Eleven CMDA Attorneys Recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers for 2025
CMDA is proud to announce that several attorneys from our Firm have been selected for inclusion in the 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers & Rising Stars list. The following attorneys have…
Overview
Christopher G. Schultz is an equity partner, the managing partner of the Firm, and a member of the Executive Committee. He works out of our Livonia office and concentrates his practice on business law, real estate law, and estate planning. He maintains an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest possible rating an attorney can achieve for both ethical standards and legal ability. In 2022, he was selected as a Top 22 “Go To Lawyer” in Business Law from Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Mr. Schultz represents and counsels manufacturers, financial service institutions, and small and large businesses in the retail and service sectors in many areas, including entity selection, start-up and funding issues, shareholder and owner relationships, employment matters, mergers, acquisitions, real estate matters, and business succession planning. Additionally, he assists clients with estate planning matters, including wills, trusts, charitable giving, estate administration, irrevocable trusts, gifting and special needs trusts.
Practice Groups
Business LawCommunity Association and Real Estate LawCommunity Association LawEstate Planning and Elder LawReal Estate LawEducation
University of Detroit Mercy, J.D., 1984
Wayne State University, B.A., 1981
Honors
AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest possible rating an attorney can achieve for both ethical standards and legal ability
Michigan Super Lawyers, Top Rated State, Business & Corporate Attorney, 2024-2025
Top “Go To Lawyer” in Business Law, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 2022
Top Rated Lawyer in Corporate Law, DBusiness magazine, 2014 
Top Rated Lawyer in Trusts and Estates, DBusiness magazine, 2014
Top Attorney in Livonia, voted by the citizens of City of Livonia, 2013
Memberships and Associations
State Bar of Michigan
– Business Law Section
– Elder Law and Disability Rights Section
– Law Practice Management & Legal Administrators Section
– Master Lawyers Section
– Probate & Estate Planning Section
– Taxation Section
Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Served on local township planning commissions and historic district commissions
Served as a member of local youth athletic associations
Volunteered at several civic organizations involving the development of youth athletics
Presentations & Articles
Numerous estate planning and succession planning presentations to variety of audiences
Presentations on business and shareholder planning
“Succession Planning: Now is the Time to Develop a Plan,” CMDA On Law, March 2014
“Tax Planning for Fiscal Cliff,” CMDA On Law, December 2012
“Highlights of the Tax and Benefit Provisions of the 2010 Health Care Act,” CMDA On Law, 2010
“Recent Developments in Construction Lien Act,” CMDA On Law
Exploring Franchise Opportunities Seminars
Published Articles
Important Reminder: Under the CTA, a BOIR is Required to be Filed by January 1, 2025
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) was enacted by the federal government in 2021 to strengthen federal money laundering and tax fraud statutes by improving transparency in business ownership. The CTA…
Eleven CMDA Attorneys Recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers for 2024
CMDA is proud to announce that several attorneys from our Firm have been selected for inclusion in the 2024 Michigan Super Lawyers & Rising Stars list. The following attorneys have…
Chris Schultz Selected as a “Go To Lawyer” in Business Law
CMDA is proud to announce that Christopher G. Schultz has been recognized as a “Go To Lawyer” for Business Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. The “Go To Lawyers” program identifies…
SBA Provides Loan Application Forms for Paycheck Protection Program
The stimulus bill signed into law by the President recently has set aside substantial funds to aid small businesses under a new loan program that is now in effect. If…
Loan Forgiveness Program under the CARES Act and The Paycheck Protection Program
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was enacted on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act contains many sections and provisions applicable to numerous individual and business…
The SECURE Act and its Impact on Your Estate Plan
President Trump signed into law the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act) effective January 1, 2020. The Act brings major changes to IRAs and 401(k)s, including…
CMDA Announces Four New Equity Partners
Cummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho, P.L.C. is thrilled to announce that Christopher G. Schultz, Timothy S. Ferrand, Allan C. Vander Laan, and Haider A. Kazim have been named Equity Partners…
Michigan Nonprofit Corporations Must File Annual Report by October 1, 2018
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Corporation, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau (CSCL) recently announced that 2018 annual reports for nonprofit corporations have been mailed to resident…
Changes in Overtime Rules for Michigan Employers
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) has changed the overtime rules for certain salaried workers, which will be applicable to Michigan employers. The changes are to be implemented on December…
Estate Planning: A Continuous Process
Estate planning is a continuous process and estate plan documents should be reviewed at least every decade and upon any major changes in lifestyle or family structure. A basic estate…
Employee Handbooks are Essential for Small Businesses
Clients frequently question the value of preparing an employee handbook. Many small business owners do not provide employees with an updated, legally-sound handbook due to the anticipated time needed to…
2015 Year in Review: Monumental Milestone Recognized, Skilled Attorneys Hired, and Remarkable Anniversaries Celebrated
As a new year is upon us, we reflect back on 2015 and the successful year we had at CMDA. We recognized a monumental milestone, hired several attorneys, and celebrated…
Succession Planning: Now is the Time to Develop a Plan
As the economy progresses through an economic cycle and continues to improve, business owners are seeing the value of their business recover. Now is a good time for business owners to…
CMDA Announces New Managing Partner
The Firm is pleased to announce that Christopher G. Schultz has been selected to be the new managing partner of the Firm. Concluding his tenure as managing partner after nine years,…
Tax Breaks Extended to Avoid Fiscal Cliff
This is a follow-up to the “2012 Tax Planning for Fiscal Cliff” article published in CMDA’s On Law newsletter (December 2012) and on our website. On January 1, 2013 Congress…
2012 Tax Planning for Fiscal Cliff
2012 Tax Planning for Fiscal Cliff Now that the election is over, our federal government has to address the “Fiscal Cliff” created by the Budget Control Act of 2011. The…
Effectively Handling Unique Elder Law Issues
In the past, articles have been written on the importance of having an estate plan in place. Going a little deeper, this article concentrates on how to correctly and appropriately…
dBusiness Names Top Attorneys of 2010
We are fortunate to have a hard-working and dedicated group of attorneys, paralegals, secretaries and support staff working at CMDA. Each and every employee plays a role in making our…
Representative Cases
Multi-national joint ventures structuring joint ownership of automotive suppliers
Establishing, maintaining and participation on numerous boards, foundations, community boards, including 501(c)(3) charitable organizations
Shareholder disputes and separations
Representation of insurance agencies in growth, sales, merger and dissolution issues
Representation of business associations such as associations of pharmacists, insurance agencies and property owners
Estate planning and administration
Jurisdiction and Court Admissions
Michigan State Courts
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Practice Groups
Business Law Community Association and Real Estate Law Estate Planning and Elder LawEducation
University of Detroit Mercy, J.D., 1984
Wayne State University, B.A., 1981
Honors
AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest possible rating an attorney can achieve for both ethical standards and legal ability
Michigan Super Lawyers, Top Rated State, Business & Corporate Attorney, 2024-2025
Top “Go To Lawyer” in Business Law, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 2022
Top Rated Lawyer in Corporate Law, DBusiness magazine, 2014
Top Rated Lawyer in Trusts and Estates, DBusiness magazine, 2014
Top Attorney in Livonia, voted by the citizens of City of Livonia, 2013