
Overview
Leslie Abdoo is a member of Foster Swift's Municipal and General Litigation Practice Groups. Leslie advises the firm's public entity clients including cities, townships, counties, villages, libraries and local health departments on compliance with applicable state and federal laws. Matters she regularly handles for clients include:
- Municipal Prosecution - misdemeanor and civil infraction ordinance and code violations
- Zoning, Planning and Land Use
- Ordinance Drafting - police power and zoning ordinances including regulations for medical marijuana, wind energy, solar energy, short-term rentals, and broadband internet
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA) Compliance
- Inter-local Agreement Negotiation and Drafting
In addition to her work with municipalities and local governments, Leslie also handles a wide range of commercial litigation matters where she has represented businesses, health care entities, property owners and insurance companies. She also regularly handles administrative appeals, such as from zoning ordinance interpretations or other administrative agencies.
Leslie is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Notre Dame Law School where she received the Dean's Award in Notre Dame's Intensive Trial Advocacy Course. She was also selected to participate in Notre Dame's Advanced Criminal Justice Externship where she represented criminal defendants charged with lower-level felonies.
Honors & Recognition
3 in 10 Award, Grand Rapids Bar Association, 2020
Best Lawyers in America© "One to Watch" (Municipal Law), 2021-2025
Best Lawyers in America© "One to Watch" (Commercial Litigation), 2024-2025
Affiliations
Memberships & Affiliations
Legal Affiliations:
-
State Bar of Michigan
-
Grand Rapids Bar Association
- Women Lawyers Association of West Michigan
- Member of the Board of Directors, Treasurer
Community Involvement:
- Grand Rapids Ballet Company
- Member of the Board of Directors
News & Resources
News
Speaking Engagements
Publications
Education
University of Notre Dame Law School, J.D., 2014
University of Michigan, B.A., 2011, with distinction, Political Science and Communication Studies
Bar & Court Admissions
- Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals