Michigan Lawyers

I was raised in Escanaba. After law school, I worked as an attorney in Chicago. What I discovered was missing from my job there was the personal satisfaction of getting to know my clients by their first names: not just a last name on a file folder. I moved back to my hometown where I can see first hand how my representation has helped my clients in their daily lives. When someone first comes to see me, they have most likely been injured and are usually without income. This can be an extremely stressful time, so I give my clients...

Tom Ludden is the head of the Appellate Law Practice group at Lipson Neilson P.C. He regularly argues before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Michigan Court of Appeals and has also appeared in the United States and Michigan Supreme Courts. Mr. Ludden has been counsel of record in published decisions resolving issues related to due process, medical and legal malpractice, defamation, class action certification, judicial ethics, the priority of interests in real property, estate planning and the statute of limitations.

Lea Ann Sterling has been a member of the Michigan Bar since 1998. Admitted to the bar in Ohio in 1981, Mrs. Sterling practiced law in Columbus. In 1997, she began a sabbatical to write, travel, and relocate from Ohio to Michigan. Her first book, Historic Homes of Olde Towne, was released in 1999 and won the Ohio Historical Society’s Public Education and Awareness Award. Historic Cottages of Mackinac Island, released in 2001, was listed on the Michigan Governor’s List of Best Books of 2001. In March 1999, Mrs. Sterling was appointed Village of Empire Zoning Administrator where she was...

Mr. Smith has practiced as a trial attorney since graduating Notre Dame Law School in 1992. He has litigated cases across the country including cases from Ventura County, California to Middlesex County, New Jersey. He practices in both State and Federal courts.

In 2017, he began representing Michigan cities and counties in what has shaped up to be one of the largest pieces of litigation ever in the history of our federal court system. The majority of Northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula counties retained Mr. Smith and his team to represent their interests in MDL 2804, in RE: National Prescription Opioid...

Jonathon N. Fazzola focuses his nationwide practice on representing victims and the families of victims catastrophically injured or killed as a result of hazing, gun violence, sexual assault, other violent crimes, and third-party negligence. Through his work, Mr. Fazzola has recovered tens of millions of dollars for his clients and has sought and secured enforceable concessions from institutions designed to make them better managed, safer, and more transparent about the risks they pose to the public. Notably, as lead counsel, Mr. Fazzola obtained a $6.1 million wrongful death verdict on behalf of Stephen and Rae Ann Gruver, whose son, Max,...

Bailor Bell has extensive experience representing victims and their families harmed or killed in notable cases across the nation and has achieved unprecedented results in civil cases involving mass shootings, sexual assault and abuse, catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, carbon monoxide poisoning, and vehicular negligence. Before joining The Fierberg National Law Group, Mr. Bell practiced as a general civil litigation attorney for eight years. Mr. Bell has represented clients in the Michigan Supreme Court, the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Michigan Court of Claims, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, the United States Court of...

John Di Giacomo is an experienced business, intellectual property, litigation, and Internet lawyer practicing in the areas of copyright, trademark, domain name disputes, e-money, e-payment systems, contracts, defamation, Internet law, Communications Decency Act §230 immunity issues, international commercial law, cybersquatting and domain name disputes, video game law, adult industry law, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), E-Sign Act, shrinkwrap, browsewrap, and clickwrap issues, computer tort claims (e.g. trespass to chattels for unauthorized entry & spamming), and other intellectual property or business law related areas. John has litigated intellectual property, business, and commercial disputes in state and federal courts across...

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...

PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY
Lawyer for West Michigan Injury Victims in Kent, Ottawa, and Muskegon County
Attorney John D. Tallman is a Grand Rapids native and has been serving personal injury clients throughout West Michigan for almost 40 years. Throughout his legal career, he has handled a wide variety of cases involving car, truck, and motorcycle crashes, construction site accidents, defective products, and more. He understands the unique challenges associated with different kinds of cases, and he has achieved results for his clients through both settlements and trials.

If you or a family member has been injured in an accident due to someone else’s...

John Karafa has represented corporate and individual clients in federal and state courts throughout Michigan for 40 years. John’s advocacy is fueled by his seasoned trial experience, professional energy, and focused determination to assist clients with their objectives, in both trial and alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Whether presenting for his clients orally or through the written word, John makes sure their voices are heard, and their concerns are expressed. At Tabono Law, John’s practice focuses on divorce, custody, and parenting time in state courts, and criminal defense in both state and federal courts. John earned his Juris Doctor degree from...

Jeanie has been a licensed attorney in Michigan since 1993 and has spent more than two decades utilizing her legal degree at law firms, non-profits, and corporate entities. Jeanie began her practice in 1993 at Culver, Knowlton, Even and Franks, practicing in the areas of corporate and real estate law. After several years in that capacity, Jeanie left private practice to join the Child Abuse Council for Muskegon County, serving as Executive Director for over five years. Jeanie managed a budget of over $600,000 and 10 employees and expanded services for children throughout Muskegon County that had been physically and sexually...

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.

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...

I have a passion for defending the rights of the accused. It disgusts me how often a person is convicted in the public eye without any kind of evidence being introduced against him or her at all. Social media has allowed people to form opinions based on sound bites and not real evidence. I focus mainly on criminal defense and have been practicing since 2006. My office is in Wyoming, MI a suburb of Grand Rapids but I take cases within about an hour of here.

Education Bachelor of Arts – University of Michigan Juris Doctor – Thomas M Cooley Law School Bar Admission Member of State Bar of Michigan Member of Federal Bar Association – Eastern District of Michigan Chapter Why Choose Jeff Garfield? Our Approach At The Law Office of Jeff Garfield, PLC, we believe in a client-centered approach. Attorney Garfield understands the challenges individuals face when dealing with legal matters. He prioritizes personalized attention, ensuring that every client feels heard and understood throughout the legal process. Mission Our mission is to provide effective legal representation with empathy and integrity. We strive...

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...

Estate Planning and Elder Law is not an area for a “generalist.” Your quality of life and your life’s work is more important than that. It is important to work with a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA). The CELA designation is the GOLD STANDARD in estate planning and elder law. The clients that we work with value the peace of mind, that their goals are being met with the absolute latest in legal strategies to protect assets and preserve quality of life and care. These are only available when working with a Certified...

I am an attorney at an insurance law firm that helps clients turn claim denials or delays into payments. We are based in Brighton, MI and handle real property insurance (home, commercial, etc.) cases throughout the state. You can reach me at 734-648-8030 or find out more about our practice at https://www.mccraylawoffice.com.

I graduated summa cum laude from Michigan State University College of Law, which I attended on a full scholarship. While there, I served on two journals, worked at the Ingham County Probate Court, was a property teaching assistant, and volunteered with the Animal Legal Defense Fund. I currently volunteer...

Associate attorney Ryan Ballard educates and empowers clients who are charged with all types of criminal charges including drunk driving, drug crimes, criminal sexual conduct, domestic violence, white collar crime, and fraud. He is passionate about guiding clients of the Barone Defense Firm through the complexities of the legal system. He is also passionate about listening to clients' concerns and worries, and talking them through possible solutions to those issues. Mr. Ballard holds a political science degree from Western Michigan University and a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. As a law student, he worked as a judicial...

Raymond C. Barry & Associates, PLLC advises clients in matters of creating effective estate plans, wills, powers of attorney, deeds and medical patient advocates. We handle all aspects of probate administration so you don't have to. We also effectively defend clients who have found themselves charged with traffic offenses, misdemeanors or felonies.

Melanie grew up in Dexter, graduating in 1996. She attended Western Michigan University for undergrad (1996-1999), majoring in political science-public law and then Michigan State University for Law School (2000-2003). After graduation and passing the bar exam she began her law practice in Grand Rapids at RizzoBryan. For the first 5 years, she practiced in the areas of both insurance defense and family law. Melanie moved back to South east Michigan and practiced primarily family law with Harris and Literski (Brighton) for over 12 years. She is a certified trained mediator. She opened MKS...

Ryan opened the Moldovan Law Firm, PLLC to focus exclusively on bankruptcy. He finds he is most fulfilled when representing individuals and families who are under tremendous stress from their debt burdens. Representing people who are down on their luck is very gratifying to him. Being able to achieve real life-changing results for his clients is what he loves most about his work. People find themselves looking at the prospect of bankruptcy for a variety of reasons and he enjoys helping them find the best solution to their problems, even if it doesn’t mean filing...

Noah S. Hurwitz is a trusted advisor and advocate for clients looking to remain on the right side of the law. Mr. Hurwitz utilizes his experience as a former partner of a national law firm and in-house counsel for America's largest mortgage lender to counsel businesses and employees on a vast array of employment law issues. Mr. Hurwitz regularly advises on employment agreements, restrictive covenants, discrimination, whistleblowing, misappropriation of trade secrets, risk management, wage and hour law, handbook policies, and employee benefits. He is also a seasoned litigator in state and federal courts throughout Michigan and has...

Alyssa Orseck Moss earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Affairs from Lafayette College. Thereafter, she earned her Juris Doctorate degree in 1993 from Michigan State University’s College of Law. A third-generation trial attorney, Moss joined Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. in 2017 and brings over 25-plus years of extensive legal experience. Moss is an experienced trial attorney, representing those who have been injured as a result of all types of accidents, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents and bicycle accidents.

Daniel L. Buckfire earned his undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Michigan Business School in 1989, where he was Phi Beta Kappa and graduated in the top 10% of his class. In 1991, he graduated cum laude from the prestigious University of Michigan Law School. Daniel specializes in Michigan car accident cases, no-fault insurance claims, dram shop liability, and general negligence cases. He is rated as a "Superb" lawyer by the top internet lawyer rating service and "Best Personal Injury Lawyer" by a Detroit business magazine. Daniel's adept knowledge of these areas of law has resulted in...

Reesa counsels a wide variety of health care providers and entities including: physicians, nurses, chiropractors, dentists, podiatrists, physical therapists, pharmacies, laboratories, home health agencies, hospices, hospitals, health systems, DMEPOS providers, physician-owned distributorships (PODs), ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), diagnostic testing facilities, substance abuse providers and facilities, and wellness providers. In addition, Reesa advises non-healthcare entities that are important players in the health care industry including: group purchasing organizations, physician organizations, physician hospital organizations, management service organizations (MSOs) and management companies, and private equity/venture capital investors in health care entities.

Reesa has successfully counseled clients on a variety of federal and state...

Robert graduated from Western Michigan's Thomas M. Cooley Law School Cum Laude in 2016. He has devoted his practice to personal bankruptcy since then. We help people get control of their financial life with free case evaluations, free consultations, and easy payment plans.

The Law Office of John D. Harrington, PLLC is a Tax Controversy firm that offers its clients outstanding legal representation with a personal touch. We offer the following services to resolve tax problems: Offers in Compromise, Installment Agreements, Currently Non-Collectible Status, Tax Levy/Garnishment Releases; Tax Lien Releases, Audit Representation, Tax Return Preparation, Bankruptcy, and Business Entity Formation. If you currently have a tax problem, come see us for a free consultation. At the free consultation, we will devise an in-depth resolution plan for you. You need an attorney when you have a tax problem with the IRS, or...

James Fett earned his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1986. He has devoted his career to helping those who are the victims of workplace discrimination and harassment. Early in his career, he made a name for himself by winning the first ever sexual harassment trial aired on CourtTV. Ever since then, he has been taking on high profile cases and making some of Michigan’s largest employers pay for violating his clients’ rights. James was named One of the Ten Most Outstanding Attorneys of the Year by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, awarded Lawyer of the Year by the Washtenaw...

Amir practices Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, VA Planning, Probate, Estate Planning, and Business Transactions. He has an extensive background of helping the elderly through his family-owned Licensed Assisted Living Homes. At Serenity Assisted Living, Amir assisted the elderly in their medical needs. Now, he hopes to help even more elderly in their legal and planning needs.

Caitlin Gillies has been with Murphy & Spagnuolo, P.C. since October 2023. Ms. Gillies has experience with a variety of legal issues, including municipal prosecution, workers’ compensation defense, and civil litigation. Ms. Gillies graduated cum laude from Olivet College before going on to graduate with her Juris Doctor from Ohio Northern University College of Law, where she served as a legal intern for the Lima Public Defender Clinic. Ms. Gillies is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Women Lawyer’s Association, Federal Bar Association – Western District of Michigan Chapter, and the Ingham County Bar Association. Ms. Gillies worked...