ATTORNEY PROFILES


Experienced Attorneys

Our Attorneys have a wide range of experience representing public bodies, businesses, nonprofits, and estates as both general counsel and litigators.

Burton R. Shifman

Founder

  • Michigan
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals (Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee)
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
  • United States District Court, Western District of Michigan
  • United States Tax Court
  • United States Court of International Trade
  • United States Court of Military Appeals

  • State Bar of Michigan:
    • Commissioner, 1979-1990
    • Secretary, 1984-86
    • Commissioner Representative – Standing Committee on Professional & Judicial Ethics
    • Representative Assembly – Charter Member, 1972-1978
    • Member at Large, 1984-1986
    • Grievance Committee, 18th Congressional District, 1961-70
    • Public Corporation Section
    • Fellow, Michigan State Bar Foundation
  • Oakland County Bar Association
    • President, 1977-1978
  • Education Law Association of the United States and Canada (Formerly NOLPE)
    • President, 1979-1980
  • Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys
    • President, 1982-1983
  • International Municipal Lawyers Association (formerly NIMLO)
  • National Conference of Bar Presidents
  • National Association of Bond Lawyers
  • American Bar Association

  • Judge, Oak Park Municipal Court, 1958-1968
  • Referee, Oakland County Juvenile Court, 1960-1965
  • Justice of the Peace, 1957
  • Trustee – Board of Education, Oak Park School District, 1956-1958

  • Juris Doctor (with distinction), Wayne State University Law School, 1954
  • Master of Business Administration, University of Michigan, 1951
  • Bachelor of Arts, University of Michigan, 1950

Distinguished Municipal Attorney Award (MAMA) – 2005 Recipient

My Specialities

Burton R. Shifman, founder of Shifman & Carlson, P.C., was a leader in Michigan law from the time he was admitted to practice in 1954 through his recent retirement. His continued availability to the attorneys at Shifman & Carlson, P.C., provides an invaluable wealth of experience which benefits all of the firm’s clients. In his long and distinguished career, Mr. Shifman worked as both an attorney and a judge and held numerous leadership positions in civil and legal organizations. Mr. Shifman was involved in the representation of public bodies throughout his career, and received the Distinguished Municipal Attorney Award from the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys in 2005. In addition to his extensive public sector background, he had significant success in the litigation of many and varied business and probate matters.

Mr. Shifman earned his Juris Doctor (with distinction) from Wayne State University and both his M.B.A. and undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.

Our Practice Areas



  • Business & Franchise

    As both a small business and a law firm, Shifman…

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  • Municipal & School Finance

    Shifman & Carlson, P.C., is qualified and experienced to advise…

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  • Education Law

    Shifman & Carlson, P.C. is a law firm that specializes…

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  • Probate & Estates

    As probate attorneys, Shifman & Carlson, P.C. has been assisting…

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  • Nonprofits & Charities

    Religious organizations, community foundations, professional fundraisers, volunteers and other nonprofit…

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  • Real Estate

    The real estate team at Shifman & Carlson, P.C. has…

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  • Municipal Law

    Shifman & Carlson, P.C. represents and advises cities, villages, and…

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  • Mergers and Acquisitions

    We help buyers and sellers of businesses smoothly close on…

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  • Serving MI Since 1963 – 100+ Years of Combined Experience

  • Top Rating For Ethics & Legal Ability (AV® Rating)

  • Selected for Inclusion in DBusiness Top Lawyers

  • Two Office Locations: Farmington Hills & Grand Rapids

  • Representing Individuals, Businesses, Municipalities & Schools

We proudly serve clients in Wayne County, Oakland County and Macomb County

Contact Us

Contact Our Farmington Hills Attorney at Shifman & Carlson, P.C. Today!

248.406.0620