Michael J. Watza, Esq.
Michael J. Watza is Chair of the Governmental Regulatory Practice Group at Kitch, a full service Law firm based in Detroit, with offices in Lansing, Marquette, Mt. Clemens, Chicago, Ill., Toledo, OH and Honolulu, HI.
Mr. Watza's practice provides litigated, legislative and regulatory solutions on behalf of municipal, health care and private sector clients, concerning Legislation, Complex Litigation, Governance Issues, Telecommunications including Cable and Cell Towers, Pipelines, Energy, Insurance and Gaming. He is a Michigan registered lobbyist.
Michael serves as General Counsel to PROTEC, a consortium of over 100 Michigan Municipalities. He also Chairs the Novi EDC, Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission Grievance Panel #9, and the International Municipal Lawyers Telecommunications Committee.
He was twice appointed by Governor Granholm and Snyder, to the Michigan Gaming Control Board, serving 8 years and brings that experience to all his clients, as sport and internet gaming have all been authorized by Michigan Legislation initially effective 1/1/2020.
Mike has also served as Special Projects Counsel to the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority.
Michael has served as an adjunct faculty member at Michigan State University College of Law teaching Communications Law & Policy and Ethics and the Practice of Law and also taught Municipal Broadband and Rights of Way Law as a member of the faculty of the Michigan State University Institute for Public Utilities.
In 2008, Michael successfully opposed Comcast’s effort to move PEG channels to the 900 digital channel range resulting in, among other things, an apology by Comcast to Congress. He also provided the legal components to the development of the 1st new Municipal Broadband projects in Sebewaing, Marshall and several other communities across Michigan, as well as leading the defense of Rights of Way in the current Small Cell Siting Issues including a US 9th Cir Appeal and Legislation threatening Michigan Communities.