Bancroft Appeals & Appellate Lawyers

Scott Grabel is an experienced trial attorney with a strong history of positive results in drug, murder, criminal sexual conduct, and DUI/OWI cases. He has successfully argued cases before the Michigan Court of Appeals and has appeared as a commentator on Court TV's Best Defense for analysis of a murder case. Recently he was a guest on the Morning Blaze with Doc Thompson. He has served as an adjunct professor at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School and as a mentor for the Ingham County Bar Association's Mentoring Program. He is proud to be rated as one of the 10...

Since 1989, I have been an attorney licensed by the State Bar of Michigan. In my decades of general practice, I have served thousands of clients. Among the first-50 attorneys in Michigan to complete the Family Law Certificate program offered by the Institute for Continuing Legal Education in Ann Arbor, MI, I have completed more than 1000 divorces from start to finish. In addition to family law, I have a robust criminal law practice, representing clients in jury trials and appeals across Michigan. A roster attorney for the Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System for 3-years, I...

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...

Since graduating from The University of Texas School of Law, one of the nation’s top law schools, Liisa Speaker has become well known for her excellent written and oral advocacy. Her appellate skills have helped clients obtain victories in appeals ranging from custody disputes to no-fault automobile insurance litigation to real property case and to probate appeals. Liisa Speaker is an attorney who practices exclusively in the field of appeals, she opened Speaker Law Firm in 2007. She has focused her appellate practice on family law, adoption, and child welfare cases. Liisa has represented clients in the Michigan Court of Appeals...

B.A., International Relations, James Madison College, Michigan State University. J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1986. Practice concentrated in bankruptcy, commercial law, business law, workouts, real estate and complex situations.

Joel T Finnell is an appellate specialist at Sinas Dramis Law Firm, which is headquartered in Lansing, Michigan. In this unique role, Joel is often called upon by attorneys at the firm and within the community for additional legal support in heavily defended cases. While his skills and expertise are vast, Joel dedicates a large portion of his practice to auto no-fault law, motor vehicle accidents, and complicated wrongful death cases. He graduated cum laude from Western Michigan University's Thomas M. Cooley Law School and earned his undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan University. He is admitted to practice in the...

William Weise brings with him a history of getting exceptional results with criminal defense charges and experience handling major cases such as homicides and felony violent crimes. He also has familiarity with innovative defense and trial techniques stemming from evidence related to latent fingerprints, cellular triangulation and other tracking technologies. Bill Weise uses aggressive and creative defense strategies to give his clients the edge on getting the best possible results in all types of criminal cases including violent crimes, DUI defense, sex crimes and drug charges. Changes to the medical marijuana laws involving acceptable amounts of the drug to be...

Marcie Ridley is a graduate of the University Tennessee Martin and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She began her legal career working at the Federal Public Defenders Office of Western Michigan and as a law clerk for Grabel & Associates. After passing the bar in 2002, Marcie became an associate attorney at Grabel & Associates. Marcie Ridley handles mostly driver's license restoration cases for Grabel & Associates, an area she excels in. In her free time, Marcie enjoys spending time with her family and being active in her community.

More than 30 years of antitrust counseling experience, first as lead competition lawyer at General Motors and nearly ten years at leading firms. Distribution and trade association counseling specialities along with HSR filings. Long-time ABA Antitrust Section leader and adjunct prof at two schools.

I am a Partner at Hertz Schram PC specializing in civil litigation and appeals.

Ann Arbor divorce attorney Lana Panagoulia serves several counties in Michigan including: Washtenaw, Lenawee, Oakland, Monroe, Livingston, Jackson, Genesee, Ingham and Macomb Counties. Working in the courts and schools, Lana is an experienced divorce and family lawyer and is dedicated to providing top divorce and family law representation. Lana Panagoulia serves individuals, families, and children in all family law matters, including divorce, child custody, alimony, child support, guardianship, same-gender legal matters, and property division. Although she has a full-service law firm, she concentrates her practice in the area of domestic relations matters. Lana has a teaching background with a...

Matt Klakulak clerked for Justice Marilyn Kelly of the Michigan Supreme Court his first year out of law school and shortly thereafter joined Robert Harrison & Associates, PLC, where he remained for 10 years. More than half that firm’s practice was criminal defense, and he had the opportunity to work on some very high profile cases as well as practice in the areas of personal injury, employment and appellate law, among others.

Research and writing has always been a point of strength and passion in Matt Klakulak's practice of law. He joined the Fieger Firm in 2011 to focus his efforts...

After graduating law school, I went to work for the Wayne County (Detroit) Public Defenders' Office. I tried every imaginable case: murder, carjacking, armed robbery, assault cases, theft cases, a disinterment case (!)--all with not guilty verdicts each time. Naturally, I negotiated many plea agreements with the prosecutors' office and the Court. These plea agreements were outstanding. My clients are set apart. I work with them on their cases, I work with them on their personal matters and I give them my devoted time.
Now, after over 25 years of criminal defense practice, I have...

Ramona Howard was born and raised in the Metro Detroit area. She earned both her undergraduate and law degrees from Wayne State University. After earning her Juris Doctor, she began her legal career working for a small personal injury firm, and it was there that she cultivated her interest in medical malpractice litigation.

With the exception of a year spent working in the Pre-Hearing division of the Michigan Court of Appeals, Ramona has dedicated her entire legal career representing clients with medical malpractice and personal injury claims at both the trial and at the appellate levels.

Sean is currently the founder of the Murphy Law Firm PLC. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Sean was named a Super Lawyers' Rising Star every year since 2019, and he was named a DBusiness Top Lawyer in 2019 and 2022. Sean graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and Business Administration. After Western Michigan, Sean went on to graduate from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, graduating summa cum laude and first in his class....

Nick Roumel is a trial lawyer with over 30 years experience in state and federal courts. He focuses on plaintiff's employment and civil rights litigation, as well as educational law matters, such as Title IX sex harassment, assault, and retaliation, as well as serious personal injury in the educational setting. He is recognized as a Thompson-Reuters "Super Lawyer" in employment litigation, reserved for the top 5% of attorneys in that field. Mr. Roumel has represented numerous high profile athletes and artists; victims of domestic and sexual violence; and students expelled for exercising constitutional rights. He has been appointed for various matters...

Mr. Samouris has been a part of the winning criminal defense team at Grabel & Associates for over a decade. During that time he has gotten favorable results for clients in an endless list of types and degrees of criminal offenses in counties all over the state of Michigan. Mr. Samouris credits his success with his client’s criminal cases to his thorough preparation and hardworking attitude. At Grabel & Associates, we understand being prepared is half the battle when getting the best possible results for our clients. Meticulous preparation along with exceptional knowledge and application of the laws that apply...

Benjamin Stoltman focuses on Adult and Minor Guardianships, Wills, Trusts and Estates, Adoptions, Non-Profit Formation, Business Transactions, and Appeals.

Ben graduated magna cum laude from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. While in law school, Benjamin served as a member of Law Review and was the recipient of numerous awards for academic merit, including top marks in civil procedure, military law, and the professional responsibility seminar.

Benjamin was also inducted as a member of the Justice Frank Murphy Honor Society, an honor reserved for students graduating in the top ten percent of their class.

Prior to starting...

A former prosecutor, Jennifer Weise brings over a decade of trial experience to Grabel & Associates. With experience working in two prosecutor’s offices, she is a seasoned trial attorney with knowledge in all areas of criminal defense. She has also prosecuted hundreds of Criminal Sexual Conduct cases which gives her the ability to fight for her current clients while anticipating the prosecution’s next move. Former prosecutors bring the ability to “think as the other side” to their client’s defense strategy, which is why Jennifer Weise is such an asset to Grabel & Associates. She excels at client communication, enjoys trial...

Sara MacGregor joined Grabel & Associates in 2015 with a passion for criminal defense. She was born in Arizona but raised in Michigan's Upper Peninsula where she has lived ever since. Sara is invaluable to Grabel & Associates for her relationships and experience with the courts in the U.P. She attended Manistique High School and graduated summa cum laude from Northern Michigan University with a degree in Pre-Law and a minor in Communications and Chemistry. Sara is a graduate of Thomas M. Cooley Law School and passed the bar in 2014.

Sara MacGregor is ready to defend those charged with criminal...

Licensed in 2014, Ravi Gurumurthy has been an associate at Grabel & Associates for several years. He has experience in the aggressive defense of those charged with criminal sexual conduct, violent crimes, theft and drug charges and juvenile offenses.

Timothy Doman joined Grabel & Associates in 2016 after leaving his position as a Pre-Hearing Attorney with the Michigan Court of Appeals to follow his passion and interest in criminal law. He believes criminal law is fascinating and was eager to join Grabel & Associates due to our exclusive focus on criminal defense and criminal appeals. Tim Doman’s vast experience working at the Michigan Court of Appeals allows him to quickly and accurately research relevant issues to a client’s criminal defense or appeal and craft well written, comprehensive legal briefs, memos and arguments. His unique background working for both the...

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...

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...

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.

My practice is concentrated in representing employers and entrepreneurs in all aspects of employment and business law including severance, termination issues, non-compete disputes and in issues involving the protection of proprietary information.

I also represents employers in Fair Labor Standards Act disputes, including those with the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. I represent clients in complex commercial litigation regarding these issues at both the trial and appellate levels. A significant portion of my litigation experience has been in business breakups, corporate and partnership dissolutions, securities and shareholder disputes, and related valuation issues. My business litigation experience allows me to...

Corene C. Ford has practiced law in Michigan since 2003, specializing in litigating a wide variety of civil matters including in the areas of condominium and HOA, real estate law, business law, landlord tenant, contract disputes, collections, landlord tenant, as well as personal injury cases. Corene is also a certified court appointed mediator. She has successfully mediated dozens of cases ranging from simple real estate disputes to complex commercial matters.

After graduating with a B.S. from Eastern Michigan University in 1999, Corene attended Vermont Law School from which she received a JD and Master of Studies in Environmental Law, cum laude,...

William G. Tishkoff is Tishkoff’s principal. He was born in Los Angeles, California, on November 8, 1960. He earned his B.A. from Wesleyan University, with highest honors, in 1982. Mr. Tishkoff earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1991. He continues to be an active member of the State Bar of Michigan. Mr. Tishkoff is a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and Washtenaw Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Tishkoff is rated AV Preeminent* by Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating, and is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel...

After graduating from Michigan State University College of Law in 2014, Mr. Dagher-Margosian practiced law in Washtenaw County, exclusively handling criminal defense matters. Most recently, Mr. Dagher-Margosian was a trial attorney in the Lenawee County Public Defender Office. At the Lenawee PD Office, Mr. Dagher-Margosian navigated a demanding docket, handling over 750 cases in just over 2 ½ years. Mr. Dagher-Margosian received numerous not guilty jury verdicts, as well as favorable outcomes through motion practice and negotiation. In addition to practicing at the trial level, Mr. Dagher-Margosian has practiced at the appellate level, resulting in...