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.

Robert J. Gavin

Managing Partner

  • Juris Doctor, DePaul University College of Law – 2008
  • B.S.M.E., Cum Laude, University of Michigan – 2005
  • National Association of Bond Lawyers CLE Conferences

  • State of Michigan
  • State of Illinois
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan

  • State Bar of Michigan
  • Oakland County Bar Association
  • National Association of Bond Lawyers

  • SuperLawyer Rising Star, 2018-2022

Rob Gavin has been practicing law at Shifman & Carlson, P.C., since 2008. Since then, he has helped multiple small businesses and nonprofits get started, cleared up numerous real estate and landlord-tenant problems, resolved several costly construction disputes, examined and revised more contracts than he can count, and saved many taxpayers a lot of money on their real property taxes. Rob has helped clients with many other matters, too, including:

  • Real estate issues, such as lease negotiations, sales negotiations, easements, and financing.
  • Corporate governance, such as articles of incorporation, bylaws, rules of order, and board meetings.
  • Construction law, including compliance for residential contractors, filing construction liens, and litigation.
  • Tax appeals, especially for commercial and industrial properties, including valuation of property, claims of exemption, negotiations with assessors, hearings in the Michigan Tax Tribunal, and appeals beyond.
  • Appeals to the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Rob is effective with his clients because he understands what they are going through. He’s a homeowner with a young family, and he operates two small businesses that he and his wife Maria started several years ago. As a small business owner, Rob knows what legal services he would want, and he keeps that in mind when working with his clients. Rob’s business background and his effectiveness with his clients led to him being named a Top Lawyer for dBusiness Magazine in 2014 and 2017-2022 and a Super Lawyer Rising Star in 2015 and 2017-2022.

Rob is admitted to practice law in both Michigan and Illinois. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Oakland County Bar Association, and the National Association of Bond Lawyers. He earned his law degree from DePaul University and his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from the University of Michigan. He currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals for the City of Royal Oak.

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