Gerald A. Fisher specializes in local government law, representing cities, villages, townships, and counties, both as general counsel and special counsel. After practicing for a number of years as counsel for local governments, Mr. Fisher began teaching full time as a professor at WSU Cooley Law, where he taught constitutional law and property law. He is now a distinguished professor emeritus, and has continued to practice as general and special counsel for local governments.
Practice Areas
- General Municipal Law
- Zoning and Land Use
- Appellate Advocacy
Education
- Detroit College of Law, J.D., 1972
- Wayne State University Law School, LLM, 1989
- Michigan State University, MA, 1969
- Michigan State University, MS, 1967
Professional Activities / Memberships
- State Bar of Michigan
Member, 1972-present
Member, and Past Chair, State Bar Government Law Section
Member, Appellate Practice Section - Oakland County
Member, and Past President, Oakland County Bar Foundation
Member, Past Chair, and Originator, Municipal Law Committee
Awards
- State Bar of Michigan, Roberts P. Hudson Award
- Cooley Law Review Michigan Supreme Court Distinguished Brief Award
- Best Lawyers in America, selected by peers in Municipal Law for 2007
- Michigan “Super Lawyer”
- Award for Exceptional Contributions for 2007 by the Michigan Association of Planning
- Environmental Trailblazer award from North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy, 2012
- Oakland County Bar Association Distinguished Service Award, 2014
- Who’s Who in America, 2019-2020
Publications
- Author, Local Government Law, A Practical Guidebook for Public Officials on City Councils, Community Boards, and Planning Commissions, published in May, 2021 by Routledge.
- Co-author (three chapters) Michigan Zoning, Planning, and Land Use, initially published in 2008, published by the Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education.
- Contributing co-editor, Michigan Municipal Law, initially published in 2012 by the Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education.
