Devin W. Bone

Devin joined Paesano Akkashian, PC as an associate attorney in August of 2015.  He quickly established himself as a skilled trial attorney, litigating business and securities matters in state and federal court throughout Michigan and the United States.  Devin accepted a partnership position in April of 2019.  

Devin’s securities practice includes both litigation and transactional matters.  On the litigation side, he represents investors and corporations in shareholder disputes and investigations brought by the SEC or other state securities agencies.  Devin also maintains a FINRA arbitration practice, representing both customers and brokers in investment disputes, employment claims, or other industry matters.  On the transactional side, Devin advises companies on reporting requirements under the Securities Act of 1933 and Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  This includes advising clients on mergers, acquisitions, initial public offerings, and private capital raises.  He also regularly advises clients in forming and operating private investment funds.

In addition to his securities practice, Devin maintains a general business and employment litigation practice.  He represents companies and individuals in a variety of matters, ranging from contract and fraud disputes to discrimination and defamation claims.  He regularly represents automotive suppliers in disputes involving down-stream suppliers, original equipment manufacturers, and competitors engaging in unfair trade practices.

Devin is regularly recognized by his peers and industry professionals for his exceptional work product and practice. He’s received honors including Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s “Up and Coming Lawyer,” Super Lawyers’ “Rising Star” in the area of Business and Corporate Law, and Best Lawyers’ “Ones to Watch” designation. Lawyers of Distinction also recognized Devin for excellence in Securities Law.

Devin is active in legal education and takes pride in providing practical legal guidance to future attorneys and paralegals entering the industry. He is an adjunct professor at his alma mater, Michigan State University College of Law, where he teaches Contract Drafting. Devin is also an adjunct professor and a member of the ABA Paralegal Advisory Board at Oakland University, where he teaches contract law to students in the paralegal program. Devin was recently a panelist at the 2023 Midwest Securities Law Institute, hosted by Wayne State University Law School, speaking on the issue of securities transaction “hot topics.”

Representative engagements

• Frequent representation of businesses in complex commercial litigation matters, including shareholder disputes and fraud claims.

• Litigating automotive supply chain issues for Tier-1 suppliers and other manufacturers.

• Engaged as counsel for numerous public reporting companies, investment funds, hedge funds, industry professionals, and investors relating to federal and state securities laws, compliance, and transactions.

• Represented clients in complicated mergers and acquisitions.

• Represented c-suite employees in employment disputes with past and present employers.

• Represented numerous clients in guardianship, conservatorship, and trust disputes in probate courts around the State of Michigan.

Recent transactions and litigation successes

• Argued and won declaratory relief in favor of clients with riparian rights to a private park in a contentious case where other owners claimed superior rights (June 2024)

• Engaged with a Tier-1 automotive supplier to draft new terms and conditions governing their North American purchase orders (May 2024)

• Represented the purchaser in the acquisition of a tool and die shop with three locations involving an SBA loan and related regulatory issues (February 2024)

• Successfully defeated a request for preliminary injunction against a client from his former employer alleging that the client had moved to a competitor in violation of certain employment agreements (September 2023)

• Assisted in receiving preliminary injunctive relief in favor of an automotive client that faced a stop-shipment threat from a disgruntled supplier seeking a price increase (August 2023)

• Facilitated the sale of highly valuable commercial real estate on behalf of a client, which involved litigating claims for quiet title and easement issues (July 2023)

• Successfully appealed to the Michigan Court of Appeals the appointment of a guardian and conservator, with the Court of Appeals reversing and dismissing the underlying petitions brought in the Wayne Court Probate Court (May 2023)

• Achieved dismissal with prejudice of a shareholder claim against a public reporting company for claims of fraud and misrepresentation related to alleged malfeasance of certain officers (April 2023)

• Represented a client and his business in a multi-million dollar sale to a private equity company (November 2022)

• Received a jury verdict finding defendants liable in a highly contested defamation and tortious interference with business relations claim in Wayne County Circuit Court (July 2022)

Education

• Michigan State University College of Law, J.D. with Honors

• Michigan State University, International Relations

Admissions

• State of Michigan

• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

• United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

• United States Tax Court

• Admitted pro hac vice in multiple state and federal courts around the United States

Other licenses

• Investment Adviser Representative (CRD 7689676)

• Michigan Real Estate Broker (License No. 6504431477)

Personal

When he’s not in the office, Devin enjoys spending time with family, especially at Higgins Lake. He is an avid hockey and football fan, and can often be found on campus at Michigan State University cheering on the Spartan Marching Band, of which he was a member during his undergraduate years at Michigan State.