Butzel elects Shareholders in firm’s Grand Rapids office
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Butzel, one of Michigan’s leading and long-established law firms, has elected Lee T. Silver, Michael L. Gutierrez and Daniel J. Hatch, all attorneys in the Grand Rapids office, to become their newest shareholders.
“These attorneys are all fearless litigators with a long history of success,” said Paul Mersino, who takes over as Butzel’s next President and CEO on March 16, 2023 at the firm’s Annual Meeting. “Lee, Mike and Dan provide our western Michigan office the kind of experience that matters to the bottom line of our clients. They are truly committed to advocate for the legal rights of those that hire our firm. Their values, integrity, and leadership provide the perfect foundation as we continue to grow our Butzel team in Michigan.”
About Lee T. Silver
Lee Silver is an experienced trial lawyer who has a long record of obtaining outstanding results for his clients. He has successfully handled complex commercial litigation cases over the past 38 years in state and federal courts throughout Michigan and well over a dozen other states.
He is widely recognized for his success in the courtroom and has received several honors for his work as a trial lawyer based on peer review, including being named by “Michigan Super Lawyers” as one of the top 100 attorneys in the State of Michigan in 2021 and 2022 and being named by “Best Lawyers in America” as the 2023 Lawyer of the Year for Bet-the-Company Litigation in Grand Rapids.
Moreover, Silver has an active mediation/alternative dispute resolution practice. He is one of only three Mediators in Michigan to be selected as a Fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators and has been selected as a member of the American Arbitration Association’s prestigious Master Mediator Panel, which is comprised of AAA’s top Mediator’s as rated by attorneys that handle large complex disputes.
About Michael L. Gutierrez
Michael Gutierrez handles complex litigation matters and disputes for businesses and individuals throughout Michigan and nationally.
Gutierrez advises business owners and officers in litigation arising out of equity interest valuation and corporate governance disputes, including claims of shareholder and member oppression, breaches of fiduciary duties, errors and omissions of company officers and directors, and breaches of restrictive covenants.
Gutierrez also represents businesses and individuals in administrative proceedings, internal investigations, and the defense of claims arising out of the False Claims Act, federal banking regulations, federal labor regulations, as well as state regulatory and antifraud statutes.
About Daniel J. Hatch
Daniel Hatch practices in the areas of construction law, business law, tax law, insurance recovery and advisory, and commercial litigation. He is experienced in civil litigation representing owners, general contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, and suppliers in various matters involving contract disputes, real property disputes, tort and professional liability claims, lien and bond claims, and collections in state and federal courts.
He also specializes in litigation and appeals in state and federal courts on subjects including takings, ordinance validity, zoning, building codes, permit and inspection procedures, code enforcement, riparian rights, development contracts, Open Meetings Acts, equal protection, and due process.
Hatch has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers from 2019-present. He is a member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, State Bar of Michigan Character and Fitness District C Committee, Grand Rapids Bar Association, Construction Financial Management Association, American Subcontractors Association National Attorneys’ Council, and Associated Builders and Contractors.
