Tailored Solutions For Your Business And Real Estate Litigation Needs
Jonathan B. Frank
Jonathan B. Frank
- Principal
Contact
Practice Areas
- Complex Litigation and Risk Advisory
- Corporate and Business Litigation
- Litigation Prevention Audits
- Non-Compete Litigation
- Real Estate Litigation
- Shareholder Litigation
- Software Litigation
- Trade Secret Litigation
- Libel, Slander, Defamation Litigation
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
Biography
Jonathan B. Frank focuses his practice in the areas of civil litigation, employment, real estate, and business litigation. He also provides arbitration, mediation and facilitation services in business cases. Mr. Frank was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 1, 1961. He is admitted to the bar in Michigan and California. He received his undergraduate degree, with distinction, from Stanford University in 1982, and his law degree, Cum Laude, from the University of Michigan in 1985. At the University of Michigan, he was a finalist in the Campbell Moot Court Competition and received the Gussin Award for Trial Work. He has completed a 40-hour mediator training course sponsored by the Michigan Supreme Court Administrator’s Office.
In 2026, he received the Litigation Excellence Award from the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Michigan.
Education
- The University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- J.D. - 1985
- Honors: cum laude
- Stanford University, Stanford, California
- B.A. - 1982
- Honors: With Distinction
Bar Admissions
- California, 1985
- Michigan, 1989
Professional Associations
- Oakland County Bar Association, Former Board Member
- Oakland County Circuit Court Committee, Former Chair
- Oakland County Business Court Committee, Former Chair
- Oakland County ADR Committee, Member
- State Bar of Michigan Litigation, Business, Appellate Practice, Intellectual Property, and ADR Sections
Published Works
- Understanding and Efficiently Resolving Software Development Disputes, Laches, Oakland County Bar Association, January 2025.
- “Don’t Overlook the Red Flag Defense” Michigan Bar Journal, July, 2024.
- “State Bar of Michigan Symposium on Corporate Oppression Actions, Roundtable: Mediation and Negotiation Strategies in Business Disputes” November 2020.
- “Thoughts About My First Zoom Arbitration” State Bar of Michigan Website, June 2020.
- “Making Litigation More Efficient and Less Expensive, In the Post-COVID World and Beyond” May 2020.
- “A Model for Efficient Resolution of Software Development Disputes” Jonathan B. Frank | Aug 27, 2019.
- “Using Root Cause Analysis to Settle a Business Oppression Case” State Bar of Michigan Litigation Journal, Winter 2018.
- “Best Practices for Conducting the Initial Litigation Client Interview” Michigan Bar Journal, October, 2018
- “Eight Tips for Mediating a Business Case” Laches, Oakland County Bar Association, May, 2018.
- “Six Things You Need to Tell Your Client About Mediation” Laches, Oakland County Bar Association, May, 2015.
- “Counseling Your Client Through Litigation” Laches, Oakland County Bar Association, January, 2014.
- Attorneys Henry Gornbein and Jonathan B. Frank discuss practical approaches to business litigation, including defining success, how and when to settle, and how to encourage parties to accept responsibility, Practical Law, 2011.
- “The Value of Shared Responsibility: A Litigator’s Perspective” Laches, Oakland County Bar Association, May, 2011.
- “See the Problem, Solve the Problem” Laches, Oakland County Bar Association, July, 2006.
Published Cases
- Coty Lewis v Acuity Real Estate Services, 63 F.4th 1114 (6th Cir. 2023)
- Buol v Hayman Company, 323 Mich. App. 649 (2018)
- Central States v. First Agency, 756 F.3d 954 (6th Cir. 2014)
- Williams v. City of Troy, 269 Mich. App. 670 (2005)
- Great Lakes Steel v. City of Ecorse, 227 Mich. App. 366 (1998)
- Noel v. Fleet Finance, Inc., 971 F. Supp. 1102 (ED Mich. 1997)
- Standard Federal Savings Bank v. Genesee County, 208 Mich. App. 569 (1995)
- City of Flint v. Patel, 198 Mich. App. 153 (1993)
Unpublished Cases
- Brooklyn Outdoor v Vanderbush, Docket No. 363387 (Mich App 2024)
- Jarrett v Terrell et al, Case No. 21-55263 (9th Cir. 2022)
- TrucknTow.com, Inc. v UHY Advisors, Inc., Docket No. 354999 (Mich. App. 2021)
- Michigan Neurology Associates, Inc. v Steven S. Beall, MD, Docket No. 354565 (Mich. App. 2021)
- Great Lakes Water Authority v Daniels-Karim, Docket No. 354554 (Mich. App. 2021)
- Theisen v Inventive Consulting, Docket No. 353990 (Mich. App. 2021)
- Bosquett & Co. v Sterling Benefits, Docket No. 345615 (Mich. App. 2020)
- Castle v Shoham, Docket No. 337969 (Mich. App. 2018)
- DC Mex Holdings v. Affordable Land LLC, Docket No 318791 (Mich. App. 2015)
- Shaer v. Bahoura, Docket No 315701 (Mich. App. 2014)
- Hill v Hill, Docket No. 312018 (Mich. App. 2013)
- EWI Worldwide, Inc. v. Lifestyle Retail Partners, Docket No. 295167 (Mich. App. 2011)
- Wagner v. Marroghi, Docket No 280632 (Mich. App. 2009)
- Tres Galanes v. Cordoba, Docket No 282643 (Mich. App. 2009)
- Horvath v. Kempster, Docket No 264035 (Mich. App. 2006)
- Phoenix Investment Holdings v. Nosan & Silverman Homes, Docket No. 126561 (Mich. 2005)
- DaimlerChrysler Services v. Summit National, Inc., 2005 WL 1994321(6th Cir. 2005)
- Dolan v. Crutcher, Docket No. 231604 (Mich. App. 2003)
Honors
- Gussin Award for Trial Work
- Recipient, State Bar of Michigan, Litigation Section “Litigation Excellence Award,” 2026
Classes & Seminars
- New Lawyer Boot Camp, Oakland County Bar Association, Seminar Presenter
- Alternative Dispute Resolution in Oakland County, Oakland County Bar Association, Seminar Presenter
- Counseling Your Clients Through Litigation, Oakland County Bar Association, Seminar Presenter
- Judge, University of Michigan Law School Mock Trial, Wayne State Law School First Year Advocacy Program.
Pro-Bono Activities
- Board Member, Detroit Police Athletic League, 2012 to 2023
- Board of Directors, Detroit Urban Debate League, 2013 to Present
- Board Member, Jewish News Foundation, 2012 to 2016
- President, Detroit Chapter of American Jewish Committee, 2009 to 2011
- Board Member, Jewish Family Services, 2005 to 2010
- President, Jewish Ensemble Theater, 1999 to 2005
Certified Legal Specialties
- Neutral Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association
- SCAO- Trained Mediator