Alan E. Schwartz

Alan E. Schwartz is a founding member of Honigman and a well-recognized figure in civic, cultural, and nonprofit organizations. He has participated in the advancement of nearly every major development project in the City of Detroit--either as an attorney or as a leader in business organizations. Most recently, former mayor of Detroit Dave Bing created the “Alan E. Schwartz Award” to be given annually to an individual who best demonstrates a commitment to community service as exemplified by Alan.

• Serves as a leader in such notable civic organizations as Business Leaders for Michigan (formerly Detroit Renaissance), the Economic Alliance for Michigan, and New Detroit, Inc.
• Supported numerous nonprofit organizations with his generosity of resources, including his leadership

Practice Areas

Prior Experience

• New York State Crime Commission, Special Assistant Counsel, 1951

Education

Admissions

Awards

• The Best Lawyers in America, 1983-2023
  • Recognized in practice areas of:
    • Corporate Law
    • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
    • Securities / Capital Markets Law
• Leading Lawyers Magazine Michigan, 2017
  • Recognized in practice areas of:
    • Closely & Privately Held Business Law
    • Corporate Finance Law
    • Mergers & Acquisitions Law
    • Publicly Held Corporations Law
• DBusiness, Top Lawyers, 2010, 2011, and 2013-2016, 2022
• Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated 
• Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree, Wayne State University, April 1983
• Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree, University of Detroit, May 1985

Professional & Community Involvement

• Harvard Law Review
  • Legal Research Program
    • Director, 1950
• State Bar of Michigan
• City of Detroit Arts Commission
  • Advisor
• Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
  • Founding Trustee, 1984-present
  • Vice Chair, 1996-present
  • Development Committee
  • Investment Committee
  • Governance Committee
• Detroit Development Ventures
  • Director 
• Detroit Economic Growth Corporation
  • Board of Trustees, 1978-1998 
• Detroit Institute of Arts
  • Board of Directors, 1970-present
    • Emeritus Board Member
• Detroit Medical Center
  • Board of Trustees, 1993-2002 
• Business Leaders for Michigan (Formerly Detroit Renaissance)
  • Director, 1960-present 
• Detroit Symphony Orchestra
  • Board of Directors, 1959-present 
• Economic Alliance for Michigan
  • Board of Directors 1984-present 
• Interlochen Arts Academy
  • Board of Trustees, 1974-2005 
• Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit
  • Board of Directors, 1959-present
  • President, 1969-1972
  • Lifetime Board Member 
• Meyer L. Prentis Cancer Center of Metropolitan Detroit (Currently Karmanos Cancer Institute)
  • Board Chair
• Michigan Opera Theatre
  • Board of Directors, 1996-present 
• Governor William G. Milliken’s Finance Committee
  • Advisor 
• New Detroit, Inc.
  • Board of Trustees, 1979-present
  • Chair 1982
  • Trustee Emeritus
• Oakland University
  • Board of Trustees, 1970-1979 
• Skillman Foundation
  • Trustee, 1990-2001
  • Finance Chair
  • Investment and Internal Operations Committee
    • Member, 1991-1993
  • Investment Committee
    • Member, 2002-present 
• United Way for Southeastern Michigan
  • Board of Directors, 1966-2011
  • Board Chair, 1980-1981
  • Vice Chair, 1979-1980
• Alexis de’ Tocqueville Society
  • Member, 25+ years
  • Committee Member, 2001-2012
  • Attorney Initiative Member, 2005-present
• Wayne State University Foundation
  • Board of Directors, 2002-present

News

Press Releases