Rochelle Lento Receives DBusiness Excellence in Community Service Award

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that Rochelle Lento received the Excellence in Community Service Award at the 2026 DBusiness Commercial Real Estate Awards.

Now in its fourth year, the DBusiness Commercial Real Estate Awards recognize the individuals, companies, projects, and transactions shaping the future of commercial real estate across metro Detroit. Lento was selected from three finalists in the Excellence in Community Service category and received the award November 3 at Michigan Central in Detroit.

Lento has devoted her practice to affordable housing and community development. She brings together developers, investors, lenders, and government agencies to move complex projects from initial feasibility through closing. During the past 12 months, Lento advanced four developments that will create or preserve 751 homes across Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, and River Rouge. Her work also helps return vacant and historic properties to productive community use.

Her commitment to community service extends well beyond her client work. Lento helped establish People for Palmer Park 15 years ago when city budget cuts threatened the future of the 296-acre Detroit park. She served as the organization’s president for 12 years as it worked with the city to restore the park and expand recreational programming. She remains involved as chair of the Palmer Park Log Cabin Committee, which is leading the restoration of the park’s historic 1886 Log Cabin.

Lento has also served on the board of Alternatives for Girls for approximately six years and is in her fourth year as chair. The Detroit nonprofit serves girls and young women facing homelessness, violence, exploitation, and other risks through shelter, prevention, street outreach, and housing-stability programs.

She also works to prepare the next generation of affordable housing lawyers. For four consecutive years, Lento has taught affordable housing development at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She supplements classroom instruction with an annual tour of active Detroit developments, allowing students to see how legal and financial structures shape real development and community investment.