Results at The Private Firm
Trusted. Impactful. Ongoing.
We work relentlessly to help clients achieve their legal and business goals, building relationships that continue long after a matter closes.
The Work Behind the Results
Legal strategy built around what success requires.
Our business attorneys in Metro Detroit have a long history of developing partnerships with businesses and business owners. The relationship begins with understanding the client’s objectives, exposure, operating reality, and definition of success.
From there, we align legal judgment, business context, negotiation, documentation, and execution around the result the client is working to achieve.
Client oriented
The strategy begins with the client’s actual priorities, commercial reality, risk, and desired result.
Service oriented
Clear communication, preparation, responsiveness, and accountability remain part of the legal work.
Results oriented
Every decision remains connected to the outcome the client needs to protect, create, resolve, or complete.
The Work in Numbers
Built through thousands of decisions that moved clients forward.
Scale is not the objective by itself. These figures represent businesses formed, financing completed, disputes resolved, and clients who continue to trust the firm.
Corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships formed since 2011.
Business entities currently rely on The Private Firm as their resident agent.
In new loans and refinancing procured for business clients since 2011.
Legal settlement secured for a prominent Oakland County, Michigan business in 2022.
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 and recommendations and will call them in the future if needed.
Donna Liccardello
Representative Experience
Selected matters. Meaningful outcomes.
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 requires local expertise, we retain and direct local professionals so the client keeps one trusted relationship from start to finish.
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.
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 across Michigan, Ohio, and Canada. The sale closed and allowed the client to retire.
Minority investment in a professional sports organization
Represented a multistate group of minority investors acquiring interests in a professional sports organization. Valuation, diligence, and confidentiality constraints were managed across five jurisdictions.
Healthcare and pharmaceutical investment program
Represented a serial entrepreneur across lending and acquisition transactions in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors spanning Michigan, Florida, and Texas.
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 matter settled on the client’s terms and the ownership interest was redeemed.
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.
Contract dispute in the renewable energy sector
Defended a renewable energy company in a New York contract dispute against a counterparty with materially greater bargaining power. The client’s damages exposure was mitigated.
Constitutional and zoning litigation
Represented a portfolio company in litigation against a Michigan municipality raising constitutional and zoning questions. The matter settled.
Judgment for an institutional supplier
Represented a supplier to public institutions in Texas litigation against its subcontractors. A multimillion dollar judgment was entered for the client.
Contracts and Transactions
Eight figure public construction subcontract
Represented a Michigan specialty subcontractor negotiating an eight figure subcontract on a large public construction project. Insurance and bonding requirements, complex contractual terms, and regulatory obligations were resolved before execution.
Stock incentive plan for a multistate 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 established brands. The structure was built across Michigan and Delaware to be scalable and tax efficient as the group grows.
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.
Professional Recognition
Recognition with meaning behind it.
Results matter most to the people we represent. Recognition from clients, peers, and independent organizations reflects the consistency, judgment, and service behind that work.
Selected by Super Lawyers.
Reese Serra’s professional recognition includes Super Lawyers selection in 2024 and earlier recognition through the Super Lawyers Rising Stars program.
Clients’ Choice Award 2026
Current client recognition presented through Avvo for Reese Serra.
2026 ★★★★★
10.0 rating and 122 client reviews
Reese Serra’s current Avvo attorney rating and verified client review profile.
Oakland County Executive Elite 40 Under 40
Feedback from clients who experienced the firm’s counsel and service firsthand.
Professional acknowledgment connected to legal ability and standing within the profession.
Recognition reflecting leadership and professional impact within Oakland County.
Recognition by an organization does not guarantee a particular result. Every legal matter depends on its individual facts and applicable law. Avvo, Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, and Elite 40 Under 40 are marks of their respective organizations.
The People Behind the Work
Meet the team behind the success.
Expect more from The Private Firm’s attorneys. Expect us to be extraordinarily capable, client oriented, service oriented, and results oriented. Our attorneys are committed to being your partner, advancing your goals, and doing the disciplined work required to accomplish your legal or business mission.
Meet the Team