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August 20, 2026 – Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC is pleased to announce that 14 of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, including two attorneys who received Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” honors.

Ross K. Bower II was named the 2027 Best Lawyers® Tax Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Lansing, while Stacy L. Hissong was named the 2027 Best Lawyers® Municipal Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Lansing.

The “Lawyer of the Year” distinction is presented to only one attorney in each practice area and geographic region. “Lawyer of the Year honorees represent the very top tier of our recognitions,” said Phil Greer, CEO of Best Lawyers. “Fewer than five percent of practicing attorneys are recognized by Best Lawyers, and only a small fraction of those — approximately five percent — are selected as ‘Lawyer of the Year.’ This honor reflects extraordinary peer respect and sustained excellence within the legal profession.”

This year’s results also reflect the breadth of FSBR’s work across a range of practice areas. Nine attorneys were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®, with recognitions spanning municipal, tax, franchise, corporate, labor and employment, environmental and natural resources, land use and zoning, energy, utilities and appellate law, among other areas. Five additional FSBR attorneys were recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.

2027 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year”

• Ross K. Bower II – Tax Law
• Stacy L. Hissong – Municipal Law

The Best Lawyers in America® – 2027 Edition

• Ross K. Bower II – Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Litigation – Municipal,  Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Municipal Law, Tax Law
• Mark J. Burzych – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Franchise Law, Government Relations Practice
• Michael Cole – Corporate Law, Food and Beverage Law
• William K. Fahey – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Appellate Practice, Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Litigation – Municipal, Utilities Law
• John A. Forrest – Franchise Law
• Stacy L. Hissong – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Environmental Law, Municipal Law, Natural Resources Law, Water Law
• Helen E.R. Mills – Litigation – Labor and Employment, Litigation – Municipal, Municipal Law
• Christopher S. Patterson – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Litigation – Municipal
• Stephen J. Rhodes – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Appellate Practice, Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law, Utilities Law

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America – 2027 Edition

• Cole D. Hedrick – Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Natural Resources Law
• Chad Karsten – Labor and Employment Law – Management
• Kyle A. O’Meara – Municipal Law, Natural Resources Law
• Hannah L. Stocker – Municipal Law
• Jacob N. Witte – Municipal Law

About Best Lawyers

For more than four decades, Best Lawyers has recognized attorneys through a peer-review process in which lawyers evaluate the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographic region and practice area.

The Best Lawyers in America® recognizes attorneys across a wide range of practices, while Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America recognizes attorneys earlier in their careers for professional excellence in private practice.

Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes congratulates each of this year’s recognized attorneys. To learn more about our attorneys, their practices and experience, visit Our Professionals.