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
- Direct Purchases of Bonds By Banks: A Popular Alternative for Municipalities, April 2019 Municipal Law News, March 27, 2019
- While 5G Technology Offers Innovation, Public Act 365 Strips Municipal Control, April 2019 Municipal Law News, March 25, 2019
- How Marijuana Laws Affect Workplace Policies for Municipalities in Michigan, April 2019 Municipal Law News, March 22, 2019
- Zoning Cases to Watch, February 2019 Municipal Law News, February 7, 2019
- New amendments to the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act, January 2019 Municipal Law News E-blast, January 23, 2019
- Foster Swift Secures Major Victory for Almer and Ellington Townships in Lawsuits Brought by Wind Energy Company, November 2018 Municipal Law News, November 8, 2018
News
- Foster Swift Presents at 2019 MTA Conference, February 8, 2019
- Webinar: What Employers Need to Know about Marijuana in the Workplace, Ingham County Legal News, January 29, 2019
- Genovich Quoted in Herald-Palladium Regarding Income Tax Challenge, The Herald-Palladium, January 24, 2019
- Southfield Office Welcomes Municipal Attorney, December 4, 2018
- Three Foster Swift Attorneys Named to dbusiness 2019 Top Lawyers, November 14, 2018
- Foster Swift Rated Tier 1 in 27 Practice Areas in Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms", November 1, 2018
- 31 Foster Swift Attorneys Selected to 2018 Michigan Super Lawyers and “Rising Stars” Lists, September 10, 2018
Events
- Zoning and land uses: Regulation of small houses, Airbnb rentals, vacation rentals, backyard chickens and drones, MTA-UP North Summit, July 31, 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 Townships Association Annual Educational Conference & Expo, January 20, 2016