Laura A. Weingartner’s practice involves all aspects of complex commercial real estate transactions, including renewable and alternative energy lending and project finance, commercial leasing, acquisition, disposition, project siting and zoning, affordable housing development, and landlord-tenant litigation. Laura has represented developers, investors, lenders, REITs, health care systems, manufacturers, municipalities, public school systems, religious institutions, and other public and private entities. Prior to joining Dykema, Ms. Weingartner worked in marketing and sales for a developer of financial planning and information management software applications.

Laura specializes in renewable and alternative energy finance, having negotiated hundreds of loan transactions on behalf of lenders to wind, solar and other renewable energy developers for projects ranging from small to very large utility-scale facilities.  She also represents developers in connection with site control, land use and lease negotiations, and assists other corporate clients in negotiating solar and wind leases on their commercial real estate sites.

Laura is a member of the Real Property Section and Business Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, on the Forum of Community Development and Affordable Housing for the American Bar Association, and a member of the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association.

Laura has also represented pro bono clients over the years, including several asylum-seekers and DACA visa recipients, successfully obtaining legal status for the clients here in the U.S.

In addition, Laura is the Chair of the Barton Hills Village Planning Commission, where she steered the community’s efforts to develop its first Master Plan, as well as develop an updated Zoning Ordinance for the Village, both of which are regularly reviewed and updated.  Laura also represents the Detroit Bike Share program, MoGo, and serves on its Board of Directors, reflecting a passion for the redevelopment and economic renaissance of Detroit’s commercial and residential neighborhoods.  Laura is a graduate of the Leadership Detroit program, sponsored by the Detroit Regional Chamber, and regularly participates in programs designed to increase access to justice and opportunity in the City of Detroit.

Bar Admissions

Michigan, 2005

Education
University of Detroit Mercy, J.D., magna cum laude

• Law Review, Associate Editor

University of Michigan, M.A. University of Michigan, B.A.

Significant Accomplishments
Ms. Weingartner is a recipient of the J.P. Cavanaugh Scholarship, University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, 2002-2005

Professional Associations

• Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association
• American Bar Association/Forum on Community Development and Affordable Housing
• State Bar of Michigan, Real Property Section and Business Law Section

• University of Detroit Mercy Law Review, Vol. 82, Issue 4 (2005), p. 687-713 "Family Law Reform in Morocco: the Mudawana: Modernist Islam and Women's Rights in the Code of Personal Status"
• 82 U. Det. Mercy L. Rev. 343 "Case Digest: Morrison v. City of East Lansing", 660 N.W.2d 395 (Mich. Ct. App. 2003)

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