Kent County 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...

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...

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.

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...

I have been practicing family law for 27 years. It is my goal 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 issues of executives, self employed, or...

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...

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.

I have a passion for helping families through difficult times. Prior to my legal career, I worked with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services where I was able to gain the compassion and knowledge to help families navigate through a complex system in times of need. Now, I work hard to guide clients through a different, yet still complex system - family court.

While working for MDHHS I was stationed in an elementary school. The families there became “my families” and I took great pride in the simple task of greeting the students at the...

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.

Being an attorney has been a long-standing goal for me. Ever since I was twelve years old, I sought ways to help people and this desire to work with people and help people in my community has led me to become a family law attorney.

When I heard that a friend struggled with a debilitating illness, I arranged a fundraiser to cover health care and living expenses. I convinced small business owners to donate goods and funds and organized one of the best fundraisers in our community raising more than $28,000.00 to help the family.


Shortly after college, I contributed...

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...

John Bursch (www.burschlaw.com) represents Fortune 500 companies, governments, top public officials, and industry associations in high-profile cases, primarily on appeal. John has argued 12 U.S. Supreme Court cases since 2011 and 34 state supreme court cases, including 32 cases argued in the Michigan Supreme Court. John has successfully litigated hundreds of matters around the country, including six with more than $1 billion at stake. Recent matters include:

-Securing a 6th Circuit victory reinstating a multi-million-dollar commercial case on behalf of 5-hour ENERGY®
-A Michigan Court of Appeals ruling vindicating a Certificate of Need for DTE Energy's billion-dollar, natural-gas plant
-Obtaining a win...

Practicing law has been a long-term goal for me ever since participating in a mock trial exercise in middle school. With that goal in mind, I pursued a degree in political science at Grand Valley State University with the intent of going to law school immediately following my undergraduate studies. I graduated cum laude from Michigan State University College of Law and joined the team at Kraayeveld Law.

I have always had a passion for working with kids. Throughout my time in college and law school, I worked as a high school marching band instructor and as a recreational gymnastics coach....

Gary K. Springstead is one of the leading criminal attorneys in Grand Rapids and Fremont. As a trial attorney he has developed a busy practice in state and federal courts in Muskegon, Grand Rapids, White Cloud, Hart, Ludington, and Big Rapids. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Springstead was an F.B.I. Special Agent for approximately five years, investigating and assisting in the prosecution of a broad range of federal crimes from sophisticated white collar crimes to violent crimes, terrorism and national security matters. This included investigating numerous high-profile cases in the United States and abroad. Mr. Springstead’s criminal practice is...

Intellectual Property - Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights Litigation - Federal and State Courts Over 24 years of experience. 161 Ottawa Ave., N.W., Suite 404, Grand Rapids, MI 49503; 616-774-9244. Call 24/7; as calls are forwarded to Robert on evenings and weekends We are a full service litigation, and intellectual property law firm. Our practice areas include litigation, patent and trademark prosecution, and licensing. We have assisted clients at all stages of a lawsuit, pre-suit negotiations, and post-trial appeals. Robert J. Sayfie is a registered patent attorney, and has work experience as an engineer...

Joseph Hohler III is a family law attorney, and mediator, based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, but serves clients throughout all of southwest Michigan. Mr. Hohler handles all areas of family law and mediation, including appeals from family court.

I am an attorney located in Kalamazoo Michigan. I practice in employment and labor law for employee clients. I also do general practice, family law, and constitutional law. At the moment, I am generally free to take consultations and new clients. I offer affordable hourly rates and low contigency fee percentages.

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...

I help people solve problems.

I help them kick debt collectors to the curb. I also help them untie the knot. And I help them move from the world to the next.

More specifically:

I help people file for bankruptcy when their debt is too much for them to deal with any more.

I help them end a marriage when they feel that's their only option.

And I help people put together a Will or a Trust (or both) so when their time on this earth ends, those left behind can have some semblance of order in a trying situation.

When people come to me,...

Liisa R. Speaker was born in Lansing and lived her early years in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Her family relocated to Texas and Liisa attended Trinity University where she majored in Political Science and Spanish, graduating Cum Laude. After college, Liisa attended The University of Texas School of Law in Austin, Texas. Liisa was on the editorial board for The Review of Litigation. After practicing law in Texas for a few years, Liisa returned to Lansing, Michigan to be near family.

Liisa is now the owner and lead attorney of Speaker Law Firm, PLLC. The...

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...

Nicholas Leydorf is a graduate of Michigan State University and The Catholic University of America: Columbus School of Law. Nicholas has extensive experience in all types of criminal defense cases, including high profile criminal cases. He enjoys spending time with his family and has previously served the East Lansing Rotary Club as a board member.

I am a solo attorney operating in the heart of the capitol city of Lansing, MI. For your convenience, I offer home visits and weekend appointments to better accomodate your schedule. My main areas of practice include: Criminal Defense, Civil Litigation, Constitutional Law, Family Law, and Wills and Estate Planning. Don't hesitate to give a call for your FREE consultation!

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...

Anne Buckleitner puts her more than 30 years in government and law to work for clients in the areas of civil rights, employment law, criminal defense, facilitative mediation and neutral workplace investigations. She litigates in both federal and state courts. Anne is an accomplished litigator and counselor, an experienced problem solver, and a strong advocate. Through negotiation, litigation, and mediation, Anne identifies and obtains the best possible results for her clients. Anne makes good communication with her clients a priority.

Anne was born and raised in St. Joseph, Michigan. She spent the first chapter of her career working for the federal...

Attorney Daniel W. Grow of Grow Defense practices in all courts in West Michigan. Because Mr. Grow believes that your freedom comes first, he handles each stage of your representation personally. Never more than a phone call away, he will keep you apprised of all developments in your case and is happy to be your guide to a successful resolution of your charges. He has been successful in having charges dismissed or reduced, vindicated at trial, and resolved without substantial custody time or fines.

Matthew E. Gronda is an attorney practicing in the Great Lakes Bay Region of Michigan. His practice areas include bankruptcy, civil litigation, and criminal defense.

Over 15 years of probate and legal knowledge and representing clients in the following of expertise:

***trust and estate planning;
***trust and estate administration;
***trust and estate litigation;
***guardianships;
***conservatorships;
***license restoration appeals;
***experience serving as trustee, personal representative, receiver, and special master.

William has experience in the Probate courts of the following counties in Michigan: Barry, Branch, Eaton, Genesee, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Saginaw, Sanilac, Schoolcraft, St. Clair, Tuscola, Washtenaw, and Wayne.

***In March 2018, William and his wife, Kimberly, were admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States.

***In...

Tom Cecil is a motivated trial attorney with Big City skills located in the small town of Mason, Michigan. Cecil dedicates his practice to representing people who have been injured through the negligence or intentional misconduct of others, including businesses. Cecil enjoys class action practice. His most recent significant victory being a successful civil rights claim against the City of Detroit in which Cecil represented over 1200 people. Cecil is eager to hear what you have to say and will give due consideration to your concerns.

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...