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Sean P. Fitzgerald

Member
fax +1 616.608.1179

Sean Fitzgerald represents financial institutions in both loan transactions and complex workouts in federal and state court actions.

Sean’s 35 years of practicing law have given him a vast array of experience in multiple areas of business, corporate transactional, and complex commercial litigation, including representing clients non-bankruptcy receiverships matters in both state and federal courts, as well as prosecuting commercial breach of contract issues in a variety of business areas. He has led transaction teams in joint venture transactions, franchise transactions, and hotel purchases.

Education

J.D., Saint Louis University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri
B.A., Albion College, Albion, Michigan, History

Recognitions

Martindale-Hubbell AV Pre-Eminent Designation

Named among The Best Lawyers in America® – Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers (2020-2025)

Leaders in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly (2013)

Memberships

Illinois Bar Association, State and Local Taxation Council, Chairman (1996)

Kent County Building Authority, Vice Chair, Secretary (2003-Present)

Member of Board of Directors of Cascade Hills Country Club (2015-Present)

President of Cascade Hills Country Club (2020)

President of Grand Rapids Chapter of Legatus (2017)

State Bar Licenses

Michigan, Illinois

Court Admissions

U.S. Bankruptcy Ct., E.D. of Michigan
U.S. Bankruptcy Ct., W.D. of Michigan
U.S. District Ct., E.D. of Michigan
U.S. District Ct., W.D. of Michigan
U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
Michigan Court of Appeals
Supreme Court of Michigan
U.S. Bankruptcy Ct., N.D. of Illinois
U.S. District Ct., C.D. of Illinois
U.S. District Ct., N.D. of Illinois
U.S. District Ct., N.D. of Illinois Trial Bar
U.S. District Ct., S.D. of Illinois
Supreme Court of Illinois

Representative Experience

  • Closed transactions in amounts of up to $350 million, covering collateral in multiple states.
  • Defended an auto industry client against a foreign national regarding multi-million-dollar trade secret claims.
  • Litigated minority shareholder disputes for health care and manufacturing clients.
  • Reduced property tax assessments in both Michigan and Illinois regarding commercial manufacturing facilities, multi-unit commercial/residential properties as well as private country clubs and daily fee golf courses.
  • Litigated over 100 workout and restructuring cases on behalf of financial institutions in state and federal court involving receiverships, priority claims between multiple lenders, sales of real estate portfolios, lender liability claims, and commercial real estate foreclosures on commercial loans over one million dollars.
  • Defended Tier 1 and Tier 2 auto industry companies regarding breach of contract claims as well as tooling quality claims.

The Clark Hill approach is equally pragmatic and growth-minded, which is why we understand our clients’ toughest business challenges. Our multidisciplinary, global team of advisors focuses on smart legal solutions, delivered simply.

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