· Michigan Supreme Court Asked to Address First-of-Its-Kind Transparency Question Under Michigan's FOIA Law

April 8, 2026 - The state's highest court is asked to decide whether government can withhold records already publicly disclosed in court, a first-of-its-kind FOIA question that could redefine transparency enforcement statewide.

· It Is Not An April Fool’s Day Joke; Federal Court Orders Independence Bridge Class Action May Proceed Forward

April 1, 2026 - Key Claims Move Forward Against Bridge Operator as Court Rejects Attempt to Dismiss Case in Its Entirety

· Massive Higgins Lake Appellate Challenge Opposes 'Projectless' Special Assessment Scheme

March 31, 2026 - Nearly 600 Property Owners Appeal Unlawful Lake Assessment Imposed Without Defined Project, Costs, or Proven Benefit

· Michigan Court of Appeals Orders University of Michigan to Disclose “Tanton Papers” Under FOIA

February 12, 2026 - The Michigan Court of Appeals today ruled that the University of Michigan must disclose the so-called “Tanton Papers” under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act.

· Federal Lawsuit Challenges Heavily Redacted Police Videos After Dog Killed by St. Clair County Law Enforcement

February 10, 2026 - A new federal civil-rights lawsuit challenges the use of heavy and selective redactions of official police videos as being unlawful under FOIA and the First Amendment.

· Michigan Supreme Court Asked to Decide Whether Higgins Lake Property Owners Can Be Placed Under Open-Ended Taxing Authority Without Knowing What They’ll Pay For

January 26, 2026 - Higgins Lake SAD case challenges government practice of approving special assessment districts before any project, cost, or benefit is identified

· Parents Ask U.S. Supreme Court to Protect Newborn Genetic Privacy and Enforce Constitutional Limits

January 8, 2026 - The case centers on a simple premise: parents (not government officials) have the right to decide what happens to their children’s genetic material once a medical test is complete.

· Property Owners File Federal Appeal Over Unlawful Permit Condition Imposed by Michigan State Official

January 4, 2026 - A federal appeal challenges the ability of Michigan environmental regulators to demand unauthorized conditions to permits.

· Court of Appeals Asked to Decide Whether a State Agency or County Board Decides About the Dam on Higgins Lake

January 1, 2026 - A pair of property owners and a nonprofit advocacy group involving Higgins Lake have asked the Michigan Court of Appeals to decide a basic but important question: who actually has the legal authority to approve a dam on a Michigan inland lake, the state or the county?

· Court Throws Out Nine-Year-Old Township Enforcement Case and Reaffirms Broad Protection for Michigan Farmers Under Right to Farm Act

December 29, 2025 - The Bay County Circuit Court has entered a final judgment dismissing Fraser Township’s nine-year lawsuit against aBay County farmer

· Veteran Journalist Charlie LeDuff Teams with OLC to File Lawsuit Challenging “Grant-and-Delay” FOIA Tactics in Michigan

December 24, 2025 - With the help of Outside Legal Counsel PLC, long-time journalist Charlie LeDuff is challenging Michigan’s unlawful “grant-and-delay” FOIA practices after six-month records delays, seeking court-ordered transparency and accountability.

· Federal Lawsuit Challenges Michigan’s Use of Personal Protection Orders to Silence Lawful Speech

December 24, 2025 - A federal civil rights lawsuit was files today challenging how Michigan's cyberstalking-by-proxy statute, MCL 750.411s, is being unconstitutionally used to suppress First Amendment protected speech via improper personal protection orders.

· Outside Legal Counsel Secures Another Fourth Amendment Victory, Extending Prior Sixth Circuit Win to Township Code Enforcement

December 19, 2025 - Outside Legal Counsel PLC has secured a federal consent judgment against Aurelius Township that permanently bars warrantless property inspections and reinforces constitutional limits on local code enforcement.

· Merits Brief Filed in Pung v. Isabella County Before the United States Supreme Court

December 1, 2025 - The Pung case from Mid Michigan is poised to define property rights and government accountability in Michigan and nationally.

· Dual Lawsuits Filed After Armed DNR Officer Invades Private Hunting Property Without Cause; Challenges 'Open Fields' Doctrine

November 24, 2025 - OLC has filed two lawsuits after a DNR officer entered private hunting property without cause. The cases seek challenge the use of Michigan's open-fields doctrine.

· US Supreme Court Signals Interest in Another Michigan Tax-Foreclosure Case

November 22, 2025 - The United States Supreme Court took notable action today in Hathon v. State of Michigan, directing the State to file a response to the petition for certiorari.

· Class Action Filed for Trespass and Unauthorized Marking of Private Trees Across Saginaw County

November 18, 2025 - A new class action lawsuit has been filed against a power company and its contractor for entering private property without permission, marking healthy trees with blue paint, and threatening excessive trimming and removal far beyond what Michigan law allows.

· All Briefing Complete in Legal Challenge to New Inland Lake Level Law; Reply Brief Makes Clear the Constitutional Stakes for Higgins Lake Riparians under PA 112

October 31, 2025 - Outside Legal Counsel PLC announced that all briefing is now complete in Semack v. Roscommon County, a landmark Sixth Circuit appeal challenging the State of Michigan’s retroactive attempt to dilute judicially-established lake-level rights at Higgins Lake.

· Statement Following AG Announcement on Mercantile Bank Hostage Incident: Specific Action Acknowledged, Deeper Scrutiny Continues

October 27, 2025 - Outside Legal Counsel PLC issues a statement on the Michigan AG’s decision regarding June 2025 Saginaw bank robbery and hostage situation at Mercantile Bank that resulted in a Michigan State Police sniper killing the perpetrator.

· Michigan Counties Face New Legal Challenge at the Michigan Supreme Court Over Unconstitutional Tax Foreclosure Scheme

October 24, 2025 - Property-rights attorney Philip L. Ellison filed a Michigan Supreme Court application asserting MCL 211.78t violates federal law and strips citizens of their full constitutional rights.

· OLC Secured First Amendment Win Protecting Political Yard Signs

October 20, 2025 - The pair of lawsuits challenged the Village’s enforcement of a political sign ban as being unconstitutional under the First Amendment.

· Federal Court Grants Class Certification and Approves Settlement in Ann Arbor Tire-Chalking Fourth Amendment Case

October 17, 2025 - The settlement affirms that thousands of drivers whose vehicles were marked with chalk by city parking enforcement officers - without a warrant or consent - were subjected to a search in violation of the Fourth Amendment.

· Michigan Homeowners Ask U.S. Supreme Court to Decide Whether States Can Erase the Fifth Amendment

October 16, 2025 - The petition arises from a class action originally filed on behalf of Michigan homeowners Lynette Hathon and Amy Jo Denkins, whose $5,200 tax debt led to the seizure and sale of their family home.

· Outside Legal Counsel Joins in Filing Second Michigan Property Rights Case at the U.S. Supreme Court

October 10, 2025 - Another major Michigan property rights case has been filed with the United States Supreme Court to further challenge Michigan’s controversial system of destroying equity from tax-foreclosed properties.

· OLC Attorney Heads to the U.S. Supreme Court in Landmark Property Rights Case

October 3, 2025 - “This case is about more than one family’s home,” OLC attorney Philip L. Ellison explained. “It’s about making sure government cannot profit from taking property at fire-sale prices. The Constitution promises just compensation, and that means full value, not pennies on the dollar.”