Practice Areas
Industries
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