Overview
Shanika focuses her practice on helping clients navigate mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and real estate law. Her experience includes a wide range of transactions in a variety of industries. Shanika, along with her colleagues, recently represented a client in a $1.6 billion global merger, one of the largest M&A deals of 2024.
Shanika also assists clients with navigating the landscape of local municipalities, particularly the City of Detroit. She has helped clients with real estate issues and regulatory matters related to environmental compliance.
Before joining the firm, she served as a legislative assistant to the Detroit City Council where she advised policymakers on issues including economic development, budgeting, and matters leading up to the Detroit bankruptcy. Shanika also interned with the Honorable Avern Cohn of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Shanika Owens is a Shareholder based in Butzel’s Detroit office. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan (SBM) Business Law and Young Lawyers sections. She is elected to the SBM Representative Assembly and has served on The Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s (ICLE) Business Law Advisory Board.
Notably, Shanika has been repeatedly recognized by respected Michigan and national legal publications for her work in Corporate, Real Estate, and Mergers and Acquisitions Law.
Given her deep community roots and passion for service, Shanika serves on the Board of Directors of Avalon Healing Center in Detroit, a non-profit organization that provides compassionate and trauma-informed care to survivors of sexual assault.
Primary Practice Areas
Credentials
Education
Michigan State University, B.S.
Wayne State University Law School, J.D., cum laude
Admissions
- Michigan
Awards & Recognitions
Awards & Recognitions
The Best Lawyers in America® - Ones to Watch - Corporate Law, 2027; Real Estate Law, 2023-2027; Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2026-2027
Michigan Super Lawyers - Rising Stars, Real Estate, 2024-2026
Michigan Lawyers Weekly - “Influential Women of Law”, 2024
Michigan Lawyers Weekly Up & Coming Lawyers
Michigan Chronicle 40 under 40 (2013)
