Reid Felsing is an attorney who as of early 2025 runs a law firm in Lansing, Michigan, that has worked on behalf of Democratic Party-aligned political and advocacy groups. 1 2 3 In January 2025, Felsing was appointed to the Eaton County District Court by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D). 4
Career
Reid Felsing earned a bachelor’s degree from Saginaw Valley State University and a law degree from Michigan State University (MSU) College of Law. He later earned a master’s degree in corporate law and finance from Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School. In 2010, Felsing started his career as a supervising attorney and public-interest fellow for the Small Business and Nonprofit Clinic at MSU College of Law. He later worked as an adjunct professor at Michigan State University, Saginaw Valley State University, and Lansing Community College, and worked for the law firm Knaggs Brake, P.C. 4 5 6
In 2017, Felsing founded the Law Office of Reid Felsing, which focuses on litigation involving business law, tax compliance, corporate governance, civil litigation, and criminal defense. He also serves as a Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System attorney and provides legal defense for indigent clients in Michigan. Felsing also served as the magistrate at the 56A District Court in Eaton County. 7 4 5 6
In January 2025, Felsing was appointed to the Eaton County District Court bench by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D). 4 5 8
Politics
In 2020, Solidarity Michigan, an organization Felsing founded and for which he was principal officer, printed an attack ad against Macomb County Democratic Party Chairman and then-candidate for County Commissioner Ed Bruley, claiming that Bruley ran a whites-only Democratic club and including a racist quote falsely attributed to Bruley. When questioned about Solidarity Michigan’s activities, Felsing said, “no comment.” 3
By 2022, Felsing was involved in four other Michigan-based 501(c)(4) organizations: the Michigan Center of Accountability for Republicans, the Michigan Deserves Better Fund, Citizens for a Better Michigan, and Residents for Good Governance. Felsing is listed as the president or treasurer of all four organizations on their tax disclosures. Jack Rucker, an associate attorney at Felsing’s law firm, is listed as the director of two of the groups. Jenna Le, a “government relations consultant/ legal assistant” at the law firm, is listed as the treasurer of one group. 9 10 11 12 13 6 14 Jeff Timmer, a political strategist at the Lincoln Project, is listed as the president of one group. 12 Joe Disano, owner of political-consulting group DiSano Strategies is the founder of the nonprofit Michigan Deserves Better. 11
According to the Washington Examiner, all four organizations raised and spent about $1 million on their operations, including support for Democratic Party electoral candidates. One of the organizations, Citizens For A Better Michigan, was funded by the left-of-center group Democrat Citizens for Energizing Michigan’s Economy, which has ties to Michigan state Rep. Joe Tate (D-Detroit). 14
As of December 2024, Felsing’s law firm, the Law Office of Reid Felsing, has provided services to ten Democratic candidates and PACs for a combined sum of $55,239.05. The firm’s clients have included the Michigan Common Sense Party, the Lansing Future PAC, the MI Forward Fund, and Michigan state Rep. Joe Tate (D-Detroit). 2
References
- “Our Professionals.” THE LAW OFFICE OF REID FELSING, PLC. Accessed January 24, 2025. https://www.felsinglaw.com/our-professionals.html.
- “Law Office of Reid Felsing.” Transparency USA. Accessed December 27, 2024. https://www.transparencyusa.org/mi/payee/law-office-of-reid-felsing?__cf_chl_tk=eYNbBga3Ar_B8DJOY_dSzCrrNfGZNiCpGSMK5L63KzE-1694991434-0-gaNycGzNDHs.
- Selweski, Chad. “Selweski: Ugly racial politics resurface in Macomb primary attack mailings.” Deadline Detroit. July 31, 2020. Accessed December 27, 2024. https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/25873/selweski_ugly_racial_politics_resurface_in_macomb_primary_attack_mailings
- “Whitmer Appoints Felsing to Eaton County Bench.” Corp! December 23, 2024. Accessed December 27, 2024. https://www.corpmagazine.com/break-room/whitmer-appoints-felsing-to-eaton-county-bench/#:~:text=Felsing%20started%20his%20legal%20career,years%20as%20an%20associate%20attorney.
- Palmer, Ken. “New judge appointed to vacancy in Eaton County District Court.” Lansing State Journal. December 10, 2024. Accessed December 27, 2024. https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/2024/12/10/reid-felsing-appointed-judge-eaton-county-district-court/76893173007/.
- “Reid Felsing.” Law Office of Reid Felsing. Accessed December 27, 2024. https://www.felsinglaw.com/our-professionals.html.
- “Our Services.” Law Office of Reid Felsing. Accessed December 27, 2024. https://www.felsinglaw.com/services.html.
- Isbell, J.P. “Governor Whitmer’s Courtroom Cronyism: Dark Money Operative Lands Judgeship.” Michigan News Source. December 16, 2024. Accessed December 27, 2024. https://www.michigannewssource.com/2024/12/governor-whitmers-courtroom-cronyism-dark-money-operative-lands-judgeship/.
- “Parker Thayer.” X. December 10, 2024. Accessed December 27, 2024. https://x.com/ParkerThayer/status/1866584256954143181.
- “Citizens for a Better Michigan Form 990.” IRS. Accessed December 27, 2024. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/873528832_202212_990O_2023120722082257.pdf.
- “Michigan Deserves Better Form 990.” IRS. Accessed December 27, 2024. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/862626079_202303_990EO_2024011122219471.pdf.
- “Accountable Michigan Form 990.” IRS. Accessed December 27, 2024. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/862521289_202212_990O_2023090621626873.pdf.
- “Residents for Good Governance Form 990.” IRS. Accessed December 27, 2024. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/842130868_202212_990EO_2024011122221046.pdf.
- Schmad, Robert. “Dark money ‘fixer’ awarded judgeship by Gretchen Whitmer.” Washington Examiner. December 12, 2024. Accessed December 27, 2024. https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/investigations/3257707/dark-money-fixer-awarded-judgeship-gretchen-whitmer/.