Biography

Joe Purtell was born in Pinconning, Michigan, and worked in the family restaurant and ice cream store. In 1975, Joe graduated (magna cum laude) from Michigan State University, with a B.A. in Economics. At MSU, he was admitted to Honors College, Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Epsilon (Economics Honor Society) and Sigma Delta Pi (National Hispanic Honor Society). In 1978, Joe graduated from the University of Michigan Law School.

Joe Purtell works primarily in the areas of bankruptcy, real estate, landlord/tenant, creditor/debtor rights, foreclosures, lien law, mandate and wills and trusts.

From 1983-85 he was a U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee Panel member.

As an Adjunct Professor at Delta College from 1993-2004, Mr. Purtell taught courses in Real Estate Law, Bankruptcy Law and Civil Litigation. Joe has presented seminars of educational presentation on landlord/tenant law, foreclosures, bankruptcy, the uniform commercial code and commercial transactions. He has served as a Board Member of numerous public service corporations, including the Board of Directors of the Bay City Downtown Development Authority (Chairman, 1989-1990), and Board of Directors of the Downtown Management Board (Interim Chairman 1990). Mr. Purtell is also fluent in Spanish.