Skip to content

Partner — Grand Rapids

616/336-6130

[email protected]


Education

Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Lansing, MI
J.D., 1995

Siena Heights University
Adrian, MI
B.A., 1990

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Real Estate, Finance and Municipal Attorney

Scott focuses his practice on complex real estate projects spanning commercial, industrial, and residential that require layered state and local government approvals for land use and zoning, tax incentives, TIF authorities, and regulatory permits. He has represented a diverse range of clients including private developers, corporate sponsors, and local governments in a variety of real estate and public finance matters – including as bond and bank counsel in MEDC and USDA projects.

In public finance, Scott serves as bond counsel for public improvement projects such as water and sewer infrastructure, county drains, municipal buildings, and public safety facilities. He also acts as bank and underwriter’s counsel on projects with a public finance component and is approved as bond counsel for USDA and MEDC-funded projects.

Scott has also served as general counsel to several municipal clients for nearly 30 years which keeps him current on municipal issues. His advice is often sought by local elected officials as special counsel.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Land Use and Zoning, since 2021

Grand Rapids Magazine Top Lawyers, Real Estate, Public Finance, Land Use and Zoning, 2019, Land Use and Zoning, Municipal Law, 2021-2024

AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell, since 2009

Professional Affiliations

State Bar of Michigan, Real Property and Local Government Law Sections, member

Berrien County Bar Association

Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys

National Association of Bond Lawyers

Community Involvement

Fraternal Order of Police, member

Lake Michigan College Foundation Board, member

Sign up to be the first to access our leading legal insights.

The link you have selected will redirect you to a third-party website located on another server. We are offering the link for your convenience. Varnum has no responsibility for any external websites and makes no express or implied warranties about any external websites.

Please be aware that contacting us via e-mail does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and the firm. Do not send confidential information to the firm until you have spoken with one of our attorneys and receive authorization to send such materials.