· OLC Secures FOIA Win on the 25,000 Pages of the Tanton Papers; University Vows Appeal

February 22, 2025 - After nearly eight years of litigation, two appeals to the Michigan Court of Appeals and a prior challenge to the Michigan Supreme Court, Outside Legal Counsel PLC has secured a final order that the University of Michigan violated the Freedom of Information Act.

· Bay City Property Owner Files Destroy-and-Dash Amicus Brief with Supreme Court

February 3, 2025 - Anthony Banaszak and his attorney from Outside Legal Counsel in Hemlock have today filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court encouraging the nation's highest court to take up a legal challenge to the "destroy-and-dash" practices of law enforcement, including those from Mid-Michigan.

· OLC Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Detroit for 'Stolen' Insurance Proceeds

February 3, 2025 - Outside Legal Counsel has filed a federal class action lawsuit against the City of Detroit alleging that its "Fire Insurance Withholding Program" is an unconstitutional taking of private citizen's property under the Fifth Amendment.

· OLC Attorney Reappointed Class Counsel in Ongoing Tax Equity Lawsuit

January 19, 2025 - Outside Legal Counsel attorney Philip L. Ellison has been reappointed class co-counsel in the ongoing litigation against the State of Michigan in the Michigan Court of Claims on the illegal taking of private property.

· Class Action Attorneys Call Out Wayne County Officials Over $120+ million In Surplus

September 17, 2024 - Class action attorneys call out Wayne County Executive Warren Evans and Treasurer Eric Sabree for refusal to turn over $120+ million in surplus profits to residents who lost their homes through tax foreclosure Despite two Michigan Supreme Court rulings, Wayne County uses stall tactics, denied FOIA requests in years-long battle to avoid repayment to thousands of residents.

· OLC Files Federal First Amendment Lawsuit Against Anti-Yard Sign Village

August 25, 2024 - Outside Legal Counsel has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Village officials' newly adopted practice of a Saginaw County municipality banning campaign yard signs outside a 30-day election timeframe.

· OLC Files Federal Suit Against Lake Level 'Easing Directives' as Unconstitutional

July 28, 2024 - Outside Legal Counsel has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of three Roscommon County property owners challenging the constitutionality of recently enacted Public Act 112, a new state law described as "easing Michigan inland lake level management" obligations.

· OLC Seeks Sanctions and Dismissal of Judge's Lawsuit Against Campaign Opponent

July 18, 2024 - On behalf of a candidate running for probate judge with the Muskegon County Probate Court, Outside Legal Counsel has filed emergency court papers asking for immediate dismissal of a lawsuit seeking to silence her campaign communications.

· OLC Files Two Separate Legal Challenges on Inspectors 'Ignoring the Constitution'

May 11, 2024 - Outside Legal Counsel has filed two federal civil rights lawsuits, on behalf of three clients, challenging the actions of three government inspectors who have failed to comply with the Fourth Amendment.

· Judge Orders Roscommon County to Maintain Lake Levels Set by 1982 Decree

April 26, 2024 - After six years of litigation and forging a new legal path for inland lake level management, Outside Legal Counsel has secured a key declaratory judgment to compel Roscommon County to correct its lake mismanagement practices.

· OLC Files Appeal to the United States Supreme Court on Saginaw County's Civil Asset Forfeiture Practices

April 10, 2024 - On behalf a Shiawassee County retiree, Outside Legal Counsel has filed a petition with the United States Supreme Court asking the highest court to establish a nation-wide prohibition against troubling civil asset forfeiture practices.

· OLC Files Appeal Challenging New Higgins Lake Special Assessment District

January 8, 2024 - OLC filed a nearly 30-page brief supported by over 300 pages of appendix documents outlining why the Counties of Roscommon and Crawford securing "an undefined, open-ended special assessment on property owners along Higgins Lake" violates Michigan law.

· OLC Files Amicus Brief to Restore Juries to Lawsuits Against the State

December 28, 2023 - OLC filed an amicus brief on behalf of Bay County builder and property developer whose current lawsuit about police tactics is being refused a jury trial.

· Federal Court Finds Three Government Inspectors Violated the Fourth Amendment; Hits Neighbor With Trespass Trial

October 2, 2023 - A federal judge ruled that an Alcona County building inspector, a Caledonia Township zoning officer, and a multi-county health department sanitarian all violated the Fourth Amendment when secretly and warrantlessly entering land near Hubbard Lake.

· Michigan Court Orders UM to Release Tanton Papers

September 16, 2023 - After nearly six years of litigation and a prior appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court, the Michigan Court of Claims ordered the University of Michigan to release the donated advocacy papers of Dr. John Tanton being held at the University of Michigan's Bentley Historical Library.

· US Supreme Court to Hear Case Started by OLC in Federal Court

April 24, 2023 - The Supreme Court decided on Monday to take up a Michigan federal court case started by OLC to decide whether individuals can sue public officials who block them on social media.

· Supreme Court Permits Higgins Lake Water Level Case to Proceed Forward

March 10, 2023 - The Michigan Supreme Court issued an order today rejecting the attempts of a Northern Michigan county to avoid maintaining the legal lake-water levels of Higgins Lake.

· OLC Secures Restraining Order Against Alleged Illegal Appointment Process

January 25, 2023 - The Michigan Court of Appeals issued an emergency injunction against the Genesee County Board of Commissioners from self-appointing a replacement to the seat vacated by former Commissioner Chairman Domonique Clemons.

· Statement of Attorney Philip L. Ellison Regarding Ruling on Michigan's Newborn Screening Program

September 16, 2022 - Attorney Philip L. Ellison issues a public statement regarding the recent decision on the constitutionality of the Michigan Newborn Screening Program and the Michigan Neonatal Biobank.

· Federal Court Finds Tire Chalking Unconstitutional, Orders Payment for Each Swipe of the Chalk

August 8, 2022 - After five years of litigation, Judge Thomas L. Ludington held tire chalking to be unconstitutional.

· Lawsuit: Roscommon County Commissioners Violated the Open Meetings Act

April 15, 2022 - Three members of the Roscommon County Board of Commissioners have been sued for their violations of the Open Meetings Act.

· Court of Appeals Reverses and Returns Higgins Lake Water Level Case Back to Local Court

March 17, 2022 - The Michigan Court of Appeals has reversed the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by a group of Higgins Lake residents and homeowners challenging Roscommon County's practice of keeping the lake level too low.

· Judge Orders Shiawassee Board To Immediately Appear in Court on OMA Lawsuit

July 23, 2021 - A judge assigned to the Open Meetings Act lawsuit filed by Outside Legal Counsel has ordered the Board of Commissioners of Shiawassee County to appear for an expedited hearing.

· OLC Confirms New Path to Hold Public Officials Responsible for Open Meetings Act Violations

July 8, 2021 - The Michigan Court of Appeals today issued a decision establishing new precedent confirming that when officials violate Michigan's Open Meetings Act, it is no longer a defense to say we "substantially" compiled.

· Michigan Supreme Court Affirms FOIA Win By Split Decision

April 10, 2021 - OLC secured affirmance in the Tanton Papers case before the Michigan Supreme Court.