Profile Image Placeholder

Christopher James Topa JD, MBA, MPA

Advocatus Law Firm, PLC
  • Business Law, Estate Planning, Tax Law
  • Michigan
Badges
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Practice Areas
    Business Law
    Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
    Estate Planning
    Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
    Tax Law
    Business Taxes, Criminal Tax Litigation, Estate Tax Planning, Income Taxes, International Taxes, Payroll Taxes, Property Taxes, Sales Taxes, Tax Appeals, Tax Audits, Tax Planning
Fees
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    $205/hr.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Michigan
State Bar of Michigan
ID Number: P70306
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
US District Court - Eastern District of Michigan
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
US Tax Court
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Managing Member
Advocatus Law Firm, PLC
- Current
- Conduct research, evaluate law and regulations, offer opinions, draft legal documents and handle litigation - Hire, supervise and schedule employees - Prepare, analyze and review billing, financial statements and tax returns
Site Coordinator
Internal Revenue Service - Volunteer Return Preparation Program
- Current
- IRS Certified Tax Preparer for Individual, Pension, Military, and Foreign Student Returns (Tax Years 2003-2008) - TaxWise Train-the-Trainer Certified (Tax Year 2006-2007) - Train, supervise and schedule tax preparers - Prepare and audit tax returns, e-File administrator - Certify and assure compliance with IRS regulations and standards
Office Manager
Huron Valley Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine
-
- Handle patient intake, respond to patient inquiries and grievances - Conduct research, evaluate medical law and regulations, offer opinions and draft forms for doctor - Hire, supervise and schedule employees - Prepare, analyze and review billing, payroll, financial statements and tax returns - Coordinate computer operations and network management
Office Manager
Ming Enterprises
-
- Performed legal research and prepared corporate documents and leases, participated in landlord-tenant litigation - Supervised and scheduled employees - Prepared, analyzed and reviewed financial statements and tax statements - Converted existing paper journal/ledger system to self-developed accounting software system
Education
Wayne State University Law School
LL.M | Taxation
- present
Wayne State University Law School Logo
Ave Maria School of Law
J.D
-
Honors: Full-Tuition Scholarship for Academic Achievement
Ave Maria School of Law Logo
Indiana Wesleyan University
M.S | Master of Business Administration
-
Honors: - Elected by faculty and fellow students for highest honor, "Outstanding Professional Award"
Placeholder image for education.
Indiana University - Indiana University-Bloomington
B.S. | Public & Environmental Affairs / Criminal Justice
-
Honors: - Hutton Honors College - Alpha Phi Omega Distinguished Service Key
Activities: - Alpha Phi Omega - Alpha Theta Tau Commons Club - Indiana University Student Association
Indiana University - Indiana University-Bloomington Logo
Indiana University - Indiana University-Bloomington
M.S | Master of Professional Accountancy
-
- Performed Activities Based Costing and Inventory Control projects for national textbook dealer - Performed Stock Valuation project for national retail clothing chains
Indiana University - Indiana University-Bloomington Logo
Professional Associations
National Association of Tax Professionals
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Michigan State Bar  # 70306
Member
- Current
Activities: Taxation Section, Administrative Law Section, Consumer Protection Law Section, Healthcare Law Section, Business Law Section, Former Chair - Law Student Section
Placeholder image for professional associations.
American Bar Association
Member
- Current
Activities: Taxation Section, Administrative Law Section, Business Law Section, Law Practice Management Section, Solo and General Practice Section
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Websites & Blogs
Website
Website
Contact & Map
6110 Abbot Road
Ste. D
East Lansing, MI 48823
Telephone: (734) 358-2113
Fax: (517) 332-3325