Michelle Brya is a Shareholder with the Firm.  She is admitted to appear before all Michigan state and federal courts, as well as the Tribal Court of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe.  She graduated from Michigan State University (B.A., 2001) and received her J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2003.

Michelle represents County Drain Commissioners and other municipal clients throughout the state of Michigan.  She provides legal advice and litigation services regarding interpretation of the Michigan Drain Code, the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, the Public Improvement Act, the Freedom of Information Act, the Open Meetings Act, the Land Division Act and other statutes affecting County Drain Commissioners and municipalities.  She has experience with numerous municipal clients preparing resolutions, agreements and contracts involving drains, sewer systems, lake level and lake improvement projects, real property, permits and various other issues.

Michelle is actively involved in numerous public projects providing legal counsel on issues such as statutory interpretation, contract disputes, construction issues, easement acquisition and financing.  Michelle also acts as legal counsel for the Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners ("MACDC"), the state-wide organization of County Drain Commissioners.  Additionally, Michelle acts as labor counsel to municipalities and assists with contract interpretation and contract disputes, grievances and labor arbitrations.

Michelle has presented on numerous drain and municipal issues at local and statewide seminars.

Michelle specializes in the areas of drain and municipal law, and labor law.  She and her husband, Brian, live in East Lansing.

Bar Associations:

• State Bar of Michigan
• Ingham County Bar Association
• Eaton County Bar Association

Affiliations:

• Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce

• Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners, Associate Member and legal counsel