Brian M. Akkashian

Brian Akkashian co-founded Paesano Akkashian, PC in August of 2011 with Anthony Paesano.  Prior to that, Brian worked at Dickinson Wright PLLC for twelve years, the last nine as a partner in the Firm’s Commercial Litigation group.  Brian focuses his practice on commercial and business litigation, including customer-supplier disputes, automotive litigation, shareholder disputes, fraud, insurance defense, employment litigation and business torts. Brian also counsels clients on all aspects of their business operations, including contract negotiation and formation, employment, compliance and many other issues.  Brian also acts as a mediator and facilitator, having completed the Oakland County Mediation Center’s General Civil Mediation Training as approved by the Michigan State Court Administrative Office.

Brian has been named a Michigan Super Lawyer in Business Litigation from 2014 through 2023.  Brian has previously served as a member of the Executive Board of the Federal Bar Association for the Eastern District of Michigan and as co-chair of its Complex Commercial Litigation Committee.  Brian has also published articles and presented seminars on various topics in commercial and business litigation and is a member of the Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Sections of the Michigan State Bar. 

Representative Engagemenets

• Acted as outside general counsel to dozens of companies on broad spectrum of issues including supply agreements and other contracts, business terms and conditions, employment, real estate, insurance and intellectual property 

• Frequent representation of tier automotive suppliers in supply chain disputes including stop ship cases, price increase demands, supplier re-sourcing, termination claims and others.  Litigated dozens of temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction motions regarding continued supply of automotive components to avoid suppler and automobile manufacturer production interruptions

• Frequent representation of shareholders, limited liability company members in “business divorce” cases involving separation of business partners, dissolution and winding up, as well as claims of oppression and breach of fiduciary duty

• Frequent representation of lenders and borrowers in loan default actions

• Frequent representation of clients in claim and delivery and related matters to obtain possession/ownership of tooling, machinery and equipment

• Represented one of the United States’ largest regional banks in dozens of mortgage broker fraud actions

• Represented large regional bank in dozens of loan default, deficiency actions

• Represented one of nation’s largest food and facilities management companies in numerous contract and other disputes with company’s commercial clients

• Represented large national insurance company in numerous claims brought by insureds for life and other insurance benefits

• Represented major U.S. airline in antitrust matter relating to allegedly unfair ticketing policies and practices

• Represented numerous clients in investigations by various government and regulatory agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA)

• Represented numerous clients in employment-related litigation including, but not limited to, confidentiality, intellectual property and trade secret claims, non-compete and non-solicitation claims, wrongful termination

• Represented multiple clients in sales commission cases including, but not limited to, claims under the Michigan Sales Representative Commission Act

• Represented multiple clients in franchisee-franchisor disputes

• Represented numerous contractors and subcontractors in construction lien matters seeking payment for materials and services

• Represented minority member in multi-million dollar member dispute relating to ownership, operation of HUD-subsidized housing portfolio

• Represented developer of resort and golf course development and obtained arbitration award and judgment in excess of $1.5 million against numerous respondents/defendants relating to financing of development

• Represented owners of low and moderate income housing developments in City of Detroit, including actions relating to private financing and eligibility for state and federal funds

• Represented human resources and payroll administration company in member dispute involving allegations of misappropriation of funds and breach of fiduciary duty by member

• Represented owner of numerous multi-family property developments against construction manager and member involving allegations of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and misappropriation of funds

• Represented Tier I automotive supplier in multiple warranty claim cases involving hundreds of thousands of warranty claim and vehicles

• Represented real estate developer in litigation and arbitration defending against claims of breach of fiduciary duty and fraud with respect to development of mixed-use real estate project

• Represented builder of shipping container homes in action seeking damages and lost profits relating to construction of multiple homes

• Represented numerous cannabis-related businesses in various disputes, including contract, shareholder/member disputes and real estate matters

• Represented property management company and facilities management company in member and employment dispute involving claims of member oppression, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty

Education

• University of Detroit-Mercy School of Law, J.D., cum laude

• Michigan State University, Administration/Pre-Law

Admissions

• State Bar of Michigan

• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

• United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth District

• Admitted pro hac vice in numerous state and federal courts throughout the United States

PERSONAL

Brian is an avid reader (or audio book listener as the case may be), enjoys movies and watching and playing sports, but above all else loves spending time with his family.