ogemaw County
Ogemaw County Road Commission
-10­

Ogemaw County Treasurer
Klacking, Township of
Mills, Township of
Ogemaw, Township of
Prescott, Village of
Oscoda County
Oscoda, County of
Comins, Township of
Grecnwood, Township of
Oscoda, Charter Township
Otsego County
City ofGaylord Hospital Finance Authority
Ottawa County
Ottawa County Drain Commissioncr
Ottawa County Road Commission
Allendale, Charter Township of
Coopersville, City of
Ferrysburg, City of
Grand Haven, Charter Township of
Grand Haven, City of; Board of Power and Light
Holland, City of
City of Holland Building Authority
Holland Area Community Swimming Pool Authority
Hudsonville, City of
City of Hudsonville Building Authority
Jamestown, Chartcr Township of
Spring Lake, Township of
Wright, Township of
Presque Isle County
Posen Consolidated School District
Presque Isle, County of
Prcsque Isle Counly Trcasurcr
Rogers City, City of
Roscommon County
Roscommon County EDC
-11­

St. .Joseph County
City of St. Joseph Hospital Finance Authority
Sturgis, City of
Tuscola County
Tuscola County Drain Commissioner
Vassar, City of
Van Buren Connty
Van Buren, County of
Van Buren County Drain Commissioner
Hartford, City of
Washtenaw Connty
Washtenaw County Treasurer
Chelsea Area Fire Authority
Chesaning, Township of
Manchester, Village of
Wayne County
Allen Park Public Schools
Detroit Bureau of School Studies
Detroit Public Schools
School District of the City of Dearborn
Wayne County Department of Public Works
Wayne, County of
Western Townships Utilities Authority
Canton, Chmier Township of
Detroit, City of
Downtown Development Authority of the City of Detroit
EDC of the City of Detroit
Dearborn EDC
Grosse Pointe Farms, City of
Grosse Pointe Shores, Village of
Northville, Chmier Township of
Taylor, City of
Wyandotte, City of
-13­

J DETROIT
Wexford County
Wexford, County of
Wexford County Department of Publie Works
Wexford County Road Commission
Wexford County Treasurer
Cherry Grove, Township of
1raring, Charter Township of
Mesick, Village of
City of Anderson. Indiana
City of Des Moines, Iowa
999901·100 1069&75
Out of State
-14­

Prominent Assignments
Areas of Practice
Emphasis
• Commercial & Business
Litigation
• Appellate Litigation
• Alternative Dispute
Resoiution
• Labor & Employment
Relations
• Employee Benefits
• Corporate
Chairman, Dickinson Wright PLLC, 2002-present
Member, Board of Directors of Johnson Controls
Inc., Compuware, and MASCO Corporation
Chairman, Board of Directors, Detroit Regional
Chamber, 2006-2007
President, American Bar Association, 2003-2004
Mayor of Detroit, 1994-2001
- President, National League of Cities
Associate Justice, Michigan Supreme Court, 1986-1990
Education
J.D., Detroit College of Law, 1970
B.S. in Education, Western Michigan University, 1965
Admitted to Practice
Michigan, 1970
District of Columbia, 1972
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan,
1970
U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan,
2007
U.S Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1970
U.S. Supreme Court, 1974
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, 2004
Professional and Community Involvement
American Bar Association:
- President, 2003-2004
- Member, Board of Governors, 1999-2002
National Bar Association:
- President, 1983-1984
- Life Member
Former President, Wolverine Bar Association
1979-1980 '
Detroit Bar Association:
- Member, Board of Directors, 1973-1975
- Chairman, Young Lawyers Section, 1973-1975
State Bar of Michigan: President, 1984-1985
Associate Professor, Detroit College of Law, 1972­
1978
Adjunct Professor, Wayne State University Law
School,1984-1985
Life Member, Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference
Life Member of Fellows, American Bar Foundation
and Life Member of Fellows, Michigan State Bar
Foundation
Fellow, International Society of Barristers
Selected Honors
Named among "100 Most Influential Black
Americans," Ebony magazine, May 1984
Named one of the "25 Most Dynamic Mayors in
America" by Newsweek magazine, November 1996
Named "Most Respected JUdge in Michigan:
Michigan Lawyers Weekly, April 1990
Named among "100 Most Powerful Attorneys in the
United States," National Law Journal, April 1985
Named "Public Official of the Year," Governing
magazine, November 2000

wburgess@dickinsonwright.com
PROMINENT ASSIGNMENTS
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 aspects of workouts,
restructurings, loan modifications and enforcement of remedies.
Represented automotive manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers in all
aspects of reorganization, turnaround, workout and liquidation cases.
Trial counsel in state and federal court proceedings, including
bankruptcy cases and appellate matters, concerning creditor rights and
enforcement or remedies.
Extensive experience in purchase and sale of assets INith court
supelVision in bankruptcy or receivership proceedings.
Trial and appellate counsel in matters establishing important precedents
on issues of "adequate protection" to secured lenders and enforcement
of assignment of rents.
Counsel to governmental economic growth and development agencies
in revitalization and turnaround of distressed projects.
Counsel to governmental and quasi-governmental agencies in
acquisition of significant properties to be devoted to public use and
economic development
Represented numerous public and private corporations in mergers,
acquisitions or reorganizations in the real estate, automotive,
foodselVice and public utility industries.
Represented commercial mortgage lenders in undelWriting, negotiation
and documentation for office, hotel, retail and multi-family residential
projects.
Counsel to municipal government on issues of zoning, eminent domain
and public contract administration.
REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS
Chrysler, LLC
City of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
DSLT Inc.
Fifth Third Bank
John Hancock Life Insurance Company
Johnson Controls, Inc.
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
AREAS OF PRACTICE EMPHASIS
Bankruptcy and Insolvency
Commercial and Business Liligation
Corporate Finance
Corporate Restructuring
Mergers and Acquisitions
Municipal Law
Real Estate
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights
Law
Michigan Super Lawyers, Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights
Law, Business Litigalion, Banking
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Adjunct Professor of
Law 1986-present (Commercial Law, Uniform Commercial Code,
Payment Systems)
City of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, City Attorney 1990-present
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Leadership DetroitXlt, Member
Rose Hill Center, Inc., Counsel
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Co-Author, Strategies for Secured Creditors in Workouts and
Foreclosures, All-ABA, 2004
Contributing Author, Private Equity (History, Governance and
Operations), Wiley. 2008

EXPERIENCE
Law Clerk to Han. Charles L. Levin, Michigan Supreme Court,
1984·85
EDUCATION
University of Michigan, A.B., 1981
High Honors, High Distinction
Phi Beta Kappa
Yale Law School, J.D., 19M

jcameron@dickinsonwrlght.com
PROMINENT ASSIGNMENTS
Successfully represented a mortgage lender in the United States Court
of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in connection with a property forfeiture
sought by the federal government.
Serves as general counsel to a major mixed-use, community
transforming real estate development, which faces challenges involving
all aspects of law.
Negotiated a sophisticated subcontract for the installation of material
handling equipment for what was anticipated to be a $500 million
naUonwide project
Developed standard construction conlracts for a well-known institution of
higher learning and a major international corporation.
Successfully argued a pro bono case in the United States Court of
Appeals for the Sixth Circuit involving the doctrine of constructive notice
and a bankruptcy trustee's status as a hypothetical bona fide purchaser.
Secured a significant inverse condemnation award when a city refused
a rezoning request
Negotiated nationwide commercial leases for a major industrial
corporation and a major retailer.
Authored what is known as the "Bible" of Michigan real property law.
REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS
Andrie Inc.
Chicago Title Insurance Company
Grand Hotel Company
Gynecologic Oncology of West Michigan
Ha.rbor Shores Community Redevelopment Inc.
Mary Free Bed Hospital & Rehabilitation Center
Sara Lee Corporation
Ticor Title Insurance Company
University of Michigan
V\lhirlpool Corporation
Workstage, LLC
AREAS OF PRACTICE EMPHASIS
Real Estate
Construction
Commercial Contracts
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Best Lawyers in America for both real estate law and construction
law (since 1996)
Top Super Lawyer, Michigan Super Lawyers, 2006, 2007, 2008
V\lho's V\lho in American Law
Outstanding Young Men in America (1981)
Member, Wayne Law Review, 1972-1973
American Jurisprudence Book Award: Creditors' Rights
Member, Omicron Delta Epsilon National Economics Honorary
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
Elected Member, the American Law Institute (Service to date on the
following Members Consultative Groups: Restatement of Property;
Revision of UCC Article 2; Restatement of Agency; Restatement of
Restitution; Project on the Law of Nonprofit Organizations)
Elected Member, American College of Real Estate Lawyers
Member, Stale Bar of Michigan Professional Ethics Committee and
Land Title Standards Committee
Member, National Board of Editors of The Practical Real Estate
Lawyer (1998-2004)
Member, National Real Estate Law Advisory Board, ALI-ABA
(2007-present)
Member of Commercial and Construction Law Arbitration Panels,
American Arbitration Association
Fellow, the Michigan Bar Foundation
Life Member, Grand Rapids Bar Foundation
Special Master, Oakland County Circuit Court - 1993
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Trustee, Mary Free Bed Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, 1997­
2007; Board Chair 2005-2007
Blue and Gold Informa.tion Officer, United States Naval Academy
Member, Mary Free Bed Orthotics and Prosthetics Board

EDUCATION
United Slates Naval Academy
Albion, B.A., 1971
Wayne State University Law School, J.D. 1974 (cum laude)

Representative Clients
AT&T Inc.
Borders Group, Inc.
Carhartt, Inc.
Central Transport
Ford Motor Company
Lawrence Technological University
Magna International Inc.
Northwest Airlines, Inc.
University of Michigan
Prominent Assignments
Areas of Practice
Emphasis
• Labor & Employment
Relations
• Alternative Dispute
Resolution
Represented clients in high profile employment
litigation covered by the media including The New
York Times and 20/20
Tried jury cases defending wrongful termination,
race discrimination, disability discrimination, sex
discrimination, and religious discrimination claims
Education
J.D. (cum laude), University of Michigan School of
Law, 1973
B.A., Kalamazoo College, 1970
Admitted to Practice
Michigan, 1973
U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1981
U.S. Supreme Court, 1981
Professional and Community Involvement
Member, State Bar of Michigan, Labor and
Employment Law Section Council
Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association, Panel
of Employment Arbitrators
Member, American Employment Law Council
Member, ICLE Labor and Employment Law
Advisory Board
Member, EEOC Mediation Program Advisory Board
CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution, Employment
Committee
Case Evaluator, Wayne County Mediation Tribunal,
Employment Panel
American Bar Association (Member, Sedion of
Labor and Employment Law, Equal Employment
Opportunity Committee)
Grosse Pointe Board of Education, 1990-1998,
President, 1993-1994, 1996-1998
Member, Diversity Committee, Dickinson Wright
PLLC
Publications and Presentations
Lindemann and Grossman, Employment
Discrimination Law, 4th Ed., Chapter Chair
Lindemann and Grossman, Employment
Discrimination Law, 2002 Cumulative Supplement,
Contributing Author
Employment Litigatioll in Michigan, Second Edition
(ICLE), "Discrimination Claims," Chapter Author
Michigan Bar Journal, "The Constructive Discharge
Doctrine in Michigarl:-A Need for Clarification," Coauthor
Labor and Employment Lawnotes, "Garg:
Abolishment of the Continuing Violations Doctrine
Under Michigan Law" (Summer 2005), Co-author
Labor and Employment Lawnotes. "Debtor's
Failure to Disclose Potential Employment Claim
May Bar Later Pursuit of that Claim" (Fall 2006),
Co-Author

mmakower@dickinsonwright.com
PROMINENT ASSIGNMENTS
Experienced in the following areas;
Condominiums and community associations
Senior Housing development, design and documentation, including
equity, rental, mixed use and continuum of care
Real estate and real estate development
Land use
Construction litigation
Represents over 600 condominium and community associations and
various developers, contractors, and subcontractors.
Consultation, documentation and representation concerning specialty
and mixed use developments such as the lakeview Hotel Condominium
on Mackinac Island, Michaywe in Gaylord, Oak Pointe, Golf Community,
Medical Office, Retail Centers, Airspace condos over a fee.
REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS
Presbyterian Villages of Michigan
The Roxbury Groop
The Morningside Group
Cliffs at Bay Harbor Association
Painia Development Company
Fairview Builders
Custom Homes by Derocher
Cenrex Homes
AREAS OF PRACTICE EMPHASIS
Condominium and Mixed Use Development
Senior Housing Development
Construction
Real Estate
ACKNOWElDGEMENTS
Michigan Super lawyers
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
State Bar of Michigan, Real Property law Section, Ex-Officio
member of Council; Past Chairperson of Committee on
Condominiums, PUDs, and Cooperalives
American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL)
College of Community Association lawyers (CCAl)
Community Associations Institute: Board of Directors, Michigan
chapter; immediate past president for two terms; member of
legislative action committee
CommunityAssociations Institute (National): Attorney's commiltee,
amicus curiae brief team
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Author of articles for Real Property Review, CAl's Common
Ground, and the Michigan Bar Journal
Frequent lecturer on condominium law for the Institute of
Continuing legal Education, the Real Property law Seclion of the
Slate Bar of Michigan, Lorman, and the Community Association
Institute
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Michigan Builder's license since 1986
Coordinated the drafting and handled the legislative process
resulting in the 2001 and 2002 comprehensive amendments to the
Michigan Condominium Act
EDUCATION
University of Michigan, B.G.S. 1976
Washington University, J.D. 1979

kso@dickinsonwright.com
PROMINENT ASSIGNMENTS
Served as bond counsel for several large long-term financings for
Michigan Public PowerAgency, a joint action agency.
Bond counsel to the Slate Building Authority; developed the Commercial
Paper Program as an interim financing mechanism.
Bond counsel to the Michigan Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority.
Counsel to the Michigan Public Power Agency, Michigan Municipal
ElectricAssocialion, and various municipal electric utilities.
Argued before the Supreme Court in favor of the constitutionality of new
TIFA legislation.
Amicus curaie briefs in appellale courts on financing issues.
Counsel 10 cogeneration clients in one of the largest consolidated cases
before the Michigan Public Service Commission.
REPRESENTATIVE CLIENTS
City of Lansing (EDC, TIFA, Brownfield, utilily)
Michigan Municipal ElectricAssociation
Michigan Public Power Agency (and members)
Michigan Slate Hospital Finance Authority
Michigan Tobacco Settlement Finance Agency
State of Michigan
State Building Aulhority
Goldman Sachs & Co.
JP Morgan Securities
Merrill Lynch & Co.
AREAS OF PRACTICE EMPHASIS
Municipal Law & Finance
Energy & Suslainability
Regulatory &Adminislrative Law
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
State Bar of Michigan (Public Corporation Law, Real Property Law,
and Health Care Law Sections; Former Chairperson of the Public
Corporation Law Section Council)
Ingham County Bar Association
Member of the Hall of Justice Committee of the State Bar, by
appointment of the State Bar President
National Association of Bond Lawyers
Lansing Chamber of Commerce
Appointed by (he Governor 10 the Council on Labor and Economic
Growth
EDUCATION
University of Michigan A.B. 1977 (high distinction)
University of California, Hastings College of the Law J.D. 19aO

Representative Clients
Compuware Corporation
E.!. duPont de Nemours & Co.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Ford Motor Company
MGM Grand Detroit, LLC
Pitney Bowes
Unisource Worldwide
Prominent Assignments
Areas of Practice
Emphasis
• Labor and Employment
• Gaming
First chair trial and appellate responsibility for
employment discrimination and harassment
matters throughout Michigan and Midwest,
including large class actions
Counsel to several mid-sized entrepreneurial and
institutional clients on day-to-day human resource
and employment-related issues
Counsel on various union issues, including
organizing campaigns and collective bargaining
agreement negotiation and interpretation
First chair responsibility for arbitrations arising
from collective bargaining disputes and unfair labor
practice complaints
Employment dispute resolution, including
resolution of claims filed with state or federal
Departments of Labor and Civil Rights
Education
J.D., Vanderbilt University School of Law, 1989
BA, University of Michigan, 1985
Admitted to Practice
Michigan, 1989
Illinois, 1990
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 1989
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1993
U.S. District Court, Wisconsin
U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 1993
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 1994
U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 1994
Professional and Community Involvement
Macomb County Bar Association, Member
Grosse Pointe Farms
- Mayor Pro Tem (2005-2007)
- City Council (2001-present)
Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, President
(2005-2006)
Detroit Metropolitan Bar Foundation, Trustee
(2006-present)
Member, Diversity Committee, Dickinson Wright
PLLC (2005-2007)
Chair, Recruitment Committee, Dickinson Wright
PLLC (2004-2006)
Member responsible for Attorney Training,
Dickinson Wright PLLC (2002-2003)
Pro bono coordinator, Dickinson Wright PLLC
(2000-2001 )
U of M Club of Greater Detroit, Board of Governors
(1999-2003)
Grosse Pointe Hockey Association, Board of
Directors (2007-present)
American Hellenic Educational Progressive
Association (AHEPA), treasurer, senior citizen
housing development committee
Publications and Presentations
Frequent Speaker on FMLA and ADA at Council on
Education in Management Seminars, 2005-present
Orgpro Conference of Michigan Society of
Association Executives, Employment issues facing
association executives, 2001

Risk Management Magazine, co-author, "The
Arbitration Alternative," June 1998
Dickinson Wright Viewpoint, author and co-author
of articles on Illinois Employment Law, the ADA,
and OSHA
Acknowledgements
Best Lawyers in America, 2007 and 2008
Michigan Super Lawyers, 2007 and 2008
Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated

EDUCATION
United Slate Merchant Marine Academy, B.S. 1987
Wayne State University law School, J.D. 1993 (cum laude)
Wayne Law Review, Managing Editor

Representative Clients
Areas of Practice
Emphasis
• Municipal Law & Finance
• Taxation
State of Michigan
Michigan Higher Education Facilities Authority
Michigan State Hospital Finance Authority
Michigan State Housing Development Authority
Michigan Municipal Bond Authority
Michigan Public Power Agency
Michigan Strategic Fund
Michigan State Building Authority
City of Flint Hospital Building Authority
Western Townships Utilities Authority
Prominent Assignments
Provided tax analysis for numerous tax-exempt bond
issues (governmental bonds and private activity
bonds) in the State of Michigan
Obtain IRS private letter ruling, opening the way for
tax-exempt bonding by resolving significant private
activity issues
Resolved significant tax compliance problems by
outstanding bond issues through the IRS voluntary
closing agreement program
Arbitrage rebate calculation service for tax-exempt
bond issuers
Chair of 2005 National Association of Bond Lawyers
Bond Attorneys Workshop
Bond counsel to the City of Flint Hospital Finance
Authority for multiple bond issues since 1985
Education
J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1978
Dr.phil., Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat, Freiburg i. Br..
Germany, 1975
B.A., Harvard University, 1968
Admitted to Practice
Michigan, 1986
New York, 1979
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 1979
Professional and Community Involvement
Fellow, American College of Bond Counsel
Member, State Bar of Michigan
Member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers
Member of the Board of Directors, Jefferson Avenue
Housing Development Corporation
Performing member of the Birmingham-Bloomfield
Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1878. the main office of the law firm known
today as Dickinson Wright PLLC has always been
located within a three-block radius of its original location
in the heart of Detroit. Its founders were Henry Munroe
Campbell and Henry Russel. both native Detroiters and
graduates of the University of Michigan Law School.
"H.M .... as Campbell was affectionately called. was the
son of a long-serving justice of the Michigan Supreme
Court and was admitted to the bar in 1877. Russel was
an assistant attorney for the Michigan Central Railroad
Company. The young men began their partnership in
the general practice of law from an office in the Campau
Building. which once stood on Griswold.
In the early days. Russel devoted much of his time to
his railroad caseload, while H.M. was responsible for the
development and operation of the fledgling organization.
Before long, the pair was joined in the Firm by Charles
H. Campbell, H.M.'s brother and a fellow alumnus of the
University of Michigan. who took over most of the clerical
work and the legal matters involved with the conveyancing
of real estate.
The Firm flourished from its earliest days. One of its first
significant transactions was the acquisition, drainage and
sale of marshlands along the Detroit and Rouge rivers on
behalf of the Michigan Central Railroad Company. These
lands were later sold at great profit to numerous large
corporations and launched the Firm's very successful
trust business.
It is no coincidence that the success of the Firm closely
paralleled the growth of the city of Detroit, especially
in the years from 1900-1930. It was during this period
that the city experienced explosive growth due to the
evolution and popularity of the automobile as a viable
means of transportation as well as the proliferation of
manufacturers of ancillary products and services. Growth
in other business sectors. such as general manufacturing.
mercantile business, real estate development, banking
and trust business, further contributed to the Firm's
growth.
Internally. the Firm was evolving rapidly as well. By 1900,
the three partners were supported by four associates. a
real estate manager, a bookkeeper. and a stenographer
and had relocated their office to the old Union Trust
Building. One of those associates. Harry C. Bulkley.
became a partner of the Firm in 1901, and in 1906. the
Firm name was changed to Russel, Campbell & BUlkley.
Over the years. the name changed numerous times to
reflect both the contributions of new partners and the
departure of the old. The Firm adopted its current name.
Dickinson Wright PLLC. when it established itself as a
professional limited liability company in January 1998.
Since its inception, the Firm has been instrumental in
a number of events of historical significance. Members
of the Firm were involved in the drafting of the state of
Michigan's two constitutions in the twentieth century:
first in 1908. when Henry Campbell served as a delegate
from Wayne County to the constitutional convention; and
again in 1963, when William B. Cudlip and Richard C.
VanDusen were elected as delegates. Mr. Cudlip served
as chairman of the same committee on which Campbell
served at the 1908 convention. Mr. VanDusen served on
the 1963 convention's committee on rules.
The Firm's Chairman. Dennis W. Archer. was elected
Mayor of the City of Detroit in 1993. and was the first
African American to serve as the President of the
American Bar Association.
The Firm has been prominent in financial matters as
well. including the effort to organize a new national bank
in Detroit after President Franklin D. Roosevelt closed
all banks nationwide in 1933. During World War It. the
organization assisted the National Bank of Detroit in
developing loans to war industries that were guaranteed
in whole or in part by the United States.
On the legislative front. the Firm has drafted several
significant statutes. inclUding the Michigan Financial
Institutions Act of 1937. which was the predecessor of
the 1969 banking code; and the Intangibles Tax Act.
which established a uniform taxation plan. The Industrial
Facilities Tax Act of 1974. which allowed tax abatements
for corporations. was initially prepared by the Firm. as
was the Community Property Tax Act of 1948, which

permitted federal joint income tax returns for married
people in non-community property states like Michigan.
The Firm has enjoyed numerous long-term relationships
with nationally known companies. The law Firm has been
associated with Chrysler Corporation since its organization
in the 1920s, and lent its expertise in the process leading
to the loan guarantee authorized by the United States
Congress that permitted financial restructuring of the
carmaker in the 1980s. Its association with both Ford
Motor Company and Kmart Corporation spans recent
decades. But perhaps the strongest testimony to the
Firm's commitment to its clients is its association with
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, which dates back
to the turn of the last century.
Another noteworthy association was with the once
prosperous McLouth Steel Corporation, for whom the
Firm handled a number of important pieces of litigation.
One such case involved an alleged patent infringement
suit brought when McLouth installed a system in its
plant that allowed the conversion of pig iron into steel,
producing a much better grade of steel at a much lower
cost. A patent on the process held by another developer
was pending, and the developer sued. The U.S. Court
of Appeals eventually ruled in favor of McLouth, thus
making a valuable process for the production of better
and more inexpensive steel available to the entire U. S.
steel industry.
Today, Dickinson Wright employs morethan 240 attorneys,
25 legal assistants, and 200 support staff members in
offices located in Detroit, Bloomfield Hills, Lansing,
Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Washington, D.C. It has
expertise in more than 40 areas of legal practice and has
a worldwide presence due to its virtual office concept and
innovative technology systems.
Dickinson Wright's founders would no doubt marvel at
this practice diversity as well as at the diversity of its
workforce and the technology the Firm now uses as it
moves beyond its 125th anniversary.

Dickinson Wright was founded in Detroit in 1878 by two
young lawyers, Henry M. Campbell and Henry Russel, and
has since grown to be one of the most respected law firms
in its region. With more than 225 attorneys and offices
in Detroit, Bloomfield Hills, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Ann
Arbor, Washington, D.C. and Toronto, the firm provides
comprehensive legal services to a broad range of clients,
from very large corporations to small businesses, new
ventures, individuals and governmental units.
The breadth of the firm's capabilities is reflected in the
list of more than 40 practice areas in which its attorneys
specialize. This exceplionallevel of expertise is matched
by the firm's nearly 130 years of commitment to the
service of each c1ien!. Dickinson Wright attorneys have
represented many companies on the firm's client list
for more than three-quarters of a century and, in a few
instances, even longer.
Forty-five Dickinson Wright attorneys are listed in The Best
Lawyers in America 2009, a publication that is compiled
by professional research company Woodward/White
Inc. Best Lawyers is widely regarded as the preeminent
referral guide to the legal profession in the United States.
The list, which represents 80 specialties in all 50 states
and Washington D.C., is compiled through a peer-review
survey in which thousands of the top lawyers in the U.S.
confidentially evaluate their professional peers.
Fifty-four Dickinson Wright attorneys are listed in 2008
Michigan Super Lawyers, which names the state's
top lawyers as chosen by their peers and through the
independent research of Law & Politics. Six Dickinson
Wright attorneys were named to Super Lawyers "Rising
Stars" list, which names the state's top young attorneys.
In 2008, Chambers USA, publisher of the world's leading
gUides to the legal profession, named Dickinson Wright's
Banking & Finance, Real Estate, General Commercial
Litigation, Labor & Employment, and Corporate/M&A
practices "Top Ranked" practices in Michigan. Twelve
attorneys practicing in these areas also were named
"Leaders in their Fields." London-based publisher
Chambers & Partners conducts research into the
strengths and reputations of U.S. law firms by state,
through in-depth interviews with peer and competing-firm
attorneys, in-house counsel and significant purchasers of
legal services.
Additionally, Dickinson Wright was selected for inclusion
on a list of "Go-To Law Firms" in a 2008 survey of Leading
Financial Services Companies. As a "Go-To Law Firm,"
Dickinson Wright is recognized as one of the law firms that
Leading Financial Services Companies rely upon. ALM,
the leading integrated media company serving legal, real
estate, financial and business professionals, gathered
data on Leading Financial Services companies' primary
law firms first by surveys sent to General Counsel and
through research in various resources, including public
records, key publications and well-respected commercial
databases.
Dickinson Wright's Chairman, Mr. Dennis W. Archer,
was named to Lawdragon Magazine's "100 Managing
Partners You Need to Know" list, and he was named one
of the nation's 50 Most Influential Minority Attorneys by
The National Law Journal.

At Dickinson Wright, diversity is an initiative as well
as an achievement. In support of diversity, the firm
has adopted a Diversity Mission Statement, and its
commitment to a diverse workplace is a reflection of the
value it places on offering clients a variety of perspectives
and differing mind sets in approaching complex legal
issues. Dickinson Wright is, and has been for decades,
a pioneer in all aspects of diversity both within the firm
and in the communities in which it does business. The
firm is dedicated to the active recruitment, retention,
development and promotion of minority attorneys who
refiect the clients and communities that it serves.
Dickinson Wright prides itself on the significant number
of minority and women attorneys at all levels within the
firm, as well as a diverse staff. Women and minority
lawyers hold significant leadership roles in the firm's
management. For example, Bernadette M. Dennehy is on
the Management Team and is responsible for Marketing
and Finance. Kathleen A. Lang is one of five Practice
Area Managers. W. Anthony Jenkins is a member of
the Benefits Committee. Kester K. So is on the Opinion
Committee and, aiong with W. Anthony Jenkins, Co­
Chairs the firm's Diversity Committee. Ms. Lang, Mr.
Jenkins and Mr. So have each been elected by the firm's
members to the Governing Board.
In addition to participating in the executive management of
the firm, many minority and women members are actively
involved in prominent leadership roles in the legal and
civic communities. Dennis W. Archer is the immediate
past President of the American Bar Association, past
president of the National Bar Association and serves on
a number of corporate boards. W. Anthony Jenkins is a
member of the American Bar Association Presidential
Appointments Committee, current Treasurer of the State
Bar of Michigan, a member of the State Bar of Michigan
Board of Commissioners, and past President of the
Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association. Kathieen A. Lang is
a Litigation Advisory Board Member and frequent faculty
member for the Michigan Institute for Continuing Legal
Education. Maurice G. Jenkins was Chief Labor Counsel,
General Motors Corporation, and is a Member of the
Labor and Employment Sections of the State Bar of
Michigan and American Bar Association. Kester K. So is
a member and past Chairperson of the Public Corporation
Law Section Councii of the State Bar of Michigan and
was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Council
on Labor and Economic Growth. Patrick J. Miles, Jr. is
Chairman of the Aquinas College Board of Trustees and
is a member of the boards of Spectrum Health Hospitals,
Metropolitan Grand Rapids YMCA, DeVos Children's
Hospital Foundation and Hope Network.
Dickinson Wright's leadership in diversity has received
national recognition. The firm was named one of the
Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity in the 2007 edition of
Multicultural Law magazine. The Spring 2004 issue of
Minority Law Journal ranked Dickinson Wright among
the top five firms in the country based on percentage of
African-American attorneys. In 2002, Dickinson Wright
was named by its long-time client, DuPont, as one
of a select number of firms to receive DuPont's 2001
Challenge Award, which was based on a stringent set of
criteria, including "outstanding commitment to diversity
in the legal profession, cost-effectiveness in the delivery
of legal services and savings to DuPont, contributions in
the area of technology, sustained support of the DuPont
Legal Model and leadership in organizing the DuPont
Minority Counsel Conference in Detroit." DuPont also
recognized the firm with this distinction in 1999.
Diversity and the variety of perspectives it fosters are
highly valued in every aspect of Dickinson Wright's
environment and culture.
Promoting and Supporting Diversity
Dickinson Wright supports and promotes diversity through
a number of proactive initiatives.
Strategic Plan
The top item on the strategic agenda of the firm's
Chairman, Dennis W.Archer, is to inculcate the importance
of a diverse workplace within the firm and to promote the
advantages of having a variety of perspectives available
to provide unique points of view on client matters. Mr.
Archer's mandate is to significantly increase the number
of minorities and women at the firm by seeking to hire

aggressively qualified candidates and to expand our
recruiting efforts to encompass traditionally minorityoriented
colleges and law firms.
Diversity Mission Statement
The firm has adopted a Diversity Mission Statement,
which states as follows:
Diversity and varying perspectives are highly valued in
every aspect of Dickinson Wright's work environment and
culture. Dickinson Wright strives to be an organization
that includes people of diverse backgrounds in all facets
of the Firm and fully utilizes their talents to provide legal
services of the highest quality. The Firm is dedicated
to the active recruitment, retention, development and
promotion of minority attorneys who reflect the clients
and communities they serve. Through its Diversity
Committee, the Firm's leadership recommends and
implements strategies and practices consistent with its
commitment to diversity.
The Firm resolves to achieve its mission by:
Recruiting law students of the highest caliber;
Aggressively seeking to increase the number of
minority attorneys at the Firm through recruitment,
retention and promotion;
Providing a discussion forum for topics that present unique
challenges to minority attorneys in the practice of law;
Facilitating the support and mentoring of minority attomeys;
Arranging social, professional development and
networking opportunities for minority attorneys on a
frequent basis;
Managing and monitoring the allocation and quality
of work assignments provided to minority attorneys
to maximize access/exposure to a wide variety of the
Firm's clients and to the partners and the leadership
of the Firm; and
Ensuring that minority attorneys are represented in
leadership positions and other significant decisionmaking
roles within the Firm.
Interviewing and Recruiting
Consistent with the firm's Strategic Plan and Diversity
Mission Statement, Dickinson Wright conducts oncampus
interviews and recruits at law schools with high
percentages of minority students. Dickinson Wright
attorneys participate in minority law student job fairs (e.g.,
BLSA Midwest Job Fair and Cook County Minority Job
Fair) and career panels. The firm reaches out to minority
student organization leadership at various law schools
with a letter from its chairman, Dennis W. Archer, asking
their members to consider Dickinson Wright.
Wolverine BarAssociation and Floyd Skinner
Bar Association Summer Clerkship
Dickinson Wright has long participated in the Summer
Clerkship program sponsored by the Wolverine Bar
Association (the minority bar association serving
Michigan). Each year, the firm recruits one outstanding
person of color from the WBA, in addition to the minority
recruits from other law schools, to work at the firm
as a Summer Associate. This experience provides a
practical educational experience for first-year minority
law students, links majority firms with the untapped pool
of qualified minority law students, and increases racial,
ethnic and cultural diversity in the iegal profession. In
Grand Rapids, Dickinson Wright participates in the Floyd
Skinner Bar Association summer program, which is the
functional equivalent of the Wolverine Bar Program on
the west side of the State.
Federal Bar Summer Clerkship
Dickinson Wright is a sponsor of the Summer Federal
Judicial Extern Program for Minority Law Students
sponsored by the WBA and the Judges of the District
Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The program
is designed to expand jUdiciai clerking opportunities for
minority law students. Students work directly with federal
judges and their clerks in preparing bench memoranda
on pending cases, and view first-hand pre-trial and
settlement conferences, motion hearings and trials. The
Extern Program provides extraordinary experiences
for law school participants and serves as a conduit for
enhancing minority representation in the judiciary.

Summer High School Internship Program
The firm participates in the Detroit Summer High School
Internship Program sponsored by the City of Detroit Finance
Department. The Internship Program allows 30 minority high
schooi students to gain workplace experience at participating
law firms, accounting firms and investment banking firms,
and to participate in weekly education classes focused on
finance and accounting. Each student is assigned to one firm
where the student receives supervised assignments four (4)
days of the week, and all students attend a lecture/workshop
one day of the week conducted by volunteer professionals.
The wor1