Outside Legal Counsel PLC
Michigan Property and Civil Rights Attorneys
Outside Legal Counsel PLC is a Michigan law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of property owners, riparians, and citizens against government overreach. From its base in Hemlock, OLC has developed a statewide reputation for handling complex civil-rights and property-rights litigation, with a special focus on issues unique to Michigan’s inland lakes and waterways. The firm regularly represents individuals, associations, and groups in disputes involving riparian rights, special assessment districts, road-end access, unlawful searches, and constitutional violations.
OLC is not a general practice shop — it is a focused litigation firm with offices in the Great Lakes Bay Region (Hemlock, MI) and Northern Michigan (Roscommon, MI). Clients turn to OLC when facing high-stakes matters that require both deep knowledge of Michigan law and the willingness to pursue cases all the way through the appellate courts if necessary. The firm’s work has influenced statewide policy, clarified statutory procedures, and secured important wins for property owners and taxpayers.
Attorney Philip L. Ellison
Michigan Riparian Rights Attorney
Philip L. Ellison, MBA, JD, Esq. is a distinguished Michigan attorney whose dedication to property, water, and civil rights law is rooted in a lifelong connection to Michigan. Born and raised there, Philip’s formative experiences—including spirited participation in mock trial during high school—laid the foundation for a career characterized by tenacity, strategic insight, and community commitment.
Formerly an adjunct law instuctor, today he serves at the helm of Outside Legal Counsel PLC and has extensive active civil litigation in areas of property and riparian rights, agribusiness, class actions, civil liberties, and government transparency. He regularly appears across all Michigan appellate levels—Circuit, Court of Appeals, Supreme Court—and in federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court
Philip has been appointed class counsel in high-impact class actions and has been recognized by Super Lawyers for nearly ten years, a reflection of his legal skill and peer respect.
In the field of riparian rights, Philip’s major victories include key appellate wins such as CHiLLL v. Roscommon County Board of Commissioners, Maniaci v. Diroff, Astemborski v. Manetta, and countless others he’s successfully handled at both the Michigan Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.
His background, results-driven practice, and engaged scholastic presence position Philip as one of Michigan’s leading advocates for waterway and property rights—combining local insight with appellate tenacity for meaningful public and legal impact.
Philip operates primarily from OLC's Hemlock, Michigan office but also works out of the firm's new Higgins/Houghton Lake office in Roscommon, Michigan.
→ Contact OLC: www.olcplc.com/public/contact