Experienced Automotive, International Trade Professional Joins Warner Norcross

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - Jan. 5, 2016 - PRLog -- In this new role for the firm, Baxter will develop and help implement business strategies to support the firm’s continued expansion in Southeast Michigan.  Baxter will be based in the firm’s Southfield office and will work closely with attorneys and executive directors in both Southfield and Macomb County, coordinating with practice groups and industry teams to further the growing footprint of Warner Norcross in the region.

Baxter brings 25 years of leadership, business development and commercial trade expertise to her new role with Warner Norcross, including positions at the Original Equipment Suppliers Association or OESA, the Canadian Consulate General and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation.

“We are delighted to welcome Margaret to Warner Norcross,” said Managing Partner Douglas A. Dozeman.  “She has an exceptional skill set that further complements two areas our firm is well known for representing: auto suppliers and international businesses.   Her leadership experience and operations background will be invaluable as we continue to focus on growth in Southeast Michigan.”

Prior to joining Warner Norcross, Baxter spent 15 years in positions of increasing responsibility with OESA, the leading trade association that represents automotive suppliers. Most recently, she served as senior vice president of operations and international affairs, a key position on the senior management team.

During her tenure at OESA, Baxter helped grow the organization from a start-up with 100 members to more than 450 members that is now recognized as the leading voice for suppliers in the auto industry.  Working closely with association members to establish priorities and execute strategy, she was responsible for developing regulatory and legislative policy, overseeing communications, facilitating OESA’s many councils, leading member recruiting and retention initiatives, managing annual events and other initiatives.

Prior to OESA, Baxter spent seven years as commercial trade officer for the Canadian Consulate General, which provides trade assistance to Canadian companies doing business in the United States.  She worked closely with Canadian companies in the automotive and transportation sectors to identify and market opportunities and develop appropriate market entry strategies.  She also organized trade missions, managed exhibits at national trade shows and coordinated networking and educational programs.

Baxter also worked as a development associate with the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, the private development agency for the city of Detroit.  In this role, she implemented international investment activities in Detroit, executed trade missions and managed grant proposals.

Active professionally and in the community, Baxter is a member of Inforum and AutomotiveNext. She is a graduate of Leadership Detroit and the 2013 recipient of the Women’s Leadership Award by Vista Maria.

Baxter holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master’s degree from Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont.

A longtime Michigander, Baxter now resides in Bloomfield Hills with her husband and three daughters.

About Warner Norcross

  By providing discerning and proactive legal advice, Warner Norcross & Judd LLP forges a better partnership with its clients.  Warner Norcross is a corporate law firm with 230 attorneys practicing in eight offices throughout Michigan:  Grand Rapids, Holland, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Macomb County, Midland, Muskegon and Southfield.  To learn more, visit www.wnj.com, follow us on Twitter @WNJLLP or connect on LinkedIn.