Overview
A knowledgeable environmental attorney in practice for more than three decades, Beth has extensive environmental, renewable energy, and sustainability experience. She assists clients with remediation, redevelopment, permitting, and compliance matters.
Beth also advises clients in the aerospace and defense industries on a variety of legal issues, including governmental contracting, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), bids and bid protests, Foreign Military Sales, and other areas pertinent to these sectors.
Clients can expect a pragmatic and holistic approach to resolving issues when collaborating with Beth. She helps clients reach their goals by understanding their objectives and using a range of tools, including strategic matchmaking, creative problem-solving, and serving as outside general counsel. Her assistance in diversifying automotive suppliers into the aerospace and defense arena during the economic downturn is just one example of her creative approach.
Beth was a part of the team that created the first wetland bank in Michigan and Wayne County’s Brownfield Authority. Her experience includes active involvement in a variety of enforcement cases on behalf of government and industry. She has counseled clients on compliance, emergency response, remediation, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), redevelopment, tax incentives, enforcement, occupational safety and health, and insurance coverage.
Actively involved in ongoing business dealings between Israel and Michigan, Beth was instrumental in arranging for the extraordinarily successful first Israel Ministry of Defense Mission of Defense in Michigan. The Israel Ministry of Defense Mission of Defense is an initiative to align Israeli companies with business synergies within the US. Beth has served as a lay leader on legislative trade missions to Israel to help Michigan legislators learn what has worked to make Israel an economic leader, and to then apply best practices learned from the missions.
Beth credits her successful practice to her business acumen, extensive legal training, and her active participation in professional groups and non-profits that provide many experiences for her to draw from. Beth became National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Board Directorship Certified. She serves as Chair of the Michigan Manufacturers Association’s Environmental Policy Committee; General Counsel to the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Surface Finishers; Executive in Residence of Oakland University Incubator, OU INC SmartZone; Board member and former Chair, Michigan Israel Business Accelerator; and Michigan Advisory Board, Women in Defense.
Additionally, Beth is former Board member of the Better Business Bureau and is former General Counsel to the Wayne County Brownfield Authority. She is a former Board member of the International Women’s Forum, Michigan and Florida Chapters. Beth has represented the Wayne County (Michigan) Department of Public Services Environmental Services Division on a broad variety of issues, including the Detroit bankruptcy as it related to the Detroit Water & Sewerage Department, including wastewater treatment plant expansion, upgrade, and compliance; wet weather; landfills; remediation; and ordinance amendments.
Beth served on the Detroit Regional Chamber Leadership Committee for Transportation and is past Chair of the Chamber's Task Force on Water and Sewer Issues. She is past Chair of the City of Birmingham (Michigan) Brownfield Authority. On behalf of industry, she served on the Federal Advisory Committee charged with recommending stormwater rules. Beth also served as an arbitrator for the National Arbitration Forum.
Also active in numerous bar associations, Beth’s experience includes serving as Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law, Water Quality and Wetlands; former Vice-Chair of the Section's Annual Keystone Conference Committee; Chair of the State Bar of Michigan Environmental Law Section; and Chair of the Environmental Law Committee of the Oakland County Bar Association. Beth is a past member of the State Bar Representative Assembly on behalf of Oakland County.
A long-time supporter of several regional and national charitable organizations, Beth has multifaceted experience serving communities through philanthropic endeavors. She has served as a Trustee of Jewish Vocational Services n/k/a Gesher Human Services; as a Co-Chair of Gleaners Food Bank’s Women's Power Breakfast fundraiser; as a Board member and then President of the Board of Trustees, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter; as a Board member and then Chair of the Board of Trustees of Oakland Plus Foundation; and as a member of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit n/k/a Jewish Federation of Detroit, State Government Relations Oversight Committee.
Beth S. Gotthelf is a Shareholder based in Butzel's Troy office. She leads the firm’s Aerospace & Defense Industry Team, is a Co-Chair of the firm’s Environment, Energy & Sustainability practice, and additionally serves as Butzel’s Director of Innovation and External Relations. During her impressive career, Beth has been recognized consistently by Michigan and national legal publications for her experience in Environmental Law, Energy Law, Governmental Relations Law, and Environmental Litigation.
Primary Practice Areas
All Related Practice Areas
- Aerospace & Defense Industry Team
- Aerospace and Defense
- Automotive Industry Team
- Automotive Law
- Business
- Corporate and Finance
- Environment, Energy & Sustainability
- Environmental Criminal Investigations
- Environmental Litigation
- Israel International Team
- Natural Resources
- Outside General Counsel Services
- Regulatory Permitting & Compliance
- Solid & Hazardous Waste Siting
Credentials
Education
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, J.D.
Oakland University, B.S., Public Administration and Public Policy
Admissions
- Michigan
Memberships
- Michigan Manufacturers Association, Chair
- Detroit Regional Chamber, Environmental Committee
- Oakland County Bar Association
- Michigan Israel Business Accelerator - Board of Directors; past President
Awards & Recognitions
Awards & Recognitions
The Best Lawyers in America® - Environmental Law, 2013-2025; Litigation-Environmental, 2020-2025
The Best Lawyers in America®- "Lawyer of the Year," Litigation - Environmental, 2023
DBusiness - Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit - Environmental Law, 2011-2025; Energy Law, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2020-2023; Government Relations Law, 2011, 2012
Michigan Super Lawyers - Environmental, 2006-2020
Michigan Super Lawyers - Top 50 Female, 2006-2009; 2014-2018
Michigan Super Lawyers - Top 25 Women - Business, 2016-2018
Michigan Super Lawyers – Top 100, 2006-2009
Michigan Lawyers Weekly - Leaders in the Law, 2019
Michigan Lawyers Weekly - Women in Law, 2010
Corp! Magazine - "Michigan's 95 Most Powerful Women," 2002
Corp! Magazine - "Top 10 Business Attorneys for Southeast Michigan," 1999
Crain's Detroit Business' - "40 Under 40", 1994
Community & Professional
Oakland University - Honorary Doctorate of Humanities, 2019
Michigan State Bar Foundation - Fellow
Oakland County Bar Foundation – Fellow
Litigation Counsel of America - former Fellow
Oakland University - Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award, 2009
Detroit Regional Chamber - Emerging Leader, 2003
National Association of Metal Finishers, Special Recognition, 2002