R. Drummond Black Attorneys

E-Mail: black@curriekendall.com   Attorney R. Drummond Black

Born Montreal, Canada, May 3, 1946; admitted to bar, 1974, Michigan; 1980, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; 1983, Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Education: Bachelor of Science, 1968, Purdue University; Juris Doctor, 1974, University of Michigan.

Practice Areas:

Professional Organizations: Midland County Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan (Member, Sections on Probate and Estate Planning, Real Property); Northeastern Michigan Estate Planning Council.

Civic Organizations:  City of Midland, Michigan (Mayor 1996-2005; City Councilman, 1991-2005); MBS International Airport (Commissioner, 2001-2003), Midland Rotary Club (President, 2010-2011); Saginaw-Tittabawassee Rivers Contamination Community Advisory Group (EPA), (2009-present).

Representative Cases:

Estate Planning.  Counseled and drafted wills and trusts (for minors or disabled persons, for probate avoidance, and for tax avoidance) for hundreds of families and individuals.

National Labor Relations Board v Newspaper Publisher.  Represented newspaper resisting NLRB subpoena that sought business records that would identify a newspaper customer who had placed an "anonymous" classified employment ad. Successfully argued in the Sixth Circuit, that this practice violated the First Amendment by discouraging commercial free speech. The NLRB then discontinued the practice nationwide.

Nonprofit Tax Exempt Organization v Former Officers and Directors.  Represented tax exempt membership organization seeking recovery of funds transferred by former officers and directors to newly established charitable foundation that was under control of the former officers and directors. Recovered all of the funds and enabled client to take control of the foundation.

Shopping Centers v Various Tenants.  Represent a national shopping center owner landlord in lease enforcement and collection actions against various commercial tenants in two major shopping malls.

UCC Financing Statements for Major Financing.  Drafted and filed more than 700 UCC financing statements, amendments, "in lieu" and continuation filings, some of which exceed 150 pages in length, to maintain secured status of a $1 billion industrial financing transaction.

Creation of Tax Exempt Healthcare Provider.  Represented regional provider of indigent healthcare in forming a nonprofit entity and securing 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.

Clients and Communities. As a lawyer, Mr. Black has represented and assisted clients in the Mid Michigan communities of Midland, Saginaw, Bay City, Auburn, Freeland, Sanford, Coleman, Kawkawlin, Pinconning, Standish, Gladwin, Beaverton, Clare, Harrison, Mt. Pleasant, St. Louis, Breckinridge, Merrill, Hemlock, West Branch, Roscommon, Vassar and Caro as an estate planner in the preparation of a will, trust, general durable power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney, living will, special needs trust, amenities trust, life insurance trust, spousal protection trust, and in the areas of probating estates, medicare planning, elder law, guardianship and conservatorship. He also practices real estate law and assists clients in the preparation of a deed, mortgage, lease, easement, condominium, and in landlord tenant actions. 


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