Foley & Lardner LLP partner Steven Hilfinger and senior counsel Michelle Freeman are honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. Hilfinger was selected for the publication’s Class of 2024 Hall of Fame and Freeman was recognized as an Up & Coming Lawyer.
The Hall of Fame program recognizes Michigan’s legal leaders who have been in practice for 30 years for their successful careers and valuable contributions to the community. These lawyers have made their mark, either in the courtroom or the boardroom, in their law firms or legal departments, with community organizations, and with local, state, and national bar associations.
The Up & Coming Lawyers honorees are recognized for their stand-out excellence in the profession. These lawyers are establishing themselves as future leaders through their ambition and accomplishments, and their drive and dedication to the practice of law.
Across his thirty-year career, Hilfinger has established his reputation as a leader who builds from the ground up across corporate law, the automotive industry, Michigan’s state government, the nonprofit arena, and at Foley. He is a senior business counselor whose practice focuses on the representation of for-profit and nonprofit companies on mergers and acquisitions, finance transactions, corporate and board counseling, and government affairs matters. Particularly focused on advising automotive suppliers and other manufacturers, Hilfinger helped found Foley’s Detroit office, its Automotive Industry Team, and the firm’s Manufacturing Sector. Heavily involved in his Michigan community and the legal profession, he holds board memberships and leadership roles in several organizations dedicated to giving back to the region, previously served the State of Michigan as chief regulatory officer, and commits his time to various leadership responsibilities and mentorship opportunities at Foley.
Freeman is a litigator who represents corporations and individuals in criminal, antitrust, and regulatory government investigations and white-collar criminal defense matters. She conducts internal corporate investigations involving state and federal authorities including the Attorney General’s Office, Department of Justice, and Environmental Protection Agency. To that end, Freeman investigates potential violations of state and federal law prior to the government becoming involved and counsels clients on how to avoid future risks. In addition to her work on internal and external investigations, she represents clients on a wide range of commercial litigation issues. Committed to civic involvement, Freeman serves on the board of directors for Jewish Family Services for Metropolitan Detroit and helps guide the organization’s pro bono legal referral service network.
