Butzel Long attorney Geaneen M. Arends named Practice Department Chair for the firm’s Corporate and Real Estate Practice Departments
DETROIT, Mich. – Butzel Long attorney and shareholder Geaneen M. Arends has been named Practice Department Chair for the firm’s Corporate and Real Estate Practice Departments effective October 1.
Arends will be responsible for the management and oversight of the firm’s Corporate and Real Estate attorneys who will report to her as well as for the strategic goals, budgeting, forecasting, and direction of the practice groups.
“Geaneen is a talented attorney who is highly regarded both internally and in the community,” said Justin G. Klimko, President and CEO, Butzel Long. "She has demonstrated excellence in her law practice and leadership ability in numerous roles. Geaneen is an outstanding addition to our leadership team, and we are enthused about the emerging generation of leadership in our firm, of which she is an important part.”
Based in the firm’s Detroit office, Arends concentrates her practice in mergers and acquisitions, business formation, general business and commercial real estate transactions.
“I am honored to take on this leadership role at Butzel Long,” said Arends. “As an African-American woman, I certainly understand the significance of this achievement, given that, nationally, less than 3.5% of equity partners in multi-tiered law firms are women of color. While the statistics of how many of those women serve in leadership positions is largely unreported, I am sure that the numbers are not reflective of this group’s leadership capabilities. I look forward to having an even greater opportunity to have an impact on the next generation of attorneys from all backgrounds.”
Arends’ long-time commitment to pro-bono work and community service is well-known. She serves as First Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Detroit Historical Society (Detroit Historical Museum and Dossin Great Lakes Museum) and is a Trustee of the Detroit Educational Television Foundation/Detroit Public Television (Detroit PBS). She also serves on the Steering Committee for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Classical Roots Celebration.
Arends is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, serves on the Real Estate Advisory Board for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, and is an alumna of Leadership Detroit, Class XXVII. She also is the Chair of Butzel Long’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
Arends is a graduate of Michigan State University (B.A., History, 1994) and of Boston College Law School (J.D., 1998). She is admitted to the State Bar of Michigan and the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Michigan.
