Mr. James S. Fontichiaro | Member
Top Local Lawyers
Akiva Goldman
Goldman & Associates
Divorce & Family Law, Child Custody, Criminal,
615 Griswold St. Suite 1325
Detroit, MI 48226
Frederic M. Rosen
Frederic M. Rosen, PC
Accident & Injury, Car Accident, Medical Malpractice, Slip & Fall Accident, Workers' Compensation
535 Griswold St Suite-2040
Detroit, MI 48226
Christopher Wayne Quinn II
Law Office of Attorney Christopher W. Quinn II
Felony, DUI-DWI, Misdemeanor, Traffic, Bankruptcy
400 Monroe, Suite 290
Detroit, MI 48226
Dean W. Amburn
Amburn Law PLLC
Intellectual Property, Trademark,
400 Renaissance Center Suite 2111
Detroit, MI 48243
Jeff Herron
Law Offices of Jeffrey Herron
Accident & Injury, Employment, Health Care, Civil & Human Rights, Mass Torts
440 Burroughs St
Detroit, MI 48202
Ali Habib Moubarak
The MOUBRAK Law Firm
Criminal,
1 Parklane Blvd Suite 729E
Dearborn, MI 48126
Nathan A. Dodson
Dodson Fowler Williams & Nesi, PLC
Accident & Injury, Divorce & Family Law, Criminal,
18538 Mack Avenue
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
Christopher J. Nesi
Dodson Fowler Williams & Nesi, PLC
Divorce & Family Law,
18538 Mack Avenue
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
Jeffery D Maynard
Maynard Law Associates, PLLC
Criminal, Divorce & Family Law, Bankruptcy & Debt, Estate, Lawsuit & Dispute
22201 Harper Avenue
Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080
About James
Jim joined Barris, Sott, Denn & Driker in 1983 and became a member in 1991. His broad-based real estate practice covers all the aspects of real estate including financing, development, real estate related bankruptcy, work-outs, environmental law, land planning and assembly, complex zoning, leasing and foreclosures. Jim combines a broad knowledge of real estate law with the practical sense of the ultimate goal of making complex real estate transactions work so his clients may achieve their objectives. In 2002 and each year subsequent, Jim has been honored by his selection as one of The Best Lawyers in America pursuant to an exhaustive and exclusive nomination and peer-review process. Jim was also named as a "Michigan Super Lawyer" (real estate) as well as a "Best of the U.S." lawyer.
Representative Cases/Transactions
Counsel to numerous real estate lenders in transactions totaling over one-half billion dollars in value.
Represented developers in several multi-property portfolio acquisitions with single transaction values in excess of One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars.
Assisted national lenders and national store chains in sophisticated multi-state sale and leaseback transactions as well as in synthetic lease transactions.
Successfully foreclosed numerous real estate projects on behalf of lenders resulting in the complete recovery of all amounts due lenders.
Assisted developers in providing suitable zoning for proposed projects in the face of opposition from local municipal bodies.
Counsel to developers in significant residential, retail and research/industrial condominium projects.
Education
B.S. Human Medicine - Michigan State University - With High Honors. 1979
JD - Wayne State University. Cum Laude. Order of the Coif. 1983
Professional Affiliations
Admitted: State Bar of Michigan; United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Michigan Bar Association
American Bar Association - Real Estate Section
Armenian American Bar Association
Federalist Society
Adjunct Law Professor - Ave Maria School of Law, Ann Arbor, Michigan (real estate course)
Member - Best Lawyers in America, Michigan Super Lawyer, Best of the U.S.
Civic Organizations
West Point Parents Club of Michigan - Officer and Board Member
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Dearborn, Michigan - Stewardship Commission
Youth Hockey - Level Four (Advanced) USA Hockey Coach
Catholic Youth Organization - Girls Softball Coach. Girls Travel Softball Coach
Golfcrest Country Club Civic Association - Architectural Review Committee Member
Admission
Michigan
1983
Barris Sott Denn & Driker Pllc Highlights
Family Law, Banking & Finance, Wills & Probate, Bad Faith Insurance, Corporate, Antitrust; Professional Malpractice; Employment; Trusts; Intellectual Property; Business Organization; Products Liability; Labor Law; Estate Planning; Real Estate; Litigation; Tax