Education
Wayne State University Law School, J.D., 1981
Michigan State University, B.S., 1978
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Thomas G. Appleman focuses his practice on domestic, inbound and outbound foreign direct investment and multi-national cross-border mergers, acquisitions, joint venture and greenfield projects and transactions.
Tom helps U.S. clients take their products and services into the global marketplace by expanding their operations into Europe, China, India, Mexico, Brazil, South Korea and countries with emerging markets. He also represents foreign businesses in establishing operations and joint ventures in North America.
With his colleagues, Tom helps clients around the world with their global legal and business needs including planning and coordinating legal diligence reviews, navigating complex legal and regulatory requirements, securing tax and economic development incentives, licensing and protecting patents and other intellectual property, negotiating agreements with customers and vendors, meeting immigration requirements, navigating trade and custom issues, and facilitating dispute resolution.
Tom is a member of the firm's Corporate and Transactions practice group and its Automotive, China, International, and Registered Investment Advisory teams.
Representative Matters
As a past leader of our Chinese business practice, Tom managed a talented team of professionals representing a cross section of the firm's practice areas and global offices. The team includes Mandarin-speaking lawyers, legal consultants, paralegals and a global business developer. From global offices in North America, Shanghai and Poland, our China practice team is able to offer our worldwide clients real-time, 24/7 coverage.
As part of his international cross-border transactional practice, Tom has assisted clients in acquiring and divesting operations and establishing joint ventures in more than 20 countries. These transactions require managing local counsel in each jurisdiction and navigating the numerous and sometimes conflicting corporate, tax, foreign investment, licensing, environmental, employment and employee benefits, intellectual property, and other legal and regulatory hurdles. They also involve developing creative but practical solutions to facilitate coordinated global closings.
Select Matters
- Representing a global original equipment manufacturer (OEM) as lead outside transaction and tax counsel involving the establishment of a joint venture with affiliates of two other global OEMs to create a single open vehicle-grid integration platform connecting electric utilities, automakers, and interested electric vehicle customers.
Honors
Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Law and Securities Regulation, 2006-present; Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Governance Law, and Securities/Capital Markets Law, 2012-present; Lawyer of the Year, Securities Regulation 2018 & 2021; Lawyer of the Year, Corporate Governance Law 2019 & 2024; Lawyer of the Year, Securities / Capital Markets Law 2020 & 2024; Lawyer of the Year, Mergers and Acquisitions Law 2023
Leading Lawyers, International Business & Trade Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Publicly Held Corporations Law, Securities & Venture Finance Law, 2014–present
DBusiness Top Lawyers, Corporate Law, Commercial Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Securities Law, 2020-present
Michigan Super Lawyers, Securities & Corporate Finance 2008-2023
Who's Who, Life member of National Registry (published in 2000 edition)
Professional Activities
American Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan since 1981, Business Law Section; International Law Section
Michigan Business Corporations Act Committee
Oakland County Bar Association
Civic, Cultural & Social Activities
Detroit Chinese Business Association
Association for Corporate Growth
Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Business Advisory Board
Speeches
"What's Next for the Governor's Emergency Powers? Breaking Down the Michigan Supreme Court Decision," Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce webinar, Oct. 8, 2020
"Enforcing Your Commercial Contracts in China," U.S. Hide, Skin and Leather Association, October 2, 2015
"Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Certain New Foreign Direct Investments in the US in 2015 Explored," Knowledge Group Webinar, June 6, 2015
"Recent Changes Making it Easy to Invest and Operate in China," Miller Canfield, May 14, 2015
"China Labor Laws Taxation on Expats," Cappuccino With Counsel: Legal Update on Subsidiary and JV Operations in China, Mexico and India, Miller Canfield, July 25, 2013
"China - Business Landscape in Shanghai and What's Attracting Chinese Investors to North America," 60-Minute Morning Update, Miller Canfield, May 29, 2013
Cappuccino With Counsel: Update on Regulatory and Compliance Requirements for Export Controls and FCPA, Miller Canfield, May 23, 2013
"Legal Considerations of Investing in the United States," China Outbound Investment Summit, Shenyang, CN, May 16 and 17, 2013; Beijing, CN, June 19 and 20, 2013
"Foreign Corrupt Practices Act," Miller Canfield Export Webinar Series, November 26, 2012
Publications
"Buying and Selling a Business in Michigan" (ICLE 2023), co-editor and author of chapters titled "Drafting Purchase Agreements" and "Merger Agreements"
"Advising Closely Held Businesses in Michigan" (ICLE 2023), co-author of chapter titled "Forming a Corporation"
"US investment and export restrictions on Chinese military companies," co-authored with Jeffrey Richardson and Zhiguo Du, WorldECR, March 2021
Your Chinese Trading Partners' SAFE Status May Impact Your Payment Terms, China International Newsletter, December 2012
"Business Associations, 1993 Annual Survey of Michigan Law," 39 Wayne Law Review, 317 (1993)
"Two Heads are Better Than One--Joint Ventures Provide Financial Advantage without the Costs of a Merger," 1 Michigan Law 20 (July 1989)
"Statutory Record Retention Requirements," 249 Laches 8 (1986)
"Business Associations, 1983 Annual Survey of Michigan Law," 30 Wayne Law Review 245 (1983)
