Burt Appeals & Appellate Lawyers

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

Trial Attorney in good standing in Michigan for more than 36 years. Notary services provided as well.

A Legal Leader With A Reputation For Excellence As a former journalist and prosecutor, Allen Wolf, quickly built a reputation as a leader for his ability to dive into a case and gather important details. Now he leverages his experience, knowledge and skill to obtain optimum legal results for his clients.

Law Offices of D.B. Carron are highly-qualified appeals specialists in criminal defense, taking cases statewide and federal, including trials; pleas; 6500 and 2255 post-conviction motions; habeas petitions; etc. Attorney Carron and his associate Attorney Martin Leaf have over 60 years of experience. Mr. Carron is among select lawyers that may argue before the U.S. Supreme Court. Selected as one of the top criminal defense lawyers in Michigan by the American Society of Legal Advocates; he has a perfect 10.0 Avvo attorney qualification rating, a 5-star client review rating; and the highest possible peer rating on Martindale-Hubble. Payment plans are available...

I have been practicing family law for more than three decades. It is my goal for our legal team to provide each client with individual attention because each client and each case is different, and I enjoy the personal interaction with a client and working towards successful completion of each case to the benefit of each family. I have seen a need to specialize in parental alienation cases which has led to an overall greater experience in child custody cases. Secondly, I have specialized in complex divorce matters involving significant assets, business assets, determining complex income...

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.

Let my over 30 years of experience work for you!

ARRESTED? I have successfully represented over 4,000 persons with matters ranging from traffic tickets to drunk driving to drug charges to capital offenses. When it comes to any criminal or traffic matter, let my experience work for you. I represent all persons who are arrested and are charged as adults or juveniles, and I represent persons seeking an appeal. When it comes to your freedom, your criminal record, your driving record, or the consequences of any criminal matter, seek the person who is experienced enough...

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

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.

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...

Attorney Ray Richards your Counsel, Conscience and Champion!

Attorney Ray Richards II thriving State and Federal Criminal Defense, civil trial and business consulting strategy practice has been serving the Metro Detroit area for over nearly two decades! He is a proud, accomplished and experienced Trial attorney specializing in State and Federal Criminal Defense; Civil litigation and Corporate Transactions. A well respected courtroom advocate, he has tried and litigated criminal and civil cases Nationwide and represented clients internationally in the civil and criminal courts in the U.K., Canada and Spain.

Mr. Richards is known for his...

ANDREW B. WACHLER is the principal of WACHLER & ASSOCIATES, P.C. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Michigan in 1974 and was the recipient of the William J. Branstom Award. He graduated Cum Laude from Wayne State University Law School in 1978. He was admitted to the Michigan Bar and the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan in 1978. Mr. Wachler is a member of the American Bar Association Health Law Section through which he served on the HIPAA Task Force, the Programs Committee, and the editorial board of The Health Lawyer publication. Mr....

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...

Gary K. Springstead is a former FBI Agent and criminal defense attorney defending clients in state court in Michigan and federal courts throughout the United States. He is rated a Super Lawyer for Criminal Law, a 10.0 on Avvo and received the Client's Choice Award on Avvo for his outstanding work. He regularly defends clients in high-profile cases in Michigan and throughout the United States. In federal court, Mr. Springstead defends clients accused of a wide variety of crimes. This includes white collar crimes such as health care fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud and mail fraud, embezzlement, bribery and kickback schemes;...

Brent Geers specializes in helping people empower those they trust and provide for those they love. Brent has been an attorney since 2012, working with individuals and families to marshal their time, talent, and treasurer for the benefit of their children, family, and community. He is a Grand Rapids Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” honoree, and currently operates his own practice, Geers Law. Brent is married to an educator, who employs his services as a chaperon for various school functions. He is also his daughter’s father – a girl who will become a president, not a princess.

Jesse Adam Markos is an attorney at Wachler & Associates, P.C. Mr. Markos practices in all areas of healthcare law and devotes a substantial portion of his practice to representing healthcare providers with licensure and staff privilege matters. He also regularly represents providers in transactional, corporate, and regulatory compliance matters and in the defense of Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross and other third party payor audits.

Mr. Markos graduated Magna Cum Laude, from Wayne State University Law School where he served on the Wayne Law Review and was nominated to the Order of the Coif. Mr. Markos attended law school on a...

I was born and raised in the City of Detroit and am committed to serving those individuals accused of committing criminal offenses throughout the State of Michigan.

Attorney David J. Kramer has represented thousands of clients facing criminal charges in both State and Federal Court in the State of Michigan since 1992. An aggressive, highly motivated lawyer, Attorney David J. Kramer works diligently to get the best results for his clients.

Joshua Blanchard is a trial lawyer who holds a BBA in Accounting from Northwood University and a Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He operated a solo law practice representing clients in criminal trial matters throughout the state of Michigan. He has tried a number of jury trials to verdict and has obtained “not guilty” verdicts for his clients in both bench and jury trials. Mr. Blanchard is admitted to practice in Michigan state courts as well as in Federal Court for the Eastern and Western districts of Michigan. Mr. Blanchard represents people in need...