Butzel Long

Butzel Long attorneys have been involved in major transactions in other industries. The firm helped create the Michigan Bell Telephone Company (now part of Ameritech), and a senior partner went on to become President of the Burrough’s Corporation (now part of Unisys). The firm served as counsel for the acquisition of the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Company by the Stroh Brewing Company in 1982, and later the Heileman Brewing Company.Butzel Long continues to provide legal counsel to newspapers and other media concerns. The Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) between The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press was worked out with the help of Butzel Long attorneys. The firm represented Reader’s Digest and members of the “60 Minutes” team in landmark libel and invasion of privacy suits. The firm’s media attorneys also continue to play a leading role in cutting edge issues involving the internet, privacy, and other related issues.Representing clients with global interests has led to a long tradition of expertise in international law. From its origins in the mid-1800’s representing international shipping concerns, the firm provided legal counsel in some of the country’s most important international trade disputes at the turn of the 20th century. In the early part of the last century, a Butzel Long attorney served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan. In 1991, to assist clients with business and legal concerns throughout the world, Butzel Long was a founding member of Lex Mundi, one of the first and largest associations of independent law firms from around the world.