Bryan W. Beach is a Senior Attorney at Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes, where he represents clients in litigation, municipal law, and labor and employment matters. With nearly two decades of experience in trial courts, administrative proceedings, arbitration, and appeals, Bryan brings a strategic perspective to disputes at every stage.

Before joining the firm, Bryan spent eight years with the Michigan Department of Attorney General, where he defended state agencies in complex civil litigation and labor and employment matters. His work also included cases involving constitutional and civil rights claims, elections, education and schools, tort claims, class actions, and administrative matters. He managed his own caseload as a first-chair litigator in state and federal courts, while later supervising other attorneys and helping guide the strategy of significant public-sector litigation.

Bryan has briefed and argued cases in state and federal appellate courts, including the Michigan Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. That appellate background informs how he approaches litigation from the outset. He understands that a strong case is built long before an appeal, through careful attention to the record, the issues that need to be preserved, and the arguments that may need to stand up on review.

Bryan also brings municipal counsel experience to his work with local governments. Earlier in his career, he served as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Portage and as counsel to other municipalities in southwest Michigan, advising on FOIA and public meetings, ordinance enforcement and prosecutions, contracts, legal opinions, and employment-related matters. That work gave him firsthand insight into the realities of local government, where legal issues often must be addressed in public, under time pressure, and with careful attention to how the outcome will affect the community.

Outside of work, Bryan lives in Haslett with his wife. He is a runner and cross-country skier who enjoys spending time up north, following sports, and working on his golf game.

EXPERIENCE

• Managed and supervised significant public-sector litigation while serving in senior roles with the Michigan Department of Attorney General, including assignment oversight, legal writing review, appellate work, formal legal opinions, and training for staff and clients.
• Defended state agencies in complex civil litigation, employment disputes, administrative proceedings, class actions, suits concerning education and schools, election challenges, tort defense, and cases involving constitutional and civil rights claims.
• Provided legal counsel to state agencies on labor and employment matters, including hiring and termination, the ADA, the FMLA, and wage and hour issues.
• Advised municipalities on the day-to-day legal issues that arise in local government operations, including FOIA, public meetings, ordinance enforcement, prosecutions, contracts, legal opinions, municipal documents, and employment-related matters.