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 boutique 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 added three additional partners, Brian Summerfield, David Jones, and James Allen. In addition to his 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.

The firm expanded its municipal and employment practices with the addition of noted trial attorney, David W. Jones. David is the city attorney for the City of Inkster, and also has broad experience handling both civil and criminal litigation.

Most recently, 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.

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.