Services
Industries
Education
University of Michigan Law School, J.D. 1986
University of Michigan, A.B. 1983
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Court Admissions
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Courts of Appeals
- Sixth Circuit
- Seventh Circuit
U.S. District Courts
- Eastern District of Michigan
- Western District of Michigan
- Northern District of Illinois
- Eastern District of Wisconsin
- District of Maryland
Steven A. Roach brings more than 30 years of commercial transaction and litigation experience in restructuring lending relationships and enforcing loan transactions. He applies this experience to provide a unique perspective as both a trial and transactional lawyer when representing and counselling the firm's financial institution clients.
Steve has represented lenders in a variety of lending structures, including syndications, financing leases, structured debt and equity financings, multi-jurisdictional and international transactions. He has assisted lenders with the liquidation of many different types of collateral that include operational assets, construction equipment, retail and wholesale inventory, real estate, intellectual property, aircraft and ships, with borrowers located in Michigan, throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada, and elsewhere. Steve delivers results both out of court and when litigation is needed.
Steve utilizes pre- and post-judgment remedies in both state and federal courts when appropriate to preserve and enhance the value of collateral and to liquidate collateral. He has been actively involved with a large number and variety of receivership actions that have sought to preserve the value of assets, to wind down operating companies, to complete construction projects, and to liquidate both real and personal property. His receivership practice includes representation of both receivers and secured lenders.
His practice experience also includes jury trials, bench trials and arbitrations involving millions of dollars in damages, including lender liability, license and royalty contracts, real estate, construction disputes, Uniform Commercial Code issues, fraudulent transfers, probate issues, shareholder disputes, and, of course, the enforcement of loan agreements. He looks for immediate solutions and creative solutions, when cost effective and beneficial for his clients. In one particularly memorable case, Steve represented the Trustees of Detroit's historic Mariners' Church in a property dispute with the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, prevailing at both the trial and appellate levels.
Reported and Published Decisions
Stawski Distrib. v Browary Zywiec S.A., 349 F.3d 1023, 1026 (7th Cir. 2003), leaved denied. The Seventh Circuit enforced an arbitration clause contained in a contract. Under state law, such an arbitration clause was not enforceable. However, under the commerce clause, it was. The matter involved a constitution question that required a conflict between the commerce clause and the 21st Amendment.
Beaty v Hertzberg & Golden, P.C., 456 Mich. 247, 571 N.W.2d 716 (1997), reversing in part and affirming in part 214 Mich. App. 195, 543 N.W.2d 5 (1995). Legal malpractice claim against attorneys for bankruptcy trustee. Michigan Supreme Court reinstated trial court's opinions granting motions for summary disposition.
In re Everlock Fastening Systems, Inc., 171 Bankr. 251 (Bankr.E.D.Mich.1994). Payment of health insurance premium made during month of coverage is a contemporaneous transfer for new value under U.S.C. Section 547 (c)(1). United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan affirmed.
Galper v United States Shoe Co., 815 F.Supp. 1037 (E.D.Mich.1993). Payment of percentage rent does not constitute payment of a franchise fee under the Michigan Franchise Investment Act.
Heide v Hunter Hamilton Limited Partnership, 826 F.Supp. 224 (E.D.Mich. 1993). This opinion discusses several interesting usury issues.
Honors
Best Lawyers in America, 2019 & 2022 Ann Arbor Banking & Finance Litigation Lawyer of the Year; Banking and Finance Law & Litigation, 2009-present
Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Banking & Finance Law: Bankruptcy, 2006-2017
Leading Lawyers, Banking & Financial Institutions Law; Bankruptcy & Workout Law: Commercial; Creditor's Rights/Commercial Collections Law, 2021
State Bar of Michigan Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2020-present
Michigan Super Lawyers, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights, 2007-present
DBusiness Magazine Top Lawyers, Banking & Financial Service Law/Litigation, Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights Law, 2011-present
Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies, Spring 1982, Rome, Italy
Professional Activities
American Bar Association
Detroit Metropolitan Bar Foundation, Trustee 2013-2017; Secretary/Treasurer 2015-2017
Commercial Advisory Council for the American Arbitration Association, Michigan
Civic, Cultural & Social Activities
Benzie Wellness and Aquatic Center, Board Member, 2024-present
Mariners' Church of Detroit Foundation, Trustee, 2023-present
U-M Club of Grand Traverse, Director, 2023-present
Tour de Troit, Inc., Board Member, 2013-2020; General Counsel, 2008-present
League of Michigan Bicyclists, Director, Region 1, 2007-2019; Board Chair, 2012-2016
Brainstormers! Inspiration Factory, Chair of Board of Directors, 2020-2022
Frankfort Zoning Board of Appeals, Member; Chair, 2021
United Way of Southeastern Michigan Annual Campaign, Chair of Professionals Unit for Major Markets, 2006, 2007
Open Arms, Member, Fundraising Committee, 2006
Speeches
"Revisiting Receiverships Under the 'New' (Not So New) Michigan Receivership Act - Everything You Need to Know," presenter, Creditor Debtor Rights Committee of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, Oct. 2024
"Helping Small Businesses Through Transactional Pro Bono," Practising Law Institute Pursuing Justice podcast, Feb. 3, 2021
"Coaching," Michigan Community Resources Business Closure Series, 2021
Publications
"Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors," Co-Authored with Marc Swanson and Megan Baxter-Labut, Thomson Reuters Practical Law Journal, Spring 2022
"Uniform Commercial Code Article 9 Sales: Michigan," Co-Authored with Megan Baxter-Labut and Marc Swanson, Thomson Reuters Practical Law Journal, Spring 2022
"Receiverships: Michigan," Co-Authored with Scott Lesser and Marc Swanson, Thomson Reuters Practical Law Journal, Spring 2022
"Building an Effective Workout Strategy for Contractor Clients" (Co-author), Journal of Corporate Renewal, March 2015
"Bike commuter keeps a secret: it's more fun than it looks" (Interview), GrossePointeToday.com, August 11, 2009
Michigan Cause of Action Form Book, dealer and sales representative section, ICLE publication
