Derk W. Beckerleg is a seasoned attorney in matters involving governmental litigation. He has represented municipal clients in this area in a wide range of scenarios, including, but not limited to, property taxation, including real and personal property valuation, tax exemptions, Headlee and Proposal A limitations, and millage proposals/ballot language. Mr. Beckerleg’s expertise in the areas of zoning and taxation are of particular focus in his practice. He is also well-experienced in litigation involving amicus curiae representation of units of government such as municipal associations, supervisor associations, cities, townships, and villages involving governmental immunity and inverse condemnation, as well as representation of municipal clients in other legal situations resulting in litigation.

Mr. Beckerleg proudly serves as Managing Partner of Secrest Wardle’s Municipal Law Practice Group. In this role, he is responsible for the general oversight of the attorneys in all municipal law-related practice areas. Mr. Beckerleg also acts as Chair of the Firm’s Governmental Litigation, Municipal Law, and Real Estate Practice Groups.

Mr. Beckerleg is well-familiar and respected among his colleagues in his additional areas of practice: municipal and real estate law. His knowledge in the area of municipal law includes, but is not limited to, zoning matters, condemnation matters and drafting of ordinances, resolutions and contracts. Mr. Beckerleg has represented clients in a variety of real estate matters. Mr. Beckerleg has over 36 years of experience handling matters pending in the Michigan Tax Tribunal and appellate courts. He is a renowned expert in this area of the law.

Mr. Beckerleg currently serves as City Attorney for the City of Auburn Hills, City Attorney for the City of Bloomfield Hills, Township Attorney for the Charter Township of Bloomfield, Village Attorney for the Village of Bingham Farms, Township Attorney for Southfield Township, and as one of the Township Attorneys for the Charter Township of West Bloomfield. Mr. Beckerleg is also the attorney for the North Oakland County Water Authority (NOCWA).

Mr. Beckerleg represents the following municipalities with respect to their Michigan Tax Tribunal matters:

• City of Auburn Hills
• Charter Township of Bloomfield
• City of Bloomfield Hills
• Charter Township of Canton
• Charter Township of West Bloomfield
• Southfield Township
• City of Dearborn Heights
• Pittsfield Charter Township

Mr. Beckerleg has also represented, as special counsel, the following municipalities in the Michigan Tax Tribunal:

• City of Milan
• City of Lansing
• Township of Holly
• Township of Oxford

Mr. Beckerleg has built a solid reputation for his work, including his effective handling of property tax appeals before the Michigan Tax Tribunal. He has tried several cases in the Michigan Tax Tribunal pertaining to the valuation of both real and personal property, including, but not limited to, The Palace of Auburn Hills v City of Auburn Hills, Charrington Estates v City of Auburn Hills, Knollwood Country Club v West Bloomfield Township, Adelman v West Bloomfield Township, Lutheran Social Services v Bloomfield Township, Parker v West Bloomfield Township, Entre Building v West Bloomfield Township, Audette Cadillac v West Bloomfield Township, Talmer Bank v West Bloomfield Township, LA Fitness v Bloomfield Township, Burroughs v City of Farmington Hills, Chambers v Bloomfield Township, Froling v City of Bloomfield Hills, as well as several cases pertaining to special assessment matters. Additionally, Mr. Beckerleg defended the assessment established for the Chrysler World Headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Mr. Beckerleg represented Orion Township in the case of General Motors Corporation v Orion Township, and also represented the City of Milan in the case of Automotive Components Holdings Company v City of Milan, both of which were Michigan Tax Tribunal matters that pertained to automotive plants. Additionally, Mr. Beckerleg successfully represented the City of Auburn Hills in the Michigan Supreme Court case of Daimler Chrysler Corporation v City of Auburn Hills in which the Michigan Supreme Court denied Daimler Chrysler Corporation’s request for a pollution control tax exemption for the Chrysler Technology Center.

Mr. Beckerleg has conducted numerous seminars on a variety of municipal topics, including the Michigan Tax Tribunal, zoning board of appeals and planning commission practices and procedures. From 2012 to 2015, Mr. Beckerleg taught classes on the Michigan Tax Tribunal at the Michigan Assessors Association’s Continuing Education Schools. In May 2013, Mr. Beckerleg presented, “An Overview of the Michigan Tax Tribunal in 2013,” at the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association Advanced Institute in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. In February 2013, Mr. Beckerleg gave a presentation entitled, “An Overview of the Michigan Tax Tribunal,” to the Great Lakes Chapter Appraisal Institute, and in 2015, Mr. Beckerleg participated in giving a presentation entitled, “Creating Best Practices Involving the Michigan Tax Tribunal,” to the same organization. In 2012, Mr. Beckerleg gave a presentation entitled, “Defending the Municipal Property Tax Base” to the Oakland County Association of Assessing Officers. In 2011, he presented on the Michigan Tax Tribunal to the same organizations at their Mackinac Island conference. In 2009, Mr. Beckerleg conducted a presentation pertaining to the impact of foreclosures on Michigan Tax Tribunal cases at the Annual Summer Educational Conference of the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys and Public Law Section, State Bar of Michigan at Mackinac Island, Michigan.

In 2012, Mr. Beckerleg wrote a chapter entitled, “Property Taxation” for the Michigan Municipal Law book published by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. Mr. Beckerleg was also a contributing author to the Michigan Municipal League publication entitled, “The Michigan Tax Tribunal, An Overview for Municipal Officers and Practitioners.” In December of 2008, Mr. Beckerleg authored a Smart Business article entitled, “Saving Your Bottom Line: An Insider’s Look at Understanding and Managing Your Property Tax.”

From 2011 to the present, Mr. Beckerleg has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^© and for 2021 has been listed in the Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Litigation – Municipal, and Municipal Law categories in Troy, Michigan. Additionally, Derk Beckerleg was named Best Lawyers^® 2020 Litigation – Land Use and Zoning “Lawyer of the Year” in Troy, Michigan. Mr. Beckerleg was also Best Lawyers^® 2013 Litigation – Municipal “Lawyer of the Year” in Troy Michigan. “Lawyer of the Year” recognitions are presented to individual attorneys with the highest overall peer-feedback for a specific practice area and geographic location. He has also received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubble for over 20 years. Mr. Beckerleg has been voted by his peers to Super Lawyers Magazine‘s list of Michigan Super Lawyers from 2007 through the present. From 2012 through the present, Mr. Beckerleg has been included in dbusiness magazine‘s list of “Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit” and for 2020 is listed in the Municipal Law category.

In 2017, Derk Beckerleg received the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys (MAMA) Distinguished Municipal Attorney Award. This award is given for outstanding contributions to the practice of municipal law on behalf of cities, townships and villages throughout Michigan, and acknowledges the highest level of professional accomplishment while also recognizing service to their colleagues through professional organizations such as MAMA and the International Municipal Lawyers Association.

Mr. Beckerleg earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Law School and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan and is an active member of the State Bar of Michigan.

Derk W. Beckerleg has significant experience representing numerous municipalities in virtually all aspects of municipal law, including, but not limited to, property tax appeals, special assessments, tax abatement, zoning matters, condemnation matters, Downtown Development Authorities (DDAs), Tax Increment Finance Authorities (TIFAs), Corridor Improvement Authorities (CIAs), Commercial Rehabilitation Districts (CRDs), and drafting of ordinances, resolutions and contracts. Mr. Beckerleg is also well-familiar with representation of municipal clients in the areas of election law, Open Meetings Act (OMA) and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) matters. Additionally, Derk Beckerleg has specialized in the handling of property tax matters pending in the Michigan Tax Tribunal and appellate courts for over 36 years.

Mr. Beckerleg proudly serves as Managing Partner of Secrest Wardle’s Municipal Law Practice Group. In this role, he is responsible for the general oversight of the attorneys in all municipal law-related practice areas. Mr. Beckerleg also acts as Chair of the Firm’s Governmental Litigation, Municipal Law, and Real Estate Practice Groups.

Mr. Beckerleg currently serves as City Attorney for the City of Auburn Hills, City Attorney for the City of Bloomfield Hills, Township Attorney for the Charter Township of Bloomfield, Village Attorney for the Village of Bingham Farms, Township Attorney for Southfield Township, and as one of the Township Attorneys for the Charter Township of West Bloomfield.

Mr. Beckerleg represents the following municipalities with respect to their Michigan Tax Tribunal matters:

• City of Auburn Hills
• Charter Township of Bloomfield
• City of Bloomfield Hills
• Charter Township of Canton
• Charter Township of West Bloomfield
• Southfield Township
• Pittsfield Charter Township

Mr. Beckerleg has also represented, as special counsel, the following municipalities in the Michigan Tax Tribunal:

• City of Milan
• City of Lansing
• Township of Holly
• Township of Oxford

Mr. Beckerleg has built a solid reputation for his work, including his effective handling of property tax appeals before the Michigan Tax Tribunal. He has tried several cases in the Michigan Tax Tribunal pertaining to the valuation of both real and personal property, including, but not limited to, The Palace of Auburn Hills v City of Auburn Hills, Charrington Estates v City of Auburn Hills, Knollwood Country Club v West Bloomfield Township, Adelman v West Bloomfield Township, Lutheran Social Services v Bloomfield Township, Parker v West Bloomfield Township, Entre Building v West Bloomfield Township, Audette Cadillac v West Bloomfield Township, Talmer Bank v West Bloomfield Township, LA Fitness v Bloomfield Township, Burroughs v City of Farmington Hills, Chambers v Bloomfield Township, Froling v City of Bloomfield Hills, as well as several cases pertaining to special assessment matters. Additionally, Mr. Beckerleg defended the assessment established for the Chrysler World Headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Mr. Beckerleg represented Orion Township in the case of General Motors Corporation v Orion Township, and also represented the City of Milan in the case of Automotive Components Holdings Company v City of Milan, both of which were Michigan Tax Tribunal matters that pertained to automotive plants. Additionally, Mr. Beckerleg successfully represented the City of Auburn Hills in the Michigan Supreme Court case of Daimler Chrysler Corporation v City of Auburn Hills in which the Michigan Supreme Court denied Daimler Chrysler Corporation’s request for a pollution control tax exemption for the Chrysler Technology Center.

Mr. Beckerleg has conducted numerous seminars on a variety of municipal topics, including the Michigan Tax Tribunal, zoning board of appeals, planning commission practices and procedures, and the Open Meetings Act. From 2012 to 2015, Mr. Beckerleg taught classes on the Michigan Tax Tribunal at the Michigan Assessors Association’s Continuing Education Schools. In May 2013, Mr. Beckerleg presented, “An Overview of the Michigan Tax Tribunal in 2013,” at the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association Advanced Institute in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. In February 2013, Mr. Beckerleg gave a presentation entitled, “An Overview of the Michigan Tax Tribunal,” to the Great Lakes Chapter Appraisal Institute, and in 2015, Mr. Beckerleg participated in giving a presentation entitled, “Creating Best Practices Involving the Michigan Tax Tribunal,” to the same organization. In 2012, Mr. Beckerleg gave a presentation entitled, “Defending the Municipal Property Tax Base” to the Oakland County Association of Assessing Officers. In 2011, he presented on the Michigan Tax Tribunal to the same organizations at their Mackinac Island conference. In 2009, Mr. Beckerleg conducted a presentation pertaining to the impact of foreclosures on Michigan Tax Tribunal cases at the Annual Summer Educational Conference of the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys and Public Law Section, State Bar of Michigan at Mackinac Island, Michigan.

In 2012, Mr. Beckerleg wrote a chapter entitled, “Property Taxation” for the Michigan Municipal Law book published by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and has recently prepared updates to that chapter. Mr. Beckerleg was also a contributing author to the Michigan Municipal League publication entitled, “The Michigan Tax Tribunal, An Overview for Municipal Officers and Practitioners.” In December of 2008, Mr. Beckerleg authored a Smart Business article entitled, “Saving Your Bottom Line: An Insider’s Look at Understanding and Managing Your Property Tax.”

From 2011 to the present, Mr. Beckerleg has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^© and for 2021 has been listed in the Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Litigation – Municipal, and Municipal Law categories in Troy, Michigan. Additionally, Derk Beckerleg was named Best Lawyers^® 2020 Litigation – Land Use and Zoning “Lawyer of the Year” in Troy, Michigan. Mr. Beckerleg was also Best Lawyers^® 2013 Litigation – Municipal “Lawyer of the Year” in Troy Michigan. “Lawyer of the Year” recognitions are presented to individual attorneys with the highest overall peer-feedback for a specific practice area and geographic location. He has also received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubble for over 20 years. Mr. Beckerleg has been voted by his peers to Super Lawyers Magazine‘s list of Michigan Super Lawyers from 2007 through the present. From 2012 through the present, Mr. Beckerleg has been included in dbusiness magazine‘s list of “Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit” and for 2020 is listed in the Municipal Law category.

In 2017, Derk Beckerleg received the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys (MAMA) Distinguished Municipal Attorney Award. This award is given for outstanding contributions to the practice of municipal law on behalf of cities, townships and villages throughout Michigan, and acknowledges the highest level of professional accomplishment while also recognizing service to their colleagues through professional organizations such as MAMA and the International Municipal Lawyers Association.

Mr. Beckerleg earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Law School and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan and is an active member of the State Bar of Michigan.

Derk W. Beckerleg has significant experience representing numerous municipalities in virtually all aspects of real estate law, including, but not limited to, land use, preparing and negotiating legal documentation for land transactions and closings, as well as litigating disputes when they arise. Mr. Beckerleg is also well-versed in all aspects of municipal law and governmental litigation. In addition, Mr. Beckerleg specializes in and has over 36 years of experience handling property tax matters pending in the Michigan Tax Tribunal and appellate courts.

Mr. Beckerleg proudly serves as Managing Partner of Secrest Wardle’s Municipal Law Practice Group. In this role, he is responsible for the general oversight of the attorneys in all municipal law-related practice areas. Mr. Beckerleg also acts as Chair of the Firm’s Governmental Litigation, Municipal Law, and Real Estate Practice Groups.

Mr. Beckerleg currently serves as City Attorney for the City of Auburn Hills, City Attorney for the City of Bloomfield Hills, Township Attorney for the Charter Township of Bloomfield, Village Attorney for the Village of Bingham Farms, Township Attorney for Southfield Township, and as one of the Township Attorneys for the Charter Township of West Bloomfield. Mr. Beckerleg is also the attorney for the North Oakland County Water Authority (NOCWA).

Mr. Beckerleg represents the following municipalities with respect to their Michigan Tax Tribunal matters:

• City of Auburn Hills
• Charter Township of Bloomfield
• City of Bloomfield Hills
• Charter Township of Canton
• Charter Township of West Bloomfield
• Southfield Township
• City of Dearborn Heights
• Pittsfield Charter Township

Mr. Beckerleg has also represented, as special counsel, the following municipalities in the Michigan Tax Tribunal:

• City of Milan
• City of Lansing
• Township of Holly
• Township of Oxford

Mr. Beckerleg has built a solid reputation for his work, including his effective handling of property tax appeals before the Michigan Tax Tribunal. He has tried several cases in the Michigan Tax Tribunal pertaining to the valuation of both real and personal property, including, but not limited to, The Palace of Auburn Hills v City of Auburn Hills, Charrington Estates v City of Auburn Hills, Knollwood Country Club v West Bloomfield Township, Adelman v West Bloomfield Township, Lutheran Social Services v Bloomfield Township, Parker v West Bloomfield Township, Entre Building v West Bloomfield Township, Audette Cadillac v West Bloomfield Township, Talmer Bank v West Bloomfield Township, LA Fitness v Bloomfield Township, Burroughs v City of Farmington Hills, Chambers v Bloomfield Township, Froling v City of Bloomfield Hills, as well as several cases pertaining to special assessment matters. Additionally, Mr. Beckerleg defended the assessment established for the Chrysler World Headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Mr. Beckerleg represented Orion Township in the case of General Motors Corporation v Orion Township, and also represented the City of Milan in the case of Automotive Components Holdings Company v City of Milan, both of which were Michigan Tax Tribunal matters that pertained to automotive plants. Additionally, Mr. Beckerleg successfully represented the City of Auburn Hills in the Michigan Supreme Court case of Daimler Chrysler Corporation v City of Auburn Hills in which the Michigan Supreme Court denied Daimler Chrysler Corporation’s request for a pollution control tax exemption for the Chrysler Technology Center.

Mr. Beckerleg has conducted numerous seminars on a variety of municipal topics, including the Michigan Tax Tribunal, zoning board of appeals and planning commission practices and procedures. From 2012 to 2015, Mr. Beckerleg taught classes on the Michigan Tax Tribunal at the Michigan Assessors Association’s Continuing Education Schools. In May 2013, Mr. Beckerleg presented, “An Overview of the Michigan Tax Tribunal in 2013,” at the Michigan Municipal Treasurers Association Advanced Institute in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. In February 2013, Mr. Beckerleg gave a presentation entitled, “An Overview of the Michigan Tax Tribunal,” to the Great Lakes Chapter Appraisal Institute, and in 2015, Mr. Beckerleg participated in giving a presentation entitled, “Creating Best Practices Involving the Michigan Tax Tribunal,” to the same organization. In 2012, Mr. Beckerleg gave a presentation entitled, “Defending the Municipal Property Tax Base” to the Oakland County Association of Assessing Officers. In 2011, he presented on the Michigan Tax Tribunal to the same organizations at their Mackinac Island conference. In 2009, Mr. Beckerleg conducted a presentation pertaining to the impact of foreclosures on Michigan Tax Tribunal cases at the Annual Summer Educational Conference of the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys and Public Law Section, State Bar of Michigan at Mackinac Island, Michigan.

In 2012, Mr. Beckerleg wrote a chapter entitled, “Property Taxation” for the Michigan Municipal Law book published by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. Mr. Beckerleg was also a contributing author to the Michigan Municipal League publication entitled, “The Michigan Tax Tribunal, An Overview for Municipal Officers and Practitioners.” In December of 2008, Mr. Beckerleg authored a Smart Business article entitled, “Saving Your Bottom Line: An Insider’s Look at Understanding and Managing Your Property Tax.”

From 2011 to the present, Mr. Beckerleg has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^© and for 2021 has been listed in the Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Litigation – Municipal, and Municipal Law categories in Troy, Michigan. Additionally, Derk Beckerleg was named Best Lawyers^® 2020 Litigation – Land Use and Zoning “Lawyer of the Year” in Troy, Michigan. Mr. Beckerleg was also Best Lawyers^® 2013 Litigation – Municipal “Lawyer of the Year” in Troy Michigan. “Lawyer of the Year” recognitions are presented to individual attorneys with the highest overall peer-feedback for a specific practice area and geographic location. He has also received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubble for over 20 years. Mr. Beckerleg has been voted by his peers to Super Lawyers Magazine‘s list of Michigan Super Lawyers from 2007 through the present. From 2012 through the present, Mr. Beckerleg has been included in dbusiness magazine‘s list of “Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit” and for 2020 is listed in the Municipal Law category.

In 2017, Derk Beckerleg received the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys (MAMA) Distinguished Municipal Attorney Award. This award is given for outstanding contributions to the practice of municipal law on behalf of cities, townships and villages throughout Michigan, and acknowledges the highest level of professional accomplishment while also recognizing service to their colleagues through professional organizations such as MAMA and the International Municipal Lawyers Association.

Mr. Beckerleg earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Law School and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan and is an active member of the State Bar of Michigan.