Sullivan, Ward, Patton, Gleeson & Felty, P.C. is a law firm focused on business law and litigation. Our firm was founded in Detroit in 1951 by Robert E. Sullivan and Edward M. Ranger, two attorneys with years of legal and administrative experience in the insurance industry. Richard G. Ward joined the practice shortly thereafter.
At the outset, members of the firm focused their practice on an area of law and an industry where they could most effectively apply their uncommon insight and perspective – the legal defense of medical and hospital malpractice suits, and the representation of design professionals, engineers, accountants, attorneys and insurance agents in professional liability and malpractice cases. Their reasoning was sound: focus on doing what you know best.
The firm’s growing reputation prompted a need for expansion, both in terms of numbers of attorneys as well as in enhancement of our services.
In the 1980s, the firm embarked on a plan of strategic growth to increase our numbers and broaden our scope of legal services into additional areas of commercial law. In 1986, we executed a merger that doubled the size of the firm and expanded our practice to include attorneys with experience in corporate law, estates and trusts, corporate litigation, labor, pension and benefits. Our name also changed at that time, to Sullivan, Ward, Bone, Tyler & Asher, P.C.
Since 1998, the firm has continued to grow, adding attorneys with experience in complex real estate transactions, mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcy and creditor’s rights. Sullivan Ward is listed as one of the top twenty-five firms in the State of Michigan and in the top twenty in the metropolitan Detroit area. In May 2003, we became known as Sullivan, Ward, Asher & Patton, P.C. On December 1, 2019 the firm name changed to Sullivan, Ward, Patton, Gleeson & Felty, P.C.
Today Sullivan Ward serves businesses, families and individuals in a wide variety of industries. We number nearly 23 attorneys, supported by 21 staff and legal professionals. The firm earned the prestigious AV rating for legal excellence by Martindale Hubbell, and several of our members are nationally recognized as among the top practitioners in their fields by their peers and outside ranking agencies and organizations.
The key to our success, and the cornerstone of our reputation, reside still in our founders’ philosophy, of "doing what we know best." To that end, we selectively choose attorneys whose experience surpasses book training, and includes background and knowledge relevant to their areas of practice.
We welcome experienced lateral attorneys, and law school graduates who demonstrate academic excellence, high ethical standards and a commitment to community citizenship.
On behalf of the clients we represent, we strive to accomplish great things.