Overview & History

Schenk & Bruetsch was founded in April of 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Matthew Schenk and Thomas Bruetsch, friends and colleagues for more than a decade, made the decision to start their own firm. Focusing on their individual strengths, unique skill sets, and strong backgrounds, they founded a law practice providing big firm sophistication and expertise with the personal service and touch of a small firm. Schenk brings twenty years of local governmental and contractual expertise to the table to help businesses navigate the complex world of government. Thomas Bruetsch adds more than twenty years of business and governmental litigation experience focusing on complex, high-profile, and “must win” cases.

Since its founding, Schenk & Bruetsch has grown into a premiere business law boutique. Partner Brian Summerfield has twenty plus years of commercial, construction, and real estate litigation, Brian is the past president of the Detroit Bar Association and the former President of the Grosse Pointe School System.

In 2022, highly respected attorney James Allen joined the firm. Allen is the former managing partner of Allen Brothers, PC and specializes in business and municipal disputes. Jill Ferrari, who formerly was the managing partner of an award winning real estate development company, leads our unique expertise real estate development practice.

Lindsey Johnson Chair, the Oakland County Bar Association employment section, and runs the Firm's Employment Law Group. Steven Jacobs represents leaders and other creditors in litigation and transactional matters. We view ourselves as problem solvers. Our approach is to understand our clients’ unique situations and their objectives. Then we work with our clients to develop a strategy to help them achieve their goals. At Schenk & Bruetsch, we are smart for your business, because we are solution based. This is why so many clients rely on us, from Fortune 500 companies and governmental organizations to family-owned businesses and entrepreneurs.