Top best Family Lawyers Near me in ZIP 49503

Originally from the east side of the state, I moved to Grand Rapids after graduating from law school. I received my Bachelor's Degree from the University of Michigan in 2000 and my Juris Doctor from Wayne State University in 2004. I began my legal career at a small family law practice, opening my own firm with Jennifer Johnsen in 2006. We expanded our firm in 2010, adding Randall Velzen to our team. Our firm specializes in family law, including divorce, child custody and collaborative divorce cases. We also assist our clients with their estate plans and handle various probate matters. I am a loyal advocate, always offering ethical and honest advice. I truly love my job and enjoy helping families going through often difficult life changes. In my spare time, I enjoy running, traveling, watching my Michigan Wolverines and spending time with my family.

Michele is a family law attorney who helps her clients in a variety of issues including divorce, post-divorce, custody, and adoption.. Specifically, Michele represents her clients in courtrooms throughout west Michigan in cases pertaining to child custody, adoption and divorce matters. In addition, she represents victims of domestic violence and child abuse in trials and hearings. She also negotiates property division, in some cases containing multi-million dollar estates.. Michele gives back to the community by accepting pro bono cases in order to assist less privileged clients. She is also a member of the Family Law Section of the Grand Rapids Bar Association and has served as an advisor to the Domestic Violence Committee of the State Bar of Michigan. Previously, Michele has also been the author of a weekly blog on issues pertaining to family law.

James R. Oppenhuizen is an experienced business and insolvency attorney in Grand Rapids.  The Oppenhuizen Law Firm, PLC is business focused and results driven.  Mr. Oppenhuizen believes that entrepreneurs and business people are the catalysts for economic growth, build and sustain stable communities, and provide opportunity to huge numbers of people.  Business people who pursue long term profits through providing needed and beneficial services to their communities are the backbone of any community.  Mr. Oppenhuizen is dedicated to helping those business people thrive, through building long lasting relationships directed toward growth and profit.. Mr. Oppenhuizen also has a strong background in insolvency and restructuring matters.  Such experience can provide a springboard to success for a business that has experienced missteps, but has learned and is ready to enter the road to success.  Creativity is the most important skill a bankruptcy attorney must have to be successful.  The same is true in business, and Mr. Oppenhuizen will put his creativity to work for your business in dealing with any issue that arises.

I was born and raised in West Michigan, and I take great pride in being a part of this community.  I graduated from Hope College in Holland, began my professional career in Kalamazoo, and attended law school in Grand Rapids.  My mission as an attorney is to provide my clients with outstanding legal representation, to do so with honesty and integrity and with a focus on my clients' goals, and to make our community a better place to work and live in the process.

I was born and raised in Bear Lake, Michigan. I received my undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 1999, and received my law degree from Wayne State University in began my legal career as a staff attorney with Legal Services of South Central Michigan, focusing my work on representing victims of domestic violence. In 2005, I moved to Grand Rapids and worked for a small divorce firm, representing primarily women. I am a founding member of Velzen, Johnsen & Wikander, a boutique law firm opened in August 2006. I am focused on protecting my client's interests and pursuing a favorable outcome, while also helping them through the emotional aspects of their divorce or other family law dispute. I am honest, compassionate, caring and loyal, traits that are extremley important for a family law practitioner. In my spare time, I enjoy music, traveling up north to visit family and spending time with my husband and children.

I provide a highly personalized and attentive approach to the law found only in a small office.  Because family law can be complex and frustrating for you and your family, I will be there to guide you through the entire process. I will take the time to get to know you and your situation, and provide you with legal advice to meet your personal needs.  I will be right there with you during the entire process, protecting your rights.  Your goals will be my mission.

I have lived in Michigan since 1989.  We moved our family to West Michigan because we were looking for a great place to raise our children.  We found what we were looking for and have never regretted it.  My wife and I have been married for 38 years and both of our children live right here in Michigan.  That’s great for us because it means our three beautiful grand daughters are close by.. I have always believed that a person cannot truly excel at what they do if their heart is not in it.   Generally, those people that rise to the top of their chosen vocations are those that go to work each morning because they love their job.    I have been blessed with a career that I love.  I am fascinated by the law and look forward every day to exploring some new aspect of it and when necessary, challenging its validity.. I am so grateful to have been born in a free land and to live under the guiding rules of our inspired Constitution.   I approach the practice of family and criminal defense law from that point of view.    The law must work for all of us or it does not work for any.   The most important promise that I can make to you is that when I go to work for you, my heart will be in it.

I have conducted bench and jury trials to conclusion in many courts throughout the State of Michigan. I am very active in mediation and arbitration practice. I hold an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell.

I am passionate about helping people with their family law problems.  I help my clients with issues of divorce, child custody, parenting time, child support, and family abuse protection orders.  As a parent myself, I understand how important these issues are to my clients.  I view my job as a compassionate guide through a complex legal system that can be difficult for non-lawyers to navigate on their own.  I try to resolve these issues as amicably as possible, although I have taken many cases to trial when it is necessary and appropriate to do so. I draw on my over 20 years of experience as an attorney to find the best solution to life's challenges.

EducationUniversity of Notre Dame, B.A.University of Detroit School of Law, J.D.. Bar AdmissionMichigan, 1986U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 1986Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, 1986U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 1998. Professional AffiliationsAmerican Bar AssociationState Bar of Michigan, General Practice and Negligence Law SectionsGrand Rapids Bar Association, Litigation and Library CommitteesDefense Research Institute. Additional Affiliations and AchievementsNotre Dame Club of Grand RapidsKent County Family and Children’s Coordinating CouncilCatholic Lawyers AssociationThe Dwelling Place

Divorce, Family Law, Custody, Support, and Appeals.. While adept at negotiating successful resolutions to complex litigation matters, Allison is equally proficient in effective trial advocacy handling all aspects of litigation through and including numerous hearings, trials, and post-judgment issues in the state and federal courts.. Allison’s unique experience in general business litigation and family law provides an invaluable element of efficient attorney representation when the issues to be resolved or litigated include complicated compensation issues, accounting and business valuation issues, a need for income tracing, or result in collection efforts.. Allison has recently contributed to published works in the Michigan Family Law Journal related to electronic privacy, social media, and complex stock option issues in divorce litigation. Allison has also been nominated by her peers to serve a three-year term on the State Bar of Michigan Family Law Council.. Allison volunteers with the Women’s Resource Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, , and provides a divorce seminar the second Tuesday of every month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. devoted to unveiling myths and providing answers to women contemplating divorce, in the process of their divorce, or dealing with post-judgment issues.

Diane J. Wechter has 33 years experience handling family law cases in downtown Grand Rapids (Kent County), Grand Haven (Ottawa County), Hastings (Barry County), and Allegan (Allegan County).  We are known for our focus on exceptional customer/client services, our attention to detail, and our excellent work and work products.. Providing exceptional legal representation in:  Divorce, Separate Maintenance, Custody, Parenting Time, Child Support and Property Settlement matters; Modification of Judgments of Divorce regarding Parenting Time, Child Support, and Custody ; Modification of Orders for Parenting Time, Child Support and Custody; and Enforcement of Divorce Judgments, Orders of Separate Maintenance, Qualified Domestic Relations Orders, and all other family law Orders.

Dedicated to serving and helping others. Dan practices family law - including child neglect and abuse, criminal law, personal injury, landlord/tenant law, and contract disputes. His ingrained loyalty, integrity, and commitment to serving clients will leave a lasting impression. Dan takes the time needed to effectively represent each and every client. And he makes an effort to create a relationship that lasts.. Dan enjoys helping military veterans and, being a combat veteran himself, happily provides military discounts to those veterans in need of legal advice or representation.. Dan currently lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan and is an active member of the Grand Rapids Bar Association. Dan is also an active member in the Grand Rapids Veterans Bar Association. Dan serves on the Kent County Veteran’s Treatment Court team as an advisory defense attorney.

Daniel B. Hess, JR. was raised in Grand Rapids, MI. Daniel went on to attend Michigan State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice in 1992. Daniel then attended California Western School of Law, where he graduated in 1995.. While obtaining his law degree, Daniel interned at the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office where he gained a tremendous amount of experience working within the criminal justice system. Daniel was admitted to the California Bar in 1997.. In 1999, Daniel accepted a position at Hess, Hess & Kmetz, PC along side his Father, the late Daniel B. Hess, Sr., and his Uncle, the late John H. Hess. Daniel was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 2000.. While with Hess, Hess & Kmetz, PC. , Daniel’s main areas of practice were bankruptcy law, criminal law and family law with a primary focus on protecting men’s rights through the firms affiliation with the American Divorce Association for Men (ADAM).. With the emergence of Gordon & Hess, PLC, Daniel now continues to seek justice for men and woman alike in both the family and criminal court systems and to carry on the legal family tradition of his late Father and Uncle. Daniel is a strong and savvy advocate and has obtained a significant amount of courtroom experience in his areas of practice.

Brian Gordon was raised in East Lansing area where he attended and graduated from Okemos High School in 1989. Brian attended and graduated from Michigan State University in 1994 and Michigan State University College of Law in 1999 (formerly known as the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University).