Daniel P. Bock brings nearly two decades of experience in environmental and natural resources law, litigation, administrative law, and property law to FSBR’s Water Resources, Municipal, Public Utility, and Litigation practice groups. With a career focused on protecting Michigan’s natural resources, Dan is a valuable addition to the firm’s growing work at the intersection of water, energy, and land use law.

Before joining FSBR, Dan served for 17 years with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, most recently as Assistant Chief of the Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture Division. In that role, he led major litigation on behalf of the State involving the Great Lakes and Michigan’s inland lakes and streams, wetlands, sand dunes, and oil and gas permitting, as well as matters related to real estate and land use—providing him with extensive knowledge of the regulatory and legal frameworks that shape Michigan’s environmental policy. Dan also served as counsel to the Department of Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Commission, where he specialized in matters related to land use, wildlife management, hunting and fishing, and defending state law enforcement officers in civil litigation.

Dan’s experience includes leading litigation on high-profile matters such as the Line 5 dual pipelines in the Straits of Mackinac and representing the State in efforts to prevent invasive Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes. His specialized knowledge of environmental permitting and administrative appeals strengthens FSBR’s capabilities in helping clients navigate water resource issues,  natural resource management, real property and land use issues, and energy development. Dan’s litigation experience includes extensive trial and appellate work at every level of state and federal court, as well as administrative hearings. In addition to litigation, Dan prides himself on advising clients on how to navigate the regulatory landscape, as well as training and mentoring aspiring litigators.

He has also advised on complex land use and real property matters, including real estate disputes, plat amendments under Michigan’s Land Division Act, and other regulatory issues tied to natural resource management. Dan’s extensive litigation experience across all levels of state and federal courts brings a strategic and seasoned perspective to clients facing disputes related to environmental compliance, permitting, or land use enforcement.

Outside of work, Dan enjoys time with his wife, three children, and their pets. He is a former competitive fencer and coach, having captained the University of Michigan fencing team and coached at Michigan State University. And he enjoys watching sports particularly Michigan and Michigan State football (he roots for Michigan State 51 weeks of the year).

Experience

• Served as lead counsel in litigation involving the Line 5 dual pipelines in the Straits of Mackinac
• Represented Michigan in litigation and negotiations to keep the Great Lakes free of invasive Asian carp, including helping negotiate a billion dollar Project Partnership Agreement between Michigan, Illinois, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Represented Michigan in complex multi-state litigation against the federal government related to the definition of “waters of the United States” in the Clean Water Act
• Successfully sued a shipping company whose anchor struck and damaged the Line 5 pipelines as well as energy and communications cables in the Straits of Mackinac
• Successfully litigated dozens of environmental enforcement actions and permit disputes
• Successfully litigated numerous appeals in the state and federal appellate courts, including numerous arguments in the Michigan Court of Appeals, Michigan Supreme Court, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, as well as several cases in the U.S. Supreme Court
• Helped create and manage the Michigan Attorney General’s Environmental Crimes Unit
• Defended multiple civil suits against law enforcement officers in federal trial and appellate courts