Practice Areas
Industries
Education
University of Georgia School of Law
Athens, Georgia
J.D., with honors, 1976
Georgia Law Review, Notes Editor and Summer Editor, 1975
Legal Research Instructor
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio
B.A., with honors 1969
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Georgia
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Real Estate Attorney
Nyal is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Team. He focuses his practice on conveyance and lease transactions; land use approvals for various development projects including shopping centers, resorts, residential subdivisions, marinas and commercial projects; construction and permanent lending on behalf of lenders and borrowers; and real estate investment trusts. He has unique municipal experience having served as a member of the East Grand Rapids City Commission and chairperson of its Planning Commission, mayor of East Grand Rapids, and chairperson of the Grand Rapids Metropolitan Council. Nyal also served as a supply officer in the United States Navy.
Chambers USA, which ranks top lawyers and law firms, notes that Nyal “is a key member of the real estate department, maintaining well-established relationships with several major clients.” Interviewees further note “his depth of regulatory experience” including a period serving as chair of East Grand Rapids Planning Commission.
Experience
Condominium legal issues
Construction contracts and disputes
Land use approvals for various development projects including shopping centers, resorts, residential subdivisions, marinas, and commercial projects, construction and permanent lending on behalf of lenders and borrowers, real estate investment trusts
Real estate financing, transactions and leases
Waterfront development and riparian law issues
Wetlands and other environmental issues regarding development
Honors and Recognitions
American College of Mortgage Attorneys, past president
American College of Real Estate Lawyers
Best Lawyers in America®, Real Estate Law, since 1991
Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Real Estate Law, Grand Rapids, 2011
Chambers USA©, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as a Senior Statesman in the field of Real Estate
Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers: Land Use and Zoning 2019 – 2022; Real Estate Law; since 2019
Leading Lawyers: Land Use, Zoning Condemnation Law; Real Estate Law – Commercial; Real Estate Law – Finance
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
Michigan Super Lawyers® since 2011
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
Georgia Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan: Real Property Section, past chair
Public Service
East Grand Rapids, mayor, 1985 – 1995
East Grand Rapids City Commission, 1983 – 1995
East Grand Rapids Planning Commission, 1980 – 1985; chair, 1981 – 1985
Grand Valley Metropolitan Council, chair, 1989 – 1995
United States Navy, 1969 – 1976
Presentations
Lecturer and moderator for seminars sponsored by International Conference of Shopping Centers, Michigan ICLE, State Bar of Michigan, Michigan Association of Realtors, Professional Education Systems, Inc., International Rights of Way Association, Builders Exchange, Western Michigan Mortgage Lenders Association, Construction Specifications Institute, Michigan State University, State Bar of Michigan, Michigan Association of Counties, Michigan Municipal League, and public sector consultants.