Professional Experience
Known for his consultative approach, Levi believes his role extends far beyond simply facilitating transactions. He takes the time to understand each client’s objectives, challenges, and growth plans before developing strategic real estate solutions tailored to their needs.
For more than four decades, Levi Smith has helped businesses, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, law firms, government entities, and property owners make informed real estate decisions that align with their operational and financial goals. Drawing upon a unique background as a real estate attorney in both California and Michigan, Levi combines legal insight, strategic planning, and market expertise to help clients navigate even the most complex transactions with confidence.
Levi specializes in tenant and buyer representation, lease negotiations, business relocations, site selection, development consulting, and commercial property acquisitions and dispositions. Throughout his career, he has negotiated millions of square feet of office, industrial, and special-purpose transactions, helping clients secure favorable terms while minimizing risk and maximizing long-term value. His negotiation expertise alone has generated more than $42 million in savings for clients through lease negotiations and renewals.
In addition to representing occupiers and property owners, Levi has played a significant role in shaping the built environment throughout metro Detroit. His experience includes office and industrial developments, medical facilities, residential condominium projects, adaptive reuse initiatives, land acquisitions, and large-scale corporate relocations. His deep understanding of market dynamics, zoning considerations, and development processes allows him to uncover opportunities that others may overlook.
Outside of commercial real estate, Levi enjoys researching and writing local history, golfing, bicycling, and serving numerous community organizations throughout metro Detroit.
Select Assignments
- Consultant and lease negotiation for HAP on the relocation of 800 employees (160,000sf)
- Relocation of Michigan Court of Appeals to Troy, Michigan
- Relocation of Visiting Nurse Association to Oak Park, Michigan
- Relocation and Expansion of Harvard Drug Group in Livonia, MI, and Indianapolis, IN
- Sale/purchase of 40 land sites
- Relocation and Renewal of Dykema Law Firm Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing
- Sale of Troy Northfield Hilton, Detroit Airport Hilton, Ann Arbor Marriott
- Sale of the Hecker-Smiley Historic Mansion- Detroit
- Expansion of Ciena Health Care HQ, Southfield, MI
- Development – General Partner
- 85,000 sf office building – Livonia, MI
- 28,000 sf medical building – Southfield, MI
- 180 residential condos – Clarkston, MI & Ann Arbor, MI
- Sale of 12,000 SF Medical Building – Detroit Medical Center
- Land acquisition for 250-bed nursing Home – Lafayette Park, Detroit
- Seller Rep – Sale of 10,400 SF Warehouse in Van Buren Twp
- Tenant Rep – 11-Year Lease of 6,665 SF Retail Space to an Event Planner
- Seller Rep – Sale of 12,143 SF High-Bay Industrial Building in Warren
- Seller Rep – Sale of 133,332 SF Warehouse/Distribution Building in Warren
- Seller Rep – Sale of 25 Acres for development in Kalamazoo, MI
Affiliations
- State Bar of Michigan
- State of California Bar Association
- Southfield Business Network – Founder/Chairman, 1994 – 2004
- Oakland County Business Roundtable – 1998 – Present (Chairman 2001-2003) Advisor to County Executive Brooks Patterson
- Cornerstone Schools – Mentor, 2005 – Present
- PIAST Institute – Board Member, 2019 – Present
- Building Beds 4 Kids – Board Member, 2019 – Present
- Albert Kahn Legacy Foundation – Vice President, 2020 – Present
- Tri-County Anti-Drug Abuse Coalition – Cofounder, 2019 – Present
Education
Juris Doctor
Wayne State University Law School
Bachelor of Arts
American University
Cranbrook School
