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Education

Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan
LL.M.

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
Detroit, Michigan
J.D.

Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan
M.U.P.

Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, Michigan
B.A.

Bar Admissions

Michigan

New York

U.S. Federal in Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan

Languages

French

Estate Planning Attorney

David provides sophisticated counsel to individuals, families and businesses on gift and estate planning needs, wealth transfer issues and business succession planning. Further, he works closely with non-profit organizations in regard to function, compliance and governance tax, as well as gift and grant programs. In addition to his law degree, he holds a degree in taxation and he frequently advises on economic development incentives, commercial real estate finance and tax planning. He is a sought-after presenter on issues related to estate planning, charitable giving and governance of nonprofit organizations, including family foundations.

David is the recipient of numerous recognitions and awards, including the Vanguard Award from the Nonprofit Organizations Committee of the American Bar Association. He is an accredited estate planner by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils.

Honors and Recognitions

American Bar Association, Vanguard Award for distinguished lifetime achievement in the nonprofit sector, 2019

Best Lawyers in America® since 2005

Best Lawyers in America® Lawyer of the Year, Nonprofit/Charities Law, Detroit, 2015

DBusiness® Top Lawyer, Nonprofit/Charities, Trusts and Estates and Tax Law, since 2010

HOUR Detroit and DBusiness®, Five Star Professional Wealth Manager since 2010

Leading Lawyers: Closely & Privately Held Business Law; Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law

Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated

Michigan Super Lawyers®, 2006 – 2008

National Association of Estate Planners and Councils, accredited estate planner since 2018

Who’s Who in America and American Law, Lifetime Achievement Award

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association: Charitable Trust Committee, Tax and Corporate Sections, past chairman; Nonprofit Organization Committee

American Planning Association

Detroit Bar Association, Probate Committee

Estate Planning Council of New York City, Inc.

Estate Planning Council of Western Michigan

Greenleaf Trust, Board of Trustees

Kalamazoo County Bar Association, Probate Section

Michigan Association of Planners

New York State Bar: Tax Section; Trusts and Estates Section

Oakland County Bar Association, Probate Section

Oakland County Bar Association Foundation, fellow

Planned Giving Roundtable of Detroit

State Bar of Michigan: Corporate Section; Environmental Law Section; Probate and Estate Planning Section; Real Property Section; Tax Section

The Financial and Estate Planning Council of Metropolitan Detroit, Inc.: president, 2016; vice president, 2015 – 2016; director, 2011 – 2018; secretary/treasurer, 2014 – 2016

Community Involvement

Alliance Française de Grosse Pointe: past director; past president; past treasurer

Alliance Française USA, Inc.: past president, past treasurer

American Society of the French Academics Palms: Board member, 2008 – 2013; past treasurer

American Red Cross

Children’s Hospital Foundation of Michigan, Planned Giving Advisory Committee

Detroit Chamber Music Society, Advisory Council

Detroit Institute of the Arts: Tannahill Planned Giving Advisory Committee, 2008 – present; Visiting Committee for European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, 2014 – present; past treasurer

Detroit Regional Chamber, Leadership Detroit, Class XI

Detroit Symphony Orchestra: past board member; Annual Fund, chairman; Planned Giving Advisory Committee, founder; governing member, 2015 – 2020

Ford Health System, Planned Giving Advisory Committee, 2010 – 2016

French-American Foundation, board, 2013 – present

The Hillwood Museum, International Committee, 2009 – present

Kalamazoo College: past board member; Admissions Committee, chairman; Executive Committee, past member; Planned Giving Advisory Committee, founding chairman

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, board, 2017 – present

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, board, 2021 – present 

Madonna University: past adjunct professor; board, 2013 – 2017

Salvation Army of Metropolitan Detroit: Advisory Board; Army of Stars Award, Shield of Service Award, 1988; board  member, past chair; Creating Impact Gold Ribbon Committee; Eastern Michigan Division, 2011 William Booth Award; Property Committee, chair

Wayne State University, Planned Giving Advisory Committee

Presentations

Michigan Council of Foundations, Family Foundation Retreat, “Refresh the Governance, Include the Next Gen,” June 2019

Western Michigan Stryker School of Medicine, Innovation Lunch-and-Learn Series, “The Important Role of Business Boards: Strategic Considerations Regarding Directors vs. Advisors and Oversight Opportunities,” May 2019

Henry Ford Health System, “Planned Giving Technique, Keep the Institution Healthy,” October 2015

Michigan Association of Certified Financial Planners, “Not for Profit Law in Michigan, Formation and Exemption Qualifications,” September 2015

Children’s Hospital Foundation of Michigan, “Planned Giving, a Primer,” October 2014

Federation of Alliances Francaises USA, “Yes, Planned Giving Can Work for Smaller Charities: Be Methodic and Be Patient,” October 2014

Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, “Form 990: Making it Picture Perfect & Helping the Board of Directors and Other Users Understand the Story Behind the Numbers,” moderator, June 2012

New York University, Summer Tax Institute, 52nd Institute, past lecturer

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