Three Bodman Attorneys Selected for Crain’s Detroit Business 2026 Notable Women in Law
02/23/26
Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that three of its attorneys – Hebba Aref, Melissa A. Lewis, and Sarah J. Williams – have been selected as Notable Women in Law by Crain’s Detroit Business.
This year’s class of Notables includes women who are pushing their profession forward through nationally recognized expertise, mentorship, and public service.
Aref is the co-chair of Bodman’s Banking and Finance Practice Group and is based in the firm’s Detroit office. She represents financial institutions in commercial lending transactions, including the structuring, negotiating and documenting of loan transactions, including syndicated loans, bilateral loans, subordinated loans and participations. Aref has been recognized as a banking attorney in The Best Lawyers in America since 2023 and DBusiness Magazine “Top Lawyers” since 2024. She was also recognized in Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Class of 2024 Influential Women in Law.
Lewis is a member of Bodman’s Banking and Finance Practice Group and a member of Bodman’s Syndications team. Based in the firm’s Detroit office, she represents national and regional financial institutions on commercial loan origination matters, including the structuring, negotiation and documentation of agented and syndicated loan transactions. Lewis is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America under Banking and Finance Law, in DBusiness Magazine “Top Lawyers” under Banking & Financial Service Law, and most recently, in IFLR1000 as a “Notable Practitioner” on the U.S. National list under Banking and Finance.
Williams is a member of Bodman’s Business Practice Group and is based in the firm’s Ann Arbor office. She serves as corporate counsel to a variety of businesses in matters involving mergers, acquisitions, corporate governance, commercial contracts, corporate finance, and debt and equity financing (private equity, venture capital, and angel investments). She has advised both buyers and sellers in merger and acquisition transactions ranging to over $100 million involving businesses in the technology, health care, professional services, software development, foundry, and general manufacturing industries, among others. Williams is listed in Chambers USA under Corporate/M&A Law and in DBusiness Magazine “Top Lawyers” under Mergers & Acquisitions Law.