Minority & Women-Owned Businesses

Certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs) can benefit from government programs that enable them to access market opportunities and implement effective growth strategies. Dickinson Wright’s corporate attorneys recognize the importance of helping MBEs and WBEs achieve certification and form relationships with the business community.

Our firm is a
long-standing leader
in representing MBEs and WBEs and helping them form,
finance,
and operate successful business ventures.

Our Services

At Dickinson Wright, we assemble cross-disciplinary teams to support MBE and WBE certification and operations, including:

MBE and WBE Certification

We focus the majority of our Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise practice on assisting clients throughout the certification process. Based on our experience, Dickinson Wright understands National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) requirements and other certifying bodies.

• Counseling on certification requirements and pitfalls
• Structuring deals
• Preparing and reviewing applications and supporting materials

We also assist organizations seeking minority and women business partners for private and public sector opportunities.

Representative Matters

• Counseled a woman-owned business in the oil and gas industry on establishing a WBE in Texas, including structuring the ownership and governance framework and preparing for certification.
• Advised minority-owned and non-MBE companies on joint venture arrangements and co-owned MBE structures.
• Served as chair of the certification committee for an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC).
• Assisted MBEs across Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia in connection with NMSDC certification standards and requirements.
• Advised a transportation industry rail consultant on WBE certification, capital structure, governance, and qualification with federal and state agencies.
• Handled registration for a combined MBE/WBE entity and supported governmental RFP and bidding submissions in the nursing and home care industries.
• Developed and implemented strategy for a WBE/MBE architecture client to obtain government funding and project-based grants.
• Negotiated and closed multiple loans on behalf of a community-based nonprofit lender, including financing for disadvantaged borrowers structured as asset-based and real estate-secured transactions.
• Represented a Tribally owned holding company in the acquisition of a manufacturing business, including drafting and negotiating the asset purchase agreement and conducting due diligence.