Practice Areas

BUSINESS AND TAX

At WILSON RODE, PLLC, our attorneys are engaged in a diverse and sophisticated corporate and business law practice involving the representation of individuals, private and publicly-held corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies, tax-exempt organizations, charities and foundations. We assist our clients in all aspects of their day-to-day business that require legal attention, including advising them as to their corporate governance and structure, negotiating loan documents, preparing employment agreements, advising shareholders in shareholder agreements and disputes, negotiating contracts with customers, suppliers and distributors, preparing confidentiality agreements and communicating with federal and state regulatory authorities.

We also counsel clients who are conducting major business transactions. This includes the formation and capitalization of start-up companies, venture capital activities, mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financings for lenders and businesses, restructurings, workouts and recapitalizations and succession planning for closely-held businesses.

In addition, our attorneys advise individuals and businesses on federal, state and local tax matters.

Our attorneys understand that today's business world is more complex than ever. Responding to clients’ problems involves not only resolving legal issues, but requires us to develop business strategies to meet the needs of an ever-changing business environment. And, consistent with our mission, we provide these services in an expeditious and cost-effective way.

ESTATE PLANNING & PROBATE

At Wilson Rode, pllc, we provide comprehensive estate planning and probate counsel, including litigation services, and provide advice on all matters connected with the design, drafting, administration and accounting of trusts and estates. Our estate planning attorneys have years of experience and provide services ranging from the development of a basic estate plan to designing sophisticated arrangements for the protection of assets and the transfer of wealth. We advise our clients on and assist them in implementing strategies to minimize the income, estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes associated with the lifetime and testamentary transfer of assets. We also assist clients with medical and financial powers of attorney, patient advocate designations, charitable planning, and special needs and Medicaid planning. Our attorneys are skilled in providing personal and compassionate assistance to families dealing with the often devastating personal and legal effects of disability and death, including guardianships, conservatorships, and all areas of estate, probate, and trust administration.

Wilson Rode, pllc also provides integrated succession planning to our corporate and closely-held business clients. We believe in utilizing a team approach where appropriate, involving the client’s accountant, financial advisor, insurance agent and other professional advisors in a concerted effort to achieve the client’s planning objectives.

LITIGATION

At WILSON RODE, PLLC, our approach to litigation mirrors the firm’s overall philosophy of providing representation that is both economical and responsive to our clients’ individual needs. Litigation, like any other business activity, requires careful planning to achieve maximum results. In undertaking a matter, we provide our clients with a complete and honest assessment of their case so they can make an informed decision on how to proceed. We identify our clients’ objectives early on and work closely with them to meet those goals. We pursue litigation strategies narrowly focused to achieve the best possible result in an expeditious and cost-effective manner.

Patrick Rode, who heads up our litigation practice, has substantial experience in the successful resolution of disputes.

We regularly represent individuals, corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies and non-profit entities in contract disputes, unfair competition litigation, restrictive covenant enforcement, Uniform Commercial Code matters, shareholder actions, disputes arising from mergers and acquisitions, real estate and commercial lease disputes, tax and probate matters, and general commercial matters of all sorts.

Our attorneys understand that court battles can be time-consuming, emotionally stressful and expensive and disruptive, and can often prevent a lawsuit from happening through judicious negotiation and counseling. We therefore make all appropriate efforts to resolve disputes at the earliest possible stage, and with the least possible expense and risk. We also counsel our clients on personal and business strategies which will help them avoid the expense, distraction and inconvenience of litigation. At the same time, if a case must be tried, we have the trial skills and experience necessary to effectively pursue the matter.

We are available to try cases in state and federal courts throughout Michigan, and in arbitration and select federal courts throughout the country.

In each case, we will discuss different billing arrangements — hourly, fixed fee, contingent fee, or a combination of any of those arrangements — in advance to see what is best suited to the case and the client.

REAL ESTATE

At Wilson Rode, pllc, we are engaged in a comprehensive real estate practice representing a wide array of clients. Our attorneys counsel buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, borrowers and lenders in all categories of real estate transactions. Additionally we represent builders and developers of all kinds, including builders of single family homes and developers of shopping centers, office and other commercial buildings. We are involved in every phase of the process from land acquisition through construction financing, lease-up and permanent financing. Following project completion, we assist in the leasing and management of the property, negotiating and drafting leases, and dealing with all aspects of landlord and tenant relations. Wilson Rode, pllc also represents contractors and subcontractors seeking payment for their work through construction liens, bond claims, and subsequent litigation. We regularly assist clients with handling refinancings and negotiating workouts on behalf of borrowers and lenders.