Top best State Lawyers in Ann Arbor | 237 available

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Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, I graduated from the University of Michigan and then served in the U.S. Army. While serving in the Army,  I also graduated from the Defense Language Institute and worked at the Army's Freedom of Information Center in Washington D.C. Later I  graduated from Detroit College of Law, now known as Michigan State University College of Law, and began working at a respected law firm which specialized in civil litigation and trial work. A short time later, I was made partner and continued to handle a variety of court cases at both the trial and appellate level, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. My areas of practice included commercial and business litigation, personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, employment law, labor negotiations and real estate. I also participated as a hearing officer for alternative dispute resolution forums and mediation hearings.. Since starting my own law firm in 2002, I have continued to provide top quality litigation and trial work for clients, along with real estate, probate and estate planning services.

Attorney in private practice, licensed with the State Bar of Michigan and the Federal Court of the Eastern District of Michigan since 1975.. My law practice evolved from a general legal family practice focused primarily on probate and estate planning using individual and joint revocable grantor trusts, probate avoidance, and special needs trusts. I utilized various trust funding methods, and advised clients as to alternative distribution plans to address disabled or spendthrift heirs. When appropriate I used various wealth transfer methods such as irrevocable life insurance trusts. I dealt with a variety of asset issues such as out of state property and family-owned businesses. Part of the practice was as attorney for probated estates from the filing of probate, counseling personal representatives and heirs, and addressing tax issues, through the ultimate distribution of the estate. I also worked with and received referrals from financial and wealth management professionals.In all I have so far handled nearly 3500 trust and probate files since 1975.Formerly the senior partner of Sharp & Drukis in Ypsilanti, Michigan, founder and owner of the Great Lakes Legal Clinic in Flint Michigan and the Michigan Law Clinic in Wayne, Michigan.Prior to law school I worked as a regional office manager at Manulife Insurance in Comstock, Michigan, dealing in pension plan administration.. Writing History: Author of legal self-help texts on trusts, probate, family law and estate planning.. Living Trusts for Everyone:Why a will is not the way to avoid probate, protect heirs, and settle estates (Second edition) 2017. Allworth Press. (First Edition 2010.)How to Avoid Probate for Everyone:Protecting Your Estate for Your Loved Ones. Allworth Press 2020.Settling Estates for Everyone:A Practical Guide and Action Plan to Handle Assets, Benefits, Taxes, Debts, Minors and Much More. (Completed, to be published February 1, 2022.)Estate Planning from the Heart for Everyone: How to benefit your loved ones, understand wills and trusts, avoid family conflicts, let go of what’s not needed, and more. (Working title, to be released February 1st 2023.)Also the author of Winning the Divorce War and the Award winning mystery No Regrets, No Remorse. Education:Wayne State University School of Law Juris DoctorUniversity of Michigan Law School transfer credits(I attended these law schools simultaneously)Western Michigan University Bachelor of Business AdministrationFlint Northwestern High School

"Ms. Longo is seen as the pre-eminent appellate lawyer in our community, and with good reason. She combines keen analysis, excellent writing skills, and common-sense advocacy to make her effective. She is my "go-to" appellate resource in my own practice, and I am happy to endorse her.". Ms. Longo has practiced as an appellate attorney in Michigan for over 20 years, focusing almost exclusively on civil appeals in the Michigan courts for cases involving the UCC, contracts, family law, including custody and child support, property law and zoning, municipal regulation, legal malpractice, medical malpractice, among others issues.. Ms. Longo was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1989 and is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Prior to private practice, she worked as a staff attorney with the Michigan Court of Appeals and as a judicial intern with the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.. Ms. Longo holds a JD from The Ohio State University College of Law (now Moritz College of Law) and a Master’s Degree in Political Science with an emphasis on American Constitutional Law and American Judicial Politics. Following law school, she attended the Ph.D. Program in Urban, Technological and Environmental Planning at the University of Michigan. In conjunction with that program, she designed and taught undergraduate and graduate courses at Eastern Michigan University in property law, law and urban planning, and law and aesthetics.. Ms. Longo is also a mixed media artist and donates pieces for various local charity events including the Circle of Art (a benefit for Foodgatherers), the Bar Revue (a benefit for Southeastern Michigan Legal Aid), the summer reading program benefit for Ann Arbor Public Library, Avalon Housing, and more.