Former City of Detroit Director of Development and Special Projects D. Scott Brinkmann joins Butzel

TROY, Mich. –  D. Scott Brinkmann, former City of Detroit Director of Development and Special Projects for the Housing & Revitalization Department, has joined Butzel’s growing Real Estate Practice. Brinkmann is a Shareholder practicing in the firm’s Troy and Detroit offices.

Brinkmann’s principal areas of practice with Butzel will include all aspects of commercial real estate and real estate-related finance with an emphasis on the development, acquisition, disposition, leasing and financing of real property.

“Scott is a well-respected attorney who has the skill, experience and attention to detail to navigate a wide range of commercial real estate matters,” said Tom Kabel, Butzel’s Corporate/Real Estate Practice Department Chair and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. “Scott is a strong addition to the Butzel team. His expertise will complement several of our key practice areas.” 

During his career with the City of Detroit, Brinkmann played a pivotal role in several transformative development projects that include: 1) negotiation of a lease for the first state park in the City of Detroit (Tri-Centennial State Park, now William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor), 2) negotiation of municipal agreements and real estate support for the Gordie Howe International Bridge Project, 3) community benefits and tax abatements for FCA US LLC’s expansion of their Mack 1, Mack 2 and Jefferson North automotive manufacturing assembly plants and 4) community benefits, tax abatements and real estate support for the Detroit Pistons NBA franchise relocation from Auburn Hills to the City of Detroit.  

In 2016, Brinkmann was recognized as one of DBusiness magazine’s “30 in Their Thirties” for his legal work in the City of Detroit, Michigan.

Brinkmann is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School (J.D., 2005). He also graduated from Michigan State University (B.A., 1999).