Overview

Anne has been practicing with Foster Swift's Municipal and Public Entity Practice Group since her arrival at the firm in 1996. Her entire career has focused on the representation of municipalities and public entities. Anne has extensive experience in drafting and reviewing ordinances and policies, serving as general counsel, counseling clients on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act issues, and working with communities on millage and Michigan Campaign Finance Issues. Anne also has an expertise in library law.

To promote her belief that the best legal strategy is a proactive strategy, Anne assists communities with policy drafting and adoption. She is also a frequent speaker at seminars and conferences where the educational focus is on municipal law.

In addition to her practice, Anne serves as chair of the Municipal and Public Entity Practice group and as chair of the firm's Recruiting Committee. The Recruiting Committee is responsible for identifying the firm's need for associate attorneys as well as interviewing and hiring qualified individuals. Prior to these leadership roles, 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.

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 intergovernmental agreements and service contracts with other municipal entities.
Assisting communities with zoning issues such as drafting and amending sign ordinances and assisting townships with special use permit requests for telecommunication towers.
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 the FOIA.
Successfully defend clients in FOIA cases
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.
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

Sign Regulation After Reed v Town of Gilbert, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, October 31, 2016
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
Behind Closed Doors: What Can a Public Body Discuss in Closed Session?, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, January 26, 2016
Dispute Between City of Howell and Homeowner Over Grass Cutting Ordinance Ends Up in Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, September 23, 2015
Email and the Freedom of Information Act, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, April 30, 2015
Develop FOIA Documents for New Requirements, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, March 30, 2015

News & Events

News

Foster Swift attorneys to speak at Michigan Township Association Annual Conference, January 23, 2017

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
Panel Discussion: Business Solutions, Michigan Township Association Annual Conference & Expo, April 11, 2017
Upper Peninsula Municipal Law Seminar, February 15, 2017
Legal Essentials for Municipal Officials, January 18, 2017
Back to the Basics: OMA & FOIA, Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks, June 16, 2016

Anne M. Seurynck