David Foltyn

David Foltyn has served as the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Honigman since 2008. In this role, he oversees the firm’s more than 350 legal professionals throughout Michigan, Chicago and Washington, D.C. as well as a growing national client base served by prominent practices in intellectual property, private equity, corporate and securities, real estate, and litigation, among others.

Prior to his role as Chairman and CEO, David served as the firm’s Recruiting and Business Development Partner and Co-chair of its Strategic Planning Committee.

Under his guidance, the firm has instituted innovative strategies to become a value leader in the marketplace known for high quality legal services. Continuing the firm’s tradition of being the best place for the best lawyers to work, David has enhanced the recruiting functions of the firm and has implemented ongoing development opportunities for attorneys and staff. He is also an active community leader and serves on a number of boards, including the Downtown Detroit Partnership, the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

As a corporate attorney, David counsels publicly and privately held business clients and provides guidance to boards of directors regarding corporate governance and on all regulatory matters at the state and federal level. He has deep expertise in advising clients on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, financial transactions, public offerings, and private placements of securities and debt.

Practice Areas

Education

Admissions

Awards

• Listed in Chambers USA, 2004-2024
  • Recognized as an Eminent Practitioner in Corporate/M&A in Michigan; Chambers USA states:
    
    • "David Foltyn is Honigman's chair and chief executive officer. He possesses an extensive track record of advising clients on M&A, securities, public offerings and divestitures."
    • "David Foltyn is Honigman's chair and chief executive officer. He possesses an extensive track record of advising clients on M&A, securities, public offerings and divestitures." One clients adds, "He is a great lawyer, very well recognized and respected in the state."
    • " David Foltyn is Honigman's chair and chief executive officer. He possesses an extensive track record of advising clients on M&A, securities, public offerings and divestitures. One source praises his strength, stating: 'I think he's fantastic.'"
    • "David Foltyn is the chairman of the firm. He has a wealth of experience in the corporate field, having advised on large-scale M&A as well as related financial transactions."
    • "David Foltyn is an experienced adviser acting on a broad range of corporate matters, including mergers, acquisitions and related financial transactions. He enjoys a strong reputation as a 'fantastic M&A lawyer.'"
    • "[David] is held in high regard for his longstanding reputation in the market. He is well placed to represent clients in mergers, acquisitions, public offerings and a wide range of financial transactions. Sources describe him as 'a very talented lawyer' who has 'built a great practice.'"
    • "David Foltyn regularly handles sales, purchases and public offerings for a diverse list of corporate clients. Reporters find that he is 'very practical, smart and knows how to work as part of a team.'"
    • "David Foltyn advises on M&A, public offerings and securities, and is singled out by market sources as a 'wise and trusted adviser.'"
    • "[David] 'has the ear of his clients, offers practical solutions and doesn’t mess around,' according to commentators. He provides guidance on subjects such as corporate governance, divestitures and public offerings."
    • "The 'terrific' David Foltyn is chief executive of the firm. He has extensive experience in a range of corporate matters, including M&A, public offerings and private equity transactions."
    • "Firm chief executive David Foltyn is viewed as a 'very impressive' corporate M&A lawyer with extensive experience in handling transactions for venture capital firms and other financial institutions."
• The Best Lawyers in America, 1995-2025
  • Recognized in practice areas of:
    • Corporate Compliance Law 
    • Corporate Governance Law
    • Corporate Law
    • Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
    • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
    • Securities / Capital Markets Law
    • Securities Regulation
  • Detroit Corporate Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2018, 2025
  • Detroit Mergers and Acquisitions Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2013
  • Detroit Corporate Governance Law and Corporate Compliance Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2011
• DBusiness, Detroit 500, 2023-2024
• DBusiness, Top Lawyers, 2010-2019, 2022
• Michigan Super Lawyers, 2006-2022
  • Recognized in the Top 100 rankings, 2006-2015
  • Named as one of the Top 10 Super Lawyers, 2007
• Law Bulletin Media
  • Leading Lawyers, Corporate Finance Law, 2017, 2023-2024
  • Leading Lawyers, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 2017, 2023-2024
  • Leading Lawyers, Publicly Held Corporations Law, 2017, 2023-2024
  • Leading Lawyers, Securities & Venture Finance Law, 2017, 2023-2024
• Leading Lawyers Magazine Michigan, 2017
  • Named as one of the:
    • Top 10 Leading Transactional Business Lawyers
    • Top 100 Leading Lawyers
    • Top 100 Leading Business Lawyers
• Legal 500 United States 2008, listed as highly recommended M&A attorney
• Lawdragon, recognized as a finalist for 2010
• Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated 

Professional & Community Involvement

• State Bar of Michigan
  • Business Law Section
    • Council, Past Chairman
• Detroit Economic Club, Board of Directors, 2013-present
• United Way for Southeastern Michigan
  • Board Chair, 2019-2021
  • Vice Chair, 2017-2019
  • Board of Directors, 2012-present
• Downtown Detroit Partnership, Board of Directors, 2012-present
• JVS, Past Chair, 2004-2006
• Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Board of Directors
  • Executive Committee
  • Political Action Committee Board Chair

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