With over 40 years of experience as a practicing attorney, Bill has handled every legal issue municipalities are likely to encounter – and he remembers all of them. He is especially passionate about zoning and planning, annexation and detachment, intergovernmental cooperation, and public improvement projects.

Bill sees his job as fun – his experience, legendary memory, and his can-do attitude elevate his creativity in problem-solving. He knows that no matter how good his last solution was, there’s always another way to tweak it and make it more advantageous for his clients.

If you really want to motivate Bill, tell him that a project has “never been done before” or “can’t be done.” He’s had a history of firsts during his career, including the first detachment of territory from a city to a township, and most recently an annexation of land from one city to another. If there’s a way to do something, Bill will find it.

He strives to ensure his clients understand he’s on top of whatever they need from him, and that starts with responsiveness. He knows it’s his job to care as much about his clients’ needs as they do, and he aims to take any worries off their shoulders.

Bill’s work with public utility and energy companies has helped resolve every major change and controversy facing the natural gas and electric energy industries over the last 40 years. He handles litigation and appeals for Michigan’s largest energy and utility companies and is well-experienced in matters before the Michigan Public Service Commission, as well as other Michigan administrative and regulatory agencies.

He also served as an adjunct professor of Zoning and Land Use Law at the Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School from 1989–1996 and is one of the state’s acknowledged authorities in zoning and planning law.

Prior to founding Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC in 2008, Bill was a shareholder and past president with Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC.

Off the clock, Bill is an avid exerciser, playing tennis and taking classes at the Michigan Athletic Club. He and his wife enjoy traveling to see their five children and seven grandchildren, who live across the country and around the world.

EXPERIENCE

• Guided 5 townships and 2 counties through all phases of the regulation, approval, and construction of wind energy developments, including the largest such development in Michigan.
• Performed comprehensive zoning ordinance revisions for 7 townships in the past year.
• Assisted several townships to complete multi-million-dollar water and sewer projects with Rural Development financing.
• Helped a township unwind a joint fire authority to the township’s advantage.
• Prosecuted an FOIA case against the Department of Treasury to obtain “secret” criteria for review of township assessing practices; recovered 100% of township’s attorney fees.
• Halted state tax foreclosure through swift judicial action, protecting township from the loss of $1million in unpaid water and sewer assessments.
• Formed special assessment districts for multiple lake improvement projects.

Steve has practiced law since 1987, specializing in energy law, public utilities, and appeals.

Steve focuses on complex commercial and regulatory appeals, particularly utility regulation issues involving service and rates for electricity, renewable energy, natural gas, municipal water systems, and sanitary and storm sewers. He has been involved in extensive litigation before trial and appellate courts throughout Michigan, including some of the most significant utility and municipal cases before the Michigan Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.

He particularly enjoys writing briefs and managing complex litigation. His deep historical knowledge and understanding of regulatory and judicial processes, paired with an ability to identify the controlling issues and clearly explain to decision-makers the legal and policy support for positions are among his best assets to clients.

Prior to co-founding FSBR in 2008, Steve was a partner at Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC.

When he’s not at work, Steve enjoys being outside enjoying nature while hiking and biking.

EXPERIENCE

• DTE Electric
• DTE Gas
• A variety of municipalities and drain commissioners

Ross brings his experience as a municipal, property tax, and drain attorney to FSBR, focusing on Michigan municipal, property tax, and drain law with an emphasis on property tax appeals and special assessments, drain projects, development, zoning, building and planning, and Michigan’s Drain Code.

He appreciates the fast-paced nature of his work and is especially proud of the relief his clients feel when they put their trust in his hands. Ross is thoughtful, and a straight talker, delivering an up-front perspective about the advantages and disadvantages of a client’s particular situation. Whether it’s major litigation or a minor legal matter, Ross knows every client’s case is the most important thing to them, so he treats it that way as well.

As part of the firm’s Municipal Practice Group, he provides expertise and responsiveness to public officials and clients as Township Attorney, Village Attorney, and City Attorney, and as counsel to County Drain Commissioners throughout Michigan, where he handles litigation in administrative, trial, and appellate courts.

Ross is committed to obtaining successful results for his clients, and he strives every day to be the best at his craft. He enjoys the relationships he develops with his clients and takes pride in the trust and respect he’s built with opposing attorneys and judges as well.

Ross joined FSBR in 2008 and has been a partner since 2014. Prior to that, he was an attorney with the Hubbard Law Firm, P.C.

Off the clock, he stays active with his family, playing and coaching soccer, and supporting his three kids in their academic and athletic endeavors.

EXPERIENCE

• Meridian Township: Defended Entire Tribunal property tax appeals, including apartment complexes, commercial retail, regional mall, office, and restaurant properties.
• City of Fenton: Defended Entire Tribunal property appeals, including residential and commercial properties.
• Gratiot County Drain Commissioner: Provided counsel on behalf of drainage districts related to numerous alternative energy developments.
• MDARD and Various County Drain Commissioners: Provided counsel on behalf of inter-county drainage districts related to numerous historical jurisdiction and drainage district reviews and public hearings.

John delivers expert representation in the litigation of commercial disputes, business torts including product liability defense, construction disputes, insurance coverage questions, personal injury.

A practicing attorney since 1984, John takes his role as an advocate to heart, committed to reaching positive resolutions for wrongful suits or breaches of contracts against his clients. His work is thorough, he’s methodical, and he takes pride in his ability to analyze a case and present it clearly and persuasively before tribunals or public hearings.

His past experience includes serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Chicago, representing the interests of the United States in civil matters including bankruptcy, forfeiture, employment disputes, injunction actions, civil enforcement actions, and matters involving fraud, as well as prosecuting criminal cases.

John also taught Property Law, Civil Procedure, Torts, Professional Responsibility, Equity & Remedies, Secured Transactions as a professor at Western Michigan Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

John joined FSBR in 2015 and has been a partner since 2018.

When he’s not working, John enjoys bicycling — including tackling the DALMAC, Michigan’s best summer biking tour — and spending time with his family. He and his wife particularly enjoy exploring Ireland, where they have a shared heritage.

EXPERIENCE

• Tried construction litigation dispute (sanitary sewer project) to jury and appeal on behalf of a township.
• Represented township in utility rate dispute with city.
• Mediated construction dispute on behalf of large inter-county drainage district.
• Represented drainage district in disputed condemnation action resulting in mediated settlement.
• Negotiated numerous easements and utility crossing agreements.
• Successfully represented estate beneficiaries in fraud claim against trustee.
• Experienced litigator in non-compete disputes.