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Grant P. Gilezan

Member

Grant Gilezan isn’t just an environmental attorney; he is passionate about environmental law and the environment. His comprehensive practice includes regulatory compliance and reporting, transactions, policymaking, and litigation. Beyond the law and facts of each matter, however, he understands the liability and opportunities that public and private sector clients face.

The head of Dykema’s environmental practice team and a gifted deal-maker, Grant delivers realistic, cost-effective solutions to environmental problems and disputes. Besides the economic costs of site cleanups, remediation, brownfield development, and land transfers and decommissions, clients often encounter reputational and political issues, too.

Whether he’s advising a sewerage utility on one of the largest Superfund sites in U.S. history or implementing a regulatory compliance protocol so a closely held business can address catastrophic incidents before they occur, clients depend on Grant to be their take-charge, trusted advisor.

Grant works closely with in-house counsel and environmental, health, and safety managers to devise creative responses to challenging problems.

For corporate clients, that frequently involves persuading CFOs and others holding the purse strings that the short-term expense of addressing contamination provides long-term benefits to the company, its brand, shareholder value, and cost savings.

For public sector and quasi-government clients, Grant collaborates with all parties, especially on remedial projects in urban industrialized zones, to craft fiscally sound plans that satisfy various interests and boost the tax base.

Technically proficient and financially savvy, Grant can stand toe-to-toe with any regulator, construction engineer, natural resources expert, or opposing counsel.

As a registered lobbyist, he has testified before the Michigan legislature to help shape the state’s environmental policy and regulatory framework.

Clients value Grant’s vast experience with a range of environmental topics and activities, such as facility audits and closures, wastewater regulation and management, underground storage tanks, business and real estate sales and leases, government enforcement, natural resource damage claims, and procurement of environmental services, materials and equipment.

He has also cultivated solid working relationships with federal and state administrative officials. Grant has repeatedly achieved settlements without the need for litigation, but if parties cannot resolve disputes amicably, he zealously advocates for clients in court and agency tribunals.

“ I have a competitive, front-and-center mindset. In the environmental space, quick response and creative thinking are absolutely essential to advising and protecting my clients. ”
    • University of Michigan, J.D.
    • University of Michigan, A.B., with honors

  • Bar Admissions

    • Michigan, 1989

  • Court Admissions

    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
    • Named as "Lawyer of the Year" in Environmental Litigation by The Best Lawyers in America® in 2019. Copyright 2015 by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, SC
    • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Environmental Law and Environmental Litigation, 2010-Present. Copyright 2015 by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken SC
    • Named a Michigan Leading Lawyer in the area of Environmental Law by the Leading Lawyers Network, 2014-2017. Law Bulletin Publishing Company 
    • AV® Preeminent™ Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, 2012-2018
    • Named a Top Lawyer by dbusiness Magazine for Environmental Law and Litigation-Environmental, 2010-2018
    • Recognized in Michigan Super Lawyers® for Environmental, Environmental Litigation, and Lobbying, 2006-Present
    • Top Lawyer, Corporate Counsel, 2010-2018
    • Area's Top Lawyers, Crains Detroit Business, 2010-2018
    • Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan Chapter, President, 2006-2007; Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference Chair, 2006; Bench and Bar Conference Co-chair, 2002; Executive Board, 1997-2001; Membership Chair, 1997-2000; Judicial Initiative, 2006-present; New Lawyers Seminar Co-chair, 1990-present
    • Michigan State Bar Association, Environmental Law Section, Member
    • American Bar Association, Section Of Natural Resources, Energy And Environmental Law, Member
    • Detroit Regional Chamber Of Commerce, Leadership Detroit, 2003-present; Environmental Policy Committee, Member, 1997-present
    • Michigan Department Of Environmental Quality, Environmental Justice Work Group, Member, 2000-2001
    • City Of Grosse Pointe Woods, Planning Commission, 1996-present; Chair, 1998 and 2012; Community Development Block Grant Commission, Member, 1996-2004
    • St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Vestry, Member, 2002-2005 and 2007-2011; Senior Warden, 2010-2011; Parish Counsel 2008-present

Contact

Detroit313-568-6789

Areas of client focus

Practices

Environmental

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