Honigman LLP

Honigman LLP
Name	Honigman LLP
Headquarters	Detroit, Michigan
Founded	1948
Founders	Milton M. Honig
Num attorneys	300+
Practices	Corporate, Litigation, Labor and Employment, Real Estate, Tax

Honigman LLP is a Detroit-based American law firm founded in 1948 that provides legal services across corporate, litigation, finance, and regulatory matters. The firm serves clients in industries such as automotive, banking, healthcare, energy, and technology through offices in Michigan and other states. Honigman represents public companies, closely held businesses, financial institutions, and nonprofit organizations in transactional, regulatory, and dispute-resolution matters.

History

Honigman LLP traces its origins to the post-World War II era when Milton M. Honig and colleagues established a practice in Detroit, Michigan amid industrial expansion and the rise of the Automobile industry (United States). Throughout the latter half of the 20th century the firm expanded alongside regional names such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Chrysler Corporation, and financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, reflecting Detroit's role in national manufacturing and finance. In the 1980s and 1990s the firm navigated deregulation and restructuring episodes tied to legislation like the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and regulatory matters influenced by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. During the 21st century Honigman grew through lateral hires and office openings in markets affected by events including the 2008 financial crisis and the rise of Silicon Valley-linked startups, aligning with clients involved in mergers and acquisitions guided by precedents such as Revlon, Inc. v. MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings, Inc. and transactional norms from the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Practice areas

Honigman's practice areas include corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, securities, commercial litigation, labor and employment, real estate, tax, intellectual property, healthcare law, bankruptcy and restructuring, and environmental law. Corporate work involves representations under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with engagements touching on matters handled by the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice (United States). Litigation practice spans federal court forums such as the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and appellate venues like the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, as well as state courts, and includes antitrust matters involving the Clayton Antitrust Act and consumer protection disputes invoking statutes in states including Michigan and New York. The firm's IP group handles patents, trademarks, and trade secret disputes before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in litigation tied to cases from the Federal Circuit. In healthcare, Honigman advises providers governed by regulations from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and statutes like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

Offices and locations

Honigman maintains offices in several metropolitan areas serving Midwest and national clients, with a headquarters in Detroit, satellite offices in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, and presence in other markets such as Chicago and Washington, D.C. These locations position the firm to serve industries anchored by companies like Dow Chemical Company, Kellogg Company, Steelcase, and regional hospitals affiliated with systems such as Henry Ford Health System and Spectrum Health.

Notable cases and clients

Honigman has represented a range of corporate and institutional clients in significant matters. The firm has provided counsel to automotive suppliers and manufacturers associated with General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Daimler AG on supply agreements, recalls, and warranty litigation. In financial transactions the firm has advised banks including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and regional lenders on loan restructurings and credit facilities in contexts similar to cases arising after the 2008 financial crisis. Honigman has represented healthcare providers and systems in regulatory and compliance matters connected to Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement disputes, and it has counseled technology companies and startups akin to firms in Silicon Valley on intellectual property, licensing, and venture financings. The firm’s litigation roster includes representations in commercial disputes, securities litigation, and labor matters paralleling disputes litigated before the National Labor Relations Board and state employment tribunals.

Firm structure and leadership

Honigman operates under a partner-led law firm model with practice group chairs, a management committee, and an executive leadership team overseeing strategic, financial, and administrative functions. Leadership roles have included managing partners and chairs responsible for practice development, recruiting, and client relationships, interacting with regulatory entities like the Michigan Supreme Court on professional conduct and admissions. The firm employs attorneys with experience in federal agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission and judicial clerks from courts including the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Rankings and awards

Honigman has received recognition in legal directories and rankings such as those published by Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, and U.S. News & World Report for practice strengths in areas like corporate, real estate, and labor law. Individual attorneys have been listed as leaders by publications including Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America, and the firm has earned workplace and diversity accolades from regional business journals and organizations such as the Detroit Regional Chamber and bar associations including the State Bar of Michigan.

Category:Law firms based in Michigan