Diaz, O. Rene

Leo joined the firm in 2005 and became a member in 2012.  Leo's practice covers all aspects of litigation.  Responding to client demand, he has developed a focus and expertise in real estate disputes and workouts.  Leo works with some of the area's largest real estate investors including commercial banks, life insurance companies, pension funds, and developers in loan enforcement actions, land use matters, purchase agreement disputes, and tax appeals.  He has also represented equipment lessors and traditional lenders in bankruptcy proceedings, including several auto supplier cases.  He has tried cases, including first chair experience, in both federal and state court.

Beyond his litigation practice, Leo also has broad experience in real estate transactions, including conveyances, financing, development, environmental law, land planning and assembly, leasing and foreclosures.   

Areas of Interest

Commercial Litigation
Creditors' Rights
Real Estate

Education

J.D., cum laude, University of Michigan School of Law, 2002
A.B., magna cum laude, History, Boston College, 1998

Honors and Awards

Michigan Lawyers Weekly 2012 Up and Coming Lawyer
Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star 2010 and 2012
Phi Beta Kappa
Reverend Patrick Durcan, S.J. Award
Certificate of Merit in International Law and Jurisprudence

Bar Admissions

U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Michigan

Professional Affiliations

State Bar of Michigan; American Bar Association; Federal Bar Association and Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association

Civic Organizations

Leo serves as pro bono counsel for the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit, a nonprofit that promotes the arts through exhibitions, performances, critical and public discourse and the funding of contemporary arts and art-related activity; for Terra Sancta Pilgrimages, a nonprofit that organizes travel to, and fosters interactions with, the Holy Land in the Franciscan tradition; for the Heidelberg Project, a nonprofit that improves lives through art and education; for Hostel Detroit, a nonprofit that promotes education about the history, geography and culture of Detroit for visitors; and for Team GUTS, a nonprofit that seeks to improve lives by providing one-on-one training, fitness classes and sports camps for the special needs community, especially for adults and children with Down’s Syndrome.

Representative Cases

RBS Asset Finance v. Bravo, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 45745 (E.D. Mich., July 6, 2006) (summary judgment for $6.5 million awarded in favor of industrial equipment lessor client against defendant guarantor of defaulted lease)

Phillips v. Daktronics, Inc., 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 8178 (E.D. Mich., February 5, 2008) (dismissal granted in favor of professional basketball equipment manufacturer client against plaintiff seeking multi-million dollar damage award based on claim he had invented "light-up" backboards)

The Heidelberg Project v. City of Detroit, (M.T.T. Docket No. 0333630, December 19, 2011)(obtained recognition of tax-exempt status of real property owned by The Heidelberg Project, Detroit's internationally-renowned artscape)

M&B Graphics, Inc v. Toshiba Business Solutions (USA), Inc., 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 45086 (E.D. Mich., Mar. 30, 2012) (summary judgment granted in favor of defendant equipment servicer who terminated long-term customer agreement, defeating customer’s claim for business destruction and lost profit damages)