David Foltyn

David Foltyn has served as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Honigman since 2008. Under his guidance, the firm has instituted innovative strategies to become a value leader in the legal marketplace by implementing processes, technology, and staffing models to increase value and maintain the high quality of its legal services. In addition, David has enhanced the recruitment and development functions of the firm by providing a wide variety of internal and external tools to assist attorneys and staff with career advancement. He is also a community leader and serves on boards such as the Downtown Detroit Partnership, the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, among others.  

David successfully led the firm through the acquisition of a Chicago-based litigation boutique and the integration of its lawyers into Honigman. Already Michigan’s largest law firm, Honigman now has more than 300 legal professionals in the Midwest and a growing national client base served by prominent practices in intellectual property, private equity, corporate and securities, real estate, and litigation, among others. Before becoming Chairman and CEO, David served the firm as Recruiting and Business Development Partner and Co-chair of the Strategic Planning Committee.

David is a well-respected corporate attorney who:

• Counsels publicly and privately held business clients
• Provides guidance to boards of directors regarding corporate governance and adherence to state and federal law
• Represents large and small companies, private equity firms, and financial service firms
• Advises clients with regard to corporate mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, financial transactions, public offerings, and private placements of securities and debt
• Continues to serve the firm as a member of its Strategic Planning Committee

Practice Areas

Education

Admissions

Awards

• Listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business since 2004
  • Recognized as an Eminent Practitioner in the field of Corporate/M&A; Chambers USA states: 
    • 2023 
    • 2022 – "David Foltyn is Honigman's chair and chief executive officer. He possesses an extensive track record of advising clients on M&A, securities, public offerings and divestitures."
    • 2021 - "David Foltyn is Honigman's chair and chief executive officer. He possesses an extensive track record of advising clients on M&A, securities, public offerings and divestitures." One clients adds, "He is a great lawyer, very well recognized and respected in the state."
    • 2020 - " David Foltyn is Honigman's chair and chief executive officer. He possesses an extensive track record of advising clients on M&A, securities, public offerings and divestitures. One source praises his strength, stating: 'I think he's fantastic.'"
    • 2019 - "David Foltyn is the chairman of the firm. He has a wealth of experience in the corporate field, having advised on large-scale M&A as well as related financial transactions."
    • 2018 - "David Foltyn is an experienced adviser acting on a broad range of corporate matters, including mergers, acquisitions and related financial transactions. He enjoys a strong reputation as a 'fantastic M&A lawyer.'"
    • 2017 – "[David] is held in high regard for his longstanding reputation in the market. He is well placed to represent clients in mergers, acquisitions, public offerings and a wide range of financial transactions. Sources describe him as 'a very talented lawyer' who has 'built a great practice.'"
    • 2016 – "David Foltyn regularly handles sales, purchases and public offerings for a diverse list of corporate clients. Reporters find that he is 'very practical, smart and knows how to work as part of a team.'"
    • 2015 – "David Foltyn advises on M&A, public offerings and securities, and is singled out by market sources as a 'wise and trusted adviser.'"
    • 2014 – "[David] 'has the ear of his clients, offers practical solutions and doesn’t mess around,' according to commentators. He provides guidance on subjects such as corporate governance, divestitures and public offerings."
    • 2013 – "The 'terrific' David Foltyn is chief executive of the firm. He has extensive experience in a range of corporate matters, including M&A, public offerings and private equity transactions."
    • 2012 – "Firm chief executive David Foltyn is viewed as a 'very impressive' corporate M&A lawyer with extensive experience in handling transactions for venture capital firms and other financial institutions."
• The Best Lawyers in America, 1995-2023
  • Recognized in practice areas of:
    • Corporate Compliance Law 
    • Corporate Governance Law
    • Corporate Law
    • Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
    • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
    • Securities / Capital Markets Law
    • Securities Regulation
  • Detroit Corporate Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2018
  • Detroit Mergers and Acquisitions Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2013
  • Detroit Corporate Governance Law and Corporate Compliance Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2011
• DBusiness, Top Lawyers, 2010-2019, 2022
• Michigan Super Lawyers, 2006-2022
  • Recognized in the Top 100 rankings, 2006-2015
  • Named as one of the Top 10 Super Lawyers, 2007
• Leading Lawyers Magazine Michigan, 2017
  • Recognized in practice areas of: 
    • Corporate Finance Law
    • Mergers & Acquisitions Law
    • Publicly Held Corporations Law
    • Securities & Venture Finance Law
  • Named as one of the:
    • Top 10 Leading Transactional Business Lawyers
    • Top 100 Leading Lawyers
    • Top 100 Leading Business Lawyers
• Legal 500 United States 2008, listed as highly recommended M&A attorney
• Lawdragon, recognized as a finalist for 2010
• Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated 

Professional & Community Involvement

• State Bar of Michigan
  • Business Law Section
    • Council, Past Chairman
• Ray Garrett Institute (Northwestern University Law School)
  • Planning Committee, Member
• Detroit Economic Club, Board of Directors, 2013-present
• United Way for Southeastern Michigan
  • Board Chair, 2019-present
  • Vice Chair, 2017-2019
  • Board of Directors, 2012-present
• Downtown Detroit Partnership, Board of Directors, 2012-present
• Community Legal Resources (CLR), Law Firm Appeal Chair, 2011
• JVS, Past Chair, 2004-2006
• Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Board of Directors
  • PAC Board Member

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