Overview
Beth S. Gotthelf is a Shareholder based in Butzel's Troy office. She is the firm's Director of Innovation and External Relations, Co-Chair of the Energy & Sustainability Practice, and Co-Chair of the Aerospace & Defense industry team. Gotthelf brings a pragmatic and holistic approach to clients’ issues, by understanding her clients' goals and assisting them in reaching those goals through a variety of tools. It is not unusual for her to assist in matchmaking clients’ needs, acting as an outside general counsel, or coming up with creative solutions. Her assistance in diversifying automotive suppliers into the aerospace and defense arena during the economic downturn is just one example of her holistic approach. Ms. Gotthelf credits her successful counseling on using her business experience, legal training, and active participation in professional groups and non-profits that gives her many experiences to draw upon. She is chair of the Michigan Manufacturers Association Environmental Policy Committee and National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Board Directorship Certified.
Ms. Gotthelf started her career in the environmental law arena and remains a leader to this date. She is chair of the Michigan Manufacturers Association Environmental Policy Committee (2022-present) and general counsel to the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Surface Finishers (1990-present). Other roles include creating the first wetland bank in Michigan and Wayne County’s Brownfield Authority. She has been active in a variety of enforcement cases both on behalf of government and industry. Her counseling includes compliance, emergency response, remediation, PFAS, redevelopment, tax incentives, enforcement, occupational safety and health, and insurance coverage.
For over a decade, Ms. Gotthelf has also been active in the Aerospace and Defense industries, advises clients in the various legal issues including governmental contracting, ITAR, EAR, bids and bid protests, and Foreign Military Sales to name a few. She also works with start-up companies and is the legal executive in residence at the Oakland University INCubator.
Ms. Gotthelf has served as general counsel to the Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Surface Finishers since 1990 and Vice President since 2019; Oakland University Incubator Executive in Residence (Macomb branch prior to it closure) (2013-present); Better Business Bureau Board member (2012-2022); Michigan Israel Business Accelerator Board member (2007-present); International Women’s Forum, Michigan Chapter Board (2020-present), Florida Chapter Board (2021-present); Women in Defense-Michigan Advisory Board (2017-present); former general counsel to the Wayne County Brownfield Authority. She has represented the Wayne County (Michigan) Department of Environment on a broad variety of issues, including the Detroit bankruptcy as it related to the Detroit Water & Sewerage Department; wastewater treatment plant expansion, upgrade, and compliance; wet weather; landfills; remediation; and ordinance amendments.
Gotthelf has been very active in the business between Israel and Michigan including arranging for the highly successful first Israel Ministry of Defense Mission of Defense companies to a state and the first mission of a state (Michigan) to Israel. She 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 apply those “lessons learned”.
Ms. Gotthelf's Bar experience includes 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 Keystone Committee; Chair of the State Bar of Michigan Environmental Law Section; and Chair of the Environmental Law Committee of the Oakland County Bar Association. Ms. Gotthelf is a past member of the State Bar Representative Assembly on behalf of Oakland County.
Ms. Gotthelf served on the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Committee for Transportation, and is past Chair of the Chamber's Task Force on Water and Sewer Issues. Ms. Gotthelf is Chair of the City of Birmingham (Michigan) Brownfield Authority (2005-2022). On behalf of industry, Ms. Gotthelf served on the Federal Advisory Committee charged with recommending stormwater rules. She served as an arbitrator for the National Arbitration Forum.
Ms. Gotthelf's charitable activities include Trustee of the Jewish Vocational Services (2000-2015, 2016-2021); serving as Co-Chair of the Gleaners Food Bank Women's Power Breakfast fundraiser (2015); Board member and eventually President of the Board of Trustees for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter (1996-2008); Board member and eventually Chair of the Board of Trustees of Oakland Plus Foundation (2005-2011); member of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, State Government Relations Oversight Committee (2004-2018).
Speaking Engagements
Speaker, "New Proposed ASTM Phase I ESA Standard and What it Means from a Practical Standpoint," Michigan Association of Environmental Professionals (MAEP), June 2022
Panelist, 11th Annual American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) Michigan Section’s Environmental Risk Management Workshop – Best Practices for Groundwater Remediation and Management, June 2022
Speaker, “The Impact of Local and Global Climate Change,” International Women's Forum (IWF), May 2022
Panelist, "COVID-19 CARES ACT Supporting Federal Contractors: A Guide for the Small Business Industrial Base", April 2020
Speaker, "Automotive Industry Outlook and Workforce Issues as the Coronavirus Impact Escalates," Webinar, March 2020
Speaker, Cyber Compliance in A&D Breakfast Roundtable, February 2020
Moderator, "Launching into the Future. Is Space the Next Frontier for Surface Finishers?" MINASF, 2019
Speaker, PFAS Update and Compliance Agreements Conference, MINASF, 2019
Speaker, Automotive Update Conference, MINASF, 2019
Moderator, Speaker, PFAS and Legislative Updates, MINASF Conference 2018
Butzel Long / MEDC Lunch and Learn, 2017
Michigan Association of Metal Finishers (MAMF) Luncheon, 2017
GDI Contractors Luncheon, 2015
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Primer Updates, 2015
Coffee and Contracting: Protect Yourself and Still Win Business, 2015
Publications
Preparing For SBA's Vet-Owned Biz Certification Overhaul; Legal360, 2022
Primary Practice Areas
All Related Practice Areas
Credentials
Education
Oakland University 1980, B.S. Public Administration and Public Policy
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law 1985, J.D.
Admissions
- Michigan
Memberships
- Macomb-Oakland University INCubator Advisory Council
- American Bar Association (ABA) - Vice Chair, Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Water Quality and Wetlands Committee
- Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity, International Honorary Society
- Former Vice-Chair, ABA Section Teleconference Seminars
- Former Vice-Chair, 2010 Eastern Water Resources Conference
- Former Vice-Chair, Annual Keystone Environmental Conference
- State Bar of Michigan - past Chair, Environmental Law Section past Section Council-person and Chair of Program Committee Superfund, Solid and Hazardous Waste and Insurance
- State Bar of Michigan - past member Representative Assembly on behalf of Oakland County
- Oakland County Bar Association
- Jewish Vocational Services - Board of Trustees
- Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce - Translink Advisory Committee past Chair, Task Force on Water and Sewer Issues
- Great Lakes Guardians - former Chair, Board of Trustees
- Michigan Israel Business Accelerator - Board of Directors, past President
- Diplomat Helping Hands Foundation - Director
- Federal Advisory Committee Member - rulemaking Phase 2 stormwater rules
Awards & Recognitions
Awards & Recognitions
Honorary Doctorate of Humanities, Oakland University, 2019
Michigan Lawyers Weekly - "Leader in the Law", 2019
Michigan Lawyers Weekly - recognized as one of 20 Women in Law, 2010
The Best Lawyers in America - "Lawyer of the Year", Litigation - Environmental, 2023
The Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law, 2013-2023, Litigation-Environmental, 2020-2023
DBusiness Top Lawyers in Metro Detroit, Environmental Law, 2011-2023; Energy Law, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2020-2023; Government Relations Law, 2011 & 2012
Michigan Super Lawyers, Environmental, 2006-2020
Top 50 Female Michigan Super Lawyers, 2006-2009 & 2014-2018
2009 Oakland University Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award
Litigation Counsel of America - former Fellow
Michigan State Bar Foundation - Fellow
Oakland County Bar Foundation - Fellow
Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers (2006-2009)
Detroit Regional Chamber - recognition as an emerging leader (2003)
National Association of Metal Finishers (2002) - special recognition
Corp! Magazine - one of "Michigan's 95 Most Powerful Women" (2002)
Corp! Magazine - "Top 10 Business Attorneys for Southeast Michigan" (1999)
Crain's Detroit Business' 40 emerging leaders under age 40 ("40 Under 40") (1994)
