Matthew B. Van Dyk is chair of the firm’s Real Estate practices.  He has practiced real estate law since 2004. Mr. Van Dyk represents the full range of clients involved in real estate – from individuals to developers, from architects to owners, from construction contractors to tenants.

Renewable Energy and Solar

Matt has extensive experience working with client on renewable energy matters involving the U.S. energy sector, counseling developers and merchant power providers. His experience is in connection with projects relating to solar and wind energy generation.

Matt has represented the state’s largest energy provider in closings on over $500 million worth of renewable power generation projects, from power generation to distribution and transmission. He has done the real estate work on 16 wind park projects consisting of 703 wind turbines generating 1,517 megawatts of power. Additionally Matt worked on a solar project in over 40 different jurisdictions which is expected to add an additional 2,500 megawatts of renewable power generation.

Real Estate Law

Matt has worked with clients on commercial, industrial, residential, and mixed-use projects and matters. He has significant experience in development, condominiums, zoning and entitlement, acquisitions, leasing, affordable housing, 1031 exchange, and tax incentive projects. He helps them successfully navigate through the oftentimes confusing and overwhelming aspects of real property law.

Much of his practice has been on multi-faceted, complex transactional and development work for large, sophisticated established clients.

Condominium

Matt is well-conversant in condo-speak.  He has worked on both condominium development and association formation. The range of matters related to this area of his practice include: by-laws, insurance, contracts, finance, and disputes.

In 2021, Matt was selected as a 2021 “Go To Lawyer” for Real Estate and Condominium Law in Michigan by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

Zoning and Entitlement

Matt is experienced in zoning and entitlement issues having educated clients on permitted use, gaining approval for site plans, providing for public improvements and infrastructure installation, and obtaining variances. He is adept at coordination with regulatory agencies that are part of decision-making. These can include advisory boards, planning commissions, zoning boards.

Professional Affiliations and Activities

Matt serves on the State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners. Additionally he serves on the Michigan steering committee for the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).  He is the Communications & Member Services Committee (CAMS) and Liaison for the State Bar of Michigan Real Property Law Section – Commercial Leasing group and is a member of the Kalamazoo County Bar Association.  Matt has served as the chair of the Kalamazoo County Economic Development Corporation.

Community Activity

Matt is a board member of Cancer Families United.  He is also a Cadet leader at his church.

Education

Matt earned his J.D. from Wayne State University Law School in 2004 and a B.A. from Calvin College in 2000.