Real Estate & Land Use Attorney

Miller Johnson; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Miller Johnson strives for excellence in Real Estate & Land Use law, seeking a motivated attorney to join the Real Estate Practice Group in Grand Rapids, Detroit, or Kalamazoo. The role covers zoning, development, energy and sustainability matters with both transactional and litigation exposure.

The attorney will guide rezonings, site plans, regulatory approvals, and development agreements while collaborating with developers, municipalities, and clients across Michigan.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Active license (or eligibility) to practice law in Michigan.
• 2+ years of experience in commercial real estate, development, land use, zoning, energy & sustainability, municipal law, regulatory, or related practice areas preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on zoning, land use, and development-related matters, including rezonings, SPAs, site plan approvals, and other entitlements.
• Support commercial real estate and renewable energy development projects through due diligence and regulatory review.
• Draft and negotiate development-related agreements and transactional documents.
• Collaborate with planners, engineers, consultants, and attorneys across practice areas to support client objectives.
• Represent clients before planning commissions, zoning boards, and municipal bodies.
• Support land use disputes, regulatory matters, and development-related conflicts.
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines with strong organization and communication.

Skills

Zoning

Land Use

Real Estate Law

Development

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school

Job description

Miller Johnson seeks a motivated Real Estate & Land Use Attorney to join our Real Estate Practice Group in our Grand Rapids, Detroit, or Kalamazoo offices.

This role is ideal for an attorney with a background in real estate, development, energy & sustainability, or municipal law – who may have either a traditional litigation or transactional background – and is interested in complex land use, zoning, and development matters. The attorney in this position will work closely with developers, municipalities, and clients on projects throughout Michigan, with a focus on renewable energy development.

We are seeking a collaborative and entrepreneurial attorney who enjoys helping clients move projects forward, providing practical solutions to complex problems, and managing complex development matters from preliminary planning through completion.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise clients on zoning, land use, and development-related matters, including rezonings, special use permits, site plan approvals, regulatory approvals, and other entitlements
• Support commercial real estate and renewable energy development projects through due diligence, municipal ordinance & regulatory review, land use analysis, and coordination with consultants and municipalities
• Draft and negotiate development-related agreements, including purchase agreements, easements, development agreements, and related transactional documents
• Collaborate with planners, engineers, consultants, and attorneys across multiple practice areas to support client objectives
• Represent clients before planning commissions, zoning boards, and municipal bodies
• Support land use disputes, regulatory matters, and development-related conflicts
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining strong organization and communication
• Participate in client development, networking, and community engagement opportunities

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Active license (or eligibility for admission) to practice law in Michigan
• 2+ years of experience in commercial real estate, development, land use, zoning, energy & sustainability, municipal law, regulatory, or related practice areas preferred
• Strong research, drafting, analytical, and client counseling skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated initiative, professionalism, and collaborative mindset
• Experience working with developers, municipalities, regulatory agencies, and consultants on development projects is a plus
• Interest in developing expertise in renewable energy and sustainability policies against the backdrop of rapidly evolving technologies

At Miller Johnson, our culture is anchored in our Core Values and how we work together:

Who We Are

• Integrity and Candor – We speak the truth
• Down to Earth – We stay humble and real
• Grit – We push through and get it done
• Committed to Excellence – We raise the bar
• Committed to Impact – We lift others up

How We Work

• Entrepreneurial Mindset – We think like owners
• Down to Business – We move fast and stay practical
• Rooted and Invested – We build lasting trust

We are committed to fostering an exceptional work experience that includes a healthy work-life balance and an inclusive culture that values uniquely talented team members. We offer competitive wages, flexible scheduling, paid time off, and annual performance reviews. Our benefit package includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, adoption assistance, and a 401(k)-retirement plan. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).