Overview

Anne Seurynck is the practice group leader of the firm's Administrative and Municipal practice group and has focused her career on representing libraries, municipalities and other public entities. Her work includes assisting communities in forming libraries, interpreting the unique library laws, understanding specific privacy laws and developing policies such as patron behavior and internet use. She has guided libraries with requests for information by law enforcement agencies and private entities, including the application of the Library Privacy Act and Patriot Act. Anne also has extensive experience in drafting and reviewing ordinances, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act issues.

To promote her belief that the best legal strategy is a proactive strategy, Anne is a frequent speaker at seminars and conferences where the educational focus is on municipal law or library law.  

Anne is also the chair of the firm's Recruiting Committee. This group is responsible for identifying the firm's need for associate attorneys as well as interviewing and hiring qualified individuals for available positions. Prior to this leadership role, Anne was active on the firm's Diversity Committee. Currently, she also serves as a fellow of the Michigan State Bar Association and serves on the Advocacy Committee for JDRF West Michigan Chapter.

Affiliations

Memberships & Affiliations

Legal Affiliations:

• State Bar of Wisconsin
• State Bar of Michigan
• American Bar Association
• Fellow, Michigan State Bar Foundation  

Industry & Professional Associations:

• Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys, Member

Experience

Representative Matters

• Drafting district library agreements and assisting with all aspects of the district library formation process.
• Amending existing district library agreements, including adding participating municipalities to existing districts.
• Drafting millage proposal and educating library boards regarding the application of the Michigan Campaign Finance laws.
• Addressing board governance issues, including the application of the Open Meetings and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
• Successfully defend clients in FOIA cases.
• Assisting libraries with request for information by law enforcement agencies and private entities, including the application of the Library Privacy Act and Patriot Act.

Communications

Publications

• New Freedom of Information Act Case: Documents Do Not Have to be Produced by the Time the FOIA Response is Due, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, July 19, 2016
• Email and the Freedom of Information Act, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, April 30, 2015
• Complying with the New Freedom of Information Act Changes, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, January 27, 2015
• Yes, You Can Open Carry In The Library, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, January 2013
• Public Library Successfully Challenges State Aid Rules, Foster Swift Library Law E-News, October 2010
• The Freedom of Information Act: Do Emails Qualify as a "Public Record?", Foster Swift Municipal Law News, June 2009

News & Events

Speaking Engagements

• WEBINAR: ADA Requirements: What Libraries Need to Know, Michigan Cooperative Directors Association, June 13, 2017
• WEBINAR: Parliamentary Procedure: How To Run A Successful Meeting, Michigan Cooperative Directors Association, May 23, 2017
• Providing Library Services, Michigan Townships Association Annual Conference, January 29, 2015
• WEBINAR | Open Meetings Act: What Every Municipality Should Know, August 12, 2014
• Are You Considering Forming a District Library?, Loleta Fyan Rural Libraries Conference, May 2, 2014
• The Case for Sharing Libraries, Recreation and Other Public Services, Michigan Association of CPAs, Local Government Summit on Efficiency Creation and Cost Savings, February 28, 2013

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