Public Sector Law | Services | Dickinson Wright

Dickinson Wright represents public sector clients in a variety of matters and contexts, addressing the full panoply of municipal legal matters. From general city governing, to public finance issues, to large economic development projects, to the defense of litigation matters, we assist public entities across all practice areas.

As a full-service law firm, we draw upon the right experience for any given matter, ensuring our clients’ needs are resolved efficiently. Our work spans practice areas including real estate, tax, bankruptcy, finance, intellectual property, labor and employment, and environmental law.

Awards and Recognitions

Our lawyers have been recognized by Best Lawyers® and Super Lawyers® for their work in public sector law.

Our Services

General Counsel: We serve as general counsel to public organizations including federal, state, county, and municipal entities, as well as schools, universities, and hospitals. Our work includes:

Budgets & contracts
Conflicts of interest
E-Discovery & record retention policies
Elections law
Environmental regulation

Government compliance
Statutes, bylaws & amendment interpretation
Public records laws
Regulatory & administrative matters
Utility & infrastructure development

Public Finance: Our lawyers serve as bond counsel across municipal financing matters for states, cities, counties, school districts, universities, airports, utilities, and other public entities.

Labor and Employment: We regularly advise on a full spectrum of employment and labor law issues, including:

Certifications
Continuing education
Confidential employees
Conflict of interest
Employee benefits
First Amendment rights
Gender identification

Insurance
Wage & deduction laws
Pension plans (403B/457)
Personnel records
Progressive discipline
Resignations, terminations & layoffs
Workers’ compensation

Real Estate: Our team regularly handles real estate transactions for public sector clients, including:

Construction permitting & regulation
Development agreements
Government lease excise taxes
Impact fee agreements
Land acquisition & disposition
Land use & zoning

Leasing & easements
Liquor licensing
Purchase & sale contracts
Water & well issues
Workouts & loan restructuring

Tax: Our tax lawyers advise public entities and agencies on federal, state, and local tax compliance, including sales and use tax, settlements, asset distributions, and executive compensation matters.

Litigation: We proactively address risk and help clients avoid trial where possible. When litigation is necessary, we provide efficient and strategic representation in trial and appellate courts.

Representative Matters

Assisted counties, cities, villages, and townships in general municipal law issues including zoning, land use, planning, real estate, and water and sewer contracts; municipal utilities, economic development, tax increment financing, special assessments, school districts, public school academies, community colleges, tax appeals, and general litigation.
Represented governmental authorities and landowners regarding Environmental and Part 91 Soil Erosion permitting and development issues.
Successfully defended Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) claims involving the implementation of a modern roundabout and the nationally and internationally unique trial of “HAWK” signalization of roundabouts for visually impaired pedestrians.
Represented a large municipality, its council members, charter officers, police officers, and city attorneys’ office in two federal cases alleging violations of the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, as well as state and federal laws.
Represented intermediate school districts, public schools, public school academies, and educational institutions in matters involving student conduct, organizational liability, policy, regulatory issues, and employment matters.
Represented community colleges and public universities in connection with policy formation and compliance with legal and funding requirements.
Represented a special district in appellate litigation involving a challenge to a transaction privilege tax under state and federal constitutions, as well as issues involving allocation of refunds between the state and the district.
Acted as counsel for a Midwest county stadium authority in the condemnation of 60 acres and 136 parcels for a sports stadium; tried 10 jury trials resulting in savings of more than $20 million.
Represented a major city in the negotiation and documentation of an arena lease and management agreement, including successful defense against legal challenges and a taxpayer referendum effort seeking to invalidate the agreement.

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