David Hansma guides clients through complex disputes, including “bet-the-company” litigation.
Education
J.D., cum laude, Wayne State University Law School, Detroit, Michigan, 2007
B.S., Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan, 2004, Political Science
Recognitions
Named among The Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation (2026)
Named among Michigan Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters® (2010-2025)
Named among Michigan Super Lawyers® Rising Star (2012-2020)
Named among Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit by DBusiness Magazine (2012, 2019, 2020, 2025)
Memberships
American Arbitration Association, Member
State Bar Licenses
Michigan
Court Admissions
U.S. District Ct., E.D. of Michigan
U.S. District Ct., W.D. of Michigan
U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
Experience:
- Served as lead trial counsel on behalf of plaintiff in a shareholder oppression case resulting in a $3.1 million arbitration award.
- Defended a general partner accused of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty resulting in a complete trial victory including an award of attorney’s fees.
- Successfully defended a foreign corporation in an action alleging breach of a contract to convey stock and seeking over $2 million in damages. The court granted dismissal of all claims.
- Served as lead defense counsel in $1 million breach of contract case in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York resulting in a favorable settlement.
- Acted as co-counsel in a successful arbitration action relating to ownership of a registered investment advisory firm with over $1 billion in assets under management.
- Represented a physician in a shareholder oppression action resulting in a settlement of over $900,000 following a favorable case evaluation award.
- Represented a Tier 2 auto supplier in defense and negotiation of a minority shareholder’s demand to inspect corporate records.
- Successfully represented a pharmacy supplier in a breach of contract action leading to an arbitration award of nearly $600,000.
- Acted as trial counsel on behalf of a restaurant group in a lawsuit brought by a former restaurant manager claiming breach of his employment contract. The trial resulted in a judgment of no cause of action in favor defendant.
- Represented a consumer electronics manufacturer in cross-border litigation arising from the termination of the general manager of the company’s Canadian division.
- Successfully represented a municipality in a federal civil rights case resulting in summary judgment in favor of the municipality.
- Represented the defendant in a class action alleging violations of the Junk Fax Prevention Act.
- Represented banks and lenders in numerous cases to enforce notes, mortgages, guarantees, and other instruments.
- Served as counsel at oral argument for a plaintiff seeking to reverse the dismissal of a shareholder oppression claim. The Court of Appeals reversed. Frank v. Linkner, 310 Mich. App. 169 (2015).
- Served as appellate counsel in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in a case arising under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Mize v. Tedford, 375 Fed. Appx. 497 (6th Cir. 2010).
- Argued in the Michigan Court of Appeals in cases involving easements, breach of contract, promissory estoppel, attorneys’ fees, creditor rights, and property taxes.