David M. Barbour

David M. Barbour is Of Counsel to Kotz Sangster, practicing in the firm's Detroit office. He is a graduate of Wayne State University School of Law, Eastern Michigan University and Marquette University. Mr. Barbour is the leader of the firm's Real Estate Practice Group. He has extensive experience in multi-million dollar real estate transactions including representing governmental clients in the purchase of major downtown office buildings and in the purchase of land and buildings in a suburban Detroit community for development of a motion picture and television production studio.

Mr. Barbour has represented numerous clients in the purchase, sale and operation of hospitality properties. He has extensive experience in all phases of the acquisition process including financing, liquor license transfers, franchising and licensing.

In today's leasing environment, it has never been more critical to protect and secure the client's interests. Therefore, another primary focus of Mr. Barbour's real estate practice includes negotiating and drafting industrial, commercial, retail and office building leases on behalf of both landlords and tenants.

With the recent decline in market values of real estate in Michigan, Mr. Barbour has developed an aggressive property tax appeal program to secure reductions in taxable values for clients. Partnering with real estate brokers and appraisers, Mr. Barbour represents clients before local boards of review and the Michigan Tax Tribunal.

Mr. Barbour has devoted a significant portion of his practice to labor and employment law. His labor law experience includes collective bargaining, contract review and drafting, grievance arbitration, and unfair labor practice litigation. His employment law experience includes disputes involving employment discrimination and harassment, wrongful discharge, constructive discharge and violation of public policy. Mr. Barbour utilizes his extensive employment law experience serving as an Arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association on the Employment Panel.

In 1998, he was appointed as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Michigan.