Grand Haven Lawyers

I began my legal career working for the Workers Compensation Appellate Commission, a body of judges appointed by the governor to hear workers compensation appeals. While working at the commission I gained valuable insight into what proofs are required to win all types of litigated workers compensation cases. This valuable knowledge gives me the edge when representing my clients. From the Appellate Commission I went to work for a prominent insurance defense firm in Grand Rapids, MI., defending big business from claims submitted by everyday hardworking Michigan employees. Not happy with what I saw, I left...

Jason Barrix founded the Barrix Law Firm in 1993 after Graduating from Thomas Cooley School. He was admitted tot he Michigan State Bar in 1993 as well as the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. Prior to Law School Jason Barrix attended and Graduated from Central Michigan University. There he majored in Political Science receiving his Bachelor's of Science in 1988. Mr. Barrix has focused his practice on Representing those injured do to the negligence of others including Personal Injury, Auto Accident, Dog Bite, Food Poisoning, Medical Malpractice, Trip and Fall, Social...

I represent clients in divorce, child custody, paternity and guardianship issues. My passion is assisting individuals during one of the toughest periods in their lives, when their marriage is coming to an end or child custody is at stake. I am an avid listener and I pride myself on my high standards of detail and client care. My first goal is always to utilize mediation or alternative dispute resolution to avoid the cost and stresses of litigation for clients. However, if a case proceeds to litigation, I will zealously defend my client's position. I am originally from Scotland where I obtained...

My practice is varied and litigation oriented and includes almost four decades of experience. I am admitted to practice in all Michigan state courts; the Federal District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, the Northern District of Indiana, and the Federeal Bankruptcy Court in Northern Kentucky; and the Supreme Court of the United States. My real estate practice has included considerable work in the area of Condominium Law besides work in title issues, transfers, and development matters.

Eric Hultman is a registered patent attorney with experience counseling corporations and individuals on a wide range of intellectual property and business matters. Mr. Hultman represents his clients on a broad spectrum of intellectual property issues, including patent, trade secret, trademark, and copyright and unfair competition matters. He has dealt with diverse patent matters including patent availability and non-infringement opinions, patent preparation, patent prosecution and litigation support. Prior to beginning his legal career, Mr. Hultman worked for eight years as a mechanical engineer, designing and testing automotive parts for Tier I automotive suppliers. Mr. Hultman is admitted to practice before the United States...

Unlike traditional law firms, I wanted to start a practice that fit with what small businesses needed. They needed a creative problem solver that provided more than generic information and some forms or a high priced law firm that passed work off to an associate. The Business Law Group leverages technology to provide a reasonable solution to your businesses legal needs. We allow you to focus on building your business instead of worrying about doing trying to do our job.

Mr. Villar graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and went on to hold clerkships for the Honorable George R. Corsiglia in the Allegan Circuit Court and for the Michigan Court of Appeals. Since entering private practice in 1993, Mr. Villar has participated in numerous high visibility cases throughout Southwest Michigan.

Mr. Villar has also worked for one of the largest law firms in America, Dorsey & Whitney. Dorsey & Whitney employed over 330 attorneys and had offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, New York, Brussels (Belgium), London (England), and Paris (France). While demanding, Dorsey & Whitney prepared Mr. Villar for...

I’ve worked with injured folks for the past decade, both in the context of auto accidents and worker’s compensation. I know that when you suffer an injury, you need firm and aggressive advocacy so your voice can be heard. But you also need frank and honest guidance so you can make good decisions for your future and for your family’s future. I provide both.

When you call my firm, I’m the one you’ll talk to on the phone, not some screener who passes you along to an associate. I take your call, I hear your story, I...

Estate Planning Attorney – Biography Matthew V. Piwowar is the founder of Legacy Architects PLLC. His practice focuses on Estate Planning, Trusts and Wills, Special Needs Children, Business Succession, Long-Term Care, and Probate. He has over 30 years of experience advising on estate planning, business law, mergers & acquisitions, finance, and international law. Mr. Piwowar was born in Marquette, MI and grew up in West Michigan. He provides services to his clients statewide, from Grandville and Grand Rapids, south to Three Rivers and Kalamazoo, north to Boyne City and St. Ignace. Experience Piwowar’s background includes such transactions as: the sale of a...

I have been practicing law since 1979 in the State and Federal Courts. My firm specializes in bankruptcy and is actively involved in the bankruptcy practice in West Michigan. I am a Board Certified Specialist in Consumer Bankruptcy Law by the American Board of Certification. I am actively involved in many local bar organizations that focus on bankruptcy practice, speak at many conferences, and I’ve helped thousands of people through the bankruptcy process.

Headquartered in Holland, Michigan with a second office in Muskegon, Michigan, West Michigan Law, P.C. was founded by Adam Zuwerink to provide the highest-quality legal services on an efficient and cost-effective basis, focusing on business, real estate and estate planning legal work.

For over 25 years, my passion has been helping companies navigate the waters of patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and other forms of Intellectual Property.

The firm I founded has been honored to secure in 500+ US Patents, hundreds of US Trademarks, and IP rights in over 60 Countries, on 6 Continents, for clients that range from the individual inventor to the Fortune 50.

It is likewise an honor to have multiple clients place their trust in our work for two decades, and to continue to represent my first corporate client all these years later.

I have been fortunate to have worked...

Originally from Muskegon, Jacob studied economics at the University of Michigan and law at the University of Minnesota. Now, he practices law, focusing on business and real estate transactions, with the experienced attorneys at the Norton Shores based firm Gielow Groom Terpstra & McEvoy.

Geoffrey has been practicing law in western Michigan now — and previously in the Detroit metro area (and beyond) — since 2005. In that time, he has consulted thousands of clients, and took part in many bankruptcy cases (both Chapter 7 and 13) for individuals and small businesses and helped numerous individuals and small businesses with all their legal needs. In addition, Geoff has volunteered at Freedom House Detroit practicing immigration and asylum law, teaches test preparation classes, and tutors students for standardized tests. Geoff grew up on a dairy farm in western Michigan — in his free time he enjoys...

Gary T. Neal specializes in the areas of workers' compensation, Social Security, and unemployment benefits. Mr. Neal received his law degree from the University of Wisconsin. He also graduated from Michigan State University with high honors, receiving a B.A. in criminal justice.

Mr. Neal is a dedicated advocate for his injured and disabled clients. He also has been a guest lecturer at many labor union and disability advocacy events, focusing on both workers' compensation and Social Security law.

He is a member of the Michigan Association for Justice and the Muskegon County Bar Association. He also coaches the North Muskegon High School...

Robert O. Chessman focuses his work on automobile accidents, personal injuries, wrongful death, and medical and professional malpractice. He also works as a state-certified mediator to resolve disputes in civil cases of all types. Mr. Chessman graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and holds a cum laude degree from Harvard University.

Mr. Chessman is a past president of the Muskegon County Bar Association, and is a member of the Michigan State Bar Association and the Michigan Association for Justice.

Before joining McCroskey Law, Mr. Chessman spent three and one-half years in the Peace Corps, in Togo, West Africa. He also...

Michelle McLean received her Bachelors of Science from Cornerstone University in 2002. She later received her Juris Doctorate Cum Laude from Michigan State University College of Law in 2007. While earning her law degree, Ms. McLean served both on the Inns of Court (Lansing) and also worked as an extern for Kent Countyâs 17th Circuit Judicial Court. Prior to practicing law, Ms. Mclean worked for a national mortgage lender and has over fifteen years experience in this capacity. She worked as an underwriter, collector, manager, and finally as an account executive. By combining her...

Rebecca L. Johnson-Ellis , a partner in the firm, has been an attorney for the past 14 years and us board certified in Consumer Bankruptcy Law from the American Board of Certification. Rebecca received both her law school degree and her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University. Rebecca is admitted to practice in the courts of Michigan, the Western District of Michigan Federal Courts and the U.S. Supreme Court. Rebecca has been recognized by her peers in the Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine as a Rising Star several years in a row. Rebecca has helped thousands of individuals through the...

At Shafer Swartz, PLC, we have represented individuals seriously injured as a result of negligence for more than 4 decades. Matt graduated from Michigan State University College of Law, as well as from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. While his practice takes him all over the state, Matt lives in West Michigan with his wife and two daughters. Matt provides all clients with his mobile phone number and personal email address. All calls, emails, and text messages are returned within 24 hours, usually much sooner that. Weekend appointments and phone conferences are available with advance...

With over eighteen years' experience in both law firm and large corporate environments, handling local, national, and international transactions of various types, I am able to assist clients in structuring and completing complex transactions while maintaining a personalized focus. Our firm appreciates each opportunity we have to learn a client's needs and provide customized solutions to the client's legal issues. I have substantial experience in real estate, corporate structure and governance, commercial contracts and procurement, mergers and acquisitions, estate and succession planning, and construction.

At Eyestone Law Offices, PLC, we provide practical and affordable solutions for your personal and financial legal issues, such as wills, trusts, estate planning, and asset protection. Many of our clients also own small businesses or closely-held companies, and we help these entrepreneurs reduce risk and maximize profits. Our business, financial and estate planning services are designed to ensure that your life’s work continues to provide for you and your family even after you no longer can. No business and personal situation is the same as another, so before charging you a cent or suggesting any course of action, we make...

Balgooyen Law Offices has been a general practice firm in Muskegon County for over 40 years, having represented three municipal governments, several area businesses, and multiple generations of Muskegon families. Fredric F. Balgooyen, sole practitioner, has experience as both a prosecuting and public defense attorney, is a member of the State Bar of Michigan's Criminal Law Section, Probate and Estate Planning Section and Master Lawyer Section. Practice areas include estate planning, Wills & Trusts, Probate and decedent estates, real estate, business law, business planning, commercial and civil litigation, Landlord-Tenant, family law, domestic issues, divorce, child support...