William K. Fahey
Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes PLC
4151 Okemos Road
Okemos, Michigan 48864
Direct: (517) 381-3150
Fax: (517) 381-3170
wfahey@fsblawyers.com
William K. Fahey is one of the firm’s founders. Bill literally loves the law, and is a tough and passionate advocate for his clients. He is a long-time honoree of The Best Lawyers in America for appeals, energy law, public utility law, land use and zoning litigation, and real estate litigation. Bill is also recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers for his work in municipal law, utility law, and appellate law. For more than 25 years, the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory has rated him "AV," the highest rating available.
Since 1977, Bill has worked with more than 140 local governments across Michigan, and has handled every legal issue municipalities are likely to encounter. He is especially passionate about zoning and planning, annexation and detachment, intergovernmental cooperation, and public improvement projects. Bill regularly teaches at state-wide workshops on a wide range of municipal legal issues. He writes and edits a monthly publication, Township Law E-Letter, with a circulation of more than 1800 local government officials. Bill is writing a chapter for the new Municipal Law treatise to be published by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education.
Over the last 35 years, Bill has helped resolve every major change and controversy facing natural gas and electric energy companies. He is the Lansing attorney that handles litigation and appeals for Michigan’s largest energy and utility companies. Bill is well-experienced in matters before the Michigan Public Services Commission, as well as other Michigan administrative and regulatory agencies. He served on the Council of the State Bar’s Administrative Law Section, and twice addressed the State Bar on the "State of the Law in Administrative Law.”
Bill specializes in complex appeals before the Michigan Supreme Court and Michigan Court of Appeals, representing public and private clients in more than 300 such appeals. Judge William Whitbeck, while he was Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, praised Bill for presenting the best oral argument he has ever heard in that court. Bill wrote one of the chapters for the Michigan Appellate Handbook, published by the Institute of Continuing Education in 2009. He also coauthored the draft of the current Michigan court rule on administrative agency appeals.
He frequently works as a Lansing attorney with public and private clients to litigate and resolve zoning disputes and other real estate litigation. Bill also counsels clients in techniques to avoid zoning litigation and to enhance litigation outcomes. He served as an Adjunct Professor of Zoning and Land Use Law at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and is one of the state’s acknowledged authorities in zoning and planning law.
Bill’s clients have praised his knowledge and abilities and his efforts on their behalf:
"William Fahey has a depth of knowledge and practical advice which has made him a recognized leader in Michigan Land Use Law. Bill has presented numerous seminars I have attended. He presents material in a clear and concise manner. He has a track record of quick and accurate reviews of matters submitted to him." William Woodruff, Planning Director, Union Charter Township.
"Bill is accessible and provides prompt responses to requests for documents or legal opinions. We have a high degree of confidence in Bill's legal expertise." Al McFadyen, Director, Delhi Charter Township DDA.
"Bill is a tireless worker with fine skills." James Porter, General Counsel, Oshtemo Charter Township.
"Bill rates a 10 plus in every category. As township supervisor, I have recommended his services to two other townships or government agencies, and they both have hired him for legal counsel." Bob Johnson, Supervisor, Edenville Township.
He is admitted to law practice before all Michigan state courts, the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan. As a Lansing attorney, Bill is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Ingham County Bar Association. He is a Life Fellow of the Michigan Bar Foundation and a member (inactive) of the Wisconsin State Bar.
Bill matriculated at the University of California at Berkeley, then completed his undergraduate degree in 1974 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.A., with distinction. He attended the University of Wisconsin Law School, receiving his J.D. degree in 1977.
He and his wife, Dr. Valerie Johnson, have five children and live in Meridian Township, Michigan. Bill has served his community as President and Board member of the local chapter of Volunteers of America, on the Board of Directors of the United Way, and as Chairman and Board member of the local YMCA. In his free time, he enjoys tennis, biking, running and swimming.