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I currently practice law in Washtenaw County, Michigan at the law firm of Kitchen Sharkey, PLLC, where I handle complex family law matters (divorce, custody, separate maintenance, paternity, child support). I am also a trained family law mediator and am regularly selected by my peers to mediate family law disputes.  While Washtenaw County is where the majority of my cases are handled, I also have practice experience in Genesee, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne counties.. In 2015, I was elected by my peers to serve on the State Bar of Michigan, Representative Assembly.  From 2009-2012, I also served in an elected position on the Family Law Council for the State Bar of Michigan. In addition to my State Bar work, I am also active on a local level.  I am a past-president elect of the Washtenaw County Bar Association (2015-2016) and a past president of Washtenaw Region of Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (2012-2013).. For each of the years from 2011 through 2018,  I was selected as a "Rising Star in Family Law" by Super Lawyers Magazine. Additionally, in 2013 I was awarded the State Bar of Michigan Kimberly Cahill Bar Leadership Award for my work in developing the WCBA Modest Means Program.  This program affords lower-income individuals an opportunity for legal representation in family law matters at a reduced hourly rate.  In 2017, I was awarded the Women Lawyers Associsation of Michigan (Washtenaw Region) Mary Foster Award.  The Mary Foster Award is bestowed annually to a member of Women Lawyers whose leadership, talent, and significant contributions to women provide a role model for women in the profession and women in general.. In my role as co-chair of the Family Law Section of the WCBA (2006-2009), I hosted monthly luncheon meetings as well as annual seminars on a variety of family law topics. The seminar topics included, “Clients in Crisis: Dealing with Difficult Clients” (2007) and “Same Gender Issues in Michigan Law” (2008, featuring keynote speaker Justice Marilyn Kelly of the Michigan Supreme Court).  I have also served as a contributor for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), presenting on the matter of Managing Clients While the Divorce Case is Pending (Family Law Institute, 2017).. I come by my love of the law naturally. My father, Leonard Kitchen, practiced law in Dexter, MI for over 35 years. In addition to family law litigation and mediation, I also work as a parenting coordinator and a guardiam ad litem.

I have worked with a wide range of disciplines in cases involving family law, estate planning, probate litigation, business and commercial litigation, corporate formation for real estate and estate planning purposes, contract litigation, general civil litigation, tort law and transactional real estate.. As a member of Kelly & Kelly, P.C,  I counsel clients in estate planning, trust administration, probate matters, as well as family law matters.  My extensive experience allows me to work with clients across state lines, meeting the unique demands of our multi-state client base. I am licensed to practice in the State Courts of Michigan, Florida, New York, and New Jersey, and admitted to Federal Practice in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida. I was a faculty member of Lawline, teaching continuing legal education classes in area of Condominium Law, and have been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in both 2016 and 2017

I currently serve in the following community volunteer roles: Director at Large for the Washtenaw County Bar Association, Trustee and Secretary for the Ann Arbor First United Methodist Church, President and Board Member for the Kenyan Urithi Educational Fund, and President of an Ann Arbor Home Owner’s Association.   My hobbies include:  Skiing, Basketball, Sailing, Photography, and Travel.

My strengths include figuring out what is wrong with family dynamics and finding common ground to resolve the problems that damage children and their parents. I am committed to stable values, such as honesty and loyalty, and take my responsibilities to my clients, my profession and my own family with utmost seriousness. As a person of faith, I believe that almost every event has a reason. My unchanging core values of family and integrity give my life purpose. I enjoy restoring hope, joy and promise to people's lives and to helping them navigate their way to better parenting during and after divorce. Children are our future.

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

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.

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.

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.

If you unexpectedly find yourself facing the Courts, you'll need quick and competent representation. And if you're like the majority of people you'll need a way to pay for it and still put food on the dinner table.. Legal assistance does not have to be out of reach. I can help you with services ranging from document interpretation to full case representation. I offer free consultations and pride myself on helping all people who come to me, no matter their resources, find access to justice.. Michigan has been my home since I moved from Indiana in 2003. I've learned to love, or at least tolerate, the winters and I enjoy living so close to Lake Michigan. My family and I enjoy all the delights that Grand Rapids has to offer including museums and Art Prize and we regularly volunteer at church and community events.. My family, like yours, is unique. If you and your family are struggling with divorce, custody, or parenting time matters, please call me to begin working towards the solution.

Ali Chokr is a skilled attorney with experience in family law and criminal defense. He specializes in high-asset divorce, child custody, spousal support, and property division. With a strong background in personal injury, medical malpractice, and criminal law, he provides top-notch legal counsel for a wide range of complex cases. As a dedicated advocate, Ali is committed to protecting his clients' rights and achieving favorable outcomes.