Overview

Anne has been practicing with Foster Swift's Administrative and Municipal Practice Group since her arrival at the firm. She currently serves as the firm President and Chair of the Executive Committee. Her entire career has focused on the representation of municipalities and public entities. Anne has extensive experience in drafting and reviewing ordinances and policies, serving as general counsel, counseling clients on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act issues, and working with communities on millage and Michigan Campaign Finance Issues. Anne also has an expertise in library law.

To promote her belief that the best legal strategy is a proactive strategy, Anne assists communities with policy drafting and adoption. She is also a frequent speaker at seminars and conferences where the educational focus is on municipal law.

Prior to this leadership role, Anne was the Chairperson of the Recruiting Committee and was active on the firm's Diversity Committee. Currently, she also serves as a fellow of the Michigan State Bar Association and previously served on the Advocacy Committee for JDRF West Michigan. She currently serves on the Board of the Library of Michigan Foundation Board.

Honors & Recognitions

Affiliations

Memberships & Affiliations

Legal Affiliations:

• State Bar of Wisconsin
• State Bar of Michigan
• American Bar Association
• Fellow, Michigan State Bar Foundation  

Industry & Professional Associations:

• Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys, Member

Experience

Representative Matters

• Drafting intergovernmental agreements and service contracts with other municipal entities.
• Assisting communities with zoning issues such as drafting and amending sign ordinances and assisting townships with special use permit requests for telecommunication towers.
• Drafting millage proposal and educating library boards regarding the application of the Michigan Campaign Finance laws.
• Addressing board governance issues, including the application of the Open Meetings and the FOIA.
• Successfully defend clients in FOIA cases
• Drafting district library agreements and assisting with all aspects of the district library formation process.
• Amending existing district library agreements, including adding participating municipalities to existing districts.
• Assisting libraries with request for information by law enforcement agencies and private entities, including the application of the Library Privacy Act and Patriot Act.

Communications

Publications

• Recent Developments Require Libraries to Adopt New Procedures and Policies, Foster Swift Library Law News E-blast, November 17, 2020
• New Requirements for the Open Meetings Act – SB 1108, Foster Swift Library Law News E-blast, October 26, 2020
• New Executive Orders Lift Some Restrictions on Libraries in Northern Michigan and the UP, Foster Swift Legal Update E-blast, June 5, 2020
• Libraries may reopen on June 8, 2020, Foster Swift Library Law News E-blast, June 1, 2020
• Frequently Asked Questions by Public Libraries During COVID-19, Foster Swift Library Law News E-blast, April 28, 2020
• Impact of 2020-21 on Public Libraries in Michigan, Foster Swift Library Law News E-blast, March 23, 2020

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News & Events

Speaking Engagements

• Now That the Stay at Home Order is Lifted, What do Municipalities Need to Know?, Michigan Municipal League, June 8, 2020
• Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act: Back to the Basics, Michigan Municipal League: 2018 Convention, September 20, 2018
• That’s Unconstitutional! Fact and Fiction Regarding Townships and the Constitution, 2018 MTA Annual Conference: Michigan Townships Association, April 25, 2018
• WEBINAR: ADA Requirements: What Libraries Need to Know, Michigan Cooperative Directors Association, June 13, 2017
• WEBINAR: Parliamentary Procedure: How To Run A Successful Meeting, Michigan Cooperative Directors Association, May 23, 2017
• FOIA: Common mistakes and how to avoid them, Michigan Townships Association Annual Conference & Expo, April 12, 2017

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News

• Foster Swift Elects EC Officers for 2024, Ingham County Legal News, February 21, 2024
• Seurynck Listed in Crain's as Notable Woman in Law, Crain's Grand Rapids Business Journal, February 21, 2024
• Preparing Women Business Leaders for 2024 Legal Challenges, Meltwater Newswire, February 20, 2024
• Seurynck Recognized as a Notable West Michigan Lawyer, Grand Rapids Business Journal, March 20, 2023
• Foster Swift Elects Officers for 2023, Ingham County Legal News, February 15, 2023
• New Virtual Program Addresses Legal Strategies for Women Business Leaders, Michigan Business Network, March 28, 2022
• Foster Swift Elects EC Members for 2022, February 21, 2022