Matthew D. Zimmerman
Counsel
Industries
Education
University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 1981
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
B.A., with high honors, 1978
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Environmental and Energy Attorney
Matt is a senior member of the Environmental, Energy and Natural Resources Practice Team. A significant portion of Matt’s practice involves representation of municipalities and private developers in regard to water law matters, including: the permitting, operation and expansion of water supply/treatment/distribution systems and wastewater collection and treatment systems; sewer use ordinance drafting and enforcement including industrial pretreatment programs; stormwater management including ordinance drafting, permitting and enforcement and property owner representation in Drain Code projects; riparian rights issues; and submerged lands transactions.
He represents both municipal and private clients in a wide variety of projects involving land use, including condemnation, permitting of development in protected natural resource areas (regulated wetlands, critical sand dunes, flood plains, etc.), solid waste management, zoning, brownfield redevelopment and remediation of contaminated real estate. Matt also represents developers of energy products including both traditional and renewable energy projects, primarily regarding permitting and contracting.
Honors and Recognitions
The Best Lawyers in America®, Administrative/Regulatory Law, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law, since 2010; Water Law, since 2024
The Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Land Use and Zoning Law, 2017, 2022; Water law, 2025
Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning, 2019 – 2021, 2023
Leading Lawyers: Environmental Law; Land Use, Zoning & Condemnation Law
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
Professional Affiliations
Grand Rapids Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
Michigan Water Environmental Association
State Bar of Michigan: Environmental Law Section; Public Corporation Law Section
The Land Conservancy of West Michigan
Water Environment Federation
Community Involvement
Beacon Hill at Eastgate, Board
Bible Study Fellowship
Mel Trotter Ministries, Christian Legal Advisory Services
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, Board