Tom Leonard, former speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, has joined the law firm Plunkett Cooney in Bloomfield Hills as partner and leader of its new government relations, public policy, and regulatory practice group.
“Tom’s knowledge of the state’s political system and business community will be invaluable in helping our clients navigate legislative and regulatory issues and to create more effective business strategies,” says Thomas P. Vincent, president and CEO of the firm.
The new group will focus on policy development, strategic collaboration, building relationships and coalitions, legislative monitoring, and bill tracking. Leonard will lead a team of attorneys in Plunkett Cooney’s East Lansing office, which is slated to relocate to Lansing.
“As a legislator, business owner, and now attorney at Plunkett Cooney, my focus has always remained the same – helping propel the state of Michigan toward becoming a Top 10 location for businesses and families. This is the right role at the right time to continue that work and continue to make a significant impact on our state’s future.”
Leonard served three terms in the House. In his third term, he was selected to serve as Michigan’s 75th House speaker. Prior to running for public office, Leonard served as an assistant attorney general for the state and as a prosecutor in Genesee County, where he was assigned to the Special Crimes Division. He graduated from Michigan State University College of Law in 2007 and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 2004.
Leonard founded MiStrategies in 2019, a public policy development and strategic collaboration firm that partnered with companies, associations, and industry advocates committed to making Michigan a Top 10 state. The company’s portfolio focused on public policy initiatives including insurance, criminal justice reform, mental health, transportation, infrastructure, tax policy, public safety, and education.
Plunkett Cooney was established in 1913 and employs about 140 attorneys in seven cities in Michigan as well as in Chicago, Columbus, and Indianapolis.
