Atty. Bruce C. Thelen
Bruce Thelen has a wide ranging practice in international trade and commerce extending to all regions of the world. He provides advice to clients on customs and trade issues addressing regulatory compliance, fines, penalties, seizures and investigations, customs audits, advance rulings and challenge of US Customs and Border Protection decisions, USMCA and other preferential trade agreements, antidumping and countervailing duties, forced labor compliance and product sourcing and supply chain planning to reduce duties.
International Trade and Finance Law Attorney · Serving Detroit, MI
Profile Summary
About Bruce C. Thelen at a Glance
Bruce C. Thelen is a international attorney based in Detroit, Michigan, practicing at Dickinson Wright PLLC. Educated at The University of Michigan Law School (J.D., 1981). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — International Trade and Finance Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — International Mergers and Acquisitions (2026). Serves clients in Detroit, MI and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Bruce C. Thelen
- Bruce Thelen has a wide ranging practice in international trade and commerce extending to all regions of the world
- He provides advice to clients on customs and trade issues addressing regulatory compliance, fines, penalties, seizures and investigations, customs audits, advance rulings and challenge of US Customs and Border Protection decisions, USMCA and other preferential trade agreements, antidumping and countervailing duties, forced labor compliance and product sourcing and supply chain planning to reduce duties
- He was recognized by Best Lawyers in America, as Detroit’s 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2025 "Lawyer of the Year" for International Trade and Finance Law
- Bruce often acts as "international general counsel" for domestic and foreign clients throughout the world in cross border acquisitions and direct investments, joint ventures and strategic alliances, establishment of subsidiaries, branch offices and other facilities, distribution, marketing and licensing arrangements, cross border debt financing and trade finance, interest rate and currency swaps and derivatives, supply chain compliance and risk management, export controls, economic sanctions and international regulatory compliance
- Although his practice covers many industries, he has extensive background in the automotive sector, including representation of global vehicle and parts manufacturers and suppliers in manufacturing and distribution in all regions of the world, as well as specialty automotive projects involving amphibious vehicles, Formula 1 racing programs, start-up electric vehicle manufacturers and the manufacturer of the classic London black taxi
- For two years, while remaining a member of Dickinson Wright, he served as in-house international counsel for Chrysler Corporation
- Bruce is an Adjunct Assistant Professor and Advisory Committee Member for the University of Michigan Law School International Transaction Clinic
- Bruce chairs the firm’s international practice team composed of lawyers from all of its substantive practice groups
- His career began as a corporate finance lawyer with Dewey Ballantine Bushby Palmer and Wood in New York
- He is admitted to practice in New York, Michigan and the U.S
- Court of International Trade
Practice Areas Explained
Bruce C. Thelen's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Bruce C. Thelen handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Detroit.
International Law in Detroit
International law attorneys for cross-border transactions, trade, foreign investment, and treaties.
Bruce C. Thelen is one of 39,787 international attorneys indexed nationally. Browse international attorneys in Michigan →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Detroit
Practicing law in Michigan. Legal matters in Michigan are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Detroit are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Michigan state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Michigan brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Michigan courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Detroit Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Detroit-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Michigan attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Detroit or all attorneys in Michigan.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Detroit Choose Bruce C. Thelen
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Bruce C. Thelen's practice in the field of international.
Focused International Practice
Concentrating on international means Bruce C. Thelen's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in Detroit
A Detroit-based practice means Bruce C. Thelen attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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Bruce C. Thelen's Practice Areas & Specializations
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