In the Community

Parsons Law Firm and its attorneys pride themselves on civic engagement in the greater Grand Traverse community.

Whether through pro bono legal work, or advising the numerous non-profit organizations — like the National Writers Series, the International Affairs Forum, Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council, the Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association, or the many other boards of directors we have served on — we believe in giving back to the community.

Frequently, the power of Big Corporations is used to overwhelm local governments and deprive citizens of their Constitutional Rights. We assist individuals in the fight for corporate and governmental responsibility.

Pro Bono Work Examples

When a developer wanted to build a 10-story building in downtown Traverse City, local environment groups and concerned citizens questioned whether the City had done enough to ensure the proposal wouldn’t negatively impact the character, infrastructure, and financial stability of the city. Parsons Law Firm represented these groups at no cost in a challenge filed against the City of Traverse City.

Parsons Law Firm has also litigated numerous cases to preserve local land use policies and scale at no cost to our clients or the community, including

• NMEAC v Traverse City (“Bayview Mall” litigation)
• Protect the Peninsula v Peninsula Township
• Priscilla Townsend, et al. v Traverse City
• Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council v Pine Street LLC
• Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council v 326 Land Development LLC

National Writers Series

Grant Parsons joined world-renowned local author Doug Stanton and journalist and editor Anne Stanton to found the National Writers Series in 2009. This year-round book festival has hosted over 100 author events with notable authors such as Tom Brokaw, Alice Waters, Lee Child, David Sedaris, Ann Patchett, and Margaret Atwood. The National Writers Series has awarded over $40,000 in scholarships and runs creative writing programs and reading programs at area schools.

Visit the National Writers Series website.

Third Level

Grant Parsons is a former board member of the Third Level Crisis Center, a division of Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan. Third Level hosts a 24 hour crisis line, counseling, and services to individuals in crisis. Through a partnership with the Grand Traverse Leelanau Antrim Bar Association, local attorneys are available for consultation at weekly pro bono clinics.

Visit the Third Level website.

International Affairs Forum

Grant Parsons served on the board of the International Affairs Forum in Traverse City. The IAF brings foreign policy experts to Traverse City to discuss international issues in the news.