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Judge to issue order on requests to end Mich. recount Robert Snell , The Detroit News 1:43 p.m. EST December 7, 2016
Detroit — A federal judge won’t immediately stop a statewide recount of the Nov. 8 presidential election results Wednesday after hearing 90 minutes of argument following three days of court battles in two states.
U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith said he will issue a written order, possibly later Wednesday, after considering requests from the Michigan Republican Party and state officials that effectively would halt the recount in light of a lower-court ruling Tuesday.
The judge’s decision added a dramatic pause to a flurry of legal challenges playing out across state and federal courts in Michigan and Ohio regarding the continuation of a statewide manual recount triggered by a presidential candidate who concedes she has no chance to win.
Near the end of the 90-minute hearing, a lawyer for state Attorney General Bill Schuette addressed the gravity of the judge’s pending order.
“You would be the first federal court in history to order a recount for a candidate who lost by more than 2 million votes,” Bursch said.
The state Board of Canvassers, meanwhile, halted its review of Green Party candidate Jill Stein’s recount petition Wednesday while awaiting the federal judge’s order.

The state GOP and lawyers for the Board of State Canvassers argued for the recount to stop, saying three days of manual counting found a change in only 66 votes between President-elect Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton.
They reiterated earlier arguments that Stein does not have a right to pursue a recount because she lost badly, finishing fourth in the election with about 1 percent of the vote in Michigan. Stein also lacked evidence any fraud was involved or that voting machines fell victim to cyber attacks.
Stein has a “zero, and I do mean zero, likelihood of succeeding on the merits,” said attorney John Bursch, who is representing Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette.
Stein conceded her goal is not to win the election. Instead, she wants to test the integrity of a state voting system and prove whether voters were disenfranchised, her lawyers have said.
Bursch earlier said Stein should post at least a $5 million bond if the judge is going to continue the recount. That money would help cover the recount’s cost, the lawyer said.
Horowitz, however, said the $5 million estimate is inaccurate and pushed for a more precise figure.
Late Tuesday, a Michigan Court of Appeals panel ordered the Board of State Canvassers to reconsider and reject a recount petition filed by Stein. The court ruled Stein did not qualify for a recount because she had no chance at winning the presidential election.
A possible ruling Wednesday could bring a dramatic end to a recount and conflicting legal decisions from judges in Detroit, Lansing and a federal appeals court in Cincinnati, and end a recount costing Michigan taxpayers almost $1 million a day.
Wednesday’s hearing caps a two-day flurry of legal battles. On Sunday, Goldsmith ordered the hand recount of 4.8 million ballots start immediately. But Tuesday, with the recount underway in several counties, the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati suggested the judge reconsider his order if state courts ruled against Stein, which happened late Tuesday.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Goldsmith considered requests from the state GOP and Board of State Canvassers to dissolve a temporary restraining order that has prevented state officials from stopping the recount.
Late Tuesday, her lawyers filed an amended lawsuit asking Goldsmith to continue the recount after raising concerns that Michigan’s voting machines are vulnerable to fraud and computer hacking.
If the recount stops, Stein “and every citizen and voter in Michigan will be left victims of a system for recording and tallying votes that is unreliable, vulnerable and unsecure,” Stein lawyer Jessica Clarke wrote.
It would be premature to dissolve the temporary restraining order while Stein tries to fight the appeals court decision in front of the Michigan Supreme Court, her lawyers argued Wednesday morning.
“...The only available course is to wait at least until Michigan Supreme Court rules before taking any action to dissolve the stay,” Stein lawyer Mark Brewer wrote in a filing.
rsnell@detroitnews.com
(313) 222-2486naag ~ gay marriage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_J._BurschAttorney General Bill Schuette announced today that he has appointed Aaron Lindstrom to succeed John Bursch as the next Solicitor General for Michigan, effective December 7, 2013. By statute, the Attorney General may appoint a Solicitor General to represent the State of Michigan in the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Lindstrom left Warner Norcross & Judd LLP to join Michigan's Solicitor General Bureau in 2012. John Bursch will now return to Warner Norcross & Judd after nearly three years of distinguished service as Michigan's 10th Solicitor General, including eight oral arguments in the United States Supreme Court.
<h1 class="service-header" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; width: 680px; font-weight: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 28px;">Government Affairs</h1><div class="contacts" style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; text-transform: uppercase;"><a href="http://www.wnj.com/Professionals/Attorneys/Troy-M-Cumings" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; text-decoration: none;">CHAIR: TROY M. CUMINGS</a></div><div class="show-hide" id="content-main" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">Warner’s Government Affairs Practice Group, situated on Michigan’s political pulse in Lansing, has forged solid relationships with legislators, state officials and government agencies. Unlike mere consulting and lobbying firms, we have the knowledge and experience to propose legislative and administrative language that will withstand legal challenges. We are also bound by a code of conduct and steadfastly avoid conflicts of interest. In sum, we have the expertise, ethics and the political access to best serve your legal needs.

Our clients appreciate our sound policy advice and solid base of knowledge on state law and guidance. We're successful advocates for our clients because we nurture the relationships we've established on both sides of the political aisle in Lansing. The Michigan Tax Tribunal, Liquor Control Commission and departments of Treasury, Environmental Quality and Community Health are among the agencies we work with on behalf of clients.

Jim Cavanagh has spent more than two decades in government relations and advocacy. He began his career as legal counsel for two speakers of the Michigan House of Representatives and the House Democratic Caucus. His work earned him recognition as a top Michigan lobbyist, both by the Michigan Information Research Service (MIRS) and Inside Michigan Politics.

Government affairs attorney Troy Cumings served as legislative aide to a former Senate Majority Leader. In addition to lobbying, Troy conducts an active campaign finance and environmental law practice. He was appointed to lead the transition team for Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette, a former Warner attorney, after Schuette’s 2010 victory.

Schuette isn’t our only connection to state government. Former Michigan Solicitor General John Bursch also is a Warner partner attorney. William Fulkerson, who serves in an of counsel position at Warner, was Chief Administrative Law Judge for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for more than 20 years.

Here are a few recent accomplishments of our Government Affairs attorneys:</div><ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; list-style: none;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: url(" warnernorcrossjudd="WarnerNorcrossJudd" media="media" files="files" bio_arrow.gif="bio_arrow.gif" background-position="background-position" initial="initial" background-size="background-size" background-repeat="background-repeat" no-repeat="no-repeat" background-attachment="background-attachment" background-origin="background-origin" background-clip="background-clip" list-style-type="list-style-type" none="none" webkit-margin-before="webkit-margin-before" em="em" webkit-margin-after="webkit-margin-after">Helped create and advocate for a coalition of like-minded groups who succeeded in blocking legislative changes proposed by a politically powerful and well-funded insurance company</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: url(" warnernorcrossjudd="WarnerNorcrossJudd" media="media" files="files" bio_arrow.gif="bio_arrow.gif" background-position="background-position" initial="initial" background-size="background-size" background-repeat="background-repeat" no-repeat="no-repeat" background-attachment="background-attachment" background-origin="background-origin" background-clip="background-clip" list-style-type="list-style-type" none="none" webkit-margin-before="webkit-margin-before" em="em" webkit-margin-after="webkit-margin-after">Assisted businesses with budgetary language to ensure fair and timely payment by a health care provider</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: url(" warnernorcrossjudd="WarnerNorcrossJudd" media="media" files="files" bio_arrow.gif="bio_arrow.gif" background-position="background-position" initial="initial" background-size="background-size" background-repeat="background-repeat" no-repeat="no-repeat" background-attachment="background-attachment" background-origin="background-origin" background-clip="background-clip" list-style-type="list-style-type" none="none" webkit-margin-before="webkit-margin-before" em="em" webkit-margin-after="webkit-margin-after">Regularly advise political action committees, candidates and office holders on compliance with campaign finance laws</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: url(" warnernorcrossjudd="WarnerNorcrossJudd" media="media" files="files" bio_arrow.gif="bio_arrow.gif" background-position="background-position" initial="initial" background-size="background-size" background-repeat="background-repeat" no-repeat="no-repeat" background-attachment="background-attachment" background-origin="background-origin" background-clip="background-clip" list-style-type="list-style-type" none="none" webkit-margin-before="webkit-margin-before" em="em" webkit-margin-after="webkit-margin-after">Helped a client secure a $250,000 government grant for a new construction project</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: url(" warnernorcrossjudd="WarnerNorcrossJudd" media="media" files="files" bio_arrow.gif="bio_arrow.gif" background-position="background-position" initial="initial" background-size="background-size" background-repeat="background-repeat" no-repeat="no-repeat" background-attachment="background-attachment" background-origin="background-origin" background-clip="background-clip" list-style-type="list-style-type" none="none" webkit-margin-before="webkit-margin-before" em="em" webkit-margin-after="webkit-margin-after">Met with key legislators from both parties, achieved consensus, then crafted an amendment to environmental legislation for a manufacturer client</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: url(" warnernorcrossjudd="WarnerNorcrossJudd" media="media" files="files" bio_arrow.gif="bio_arrow.gif" background-position="background-position" initial="initial" background-size="background-size" background-repeat="background-repeat" no-repeat="no-repeat" background-attachment="background-attachment" background-origin="background-origin" background-clip="background-clip" list-style-type="list-style-type" none="none" webkit-margin-before="webkit-margin-before" em="em" webkit-margin-after="webkit-margin-after">Added boilerplate language to an executive budget bill and lobbied legislators for passage, allowing a client to remain competitive</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: url(" warnernorcrossjudd="WarnerNorcrossJudd" media="media" files="files" bio_arrow.gif="bio_arrow.gif" background-position="background-position" initial="initial" background-size="background-size" background-repeat="background-repeat" no-repeat="no-repeat" background-attachment="background-attachment" background-origin="background-origin" background-clip="background-clip" list-style-type="list-style-type" none="none" webkit-margin-before="webkit-margin-before" em="em" webkit-margin-after="webkit-margin-after">Expeditiously guided numerous applications for licensing through the state bureaucracy, saving clients thousands of dollars</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: url(" warnernorcrossjudd="WarnerNorcrossJudd" media="media" files="files" bio_arrow.gif="bio_arrow.gif" background-position="background-position" initial="initial" background-size="background-size" background-repeat="background-repeat" no-repeat="no-repeat" background-attachment="background-attachment" background-origin="background-origin" background-clip="background-clip" list-style-type="list-style-type" none="none" webkit-margin-before="webkit-margin-before" em="em" webkit-margin-after="webkit-margin-after">Defeated attempts to encroach on the scope of practice of one of the professions</li></ul></div>e stand ready to assist businesses with all issues related to the generation, transmission, and use of energy, including environmental, land use and real property, and core energy issues. So whether you are a regulated utility, independent power producer, or energy consumer, we have the experience and substantive expertise to help you achieve your goals.

We have a track record of successfully guiding companies through complex energy-related issues:<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; list-style: none;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: url("/WarnerNorcrossJudd/media/files/bio_arrow.gif"); background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; list-style-type: none; -webkit-margin-before: 1em; -webkit-margin-after: 1em;">We secured a first-of-its-kind Certificate of Necessity, clearing the way for $851 million in improvements at a Michigan nuclear power plant</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: url("/WarnerNorcrossJudd/media/files/bio_arrow.gif"); background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; list-style-type: none; -webkit-margin-before: 1em; -webkit-margin-after: 1em;">We were the first U.S. law firm to obtain a major source air permit for a coal-fired power plant, which was required to install new technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: url("/WarnerNorcrossJudd/media/files/bio_arrow.gif"); background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; list-style-type: none; -webkit-margin-before: 1em; -webkit-margin-after: 1em;">We are one of few law firms working on carbon capture and sequestration projects, and we have significant experience permitting underground injection control wells under the Safe Drinking Water Act, a process which is evolving to accommodate the underground capture and sequestration of carbon</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: url("/WarnerNorcrossJudd/media/files/bio_arrow.gif"); background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; list-style-type: none; -webkit-margin-before: 1em; -webkit-margin-after: 1em;">We have worked on multiple utility-scale wind energy projects, and helped a client secure the first Michigan Renewable Energy Renaissance Zone designation</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: url("/WarnerNorcrossJudd/media/files/bio_arrow.gif"); background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; list-style-type: none; -webkit-margin-before: 1em; -webkit-margin-after: 1em;">---</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: url("/WarnerNorcrossJudd/media/files/bio_arrow.gif"); background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; list-style-type: none; -webkit-margin-before: 1em; -webkit-margin-after: 1em;">Warner Norcross & Judd LLP represented Consumers Energy Company on its acquisition of a 564-MW gas-fired power plant located in Jackson, Michigan.  Consumers purchased the power plant from AlphaGen Power LLC, an affiliate of J.P. Morgan Ventures Energy Corp.  

Consumers Energy Company, Michigan’s largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

The Warner Norcross team advising on the transaction was led by partners Bill Jansen and Greg Schmidt.  The deal team consisted of partners Michael Jones, James Rabaut and Scott Hubbard and associates Corinne Sprague, Emily Cantor and Matthew Crowe.  

<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;">Warner Norcross & Judd Mergers and Acquisition Group</li></ul>
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