Alan S. Schwartz

Alan Schwartz is a distinguished corporate attorney who has served the firm as vice chair since 2008, previously having served as chairman of the board and CEO from 2003 to 2007 and vice chair from 1998 to 2002. He has been an integral part of the firm’s leadership for more than 30 years and instrumental in its growth as a leading business law firm serving clients locally, nationally, and internationally. Alan is also well regarded in the community and has held leadership roles in many nonprofit and business organizations, including the Karmanos Cancer Institute, the Legacy DMC, and the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce.

In his practice, he:

• Advises clients of family-owned businesses on general business matters and succession planning
• Represents clients in acquisitions and dispositions
• Counsels public and private companies regarding corporate governance, as well as state and federal compliance issues
• Serves as general counsel to The Detroit Institute of Arts
• Serves as general counsel to a number of the area's most prominent family businesses and other private companies

Practice Areas

Education

Admissions

Awards

The Best Lawyers in America, 1987-2024

• • Recognized in practice areas of:
    • Corporate Law
    • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
    • Securities / Capital Markets Law
  • Detroit Securities / Capital Markets Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2012
• Michigan Super Lawyers, 2006-2021
• Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, 2003-2016
  • Recognized as one of America's leading business lawyers in Corporate/M&A; Chambers USA states: 
    • 2016 – "Alan Schwartz is a seasoned corporate and M&A practitioner with wide-ranging transactional skills. He assists public and private clients in a number of areas including general commercial matters, ongoing leadership planning and issues relating to business governance structures."
    • 2015 – "Alan Schwartz represents private companies, particularly major family-owned businesses, in a range of matters, including purchases, sales, corporate governance and compliance issues."
    • 2014 – "[Alan] is thought of by sources as 'a smart lawyer, especially on the finance side.' Areas of his expertise range from succession planning to acquisition transactions."
    • 2013 – "Well-respected practitioner, Alan Schwartz, counsels private businesses on a range of corporate issues, including business planning and transactional matters."
    • 2012 – "[Alan] maintains a healthy reputation for serving as corporate counsel to private companies, as well as handling acquisitions and divestitures."
    • 2011 – "[Alan is] held in high regard for his representation of private companies."
    • 2010 – "[Alan] advises on sales and acquisitions as well as business planning for private clients and businesses."
    • 2009 – "[Alan is] particularly well versed in counseling some of the firm's most prominent private clients."
• Law Bulletin Media
  • Leading Lawyers, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 2017, 2023
  • Leading Lawyers, Publicly Held Corporations Law, 2017, 2023
• DBusiness, Top Lawyers, 2010-2015, 2017, and 2022
• Legal 500 United States, 2008
  • Listed as highly recommended M&A attorney
• DBusiness, Featured in "Spotlight," October 2007
• Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated 

Professional & Community Involvement

• State Bar of Michigan
• Detroit Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Karmanos Cancer Institute
  • Vice Chair, 2012-2014
  • Chair, 2008-2012
• Legacy DMC, successor to the Detroit Medical Center
  • Vice Chair, 2009-present
• Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit
  • Board of Governors, 2005-2011
  • United Jewish Fund, 2011-2017
• Clover Hill Park Cemetery
  • Chairman
• Congregation Shaarey Zedek
  • Board of Trustees, Past President
• JARC
  • Board of Directors, 1989-1994
• Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Board of Directors, former Member, 2003-2008
  • Executive Committee, former Member, 2007-2008

News

Press Releases