Jeffrey L. Jocks, Of Counsel

E-mail: jeff@envlaw.com

Jeff rejoined Olson & Howard in 2024 as Of Counsel.  Jeff's Practice areas include: Municipal law, Real Property, Environmental, Wills, Trusts and Probate.                                                                                                                                                  

Jeff graduated Summa Cum Laude from Michigan State College of Law, where he was a member of the Michigan State Law Review. 

Jeff has practiced law in Traverse City since 2004.  He represents individuals, municipalities, non-profit organizations, and business entities throughout the State of Michigan.   He has tried and argued matters in United States Jeff assists his municipal clients with a wide range of matters including zoning ordinances, utilities, sewer, water, medical marihuana, health insurance, Open Meetings Act, and Freedom of Information Act. He regularly advises and litigates on real property matters including residential and commercial sales, property taxes, easements, riparian use and boundary disputes, oil and gas matters, zoning, and nuisance disputes.  His environmental practice involves water law, wetlands, concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOS), and groundwater and soil contamination. 

Jeff proudly drafts unique estate plans, wills and trusts for clients, and handles probate court matters that include probating estates, will and trust disputes, guardianships, and conservatorships.

Jeff  is licensed to practice in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, and the State of Michigan.  He has contributed articles to the Michigan State Law Review, the Michigan Real Property Review, and the Michigan Public Corporation Law Quarterly.

Civic and Charitable Activities

Jeff has served as President and Board Member of the Adams Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Advocacy Chair of Michigan Trout Unlimited, and as Board Member of the Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay. 

Jeff has published articles in property, municipal and constitutional law, and is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.

Reported Decisions

Jeff has appeared as attorney or co-attorney of record in the following reported decisions:

Pine Bluffs Area Property Owners Association v Dewitt Landing and Dock Association, 287 Mich App 690 (2010)

Dextrom v Wexford County, 287 Mich App 406 (2010)

Houdek v Centerville Twp, 276 Mich App 568 (2007)

Anglers of the Au Sable, Inc v Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, 283 Mich App 115, aff'm in part and rev'd in part 488 Mich 69; dismissed as moot on rehearing 489 Mich 884 (2011).