Contact:
Matt Bach
Michigan Municipal League
c: (810) 874-1073; [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 17, 2022

LANSING, Michigan – The Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys (MAMA) has recently awarded the Distinguished Municipal Attorney Award to three municipal attorneys—Michael S. Bogren, Steven P. Joppich, and Eric Williams.

The award was presented to Bogren, Joppich, and Williams during MAMA’s Municipal Law Program Annual Meeting on Oct. 13 at the Crowne Plaza Lansing West hotel in Lansing, Michigan. Here is a look at each award recipient:

Michael S. Bogren is a partner with the Plunkett Cooney law firm and has served as chair of Plunkett Cooney’s board of directors since 2012 and a member since 2003. The Parchment native who works out of the firm’s Grand Rapids office, is a one of the most accomplished members of the firm’s Governmental Law Practice Group. He focuses his practice in the areas of municipal law, civil rights, police liability and employment law. Bogren serves as outside counsel to the Michigan Municipal League Liability & Property Pool, which provides insurance to hundreds of municipalities throughout the state. A 1982 cum laude graduate of University of Detroit School of Law, Bogren has extensive experience representing municipalities in both state and federal court claims involving due process matters, first amendment issues, Michigan Open Meetings and Freedom of Information Act violations, zoning disputes and employment law disputes, including cases involving the Americans with Disabilities Act, gender discrimination and sexual harassment. He is a member of the Public Corporations Section of the State Bar of Michigan and the Civil Rights Section of the Federal Bar Association.

In nominating him for the award, Mary Massaron, a partner with Plunkett Cooney said, “Every organization has a ‘go-to person.’ You know, the type of person who can help spot issues, solve problems and think strategically, especially under pressure. These are exactly the traits that have helped Plunket Cooney partner Mike Bogren be successful within the firm and in the courtroom on behalf of his clients.”

Steven P. Joppich joined the firm of Rosati, Schultz, Joppich & Amtsbuechler, PC in 2012 as a majority shareholder. The firm is one of the premier municipal law firms in the state, representing a broad range of municipal entities throughout Michigan. He served as an assistant city attorney for the City of Farmington Hills from 1994 to 2002, then city attorney from 2002 to the present. In addition, he has served as general counsel and special counsel to numerous other governmental entities for over 27 years. Joppich specializes in the areas of Municipal Law, Real Estate, and Construction Law. While maintaining this busy schedule, he is a chapter author in the Michigan Municipal Law book, published by ICLE and utilized as guidance by municipal attorneys across Michigan. He’s also published articles in the Michigan Municipal League’s Review magazine, Briefly (the Government Law Section quarterly publication), and Michigan Zoning & Planning News. Joppich is also a frequent speaker at municipal government conferences throughout the state. He was recognized in 2007 through 2022 Michigan Super Lawyers. In addition, he has been listed in the Best Lawyers from 2014 through 2022, receiving “Lawyer of the Year” in Municipal Law in 2014, 2015, and 2019. Simultaneously, Joppich has also hit the ranks of America’s Most Honored Lawyers Top 1% awarded by The American Registry and been repeatedly named a Top Lawyer by DBusiness and Hour Magazine. Joppich has been involved in many significant court cases impacting governmental entities. He has been retained on a number of occasions to file amicus curiae briefs in the Michigan Court of Appeals and Supreme Court on issues of great significance to communities throughout the state. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Joppich is a family man. And in all his “spare time,” he coached, managed, or volunteered in youth sporting programs. He is also very active in the Farmington area community.

In nominating Joppich for the award, Carol A. Rosati, of the Rosati, Schultz, Joppich, and Amtsbuechler firm, said, “Steve is held in the highest esteem by his colleagues in the practice and has an impeccable record of integrity and ethics. I am sure anyone who has ever worked with Steve would concur. Steve has been a remarkable example and mentor to attorneys in our firm and elsewhere in demonstrating that a person can successfully practice law, make tremendous contributions to the legal and local communities in Michigan, and enjoy a family life.”

Eric Williams is the longtime municipal attorney for the City of Big Rapids. He has practiced law in Mecosta and Osceola Counties for 39 years, beginning in 1982, running a private law office while serving four years as assistant prosecutor and 35 years as the Big Rapids City Attorney. While in Big Rapids, he has worked with nine city mayors, five city managers, two acting city managers and two city clerks. He is a longstanding board member and former president of the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys, former chair of the Governmental Law Section Council, former chair of the Public Corporation Law Section Council, member of the Michigan Municipal League, and the recipient of the 2007 Mecosta County People’s Choice Award for favorite attorney. He also was appointed to hold the office as public administrator for the County of Mecosta. As a frequent presenter at seminars, workshops, and training sessions, Williams shared his knowledge on ordinance prosecution, municipal boundary changes, authorized and unauthorized expenditures by municipalities, and corporate municipal agreements regarding police, fire, water and sewer utilities. He authored several amicus curiae briefs in the Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court on complex municipal law issues. He wrote the chapter on municipal prosecution in the two-volume set entitled, “Local Government Law and Practice in Michigan,” ICLE, and a chapter on code ordinance enforcement for the Michigan Municipal Law Book, ICLE. He has a bachelor’s in business administration from Eastern Michigan University, and a juris doctorate from Syracuse University College of Law in 1981, following the legal footsteps of his father, Paul Williams, his grandfather, Francis Williams, and his uncle, Robert Williams, who practiced law in the Grand Rapids area. Eric Williams is an extremely active member of the Big Rapids community, including serving his church through volunteering on countless boards and committees, including the school board.

In nominating Williams for the award, Big Rapids City Manager Mark Gifford said, “Big Rapids is a better place because of Mr. Williams and his efforts both professionally and personally. He and his family have done so much for the community.”

The Distinguished Municipal Attorney Award is given for outstanding contributions to the practice of municipal law on behalf of cities and villages throughout Michigan and acknowledges the highest level of professional accomplishment while also serving their colleagues through professional organizations such as MAMA and the International Municipal Lawyers Association. View past Distinguished Municipal Attorney Award recipients here: http://www.mama-online.org/awards.