Cole is a Member at Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes, where he advises county drain commissioners, municipalities, authorities and public agencies on the legal issues behind drainage and infrastructure projects across Michigan. His practice focuses on county drain matters under the Drain Code of 1956, property rights and acquisition for public projects, and the legal work involved in executing complex public improvements.

He began with FSBR as a law clerk in 2016 while attending Michigan State University College of Law and joined the firm as an attorney after being admitted to practice in 2017. Although his early work exposed him to a broad range of municipal matters, he soon began building his practice in the firm’s Water Resources Practice Group. Since then, he has guided county drain projects through every stage of the process, from initial petitions and Board of Determination proceedings to easement acquisition, final construction, and post-determination issues.

That experience has shaped a practice grounded in both the legal framework governing public projects and the day-to-day realities of local government. Cole advises on matters where legal requirements, engineering considerations, development pressures, and public decision-making intersect. He works on development matters involving county drains, negotiates and structures agreements tied to public improvements, and advises on stormwater, construction, and Drain Code issues. He also coordinates with state and federal agencies on project-related matters, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Michigan Department of Transportation, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. He has also expanded his role in reviewing and negotiating construction contracts for drain projects, helping clients bring clarity to the bidding and construction process.

Cole approaches client service with a focus on accessibility, responsiveness, and practical guidance. He takes the time to understand each client’s operational and regulatory environment so he can offer advice that is both legally sound and workable in practice. He communicates clearly and gives honest advice, particularly when issues become complicated or contentious.

He is also active in the broader water resources field through his work with the Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners, including legislative initiatives, committee work, and professional education efforts. In addition, he serves as an adjunct professor at Michigan State University College of Law, where he co-teaches Land Use and Planning.

Outside the office, Cole enjoys spending time with his wife and family, following Michigan State sports, and getting outdoors when time permits.

EXPERIENCE

• Guided numerous county drain projects from initiation through completion, including drafting and securing petitions under the Drain Code of 1956, coordinating Board of Determination proceedings, addressing challenges to necessity determinations, and assisting with easement acquisition, condemnation proceedings, bidding, construction, Day of Review proceedings, apportionment appeals, permitting, and other post-determination matters.
• Assisted County Drain Commissioners with development review and coordination matters across multiple jurisdictions, including review of proposed development impacts on existing county drains, establishment of new drains or branches, compliance review, and coordination with developers, engineers, and public officials.
• Coordinated drainage and infrastructure matters with state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Michigan Department of Transportation, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, in connection with easement acquisition, environmental response, permitting, and project-related agreements for county and intercounty drain projects.
• Assisted a municipality with the removal of an aging dam as part of a river restoration project, including easement acquisition, related property matters, and legal research concerning potential takings claims.
• Assisted a township with the replacement of an outdated dam with a modern rock crib spillway and fish passage, including drafting and negotiating the construction contract and advising on the contracting process for a state grant-funded project.