Overview

Currently, Brian Goodenough chairs the firm's Employer Services Practice Group where he practices municipal law, zoning and land-use disputes and workers' compensation law. Previously, he served as a member of the firm's Executive Committee and as an officer of the firm.

His practice focuses on:

• Zoning and land-use disputes - counsels townships, cities, counties and other municipalities.
• Municipal law - represents municipalities against Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act claims, counsels on cemetery liability, municipal insurance defense, fire/public safety department formation, litigation and funding.
• Workers’ compensation - defends insurance companies and employers in workers' compensation litigation.

Brian has been recognized for his insurance defense work on behalf of his municipal clients. This includes being named Attorney of the Year in 2003 by Michigan’s largest insurer of municipalities. He has been named to Best Lawyers in America in Municipal, Real Estate and Workers’ Compensation law.

Brian was an adjunct professor for 20-plus years at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he has taught land-use and zoning law. In addition, he is an active member of several civic groups, including the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, where he has served as the group’s Chair and as its General Counsel. Brian has served on the Board of Directors for Ele's Place.

Brian started as an associate at Foster Swift in 1989. In 1996, he became a shareholder.

Honors & Recognitions

Affiliations

Memberships & Affiliations

Legal Affiliations:

• Ingham County Bar Association
• State Bar of Michigan
  • Workers' Compensation Section, Director

Industry & Professional Associations:

• Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys, Member

Community Involvement:

• Ele's Place, Board of Directors
• Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
  • Former General Counsel
  • Former Chairman of the Board of Directors
• Volunteers of America, former member of Board of Directors
• DeWitt Township Volunteer Fire Department, former member

Communications

Publications

• Updates to Workers' Compensation Issues Raised by Coronavirus and New Emergency Rules for "First Responders", Foster Swift Workers' Compensation Update E-blast, April 2, 2020
• Michigan's Emergency Rules Give Personal Injury Presumption to "First Response Employees" with COVID-19, Foster Swift Workers' Compensation Update E-blast, March 30, 2020
• Executive Order 2020-15 Concerning OMA and COVID-19, Foster Swift Municipal Law News E-blast, March 19, 2020
• Understanding the Ins and Outs of the “Favored-Work” Doctrine Under Michigan Workers’ Compensation Law, Foster Swift Employment Labor & Benefits News, January 25, 2018
• Fact or Fiction: Can an Employee be Fired while on FMLA?, Foster Swift Employment Labor & Benefits Newsletter, October 25, 2017

News & Events

Speaking Engagements

• Can an employee be fired while away on FMLA?, Stop Before You Crash: Workers' Compensation and Employment Law, March 22, 2017
• “Favored-Work” Doctrine Under Michigan Workers’ Compensation Law, Stop Before You Crash: Workers' Compensation and Employment Law, March 22, 2017
• New Legal Trends in Zoning and Land Use Regulation, Michigan Townships Association Annual Educational Conference & Expo, January 20, 2016
• Adjunct Professor - Zoning and Land Use, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 2000 - Present
• Governmental Immunity/Re-Insurance, 2010
• Workers' Compensation Round Table Discussion, Client Seminar for Large National Insurance Company, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

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News

• Firm Elects EC Members and Practice Leaders in 2021, February 17, 2021
• Workers' Compensation Issues in the Media, Business Insurance and Work Comp Central, October 9, 2020
• Foster Swift Attorneys Named to 2021 Best Lawyers in America©, August 20, 2020
• Workers’ Comp Defense Blog Provides Michigan Case and Legislative Updates, April 13, 2020
• 42 Foster Swift Attorneys Listed as Best Lawyers® 2020, August 15, 2019
• Foster Swift Attorneys Listed as Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" 2020, August 15, 2019
• 45 Foster Swift Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America© 2019, August 15, 2018