Economic Incentives

• Drafted community revitalization legislation for the state of Michigan, which created the structure for the new brownfield program and other incentives.
• Represented the developer of a 500-acre mixed-use project in Benton Harbor, Mich.; the project included more than $150 million in brownfield incentives, making it the largest brownfield tax increment financing (TIF) project in the state to date.
• Secured more than $50 million in brownfield financial incentives for mixed use projects located in Detroit and Ann Arbor.
• Secured $20 million in brownfield, TIF and other tax credits for $200 million in development of the Medical Mile in Grand Rapids, Mich.
• Secured $50 million in incentives for more than $400 million in new and rehabilitated construction projects for mixed-use, retail, office and residential space in downtown Grand Rapids.
• Secured over $10 million in incentives for the Grand Rapids Downtown Market, a public private partnership that includes extensive involvement of local and state government, private philanthropy and a private nonprofit developer.
• Secured $20 million in incentives for redevelopment of a 300-acre industrial site in Wixom.
• Helped Whirlpool secure incentives for new office complex in Benton Harbor.
• Assisted manufacturing clients with incentives for new manufacturing operations in Greenville and Coldwater.

Environment

• Drafted portions of Michigan’s primary environmental clean-up law (Part 201), as well as other environmental legislation and rule-making.
• Served as primary outside counsel for Cordova Chemical Company and Aerojet General Corporation in a landmark Superfund case that reached the U.S. Supreme Court (U.S. vs. Best foods) and resulted in a favorable conclusion for the clients.
• Assists companies in negotiating air enforcement matters at the state and federal levels.
• Serves as outside environmental counsel for Amway, Wolverine World Wide and others.
• Represents banks on loan workouts and other issues involving contaminated property.