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Ronald A. Deneweth

Founding Attorney

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Practice Areas:

Construction

Fidelity/Surety

Insurance Disputes Involving Construction

Real Estate

Arbitration/Mediation

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Ronald A. Deneweth

Founding Attorney

Ronald A. Deneweth was a founding member of Deneweth, Vittiglio & Sassak, P.C. in 1980, where he focuses his practice to construction law, including real estate, insurance, surety, and fidelity matters.

Mr. Deneweth has counseled owners, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, lenders, insurers and sureties from the bid process to final closeout on all matters of controversy and claim avoidance on construction projects. He has extensive experience in the drafting and negotiation of the legal documents required for the acquisition and financing of real estate through the entire construction process to final claims resolution. For over 45 years, he has represented owners, contractors, investors, subcontractors, insurers and sureties in disputes involving all aspects of the construction process. In particular, Ron has handled claims in arbitration, mediation, and civil litigation from relatively simple payment claims to much more complex claims for damages arising out of defects in performance, warranty, the suitability of plans and specifications, delays, and insurance disputes in the construction process. In recent years, Ron has assisted many contractors, investors, and owners involved in troubled projects to reach resolution with the projects' lenders through the loan modification, work out, or the debt acquisition process.

Ron was named as the Best Lawyers’ 2015 Detroit Construction Law “Lawyer of the Year.”  Only a single lawyer in each practice area in each community is being honored as the “Lawyer of the Year.”  Ron was selected by his peers for inclusion in  The Best Lawyers in America in the practice areas of Construction Law and Litigation – Construction.

Ron has served as an arbitrator and/or mediator in over 500 insurance or construction-related disputes, both as a member of the American Arbitration Association's approved panel of arbitrators and mediators and in connection with many private arbitrations and mediations.

Ron prides himself in seeking the most cost-effective resolution to complex disputes for his clients and those who engage him as a mediator or arbitrator.

Mr. Deneweth earned his J.D., cum laude, from Michigan State University College of Law (formerly Detroit College of Law) in 1977, where he  acted as the Adjunct Professor of Construction Law for 13 years. He received his Bachelor of Science, cum laude, in Economics from John Carroll University in 1974. Over the years, Ron has been honored to have been designated as a Michigan Super Lawyer not only in construction/surety but also as one of Michigan's Top 100 Lawyers in All Practice Areas. He has also been honored as a Top Construction Lawyer by Crain's Detroit Business and dbusiness and has been included in the Best Lawyers in America.

In 2000, Ron was awarded a John Carroll University Distinguished Alumni Volunteer.  In 2018, Ron was awarded the John Carroll University Alumni Medal, the highest award given by the John Carroll University Alumni Association.  In 2019, Ron was awarded the Michigan State University College of Law Distinguished Alumni Award.

In April of 2010, after several years of heading the Building and Grounds Committee, Ron became Chairman of the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit.  He presently chairs its Annual Capital Campaign.  Ron also serves on the Board of Directors of John Carroll University.

Education

Michigan State University College of Law, East Lansing, Michigan

  • J.D. - 1977
  • Honors: cum laude

John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio

  • S. cum laude - 1974
  • Major: Economics

Bar Admissions

  • Michigan, 1977
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, 1977
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims, 1981
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1986

Honors

  • Michigan State University College of Law Distinguished Alumni Award, 2019
  • John Carroll University Alumni Medal, 2018
  • John Carroll University Distinguished Volunteer Alumni, 2000
  • Michigan Super Lawyers, Construction/Surety
  • Michigan Super Lawyers-Top 100 in All Practice Areas
  • Crain’s Detroit Business–Top Construction Lawyers
  • Best Lawyers in America
  • DBusiness Top Lawyers
  • Martindale-Hubbell Preeminent Lawyers since 1986

Certified Legal Specialties

  • Construction Disputes Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association

Professional Associations

  • State Bar of Michigan, Real Estate Section, Member
  • Oakland County Bar Association, Member
  • Macomb County Bar Association, Member
  • Macomb County Bar Foundation, Member

Fraternities or Sororities

  • Delta Theta Phi

Published Works

  • Co-Author, Michigan Construction Law
  • Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1989
  • Advanced Construction Law in Michigan-National Business Institute, 1999
  • Construction, Surety, and Bond Lien Law-Lorman Education Services, 2008
  • Business Lawyers Be Wary of the Michigan Builders Trust Fund Act, Vol. 79, Michigan Bar Journal, November, 1999

Classes & Seminars

  • Adjunct Professor, Construction Law, Michigan State University College of Law for 13 years
  • Lecturer, National Business Institute
  • Lecturer, Lorman Education Systems
  • Lecturer, Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants
  • Lecturer, Construction and Financial Management Association

Pro-Bono Activities

  • YMCA Detroit Leadership Academy
  • YMCA Detroit Innovation Academy
  • Chairman, Board of Directors of the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit
  • YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit Board Member since 2005