Donald J. Kunz

Don Kunz concentrates his practice on corporate finance and governance matters, with a particular emphasis on representing publicly traded companies. He draws from vast knowledge and decades of experience in all aspects of corporate counseling, capital raising, compliance and governance to provide seasoned counsel to his clients.

Don advises clients on capital raising, including acquisitions and dispositions, IPOs, and follow-on offerings; corporate governance issues, including counseling boards of directors, board committees, and officers on executive compensation planning and wide-ranging day-to-day issues; and public‑company reporting and disclosure matters. He advises both public and private clients in myriad industries, working especially as counsel to a number of real estate investment trusts (REITs).

Don is sought out as an “outstanding” and “fabulous” lawyer—who “gives very sound and considered advice” and is “very good” at “looking at the bigger picture” (Chambers USA). His reputation is built on a tenure of more than 38 years representing clients.

Select representative clients include General Motors Company, Taubman Centers, RPT Realty, Agree Realty Corporation, Neogen Corporation, and Kenwal Steel Corporation.

In addition to his client work, Don serves as Chair of Honigman’s Operating Committee.

Practice Areas

Representative Matters

• Represented a supplier of automotive data and business intelligence services in its divestiture to a Colorado-based publicly traded company for $1.4 billion in 2013
• Represented an automotive supplier of electronics manufacturing services, solenoids, and wiring with respect to its divestiture to a California-based company for more than $190 million in 2012
• Has served as lead counsel for both issuers and underwriters in initial public offerings and follow-on offerings

Education

Admissions

Awards

• Listed in Chambers USA, 2003-2024
  • Recognized as a Senior Statesperson in Corporate/M&A in Michigan; Chambers USA adds: 
    • "Donald Kunz is a highly distinguished practitioner in Michigan. Among other transactions, he acts on equity offerings for leading real estate corporations, and also excels in matters of corporate governance."
    • Clients state, "He is a great lawyer in M&A transactions and he does this work really well" and "He is very well respected and has a great reputation."
    • "Donald Kunz is a 'very high-caliber lawyer' who is acknowledged for the strength of his corporate practice, which includes handling transactional issues as well as corporate governance."
    • "Donald Kunz acts on transactions, corporate finance and planning matters, and is particularly well equipped to handle matters on behalf of publicly traded corporations. One interviewee praises Kunz's in-depth knowledge of regulations and further states: 'He understands what the law is and can take a position to give good unqualified advice.'"
    • "Donald Kunz leads the firm's corporate team and has considerable experience regarding transactional, operational and planning issues. He regularly advises on securities issuances, acquisitions and matters of corporate governance. Sources describe him as 'a fabulous lawyer' who is 'very experienced' in this field."
    • "Head of the firm's corporate department Donald Kunz has a strong track record representing publicly held companies in complex transactional matters, and related securities and governance work. Clients find he is 'very good at helping us manage the process by directing what needs to be done, and looking at the bigger picture.'"
    • "Donald Kunz is described as an 'outstanding lawyer' who 'gives very sound and considered advice.' He recently advised Ramco-Gershenson Properties on two equity offerings of common shares, totaling $196 million."
    • “Donald Kunz is widely respected for his abilities in the field of corporate law, representing publicly traded companies in areas such as corporate governance, corporate finance and securities law. He is lauded by sources as 'the kind of lawyer who focuses on what’s important and fights for it in a congenial and effective manner.'"
    • "Donald Kunz is held in high esteem. He is known for his public company expertise and has notable experience of handling corporate finance-related matters."
    • "'Great lawyer' Donald Kunz specializes in corporate matters relating to publicly traded companies, including securities law."
• The Best Lawyers in America, 2005-2025
• Recognized in practice areas of:
  • Corporate Governance Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law
  • Securities Regulation
  • Venture Capital Law
• Detroit Securities Regulation "Lawyer of the Year," 2016, 2023 
• Detroit Corporate Governance Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2014, 2020, 2022, 2025
• Detroit Corporate Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2012, 2021 and 2024
• Detroit Mergers and Acquisitions Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2018, 2025
• Detroit Securities / Capital Markets Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2017, 2015 and 2024
• Detroit Securities Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2011 
• DBusiness, Top Lawyers, 2010-2019, 2022
• Michigan Super Lawyers, 2006-2024
  • Recognized as one of the:
    • Top 100 Super Lawyers, 2007, 2009-2012, and 2014-2017
    • Top 50 Business Super Lawyers, 2014-2016
• Law Bulletin Media
  • Leading Lawyers, Corporate Finance 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
  
  • Listed as one of the:
    • Top 100 Leading Lawyers
    • Top 100 Leading Business Lawyers
• Listed as a highly recommended M&A attorney in Legal 500 United States 2008
• Lawdragon 500 New Stars, New Worlds, 2006
• Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated 

Professional & Community Involvement

• State Bar of Michigan
  • Business Law Section, Council Member, 1988-1996
• American Bar Foundation
  • Fellow, 2014-present
• National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT)
• Law360
  • Capital Markets Editorial Advisory Board
• National Association of Stock Plan Professionals
• Birmingham Community House
  • Director, 2004-present
  • Chairman, 2010-2012 
• Bloomfield Village Association
  • President, 2005-2006
• Cranbrook Schools
  • Board of Governors, 1998-2009
    • Chairman, 2004-2007
• Red Run Golf Club
  • Board of Directors, 2001-2007
  • President, 2005-2007

News

Press Releases

Events

• Representing the Venture Capitalist
• Corporate Stock Buy-Back Programs and Associated Issues
• Buying and Selling A Business
• Liabilities of Directors and Officers Under Federal and State Securities Laws
• "Friends and Family" Issuer Directed Stock Programs
• Rule 10b5-1 Trading Programs
• Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
• WKSI Offerings
• The New Shelf Registration Rules

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