Chauncey Mayfield II

Chauncey C. Mayfield II is a partner in the firm’s Corporate Department and leader of the firm's Supply Chain & Advanced Manufacturing Transactions group, where he serves as a trusted advisor to global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), suppliers, manufacturers, and other businesses on sophisticated commercial transactions, complex sourcing relationships, and legal and commercial challenges defining today’s most dynamic industries.  

Chauncey provides strategic counsel across the full lifecycle of commercial relationships, from structuring sourcing and manufacturing arrangements to navigating financings, outsourcing, logistics, and commercial disputes. He regularly advises clients in the automotive, advanced manufacturing, mobility, defense, food and beverage, and technology sectors.

He has deep experience in complex domestic and international transactions involving electric vehicles, critical mineral supply chains, connected and autonomous vehicle technologies, and cross-border sourcing arrangements. Chauncey is particularly sought after for high-stakes supply chain matters, including production continuity issues, distressed suppliers, bankruptcy-related challenges, and strategic sourcing disputes, where his practical, business-oriented approach helps companies mitigate risk and execute on strategic priorities.

Beyond his transactional and supply chain practice, Chauncey serves as outside general counsel to privately held and growth-stage businesses. In that capacity, he partners with executive leadership teams on strategic transactions, corporate governance, risk management, and key operational decisions.

Practice Areas

Industries

Representative Matters

Automotive & Mobility

• Serves as primary outside supply chain counsel to OEMs, automotive suppliers, and their investors in high-stakes commercial contracting, supply chain disputes, distressed supplier situations, production continuity matters, and commercial risk mitigation including advising on pre-litigation dispute resolution, accommodation and access agreements, loan and security agreements, setoff limitation agreements, and other financial accommodation structures
• Represented an OEM in negotiating and drafting a vehicle assembly agreement with a German OEM for the assembly of luxury passenger vehicles sold in China
• Represented an OEM as customer in a contract manufacturing agreement for the manufacture and supply of battery electric Class 4 trucks for sale in the U.S. and Canada
• Represented an OEM as contract manufacturer with a large technology company on the design, development, and supply of customized last-mile electric delivery vehicles for sale in the United States
• Represented Tier 1 automotive supplier in purchase of U.S. based financially troubled supplier including re-negotiation of various customer contracts that were a key condition to closing of sale
• Represented a Canadian contract manufacturer in a manufacture and supply agreement with a large technology company for battery electric Class 6 and Class 8 commercial trucks for sale in the United States
• Represented an OEM as customer in a joint development, manufacture, and supply agreement for medium duty Class 4/5 commercial trucks for sale in the United States
• Represented an EV OEM in a multi-billion dollar supply agreement with a foreign battery cell supplier for a new vehicle platform, involving complex cross-border commercial and risk allocation terms
• Represented a defense contractor and OEM of specialized ground vehicles for the U.S. Government in all supply chain activities supporting the launch of a critical military vehicle program, including sourcing strategy, supplier contracting, and production readiness matter

Supply Chain, Strategic Manufacturing, and Outsourcing

• Represented clients across industries in drafting and negotiating domestic and international supply contracts, service agreements, warranties, and terms and conditions of purchase and sale covering direct and indirect materials, development and engineering services, tooling, and capital equipment
• Represented clients in negotiating and drafting logistics agreements for various commodities, including freight forwarding, brokerage, truckload, and less-than-truckload arrangements, temperature-controlled (cold chain) logistics, warehousing and bailment agreements
• Represented buyers, contract manufacturers, and suppliers in the consumer packaged goods industry (including food, beverage, and cosmetics) in the drafting, negotiation, and enforcement of contract manufacturing, supply, private label, and distribution agreements
• Represented a wholly-owned financial services subsidiary of an automotive OEM in negotiating and drafting outsourcing agreements related to U.S. automobile fleet leasing, fleet management services, and vehicle service contracts
• Represented Michigan based multinational company in the negotiation and drafting of a medical direct contract with a Michigan based hospital system that was the first direct to employer contract of its kind in southeast Michigan

Financing, Restructuring, & Special Situations

• Advised Capitol Bancorp Ltd., a national bank holding company with total assets of approximately $2 billion, in its Chapter 11 reorganization
• Represented General Motors in connection with the global insolvency proceedings and restructuring of Takata Corporation, including the Chapter 11 cases of TK Holdings, Inc. and its debtor affiliates, the Chapter 15 cases of Takata Corporation and its foreign-debtor affiliates, and the sale of substantially all of Takata's assets to Key Safety Systems
• Represented commercial lenders in foreclosure, sale, and other enforcement actions involving a distressed borrower's assets, including advising on related litigation strategy

Prior Experience

• General Counsel, P.C. (2012-2013)

Education

Admissions

Awards

• Crain’s Detroit Business, Class of 2025 40 Under 40 Award, 2025
• Michigan Lawyers Weekly Class of 2022 Leaders in the Law, 2022
• The Best Lawyers in America, 2021-2026
  • Recognized in the areas of:
    • Commercial Transactions / UCC Law, 2024-2026
    • Corporate Law, 2024-2026, Ones to Watch, 2021-2023
    • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency, and Reorganization Law, Ones to Watch, 2021-2023
• Michigan Super Lawyers, Recognized as a Rising Star, 2016-2021, 2025
• Michigan Chronicle Men of Excellence, 2017
• 2013 Lawyers of Color “Hot List” (Midwest Region)
• National Black Lawyers Top 100 in Michigan (2022, 2025)
• National Black Lawyers Top 40 under 40 in Michigan (2025)
• DBusiness, Top Lawyers, 2026

Professional & Community Involvement

District of Columbia Bar Association

Detroit Historical Society, Board of Trustees

News

Press Releases

Alerts

Publications