No. of offices 5 Date founded 1929 [1] Headquarters Detroit Number of offices 5 | No. of attorneys 150 Number of attorneys 150 Founded 1929 | |
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Major practice areas Automotive, Financial Services, Health Care, Real Estate, High Tech Key people Ralph E. McDowell, Chairman Founder Wallace R. Middleton and Clifford B. Longley Profiles | ||
Bodman PLC is a business law firm headquartered in Ford Field, located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. Founded in 1929 [2] by two former Ford Motor Company lawyers, Wallace R. Middleton and Clifford B. Longley, the firm is one of the state’s largest, with more than 150 lawyers in four offices: Ann Arbor, Cheboygan, Detroit, and Troy.
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Bodman has long been known for its close associations with the automotive and financial services industries and for its long-term relationships with significant clients. For example, the firm has maintained a continuous client relationship with members of the Ford family since 1929 and with Comerica Incorporated since it assisted in the formation of Manufacturer's National Bank, which later merged with Comerica, in 1933. The firm represents more than 80 financial institutions in Michigan and across the U.S. as well as Tier-1, -2 and -3 automotive suppliers and OEMs on a national and international basis.
Practices and Industries
Honors
Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business ranks Bodman as one of Michigan's leading law firms in five of the six practice areas it ranks in Michigan, including ranking as the state’s top firm for Banking & Finance. Other Bodman practice areas ranked in Chambers USA are Corporate/M&A, Commercial Litigation, Real Estate and Labor & Employment. Benchmark: Litigation ranks Bodman as “highly recommended” for commercial litigation, which is that publication’s highest ranking.
The National Law Journal recognized Bodman as one of the "Hottest Mid-sized Law Firms" in the country in its 2011 edition. The 20 firms listed are said to have demonstrated innovative practices to remain competitive, formed new practice groups, and have developed new business strategies.
Bodman has an extensive pro bono program and has received “Law Firm of the Year” honors from Legal Aid and Defender Association(LAD) and from Community Legal Resources for its commitment in this area. In 2010, LAD announced that Bodman had been named its law firm of the year for the second time. The State Bar of Michigan has enrolled Bodman in its “Pro Bono Circle of Excellence.” The firm was named to the Pro Bono Circle of Excellence again in 2011 and 2015. Firm member Karen L. Piper was named LAD's Pro Bono Attorney of the year for 2012.
The Detroit Free Press, Michigan's largest daily newspaper, recognized Bodman as one of the "top workplaces" of southeast Michigan for 2010 through 2014. The Detroit Free Press also honored Bodman Chairman Ralph McDowell as the most confidence-inspiring leader of a mid-size employer in Michigan in 2011. Bodman was honored in 2010 and again in 2015 as a "Diversity Focused Company" for inclusiveness and promoting community service, in addition to receiving the "Going Green Award from Corp! Magazine for its sustainable business practices. "101 Best and Brightest" named Bodman one of Michigan's leading sustainable companies in 2014.