Honigman elects David Foltyn chairman of the board of directors and CEO

Foltyn succeeds Alan S. Schwartz in firm's top leadership position  

Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, a Detroit-based business law firm, has elected David Foltyn its fourth Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, effective Jan. 1, 2008.  Foltyn, who has been with the firm for more than 27 years, will succeed Alan S. Schwartz who will continue his legal practice at Honigman and become Vice Chairman of the firm.  

"David is an outstanding attorney with proven leadership ability, exquisite judgment and unwavering commitment to our team, our community and our clients," Schwartz said.  "I have every confidence in his ability to have Honigman continue to be viewed as the ‘go to' firm in Michigan for significant complex legal matters."

Foltyn is a partner with the firm's Corporate Department and has long been regarded as one of the region's leading business lawyers.  For the past three years, Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business has recognized Foltyn as a top lawyer in the Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions field.  In 2007, Michigan Super Lawyers named Foltyn one of the "Top 10" attorneys in Michigan.  

Foltyn joined Honigman in 1980 after graduating magna cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School.  He received his Bachelor of Business Administration with High Distinction from the University of Michigan in 1977.  

In addition to his legal practice at Honigman, Foltyn is a leader in the community.  He is the Immediate Past Chairman of JVS and a member of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and Temple Beth El.  

"Honigman is an exceptional firm, and I am excited to have the opportunity to lead this firm and build upon our reputation for excellence as we enter our 60th year," Foltyn said. "I am honored to continue the great legacy of the founders of our firm, Alan E. Schwartz, Milton J. (Jack) Miller and Jason Honigman.  Alan S. Schwartz has been a remarkable mentor during my entire career.  He is a tremendous support to me as we make this transition. I hope to build upon the firm's great capabilities to further serve our clients' needs and continue the firm's long-standing tradition of developing and enhancing the communities we serve."  

During his tenure as CEO, Schwartz oversaw the expansion of the firm's office in Oakland County and the establishment of a new office in Ann Arbor, Mich. Under his leadership, Honigman was recognized for its professional and community contributions with numerous awards and accolades throughout the legal profession and the region, including being awarded a "Number One" ranking in the state of Michigan in corporate and real estate law for three consecutive years by CHAMBERS USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business.  Honigman also was named the "best corporate law firm in Detroit" by Corporate Board Member magazine for the last two consecutive years.  

"I am proud to have had the opportunity to serve for the past five years as CEO," Schwartz said.  "I am looking forward to undertaking new challenges and responsibilities under David's leadership and to continuing to serve our great clients as an active practitioner."