Scott A. Dienes

Scott A. Dienes

Land Use and Zoning Law

5.0 (1 reviews)
Grand Rapids, Michigan
30+ years experience
Varnum LLP
Updated:

Contact Information

Bridgewater Place, Suite 1700, 333 Bridge Street, NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
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Bio

Scott Dienes is a real estate, municipal and finance attorney assisting clients with complex projects that define and shape communities. With a strong municipal and real estate background, along with tax-exempt bond and public finance experience, Scott keeps projects on track and on budget. Scott has served as general counsel to municipal clients his entire career. He acts on behalf of local governments, development authorities, school districts, water and sewer authorities, district libraries, mental health authorities, police and fire departments and boards. He is also often engaged as special counsel on complex matters local governments face. Scott provides counsel on variety of public finance matters, a discipline that has grown out of his work with local governments. He serves as bond counsel for various public improvements such as water and sewer projects, municipal buildings, fire, police, and public safety departments, and road and sidewalk projects, and as bank counsel and as underwriter’s counsel on projects with a public finance element throughout the state. Additionally, Scott is approved as bond counsel for USDA and MEDC projects. From modest projects to complex developments, simple structures to entangled TIF districts and incentives, from rural communities with basic regulations to layers of land use and zoning processes, and from common easement and land interest disputes among neighbors to those which impact entire communities or regions, Scott’s experience includes residential, commercial and industrial sites of virtually all scale. Scott works with public and private higher education institutions on issues such as financial restructurings, reductions in force, internal investigations, strategic planning, significant real estate transactions, the establishment and closure of satellite campuses, and searches for key leadership.

Practice Areas

Land Use and Zoning Law

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized: Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Practice Area: Education Law
  • Practice Area: Municipal Law
  • Practice Area: Public Finance Law
  • Practice Area: Real Estate Law
  • Grand Rapids Magazine, Top Lawyers (Real Estate, Public Finance, Land Use and Zoning), 2019
  • AV® Preeminent™ Martindale-Hubbell, since 2009
  • The Best Lawyers in America (Land use and Zoning), 2021

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021

Education

  • Western Michigan University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., graduated 1995
  • Western Michigan University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, graduated 1995

Reviews

J

Jason Phillips

2 weeks ago

Invaluable Counsel on a Complex Municipal Land Use Project

Our organization hired Scott Dienes to navigate a challenging municipal rezoning and land use approval process for a new community development. His 30 years of experience, particularly his recognized background in municipal and land use law, were immediately apparent. Scott’s deep understanding of Grand Rapids' regulatory landscape and his strategic approach to stakeholder negotiations were critical. He translated complex legal and procedural hurdles into clear, actionable steps for our team. The project’s success is directly attributable to his diligent, professional guidance. Scott’s expertise at Varnum LLP in shaping community-defining projects is not just a description—it’s a proven reality. We could not have asked for a more effective or trusted advisor.

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