Bio

Skillfully managing a broad, multifaceted practice, Kurt Brauer assists clients with environmental and economic development matters across many industries, including the agribusiness, automotive, manufacturing, resource-use, energy, mining and real estate development sectors. He establishes rapport with his clients early on and forges strong relationships that enhance his ability to represent them as effectively as possible. Kurt serves not only many Michigan- and Great Lakes region-based companies, but organizations across the country and around the world, as well. Clients include municipalities, pharmaceutical manufacturers, developers, nonprofit environmental organizations, alternative energy producers and equipment manufacturers, transportation and logistics companies, retail centers, mining operations and businesses in the food production, high-tech manufacturing and aerospace industries. Kurt’s expertise encompasses all manner of environmental issues, including regulatory compliance, site investigation, cleanup and closure, solid and hazardous waste, due diligence, permitting, wetland and critical habitat protection and mitigation and adaptive reuse. Kurt helps many clients secure brownfield redevelopment and business expansion incentive packages. Particularly adept at devising creative solutions, he is always gratified to resolve both novel and standard environmental issues. Kurt draws on his deep experience identifying, securing and monetizing federal, state and local economic development incentives to facilitate the use and adaptive reuse of properties. He truly enjoys guiding clients in these large public projects, which generate jobs and enhance the local tax base. He views these community-investment efforts as a “win” for all parties, including the client, the municipality, state and region. A “boots-on-the-ground” attorney, Kurt represents many farmers and food processors throughout the United States. As the chair of the firm's Agribusiness and Food Industry Group, he assembles interdisciplinary teams of experts to facilitate innovative projects and bring thought leadership to the agribusiness industry. He also chairs the Environmental and Energy Committee of the Michigan Manufacturers Association, where he uses his leadership skills to influence legislation and policy, particularly on environmental and economic development issues.