Trusted. Impactful. Ongoing.
The Private Firm’s remarkable results oriented approach ensures clients that we work relentlessly to assist them in achieving their goals.
Our business attorneys in Metro Detroit have a long history of developing partnerships with businesses and business owners. Expect us to be extraordinarily capable. Expect us to be client-oriented, service-oriented, and results-oriented.
What clients say
Hundreds of Millions
of dollars in claims litigated for our clients, as plaintiff and as defendant, since 2011.
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OVER 1,500
Corporations, LLCs, and Partnerships Formed Since 2011.
Over 500 entities currently rely on us as their resident agent.
Helping entrepreneurs form and grow great businesses.
$450 MILLION+
In new loans and refinancing procured for our business clients since 2011.
$4.7 MILLION
Legal settlement won for a prominent business in Oakland County, Michigan, in 2022.
Reviews
Patient and professional are the first words that come to mind after I met with Mr. Reese Serra and Mr. Matt Wozniak. I am grateful for their help, recommendations and will call them in the future if needed.Donna Liccardello
I had the pleasure of working with Attorney Reese, who demonstrated a high level of professionalism throughout our interactions. He took the time to understand my goals for my supplement business and provided thoughtful, clear guidance. I appreciated his respectful manner, his patience, and his genuine willingness to help. I would confidently recommend his services.Lia Naeem
Mr. Reese Serra was incredibly precise and knowledgeable, he gave the utmost clarity and with that was relief. I highly recommend retaining The Private Firm.Joseph
This is an experienced firm with a knowledge of the intricacies of the business dealings of the area. They are responsive and accessible even on a short notice. I appreciate the measured thoughtful advice provided. It's important to contact a firm like this that navigate business dealings- when you need to be protected and prevent you from being taken advantage of. I am grateful to have established this business relationship that I plan to continue to use going forward.Mykola Bartkiw
Great company!chris olson
An excellent law firm, and a pleasure to do business with.Mark
Had a great experience with this firm. The staff was very accommodating and easy to work with, and everything was handled professionally from start to finish. Reese took the time to really focus on our situation and made sure we felt understood and well-advised throughout. It really deserves my utmost recommendation.Ali Al-Dujaili
I got the best consultancy from attorney Resse Serra.Rawad ahmed
Reese and Matt are undeniably the best people I've ever met. I was fighting with my life for my little sister and brother and these two amazing people were determined and dedicated to helping me, and in the end they helped me reach the end goal. I cannot thank them enough for everything. If you want a lawyer who is dedicated and listens and understands and will help fight with you to the end, I strongly recommend Reese Serra as a lawyer!Juli Kitter
10 Star recommendation! The Private Firm took us, when others said I case was a lost cause. It is so refreshing to to have attorneys who prioritize our family's needs with quick responses to our questions or concerns. Our family was expertly represented in and out of court. With the help of Attorneys Reese and Matt along with their team, the loss of our family member was managable. They expertly guided us through the estate and trust requirement. For almost a year, they fought for our family inside and out of court. They ensured the long term saftey and well being of precious kiddos impacted by the loss of their dad. I HIGHLY recommend The Private Law Firm.aubree's girlscout magazine sale 2016 Garner
The ten most recent reviews from our Google Business Profile, shown exactly as our clients wrote them. Read all reviews on Google. Every matter turns on its own facts; prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Representative Experience
Matters We Have Handled
A sample of work handled by The Private Firm since 2011. We handle complex matters throughout the United States, for clients based in Michigan, across the country, and in Canada, Europe, Asia and Africa. Where a matter calls for local expertise, we retain and direct local professionals so the client keeps one trusted relationship from start to finish. The matters below arose in Michigan, New York, Ohio, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Missouri, Tennessee, Delaware and Canada.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Sale of a professional services firm
Represented the seller of a professional services firm. Diligence was extensive and the transaction turned on significant tax structuring questions that had to be resolved before terms could be fixed. The sale closed in 2025.
Reese Serra and Mateusz Wozniak
Cross-border sale of a manufacturing business
Represented the owner of a manufacturing business serving the automotive and aerospace sectors in a sale to a foreign purchaser, working across Michigan, Ohio and Canada. Negotiation proceeded through a language and cultural barrier between the parties. The sale closed and allowed the client to retire.
Reese Serra · 2025
Minority investment in a professional sports organization
Represented a multi-state group of minority investors in the acquisition of interests in a professional sports organization. Valuation, diligence and confidentiality constraints were managed across five jurisdictions.
Reese Serra
Healthcare and pharmaceutical investment program
Represented a serial entrepreneur across a series of lending and acquisition transactions in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, spanning Michigan, Florida and Texas. The work combined securities, contract and acquisition issues across multiple closings.
Reese Serra, Brian Harrison and Mateusz Wozniak · 2025–2026
Business and Commercial Litigation
Shareholder oppression claim by a minority owner
Represented a minority owner of a family-owned distribution business in Oakland County Circuit Court. The majority owner had excluded the client from company information and from distributions for three years, and valuation was contested between two opposing experts. The matter settled on the client’s terms and the ownership interest was redeemed.
Reese Serra · 2022
Defense of a trade business in a family dispute
Defended a trade business in Macomb County Circuit Court against claims arising from alleged corporate theft, in a dispute among family members who were also owners of the business. The corporation was successfully defended.
Reese Serra · 2026
Contract dispute in the renewable energy sector
Defended a renewable energy company in a New York contract dispute turning on competing interpretations of the agreement, against a counterparty with materially greater bargaining power. The client’s damages exposure was mitigated.
Reese Serra · 2026
Constitutional and zoning litigation against a municipality
Represented a portfolio company in litigation against a Michigan municipality raising constitutional and zoning questions. The matter settled.
Reese Serra · 2025
Judgment against subcontractors for an institutional supplier
Represented a supplier to public institutions in Texas litigation against its subcontractors arising from a contractual dispute. A multi-million dollar judgment was entered for the client.
Reese Serra · 2024
Contracts and Transactions
Eight-figure public construction subcontract
Represented a Michigan specialty subcontractor negotiating an eight-figure subcontract on a large-scale public construction project. Insurance and bonding requirements, complex contractual terms and regulatory compliance obligations were resolved before execution.
Reese Serra · 2026
Stock incentive plan for a multi-state company
Drafted and implemented a stock incentive plan for a privately held company operating in Florida, Michigan and New York, reconciling competing interests among key employees and team leaders. The plan was adopted.
Reese Serra · 2024
Independent film financing and production
Advised a family office investing in and producing feature films outside the studio system, across Michigan, Florida and Tennessee. Contracting was complex and production timelines were compressed.
Reese Serra · 2024–2025
Real Estate
Multi-parcel acquisitions and sales for a developer
Represented a real estate developer across a series of parcel acquisitions and sales in several Michigan counties, resolving title defects and managing an unrepresented counterparty throughout. All transactions closed.
Reese Serra and Mateusz Wozniak · 2026
Sale of real estate interests in New York City and Miami
Represented a retired business owner in the sale of real estate interests in New York City and Miami, working through differing local requirements in each market. The sales closed.
Reese Serra · 2025
Estate Planning and Probate
Estate plan for an owner with substantial operating interests
Designed and implemented an estate plan for a retired business owner holding substantial operating business interests and facing material estate tax exposure. The plan was prepared and executed during the client’s lifetime.
Mateusz Wozniak · 2025
Contested probate litigation
Represented the personal representative of an estate in contested probate litigation in Oakland County Probate Court, involving complex creditor claims and questions of the decedent’s capacity. All contested issues were resolved by settlement.
Reese Serra and Mateusz Wozniak · 2025
Business Formation and Intellectual Property
Entity structure and trademark protection for a family office
Formed new business entities for a family office expanding an established group of companies, and filed trademark applications protecting long-established brands. The structure was built across Michigan and Delaware to be scalable and tax-efficient as the group grows.
Reese Serra · 2026
The matters described above are examples of work performed by The Private Firm. Client identities and identifying details have been omitted or generalized. Every matter turns on its own facts and its own law. Prior results do not guarantee, predict or imply a similar outcome in any future matter. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice or creates an attorney-client relationship.
Meet the team behind the success.
Expect more from The Private Firm’s attorneys. Expect us to be extraordinarily capable. Expect us to be client oriented, service oriented, and results oriented. Our business attorneys in Metro Detroit are committed to being your partner, striving to achieve your goals, and tirelessly working to accomplish your legal or business mission.
AWARDS
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WON: 2016 thru 2024
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Our pledge to our clients
At The Private Firm, we define success by our clients’ metrics. Across our many practice areas, our team of lawyers has an unwavering focus on providing unmatched client service and the highest quality legal advice. Our corporate and contract lawyers in Metro Detroit are proactive and accessible, providing practical solutions and actionable advice. We are always mindful that we must earn our reputation each and every day by delivering results that speak for themselves.
As a growing, full-service law firm of diverse and dedicated legal professionals, our lawyers are respected by their peers, honored by industry endorsements, and recognized as leaders in the law. But, the most important thing to us is the respect we’ve earned from our clients. From Fortune 500 companies to small and emerging businesses, nonprofits and individuals, every client is important to us.
Our unwavering focus on client satisfaction and service has defined our purpose and propelled our growth. Our business attorneys in Metro Detroit develop strong relationships built on a deep understanding of each client’s needs, quick responsiveness, and sound advice.
We promise the following:
- A Long-Term Partnership: We make it our business to know your business and, especially, your way of doing business. We build relationships that last decades by investing in each client’s success and partnering with you to achieve your business goals.
- Personalized Support: We treat each client as if they were our only client, proactively sharing our business and legal acumen to solve your toughest and most complex legal issues. Our expert corporate lawyer team in Metro Detroit is committed to providing you with excellent client service through both responsiveness and turnaround time.
- Responsive Service: We assemble the best teams to deliver personalized legal solutions for our clients, wherever their businesses take them. Our team has skilled business attorneys who can leverage advanced technology and communication strategies to ensure that you stay informed and involved.
- Forward-Thinking Leaders: We strive to continuously evolve as a firm, implementing innovative and thoughtful best-practices while ensuring our founding values guide how we engage with others and who we select to join our firm.
We look forward to exceeding your expectations every day.