Jerry Bigelman possesses both legal experience and business savvy, a unique combination of talents and insights he has developed over more than 40 years in the practice of law.

Business clients from several industries, including the non-profit sector, rely on him to guide them through both the everyday and complex commercial transactions and taxation matters they face - from selecting and forming an appropriate organizational entity to winding down and dissolution. Jerry is especially adept at tax, employee benefit plans, and general business planning, frequently acting as outside general counsel for many clients, advising on a wide array of legal issues and collaborating with other lawyers and professionals to protect and advance his clients’ interests.

In the non-profit arena, Jerry works with a variety of 501(c) entities, including charities, community organizations, and foundations. He has counseled local charter schools and a unique private school in the areas of school establishment, conduct, and administration. At one Detroit-based charter school, he represented the board of directors on issues related to real estate, contracts, maintenance of tax-exempt status, and student behavior concerns.

Before entering private practice, Jerry worked as an agent with the Internal Revenue Service. His first-hand knowledge of IRS operations and procedures, along with his deep familiarity with the tax code, enables him to uniquely address and prevent tax issues before they happen, and to successfully represent clients in the negotiation and resolution of tax audits and appeals before the IRS, the U.S. Tax Court, and the Michigan Tax Tribunal when such disputes cannot be avoided.

Jerry also counsels individuals and families on estate planning and taxation, drawing from his experience with wills and trusts, estate and trust administration and probate procedures, as well as income, fiduciary, and estate tax matters. For many clients with closely-held or family businesses, he has served as legal counsel for the business and advised the business owners on estate planning, asset protection, and wealth transfer.

Jerry is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and its Business Law and Taxation Sections. He is also an educator, having taught courses in partnership taxation, sales and exchanges, tax-exempt organizations, charitable giving, and individual taxation as an adjunct professor at both the University of Detroit Law School and Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration.

Universities

• Georgetown University Law Center, LL.M. in Taxation, 1976
• George Washington University Law School, Juris Doctor, 1973
• The University of Michigan, Bachelor of Arts, 1970

Bar Admissions

• Michigan
• District of Columbia

Professional Affiliations

• State Bar of Michigan (Business Law and Taxation Sections)

Honors & Awards

• Best Lawyers in America© (Trusts and Estates) - 2013 to present
• Business Magazine “Top Lawyers” (Tax) - 2010, 2012-2015, and 2018
• Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Lawyer - Peer Review Rating of 5.0 out of 5.0, the Highest Level of Professional Excellence and Ethical Standing