Joseph F. Yamin

Many people like their job. But attorney Joseph (Joe) F. Yamin is one of those rare people who feels that his career is among the best in the world.“I consider the practice of law to be the greatest job in the world, because it provides me with the opportunity to assist individuals and businesses in realizing their dreams and accomplishing their goals,” Joe says. “I am particularly grateful to have the privilege of being a part of the realization of my clients’ dreams. I believe the success of my practice is closely linked to the success of my clients.”

Joe, who joined Lambert Leser in 2013, practices out of the firm’s Troy office. He has more than 25 years of experience in representing both publicly and privately owned businesses; their shareholders, officers and employees; as well as individuals seeking legal advice. He counsels his clients on a wide variety of legal topics, including contract, business, real property, civil litigation and employment matters. Clients include Sunrise Development Inc., Sunrise Assisted Living Association, Whitlock Business Systems, Mobile Air Inc., Mobile Dry LLC and Gallop Brush Company.

Joe has significant experience in complex business issues, and is able to draw on his knowledge and expertise to advise his clients on a wide variety of legal matters. He regularly negotiates and drafts contracts involving multimillion-dollar real estate transactions, the formation of commercial businesses and manufacturing agreements. His extensive litigation background includes both jury and non-jury trials covering contract, business, commercial and personal matters. In jury trials, he has won multimillion-dollar judgments in favor of his clients and has successfully defended cases where as much as $50 million was at issue. However, he considers “litigation avoidance” a major priority and prides himself on being adept at attaining clients’ objectives while bypassing costly and time-consuming litigation when possible.

“Litigation is not only costly but is also disruptive to the business and personal lives of the clients, their businesses and their families,” Joseph explains. “Litigation avoidance starts early on and is a continuing effort. For example, transactional documents that create a business or involve any business transaction must be prepared with a proactive mindset that anticipates and minimizes the likelihood of circumstances that promote or lead to litigation. Having said that, when litigation is inevitable, the client and lawyer must look forward and relentlessly proceed to protect the client’s interests and achieve the client’s goals at all reasonable costs.”

Joe has also served as a court-appointed receiver, facilitator and discovery master. He is certified as a civil court mediator and meets all State Court Administrative Office requirements for court appointment.

No matter whether a business is large or small, U.S.-based or international, Joe is committed to addressing each of his clients’ unique situations – including their changing needs and broader goals. “A lawyer is also a counselor and as such must see the entire forest as well as the single tree that is at issue at the moment,” he states. “A legal victory for the moment that sacrifices goal momentum or future aspirations is a shallow and short-sighted victory. I aspire to insure that the actions of the moment advance long-term client objectives and productivity.”

Before joining Lambert Leser, Joseph was a shareowner at Bloomfield Hills-based Beier Howlett, P.C.