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Firm History

About the Firm

Mantese Honigman, PC has established a national reputation as a leader in complex business conflicts, including shareholder / LLC member discord, corporate fiduciary litigation, and contract disputes. With offices in Michigan, Manhattan, and Missouri, Mantese Honigman, PC prevails in high-stakes cases across the country. When the stakes are high, clients across the country call Mantese Honigman, PC to handle their complex business litigation matters.

A Team Defined by Excellence

Gerard Mantese, the firm’s CEO, has for decades led a team of highly skilled attorneys in advocacy for firm clients.  Through education, experience and sheer tenacity, this team has consistently handed clients victory in complex business litigation matters.  Mr. Mantese argued the only two shareholder / member oppression cases ever decided by the Michigan Supreme Court.  The resultant decisions established important precedent, which to this day continue to be cited in court cases / legal treatises.  See MADUGULA v. TAUB, 853 N.W.2d 75 (Mich. 2014)(oppression action is equitable, empowering the trial court with wide latitude in resolving shareholder disputes); and FRANK v. LINKNER, 894 N.W.2d 574 (Mich. 2017)(MCL 450.4515 is a statute of limitations, not of repose; oppressed LLC members may be able to sue even before incurring financial harm; members may toll the statute if there is fraudulent concealment of relevant facts).  In September, 2017, the State Bar of Michigan bestowed upon Mr. Mantese the ROBERTS P. HUDSON AWARD, for his “unselfish rendering of outstanding and unique service to and on behalf of the State Bar of Michigan, the legal profession, and public.”  The Hudson Award is considered the highest award conferred by the State Bar.

David Honigman, a former Michigan State Senator and Representative, spent over a decade in the Michigan Legislature developing a reputation as a popular and highly effective advocate and coalition-builder.  Mr. Honigman authored more legislation than any other legislator during his tenure, and has been recognized as a Leader in the Law for his tenacity and brilliant advocacy.

 

Mantese Honigman, PC’s other attorneys bring critical legal experience, scholarship and courtroom wins to the table.

Douglas Toering, a former Chair of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, was instrumental in the development of Michigan’s Business Courts.  Widely recognized and respected by his peers, Mr. Toering chairs the Business Courts Committee and Commercial Litigation Committee for the Business Law Section and authors a regular column in the Michigan Business Law Journal, “Touring the Business Courts.”  At its annual meeting in September, 2021, the Business Law Section conferred its annual Stephen H. Schulman Outstanding Business Lawyer Award on Mr. Toering.

Theresamarie Mantese is Chair of the firm’s Health Law Department, and is a recognized expert who has authored a broad array of publications on issues facing health care professionals. 

Ian Williamson, one of the firm’s primary business litigators, serves on the Council for the State Bar of Michigan’s Business Law Section and is an officer of the Business Law Section.  He has been instrumental in securing some of Michigan’s largest reported verdicts and settlements in business disputes during his career.

Kenneth Chadwell heads the firm’s White Collar Criminal Defense Team.  He has a unique insider’s view of criminal investigations and prosecutions after serving for three decades with the United States Department of Justice and trying scores of federal criminal cases before juries in federal court.  

 

Each of the firm’s associates and senior attorneys was chosen for his or her scholastic excellence and dedication, and each brings talent, enthusiasm and demonstrated abilities to your case. 

Various independent rating and ranking companies, including Super Lawyers, Martindale Hubbell, and Best Lawyers have repeatedly recognized Mantese Honigman, PC’s superb team.