BANKING & BUSINESS FINANCE

Our banking and business finance practice consists of lawyers with a broad range of experience in lending and financing matters. Hill Devendorf's representation of commercial banks and asset-based lenders includes the loan origination process and related customer issues, as well as evaluating and documenting commercial real estate transactions. We handle lending transactions large and small, secured and unsecured, simple and complex. We also are active in the area of debtor-in-possession and other bankruptcy related matters involving troubled companies.

BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION

When legal problems escalate, our attorneys have experience in all aspects of trial and appellate practice in local, state, and federal courts, and before civil rights and labor agencies, and other administrative boards and commissions. Hill Devendorf's client representation involves corporate and other business litigation and disputes, wrongful discharge and discrimination suits and all other aspects of employment law. Our attorneys also regularly serve as advocates before mediators and arbitrators in private and court-ordered proceedings of dispute resolutions.

Our experience makes us an important legal resource in a number of areas, including commercial finance, business torts and proprietary information, contracts, environmental issues, health care, insurance coverage and claims, ERISA, defamation, lender liability and banking transactions, real estate and construction, wrongful discharge claims, employment discrimination, layoffs and reductions in force, and employment related and administrative claims.

COMMERCIAL & REAL ESTATE

From office parks, industrial buildings and commercial developments to apartments, condominiums and single-family home purchases, Hill Devendorf attorneys have the expertise to handle all phases of real estate transactions. We regularly advise clients on issues related to contracts, land acquisition, development, financing, construction, leasing and operations. We are experienced in the negotiation and preparation of purchase and/or sale documentation, drafting condominium documents, land use planning and development, resolution of title issues, securing property tax adjustments, handling zoning variances, negotiation and preparation of loan documentation, as well as foreclosures and condemnations.

CONDEMNATION & EMINENT DOMAIN

In the highly specialized area of condemnation and the law of eminent domain, Hill Devendorf has represented condemning authorities with respect to public highways and bridges, water and sewer projects, airports, natural gas pipelines and other projects. On behalf of property owners faced with a condemnation, we have not only been successful in recovering compensation for our clients, but have also successfully negotiated alternative remedies to our clients' benefits.

CORPORATE LAW

For individual entrepreneurs to large corporations, Hill Devendorf provides a full range of counsel to address the ongoing business needs of our clients. We offer expertise in tax and business planning, licensing, franchising, business formation, governance, and regulatory compliance as it relates to complex business transactions. Our services also include drafting and reviewing loan documentation, buy-sell arrangements, administrative actions, and litigation should the need arise.

HEALTH LAW

Our legal expertise includes issues in the area of regulation of healthcare providers under state and federal law and the full spectrum of legal issues involved in running a health care practice.

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LAW

Hill Devendorf represents a variety of corporations and business entities, unions, and employees in all facets of labor and employment law, including wrongful discharge, discrimination, harassment, disability, family leave and other matters. We also handle collective bargaining and arbitrations, labor agreement negotiations, and grievance/arbitration proceedings. In addition, our attorneys regularly provide employee counseling and the preparation of employment manuals, investigate and advise on discrimination issues, evaluate labor decisions and assist organizations in avoiding employment problems.

MUNICIPAL LAW

Our experience in the areas of real estate, tax, zoning, contract and related areas of the law enhance Hill Devendorf's expertise in matters involving municipal law. We represent numerous local governments and townships in meeting the full range of their legal needs, from administrative matters and compliance issues to inter-government disputes, defense litigation and public employee relations.

PENSION & EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Hill Devendorf attorneys are experienced in providing counsel related to the design and administration of retirement, pension, health and welfare benefits plans. We handle issues arising under ERISA, the nature and extent of fiduciary duties by plan administrators, compliance, and reporting issues. We also offer distribution and tax planning for both individuals and plan sponsors.

PROBATE & TRUST ADMINISTRATION

Clients who benefit from the counsel of Hill Devendorf in the areas of probate law and trust administration include individuals, bank trust departments, individual trustees, and personal representatives, as well as other interested persons. Our attorneys' experience in tax and estate planning and probate enable us to effectively advise clients with estate and trust administration, contested probate matters, litigation, fiduciary liability and the understanding of the Estate and Protected Individuals Code (EPIC).

TAXATION & ESTATE PLANNING

By focusing on the income, gift, and estate tax implications of multi-generational estate planning, Hill Devendorf can maximize our clients' personal, financial and business goals and objectives. We customize the development of each plan using the clients' accounting, insurance, and financial information in order to preserve and protect accumulated wealth for current and future generations. Commonly used tools include revocable trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, family limited liability companies, qualified personal residence trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, charitable trusts and more. In addition, the use of durable powers of attorney and patient advocate designations provide continuity and flexibility in the event of a client's incapacity. We also have extensive experience in planning for the special needs of family members who are disabled, and assist families in post-mortem administration and tax planning, including related probate matters and the preparation of estate tax returns.

CONSTRUCTION LAW

Representing property owners, building contractors, building material suppliers, architects and engineers, Hill Devendorf offers a full range of legal services in the construction industry. We regularly consult with clients for preventive contract review. We can act quickly to preserve construction lien rights of builders and suppliers, to defend owners from improper claims or liens, or to litigate claims of owners for poor workmanship or building failures.

MEDIATION AND A.D.R. (ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION)

Hill Devendorf has attorneys experienced in acting as circuit court and district case evaluators, arbitrators, facilitators, and court-certified mediators with special training required by Michigan Court Rule. We are available by court order or by direct request by parties in dispute for skilled efforts to bring them to a reasonable resolution all in strictest confidence.

ELDER LAW

We represent clients in all aspects of Elder Law. Elder Law generally involves helping our clients plan for old age or to help parents or friends who are elderly and in need of assistance. This might involve a power of attorney, patient advocate designation and a Trust or Will, or it might involve court supervised guardianships or conservatorships. It may also involve applying for Medicaid to avoid or minimize financial hardships when a loved one is in need of nursing home care.  We file the applications for Medicaid and help with the needed changes in estate plans that a nursing home situation requires. We can also offer advice in planning for incapacitated family members. Our experience in these matters can make a difference for you and make a difficult experience a little easier.

MEDICAID

We file the applications for Medicaid in nursing home situations, and help with the needed changes in estate plans that a nursing home situation requires. We can also offer advice in planning for incapacitated family members. Our experience in these matters can make a difference for you and make a difficult experience a little easier. An impression is sometimes created that you must have less than $2,000.00 before you can qualify for Medicaid; this is misleading at best. There are alternatives and we can assist you in considering what might be helpful for you.