Press Release

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that J. Michael Bernard, Detroit-based Member in the firm’s Corporate Finance Practice Group, was elected as Chairman of the World Services Group (WSG) for 2019 – 2020. Bernard officially took over the Chairman position at the WSG 18th Annual Meeting, which took place in Washington, D.C., from September 4-6.

WSG is the globally recognized resource for professionals and their clients to receive the highest quality, value and service from legal, investment banking and accounting services, with coverage in more than 130 jurisdictions. WSG provides members the ability to create new business opportunities and relationships to better serve their clients. Through innovative access and technology, WSG offers members and clients immediate access to prospects, information and leading specialists with a known record of superior quality service. For additional information about WSG, click here.

“Through the hard work of Franco Gianni, Chairman Emeritus, prior Board members, prior members of the Regional Councils and all of our member firms, WSG is situated today as a very strong and vibrant organization, with more than 120 member firms comprising over 19,000 professionals,” said Bernard. “I am honored to serve as Chairman of WSG, and I look forward to continuing to add value to WSG and its prestigious Membership.” To read about Bernard’s objectives as Chairman of WSG, please click here.

In his law practice, Bernard focuses primarily on business counseling and planning, with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions (representing both buyers and sellers); capital raising transactions (including private placement, private equity and seed and venture financings); corporate formation matters (including shareholder control and buy-sell arrangements); corporate governance (for-profit and nonprofit entities); and executive employment agreements and related matters. He has experience in a variety of industries, including automotive, manufacturing, service and technology.

Bernard has held various other leadership positions throughout his career. He is a former member of Dykema’s Executive Board, as well as a former leader of the firm’s Corporate Finance Practice Group. He is also a member of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Executive Committee and its Board of Directors. Bernard is also a member of the Detroit Athletic Club’s Board of Directors and Chair of its Community Outreach Committee.

Bernard has been named by Chambers USA as a Leading Corporate/M&A Lawyer each year since 2005 and was named Detroit Lawyer of the Year for Mergers and Acquisitions Law by The Best Lawyers in America® in 2014, 2017, and 2019. He earned a J.D. from the University of Cincinnati and a B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.