Vanderbilt Lawyers

I was a law clerk coming out of school, then a trial lawyer, then a general practice and criminal defense lawyer. My practice somehow evolved into focusing on business issues, asset protection, debt work outs, and bankruptcy. I've been practicing for 39 years. I know a little about a lot.

I specifically practice in the fields of criminal law, property law, civil litigation, personal injury, collections and construction law, including construction liens and foreclosures. In my practice I believe that an attorney has to be overly prepared and be ready to go to trial in order to adequately represent their clients. This includes extensive legal research and investigation into all legal theories and defenses. In addition to being admitted to practice law in Michigan, I am also admitted to practice law in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the US District Court for the Western...

Upon Graduation from Law School in 1997, Attorney Chefalo worked in Lansing Michigan for the 30 th Judicial Circuit Court as a law clerk for the Honorable Thomas L. Brown. While there, he researched complicated legal issues and drafted proposed opinions on all civil and criminal matter that came before the court. In 1999, Attorney Chefalo moved to Traverse City Michigan to work in private practice. When asked why he picked Traverse City, Attorney Chefalo stated: “if you are going to start a law office from scratch, you might as well do it in a beautiful place.” His goal...

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

Shelley Kester is an award-winning attorney, a community leader, a dynamic communicator and a caring individual. She is Chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Her practice includes nearly all aspects of family law, including divorce law and child custody. She was among the first in Northern Michigan to complete the Family Law Certificate Program through the Institute of Continuing Education and the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. She is President of wilson Kester, the Empowered Divorce Source. A frequent contributor to the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Ms. Kester is...

Over 30 years experience in Family Law.

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...

Elizabeth graduated from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2020. While there, she was an Executive Article Editor for the Chicago-Kent Journal of Intellectual Property, interned in the legal departments of a national trade organization and Illinois’ top children’s hospital, and worked at law firms that focused on civil litigation and transportation law. Prior to law school Elizabeth earned degrees in Biochemistry and Biology from Ferris State University, where she participated in the biochemistry research lab and was president of the school’s chapter of the American Chemical Society. After graduating, Elizabeth relocated to Traverse City and began her career as judicial assistant...

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,...

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

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...

About half of my practice consists of local government representation. The remainder is real estate, estate planning, probate, collections and general business matters. We strive to provide prompt and professional services with personal attention and care.

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

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.

David T. McAndrew, Attorney at Law, PLLC, was licensed in Michigan in 1998 and admitted to practice in Federal Courts. David McAndrew can assist you in stopping the harassment, the late night phone calls, wage garnishments, lawsuits, judgments, and the aggressive debt collection techniques used by many debt collectors. He will work directly with you to determine the best course of action for your individual situation.

David T. McAndrew is a member of the following:
Michigan Bar Association
Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Michigan
Federal Bar Association, Western District of Michigan
National Association of...

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,...

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...

Josh Traeger is the Founding Attorney of both True North Legal Group and The Military Defense firm. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University (B.A. 2006) and Loyola University Chicago School of Law (J.D. 2009). After law school, Josh joined the United States Air Force and served on active duty for ten years. His primary role was as a Senior Trial Counsel, prosecuting criminal matters and handling the military's most difficult cases worldwide. After separating from active duty, Josh moved home to Northern Michigan and established two businesses. True North Legal Group is a community-centered law...

Leveraging my experience as outside intellectual property counsel to some of the largest companies in the world, I help in-house IP teams, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and startup founders strategically protect intellectual property that furthers business goals. I have written and prosecuted over 500 patent and trademark applications in my career, most of which related to electronic or software-based technology. Significant projects include: - Patenting the autonomous vehicle platform of a large automotive company - Securing patents related to fiber optic networks, satellite communication networks, media content delivery systems, and consumer products for major telecommunications companies - Patenting medical sensors and surgical robots for medical...

For over a decade, George Law has successfully represented people facing legal obstacles. As a client of George Law, you will work with experienced attorneys and staff who understand the impact a legal issue can have on your future. Our number one priority is standing up for clients’ rights and giving them a voice through our confident and competent representation. We have successfully helped our clients manage complex legal challenges in a broad variety of cases including DUI/OWI, Criminal Defense, White Collar Crimes, Sexual Assault, Family Law and other legal matters that otherwise could damage a person’s business efforts personal...

NEGOTIATED ONE OF THE LARGEST TAX SETTLEMENTS. Attorney Silver in US V. Briley et al., (case number 6:22-cv-00204, in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas) negotiated one of the largest Tax Settlements in the Country. Attorney Silver settled a $53,000,000 Million Dollar Tax liability for $7,500,000 Million Dollars. Saving the Clients and Corporation over $45,000,000 Million Dollars. Silver Tax Group has a deep understanding of Complex Collection Matters, Automated Under Reporting (AUR) assessments, Unfiled Tax Returns, IRS Substitute for Returns (SFR), Tax Court litigation, Audit Defense, Criminal Tax Defense, Crypto, and recently ERC Advanced Employee Retention...

Affordable Immigration attorney with 23 years of experience; 7000 family and employment cases won with Client Ratings at Google 4.9***** (536 reviews); AVVO 5-star (199 reviews) and Yahoo (88 5-star) Click on www.legalquestnetwork.com and on Schedule Appointment for ain initial consultation. Low fees and Monthly payment plans. Handled numerous federal immigration litigations, trials and appeals relating to adjudication, inadmissibility, removability, security checks, naturalization, deportation and more. See www.rathilaw.com Admitted to practice at the Supreme Court of the United States (2007) and at 3rd, 6th and 8th federal circuit courts, and Eastern and Western Federal District Courts of Michigan; Member in good standing...

Daniel T. Geherin is a board-certified trial attorney with over 24 years’ experience practicing law. He graduated with Honors from Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in Humanities/Pre-Law, and graduated cum laude from law school at California Western in San Diego, CA. In law school, he was an Executive Editor of his school's Law Review. Upon graduation, he joined the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted gang offenses, sexual assaults, narcotics violations, juvenile delinquency, and complex white-collar offenses. As a criminal defense attorney, he has defended nearly every type of crime, including hundreds of criminal...

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...

Adam Kutinsky helps individuals, businesses and other policyholders recover payments and other benefits under insurance policies. He is in his twentieth year of practice and has handled hundreds of insurance claims related to residential and commercial property, homeowners, general liability, professional liability, auto, business income loss, private disability and title insurance.

Mr. Kutinsky is a former chairperson of the State Bar of Michigan Insurance & Indemnity Section, a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, and a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU®). His practice includes:

Commercial General Liability
Homeowners Policies
Commercial Property
Professional Liability
Directors and Officers
Business Owners Policies
Builders Risk Policies
Private Disability Policies
Private Life Insurance...

Claim your FREE BOOK "What's Keeping You Up At Night: An Attorney’s Practical Approach To Resolving Real Estate Nightmares" by visiting www.ProvenResource.com/book4u As a former "big Bank" real estate and contracts attorney, I love to demystify complicated real estate and financial legal concepts and problems for people who are frustrated, "spinning their wheels" with incompetent or dismissive real estate or banking "professionals." I hate when someone finds themselves at a legal disadvantage - they're "stuck" when they unknowingly relying on outdated or impractical information and forms off of the "internet." People often get in trouble when they base their legal...