Laura Genovich practices municipal, land use, and commercial law in the firm’s Grand Rapids office. She helps public entities and business clients reach their goals and solve their problems in creative, collaborative, and cost-effective ways.
Laura works closely with municipal clients on issues related to zoning, election law and campaign finance issues, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA) compliance, labor/employment matters, real estate transactions, public finance, and contract drafting and negotiation. She handles complex property tax appeals and has special expertise in property tax exemptions and special assessments.
Laura also works with both public entities and private clients (including developers) on land use matters, including development agreements, annexations, Act 425 agreements, and zoning approvals.
Laura is a seasoned litigator who has represented local governments and private clients in both trial-level and appellate matters. She frequently handles appeals related to contracts, property disputes, zoning and land use issues, special assessments, sewer and water services, and other legal controversies.
She has argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Michigan Court of Appeals, and has drafted many briefs in the Michigan Supreme Court. She also co-authored a merits-stage brief in the Supreme Court of the United States on behalf of a township client and filed numerous Michigan Supreme Court briefs on municipal law and property tax issues.
Laura represents individuals and businesses in contract and collection disputes in her commercial law practice. Recognizing that litigation is rarely anyone’s first choice, Laura works with clients to negotiate resolutions to make the best out of bad situations. When litigation is necessary, Laura vigorously fights for her clients’ rights in court.
Laura also has extensive experience in bankruptcy law where she helps secured lenders, small businesses, farm co-ops and other creditors protect their rights when a borrower or customer files bankruptcy.
Additionally, Laura works with clients to negotiate credit agreements, collect debts, navigate workouts and mitigate losses outside of bankruptcy. She has served as local counsel for creditors across the country. Laura currently serves as a Chapter 7 and Chapter 12 bankruptcy trustee and has served as a Chapter 11 Examiner.
Laura enjoys writing and speaking about the law. When a new case or statute impacts her clients, she is quick to share the breaking news and advise. Laura writes a blog about new bankruptcy cases and regularly presents at municipal law and bankruptcy seminars in addition to offering free webinars. She has taught as an adjunct professor at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School and she serves as the Chairperson of the Federal Bar Association’s Bankruptcy Section.
Education:
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., 2008, summa cum laude
- Ohio University, B.S., 2005, summa cum laude, Communications
Bar and Court Admissions:
- Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
Cost
Rate : $$$