Edward J. Castellani

Edward J. Castellani

Shareholder / Lansing


Areas of Focus


Education

  • Michigan State University College of Law (J.D., 1979)
  • University of Michigan (B.A., 1976)

Bar & Court Admissions

  • State Bar of Michigan
    • Administrative Law Section
  • U.S. Tax Court
Experience
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Edward J. Castellani leads Fraser Trebilcock's Auto Dealer Law practice group. For over 30 years, Ed has concentrated his practice in representing automobile dealers and automobile dealer trade associations. 

An attorney and Certified Public Accountant, Ed's practice includes purchase and sale of dealerships, government regulatory compliance, franchise terminations, acquisition and transfers, sales and use tax issues, IRS audits, and general business and tax planning. He is the author of the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association Dealer Guide to Sales and Use Tax, a comprehensive guide distributed to all new car dealers in Michigan and the industry guide for sales and use tax issues for auto dealers.

Ed is the current Chair of the Business and Tax department, and has previously served several terms on the firm's Board of Directors.

Other Professional Experience:

  • Willingham & Coté, P.C. (1982-2001)
  • Deloitte & Touche, L.L.P. (1980-1982)
Professional Associations
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  • State Bar of Michigan
    • Business Law Section
    • Corporate Law Section
  • Ingham County Bar Association
    • Taxation Section
    • Business Law Section
  • Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants
  • Mid-Michigan Chapter of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants
    • President (1989)
  • Michigan Society of Association Executives
  • Committee to Re-elect Judge Charles Filice, Treasurer
  • Lansing Rotary Club Member
Honors & Distinctions
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  • Achieved an AV Preeminent® peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Appointed to Revenue Commissioners Sales and Use Tax Oversight Committee to revise the Administrative Rules for sales and use tax
  • Fellow, Michigan State Bar Foundation
  • Listed in Who's Who in American Law
Publications & Presentations
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  • Changes to How Nonprofits Do Business in Michigan, Michigan Society of Association Executives Association Impact (April-May 2015)
  • Changes to Michigan Tax Law Regarding Tax Clearance Procedure, Responsible Officer Liability, Audit Procedures, and Claims for Refund, The Michigan Business Law Journal (Spring 2014: Volume 34, Issue 1), Michigan Tax Lawyer (Summer 2014, Volume XL, Issue 2)
  • New Michigan Tax Bites Out-of-State Businesses, Fraser Trebilcock Law & Business Report (Jan-Feb 2008)
  • Numerous articles in the Michigan Bar Journal regarding individual, corporate and association tax matters
  • Numerous articles in the Michigan CPA regarding individual, corporate and association tax matters
  • Numerous articles in the Association News regarding association legal and tax issues
Testimonials & Client Matters
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"I would say that Ed is the best business lawyer in the Lansing area." – Private Practice Attorney

  • Ed represented a nonprofit organization with 3,000 members which operates in 86 countries to incorporate and obtain approval from the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization.
  • Ed represented a client in the food services industry in a merger to form a large international food services business.