Stacy is a Member (Partner) at Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes and leads the firm’s Environment and Water Resources practice. She represents over 50 county drain commissioners across Michigan and serves as general counsel to the Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners. During the course of her career, she has built a statewide practice centered on the Michigan Drain Code and the legal framework governing water resource matters. 

Her experience is extensive and spans drains, lake levels, permitting, property rights, wetlands, and related environmental matters. She has also worked with legislators and other stakeholders on proposed changes to the Michigan Drain Code, Dam Safety and Lake Level laws, helping shape the laws and procedures that govern drainage work across the state. 

Driven by well-organized project management, Stacy brings structure and sound judgment to complicated matters. Clients value her ability to identify concerns early, find workable solutions, and guide decision-makers through difficult choices. She is equally willing to advise against a course of action when the risks outweigh the benefit. That mindset reflects a principle she often comes back to: Benjamin Franklin’s observation that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” 

Her background as a former certified general appraiser strengthens Stacy’s condemnation and property tax practice. Because she understands how real estate valuations are developed, she can assess the reasoning behind an appraisal and identify the property rights issues that often drive valuation disputes. That experience is particularly valuable in condemnation matters, where just compensation is at stake. 

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

EXPERIENCE

• County and intercounty drain maintenance and improvement projects 
• Lake level projects 
• Stormwater management 
• Wetlands and environmental permitting
• Easement acquisition and property-rights matters 
• Board of Review proceedings 
• Condemnation and property tax matters 
• Drain Code legislative and policy initiatives 

Stacy is a frequent presenter to Drain Commissioners and other municipal groups on the Drain Code and related areas such as property acquisition and environmental issues involving wetlands, floodplains, and inland lakes and streams.

EDUCATION

• Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, J.D., 1996, magna cum laude
• Michigan State University, B.A., business administration, 1993

HONORS

• The Best Lawyers in America®, recognized since 2017; currently recognized in Administrative / Regulatory Law, Municipal Law, Natural Resources Law, and Water Law 
• Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year,” Natural Resources Law – Lansing, 2019, 2021, and 2023 
• Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners, Darwin D. McLeod Leadership Award 
• Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners Lifetime Member Award, 2026 

BAR ADMISSIONS

• Michigan
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan

LICENSES

• (Former) Certified General Appraiser, Michigan, 2011-2022 

• Member, Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners