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Laura J. Genovich

Shareholder
1700 East Beltline, N.E.
Suite 200
Grand Rapids, MI 49525-7044
T 616.726.2238
F 616.726.2299

Overview

Laura Genovich is a shareholder in the Foster Swift’s Grand Rapids office. Laura practices municipal law, appellate law, and bankruptcy/commercial law and is the Chair of the firm’s Appellate Practice Group.

MUNICIPAL AND LAND USE LAW

Counsel for Municipalities

Laura serves as general counsel for counties, cities, villages, and townships across the state and is known for her legal expertise, responsiveness, and ability to communicate clearly to clients and their constituents. Her areas of municipal law expertise include:

  • Land use and zoning
  • Election law and campaign finance issues
  • Marihuana/cannabis ordinances
  • Parliamentary procedure/Robert’s Rules of Order (as a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians)
  • Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA) compliance
  • Alternative energy (wind and solar) regulations
  • Labor/employment matters
  • Real estate transactions
  • Special assessments and property tax exemptions
  • Contract drafting and negotiation

Counsel for Private Clients

Laura also works with both public entities and private clients (including developers and neighborhood groups) on land use matters, including development agreements, annexations, Act 425 agreements, and zoning approvals (such as special land use permits and rezonings).

LITIGATION & APPELLATE LAW

A seasoned advocate, Laura regularly represents local governments and private clients in trial-level and appellate cases. Recent appellate victories include:

In addition to her extensive experience in Michigan's trial and appellate courts, Laura has argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and co-authored a merits-stage amicus brief in the Supreme Court of the United States on behalf of a township client.

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION & BANKRUPTCY LAW

Laura represents individuals and businesses in contract and collection disputes in her commercial law practice, with a specialty in representing creditors and trustees in bankruptcy cases. Her depth of experience comes from more than a decade of service as a Chapter 7 and Chapter 12 bankruptcy trustee in the Western District of Michigan. Her areas of expertise include:

  • Defending creditors against preference demands by bankruptcy trustees
  • Preparing and substantiating proofs of claims
  • Filing actions in Bankruptcy Court to determine that certain debts are nondischargeable
  • Obtaining relief from the automatic stay
  • Determining creditors' status as critical vendors
  • Defending creditors in cases alleging violations of the automatic stay and discharge injunction

WRITING AND SPEAKING

In addition to her full-time service to clients, Laura is committed to improving the practice of law, and she has published a book on clear legal writing ("The Plain Language Practice"), which is also a frequent topic on her popular LinkedIn page. She has appeared on legal podcasts, including the XL Legal Podcast and the Thought Leadership Podcast, and she is an adjunct professor at Cooley Law School. 

Honors & Recognitions

Michigan Assessors Association’s (MAA) Michigan Property Tax Achievement Award, 2017-2018

Best Lawyers® 2022 Litigation - Bankruptcy "Lawyer of the Year" in Grand Rapids

Best Lawyers in America® 2018-2025 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Best Lawyers in America® - (Litigation - Bankruptcy, Municipal Law), 2021-2025

"Top Lawyer", Grand Rapids Magazine, 2022 and 2023 in Municipal Law

"Top Lawyer", Grand Rapids Magazine, 2019 in Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights Law

Michigan Super Lawyers "Rising Star," Bankruptcy: Business, 2012-2023

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, "Women in the Law", 2017

Grand Rapids Bar Association "3-in-10" Award, 2017

Education

Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., 2008, summa cum laude

Ohio University, B.S., 2005, summa cum laude, Communications

Bar and Court Admissions

Michigan

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals