William C. Blasses

Bill focuses his practice in the areas of restructuring, commercial litigation, and fraud investigation and litigation and has substantial experience representing businesses and their owners in commercial disputes, collection and receivership proceedings, state and federal litigation, bankruptcy proceedings, and appeals. 

Bill understands that every business has different needs, different revenue sources, and different cost structures. Recognizing that complex problems require comprehensive solutions, Bill tailors his approach to the needs of each client. This often means employing a combination of legal proceedings, administrative remedies, and out of court negotiations to provide a comprehensive and complete solution to existing problems. Bill has represented businesses and their owners in shareholder disputes, collection actions involving customers or vendors, commercial lease disputes, dissolutions, receiverships, asset sales, debt negotiations, loan workouts, and bankruptcy cases. Bill also has experience with issues involving tax liability, construction liens, zoning, and insurance coverage.

Bill also assists clients with matters arising from a complete breakdown of a business relationship. When a business fails, the owners, vendors, and customers are left picking up the pieces. Contracts are breached, and assets are liquidated and transferred. Lawsuits are filed against owners and vendors to recover funds paid out prior to the business’ failure. In these cases, Bill advises clients on how to limit liability and pursue outstanding claims while assets still exist to pay them. Bill also represents clients in defense of lawsuits seeking recovery of transfers made by the failed business.

Oftentimes, the failure of a business will result in allegations of misconduct against or among the business’ owners and employees. In those cases, business owners and employees can be sued for diversion of corporate assets, breach of fiduciary duties, and fraud. Bill represents clients in the investigation, prosecution, and defense of such actions on behalf of his clients.

Bill’s approach is respected throughout the legal community. He has been named to the Michigan “Rising Star” list by Super Lawyers, a division of Thomson Reuters, in bankruptcy practice from 2013-2018, was recognized as a 2018 “Top Lawyer” in commercial litigation by DBusiness magazine, and was named to Michigan Lawyers Weekly‘s “Up & Coming Lawyers” in 2017. 

Bill is an active thought leader and has recently given two presentations addressing bankruptcy and restructuring issues:

• Presentation for the Debtor-Creditor Rights Section of the Detroit Bar Association: “Alternatives for Distressed Companies”
• Presentation for the Consumer Bankruptcy Association: “Evidentiary Issues in Bankruptcy Proceedings”