Overview

Leslie Abdoo is a member of Foster Swift's Municipal and General Litigation Practice Groups. Leslie advises the firm's public entity clients including cities, townships, counties, villages, libraries and local health departments on compliance with applicable state and federal laws. Her representative matters include:

• Municipal Prosecution - misdemeanor and civil infraction ordinance and code violations
• Zoning, Planning and Land Use
• Ordinance Drafting - police power and zoning ordinances including regulations for medical marijuana, wind energy, solar energy, short-term rentals, and broadband internet
• Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA) Compliance
• Inter-local Agreement Negotiation and Drafting

In addition to her work with municipalities and local governments, Leslie also handles a wide range of commercial litigation matters where she has represented businesses, health care entities, property owners and insurance companies. She also regularly handles administrative appeals, such as from zoning ordinance interpretations or other administrative agencies.

Leslie is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Notre Dame Law School where she received the Dean's Award in Notre Dame's Intensive Trial Advocacy Course. She was also selected to participate in Notre Dame's Advanced Criminal Justice Externship where she represented criminal defendants charged with lower-level felonies.

Honors & Recognitions

Affiliations

Memberships & Affiliations

Legal Affiliations:

• State Bar of Michigan

• Grand Rapids Bar Association

• Women Lawyers Association of West Michigan
  • Member of the Board of Directors, Treasurer

Community Involvement:

• Grand Rapids Ballet Company
  • Member of the Board of Directors

Communications

Publications

• Distribution of Michigan’s $81M Share of Opioid Settlement to Begin, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, February 2, 2023
• American Rescue Plan Act Provides Federal Funding for Michigan Local Governments, Foster Swift Municipal Law News E-blast, March 23, 2021
• An Update on OMA Legislation Amendments, Foster Swift Municipal Law News E-blast, October 19, 2020
• Pending OMA Legislation: What You Need to Know, Foster Swift Municipal Law News E-blast, October 14, 2020
• New amendments to the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act, Foster Swift Municipal Law News E-blast, January 23, 2019
• The Opioid Crisis: Legal Updates on the Nationwide Lawsuit and How it May Affect Your Local Government, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, April 24, 2018

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News & Events

Speaking Engagements

• Innovative Approaches to Wind and Solar, Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM), June 7, 2023
• Best Practices for Townships for Complying with ADA & Fair Housing Act, Michigan Townships Association Annual Conference, April 26, 2022
• What You Need to Know Now About Renewable Energy Ordinances, Michigan Townships Association: Planning & Zoning Retreat, October 28, 2021
• Marijuana Petitions Ballot Proposals, Michigan Municipal League (MML), September 24, 2021
• Meeting Virtually: Amendments to the Open Meetings Act, Foster Swift, November 10, 2020
• What the Heck is an SAD?, MTA Annual Conference & Expo, April 2019, April 3, 2019

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News

• Foster Swift Files Appeal on Behalf of Over 70 Michigan Municipalities to Protect Local Control Over Renewable Energy Regulations, Meltwater Newswire, November 8, 2024
• Seven Foster Swift Attorneys Listed as Best Lawyers® "Ones to Watch" 2025, Best Lawyers in America, August 15, 2024
• Preparing Women Business Leaders for 2024 Legal Challenges, Meltwater Newswire, February 20, 2024
• Foster Swift Best Lawyers® 2024 "Ones to Watch", Best Lawyers in America, August 17, 2023
• Foster Swift Best Lawyers® 2023 "Ones to Watch", Best Lawyers in America, August 18, 2022
• New Virtual Program Addresses Legal Strategies for Women Business Leaders, Michigan Business Network, March 28, 2022
• Foster Swift Best Lawyers® 2022 "Ones to Watch", August 19, 2021