Steven Ribiat concentrates his practice in business litigation and arbitration for corporate clients and has extensive experience in: shareholder and contract disputes; professional liability and disciplinary proceedings; intra-entity disputes; real estate litigation; and financial services and securities matters. Prior to joining Brooks Wilkins Sharkey & Turco, Mr. Ribiat was a shareholder and Board of Director member at Butzel Long.

Recent Experience Includes

  • Obtained a nearly $2 million judgment for a corporate client after a bench trial involving contract claims under the Michigan Uniform Commercial Code
  • Successfully defended majority members in an arbitration alleging membership oppression claims under the Michigan Limited Liability Act
  • Obtained a summary judgment, affirmed by the Michigan Court of Appeals, on fiduciary duty claims brought against former officers and directors of a Michigan corporation
  • Obtained a summary judgment, affirmed by the Michigan Court of Appeals, for a title insurance corporation involving questions about the scope of the title policy and whether insurer could be sued in tort
  • Obtained a summary judgment in a multi-million dollar matter involving misrepresentation and fraud claims brought against a corporate client
  • Obtained a $1.1 million settlement for an industrial property owner that suffered trespass damages arising from soil collapse caused by adjoining property owner
  • Obtained a $625,000 arbitration award in favor of client in a matter involving defendant’s fraud and tortious interference with the client’s contractual relationship with a third party
  • Obtained $17M judgment in international financial institution case
  • Counseled advisers to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles of England’s Royal Family concerning claims brought against the Royal Family
  • Obtained a $9M arbitration award for a corporation on its malpractice claims against its former actuary
  • Obtained dismissal of Plaintiff’s RICO and fraud claims in a putative class action arising out of an employer’s handling of its worker’s compensation claims
  • Successfully represented clients in Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission investigations
  • Obtained summary judgment in favor of a Real Estate Investment Trust on claims brought by former executive alleging breach of contract and other allegations
  • Obtained dismissal of a securities fraud lawsuit against former directors of a failed financial institution

Education, Professional Associations and Awards

  • Wayne State University Law School (J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif
    1991); Wayne Law Review, Managing Editor, 1990 – 1991
  • Oxford University, Sommerville College Summer Program 1989
  • University of Michigan (B.A.1988)
  • Member, State Bar of Michigan’s Professional Ethics Committee 2005 to 2010
  • Appointment, State Bar of Michigan’s Task Force on Attorney-Client Privilege
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Oakland Bar Association
  • Best Lawyers in America,Commercial Litigation 2010 – present
  • Michigan Super Lawyer, Business Litigation 2010 – present
  • Business Top Lawyer, Business Litigation

Past Employment Positions

  • Shareholder and Board of Director Member, Butzel Long

Pro Bono Activities

  • Detroit Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Program from 1992 – present

Published Works

  • Title: Applying Section 7 of the Clayton Act to Hospital Mergers: An Analytical Framework, 37 Wayne Law Review 211

Litigation Percentage

  • 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation