Timely Township Topics - Webcast Package

Laura Genovich practices commercial law, bankruptcy law, and municipal law at the Grand Rapids office of Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC. She works closely with municipal clients on issues related to many aspects of township law, including zoning, real estate transactions, public finance, and much more. She handles complex property tax appeals and has special expertise in property tax exemptions and special assessments. Laura also works with both public entities and private clients (including developers) on land use matters, including development agreements, annexations, Act 425 agreements, and zoning approvals, and is a regular presenter for MTA and other organizations around the state.

Michael Berger is an attorney at Rosati Schultz Joppich Amtsbuechler, PC who has been practicing law since 2013 and has been representing municipalities since 2015. He is an experienced litigation and appellate lawyer who is here today to help prevent you from saying "Geeez... I wish I hadn't said that!" and help discuss what to do if you do say that.

Hayley Bierkle Burns is a communication, public affairs, and marketing expert with a record of helping clients achieve aggressive business goals and navigate through challenging times, often turning crisis and unexpected obstacles into opportunity. A former journalist and now a partner with River Strategies, Hayley's expertise includes an understanding of leveraging the broad-spectrum of earned media opportunities to drive an organization’s credibility and reach.

Seth Koches is an attorney and Partner at Bauckham, Thall, Seeber, Kaufman & Koches, P.C. Prior to joining the firm, Seth worked as an assistant prosecuting attorney for 7 years in the Oakland County and Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s office prosecuting cases from simple retail fraud to criminal sexual conduct and assault with intent to murder. Seth’s primary practice encompasses nearly every aspect of municipal law including annexation, ordinance enforcement, planning and zoning, and amicus writing. 

After receiving his law degree from Cooley Law School, Robert Thall joined the law firm of Bauckham, Thall, Seeber, Kaufman & Koches, PC, in which he is now partner. With extensive experience in municipal law, Rob serves as general or special counsel to many general townships, charter townships, as well as sewer and water authorities throughout the state. Rob is also lead counsel for MTA and is a frequent author and speaker for MTA and other municipal groups around the state. 

Catherine P. Kaufman is an attorney and partner at Bauckham, Sparks, Thall, Seeber & Kaufman, PC. Her practice includes all facets of municipal representation, with a concentration on land use, zoning and planning matters. She has served as advisor to municipal planning commissions and zoning boards of appeal, as well as to private citizen and environmental groups. A member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, she has also worked as a land use planner and is active in statewide planning organizations. An honors graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University, she received a Masters in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from Wayne State University.

Michael Bila is also an attorney at Bauckham Thall. His focus areas include appellate and supreme court case analysis for MTA's Legal Defense Fund, Michigan Election Law, the Freedom of Information Act, and legal research and appellate brief writing.

MTA Member Information Liaison Cindy Dodge joined MTA in 2006 from Williamstown Township in Ingham County where she served as Clerk since 2005. She has been involved with the township since 2003 as assistant to the supervisor, planning commissioner, and assistant to the planning commission. She is currently a Michigan Certified Assessing Officer. Via phone, fax and e-mail, Cindy provides township officials and employees with information and resources regarding the day-to-day functions of township government. She is also the Association liaison for MTA county chapters, develops MIS Department resource materials, and presents workshop and Conference sessions as well as teaching live and recorded webinar courses.

Judy Bigney joined MTA’s Member Information Services in August of 2023, bringing with her more than two decades of experience as a local official to share with township leaders across the state. Bigney, who served as Algoma Township (Kent Co.) clerk for 22+ years, has joined the Association as a new Member Information Services liaison. Bigney was first elected clerk in November 2000, and earned her master municipal clerk certification from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) in August 2007. In addition to her service on the township board, she was also a member of the Kent County MTA Chapter, Kent County Clerks Association, Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks and IIMC. Bigney and her husband of 31 years own and operate one of the few remaining dairy farms in Algoma Township, with more than 100 cows total. Their youngest son hopes to continue with the family farm in the future.

Heather Sumner is an associate attorney whose practice focuses on municipal liability, civil rights defense, employment law, and appellate work. She is also well versed in providing general counsel to municipalities around the State.  Heather was the first female Deputy City Attorney for the City of Lansing, as well as the Director of Litigation. She has presented around the state on topics including municipal regulation of marijuana, ethics, and the ongoing opioid litigation.

With a passion for individual and organizational improvement, our presenter, Marilynn Semonick (Se-mon-ik), has spent over four decades assisting communities of people around the world in their initiatives to create intentional, results-oriented change. She brings a wide range of diverse experiences that include work in numerous industries across 5 continents. Receiving requests from municipalities expressing a need to finds ways to work together with civility and respect to best serve their communities, she came out of retirement to assist in facilitating the creation and sustainability of high-functioning city leadership teams, with the ability to work together to productively achieve results.