Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has a new role at one of the state’s top law firms, three months after ending his bid as an independent candidate for governor.
Duggan will join Detroit-based Honigman as a partner in the government relations and public policy practice group. Duggan was Detroit’s second-longest serving mayor, behind Coleman Young, serving 12 years after winning a write-in campaign in 2013.
In his new role, Duggan will serve as a strategic adviser working on dispute resolution, internal and external investigations, infrastructure and economic development, crisis response and complex political and community relations issues, the firm said in a statement.
“As a transformative public servant and proven leader, Mike will bring extraordinary value to our firm and our clients,” David Foltyn, Honigman chairman and CEO, said in the statement. “Throughout his career, Mike has demonstrated a remarkable ability to solve complex problems, lead large organizations, build consensus among diverse stakeholders and drive meaningful economic growth. His experience spans government, healthcare, law enforcement, economic development and public policy, giving him a unique perspective that will benefit clients facing critical business and strategic challenges.”
Honigman, formed in 1948, is a full-service law firm with more than 400 attorneys advising clients on complex business, litigation, regulatory and transactional matters throughout the United States. In addition to offices across Michigan, it also has locations in Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Israel.
The firm has also been involved in several high-profile cases involving the city of Detroit.
Between 2005 and 2006, Honigman was a member of the financing team for the Detroit Retirement Systems Funding Trust transaction. The securities offering was the first pension financing in Michigan and the state’s largest municipal transaction at $1.44 billion. The transaction provided funding at reduced interest rates for Detroit’s unfunded pension liability to its two pension systems.
Honigman also served as lead counsel for The Detroit Institute of Arts throughout the City’s Chapter 9 bankruptcy and the so-called “Grand Bargain” that helped resolve the case. Throughout the bankruptcy, the DIA argued that its collection couldn’t be sold to satisfy debts because donors had placed restrictions on sales or transfers.
“After years spent working to build the City of Detroit, I knew I wanted to stay and enjoy the city while finding a way to contribute,” Duggan said in the statement.
“Honigman is an outstanding law firm that’s been headquartered in Detroit for more than 75 years. I’ve always admired the way their talented attorneys and professionals help their clients solve even the most complex challenges. I’m looking forward to becoming a partner to contribute to the continued growth of another storied Detroit institution.”
Prior to his time as mayor, Duggan was CEO of Detroit Medical Center for eight years, where he led a financial turnaround and negotiated an agreement that supported significant new construction. He also previously served as the Wayne County prosecutor and, before that, deputy county executive.
Duggan earned his bachelor’s degree and law degree from the University of Michigan.
Once one of the state’s top Democrats, he surprised many by running for governor as an independent. He had early, prominent backers, but dropped out in May when polls showed he sagged in popularity.
At the time, Duggan said he lacked a path for victory because polarization from the Trump administration had pulled moderates to Democrats.
Bridge Michigan contributed to this story.