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Matthew D. Zimmerman

Counsel
Matt Zimmerman

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 1981

Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
B.A., with high honors, 1978

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Environmental and Energy Attorney

Matt is a senior member of the Environmental, Energy and Natural Resources Practice Team. A significant portion of Matt’s practice involves representation of municipalities and private developers in regard to water law matters, including: the permitting, operation and expansion of water supply/treatment/distribution systems and wastewater collection and treatment systems; sewer use ordinance drafting and enforcement including industrial pretreatment programs; stormwater management including ordinance drafting, permitting and enforcement and property owner representation in Drain Code projects; riparian rights issues; and submerged lands transactions.

He represents both municipal and private clients in a wide variety of projects involving land use, including condemnation, permitting of development in protected natural resource areas (regulated wetlands, critical sand dunes, flood plains, etc.), solid waste management, zoning, brownfield redevelopment and remediation of contaminated real estate. Matt also represents developers of energy products including both traditional and renewable energy projects, primarily regarding permitting and contracting.

Honors and Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America®, Administrative/Regulatory Law, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law, since 2010; Water Law, 2024

The Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Land Use and Zoning Law, 2017 and 2022

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning, 2019 – 2021, 2023

Leading Lawyers: Environmental Law; Land Use, Zoning & Condemnation Law

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Professional Affiliations

Grand Rapids Bar Association, Environmental Law Section

Michigan Water Environmental Association

State Bar of Michigan: Environmental Law Section; Public Corporation Law Section

The Land Conservancy of West Michigan

Water Environment Federation

Community Involvement

Beacon Hill at Eastgate, Board

Bible Study Fellowship

Mel Trotter Ministries, Christian Legal Advisory Services

Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, Board

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