Overview

Richard Barr focuses his practice on environmental, economic development, real estate, and business law. He possesses significant knowledge regarding the redevelopment of contaminated and obsolete sites by utilizing federal, state, and local incentives.

  • Facilitates brownfield development in the presence of environmental roadblocks
  • Structures complex brownfield plans, including multiple, layered state and local incentives
  • Identifies and pursues tax abatements and other incentives for companies located in Detroit and other communities
  • Facilitates site selection and incentives packages for multinational companies seeking Michigan headquarters locations
  • Assists clients on development and zoning issues
  • Participates in Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy stakeholder groups and outreach efforts

Services

Experience

Representative Matters

  • Actively involved in the legislative processes that resulted in the major overhaul of Michigan's primary environmental protection law (known as "Part 201") and the current brownfield incentive programs; served on the Environmental Advisory Rules Committee (established pursuant to Governor Rick Snyder's Executive Order 2011-5) and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Collaborative Stakeholder Initiative
  • Negotiated incentive package valued at more than $50 million for multinational company investment in Michigan
  • Completed CPA Examination

Credentials

Education

University of Michigan Law School, J.D.
  • cum laude
University of Michigan, B.B.A.
  • Accounting
  • with high distinction

Admissions

  • Michigan

Recognition

Awards

  • The Best Lawyers in America, 2010-2025
    • Recognized in practice areas of:
      • Economic Development Law, 2010-2024
      • Environmental Law, 2010-2024
      • Land Use and Zoning Law, 2025
    • Detroit Land Use and Zoning Law "Lawyer of the Year," 2025
  • Law Bulletin Media
    • Leading Lawyers, Environmental Law, 2017, 2023-2024
    • Leading Lawyers, Real Estate Law: Commercial, 2017, 2023-2024
    • Leading Lawyers, Tax Law: Business, 2017, 2023-2024
  • DBusiness, Top Lawyers, 2010-2017, 2019, 2022, and 2023-2024
  • Michigan Super Lawyers, 2006-2019
    • Named as one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers, 2008 and 2009  
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
  • Beta Gamma Sigma, 1978-present

Professional & Community Involvement

  • State Bar of Michigan
    • Environmental Law Section
    • Real Property Law Section
    • Business Law Section
  • State of Michigan Office of Regulatory Reinvention
    • Environmental Advisory Rules Committee, 2011-present
  • Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
    • Collaborative Stakeholder Initiative, 2012-2014
  • Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce
    • Environmental & Energy Policy Committee
  • Michigan Manufacturers Association
    • Environmental Policy Committee
  • Yad Ezra (Food Pantry)
    • Director, 1991-present
    • President, 1994-1995
  • Adat Shalom Synagogue
    • Board of Trustees, 2014-present

News & Insights

News

Events

  • Continuing Education Program for Licensed Real Estate Professionals
    Event | 2016 and 2017 | Presenter on incentives issues
  • Planning for Your Personal Property Tax Exemption
    Event | Webinar | | | Co-presenter
  • Tax Incentives to Enhance Facility Reuse and Value
    Event | Troy, MI | | Presenter
  • Environmental Legal Aspects of Plant Decommissioning
    Event | Troy, MI | | Presenter
  • Making Brownfield Redevelopment Work During Tough Economic Times: Leveraging Michigan Brownfield Incentives with Other Development Incentives
    Event | Detroit, MI | | | Co-presenter
  • Driving Environmental Progress
    Event | Detroit, MI | | | Participant
  • Tax Credits and Incentives
    Event | Grand Rapids, MI |
  • MACPA Construction Industry Conference
    Event | Novi, MI |
  • Leveraging Michigan's Brownfield Incentives with Other Development Incentives
    Event | Detroit, Michigan |
  • Current Status of Michigan Brownfield Redevelopment Incentives
    Event | February 5-6, 2008 |
  • Honigman SBT Replacement Tax Seminar
    Event | Novi, MI | |
  • All Appropriate Inquiry Seminar
    Event |
  • Making Your Development Work: Redeveloping Brownfields and Greyfields into Goldfields
    Event |
  • Brownfields 2003
    Event |
  • Proposed Part 201 Rules
    Event |
  • Banking Institution In-House Brownfield/Environmental Training
    Event |
  • Understanding and Using Tools and Incentive for Brownfield Redevelopment
    Event | |
  • Brownfield Financing and Incentives: Tricks, Traps and Surprises from Early Applications of Acts 381 and 382 to Brownfield Developments
    Event | |
  • Cleanup Criteria and Due Care Requirements for Contaminated Property
    Event |
  • An Insider's View of the Redevelopment of Detroit, Environmental Issues
    Event |
  • Beyond RBCA - Hot Tips on UST Sites
    Event |
  • Environmental Issues in Real Property Valuation
    Event | 1996-1997
  • Practical Solutions to Complicated Problems
    Event | October 27-28, 1995 |
  • Environmental Issues in Real Property Valuation
    Event | |
  • New Michigan Environmental Clean-Up Legislation: Liability, Remediation and Real Estate Transfers
    Event | |
  • Overview of Changes to Former Act 307
    Event | |
  • How to Take Advantage of Recent Changes in Michigan's Contaminated Site and UST Closure Laws
    Event | |
  • Sharing and Shifting Environmental Liabilities and Costs
    Event | June 23, 1995 and June 8, 1995 |
  • Current Michigan Environmental Issues
    Event | |
  • Environmental Challenges and Opportunities for Municipal Officials
    Event | |
  • Building On Environmentally Impacted Land: Where Are The Hurdles, What's Been Successful, How Can You Win?
    Event | |
  • Financial Incentives for Brownfield and Other Redevelopment
    Event |

Publications

  • Chapter 37 (Michigan)
    Publication | Implementing Institutional Controls at Brownfields and Other Contaminated Sites, American Bar Association, Second Edition |
  • Challenging Times Call for Layered Incentives for Distressed Properties
    Publication | State Bar of Michigan, Michigan Real Property Review |
  • MDEQ Seeking Major Overhaul of Michigan’s Key Environmental Remediation and Brownfield Laws
    Publication | State Bar of Michigan, Michigan Bar Journal, Volume 88, No. 10, P. 32 |
  • Deed Restrictions and Institutional Controls in Michigan
    Publication | Implementing Institutional Controls at Brownfields and Other Contaminated Sites, American Bar Association |
  • Brownfield Revitalization
    Publication | Michigan Bar Journal |
  • Brownfield Case Study-Southeast Oakland County, Michigan
    Publication | The Michigan Environmental Professional |
  • The 2000 Brownfield Amendments: How to Turn Contaminated, Blighted or Obsolete Property into Successful Brownfield Redevelopment Projects
    Publication | State Bar of Michigan, Real Property Law Section Michigan Real Property Review | Winter 2000
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