Robert A. Buchanan

Public Sector, Litigation and Real Estate Attorney

Bob focuses his practice on public sector, litigation, and real estate matters. Within his public sector practice, he provides litigation services to cities, villages, townships, counties, and public authorities in the areas of land use, right-of-way acquisition, contract disputes and eminent domain. Bob has significant experience in street vacations and plat amendments under the Land Division Act for public and private developments.

Bob has a unique focus advising both general aviation and commercial service airports throughout Michigan and northern Indiana on regulatory matters, operations, leases and agreements, and real estate acquisition. He has proudly represented Gerald R. Ford International Airport since 1993, as well as Capital Region International Airport and Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport.

For more information, please contact Bob Buchanan at 616/336-6231 or rabuchanan@varnumlaw.com

Northwest Airlines v County of Kent, 510 US 355 (1994): Represented the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in an action involving airline rates and charges which were claimed to violate the Anti-Head Tax Act (AHTA) and the Commerce Clause for the Airlines’ use of the Airport; obtained a court decision upholding the rates and charges as reasonable.

Best Lawyers in America^®, Lawyer of the Year,  Municipal Law, 2017

Best Lawyers in America^®, Municipal Law 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020

Grand Rapids Magazine's Top Lawyers, Municipal Law, 2019

Leading Lawyers: Aviation Law; Land Use, Zoning & Condemnation Law; Real Estate Law - Commercial

Martindale-Hubbell^® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Michigan Super Lawyers^®, Real Estate and Aviation Law

American Association of Airport Executives

Grand Rapids Bar Association

Grand Rapids Bar Foundation, life member

State Bar of Michigan: Aviation Law Section; Public Corporation Law Section; Real Property Law Section