Service Areas
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, J.D.
- University of Michigan, B.A.
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
- New York
Languages
- Polish
Automotive Practice
Richard A. Walawender specializes in automotive commercial transactions and industry issues, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances, licensing, dispute resolution, and international transactions. His corporate and securities practice includes corporate and commercial law, public and private equity and debt offerings, securities regulation and corporate governance, counseling to boards and committees, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, franchising, banking, real estate development and finance, and project finance.
Representative Matters
- Chinese Investment Group Acquisition
Represented Beijing-based Pacific Century Motors, Inc. on its acquisition of Nexteer Automotive from General Motors Co.
- Mexican Automotive Supplier Acquisition
Represented Mexican auto supplier Metalsa SA de CV in the $150 million acquisition of the structural products business from US-based Dana Holding Corp.
- Norwegian Automotive Supplier Acquisition
Represented Norway-based Kongsberg Automotive ASA in the acquisition of Global Motion Systems from Teleflex Inc. for $560 million.
Professional Activities
- American Bar Association
- International Bar Association
- State Bar of Michigan
- New York State Bar Association
- Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association
- Oakland County Planning & Economic Development, Business Roundtable Committee, Appointed, 2006
Honors + Awards
- Best Lawyers, International Trade and Finance Law 2012
- European Legal Experts 2010, Real Estate and Corporate + M&A
- DBusiness Magazine, Commercial Law, 2010
- Michigan Super Lawyers, Mergers & Acquisitions, 2009
- Crain's Detroit Business, "90 for the 90s," 1990
Civic, Cultural + Social Activities
- Meadowbrook Concours d'Elegance, Board of Directors, 2007-2009
- Orchard Lake Schools, Board of Regents, 2008-present
- Madonna University, Chairman, Board of Trustees, 2005-2008; Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees, 2002-2004
- Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences
- Cornerstone Schools Association, Secretary and Legal Counsel, 1990-1996
Publications
Books
The Bankruptcy and Reorganisation Law, (Co-translators Maja Binkowska and Karolina Niemirska-Fido) C.H. Beck, 2010
The Code of Administrative Proceedings (Co-translators Maja Binkowska and Andrzej Chelchowski), C.H. Beck, 2010
Articles
"Poland's Revised Bankruptcy, Reorganization Law," (Co-author Karolina Niemirska-Fido), American Bankruptcy Institute, June 2010
"Europe," Co-Author with Andrzej Chelchowski, The International Lawyer, American Bar Association, Volume 4, Number 2, Summer 2009
"Directors' Duties for Corporations Near Insolvency," Miller Canfield Corporate Law Bulletin, October 2008
"Legal Considerations in Exit Strategies: IPO vs. Sale," in Harry Cendrowski, et al., eds., Private Equity (John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2008) pp. 357-398
"Licensing Option for U.S. Companies Doing Business Abroad," Crain's Detroit Business, June 1995
"Bonding and Finance for Municipalities in Poland," series of articles printed in Wspolnota Polska (Poland), 1995
"At-large Elections, A Quantitative Analysis, Note," Journal of Law Reform, March 1986; reprinted in Roger L. Kemp, ed., Local Government Election Practices (McFarland & Company, Inc., 2006)
"Polish Diplomacy During the Second World War, Review Article," The Polish Review, June 1984
Seminars + Events
- Prognosis for the Healthcare Industry in Poland: Opportunities for the Private Sector
- Healthcare Investment Opportunities in Poland
- Mexico Update: Privacy Laws, Export Control and other New Laws in Mexico: Are you Compliant?
- International Business Briefing: Legal Compliance When Doing Business in Emerging Markets, the E.U. and U.S.
- Update on Important Recent Developments in Business and Investments in Poland
- Mexico Briefing: Business Prospects and Legal Developments
- Cappuccino with Counsel: Strikes and Strife in China
- Cappuccino with Counsel: How to Protect Your Investment - and Your Employees - in Mexico
- International Trade Briefing on Mexico: Grand Rapids
- International Trade Briefing on Mexico: Lansing
- International Trade Briefing on Mexico: Kalamazoo
- International Trade Briefing on Mexico: Troy
- International Trade Briefing on Mexico: Windsor
- International Trade Briefing on Mexico: Toronto
- International Trade Briefing on Mexico: Chicago
- Doing Business in Poland
- Cappuccino with Counsel
- Cappuccino with Counsel (Business Hot Spots: China, Mexico and Canada)
- SAE Automotive Luncheon Briefing
- Employee Reductions and Plant Closings: Legal Considerations in the United States, Mexico, Canada, China, India and Europe - Grand Rapids
- Employee Reductions and Plant Closings: Legal Considerations in the United States, Mexico, Canada, China, India and Europe - Troy
- The Border Advantage: Looking to Canada Can Save You Money!
Articles
- Russia Set to Join WTO
- Global Automotive Newsletter
- Are you in Compliance with Mexico’s Personal Data Protection Requirements?
- New Export Control Law for Mexico
- Electronic Invoicing in Mexico Now Mandatory
- Mexico International Newsletter
- Global Automotive Newsletter
- Acquiring Businesses in the USA (An Overview for Global Buyers)
- Doing Business in Poland (Chinese)
- Doing Business in North America (Chinese) (Volume 1 - United States)
- Acquiring Businesses in the USA (Chinese)
- Doing Business in Poland
- Doing Business in North America (Volume 2 - Mexico)
- Doing Business in North America (Volume 1 - United States)
- International Franchising Newsletter
- Franchising in Mexico
- Franchising in India
- Franchising in the UK
- Franchising in China
- Franchising in Poland
- Automotive Guide
- Automotive Guide (Chinese)
- Polish Law Update: Personal Bankruptcy Now Available in Poland
- Understanding and Safeguarding Your Position in Dealings with Financially Troubled Customers and Suppliers in the U.S. (English)
News
- Miller Canfield Lawyer Addresses National Healthcare Conference on Opportunities in Poland
- VIDEO: Opportunities in Shale Gas Development
- VIDEO: Regulatory Challenges When Bringing a Vehicle to Market in the U.S.
- VIDEO: Counseling Business in Emerging Markets
- Miller Canfield Advises Chinese Company in Acquisition of Nexteer Automotive
- Miller Canfield Lawyers Contribute to Bankruptcy, Administrative Proceedings and Real Estate Management Publications in Poland
- Miller Canfield Lawyers Featured Speakers at International Business Group of West Michigan September 8 Meeting
- Miller Canfield Lawyers Karolina Niemirska-Fido and Richard Walawender Contributing Authors in June 2010 ABI Journal
- Miller Canfield Lawyers Serve as Contributing Authors to The International Lawyer
- Miller Canfield to Open Office in Mexico
- Miller Canfield Organizes Financial Crisis and Recovery Team
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