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.

Cole supports the firm’s growing Municipal Practice Group, concentrating on the representation of drain and water resource commissioners throughout the state, as well as townships, cities, counties, libraries, and special authorities served by the firm.

His work encompasses many of the nuts and bolts of public infrastructure projects, and his attention to detail is an essential part of the process. Cole is able to quickly analyze legal issues and simplify them for clients, outlining the what and why of government regulations.

Cole assists on drain and public projects from start to finish, working with professional engineers and utility, municipal, governmental, and private entities to research easements and flood claims.

The truth is important to Cole, even when it’s not what someone may want to hear. His ability to empathize with clients while explaining the reality of a particular situation helps all parties come to an understanding regarding the details of municipal work.

Cole joined FSBR in 2016 after serving as a law clerk for the firm. He also clerked for the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. While he was in law school, Cole was an intern for the Ionia County Prosecutor.

Away from the office, Cole enjoys spending time with his wife. He’s a fan of all MSU sports, but especially basketball. He also enjoys getting out in the woods and hunting every chance he gets.

EXPERIENCE

• Historical drain and easement review
• Section 197 Drainage District Boundary Revision projects
• Drain projects from petition to construction
• Easement acquisition, including title work review, easement drafting, landowner correspondence and negotiation, and condemnation
• City of Niles: Dam removal and river restoration project

Stacy is general counsel for the Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners, representing more than 40 drain commissioners on behalf of FSBR.

Driven by well-organized project management, Stacy is committed to doing the right thing and helping turn projects into successes everyone can celebrate. She is drawn to out-of-the-box thinking to help move ideas forward — though she’s also not afraid to say no — and she’s dedicated to being as timely and cost-efficient as possible in her work.

A practicing attorney since 1996, Stacy has more than a decade of experience representing clients on issues relating to stormwater and inland lakes and streams, working on projects involving county and intercounty drains, lake levels, lake improvement boards, sewer authorities, and county public works offices.

In addition to her expertise in drain and water law, Stacy has extensive real estate valuation experience. As a former Certified General Appraiser, she was licensed to appraise real property of any type of value in the state of Michigan. Her appraisal expertise has proven extremely beneficial for the firm’s eminent domain and tax tribunal cases.

Stacy joined FSBR in 2011 and has been a partner since 2013.

Outside of work, Stacy enjoys traveling and cheering for the Michigan State Spartans.

EXPERIENCE

• Maintenance and improvement projects
• Lake level projects
• EGLE permit issues
• Easement acquisition
• Board of Review proceedings

Brittany assists the firm’s growing Municipal and Drain Law Practice Groups. She concentrates on the representation of drain commissioners, townships, cities, counties, libraries, and special authorities served by the firm and provides support for the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group, researching and reviewing legal opinions and documents.

She’s proud to be part of a team that cares about its clients and wants to do the right thing. She enjoys helping her clients work through a challenging question or finding the answers they’re seeking. Her personal connection with clients and her commitment to honesty and integrity is important to her, and she enjoys the research and writing that goes into her work.

Brittany joined FSBR in 2019 following her time as an associate attorney with White Law PLLC. Her work included representing clients in a variety of areas including large civil litigation, criminal law, administrative law, general litigation, and driver license restorations. While in law school, Brittany was a judicial extern for Court of Appeals Judge Amy Ronanye Krause.

When she’s not at the office, Brittany is spending time with her husband, their two boys, and their dog. She also enjoys coaching the Haslett junior varsity girls’ basketball team.

EXPERIENCE

• Zoning ordinance and ordinance review and revision, as well as ordinance enforcement
• PA 222 litigation
• Easement drafting
• Contract review
• Tax tribunal matters

Kyle assists FSBR’s growing Municipal Practice Group, concentrating on the representation of townships, cities, counties, libraries, and special authorities served by the firm and provides support for the Drain Practice Group.

Fact-finding, problem-solving, and brainstorming are among Kyle’s favorite parts of his work, and he enjoys crafting multiple ways to help clients tackle their challenges. He’s able to simplify complex problems so all parties can understand the work at hand, making it easier to devise practical solutions.

Kyle’s work focuses on public entities in need of advice on a wide variety of legal topics from the Freedom of Information Act to drafting purchasing policies. He actively listens, asking questions to determine how FSBR can solve their legal problems and identifying other issues and concerns clients may need to address.

Kyle joined FSBR in 2018 after spending the previous summer as a summer associate with the firm. During law school at the University of Notre Dame, he externed for the City of South Bend’s legal department and the Hon. Judge Jack Zouhary, U.S. District Court Judge of the Northern District of Ohio. He helped revise ordinances, review contracts, and aided in code enforcement and foreclosure matters.

In his free time, Kyle enjoys traveling and watching Michigan football and the Green Bay Packers. He’s a self-proclaimed terrible fisherman, though he enjoys it immensely.

EXPERIENCE

• Helped establish inland lake levels and corresponding special assessment districts for lakes throughout Michigan, including an inland lake in both Michigan and Indiana.

• Assisted multiple municipalities with the special land use and site plan process to site wind energy developments including a development with an aircraft detection lighting system (ADLS).

• Aided various lake improvement boards and townships with special assessment lake improvement projects.

• Responded to 2016 ballot “Emily” FOIA request for multiple municipalities.

• Prepared successful defenses for individuals with professional licenses in the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules.

Amanda practices in Michigan Drain Law and Environmental Law. She is dedicated to serving the needs of Michigan’s drain and water resources commissioners and lake improvement boards so, in turn, they can effectively serve their constituents. Amanda is well-versed in navigating the complex statutory procedures of the Michigan Drain Code and Parts 307 and 309 of the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, which gives her the foundation to successfully counsel clients through difficult legal issues.

When it comes to project management, Amanda has expertise in coordinating with clients, governmental units, and professional engineers on complex public infrastructure projects, ensuring the legal aspects are met and followed through within projected timelines. Where project management and the practice of law interconnect, Amanda excels at producing successful results.

Amanda advises clients on several aspects of law related to drains, inland lakes, and natural resources. She has counseled clients on county and intercounty drain projects, including easement acquisition. She has facilitated buffer strip agreements and advised on wetland protection through wetland banking.  She has assisted clients with preparing for public meetings and hearings. Additionally, Amanda has helped clients establish legal lake levels and has also assisted in inland lake level and lake improvement proceedings. Notably, Amanda has been involved in moving legislation forward that will benefit modern-day drainage procedures.

Amanda first joined FSBR in 2020, where she was a standout individual in the firm’s summer associate program. She continued with FSBR as a law clerk during the 2020-21 academic year before passing the bar and becoming an Associate Attorney with the firm in 2021.

When she’s not helping clients overcome their legal issues, you can find Amanda enjoying the great outdoors. As a hunting enthusiast, she lives for the adrenaline of hunting and tracking whitetail deer and waterfowl. Amanda also enjoys the sport of fishing and competes in the Southern Michigan Panfish Series. Above all, Amanda enjoys spending quality time with her fiancé and hunting dog and making memories with family.

Experience

• Easement acquisition, including titlework review, easement drafting, landowner correspondence, and condemnation
• Document review and discovery for PA 222 litigation
• Public hearing preparation
• Assistance in Freedom of Information Act response
• Assistance in lake level and lake improvement proceedings
• Facilitation of buffer strip agreements, including titlework review, agreement drafting, and landowner correspondence

Nick is a valued member of the firm’s Water Resources group, focusing on the legal and logistical aspects of drainage projects for county drain commissioners across Michigan. His strong organizational skills and ability to manage complex processes ensure that projects move forward efficiently and in compliance with the law.

Nick plays a key role in facilitating public engagement on behalf of county drain commissioners, ensuring that affected property owners and stakeholders are informed and involved throughout the process. He coordinates project timelines, drafts public notices, and prepares essential materials for hearings such as Boards of Determination and Days of Review. His ability to communicate effectively with clients, engineers, and the public helps streamline these often complex proceedings.

Beyond working directly on drainage projects, Nick has conducted in-depth legal research on various property law issues and has played a role in supporting key legislation that will benefit our clients. His experience includes drafting legislative amendments, including proposed revisions to Chapter 22 of the Michigan Drain Code, which will provide additional resources for county drain commissioners to address flooding and watershed management challenges.

Outside of work, Nick enjoys spending time with his wife, Becca, fishing, cooking, and cheering on MSU athletics. As a lover of music, he also plays guitar whenever he finds the time. Though originally from New York, Nick has embraced Michigan as his home and is committed to serving its communities with diligence and dedication.

EXPERIENCE

• Drafted proposed amendments to Chapter 22 of the Michigan Drain Code, addressing compromises between legislators and stakeholders to provide additional resources to county drain commissioners to alleviate flooding and water-related concerns at a watershed level, addressing the limitation that work solely be conducted on established county drains.
• Prepared materials for public hearings/meetings related to drainage projects, including drafting notices, managing project deadlines, and coordinating correspondence between stakeholders.
• Assisted with easement acquisition, including easement drafting, obtaining and reviewing title work, and drafting easement encroachment/obstruction letters on behalf of county drain commissioners.

Samantha is a vital member of the firm’s Water Resources group, specializing in legal services for municipal clients such as county drain and water resources commissioners. Her organization and strong attention to detail ensure the seamless management of complex drainage projects. Samantha expertly navigates the legal aspects of drainage issues. A key aspect of her work is finding the delicate balance between driving necessary drainage improvements and safeguarding the interests of property owners and municipal stakeholders.

Within her focus on water resources, Samantha plays a significant role in renewable energy projects, particularly those involving solar and wind farms and battery storage projects. She is involved in the initial meetings with developers and clients and drafting various agreements. She coordinates with clients, governmental units, and works alongside professional engineers to see renewable energy projects through development.

Her experience in the Water Resources group also includes reviewing historical rights-of-way for recording across Michigan. She also works with our firm’s litigation team to defend municipal interests and has handled extensive litigation discovery related to PA 222.

Samantha is also a member of our Tax group. Samantha represents municipalities in numerous property tax appeals and delinquent property tax collection cases throughout Michigan. Her versatility in handling different areas of law has been instrumental to our firm.

In her personal time, Samantha spends her time with her family, including her husband Zach, daughter Adeline, and twins Callahan and Lillian. They enjoy going up to their family lake house in northern Michigan. Samantha has a passion for baking and cooking for her family. She loves exploring new places and doing activities with her kids.

As an Administrative Specialist, Amanda supports the firm’s water resources practice with precision and professionalism. She manages a wide range of responsibilities—from document organization and client communication to research assistance, scheduling, and on-site meeting coordination. Amanda regularly attends Days of Review and other public proceedings, where she helps ensure seamless coordination between attorneys, engineers, and local officials. Her attention to detail and dependable support keep projects on track and clients well-informed.

Amanda brings valuable industry knowledge to her role, drawing on prior experience at an engineering firm where she focused on county drain and special assessments. That experience gave her a strong foundation in how these projects are planned and implemented in the field. She is also certified as a Michigan Certified Assessing Technician (MCAT), which deepens her knowledge of property taxation and the assessment process—key components in many infrastructure and water resource projects. Now supporting these efforts on the legal side, Amanda bridges the practical and legal aspects of the work, making her a valuable resource to the firm and its clients.

Outside the office, Amanda enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants, attending concerts and sporting events, and spending time with family and friends. She brings the same enthusiasm and energy to her work that she brings to life