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overview
Eric I. Lark has more than 25 years of experience in the areas of business law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, securities law and private equity, real estate law, insurance law and the formation and representation of captive insurance companies, risk retention groups and other alternative risk transfer entities.
Practice Areas
Bio
Eric is co-chairperson of the firm’s Business and Corporate Law practice group. He represents public and private companies in the manufacturing, technology, services, construction, transportation, real estate, financial services, private equity, healthcare and insurance industries. He serves as counsel for a number of businesses, and provides assistance with business formations, mergers, buying and selling businesses, joint ventures, international transactions, public and private offerings and other securities matters, private equity and financing transactions, contracts, real estate matters and captive insurance, both onshore and offshore.
Eric publishes articles and frequently lectures at the local, national and international levels on topics related to business law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and captive insurance. He is past Chairman of the 3,500 member Business Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan.
Eric also continues his service to Northville Township and its residents. Eric was reappointed to the Northville Township Planning Commission after recently completing a three year term as Chair of the Commission. He has served on the Planning Commission for the past six years, and on Northville Township’s Zoning Board of Appeals for the past three years. He also has served as President of the Cascades of Northville Homeowners Association for the past 17 years.
Eric has been recognized by Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business; ranks among The Best Lawyers in America© for more than ten years; and has been rated a “Michigan Super Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters for the last 12 years. Eric holds the LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating, reflecting preeminence in legal ability, integrity and overall professional integrity. Eric is also recognized as a “Leading Lawyer” in Detroit and a Top Attorney in Detroit by DBusiness Magazine and Crain’s Detroit Business. Eric was named a 2019 Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” in corporate law and received the 2019 Stephen H. Schulman Outstanding Business Lawyer Award.
credentials
Affiliations
- State Bar of Michigan
- Business Law Section
- Treasurer and Secretary
- Director of Legislative Review
- Director of Programs
- Michigan Business Corporation Act Revision Subcommittee
- Past Section Chair
- Former Council Member
- Real Property Law Section
- Business Law Section
- American Bar Association, Business Law Section
- Federal Bar Association
- Detroit Bar Association
- Oakland County Bar Foundation
- Association for Corporate Growth, Southeast Michigan Chapter
- Cayman Islands Business Symposium
- Cayman Islands Captive Managers Association
- MSI Global, Firm representative
- Northville Township
- Planning Commission, 2013-Present
- Zoning Board of Appeals, Chairman, 2016-Present
- Cascades of Northville Homeowners Association, President, 2002-Present
- Stephen H. Schulman Outstanding Business Lawyer Award, Founder
Bar and Court Admissions
- Michigan
- Illinois
- District of Columbia
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Education
- Wayne State University Law School, J.D.
- with honors
- University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business, B.B.A. (Finance)
- with distinction
Insights & News
November 16, 2020
22 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized as DBusiness 2021 Top Lawyers
A total of 22 lawyers from Kerr Russell are named as DBusiness Magazine 2021 Top Lawyers. The attorneys are selected through a peer review process. DBusiness polled more than 18,000 attorneys across Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Livingston Counties.
September 18, 2020
Kerr Russell Attorneys Named 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Super Lawyers named 11 Kerr Russell members to the list of 2020 Michigan Super Lawyers and included four Kerr Russell attorneys on the list of 2020 Michigan Rising Stars.
August 20, 2020
Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© 2021 and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
Seventeen Kerr Russell members were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2021. Notably, twelve of the named attorneys have been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for more than five years.
July 15, 2020
The Best Time to Look into Captive Insurance is Now
Kerr Russell attorney Eric I. Lark discusses the benefits of captive insurance for manufacturers in the Michigan Manufacturers Association MiMfg magazine (p. 26 July 2020).
July 14, 2020
15 Lawyers From Kerr Russell Recognized as Leading Lawyers 2020
A total of 15 lawyers from Kerr Russell are named to the 2020 list of Leading Lawyers in Michigan. Only those lawyers who are most often recommended qualify for this honor.
March 17, 2020
Coronavirus/COVID-19 Business Continuity: A Message to Our Community, Clients and Friends
Kerr Russell is committed to its community, clients and people. As the world navigates through the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus), we want to assure you that Kerr Russell is committed to supporting our community, clients and people as effectively as we have through every other crisis our Nation has encountered over our firm’s nearly 150-year history.
Our firm is fully operational: We have made sure that our lawyers and staff are able to safely and effectively serve our clients’ needs and continue operations on an uninterrupted basis. Most of our people
December 30, 2019
Eric Lark Discusses Growth of Global Captives in Captive International
Kerr Russell Captive Insurance attorney, Eric I. Lark, was recently interviewed by Captive International. The article discusses the number of global captives set to return to growth in 2020.
December 9, 2019
Losses: The Number One Killer of Captives
Kerr Russell attorney Eric I. Lark spoke at the Cayman Captive Forum Conference last week. He and other panelists discussed loss control and claims handling in captive insurance. Eric specifically discussed how losses are the number one killer of captives, especially group captives.
November 25, 2019
Eric Lark Provides Insight as to Why Group Captives Continue to Flourish
Kerr Russell attorney Eric Lark explains that due to a number of factors group captives continue to flourish. The article is published in the November 2019 issue of Captive Insurance Times.
November 15, 2019
19 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized as DBusiness Top Lawyers for 2020
A total of 19 lawyers from Kerr Russell are named as dBusiness Magazine 2020 Top Lawyers. The attorneys are selected through a peer review process. dBusiness polled 19,000 attorneys across Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Livingston Counties.
October 1, 2019
Eric Lark Featured in Michigan Lawyers Weekly
Eric I. Lark was recently interviewed by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. In the interview, he discusses how he helped create the Stephen H. Schulman Outstanding Business Lawyer Award and his honor to be receiving the award this year.
September 30, 2019
Kerr Russell Attorneys, Eric Lark and Kevin Block, Featured at ICLE/State Bar of Michigan Business Law Institute
Kevin Block, Chair of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, will be providing opening remarks at the 31st Business Law Institute Conference. The conference will take place on October 4, 2019. The Business Law Section will honor Kerr Russell’s Eric Lark as the recipient of the prestigious Stephen H. Schulman Outstanding Business Lawyer Award.
September 3, 2019
15 Kerr Russell Attorneys Recognized on the 2019 Michigan Super Lawyers List
A total of 15 lawyers from Kerr Russell are named as Thomson Reuters, 2019 Michigan Super Lawyers. The award is given annually to attorneys who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
August 15, 2019
15 Lawyers From Kerr Russell Are Recognized In The Best Lawyers In America© 2020
A total of 15 lawyers from Kerr Russell are named to the prestigious 2020 Edition of the Best Lawyers in America©. The award is given annually in recognition of being named as part of the “top legal talent in the U.S.”
June 26, 2019
Kerr Russell Attorney Named 2019 Stephen H. Schulman Outstanding Business Lawyer
Eric I. Lark has been selected to receive the 2019 Stephen H. Schulman Outstanding Business Lawyer Award. He will be presented with this honor at the 31st Annual Business Law institute, on October 4, 2019.
September 20, 2018
Kerr Russell recognizes our 2018 dbusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit honorees
Kerr Russell recognizes this year’s dbusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit honorees - 21 attorneys, many for multiple practice areas.
September 11, 2018
Sneak peek of Dbusiness Magazine Top Lawyers photo shoot with Kerr Russell
A little sneak peek of today’s DBusiness Magazine “Top Lawyers” photo shoot of Kerr Russell with the talented and gracious David Frechette. Thank you to Valerie Maness for her assistance.
September 7, 2018
15 Kerr Russell attorneys recognized as 2018 Super Lawyers
Congratulations to the following attorneys who have been designated "Super Lawyers" by Thomson Reuters:
August 15, 2018
Eric Lark (corporate law) and Fred Herrmann (antitrust law) named Best Lawyers® 2019 "Lawyers of the Year" in Detroit
Congratulations to Eric Lark and Fred Herrmann who were named the best lawyers 2019 "Lawyers of the Year" in Detroit for corporate law and antitrust law respectively. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and community is honored with a "Lawyer of the Year" award.
August 15, 2018
15 lawyers from Kerr Russell were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019
A total of 15 lawyers from Kerr Russell have been named to the prestigious 2019 Edition of the Best Lawyers in America©. The award is given annually in recognition of being named as part of the “top legal talent in the U.S.”
August 8, 2018
Innovation and Evolution: A Q&A with Kerr Russell's Eric Lark About Trends in Captive Insurance - Captive Insurance Times, Vermont Captive Conference Edition
Kudos to Kerr Russell member Eric Lark who is featured in the latest issueof Captive Insurance Times, pages 48-50. Our ad appears on page 5.
Thank you to Ned Holmes, Jonathan Savage, Justin J. Lawson, for the opportunity. We will be doing a similar feature on Kerr Russell’s Patrick Haddad in upcoming months with the magazine.
May 11, 2018
We've got you covered. Look for Kerr Russell advertising in Captive Insurance Times
Kerr Russell handles all aspects of captive insurance and alternative risk programs. For over 30 years, we have formed and advised countless captive insurance companies and other alternative risk entities, including pure captives, group captives, agency and association owned captives, IRC §831(b) small captives, rent-a-captives, cell captives, series captives, risk retention groups, risk purchasing groups and other pooling arrangements.
March 29, 2018
Detroit Public Television's PBSNewsHour and Nightly Business Report to be sponsored by Kerr Russell
Kerr Russell is pleased to support Detroit Public Television, and, beginning April 2, the following spot will air during PBS NewsHour (weekdays, 6-7 pm) and the Nightly Business Report (weekdays, 7-7:30 pm). View the spot here.
February 26, 2018
Kerr Russell's latest ad "Driven By Results" debuts in Crain's M&A, Biggest Deals issue this week
Kerr Russell's latest ad "Driven By Results" debuts in Crain's M&A, Biggest Deals issue this week. The ad emphasizes the firm's 143-year presence in Detroit as part of the larger business and legal community. "We understand the region. We know what moves Michigan. We are committed to the community."
February 12, 2018
Eric Lark re-elected chair of Northville Township Planning Commission
Congratulations to Kerr Russell member Eric Lark who was recently re-elected chair of the Northville Township Planning Commission. He has served as chair since January 1, 2016. He has been a member of the planning commission since January 1, 2013.
January 26, 2018
Download Kerr Russell's updated firm brochure and overview of services
Kerr Russell is proud of Detroit. We are proud to have had a seat at the table here since 1874. Our exceptional attorneys understand the unique challenges facing business leaders. Our legal solutions are prompt, accurate, economical, and focused around your needs in every area. We know Michigan business like the back of our hands.
January 15, 2018
Influencing the Legal Landscape - new Kerr Russell ad to appear in dbusiness
Kerr Russell introduces the third ad in the new "Est. in Detroit 1874" series: "Influencing the legal landscape." The piece emphasizes the firm's 143-year presence in Detroit as part of the larger business and legal community. "We don't sit on the sidelines. We are active in industry groups and we're driving legislative change. We are leaders in the law."
January 3, 2018
Kerr Russell highlighted in Best Lawyers - Business, Winter 2017 issue
Look for Kerr Russell attorneys and advertising (pages 92-95) in the Best Lawyers - Business, Winter 2017 issue. Earlier in 2017, a number of Kerr Russell's attorneys and practice areas were honored with U.S. News and World Report Best Lawyers recognition.
December 18, 2017
Kerr Russell team makes holiday donations to Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Wigs 4 Kids, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor, and Children's Hospital of Michigan
One of our traditions here at Kerr Russell is to hold a holiday raffle to benefit three local charities as well as to conduct a toy drive for local children. This year's raffle (many of the beautiful and festive prizes picture here) raised a record total of $3,450 which will be divided equally among three organizations: Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, Inc., and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor.
November 30, 2017
Merry and bright ... Kerr Russell welcomes the holiday season
It's a time to celebrate, reflect and remember. However you mark the holidays, we hope your days are filled with warmth and thankfulness, good times, and endless cheer. As another year draws to a close, we at Kerr Russell are grateful to you. You give purpose to our work and add meaning to our relationships. Your trust is a cherished gift. Enjoy these images as we get our offices ready to celebrate the holiday season. Design by Mandy Lark of Lark Interior Design.
November 30, 2017
Kerr Russell, Boulevard Investment lunch and learn
Kerr Russell hosted Royal Oak's Boulevard Investment Banking at our Detroit office for a lunch-and-learn event on Thursday, November 30. From Boulevard's website: "Boulevard is a boutique, investment banking and private investment firm focused on working with owners, operators, and businesses active in the middle market.
November 16, 2017
Culture of Connection - new Kerr Russell ad to appear in Michigan Lawyers Weekly and dbusiness
Kerr Russell introduces the second ad in the new "Est. in Detroit 1874" series: "A culture of connection." The piece emphasizes the firm's 143-year presence in Detroit as part of the larger business and legal community. "We are relationship focused. We know our people and our clients are the lifeblood of our firm."
November 3, 2017
Kerr Russell launches new advertising in upcoming issues of dbusiness and Crain's Detroit
With this month's issue of dbusiness, focused on Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit, Kerr Russell launches its new brand advertising with "A Track Record of Results." Working with Identity Public Relations and Marketing, Kerr Russell's marketing team developed the creative to emphasize the firm's longstanding place in Detroit's legal and business history.
November 3, 2017
Kerr Russell recognizes this year’s dbusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit honorees
Kerr Russell recognizes this year’s dbusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit honorees:
November 1, 2017
Kerr Russell ranked in the 2018 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" list nationally in 1 practice area and regionally in 17 practice areas
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, for the eighth consecutive year, announce the "Best Law Firms" rankings.
September 5, 2017
Kerr Russell salutes Detroit Marine Week, sharing personal stories of military service
Each year, the United States Marine Corps chooses a different city to visit as an annual celebration of “community, country, and corps" and to honor the service and sacrifice of Marines and their loved ones. This year, it's Detroit!
August 29, 2017
Tax Court Invalidates Section 831(b) “Micro-Captive” Finding Alleged Premium Payments Non-Deductible
The Tax Court issued its long-awaited decision in Avrahami v. Commissioner, 149 T.C. No. 7 (August 21, 2017), agreeing with the IRS that amounts paid to a captive/reinsurer that elected to be a treated as “micro-captive” pursuant to §831(b) were not deductible insurance premiums because the arrangement failed to qualify as insurance.
August 21, 2017
17 lawyers from Kerr Russell were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018
A total of 17 lawyers from Kerr Russell have been named to the prestigious 2018 Edition of the Best Lawyers in America©. The award is given annually in recognition of being named as part of the “top legal talent in the U.S.”
August 10, 2017
A culture of giving
If you want to know how a firm can thrive for over 140 years in a city that has faced considerable challenges, walk through the door of Kerr Russell’s suite on the 25th floor of the Detroit Center and get a feel for the people.
November 7, 2016
Kerr Russell attorneys named 2017 Top Lawyers by dBusiness Magazine
Kerr Russell counts 11 attorneys among this year’s Top Lawyers as recognized by dBusiness magazine. The 2017 Top Lawyers were selected based on a peer review survey of 19,000 attorneys in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Livingston counties. Attorneys are asked to nominate lawyers among 48 legal specialties.
November 1, 2016
Kerr Russell Attorneys Named 2016 Super Lawyers
Kerr Russell attorneys have been named SuperLawyers for 2016, two have been named to the Michigan Top 100 and four have been named as Rising Stars.