Oakland Lawyers Group, PLLC Farmington Hills, MI

Oakland Lawyers Group, PLLC


Oakland Lawyers Group, PLLC

Outside Counsel with an In-House Mindset.

At Oakland Lawyers Group, we combine the depth and sophistication of a full-service business law firm with the responsiveness, practical judgment, and business focus of an in-house legal team.

ABOUT OAKLAND LAWYERS GROUP

We Work as an Extension of Your Leadership Team.

Whether you're closing a transaction, resolving a dispute, navigating an employment issue, protecting valuable intellectual property, or managing day-to-day legal challenges, we provide strategic legal counsel grounded in practical business realities. We take the time to understand the business behind the legal issue so our advice supports the client's broader objectives.


WHY OLG

A Different Approach to Outside Counsel.

Responsive

Accessible counsel when decisions need to be made.

Business Minded

Legal advice informed by business realities.

Practical

Solutions focused on the objective, not unnecessary process.

Comprehensive

Counsel across transactions, disputes and day-to-day legal matters.

Practice Areas

Sophisticated Counsel. Practical Solutions.

Outside General Counsel

For businesses that need sophisticated legal support without maintaining a full in-house legal department, OLG can serve as an extension of the leadership team. We provide ongoing counsel on contracts, employment matters, risk management, disputes, corporate governance, strategic transactions, and the everyday legal issues that come with operating a business.

Business & Corporate Law

We advise businesses, owners, and executives on the legal issues that arise throughout the life of a company. From entity formation and corporate governance to contracts, strategic relationships, and day-to-day business matters, we provide practical counsel focused on protecting the business and helping it move forward.

Mergers, Acquisitions & Strategic Transactions

We represent buyers, sellers, investors, and businesses in acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, restructurings, and other strategic transactions. Our attorneys help clients navigate the entire transaction—from structuring and due diligence through negotiation, documentation, and closing—with an emphasis on achieving the underlying business objective.

Commercial & Business Litigation

When business disputes arise, we combine aggressive advocacy with practical business judgment. We represent companies, owners, and executives in complex commercial litigation involving contracts, business torts, shareholder and member disputes, fiduciary duties, unfair competition, fraud, and other high-stakes business conflicts.

Employment & Executive Matters

We counsel employers on the full range of workplace issues, including employment agreements, executive compensation, policies and handbooks, restrictive covenants, employee discipline and termination, workplace investigations, and employment disputes. Our focus is helping businesses make sound decisions while managing legal and operational risk.

Real Estate

We represent businesses, owners, investors, landlords, tenants, and developers in commercial real estate matters. Our work includes acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, development, financing, ownership structures, and disputes involving commercial property.

Intellectual Property & Brand Protection

A company's ideas, brands, technology, confidential information, and other intellectual property can be among its most valuable assets. We help clients protect, commercialize, license, and enforce those assets, including trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing arrangements, confidentiality agreements, and intellectual property disputes.

Banking, Finance & Lending

We advise businesses, borrowers, lenders, and investors in commercial financing transactions. Our experience includes credit facilities, secured transactions, acquisition financing, refinancing, loan documentation, guarantees, workouts, and other financing arrangements that support business operations and growth.

The TEam

Experienced Counsel. In‑House Perspective.

Join a Firm That Works Differently.


Oakland Lawyers Group is building a collaborative, business-focused team for legal professionals who want to do sophisticated work, solve meaningful problems and provide exceptional client service. We value judgment, responsiveness, initiative and the ability to understand the business behind the legal issue.

Current Openings

View our current openings on our LinkedIn jobs page.

Let's Talk About Your Business.

From everyday legal questions to significant transactions and high-stakes disputes, Oakland Lawyers Group is ready to help.

Send Us a Message


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Tom Berman

Tom Berman

[Managing Attorney]


Tom brings a unique combination of legal, business executive, and public and nonprofit leadership experience to every challenge.

Legal Experience

Oakland Lawyers group, PLLC - Managing Attorney
Nano Magic, Inc. - Strategic Advisor, CEO and Director
Ascion LLC d/b/a Reverie - Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel
Bedrock Detroit - General Counsel
Berman Law, PLLC - Founder and Principal

Education

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
J.D., cum laude (2004)
Book Award in Trial Practice
Cali Excellence for the Future Award – Trial Practice
Michigan State University
B.A., cum laude (2001)
Golden Key National Honor Society
Alpha Phi Sigma – National Criminal Justice
Honor Society
Pre-Law Society
Admissions:
• State - Michigan
• Federal - Michigan Easter District

Professional & Community Involvement

Trustee, Children's Hospital of Michigan
Former Oakland County Commissioner
Former Keego Harbor City Council Member Past President and Trustee Michigan Chapter, Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
Past President and Advisory Board Member, Leaders for Kids
FIDF, Hochberg Fellow, National Young Leadership Mission
L. Brooks Patterson’s Oakland County Elite 40 Under 40

Robert Moir

Robert Moir

[Associate attorney]


Intellectual Property including patent and trademark prosecution,  food and dietary supplement regulations

Background

Legal Experience

Associate, Cool Alex Ltd, Chicago, Illinois, 2005-2009

Scientific Experience

Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Faculty (non-tenure track) , Northwestern University,  Chicago, 1991-2002
Postdoctoral Fellow,  Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK, 1987-1991

Education

Chicago-Kent College of Law, JD,  2005
University of Calgary, PhD (Molecular Biology), 1987
Dalhousie University, BSc, 1981

State bar admissions: Illinois and Michigan
Federal district and appellate court admissions: Northern District of Illinois
Other courts: United States Patent and Trademark Office registration

Matthew Powell

Robert Moir

[Associate attorney]


Commercial Litigation and Antitrust Law

Background

Legal Experience

Oakland Lawyers Group, PLLC - Associate Counsel 2025 to present
Kerr, Russell and Weber, PLC - Commercial Litigation Attorney - 2007 to Present
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan 2005-2007
Law Clerk to the Honorable Marianne O. Battani

Education

Wayne State University Law School, J.D., Law 2001-2004
University of Michigan, Bachelor of Science, College of Architecture and Urban Planning 1995 -1999
State bar admissions: Michigan

Publications

A Primer on Resale Price Maintenance
Michigan Bar Journal · Aug 1, 2017

Sara Ervin-Sarafa

Sarah Ervin-Sarafa

[Associate attorney]


Business and Transactions (Global and Domestic), Global M&A, Strategic Initiatives and Business Growth, Finance and Structuring Transactions, Corporate Governance

Background

Legal Experience

Oakland Law Group – Associate Attorney
Third Level Advisors: General Counsel and Partner
Strategic Partners: Partner and Founder
Kelly Services: Global In-House Counsel and Global Sales (Business, sales and operations)
Butzel Long: Attorney – International Business Group

Education

American University, Washington College of Law – JD – 1997
Universidad de Chile/Diego Portales: AmCham Cert International Trade and Business Law – 1995,
University of Michigan – BA – Psychology and Spanish – 1994
State bar admissions: Michigan

Professional & Community Involvement

Little  Heroes League Board
Michigan State Bar Association, Hispanic Bar Association

Kaila Ohsowski

[Legal Assistant]


Background

Legal Experience

Legal Assistant - Office of the State Appellate Defender, Chicago, IL
Intern - Cook County Juvenile Court Clinic, Chicago, IL

Education

2023  B.S. Criminal Justice and Criminology, Loyola University, Chicago
Cum Laude, Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honors Society

Nicole Satchell

Nicole Satchell

[Paralegal]


I’m passionate about contributing to team success and continuously growing in my profession, while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and client service.

Background

Legal Experience

Legal Assistant Law Offices of Raymonda A. Cassar, PLC
GM Craft Breww City, Legal Assistant Butler Rowse-Oberle PLLC

Education

Bachelor's Paralegal Studies Madonna University - Graduated June 2026 - 2 honors, Lambda Emsilon Chi - National Paralegal Honor Society; Paralegal Student Club Member

Associate of Applied Science Paralegal Studies - Oakland Community College Graduated June 2021, Magna Cum Laude; Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Legal Technology Certificate - National Society for Legal Technology (2021,2025)