Brown City Business Lawyers

- Act as general counsel/legal adviser to a variety of service and manufacturing businesses, including M&A, supply agreements, real estate leases and purchase agreements, employment policies/handbooks, contracts, financing documentation, terms and conditions, privacy notices, and compliance/governance documents.
- Represent businesses in complex commercial litigation, such as inter business disputes, contract disputes, shareholder/member conflicts, and employment matters.
- Aggressively assist individuals in contract disputes, real estate transactions/disputes, high conflict divorce matters and sales representative litigation.
- Very experienced in all forms of ADR, including Collaborative Divorce.
- Handle all matters with honesty, integrity and discretion.

Justin began his legal career in insurance defense where he gained experience handling complex litigation matters. Justin continued to build his litigation acumen by working on cases across a wide spectrum of legal issues including personal injury, no-fault PIP claims, wrongful death, contract disputes, property disputes, and premises liability. Since starting at Herbert Machnik in 2022, Justin has been a valuable asset on the civil litigation team in addition to assisting in matters related to estate planning and business planning and formation. Justin is an active member of his church and gives back to his community by working with the...

Geoffrey has been practicing law in western Michigan now — and previously in the Detroit metro area (and beyond) — since 2005. In that time, he has consulted thousands of clients, and took part in many bankruptcy cases (both Chapter 7 and 13) for individuals and small businesses and helped numerous individuals and small businesses with all their legal needs. In addition, Geoff has volunteered at Freedom House Detroit practicing immigration and asylum law, teaches test preparation classes, and tutors students for standardized tests. Geoff grew up on a dairy farm in western Michigan — in his free time he enjoys...

Originally from Muskegon, Jacob studied economics at the University of Michigan and law at the University of Minnesota. Now, he practices law, focusing on business and real estate transactions, with the experienced attorneys at the Norton Shores based firm Gielow Groom Terpstra & McEvoy.

David M. Glancy is an experienced civil and criminal trial attorney. He has substantial experience in evaluating and litigating automobile accidents, premise liability claims and first-party/No-Fault claims. He has handled serious felony, misdemeanor, drunk/drugged driving, and juvenile criminal matters; including multiple high-profile homicide cases.

In addition, Mr. Glancy also practices in the Circuit Court – Family Division, where he has handled numerous cases involving divorce, custody, parenting time issues, juvenile offense and neglect abuse cases.

Mr. Glancy was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 2004. He is a member of the Grand Traverse County Bar Association and the...

John Di Giacomo is an experienced business, intellectual property, litigation, and Internet lawyer practicing in the areas of copyright, trademark, domain name disputes, e-money, e-payment systems, contracts, defamation, Internet law, Communications Decency Act §230 immunity issues, international commercial law, cybersquatting and domain name disputes, video game law, adult industry law, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), E-Sign Act, shrinkwrap, browsewrap, and clickwrap issues, computer tort claims (e.g. trespass to chattels for unauthorized entry & spamming), and other intellectual property or business law related areas. John has litigated intellectual property, business, and commercial disputes in state and federal courts across...

For over 30 years Jim Austin has been providing quality legal services, counseling and care to individual and business clients throughout Michigan with business, general civil and transportation matters. Jim practices regularly in courts throughout the State of Michigan. With Corcoran Austin, PC, he has offices in Alden, Traverse City and Charlevoix. He has argued cases before the Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Court of Appeals, Federal District Courts and Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. He represents wrecker and towing companies throughout Michigan and sits on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Towing Association. He has represented truckers and trucking companies...

Harold Leo Emelander was raised in Newaygo, Michigan. After graduating from Newaygo High School, he attended Grand Valley State University where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. He then went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2006. To further his education he then moved to Florida where he attended The University of Florida College of Law and received his LLM in Taxation in 2007. Mr. Emelander began his legal career in Miami, Florida at an accounting firm. He utilized his degree in taxation law by advising clients on individual,...

I live in the world of ideas and strategic planning. I value intelligence, knowledge, and competence, I have high standards in these regards, which I continuously strive to fulfill. I can objectively see the reality of a situation, and I’m adaptable enough to change things which aren’t working well. I am a strategist – always scanning available ideas and concepts and weighing them against my current strategy, to plan for every credible contingency. I am ready to work for you.

Running a business can be incredibly challenging (and rewarding), but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. I'm an attorney, but I'm also a small business owner with an entrepreneurial spirit. I love helping small business owners and creative entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses by identifying, protecting and leveraging their intellectual property. I also help businesses with legal issues and contracts involving vendors, employees, and independent contractors.

It's tempting to DIY every aspect of your business, but doing so can actually hold you back by taking you away from what you're really good at (growing your business) and spending countless...

At the Law Office of John V. Deku, PLC, I provide my clients with personal and dedicated attention directly from the attorney who will handle their case. I take the time to walk you through all of the steps of your case, give you advice about all of your legal options and make sure that any questions you have are adequately answered. Your best interests are the driving force behind my representation of you. If I am unable to provide you the representation your situation needs I will help find you a competent attorney who can.

My practice is concentrated in four principal areas: consumer rights, lender liability, estate planning, and probate litigation. In the field of consumer rights, I have represented individuals and classes in litigation under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Truth in Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. Most frequently my clients are individuals or businesses pursuing or defending their legal rights against banks, financial institutions, mortgage servicers and other large corporations. Westbrook Law PLLC also provides services to clients in the areas of estate planning and probate and trust administration...

Born: Iron Mountain, Michigan Raised: Norway, Michigan

An attorney in Escanaba, Jeremy combines his previous background in accounting with his legal experience to effectively represent creditors, trustees, banks, and corporations in finance related matters such as bankruptcy law and creditors' rights, banking law, business law, and real estate law. Jeremy's bankruptcy clients (creditors) rely on him to represent them in proceedings before judges in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan and other courts throughout Michigan. On a daily basis, he handles matters related to debt collection, preference claims, UCC claims, the recovery of collateral, and enforcement of security interests. Jeremy also...

Sanford Law Office Founder and Owner, Rebecca Breitkreuz Sanford, Esq. is a general practice lawyer who specializes in family law, but also has extensive experience in both civil and criminal law as well. Her commitment to confidentiality and providing personalized attention has earned her a reputation of professionalism, expertise and dedication among her clients and peers.
Core Competencies
Family Law – divorce, custody, support, adoption and grand parenting time
Planning Services – estate planning, will drafting, succession planning and living trusts
Mediation – both in person and remotely via Zoom
Litigation – preparation of litigation documents and settlement pleadings
Claim Law – negotiation and drafting...

Attorney Michael Haddock earned a Master of Laws in Commercial Real Estate Law and Development and a Juris Doctor JD with an emphasis in litigation and has years of corporate insurance law and litigation experience. His clients are individuals and businesses throughout the U.S. with a large percentage from Saugatuck, Douglas, Holland, South Haven, Chicago, and Kent, Van Buren Ottawa, and Allegan Counties. He serves our expanded community in issues regarding real estate, wills and trusts and litigation defending contractors, developers, real estate holding companies, assisted living communities, condominium associations, businesses and individuals and...

Attorney Keilen is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan, the Federal US District Court for the Western District of Michigan, and the Federal US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Attorney Keilen is a Board Member and Attorney Representative for Kalamazoo Plus; he is an Advisory Board Member for the Michigan Medical Device Accelerator.

Attorney Keilen is a commercial litigator specializing in closely held business disputes; he is also the founder/owner of a local medical device company, giving him a unique appreciation for the legal issues in today’s business environment. Attorney Keilen has been a guest...

With over eighteen years' experience in both law firm and large corporate environments, handling local, national, and international transactions of various types, I am able to assist clients in structuring and completing complex transactions while maintaining a personalized focus. Our firm appreciates each opportunity we have to learn a client's needs and provide customized solutions to the client's legal issues. I have substantial experience in real estate, corporate structure and governance, commercial contracts and procurement, mergers and acquisitions, estate and succession planning, and construction.

Christopher has lived in Grand Rapids since 1st grade, He graduated from City High School, and then moved on to Grand Valley State University, where he met his wife, Devon. After receiving his Bachelor's in English and Political Science, Christopher moved on to complete his legal education at Thomas M. cooley Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 2011. His practice at The Grand Rapids Law Group handles criminal defense, divorce & child custody, business law, drunk driving defense, social security & disability, and other legal matters.

Over the past 35+ years, I have served as legal counsel and business adviser in connection with many public and private securities, capitalization, finance, merger, acquisition and consolidation transactions. Over the years, my emphasis has been in the energy and real estate industries, as well as with emerging stage and technology-based companies. Recently, I have worked extensively in the qualified opportunity zone space and with cannabis industry businesses.

I also maintain an alternative dispute resolution practice (arbitration and mediation) for securities, financial and business disputes. I have also published and presented extensively on a variety of topics including...

I am a shareholder at Rhoades McKee, P.C. I help individuals and businesses facing real estate disputes, land development challenges, condemnation, real estate transactions and construction matters achieve their objectives through a defined and realistic strategy. I can provide a detailed understanding of the emerging legal issues in green building and the LEED rating system. I am the only attorney in West Michigan that has achieved the LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) designation through the United States Green Building Council, and an environmental certification from Green Advantage®. I understand the issues faced by those individuals and businesses in the real...

Elizabeth graduated from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2020. While there, she was an Executive Article Editor for the Chicago-Kent Journal of Intellectual Property, interned in the legal departments of a national trade organization and Illinois’ top children’s hospital, and worked at law firms that focused on civil litigation and transportation law. Prior to law school Elizabeth earned degrees in Biochemistry and Biology from Ferris State University, where she participated in the biochemistry research lab and was president of the school’s chapter of the American Chemical Society. After graduating, Elizabeth relocated to Traverse City and began her career as judicial assistant...

Brian L. Johnson was born and raised in Muskegon, Michigan. He received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Michigan State University, and his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. He is a member of the Benzie County Bar Association and the Probate and Estate Planning and Elder Law Sections of the State Bar of Michigan.

Brian’s areas of practice include estate planning, business formation, general business practice,...

Raised in Michigan and Florida, Attorney Powers maintains her private practice of law in Petoskey, Michigan, a resort community nestled along Lake Michigan's Little Traverse Bay. However, she handles matters throughout the State of Michigan and often works with out-of-state counsel. Attorney Powers practices in the areas of real property law, appellate law, business law, estate planning and probate and trust administration, and municipal law. Ms. Powers served as City Attorney for the City of Petoskey for several years and also wrote, implemented, and coordinated the Paralegal Program for North Central Michigan College, an associate degree program,...

Working in Michigan since 1979 to understand and serve my corporate and individual clients in the areas of Estates & Trusts, Elder Law, Business and Contracts, Real Estate, and General Civil Law to develop cost effective solutions and strategies.

I am a graduate of the Michigan Law School, JD '83 and the U of M business school, BBA '80. Best thing I got in Ann Arbor was my bride Rachel. We married in '84 and have raised 4 now adult children together. My father was a lawyer and we moved to Boyne City in 1961 from Detroit. I am a member of the Walloon Lake Community Church and have served there as board chairman since 1998. I coached baseball, softball and basketball for many years mostly so I could hang...

Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Michael J. Caywood began practicing law in 1991 and joined Dresser Dresser Haas & Caywood, PC in 1999. Prior to moving to Sturgis, Michael practiced in Phoenix at the law firm of Snell & Wilmer and in Chicago with Ungaretti & Harris and the Division of Enforcement for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. While in Phoenix and Chicago, Michael's practice included complex commercial, medical products liability, intellectual property and securities litigation in both State and Federal Courts, as well as intricate technology transactional agreements. Michael has further developed his practice since joining Dresser Dresser Haas & Caywood, PC....

Unlike traditional law firms, I wanted to start a practice that fit with what small businesses needed. They needed a creative problem solver that provided more than generic information and some forms or a high priced law firm that passed work off to an associate. The Business Law Group leverages technology to provide a reasonable solution to your businesses legal needs. We allow you to focus on building your business instead of worrying about doing trying to do our job.

Brandon Gardner founded Brandon Gardner & Associates, PLC on the principle that every client deserves zealous, high-quality legal representation, especially those facing the most serious crimes and complex family disputes. Brandon has over twenty years' experience in multiple aspects of the court system from small claims dispute resolution to appeals to the Michigan Supreme Court and utilizes this breadth of knowledge to develop custom solutions to every case at the firm, no matter the complexity. Mr. Gardner’s practice areas include serious felonies and federal crimes, complex domestic litigation, and personal injury litigation. Additionally, he is an approved domestic relations mediator on...

Ross W. Keilen is an attorney with Keilen Law, PLC. Ross focuses his practice on helping individuals and businesses with challenges, transactions, and disputes; Ross specializes in commercial litigation, business/corporate law, estate planning, assets management, personal injury, and probate disputes.

Ross earned a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University; thereafter, he graduated from the Michigan State University College of Law, where he received several jurisprudence awards and was listed on both the Honor Roll and the Dean’s List. Ross is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.

Ross lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He enjoys golf, distance running and sailing. He...

Estate Planning
Wills and Trusts
Business Organization
Real Estate
Criminal Defense
Former Prosecutor