A member based in Dickinson Wright’s Troy office, J. Benjamin Dolan focuses his practice on business litigation. He represents clients in a wide range of industries such as automotive, real estate, health care, and finance. He has been recognized as a top lawyer in real estate litigation as well as recognized by Best Lawyers in America since 2014.
Education & Credentials
Education
Boston College Law School
J.D., 1992University of Michigan
B.A., 1989- With Distinction
Bar Admission
Acknowledgements
- DBusiness Magazine
- "Top Lawyer," Litigation - Real Estate, 2023, 2025
- Best Lawyers in America®
- Litigation - Real Estate, 2014-2025
- Michigan Super Lawyers®
- Business Litigation, 2011-2024
- Crain's Detroit Business
- Notable Litigators & Trial Attorneys, March 2025
Representative Clients
- The Cold Heading Company
- Circa Resort & Casino
- The D Las Vegas
- Ajax Metal Processing, Inc.
- Minett Real Estate
- Canyon Partners Real Estate
- The Golden Gate Casino & Hotel
- Carhartt, Inc.
- American Public Entity Excess Pooling
- Downtown Las Vegas Event Center
Prominent Assignments
- Advises Circa Resort & Casino on development and operations, having led the legal team through the property's high-profile launch and continuing to provide strategic counsel on key matters.
- Provides ongoing legal support to Golden Gate Casino, handling a range of complex commercial and regulatory disputes to protect business interests and ensure smooth operations.
- Represents the D Casino in litigation and dispute resolution, delivering practical solutions to high-stakes issues while supporting long-term business objectives.
- Tried over 40 civil and criminal jury trials.
- Defended start up supplier of innovative technology in a "bet the company" case, resulting in a no cause of action verdict against its primary competitor in a trade secret action.
- Represented major financial institution in an action to foreclose and sell marina with 750 boat slips and multiple subtenant businesses.
- Managed recovery of failed commercial single and multi-family developments for lender through deeds in lieu of foreclosure transaction.
- Defended Tier 1 automotive supplier along with its former president band obtained dismissal of suit to enforce letter of intent for sale of manufacturing plant.
- Based on four plus years of experience as an Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor, conducted internal investigations of executives and employees of a major insurance company to uncover violations of company policy or criminal activity.
- Successfully recovered and sold 42 parcels of agricultural property for major insurance company after debtors filed multiple suits in state and federal court to stop the sale.
- Represented various Michigan and national lenders in mortgage foreclosure actions and construction lien priority disputes.
Professional Involvement
- State Bar of Michigan
- Fellow, Michigan State Bar Foundation
- Real Estate Section, Member
- Oakland County Bar Association
- Sustaining Member
- Oakland County Inns of Court, past member and Barrister
- Oakland County Bar Foundation
- Fellow
Community Involvement
- Trustee of the Board of Trustees, Birmingham Education Foundation, 2012-present
- Beachlawn Corporation, Director
- Karmanos Cancer Institute, Regional Director, 2002 - 2004