Michael (Mike) Hammer is Dickinson Wright’s Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, Mike oversees all aspects of the firm’s professional service and business operations, and develops and implements the firm’s strategic direction and growth plan, working closely with his management group, elected governing board, practice leaders, and administrative officers.
Mike is a 30-year veteran of the firm, and previously served as Deputy CEO for ten years. Under his guidance, the firm hired hundreds of lateral partners and opened 14 offices, including in Arizona, Texas, California, Illinois, Nevada, Toronto, Tennessee, Ohio, and Florida. Through these efforts, he strengthened and broadened the firm’s practice offerings to its clients.
In his private practice, Mike’s clients rely on him to provide sound business advice across a broad range of areas, including outside general counsel services, financial restructurings, bankruptcy, distressed acquisitions and sales, and commercial disputes and litigation.
Education & Credentials
Education
University of Pittsburgh School of Law
J.D., 1988- cum laude
University of Michigan
B.A., 1985Bar Admission
Acknowledgements
- Michigan Super Lawyers®
- Best Lawyers in America®
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2009-2025
- Litigation - Bankruptcy, 2009-2025
- DBusiness Magazine
- "Top Lawyers," Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights Law, 2013-2021
- Michigan Lawyers Weekly
- “Managing Partners Spotlight,” 2024
- "Leader in the Law," 2018
- United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- Pro Bono Award, 2001, 2006-2008, 2010, 2014, 2016
- Pro Bono Award, 2001, 2006-2008, 2010, 2014, 2016
Prominent Assignments
- Canyon Partners Real Estate LLC – Successfully obtained dismissal of a bankruptcy case allowing a State Court receiver to remain in possession to complete construction of a large mixed-use real estate project.
- Visteon Corporation – Successfully obtained dismissal of initial lawsuit seeking recovery of alleged bond repayment shortfall relating to construction of Visteon’s headquarters.
- Automotive Suppliers – Prepared and negotiated numerous contracts with “new technology” automobile companies such as Tesla, Faraday Future, Telit, NextEV, Zoox, etc. Counseled and litigated numerous stop ship and contract dispute/termination cases, and negotiated and closed numerous asset sales.
- Hanon Systems USA Corporation and Hanon Systems Corporation (Korea) – Handled numerous contract and supplier issues, corporate governance and financing matters.
- Family Christian Stores – Represented 37 consignment vendors in bankruptcy of largest retailer of Christian books and merchandise.
- Wells Fargo – Represented Wells Fargo in $60 million loan workout involving the largest law school in the country.
- Visteon Corporation – Served as Special Debtor’s Counsel to Visteon in its bankruptcy case for supplier matters. Lead counsel on 215 preference cases.
- Borders Group, Inc. – Served as Special Debtor’s Counsel to Borders in its bankruptcy case for supplier, vendor, and real estate matters.
- General Motors Corporation – Represented over 40 suppliers in GM’s bankruptcy case.
- Chrysler LLC v. Plastech Engineered Products – Served as lead counsel in 12 state property repossessions involving $183M in tooling, efforts to resource $200M in business and subsequent lift stay and injunction trial in ensuing bankruptcy.
Professional Involvement
- CEO, Dickinson Wright PLLC
- Member, Dickinson Wright Management Group
- Member, Dickinson Wright Governing Board
- Past Board Member, Bankruptcy Law Section, National Federal Bar Association
- Past Co-Chair, FBA Bankruptcy Section, Eastern District of Michigan
- Mediator, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 1997-present
Community Involvement
- Board of Trustees, Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, Mich. (2012-2017)
- Board of Directors, Barton Hills Country Club (2016-2019)
- Board President, HIV/AIDS Resource Center (HARC) (2008-2013)
Publications/Presentations
- Author, "Autonomous Vehicles: The Future Has Arrived in Michigan", Detroit Lawyer, March-April, 2017
- Speaker, ICLE’s 35th Annual Labor & Employment Law Institute – When Labor Law and Bankruptcy Intersect/Collective Bargaining Agreements/Retiree and Pension Benefits/Retention and Severance Plans, Detroit, Mich., April 30, 2010
- Speaker, FBA/Employment Law Seminar on current bankruptcy issues, Detroit, MI, May 14, 2009
- Co-Moderator and Organizer, FBA/TMA Spring Auto Conference, Detroit, Michigan, March 24, 2009
- Author, “Inside the Minds: The Impact of the Subprime Mortgage Crisis," How Bankruptcy Lawyer Can Navigate the Current Crisis, Aspatore Books, 2009
- Co-Author, Strategies for Secured Creditors in Workouts and Foreclosures (American Law Institute and American Bar Association), 2004