February 20, 2011
Contact: Sara Wurfel
(517) 335-6397
wurfels@michigan.gov
LANSING, MI - Governor Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of Steven Hilfinger as director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth. Hilfinger is managing partner of the Detroit office of Foley & Lardner, LLP and is a recognized expert in corporate acquisitions, restructurings and regulatory affairs. Foley & Lardner is a national law firm with more than 900 attorneys in the U.S. and internationally.
“Steve Hilfinger has an extraordinary background in helping companies navigate expansion and turnaround,” Snyder said. “He has an impressive knowledge of the business and regulatory environment and will do an outstanding job in creating a more practical and efficient regulatory system in this state.”
Hilfinger, of Beverly Hills, has focused his 23-year legal career on corporate and securities law matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, private equity and venture capital transactions, debt and equity finance transactions, business formation and corporate governance, and general corporate and contract counseling. His practice includes representation of automotive suppliers and other manufacturers, medical device makers, private equity and venture capital funds, financial institutions, and other publicly and privately held businesses. Hilfinger is a member and former co-chair of the firm's Automotive Industry Team and a member of the Transactional & Securities, Private Equity & Venture Capital and International Practices.
Hilfinger is an active member of the Association for Corporate Growth, Detroit Chapter, where he serves on the board of directors and is a member of the programs committee. He frequently speaks on mergers and acquisitions and finance matters.
Hilfinger obtained his B.B.A. degree (concentration in accounting) with high distinction from the University of Michigan in 1984, where he received Phi Beta Kappa honors. Following graduation, he was awarded the William A. Paton Award for achieving the highest score on the Michigan CPA examination. He graduated magna cum laude with a J.D. degree from Northwestern University in 1987, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Northwestern University Law Review from 1986 to 1987.
He recently served as chairperson of the Finance Committee of First United Methodist Church in Birmingham. He has also served as a member of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Advisors, was selected for Leadership Detroit XIX, serves as a partner of the Cornerstone Schools and is an active participant in Foley's IDEA (Improving Detroit through Entrepreneurial Advancement) program, as a speaker and mentor.
Hilfinger is admitted to practice law in Michigan and Illinois and is a member of the Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association and the Business Law Sections of the American Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan.
“I would like to thank Andy Levin for his service to the department throughout this transition,” Snyder said. “Andy has played an important role in maintaining the functions of DELEG as we continue to develop a reorganization plan for the department that will allow the agency to focus on its core regulatory and licensing functions, administrative hearings and employment services.”
Hilfinger will begin serving as director on February 28, 2011. An executive order reorganizing the department will be issued in the near future.
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