Amanda Van Dusen

Practice Areas

Public Finance, Education Finance, Higher Education, K-12 Education, Infrastructure, Elections and Campaign Finance Compliance, Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreements, Local Government Restructuring

Career

After more than 40 years in practice, Amanda Van Dusen continues to distinguish herself as one of the most successful and influential public finance attorneys in the State of Michigan. Amanda has been recognized for her public finance work by Best Lawyers in America every year since 2003 and she was named Detroit Public Finance Lawyer of the Year in both 2015 and 2017 and Education Lawyer of the Year in 2012 and 2021.

Amanda's practice includes a wide array of public law clients including the City of Detroit, school districts (K-12 and higher), airports, counties and solid waste management authorities as bond counsel in financing transactions and special counsel for local governments in connection with intergovernmental agreements, elections, campaign finance compliance, state and federal tax issues, and general finance (budgets, revenue sources and cash flow). The range of Amanda's clients and her extensive volunteer involvement in public policy, education, the arts and community development help Amanda develop creative solutions which balance risks and opportunities and fit her clients' needs and objectives. That wide-ranging exposure has also taught her how to break down complex issues into understandable terms for diverse stakeholders. Amanda has put these skills to use for the City of Detroit as the City's lead public finance lawyer during and after the City's bankruptcy, for the Detroit Public Schools in their efforts to create innovative solutions for struggling schools and students and in the everyday challenges facing local governments in fast-changing times. Service to her clients also requires frequent contact with state officials, who are often central to a successful initiative.

Amanda has also held numerous leadership positions with the firm and, as a member of a number of nonprofits and their boards, is actively engaged in the arts, public policy and philanthropic efforts across Michigan.

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan; National Association of Bond Lawyers; Michigan Women in Finance; American College of Bond Counsel, Fellow; American Bar Foundation, Fellow

Publications

Frequent speaker/author of articles and bulletins on public law topics.

Personal

University of Michigan Law School, J.D. 1979; Williams College, B.A. 1975; W. E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, Board of Trustees, 2001-present; Hudson-Webber Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2001-present; Detroit Revitalization Fellows Program, Advisory Board, 2011-present; University of Michigan Youth Policy Lab, Advisory Board, 2017-present