Federal Practice

Each of the firm's attorneys is experienced in federal court litigation. Collectively we have participated in more than 50 federal court cases on both the trial and appellate levels; and we also have represented clients in matters before federal agencies. Our federal practice group is coordinated by Bill Rastetter, who has more than 45 years of federal practice experience including clerking for a federal appellate court judge in 1970-71. Mike Dettmer's service as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan during the Clinton administration (1994-2000) contributes invaluable experience with the federal litigation process and various federal agencies. The experience of Kate Redman, Scott Howard, and Jim Olson as clerks with Michigan Supreme Court justices augments this firm's appellate practice. We maintain a federal practice library to stay abreast of recent developments.

Consistent with our approach in environmental cases where we often serve as co-counsel with municipal or corporate counsel, the firm stands ready to join with local counsel in representing northern Michigan clients in matters before federal agencies and courts. We provide the expertise of a large metropolitan law firm at substantially lower cost, and working with local counsel enables us jointly to better serve the clients' interests.

The expertise of Olson, Bzdok & Howard in federal court practice as well as environmental law has been recognized by national organizations that selected our firm as Michigan counsel to represent their interests in federal court litigation, including Sierra Club, National Parks and Conservation Association, and the Campaign for Family Farms. We also served as co-counsel with the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund in a successful federal court litigation, and our firm was selected by the Michigan Audubon Society when that organization initiated federal court litigation to protect its interests.

In the event a client is threatened with federal criminal prosecution, our firm has a relationship with one of Michigan's most distinguished federal criminal defense attorneys, F. Randall Karfonta. By coordinating our activities we are able to minimize risk and better serve our clients' interests.

Mailing Address

(For both locations)
Olson & Howard, P.C.
420 East Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49686

Traverse City

Olson & Howard, P.C.
420 East Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49686

Ph:   (231) 946-0044
Fax:   (231) 946-4807


Hours: M-F, 8:30am-5pm

Frankfort

Olson & Howard, P.C.
427 Main St., 2nd Floor
Frankfort, MI 49635

Ph:   (231) 352-4412
Fax:   (231) 946-4807


Hours: By Appointment