Michelle D. Champane
There are so many opportunities for businesses out there, you just have to know how to find them.
Contact: P /313.445.2515E /[email protected]
Administrative Contact: Sherry Ernster P /612.604.6636E /[email protected]
Education
Wayne State University Law School, J.D., 2016
Michigan State University, James Madison College, B.A., 2013
Bar Admissions
Michigan, 2016
U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 2017
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 2016
My Approach
I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs and small business owners, and saw firsthand the associated difficulties and triumphs of that life. Those experiences fed my desire to help businesses and business owners overcome challenges, which is how I ended up in law school. I love working with businesses of all sizes and levels of sophistication, from entrepreneurs to large companies, and my goal for each client is to carve out a path and achieve success by maximizing their opportunities. There is nothing I appreciate more about my work than identifying opportunities and solving problems for my clients – I love helping them advance and pursue their business goals and aspirations.
Each client is so much more than just a client – they become like a close friend or family. I appreciate that for most, needing a lawyer can be a scary, daunting process – but it doesn’t have to be that way. I take the time to get to know my clients, and not only the legal issue that brings them to me, but their goals and aspirations – which help me be creative in developing solutions that might not be apparent otherwise. I have deep personal investment in the success of every client.
Outside of work, I love to ski, try new restaurants, and spend time in Northern Michigan with family, my fiancé, and our rescue dog. I am in the process of developing my golf game, and any tips are much appreciated.
Practice Areas
Practicing Business & Commercial Litigation
My Experience
I represent businesses in a wide range of litigation, including commercial contract disputes, shareholder disputes, tax litigation, property valuation disputes, and more. I have represented clients at all stages of civil litigation, including complex commercial disputes, business disputes, and real property litigation. I have additional experience in federal and state tax litigation, including tax appeals to the IRS, property tax valuation appeals, and defending claimed federal and state tax credits on behalf of my clients.
Practicing Real Estate Development & Transactions
My Experience
I represent clients in connection with federal and state tax incentive programs, and negotiate on their behalf with federal, state and local agencies to achieve high-value incentive and benefit awards. I lean on my background in litigation in these matters, to maximize the value of federal and state tax incentive deals and to defend potential challenges to these awards.
Also experienced in
Specialty Tax Credits & Incentives
Honors & Awards
Michigan Super Lawyers
Rising Stars, 2021
Associations & Memberships
Michigan Women’s Tax Association
Board of Directors