With a strong municipal and real estate background, along with tax-exempt bond and public finance experience, Scott keeps projects on track and on budget.
Municipal Law
Scott has served as general counsel to municipal clients his entire career. He acts on behalf of local governments, development authorities, school districts, water and sewer authorities, district libraries, mental health authorities, police and fire departments and boards. He is also often engaged as special counsel on complex matters local governments face.
Public Finance
Scott provides counsel on variety of public finance matters, a discipline that has grown out of his work with local governments. He serves as bond counsel for various public improvements such as water and sewer projects, municipal buildings, fire, police, and public safety departments, and road and sidewalk projects, and as bank counsel and as underwriter’s counsel on projects with a public finance element throughout the state. Additionally, Scott is approved as bond counsel for USDA and MEDC projects.
Real Estate
From modest projects to complex developments, simple structures to entangled TIF districts and incentives, from rural communities with basic regulations to layers of land use and zoning processes, and from common easement and land interest disputes among neighbors to those which impact entire communities or regions, Scott’s experience includes residential, commercial and industrial sites of virtually all scale.
Higher Education
Scott works with public and private higher education institutions on issues such as financial restructurings, reductions in force, internal investigations, strategic planning, significant real estate transactions, the establishment and closure of satellite campuses, and searches for key leadership.
Professional and Community Involvement
Member, State Bar of Michigan
- Public Corporation and Real Property Sections
Member and former president, Berrien County Bar Association
Member, Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys
Member, National Association of Bond Lawyers
Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School
- Former Vice chair, Board of Directors
- Former Chair, Audit Committee
- Former Member, Executive and Finance Committees
- Former Chair, Interim President, President and Dean Search Committees
Siena Heights University
- Former member, Board of Trustees
- Former member and vice chair, Alumni Board
Member, Lake Michigan College Foundation Board of Directors
Member, Fraternal Order of Police
Former member and former president, Lakeshore Rotary Club
Honors
The Best Lawyers in America (Land Use and Zoning), 2021-2024
Grand Rapids Magazine Top Lawyers, Real Estate, Public Finance, Land Use and Zoning, 2019, Land Use and Zoning, Municipal Law, 2021-2023
AV® Preeminent™ Martindale-Hubbell, since 2009
