Joel Freeman – Fishbeck

When Joel Freeman first walked through the doors of Fishbeck as its newly appointed corporate counsel in October 2023, he wasn’t just stepping into a new position—he was creating it. As the company’s first in-house attorney, Freeman faced the dual challenge of defining the role and function of the legal department and helping one of the Midwest’s fastest-growing engineering firms scale with confidence and cohesion. Fortunately, Freeman brought a secret weapon: a background in music and education.

Joel Freeman | Fishbeck | Corporate Counsel

“Conducting an ensemble and creating music isn’t all that different from helping a business align its legal strategy with its goals,” Freeman says. “You’re listening carefully, synthesizing many moving parts, and helping people move together toward something bigger.”

Fishbeck is a multidisciplinary consulting firm providing full-service engineering, environmental sciences, architecture, and construction management solutions. With over 700 employees across 20 offices in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, the company has established itself as a leader in delivering coordinated, in-house expertise to public and private clients nationwide. This integrated service model requires seamless communication, and that’s where Freeman’s unique experience shines.

With a degree in music education from Michigan State University, Freeman began his professional life as a high school band and choir teacher. But even then, the law was never far from his mind.

“I’d always been interested in politics and public service,” he says. “Even as I was teaching, I knew another chapter was coming.”

That next chapter led him to law school, a role with the Michigan legislature, holding local elected office, and later to construction and economic development positions.

“By the time I arrived at Fishbeck, I’d worked from the perspectives of the owner, the contractor, and the design team,” Freeman explains. “That broad understanding has been critical in helping me see the bigger picture and connect legal strategy to Fishbeck’s business operations.”

Orchestrating the team

Coming into a firm with no in-house legal presence meant Freeman had to build credibility and capacity quickly.

“With a new and unique role to the firm, it wasn’t exactly clear what I’d be doing daily,” he laughs. “But it didn’t take long for the plate to fill up.  As I built relationships with coworkers throughout the firm, I was learning what different groups needed and where to focus my priorities, and they were learning how I could support their objectives.”

Initially brought on to support traditional legal functions, including contract management and mergers and acquisitions, Fishbeck completed two acquisitions in late 2024, and Freeman quickly found himself tackling a host of related tasks: reviewing and updating form documents, standardizing internal procedures, and establishing processes that could scale with the company’s growth.

“The work started with legal documents but quickly expanded into legal-adjacent areas including risk management, corporate governance, human resources, insurance, and health and safety,” he says.

Today, Freeman oversees a risk management department that includes legal, health and safety, corporate records, and other compliance-related functions.

While the workload expanded rapidly, Freeman’s collaborative style made the transition easier.

“I’m not the ‘no’ department. I try to be the ‘how do we get to yes’ department,” he explains. “We’re not here to block progress—we’re here to make sure we can grow confidently and sustainably.”

A music educator’s approach to legal strategy

Freeman often draws on his background in music education when approaching legal challenges.

“It begins with an understanding that people are unique, and everyone receives and processes information differently. This is a fundamental concept to being a successful teacher and is just as true in a corporate setting,” he says.

Whether working with engineers, HR leaders, or executives on the subsequent acquisition, Freeman adapts his communication style to the audience.

“Much like leading a choir, band, or orchestra. Each section relies on the others, but doesn’t always know or understand each other’s parts,” he says. “My job is to make sure they stay in sync.”

His role often involves breaking down complex legal or regulatory concepts into practical, relatable guidance.

“As in-house counsel, it’s typical to be the only attorney in the room, explaining legal concepts to various coworkers. In those situations, I pause and suggest, ‘Okay, think of it like this,’ and offer one or two relevant metaphors that convey the concept in ways that connect with the specific audience,” he recalls. “That adaptation is second nature for teachers—and incredibly valuable for in-house counsel.”

Planning for growth with harmony in mind

Fishbeck is in a phase of strategic growth, and Freeman plays a key role in ensuring the firm is ready for what’s next.

“A big part of my job is helping all parts of the firm prepare for growth,” he says. “That means more than just reviewing legal documents—it means building processes, preparing for integration, and ensuring we preserve the culture that makes this place great.”

He’s been instrumental in developing risk mitigation strategies that empower rather than inhibit growth.

“I often say I’m not in the risk avoidance department—I’m in the risk management department,” he says. “The goal is to move forward with eyes open, knowing we’ve asked the right questions and planned accordingly.”

With acquisitions underway and new markets opening, Freeman finds the variety of his role deeply rewarding. No two days are alike: One day, he’s reviewing and negotiating contract language, and the next, he’s helping navigate the challenges of integrating a newly acquired firm. That variety keeps things fresh and ensures Freeman’s always learning.

And like a good bandleader, Freeman knows how to balance the different sections.

“What I love most is bringing together diverse perspectives—legal, financial, operational, and others—and helping them coalesce around a shared solution,” he says. “When that happens, it feels like making music, where the final product doesn’t work without everyone providing their unique contribution.”

A Catalyst for Growth and Culture

Freeman may have taken a nontraditional path to corporate law. Still, his journey—from classroom and concert hall to construction site and counsel’s office—has uniquely prepared him for the complexities of modern in-house practice. His background in music and teaching not only informs his approach to communication and problem-solving, but also reinforces his commitment to collaboration, clarity and cohesion.

“As Fishbeck grows, we want to stay true to who we are,” Freeman says. “That means building scalable procedures and human systems that support our culture rather than override it.”

It’s a vision rooted in both structure and soul. And whether conducting a brass section or guiding a cross-functional team through a high-stakes acquisition, Freeman is proof that sometimes, the best lawyers are also great listeners.