John G. Cameron, Jr.

Successfully represented a mortgage lender in the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in connection with a property forfeiture sought by the federal government.

Serves as general counsel to a major mixed-use, community transforming real estate development, which faces challenges involving all aspects of law.

Negotiated a sophisticated subcontract for the installation of material handling equipment for what was anticipated to be a $500 million nationwide project.

Developed standard construction contracts for a well-known institution of higher learning and a major international corporation.

Successfully argued a pro bono case in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit involving the doctrine of constructive notice and a bankruptcy trustee's status as a hypothetical bona fide purchaser.

Secured a significant inverse condemnation award when a city refused a rezoning request.

Negotiated nationwide commercial leases for a major industrial corporation and a major retailer.

Authored what is known as the "Bible" of Michigan real property law.

Represents architects, contractors, subcontractors, owners, landlords, tenants, developers and lenders in connection with all aspects of the real estate development practice.

Emphasis on construction and real estate law, including land owners and lenders in connection with a variety of financing devices, and miscellaneous zoning, condemnation and other land use matters.

Prepares and edits commercial contracts of all kinds.Experienced in admiralty law and other water-related issues, including the construction, purchase and sale of vessels and collision and allision cases.

• Elected Member, the American Law Institute (Service to date on the following Members Consultative Groups: Restatement of Property; Revision of UCC Article 2; Restatement of Agency; Restatement of Restitution; Project on the Law of Nonprofit Organizations; Project on Ethics in Government) 
• Elected Member, American College of Real Estate Lawyers
• Member, State Bar of Michigan Professional Ethics Committee and Land Title Standards Committee
• Member, National Board of Editors of The Practical Real Estate Lawyer (1998-2004)
• Member, National Real Estate Law Advisory Board, ALI-ABA (2007-present)
• Member of Commercial and Construction Law Arbitration Panels, American Arbitration Association
• Fellow, the Michigan Bar Foundation 
• Life Member, Grand Rapids Bar Foundation
• Special Master, Oakland County Circuit Court – 1993 

• Trustee, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital 1997-2007; Board Chair 2005-2007
• Trustee and Chair, Mary Free Bed Orthotics and Prosthetics Corporation 2008-present
• Blue and Gold Information Officer, United States Naval Academy
• Moderator, "Ethics In View -Public Education Reform," one-hour television show for WGVU, Grand Rapids PBS affiliate (1993)
• Moderator, Free Press, Free Speech, "Free Society, How Much Is Too Much?," ninety-minute television show for GRTV, Grand Rapids, Michigan (1994)
• Co-Chair, David Doyle For State Senate Committee
• Co-Chair, Logie For Mayor Committee
• Member, Steering Committee, Marge Byington for Congress
• Director, Urban Institute for Contemporary Art, Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Trustee, East Congregational Church

Teaching:

• Lecturer at various real estate and construction law programs, ALI-ABA
• Instructor, Michigan Supreme Court Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Program 
• Adjunct professor of real estate at both Grand Valley State University and Grand Rapids Community College 
• Lecturer, Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education other trade and professional groups

Treatises: 

• Michigan Real Property Law: Principles and Commentary (The Institute of Continuing Legal Education),1st Ed. 1984; 2nd Ed. 1993; 3rd Ed. 2005 (supplemented annually); cited as persuasive authority in more than 100 reported decisions in the State and Federal courts
• A Practitioner’s Guide to Construction Law (ALI-ABA 2000; supplement 2004) 
• Michigan Real Estate Forms with Practice Commentary, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 (LexisNexis, 1988, supplemented periodically)

Book Chapters:

• “Real Property and Zoning,” The Research Edge (The Institute of Continuing Legal Education 1993) 
• “Income Taxation of the Condominium Association,” Condominium Law And Practice (Matthew Bender 1993) (rewrite of original chapter by Nina J. Crimm) 
• “Real Estate Sale Contracts and Land Contracts,” Michigan Law of Damages (The Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1989)
• "Condominiums,” Michigan Real Estate Form Book (The Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1982)

Papers:

• Michigan Property Tax Matters, Eastern Mineral Law Foundation, Fall 1990 
• The Michigan Dormant Minerals Act, Eastern Mineral Law Foun¬dation Special Institute, Fall 1985 
• Michigan Tax Titles, Eastern Mineral Law Foundation Special Institute, Fall 1985 
• An Introduction to “Deregulated” Condominium Projects in Michigan
• The Responsibility of Attorneys and Accountants Under the Federal Securities Acts
• Class Actions 
• “Goods” Under Article Two of the Uniform Commercial Code

Articles:

• The Wonderful World of Construction, 26 Practical Real Estate Lawyer, Number 6 at page 7 (2010)
• A Construction Litigator’s ADR Primer, 21 The Practical Litigator, Number 4 at page 37 (2010)
• Restrictive Covenants, Reciprocal Negative Easements, and Building and Use Restrictions, 26 Practical Real Estate Lawyer, Number 5 at page 47 (2010)
• What You Should Know About Easements, 26 Practical Real Estate Lawyer, Number 2 at page 9 (2010)
• What You Should Know About Conservation Easements (With Form), 26 Practical Real Estate Lawyer, Number 4 at page 9 (2010)
• Some Questions and Answers About Title Insurance, 13 Practical Real Estate Lawyer, Number 6 at page 23 (1997) 
• Dealing with Brokers and Managers for the Commercial Lessor (with checklists), 12 Practical Real Estate Lawyer, Number 3 at page 25 (1996) 
• Buyer-Brokering–More Complicated Than It Sounds (with form), 12 Practical Real Estate Lawyer, Number 6 at page 13 (1996) 
• 1993 Annual Survey of Real Estate Law, Wayne Law Review (with James J. Rabaut)