Gov. Rick Snyder tapped fellow University of Michigan graduate Steven Hilfinger today to serve as director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth.

Hilfinger, of Beverly Hills, is managing partner of the Detroit office of Foley & Lardner LLP, an international law firm with more than 900 attorneys.

Gov. Rick Snyder

“Steve Hilfinger has an extraordinary background in helping companies navigate expansion and turnaround,” Snyder said in a statement released to the media. “He has an impressive knowledge of the business and regulatory environment and will do an outstanding job in creating a more practical and efficient regulatory system in this state.” According to a press release from Snyder's office, Hilfinger has focused his 23-year legal career on corporate and securities law matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, private equity and venture capital transactions, debt and equity finance transactions, business formation and corporate governance, and general corporate and contract counseling.

His practice includes representation of automotive suppliers and other manufacturers, medical device makers, private equity and venture capital funds, financial institutions, and other businesses.

Hilfinger obtained his bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from U-M in 1984, where he received Phi Beta Kappa honors. He graduated magna cum laude with a law degree from Northwestern University in 1987.

Snyder earned his bachelor's degree in 1977, followed by his MBA in 1979 and his law degree in 1982 — all from U-M. Andy Levin has been serving as acting director of DELEG, which is expected to be restructured with some of its functions moved to the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

Snyder thanked Levin today for playing "an important role in maintaining the functions of DELEG as we continue to develop a reorganization plan for the department that will allow the agency to focus on its core regulatory and licensing functions, administrative hearings and employment services.” Hilfinger will begin his new job Feb. 28. Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.