Acclaimed real estate attorney has been involved with some of Oakland County’s largest commercial deals
Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466
Birmingham, Mich.—February 26, 2024 – Richard Rattner, a partner with Birmingham-based full-service business law firm Williams Williams Rattner & Plunkett (WWRP), has been named to the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Class of 2024 Hall of Fame. The legal trade publication annually recognizes notable Michigan attorneys who have been in practice for at least 30 years and, in addition to having successful legal careers, have made valuable contributions to the community.
Esteemed by his clients and colleagues alike, Rattner joined WWRP in 1978. He is a force in commercial real estate law, focusing on real estate acquisitions, sale and loan transactions, land use development, and zoning. He has been involved in real estate transactions and zoning matters on some of the largest commercial real estate projects in Oakland County, including land acquisition and zoning of the Great Lakes Crossing Mall in Auburn Hills, a number of major downtown Birmingham developments including the soon to be opened RH (Restoration Hardware), a multi-story, mixed use/residential building on Adams Road, the renovation of the exterior of the 555 Building, and the Daxton Hotel. Additionally, he has done extensive work with cities and townships throughout Oakland County and served as lead counsel for Lowe’s home improvement centers upon the retailer’s initial entry into the Michigan market.
One of the cases that has the most meaning to Rattner is representing Easter Seals in the development in 2005 of a clubhouse in Royal Oak that was deemed unwelcome by many in the community. He received a consent decree in the case: Easter Seals and the United States of America v. The City of Royal Oak.
With a deep and longstanding commitment to the legal profession, Rattner’s leadership has included serving on the Governing Council of the Real Property Law Section (RPLS) of the State Bar of Michigan. He remains an active participant in events and projects of the RPLS, including Zoning and Land Use Planning, and is a former co-chair of the RPLS Continuing Legal Education and Membership committees. Passing on his skills to the next generation of attorneys, Rattner is the co-founding director of the newly formed RPLS Real Estate Academy for young lawyers. He is also a member of the Oakland County Bar Association, a Fellow of the Oakland County Bar Association, a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the American Bar Association and the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation.
Rattner is an adjunct professor at Wayne State University Law School, where he teaches “Developing the Commercial Real Estate Project.” He has presented at events sponsored by Michigan’s Institute for Continuing Legal Education, the International Council of Shopping Centers, and the Real Property Section of the State Bar of Michigan.
A recipient of numerous attorney awards from Best Lawyers, Michigan Super Lawyers, DBusiness Magazine and Michigan Lawyers Weekly, in 2017 Rattner was also inducted as a fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, an elite, invitation-only group that represents the finest real estate attorneys in the profession.
Beyond the law, Rattner is a past chairman of the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan and a past member of the University of Michigan’s Advisory Board for Intercollegiate Athletics. He has received Distinguished Alumni awards from both the University of Michigan Alumni Association and the University of Michigan Club of Greater Detroit. He holds a B.A. in English from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from Colorado University.
A recognition luncheon for all Class of 2024 Hall of Fame honorees will be held at Petruzzello’s Banquet and Conference Center of Troy on Friday, April 26. A profile of Rattner and other honorees will appear in a special section of the April 22 issue of Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
About Williams Williams Rattner & Plunkett
Williams Williams Rattner & Plunkett is a corporate law firm comprised of trusted attorneys, counselors and litigators committed to our clients’ success. Practice areas include business and commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, real estate including zoning, property tax appeals and eminent domain, commercial litigation, trusts and estates, divorce, and family law matters. A leader in local and state bar activities, community organizations, and charitable endeavors, Williams Williams Rattner & Plunkett understands the role attorneys play in a dynamic business environment, and as members of a vibrant community. Learn more about the firm and its commitment to exceptional client service at www.WWRPLaw.com.
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