Ann Arbor Business Lawyers

George L. Howell is an associate at the Law Offices of Sullivan and Leavitt, PC. George comes to the practice of law with a wide range of experience and education, all of which he uses to the benefit of his clients. Before attending law school, George was a police officer, which gives him a thorough understanding of the Fourth Amendment and police practices and procedures. After law school, George clerked for Justice Michael F. Cavanagh at the Michigan Supreme Court, gaining unique insights into the shape and direction of Michigan law. George also taught English...

I enjoy the interaction with people where I can explain something that may seem complex in a way that helps them understand. As a former teacher, I do enjoy those ah-ha moments where things click. I enjoy talking with clients and getting to know them and their situation, so that I can find the best possible solutions for their needs. I believe that effective estate planning is a critical component of my client’s life planning. I believe that family fights over inheritance are unnecessary and wasteful. Families achieve better outcomes through planning rather than fighting. While it is...

Mr. Frazier is a highly skilled attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, Michigan, and Texas. At Frazier Law, a tax resolution and estate planning firm, we are dedicated to providing effective representation and counsel. We aim to simplify the complex rules surrounding death and taxes, eliminating fear, anxiety, and confusion. We help clients understand their estate planning or tax concerns and guide them to solutions and peace of mind. We empower clients with knowledge and clarity, relieving tax debt without exploiting their fears. Our commitment to honesty and professionalism ensures we deliver on our promises with clear communication, providing peace...

BRENDAN N. GUILFORD was born and raised in Kalamazoo County, attending Vicksburg High School. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree in Political Science from Alma College in 2005. After moving to Florida with his wife, Brendan received his law degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. While attending law school, he clerked for the community association firm Kahan Shir, PL in Boca Raton, FL. After graduating from law school, he relocated to the Tampa Bay region with his family in mid-2009. While working in and around Tampa, Brendan worked...

Mrs. Herson is a 2013 graduate of Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. During her tenure at Cooley, she was a student attorney in the Sixty Plus Clinic performing over 270 hours of Pro bono service in Estate Planning. She is a current Board member for the Sixty Plus Clinic and continues to advocate for protecting our elderly. In addition to zealously advocating for her clients, Mrs. Herson is an adjunct law and MBA professor for several universities and has co-authored a nonprofit law book.

The best part of being a lawyer is helping others with their legal issues. I don’t pay for TV advertisements or premium on-line placements. Instead, I do the best I can at a fair price for my valuable clients who in turn pay me the ultimate compliment by referring me to others who may need legal services. Here are a few things I ask you to consider.

- I deal directly with my clients. I do not pass you on to a junior associate; I do the actual work, which I continue to find interesting and rewarding.

-I work...

Benjamin Stoltman focuses on Adult and Minor Guardianships, Wills, Trusts and Estates, Adoptions, Non-Profit Formation, Business Transactions, and Appeals.

Ben graduated magna cum laude from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. While in law school, Benjamin served as a member of Law Review and was the recipient of numerous awards for academic merit, including top marks in civil procedure, military law, and the professional responsibility seminar.

Benjamin was also inducted as a member of the Justice Frank Murphy Honor Society, an honor reserved for students graduating in the top ten percent of their class.

Prior to starting...

Law Degree, MBA with honors degree in Management & Accounting & a BS degree in Accounting & Management. Also has college teaching experience in business law, management and accounting.

David is known to be very personable & good listener in working with clients and fulfilling their needs, has exceptional memory/retention/recall skills, outstanding judge/court/apposing council presentation and response skills & presents cases forcefully.

20+ years and 8,000+ cases for individuals & business with many cases before a jury and/or a judge. Strives to reduce & simply your legal issues, reduce stress and protect your rights. We serve...

Scot focuses on business law, real estate development, employment law, estate planning, probate, and commercial litigation. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and his J.D., with cum laude honors, from the Notre Dame Law School. While at Notre Dame, Scot was an editor with the Journal of Legislation and clerked for the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in Flint, MI, and the Michigan Supreme Court in Lansing, MI. After graduating from Notre Dame Law School, Scot clerked with the Michigan Court of Appeals in Grand Rapids, MI. In January of...

Codie graduated with her J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law in 2021. While in law school she served as a peer mentor in the reading, writing, and analysis department in addition to becoming a Civil Facilitative Mediator and worked as a legal intern at Jackson National Life Insurance Company before beginning her legal career at Herbert Machnik Law Firm. At Herbert Machnik Codie works primarily in Business Organization, Contracts, Property, Employment, and Trust and Estate Administration. Codie is an active member of her community and helps to mentor...

Jason N. Machnik was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He attended Western Michigan University where he earned a B.A. in Marketing. Jason went on to graduate Cum Laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and earned his J.D. in the accelerated program. While in law school, he served as Class Representative for the Student Bar Association and as Chapter President of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. Jason earned the Certificate of Merit in Property Law. Prior to joining Willis Law, Jason served as a Law Clerk for Judges in Allegan County and Cass County. When out of...

BUSINESS LAW. With my education (JD, MBA, CPA) and experience (Attorney and Business Executive) I bring an unusual extensive knowledge and experience in both the business legal world and the business operations world. As a result, I understand both the business and legal aspects of most situations.

ESTATE PLANNING. I have developed an unique process to help clients understand how an estate plan works in order to help them make informed decisions so they have a peace of mind knowing what how their estate plan will unfold as life progresses.

PROBATE. For those looking to keep...

David D. Sprague is the firm's principal partner. His practice includes Business Law, Probate and Estate Planning, Elder Law and Medicaid Planning, Family Law (domestic relations/divorce/prenuptial agreements) and Real Estate Law. David has experience working as an attorney at two nationally recognized law firms: Raymond & Prokop, P.C. and Pepper Hamilton LLP. In addition, David has helped clients to successfully complete applications with the Michigan Minority Business Development Council and has defended claims made by the Business Software Alliance. Prior to practicing law, David had nearly 10 years of experience working in the automotive industry and the field of information technology...

Julie A. Gafkay graduated from Michigan State University in 1992 with a dual major in criminal justice and political theory. She graduated from Whittier Law School in 1995 with honors. Her first position was in Flint, Michigan focusing on civil rights and employment discrimination. In 2003, Attorney Gafkay opened her own statewide practice in Frankenmuth, Michigan. The practice's attorneys provide a general practice to the local area providing legal services in Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning, Elder Law, Business Planning, contract review, landlord/tenant issues, real estate, employment issues and other general practice areas. Attorney Gafkay has...

Justin began his legal career in insurance defense where he gained experience handling complex litigation matters. Justin continued to build his litigation acumen by working on cases across a wide spectrum of legal issues including personal injury, no-fault PIP claims, wrongful death, contract disputes, property disputes, and premises liability. Since starting at Herbert Machnik in 2022, Justin has been a valuable asset on the civil litigation team in addition to assisting in matters related to estate planning and business planning and formation. Justin is an active member of his church and gives back to his community by working with the...

The Buchanan Firm team represents real people injured by vehicle accidents or medical negligence. When you contact our firm, we give you a free evaluation and answer your questions. Our clients always meet with the team that handles the claim. We never pass you down to an inexperienced attorney. And we work tirelessly on your case to win, and do so at no additional cost to you. Using cutting-edge technology and legal video documentaries, we show the wrongdoers and their insurance companies they must settle the claim or risk losing at trial. Our serious injury team of attorneys and...

My practice is concentrated in four principal areas: consumer rights, lender liability, estate planning, and probate litigation. In the field of consumer rights, I have represented individuals and classes in litigation under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. Most frequently my clients are individuals or businesses pursuing or defending their legal rights against banks, financial institutions, mortgage servicers and other large corporations. Westbrook Law PLLC also provides services to clients in the areas of estate planning and probate and trust administration...

Melissa K. Allen has served the Greater Lansing area since 1995, offering compassionate and professional estate planning services. A University of Michigan and then Thomas M. Cooley Law School graduate, she earned multiple honors, including Cum Laude distinction and top 7% of her class. Ms. Allen has been recognized with the "People's Choice Award for Favorite Attorney" seven times and frequently speaks on estate planning. Her approachable manner and expertise simplify complex issues, such as second marriages and beneficiaries with disabilities, making the process easy and rewarding for her clients.

Originally a teacher, W. Jay Brown became a lawyer in 1998 and has been in practice in the Great Lakes Bay Region ever since. Mr. Brown graduated first in his law school class and joined Midland’s largest law firm as a litigation associate. While with the firm, Mr. Brown embarked on his litigation career and was soon promoted to member of the firm. In 2009, W. Jay Brown left the law firm to start his own practice based on his vision for the practice of law – where technology and innovation are leveraged to provide clients superior customer and...

I graduated from the Detroit College of Law (MSU) in 1990 and was licensed by the State Bar of Michigan that same year. I graduated with honors with a concentration in taxation and was a published author in the nationally esteemed Detroit College Law Review. My practice is devoted exclusively to asset protection, consumer bankruptcy and student loan assistance. My unique approach to clients enables them to actively participate in the process so that you are completely involved in the process and understand exactly what your options are and what option is best for you and your family. ...

Matthew J. McBride is both an attorney and a CPA. Prior to graduating cum laude from DePaul University College of Law, Mr. McBride spent nearly a decade working in public accounting. His legal career began with a 50 attorney firm in Detroit, where he focused on business and tax law. In addition to his experience as an attorney and a CPA, Mr. McBride currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel for a small group of privately held clients. As a CPA, Mr. McBride spent time in both the accounting and tax departments of a...

Attorney Keilen is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan, the Federal US District Court for the Western District of Michigan, and the Federal US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Attorney Keilen is a Board Member and Attorney Representative for Kalamazoo Plus; he is an Advisory Board Member for the Michigan Medical Device Accelerator.

Attorney Keilen is a commercial litigator specializing in closely held business disputes; he is also the founder/owner of a local medical device company, giving him a unique appreciation for the legal issues in today’s business environment. Attorney Keilen has been a guest...

Assistant Attorney General for the State of Michigan since 2011.

A life long Michigan resident, Steven A Heisler is a graduate of Saint Clair County Community College in Port Huron, Michigan where he earned his A.D.G.B. (Associates Degree in General Business) degree. Mr. Heisler continued his business education at Baker College in Flint, Mt. Clemens, and Port Huron, Michigan where he earned his B.B.L. (Bachelors of Business Leadership) degree. Mr. Heisler's legal education was from one of the nation's most respected law school in the United States, Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan where he earned his J.D. (Jurist Doctor) degree. Mr. Heisler is highly respected...

Michael J. Caywood began practicing law in 1991 and joined Dresser Dresser Haas & Caywood, PC in 1999. Prior to moving to Sturgis, Michael practiced in Phoenix at the law firm of Snell & Wilmer and in Chicago with Ungaretti & Harris and the Division of Enforcement for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. While in Phoenix and Chicago, Michael's practice included complex commercial, medical products liability, intellectual property and securities litigation in both State and Federal Courts, as well as intricate technology transactional agreements. Michael has further developed his practice since joining Dresser Dresser Haas & Caywood, PC....

I am Erika S. Shadowens, a family law attorney with a strong reputation for my tenacious advocacy and strategic approach to litigation. As a partner at Varnum LLP, I have dedicated over 28 years to representing clients in complex divorce, child custody, and high-asset family law cases. Known for my unwavering dedication, I am a formidable presence in the courtroom, where I advocate relentlessly to protect my clients' rights and interests. My litigation experience covers all levels of the legal system, including the Michigan Supreme Court, where I have successfully argued challenging cases. Whether it's high-conflict custody disputes or intricate financial...