Service Areas
- Businesses
- Bankruptcy, Restructuring + Insolvency
- Finance
- Litigation/Trial Practice
- Governments + Nonprofits
- Litigation/Trial Practice
- Individuals + Families
- Litigation/Trial Practice
Education
- Wayne State University Law School, J.D.
- University of Santa Monica, M.A.
- Western Michigan University, B.A.
Bar Admissions
- Florida
- Michigan
Robert E. L. Wright has over 25 years' experience in general civil litigation with particular emphasis in alternative dispute resolution and commercial litigation, including bankruptcy.
As a neutral mediator, Bob helps parties find their own resolution by moderating their settlement negotiations, suggesting options, focusing them on their risks and rewards and guiding them to a beneficial agreement. When representing individual clients, he guides them through all types of dispute resolution processes, including litigation in court, mediation and arbitration tribunals.
In bankruptcy cases, Bob obtains relief from bankruptcy courts to permit clients to proceed with foreclosures and forfeitures; obtains repayment plans for clients; provides learned advice to creditors; represents committees of creditors; defends creditors against claims by trustees and creditors committees; and provides general bankruptcy advice and counseling.
“I treat all clients as my friends, and my friends deserve the best representation available. If I cannot provide it to them, I will find someone who can.”
Robert E. L. Wright
Experience
As a mediator, Bob helped settle a multimillion-dollar claim for wrongful conviction and imprisonment without ever filing a lawsuit or spending a single day in court, which provided the individual and his spouse with enough money to live comfortably for the rest of their lives while limiting the exposure of the government to available insurance.
As settlement counsel, Bob assisted a large corporate client in settling a claim, which had been pending with another law firm for over a year, by directing the case to mediation where he negotiated a settlement in one day, saving the company thousands of dollars in legal fees and providing them with an acceptable resolution within budget.
As a litigator, Bob obtained a dismissal of all claims against his client by clarifying the deadline for filing such claims, and then obtained a written opinion from the Michigan Court of Appeals upholding his interpretation of that deadline, saving his client and others like them, thousands of dollars in legal fees and eliminating any exposure on the underlying claims.
“I use my training and experience to recognize where there are problems with my client's matters, so that we may explore ways to turn those problems into advantages for them.”
Representative Matters
Mediation
Aside from a vast listing of participants, the U.S. Postal Service employs Mr. Wright to mediate employment disputes involving claims of discrimination under its REDRESS program. He has conducted 200+ mediations (600+ hours) since June 2000, with over 90% ending in agreement
Neutral Mediator Approvals
Mr. Wright is an approved neutral mediator in the following courts:
Federal Courts
- Western District of Michigan
Michigan Circuit Courts
- Allegan (Civil and Domestic)
- Alpena (Civil and Domestic)
- Berrien (Civil and Domestic)
- Calhoun (Civil and Domestic)
- Cheboygan (Civil and Domestic)
- Eaton (Civil and Domestic)
- Grand Traverse (Civil and Domestic)
- Ingham (Civil and Domestic)
- Kent (Civil and Domestic)
- Livingston (Civil and Domestic)
- Ottawa (Civil and Domestic)
- Shiawassee (Civil and Domestic)
- Van Buren (Civil and Domestic)
- Washtenaw (Domestic Only)
Professional Activities
- Professional Associations
- American Bar Association, 1980, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section; Vice Chairman Practice Development Committee, 2005; Litigation Section
- State Bar of Michigan, 1980, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Governing Council, 2005; Litigation Section, Creditors' Rights and Corporate Counsel Committee; Business Law Section; Commercial Litigation and Creditors' Rights Committees
- State Bar of Florida
- Federal Bar Association, Western District of Michigan, 1984, Bankruptcy Steering Committee, 1984-2000; Director, 1990-2000; Chairman, 1994-1996
- Grand Rapids Bar Association, 1992, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section; Family Law Section; Litigation Section
- Kalamazoo County Bar Association, 1981-1998, Director, 1989-1994; President, 1994
- Association for Conflict Resolution, 2000, Family Law Section; Spirituality Section
- Michigan Council for Family and Divorce Mediation, Vice President of the Board of Directors, 2005-present; President, West Michigan Chapter, 2002-2003
- Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan, 2001, Board of Directors, 2003-2004; President, 2005-2007
- National Association for Community Mediation, 2001
- American Bankruptcy Institute, 1985
- Commercial Law League of America, 1984, Bankruptcy and Insolvency Committee
Honors + Awards
- Western Michigan University, magna cum laude
- Participated in numerous advanced training programs, both as an attendee and as a presenter, offered throughout the country and the state.
- Dispute Resolution Awards and Recognitions: Kent County Circuit Court, 2000 Certificate of Appreciation; Dispute Resolution Center of Western Michigan, 2003; Trailblazer Award for advancing alternative dispute resolution in Michigan; Michigan State Court Administrative Office, 2002 Certificate of Appreciation
- Best Lawyers in America, Alternative Dispute Resolution 2006-2009
- Michigan Super Lawyers, Alternative Dispute Resolution 2006-2008
Civic, Cultural + Social Activities
- The Salvation Army--Turning Point Program, Advisory Board Chairman
- Unity Church of Peace, Board of Trustees, 2001; President, 2002-present
- Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, Volunteer Investigator/Arbitrator
- Dispute Resolution Center of Western Michigan
- Real Estate Investors of Grand Rapids
- University Club
Publications
Mr. Wright is a frequent speaker and trainer at numerous mediation seminars throughout the state of Michigan on behalf of a host of dispute resolution organizations and groups including the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Mediation Training & Consultation Institute, Cooley Law School, Michigan State Law School and various community dispute resolution centers. In addition he speaks and writes on other legal topics.
"Mediation: Likes, Dislikes and Suggestions," The ADR Quarterly, October 2008
Martindale-Hubbell, editor of Michigan law article on Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2001
Authored articles titled "Fundamentals of Bankruptcy Law and Procedure in Michigan," "Introduction to the Bankruptcy Code and Rules", "Automatic Stay in Litigation," and "Protecting the Creditor's Position," National Business Institute, May 1998 and August 1999
"Getting Your Money," and "Bankruptcy and Debt Collection," How to Get Results in Collection of Delinquent Debts in Michigan, National Business Institute, February 1996
Coauthor, (Chapter 12) "Costs and Attorneys' Fees," Michigan Civil Procedure During Trial 2d, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1989 and 1994
Speeches
"Fundamentals of Bankruptcy Law in Michigan," Lorman Education Services, March 2004
"Construction Lien Law in Michigan: Bankruptcy and Construction Liens", Lorman Education Services, August 1999, 2002
"The Michigan Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act," Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Michigan Creditors' Rights Institute, June 1999, 2001
"Consumer Bankruptcy," Grand Rapids Bar Association, March 1998
"Trustee Powers to Reach Assets and Bankruptcy Exemption Planning," Asset Protection Planning in 1997, Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education, February 1997
"Michigan Foreclosure and Repossession--1997" and "Repossession of Personal Property," National Business Institute, January 1997