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Summary of Experience
Joe Sarafa is of counsel to the firm. His practice consists primarily of business, corporate and real estate law. He also is active in regulatory affairs and licensing, including the Michigan Departments of Lottery, Liquor Control and Agriculture, among others.
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| Education |
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Juris Doctor
University of Detroit School of Law
Bachelor of Arts, cum laude
University of Michigan
Major: Business
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| Honors |
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∙Michigan Society of Association Executives Hall of Fame
∙Crain's Detroit Business Top 40 Under 40
∙Spirit of Detroit Award
∙National Catholic Education Distinguished Graduate
∙City of Southfield
∙Chaldean Federation of America
∙City of Farmington Hills Police Department
∙United States Department of Agriculture
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| Representative
Cases |
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When the Michigan Department of Agriculture attempted to close our client’s independent grocery store, Mr. Sarafa negotiated the first of its kind “performance model” for keeping the store open. Through Mr. Sarafa’s efforts, this business remains open and is serving its customers better than ever.
In a corporate dispute between the two largest shareholders, Mr. Sarafa’s creativity brought a quick and mutually satisfactory resolution to the matter, saving our client tens of thousands of dollars in possible litigation costs.
Mr. Sarafa was asked to negotiate a complex real estate sale involving unusual circumstances for a client. The result was a three million dollar purchase agreement with significant up-front money to our client that was accepted and executed by all parties.
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| Memberships
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∙Traverse City Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council
∙Traverse City Economics Club Scholarship Committee
∙North Poine Holding Corporation (traded on NASDAQ) Board of Directors
∙North Poine Holding Corporation Audit Committee Member
∙North Poine Holding Corporation Nominating/Governance Committee Chair
∙Advanced Master Gardener Volunteer
∙AFD Foundation President
∙Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Customer Advisory Council, Chairman
∙Michigan Liquor Control Commission Customer Advisory Committee, Chairman
∙Michigan Department of Agriculture Advisory Committee
∙Michigan Department of Public Health (WIC) Advisory Committee
∙Detroit Regional Chamber, Board Member- Chair of Food Industry Council
∙State Bar of Michigan
∙Michigan Society of Association Executives, Board Member Detroit Region
∙New Detroit, Trustee and Audit Committee and Minority Business Committee Member
∙Food Marketing Institute Association Council
∙National Grocers Association
∙Southfield Municipal Building Authority, Chairman
∙Southfield Tax Increment Finance Authority, Board Member
∙Western Michigan University Food Marketing Program, Board Member
∙University of Detroit President's Cabinet, Board Member
∙Detroit Police Chief's Crime Prevention Advisory Committee
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| Presentations
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∙Has given hundreds of speeches and panel discussions to groups as small as 10 to over 1,000 on such subjects as food safety, diversity, consumer education, industry trends, giving back, public policy and government. Audiences included grade school, high school and college students, business and civic groups, politicians, law enforcement and corporation employees.
∙Food and Beverage Report, Editor, wrote numerous articles and press releases
∙Quoted in nearly every major print and television media in Southeast Michigan and many radio stations
∙Interviewed by several national publications
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