Kalkaska County Lawyers

Coming from a working class family, I worked numerous jobs on my way to become an attorney.

Estate Planning
Wills and Trusts
Business Organization
Real Estate
Criminal Defense
Former Prosecutor

Practice Areas: Immigration Law, Social Security Disability, Family Law, Estate Planning Admissions: Michigan, 2004 U.S. District Court, Eastern District, 2005 U.S. District Court, Western District, 2005 Law School: Wayne State University, J.D., 2004 Utrecht University, The Netherlands, exchange student, 2003 College: Eastern Michigan University, B.A., cum laude, 1998 La Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, México, exchange student, 1998

Working in Michigan since 1979 to understand and serve my corporate and individual clients in the areas of Estates & Trusts, Elder Law, Business and Contracts, Real Estate, and General Civil Law to develop cost effective solutions and strategies.

Jennifer Duitsman Coy graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, and received her law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She has been practicing law since early 2011. Her practice areas include estate planning, probate, real estate, and family law. Jennifer is also a trained mediator and volunteers with the 46th Circuit’s Legal Aid Divorce Clinic.

A native Michigander and veteran of the United States Air Force, Patrick Cherry received his B.A. degree with high honors from University of Michigan in 2012. He then worked as a judicial intern and law clerk while attending Wayne State University Law School, graduating in 2015. After graduation, Patrick moved with his family to Interlochen to enable his oldest son to attend the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy. Patrick joined McCurdy, Wotila & Porteous in April 2016 as the newest Associate Attorney in the firm. As a trial lawyer, Patrick represents our clients in all types of litigation including...

Todd Bailey is a general practitioner who represents individuals and businesses with their legal needs. While Todd is physically located in Traverse City, he has clients in other areas of Northern Michigan, the State of Michigan, and other states in the country who have legal needs in Michigan. In addition, Todd's practice in Maritime law may also involve his involvement in federal courts throughout the country. Todd is able to represent clients who are located outside the Traverse City area due to his availability by telephone, fax, mail, and email.

Nathan Piwowarski is a shareholder and attorney at McCurdy Wotila & Porteous, a law firm that serves northern lower Michigan. Nathan's practice includes estate planning, small business transactions, and municipal law. Nathan earned his B.A. degree in 2002 from Albion College, Summa Cum Laude. He then worked on the campaign and in the legislative office of State Senator Michelle McManus. As an aide to Senator McManus, Nathan was responsible for policy areas ranging from local economic development to natural resource and environmental quality regulation. Nathan earned his J.D. degree in 2007 from the Michigan State University College of Law,...

I provide legal services to individuals, businesses, and property and casualty insurers, with a focus on litigation.

Mr. Geht is an attorney with extensive public and private sector experience. After clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Mr. Geht joined a top law firm in Washington, D.C., where his practice included accountant malpractice litigation, environmental litigation, and labor and employment law. Until he moved to Traverse City in October of 2012, Mr. Geht served for five years as a Trial Attorney with the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. He received several awards from the Department of Justice and from the Internal Revenue Service for his...

James A. Christopherson, Esq. is an arbitrator, mediator and practicing attorney. He has over 28 years of experience as an attorney, arbitrator and mediator in complex construction, real estate, healthcare, commercial, contractual, financial and environmental disputes. He is available to provide legal assistance in commercial, healthcare, real estate, construction and environmental disputes throughout the State of Michigan. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Mr. Christopherson is on the National Roster of Neutral Arbitrators for both Commercial Arbitration and Construction Arbitration for the American Arbitration Association. He is an Arbitrator for the...

Mr. Frazier is not a Nashville native, but he fits right into the community with a strong work ethic and family values which have helped him become a great tax law, estate planning, and business law attorney. Mr. Frazier is a husband and father of two children whose humble beginnings help him relate to any client who needs legal advice to resolve their tax law, estate planning, or business law issues.

Mr. Frazier is also a U.S. Army veteran who served his country proudly and with distinction before being honorably discharged. As a former soft-skill Army Ranger, Mr. Frazier understands the...

I file bankruptcies for individuals under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 of Bankruptcy Code. I have filed hundreds of cases with positive results. Additionally, I've taken the time get board certified in this specialty so members of the public can rest assured that I understand what I'm doing.

Gary K. Springstead is a former FBI Agent and criminal defense attorney defending clients in state court in Michigan and federal courts throughout the United States. He is rated a Super Lawyer for Criminal Law, a 10.0 on Avvo and received the Client's Choice Award on Avvo for his outstanding work. He regularly defends clients in high-profile cases in Michigan and throughout the United States. In federal court, Mr. Springstead defends clients accused of a wide variety of crimes. This includes white collar crimes such as health care fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud and mail fraud, embezzlement, bribery and kickback schemes;...

Robert Gavin is the Senior Associate at Shifman & Carlson, P.C. He has been practicing law since 2008, and was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2015, 2018, and 2019. He was also listed by DBusiness Magazine as a Top Lawyer in the Metro Detroit Area for Public Finance Law in both 2014, 2017, and 2018.

Rob brings a wide variety of skills and a diverse background to bear for his clients, including his experience with contract negotiation, employee issues, construction issues. Rob's undergraduate degree is in engineering, which has also been useful to clients during construction issues and in...

Rachel M. Sexton has spent her entire career as an attorney representing people who find themselves in difficult financial situations. Rachel’s passion is helping people get out from underneath crushing debt and harassing creditors. She has helped hundreds of clients find solutions through bankruptcy. Whether that is saving their homes from foreclosure, getting their cars back after repossession, lowering their car payments, eliminating credit card debt, or dealing with overwhelming IRS debt. Rachel chose to practice bankruptcy because she enjoys helping people in some of the most stressful times of their lives. Rachel’s goal is to help clients move toward...

Born in Detroit, Michigan in the 60's. My parents taught me the value of a strong work ethic, humility, gratitude and family. I love learning and am fascinated with the intersection of law, psychology, medicine and justice. I love to cook, sail, travel, ski and laugh. I am a hockey-softball-baseball mom, and a mentor to as many young lawyers as ask. I enjoy teaching and making a difference. Do one thing every day that makes you smile. I do.

Over 50 years of successful consultation and trial practice.

Michael Wooley has 23 years of experience in employment-based immigration and his practice focuses solely on immigration. Mike specializes in working with C-level corporate officers and general counsels to formulate long-term immigration plans and short-term solutions for U.S. and international companies. Mike regularly speaks on immigration topics to various professional organizations and enjoys training clients’ HR teams. His expertise encompasses non-immigrant and immigrant business visas, including PERM filings and National Interest Waivers. Mike has exceptional success defending USDOL PERM audits and interfacing with immigration-related federal agencies. He has successfully represented clients in immigration appeals and immigration court. He also assists...

We are a full service law firm. You can depend on us to look out for every aspect of your legal needs - business or personal, and at any stage of your life. McClintic Law Firm has been practicing law since 1913 in Isabella County and the entire state of Michigan. We provide full legal service to the community today. We are happy to serve the Mt. Pleasant area, Isabella county, Gratiot county, Clare County, Midland County, Mecosta County, and beyond. Our firm is well versed and experienced in all areas of the law, including business law, criminal law, real...

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...

Harold Leo Emelander was raised in Newaygo, Michigan. After graduating from Newaygo High School, he attended Grand Valley State University where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. He then went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2006. To further his education he then moved to Florida where he attended The University of Florida College of Law and received his LLM in Taxation in 2007. Mr. Emelander began his legal career in Miami, Florida at an accounting firm. He utilized his degree in taxation law by advising clients on individual,...

I am an attorney licensed to practice in Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota. I primarily practice in bankruptcy, foreclosure, real estate, estate planning and probate.

Graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor's of Science in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Criminal Justice.
Graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Was member of the Dean's List. Studied abroad in Australia and New Zealand.
Paralegal for The Law Office of Craig A. Jenison (6 years)
Prior Litigation Support Analyst for Varnum (2 years)
Prior internship with Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office: assisted prosecution with a cold case murder trial
Prior internship with Kent County Prosecutor's Office Juvenile Division
Established and ran her own law office following graduation for six months before accepting a position as Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Oceana...

Brian L. Johnson was born and raised in Muskegon, Michigan. He received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Michigan State University, and his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. He is a member of the Benzie County Bar Association and the Probate and Estate Planning and Elder Law Sections of the State Bar of Michigan.

Brian’s areas of practice include estate planning, business formation, general business practice,...

T.J. was born and raised in Central Michigan, where he lives with his wife and three children. He is a proud Michigander, who was raised in a blue collar family and taught from the beginning the importance of hard work and giving back to the community. T.J. is a life member of the VFW, Military Order of Purple Heart and sits on the board of directors of a local non-profit organization. Shortly after graduating high school, T.J. enlisted in the Army where he would serve for nearly 11 years, retiring as a Staff Sergeant. Some of the more notable highlights...

Lawyer Edward M. Czuprynski, graduated with High Honors from Michigan State University, B.S. in 1977, and the University of Detroit School of Law, J.D. in 1981. He is the president and chief counsel of Bay Justice Associates, PC. We focus on our clients as individuals, not just as cases. We can do everything that a big firm can, but more efficiently, and we pass the savings on to you. Unlike a big firm, Bay Justice Associates, P.C. provides you with personal attention, frequent updates, and prompt service. With our legal service, you’ll always be given timely and personalized assistance...

Patrick Dougherty has been helping individuals and their families through legal challenges and the complexities of the legal system for over 24 years. Patrick is licensed to practice all issues of law in the State of Michigan. He is authorized to practice law in all State Courts in Michigan, including all State Circuit Courts; all State District Courts; the Federal Eastern District and Western District Courts; the Bankruptcy Court for the Western and Eastern Districts of Michigan; the Michigan Court of Appeals; and the Michigan Supreme Court. Patrick Dougherty is also authorized to practice law in the 6th Circuit Court...