Dan has 20 years of experience as a commercial and business law attorney representing financial institutions, real estate developers, construction companies, utilities, manufacturers, and other businesses throughout Michigan. For his business clients, Dan serves as outside corporate counsel, advising on day-to-day issues such as corporate governance, business purchases and sales, and real estate transactions. His practice often includes drafting and negotiating commercial loan and other transactional documents. Dan also oversees bankruptcy proceedings, mortgage foreclosures, receiverships, and loan workouts to ensure his clients' goals are met.

Dan's practice is not limited to transactional matters. He frequently and vigorously pursues and protects his clients' interests in state and federal courts. He successfully helps his clients recover collateral and enforce security interests through civil and bankruptcy litigation.

Dan lives in Traverse City with his wife, Betsy, and their two children. In his spare time he enjoys golfing, downhill skiing, hunting and fishing.

Noteworthy

•  Champion of Justice Award – State Bar of Michigan, 2001

Education

•  United States Military Academy
•  Michigan Technological University (B.S., cum laude, 1987)
•  Thomas M. Cooley Law School (J.D., graduated with distinction, 1990)

Admitted to Practice

•  State Bar of Michigan, 1990
•  U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 1990
•  U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit, 2000
•  U.S. Supreme Court, 2002
•  U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2003
•  U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 2008
•  U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, 2009

Previous Professional Experience

•  Vice President and Trust Officer – First Bank, Upper Michigan, Escanaba, MI

Presentations

•  "Handling Claims for Unpaid Utilities in Bankruptcy," Michigan Electric Cooperative Accountants Association Meeting, May 14, 2010.
•  "Foreclosures and Understanding the Abandonment Rules," Michigan Credit Union League -- 2009 Lending Conference, February 11, 2009.
•  "Project Financing Challenges -- When Good Projects Go Bad," Key Issues for the Construction Industry Seminar, sponsored by Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge, October 23, 2008.
•  "Collections, Claim and Delivery, and Bankruptcy Update," sponsored by the Michigan Credit Union League -- Upper Peninsula Chapter, October 20, 2008.
•  Mortgage Foreclosure Workshop, sponsored by the Michigan Credit Union League, July 9, 2008
•  Small Asset Size Credit Union Conference, sponsored by the Michigan Credit Union League, July 19, 2007
•  "In Depth Discussion: What You Need to Know about Contractor Liens," Michigan Geothermal Energy Association's Annual Meeting, June 3, 2008.
•  "A Review of the Land Division Act," Land Division Act Seminar, sponsored by the Delta County Multiple Listing Service, April 12, 2007
•  "Land Division (Redivision) Act Update," Key Issues Affecting the Construction Business Seminar, sponsored by Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge, February 28, 2007
•  "Michigan Real Estate Conveyances," Delta County Multiple Listing Service Seminar, April 10, 2003.
•  "The Land Division Act," Delta County Multiple Listing Service Seminar, April 18, 2002
•  "Fundamentals of Michigan's Construction Lien Act and Other Construction Laws," Upper Peninsula Contractors Association Seminar, April 5, 2000
•  "Implementing the Land Division Act" Michigan Townships Association Seminar, August 5, 1998.

External Publications

• "Minimizing a Manufacturer's Exposure to Bankruptcy Preference Claims by Asserting Purchase Money Security Interests and Special Tools Liens," Michigan Business Law Journal, Spring 2010.
•  "In Re Patel: Synthesizing Corporate Officer Liability and Non-Dischargeability Under the Michigan Builders Trust Fund Act," Michigan Real Property Review, Winter 2009.
•  "The Claim and Delivery Action: Recovering the Secured Creditor's Collateral," Michigan Bar Journal, July 1999.
•  "The Michigan Builders Trust Fund Act: An Overlooked Remedy?," Michigan Bar Journal, May 1994.
•  "The Credit Application as an Aid in Commercial Collections," Michigan Bar Journal, February 1993.
   

Smith Haughey Publications

News for Daniel M. Morley

6/19/2006
Morley Brings Banking and Finance Expertise to Smith Haughey

Professional Affiliations

•  State Bar of Michigan (Section on Business Law; Member, Debtor/Creditor Committee)
•  Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association
•  Michigan Supreme Court Committee on Client Protection Fund (2003-2004)
•  State Bar of Michigan Special Committee on Grievance (2001-2005)
•  State Bar of Michigan Standing Committee on Client Protection Fund (1995-2001)
•  Commercial Law League of America