It takes a lot to stop attorney Mike Watza of the Kitch firm. In fact, it sometimes takes a military mountain brigade.

It was October, and Watza had spent multiple 16-hour days in Portland, Oregon, speaking at a National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) seminar, working on cases, and meeting with clients. So, he decided to get away for a quick adventure – and went to climb Mount St. Helens.

“I offered to take the clients climbing with me, but none seemed interested,” said Watza. “So I went by myself.”

Unfortunately, there had been quite an accumulation of snow. Yet that didn’t stop Watza from ascending 7,000 feet. At one point, members of a military brigade training on the mountain passed by and told Watza that he’d have to turn around. While he’s not used to turning away from a challenge, this time he made an exception.

However, if it doesn’t involve a military mountain brigade, you can expect him to just keep going. Working 60+ hour weeks is not unusual for Watza. He has been a tenacious representative for an interesting collection of clients recently, with much of his time spent tirelessly scaling his municipal clients’ “mountains” as they work together to improve life for Michigan’s communities and residents.

In fact, Watza’s recent efforts led to the restraining order against Comcast in its attempt to move public, education and community (PEG) channels that would have limited subscribers’ access. Without that action, nearly 400,000 Michigan cable subscribers would have lost their ability to view PEG channels unless they paid substantial extra costs for additional equipment and service. (Watza and co-counsel are also actively authoring state legislation as well as assisting in Congressional hearings on the same subject.)

Watza has had impact on a variety of issues, and, as he handles these cases, his supporters may change as well. In 2006, you would have found him on the same side of the table as Comcast when they fought together for a time, against Michigan Public Act 480, an act that opened up cable TV franchise agreements in Michigan, affecting local coverage and municipal control.

“While I don’t always ‘win,’ I never give up,” said Watza. In that legislative struggle, the general counsel for AT&T publicly and colorfully expressed his displeasure with Mike’s position on certain issues before the entire committee room packed with people. “My clients now seem to take pride in referring to me using the same colorful expression. I take all of this as a compliment.”

There was also the recent case of the 21-mile transmission lines being built above ground in Hartland Township, despite the township’s ordinance requiring new utility lines and wires to be constructed underground. Watza represents the Pleasant Valley homeowners in Hartland Township; the case is currently on appeal.

Watza’s tenacity should also serve him well in his new appointment to the Michigan Gaming Control Board. The Board’s mission is “to ensure the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of the citizens of the State of Michigan,” and Watza is excited about the opportunity to represent his fellow citizens in the business of gaming.

Solving Problems for Deserving Clients

Watza, a lawyer for 22 years, has been with the Kitch firm for 13 years. In his practice, he focuses on municipal, non-profit and private sector clients. He finds it to be a successful partnership, in part because Watza lives by the same rules as Richard Kitch instituted as a foundation when the firm was established: the client’s interests always come first.

Mr. Watza serves as general counsel for a consortium of several dozen Michigan municipalities with unique interest in local government right-of-way issues. He is also chairman of the City of Novi Economic Development Corporation, a council member of the Michigan State Bar Association Public Corporation Law Section and Administrative Law Section, and a member of the Covenant House Central School Board of Directors in Detroit, Michigan.

Mr. Watza serves as chairman of a panel of the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission. He has been an adjunct member of the Michigan State University Law School faculty, teaching “Ethics and the Practice of Law,” and currently serves as a commercial mediator for the Wayne County Mediation Tribunal.}

“Twenty years ago, when Richard Kitch worked with the legislature on tort reform, he was criticized by others, including defense attorneys, for contributing to the reduction in medical malpractice cases,” said Watza. “I drafted similar legislation for the rental car industry, and some have said that I “ruined that business” for law firms.

“My response to that? First of all, I’m hired to do the best possible job for the client, regardless of the impact on anyone else. Beyond that, if successful in truly solving the client’s problem, I’m confident that I am a good enough attorney to adapt and move onto other things.”

Some attorneys may define their careers by discussing the number of cases they handle. Watza’s belief? “I could handle case after case, all day long. What works better is for me to look at what we might do with a problem in the broad sense. Rather than thinking, ‘Here’s a file that I can litigate.’ I try to solve the underlying problem.”

Watza is very enthusiastic about his clients: “My corporate clients are businesses that treat their people very well, and are very passionate about what they do.”

As for the municipal business that has made headlines over the last year? Whether he’s representing the municipalities, or the residents themselves, he finds the cases to be extremely rewarding.

“It’s quite a luxury for me–I actually work with only great people. I don’t think there is a client I represent that I don’t feel that way about. And there is nothing within the bounds of decency that I won’t do for them. That may mean a vast variety of things-including going to the governor’s office-or even Washington, D.C., which is where we ended up for the Comcast case.”

“Government clients are unique. First of all, municipalities don’t have large budgets, and the employees aren’t in it for the money. They are in the positions they are because they want to try to do something good, and give back to their community.”

“Whether I’m working for the community directly or indirectly, it’s great to be an advocate for such a committed group.”

In balancing his representation of for profit and government clients, Mike recognizes the goals of each are often somewhat contrary. “There is the for-profit industry which is entitled to–and has to strive to–make money, and that can be a great and noble thing.”

“You’ve got the government trying to help, while ensuring that they are treating all individuals reasonably. There are times when the government’s role is to assist industry. There are other times when they are there to say to them “No, here you cannot go.”

For his part, Watza has the motivation, the team, and the tools to prevail. There are mountains to climb, obstacles to overcome, cases to ponder–and clients to be served. These may be great heights to be reached, but, then again, there are not many places Watza won’t go.

Attorney Spotlight: Michael J. Watza

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