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Headshot for Hilger Hammond Lawyer Mark Rysberg
Attorney Mark Rysberg's SuperLawyers badge showing he's one of the top rated construction lawyers in Michigan.

Mark A. Rysberg

Commercial Litigation, Arbitration & Mediation and Construction Law Attorney

Email

616-451-8402

LinkedIn

616-284-3067

V-Card

Lisa Palomino, Paralegal

Email

616-284-3065

Mark Rysberg is a highly experienced construction law attorney and general advisor to small and large construction entities, from closely held companies to ENR top 100 contractors and subcontractors. He is one of 21 lawyers statewide invited to be a fellow of the Construction Lawyer Society of America, and there is only one other practicing lawyer east of Lansing to have the recognition. He was selected to the list of Super Lawyers in 2022, Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2016 to 2020, and Best Lawyers in America since 2021.

A licensed builder for nearly 30 years and an owner of construction companies, Mark has the expertise to consult construction clients in operation, mergers and acquisitions, risk management and finance, and strategic planning. He prepares and negotiates complex, multi-million dollar construction contracts, manages delay and change order claims and disputes, addresses surety bond and lien claims, and handles insurance coverage disputes. 

Mark’s expertise in construction goes even further. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Building Construction Management, a Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) certification, and a Management Liability Insurance Specialist (MLIS) certification. He is also a Certified Construction Auditor and Certified Construction Control Professional. Mark has written and lectured to construction trade associations on various topics related to the construction industry and construction law. He is a contributing author to several books, and nationally published in several trade publications.

Mark is a skilled trial lawyer with national legal experience at trial court and appellate court levels. He has broad knowledge in resolving disputes before litigation, obtaining favorable settlements during litigation, winning motions, and at trial. He has been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, Eastern District of Michigan, Northern District of Indiana, Southern District of Texas, Nebraska District Court, and United States Tax Court. Mark has also been admitted to practice in the U.S. Federal Court of Claims and the U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit. 

In his free time, Mark enjoys boating and big-game fishing. 

“Good lawyers add value, not just provide a service. Lawyers should be partners to their client’s endeavors.”

    Education

     

    Michigan State University

    Bachelor of Science

    Building Construction Management

    East Lansing, MI

     

    Thomas M. Cooley Law School

    J.D., cum laude 

    Lansing, MI

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    Bar Admissions

    • Michigan

    Court Admissions

    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
    • Eastern District of Michigan and Northern District of Michigan
    • U.S. Federal Court of Claims
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit

        Publications

        Presentations

        • “Succession Planning & Risk Management around Organizational Logistics”; co-presenter, Michigan Department of Transportation – 43rd Annual Small Business Conference, Novi, MI, March 2024
        • “Current Issues Involving Construction Contract Language”; co-presenter, Construction Financial Management Association, Grand Rapids, Michigan, April 2022
        • “COVID-19 Updates”;  American Subcontractors Association of Michigan General Membership Meeting, co-presenter, Grand Rapids, Michigan, October 2020
        • “Contract Language and Scheduling”; American Subcontractors Association of Michigan, Hudsonville, Michigan, June 2018
        • “Captive Insurance Overview and Spring Creek Discussion”; Co-presenter, Construction Financial Managers Association of South West Michigan, Kalamazoo, Michigan, April 2018
        • Moderator, “Scheduling Issues Round Table”; American Subcontractors Association of Michigan, Grand Rapids, Michigan March 2018
        • “Captive Insurance”; Construction Financial Management Association Education Summit, Western Michigan Chapter, Grand Rapids, Michigan, March 2017
        • “Michigan Construction Contract Clauses”; Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association, Lansing, Michigan, October 2016
        • “The Best Advice is Free: Working with Professionals”; co-presenter, West Michigan Construction Industry Forum, Grand Rapids, Michigan, October 2016
        • “Potential Pitfalls of Doing Business Out of State”; co-presenter, Construction Financial Management Association’s Midwest Regional Conference, Oak Brook, Illinois, September 2016
        • “Collective Bargaining Agreements and Union Withdrawal Liability”; Construction Financial Management Association Southwest Chapter, Kalamazoo, Michigan, September 2016
        • “Michigan Construction Contract Clauses;” Construction Financial Management Association Southwest Chapter, Kalamazoo, Michigan, February 2016
        • “The Michigan Builders’ Trust Fund Act and Management Liability”; West Michigan Construction Industry Forum, co-presenter, Grand Rapids, Michigan, October 2015
        • “Liens and Bonds 2.0 – Standard Operating Procedures for Construction Companies”; West Michigan Construction Industry Forum, co-presenter, Grand Rapids, Michigan, October 2015

        Hilger Hammond blog publications from attorney Mark Rysberg: