Overview

Michael H. Rhodes has more than 40 year's experience in real estate law, specializing in:

• Real estate and corporate transactions; drafting of purchase and sales agreements,
• Acquisitions and development for commercial and multi-family residential property,
• Financing (both private lender and government regulated), divestitures and related tax issues, including representation of clients in various IRS Code Section 1031 tax deferred exchanges,
• Structuring reverse exchanges, tenants in common arrangements and other custom structures, and
• Representation of developers and lessors of build to suit projects for various national retailers.
• Drafting and amending commercial and residential condominium documents including site condominiums and advising clients on a wide range of condominium and cooperative issues.

Mike has worked extensively on various private corporate and governmental matters, including state and federal securities law issues. He has advised municipalities with respect to formation and operation of Downtown Development Authorities, and Local Development Financing Authorities involving various real estate issues including the formation, expansion and development of industrial parks.

Active in the mid-Michigan community, Mike is the past President of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity/Lansing; past member of the Board for the Lansing Symphony; a past member of the Boards of the St. Vincent Catholic Charities and the Mid-Michigan Land Conservancy; and is a past member of the Lansing Rotary Club. 

Mike earned his law degree at Detroit College of Law (Michigan State University) in 1978. Prior to that he received his B.A. from Eastern Michigan University in 1972. 

Honors & Recognitions

Affiliations

Memberships & Affiliations

Legal Affiliations

• American Bar Association
  • Member, Business Law Section
  • Member, Real Estate Section
    • Legal Opinions Subcommittee
  • Member, Taxation Section Member

Community Affiliations

• Appointed to American Bar Association Legal Opinions Committee (2012)
• Habitat for Humanity (2004-2010)
  • Past President, Board of Directors
• WKAR (Public Broadcasting) Community Advisory Board (2006-2012)
  • Chairperson
• Lansing Downtown Rotary
  • Past Member (2002-2022)
• Lansing Symphony Orchestra
  • Past President (2017-2018) and Past Member, Board of Directors (2010-2019)
• St. Vincent Catholic Charities (2013-2022)
  • Past Member, Board of Directors
• Mid-Michigan Land Conservancy (2013-2022)
  • Past Member, Board of Directors, Current Legal Counsel

Experience

Representative Matters

• Assisted in the development of a wind energy project in Minden, MI (2005-2006), including the negotiation and preparation of land leases.
• Has represented major multi-national exploration and development entities and regulated utilities, small independent producers, and plant and pipeline operators.
• Has assisted in the creation of a private water authority, the negotiation and acquisition of a franchise for the private water authority, and assisted in negotiations with a municipal regional water authority.

News & Events

News

• Foster Swift Attorneys Named 2025 Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, August 15, 2024
• Foster Swift to Welcome Attorneys and Staff from Loomis Law Firm, EIN Newswire, November 7, 2023