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.
Recent Blog Posts
- Health Reform and Senate Bill 7 Presentation for the Michigan Municipal League
- Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Election Bills Ahead of Mid-Terms
- Supreme Court Offers Additional Guidance on Sign Restrictions
- Michigan Court of Claims Declares “Adopt and Amend” Unconstitutional
- Can We Ban That Sign?
- Election Guidelines for Public Bodies in Compliance with MCFA
Publications & Alerts
- Michigan Attorney General Issues New Opinion Regarding Virtual Public Meetings Under the Michigan Open Meetings Act and Americans with Disabilities Act, Foster Swift Municipal Law E-blast, February 9, 2022
- Eligible Municipalities Encouraged to Register in Historic Opioid Settlement, Foster Swift Municipal Law News E-blast, December 6, 2021
- Michigan Court of Appeals Holds Drone Surveillance a Search Under Fourth Amendment, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, November 18, 2021
- MDHHS Changes Gathering Limits for Public Meetings, Municipal Law e-blast, April 1, 2021
- Court of Appeals Holds Nuisance Claims Must Be Brought within Six Years, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, March 8, 2021
- Indoor, In-Person Public Meetings Remain Prohibited Through At Least March 29, 2021, Foster Swift Municipal Law News E-blast, February 11, 2021
Events
- Property Tax Exemptions, Mid-Michigan Association of Assessing Officers, June 22, 2022
- Is a Social District Right for Your Township?, Michigan Townships Association Annual Conference, April 27, 2022
- What to Do with a Marijuana Initiative Referendum, Michigan Townships Association Annual Conference, April 27, 2022
- Best Practices for Townships for Complying with ADA & Fair Housing Act, Michigan Townships Association Annual Conference, April 26, 2022
- Small Box Discount Retailers & Big Dollar Zoning Issues, Michigan Townships Association Annual Conference, April 26, 2022
- The Latest on Marihuana in Michigan, Michigan Municipal League, March 16, 2022
- Municipal Ordinances, Michigan Rural Water Association Annual Conference, February 21, 2022
News
- Grand Rapids Law Firm Welcomes Two Associates, Grand Rapids Legal News, November 14, 2022
- Foster Swift Listed in "Best Law Firms" 2023, Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms", November 3, 2022
- Foster Swift Attorneys Named 2023 Best Lawyers in America©, Best Lawyers in America, August 18, 2022
- Foster Swift Best Lawyers® 2023 "Ones to Watch", Best Lawyers in America, August 18, 2022
- Foster Swift Selects Hogan as Finance Practice Leader, July 29, 2022
- Foster Swift Wins Victory for City in Marihuana Ordinance Appeal, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, July 18, 2022
- Grand Rapids Attorneys Listed as 2022 Top Lawyers, November 17, 2021