Foster Swift has a reputation as one of the premier municipal law firms in Michigan. Our lawyers regularly represent townships, cities, villages, counties and libraries in many different roles. We are actively involved in the Michigan Townships Association and the Michigan Municipal League, and our lawyers have been deeply involved in municipal issues for decades. Some of our municipal practice specialties include:
- Ordinance drafting and enforcement
- Land use, zoning and land division
- Election law issues, millage elections, and ballot language
- Annexation defense and detachment representation
- Property taxes and Tax Tribunal proceedings
- Development and extension of municipal sewer and water systems
- Municipal finance, special assessments, installment purchases, and bond issuer's counsel
- First Amendment questions and privacy issues
- Municipal litigation
- Appeals
- Labor relations and employment law
- Condemnation
- Environmental regulation and compliance
- Utility franchises and telecommunications
- Contracts, licensing issues and operating policies
- Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act issues
- Creation and representation of municipal authorities
Our firm is on the cutting edge of municipal law. Our monthly publications keep our clients up-to-date on new developments in municipal law. Several of our lawyers are acknowledged municipal law experts that are frequently called upon to teach at education programs for municipal officials and other municipal lawyers.
Publications & Alerts
- Different Categories of Property Tax Exemptions in Michigan, March 2018 Municipal Law News, March 15, 2018
- Ten Critical Issues that Every Michigan Library Trustee Must Know, March 2018 Municipal Law News, March 15, 2018
- Governor Signs Bill Adopting the Uniform Commercial Real Estate Receivership Act, February 2018 Finance, Real Estate & Bankruptcy Law News E-blast, February 7, 2018
- School Funding Impacted by "Big Box" Store Tax Appeals, Foster Swift School Law News E-Blast, August 7, 2017
- New Bills Seek to Limit Local Governments’ Regulation of Short-Term Rentals, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, July 27, 2017
- The Risks of Social Media Use by Employees, and How Public Employers Can Create Strong Social Media Policies, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, July 27, 2017
News
- Law Firm Elects Practice Group Leaders, February 22, 2018
- 21 Foster Swift Attorneys named to 2015 Michigan Super Lawyers and Michigan Rising Stars, September 8, 2015
- 44 Foster Swift Attorneys Named to 2016 Best Lawyers in America® Roster, August 21, 2015
- Upcoming Webinar: What Every Municipal Treasurer Should Know About Bankruptcy, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, June 30, 2015
- Foster Swift Welcomes Lisa J. Hamameh, April 22, 2013
- Foster Swift Announces Lindsey Bosch as New Associate, April 14, 2010
- Foster Swift Announces Election of Michael D. Homier to Serve on Executive Committee, February 12, 2010
Events
- Visit Foster Swift at 2018 MTA Annual Conference, MTA, April 23, 2018
- WEBINAR: Property Tax Exemptions: What Every Assessor Needs to Know Webinar, September 20, 2017
- Social Networking and Human Resources Hot Topics, Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association, April 27, 2017
- Medical Marijuana: What’s Legal, What’s Not, and What Can We Do?, March 6, 2017
- Legal Essentials for Municipal Officials, January 18, 2017
- WEBINAR | Millage Proposals and Campaign Finance Issues, March 29, 2016
- Behind Closed Doors: What Can Be Discussed in Closed Session?, Michigan Township Association Annual Educational Conference & Expo, January 20, 2016