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Demorest Law Firm Resumé

We are a business and real estate law firm, handling both transactions and litigation. Our offices are located in the Detroit are (Royal Oak, MI) and Northern Michigan (Cadillac, MI).


Our firm also authors the blog DetroitBusinessLaw.com where we provide this service free of charge to keep Detroit area companies informed about important legal updates and issues that may affect their business.


Most of our clients are privately-held businesses ranging in size from small, startup companies to larger established companies. Most of these do not have in-house counsel, and we act as their general counsel. We also regularly provide services to larger companies (including publicly-held companies) and to other law firms on specific projects.

International Society of Primerus Law Firms

Our firm is a proud member of the International Society of Primerus Law Firms, a network (virtual law firm) of about 200 top-rated, independent small law firms that have earned the right to display the Primerus seal of quality. Primerus firms are located in 46 states and over 40 countries. With over 3,000 lawyers, if Primerus were a single firm, it would be the fourth largest law firm in the world. We are the exclusive Detroit-area member of the Primerus Business law Institute.


Candidates for membership in Primerus are subject to a rigorous screening process.

Firms must embody the Six Pillars of Primerus: Integrity, Excellent Work Product, Reasonable Fees, Continuing Legal Education, Civility, and Community Service.


Our membership in Primerus gives us access to a network of other attorneys in other geographic areas as needed. We can also tap the expertise of our fellow Primerus attorneys around the world in various specialized areas of law. Additional information about Primerus is available at www.primerus.com.

Overview

We can handle most of the legal issues that arise during the life of a business. If issues arise that are outside of our expertise, we have established relationships with attorneys that have expertise in these other areas, so that we can provide a full range of legal services to our clients.


The firm is built on long-term relationships with our business clients. Understanding our client's business enables us to provide more efficient and effective legal services. Using a lawyer's service again and again is the greatest compliment that a client can give a lawyer, and we have represented many of our business clients for many years, in several cases for 30 years or more.


Our business clients are involved in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, retail, real estate, health care, and construction. We have particular expertise in the hospitality industry (hotels, bars, restaurants, conference centers, resorts and golf courses).


We also represent individuals in various business and real estate matters, such as real estate transactions, contract review and negotiations, employment issues, and insurance claims. Our individual clients include business owners, physicians, and professional athletes.


We have a long history of success in litigation matters. In 2019, our $4.25 Million verdict in an inverse condemnation lawsuit against the City of Detroit was the eighth highest verdict of any kind in the State of Michigan during that year. Previously, we were recognized in Crain's Detroit Business in its Twentieth Anniversary issue for obtaining two of the twenty largest jury verdicts in the Detroit area in the previous twenty years. No other law firm had two cases on the list.

Business and Hospitality Law

Real Estate and Construction Law

Employment Law

Estate Planning

Areas of Practice

Our primary areas of expertise are described below. However, current and prospective clients should call us about any legal matter. If we cannot handle the matter ourselves, we will provide a referral to a firm with that particular expertise.


Business Law

  • Setting up and maintaining corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and other business entities, including the agreements to define the relationship among the owners.
  • Reviewing, negotiating, and drafting contracts and loan documents.
  • Mergers, sales and acquisitions of businesses.
  • Loans and private placements.
  • Reviewing and drafting company policies, procedures and forms.


Real Estate and Construction Law

  • Sale and acquisition of real estate.
  • Residential and commercial leasing, including ground leases.
  • Zoning and land use issues.
  • Condemnation and inverse condemnation.
  • Construction contracts; construction liens.


Litigation

  • Representing clients in a wide variety of business, real estate, and employment litigation, from the beginning of the case through trial and appellate work.
  • Representing clients in arbitrations, mediations, and other alternative dispute resolution proceedings.


Estate Planning

  • Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney
  • Business Succession Planning


Employment and Labor Law

  • We represent employers in all areas of employment and labor law.


Hospitality Law

  • Sale and acquisition of existing hotels and restaurants
  • Management agreements, leases, and concession agreements.
  • Franchise and license agreements.
  • Liquor Licenses.
  • Employment Issues.
  • Claims by guests, including contract, bailment, and employee supervision issues.

Fees

Most of the firm's work is performed on an hourly basis, based upon agreed-upon hourly rates. The client is also billed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the firm in connection with the representation.


We work with clients to develop a budget for a project when it begins. It is in the best interest of both the firm and the client that there not be any surprises when a bill arrives.


We will be happy to discuss possible billing arrangements before work begins on a new matter. Certain matters may be handled on a fixed fee, contingency fee, blended hourly-contingent fee arrangement, or other negotiated fee arrangement.

Contact Us Today

Address: 322 W Lincoln, Royal Oak MI 48067

Phone: (248) 723-5500