A part of Sheboygan since 1885.

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A part of Sheboygan since 1885.

Michael J. Bauer, Partner

Mike has been with Hopp Neumann Humke LLP since 1985 and a partner since 1989. Mike focuses his practice on business sales, acquisitions, and mergers as well as commercial and residential real estate transactions including sales, leasing and development. Mike has a significant municipal law practice representing counties, cities, villages and towns as general counsel or as special counsel concerning zoning, land use, water and sewer utilities, as well as property tax and assessment matters. 

Mike has more than twenty-nine years of experience advising elected and appointed municipal officials, as well as individuals and small business owners that have a variety of projects. Municipal law involves unique rules and considerations that are not present in private sector transactions. Mike enjoys helping clients understand municipal procedure and implementing strategies for successful developments that are beneficial to both municipal and private sector clients alike. Mike stresses communication and client input as critical to effective and successful representation of his clients.

RECENT CLIENT WORK

  • Assisted local government with land use, planning, and development of a 136,000 square foot Sam’s Club Members-Only retail store and fueling station, estimated to add $10-12 million dollars to local tax base.
  • Environmental law issues related to licensed landfill closure plan modifications concerning ground water and gas monitoring requirements.
  • Negotiated development agreement for construction of 75-bed skilled nursing home, community based residential and assisted living facilities with an estimated cost of $20-25 million dollars, including an agreement for developer to pay an annual PILOT (payment in lieu of tax) for local municipal services.
  • Negotiated and completed significant eminent domain (condemnation) property acquisitions for public bicycle and pedestrian path system funded by a federal grant.
  • Negotiated and completed complex 330 acre land acquisition for development of a wetland mitigation bank, as well as important environmental open space and conservation purposes.
  • Negotiated development agreement for the construction and operation of $150 million Peaker Power Plan.
  • Assisted local units of government with the acquisition, TIF financing, development, and sale of land for business park purposes.
  • Successfully litigated challenges to annexations relying upon both procedural defects and the “rule of reason.”
  • Assisted a local unit of government with developer negotiations to construct a $30 million 350-unit multi-family residential development.
  • Represented developers and local governments with traditional, conservancy, and rural cluster residential subdivision developments.

EDUCATION

  • B.A., Government, Beloit College
  • J.D., Marquette University Law School

Community Involvement

  • Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation, Board of Directors
  • Sheboygan/Plymouth United Way, legal work for corporate merger
  • Sheboygan County Bar Association, pro bono volunteer