West Branch Business Lawyers

Raymond Graduated from the University of Detroit Law School in 1993 and has been licensed to practice in Michigan State and Federal Courts ever since. He is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and The American Bankruptcy Institute.

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...

Barry Shoults is a graduate of Lapeer Public Schools. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan - Flint and then received in 1981 his Juris Doctorate from the Detroit College of Law, now the Law School at Michigan State University. He was admitted to the practice of law in Michigan Courts in 1981 and in Federal Court in 1984. He worked his way through college and law school at various jobs including selling building supplies for Church’s Lumber. He started his legal career working for Legal Services of Eastern Michigan in Flint which provided legal...

Mr. Geht is an attorney with extensive public and private sector experience. After clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Mr. Geht joined a top law firm in Washington, D.C., where his practice included accountant malpractice litigation, environmental litigation, and labor and employment law. Until he moved to Traverse City in October of 2012, Mr. Geht served for five years as a Trial Attorney with the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. He received several awards from the Department of Justice and from the Internal Revenue Service for his...

James A. Christopherson, Esq. is an arbitrator, mediator and practicing attorney. He has over 28 years of experience as an attorney, arbitrator and mediator in complex construction, real estate, healthcare, commercial, contractual, financial and environmental disputes. He is available to provide legal assistance in commercial, healthcare, real estate, construction and environmental disputes throughout the State of Michigan. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Mr. Christopherson is on the National Roster of Neutral Arbitrators for both Commercial Arbitration and Construction Arbitration for the American Arbitration Association. He is an Arbitrator for the...

B.A. Economics - University of Michigan
J.D. - University of Michigan Law School
L.L.M. Wayne State University Law School
Law Clerk - Michigan Court of Appeals
Member - Business Advisory Board - Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE)
ICLE Publications:
Contributing Author-Advising Closely Held Businesses In Michigan
Author - Purchase & Sale of Business / Michigan Business Formbook
Author - Transfer Michigan Liquor Licenses
Practice Areas:
Business & Estate Planning, including Wills, Trusts & Power of Attorney & Health Care Power of Attorney, Estate & Trust Administration, Entity Formations & Dissolutions, Business Transactions, Purchase & Sale of Businesses and Professional Practices, Prenuptial Agreements

Todd Bailey is a general practitioner who represents individuals and businesses with their legal needs. While Todd is physically located in Traverse City, he has clients in other areas of Northern Michigan, the State of Michigan, and other states in the country who have legal needs in Michigan. In addition, Todd's practice in Maritime law may also involve his involvement in federal courts throughout the country. Todd is able to represent clients who are located outside the Traverse City area due to his availability by telephone, fax, mail, and email.

Nathan Piwowarski is a shareholder and attorney at McCurdy Wotila & Porteous, a law firm that serves northern lower Michigan. Nathan's practice includes estate planning, small business transactions, and municipal law. Nathan earned his B.A. degree in 2002 from Albion College, Summa Cum Laude. He then worked on the campaign and in the legislative office of State Senator Michelle McManus. As an aide to Senator McManus, Nathan was responsible for policy areas ranging from local economic development to natural resource and environmental quality regulation. Nathan earned his J.D. degree in 2007 from the Michigan State University College of Law,...

I primarily represent investors and entrepreneurs. I have handled large transactions and major litigation. I also handle smaller matters as the need arises.

Since 1976, Zeigler Townley P.C. has handled a wide variety of challenging and complex business and personal matters both in and out of Court. As a Vietnam Veteran, Matt has a very long view of all business litigation, employment and transactional matters, knowing what matters, and what does not.

I’ve worked with injured folks for the past decade, both in the context of auto accidents and worker’s compensation. I know that when you suffer an injury, you need firm and aggressive advocacy so your voice can be heard. But you also need frank and honest guidance so you can make good decisions for your future and for your family’s future. I provide both.

When you call my firm, I’m the one you’ll talk to on the phone, not some screener who passes you along to an associate. I take your call, I hear your story, I...

Jason Thompson represents clients in class action and multidistrict litigation (MDL) involving consumer protection, employment rights, and mass tort cases in federal and state courts throughout the United States. His clients include individuals as well as municipalities, healthcare plans, and unions.

Over the past 23 years, Jason has been recognized for his excellence as a trial lawyer, including selection by his peers as a Super LawyerTM, board certification by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and an AV Preeminent Lawyer rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Jason has been appointed as class counsel and in MDL leadership positions in cases involving antitrust, overtime pay,...

Grand Rapids, Michigan attorney Michael Zamzow, partner at Zamzow Fabian PLLC, is widely respected for his years of litigation experience. His approach to the law and dedication to his clients has earned him a reputation as a fierce advocate who is unafraid to take on even the most complex cases. At the heart of Zamzow's success is his commitment to his clients. He takes the time to get to know them, understand their needs, and develop a tailored strategy. He is also deeply committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in his practice, building strong relationships with judges and court personnel....

BRENDAN N. GUILFORD was born and raised in Kalamazoo County, attending Vicksburg High School. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree in Political Science from Alma College in 2005. After moving to Florida with his wife, Brendan received his law degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. While attending law school, he clerked for the community association firm Kahan Shir, PL in Boca Raton, FL. After graduating from law school, he relocated to the Tampa Bay region with his family in mid-2009. While working in and around Tampa, Brendan worked...

Leveraging my experience as outside intellectual property counsel to some of the largest companies in the world, I help in-house IP teams, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and startup founders strategically protect intellectual property that furthers business goals. I have written and prosecuted over 500 patent and trademark applications in my career, most of which related to electronic or software-based technology. Significant projects include: - Patenting the autonomous vehicle platform of a large automotive company - Securing patents related to fiber optic networks, satellite communication networks, media content delivery systems, and consumer products for major telecommunications companies - Patenting medical sensors and surgical robots for medical...

A commitment to excellence is a personal quality you should expect from your attorney. At my office, you receive that commitment, and more, from start to finish of your case. I am a Michigan-born and educated lawyer who fights for your rights. My comprehensive knowledge of law and maximum availability to you can make a positive difference in your legal situation. Contact the Law Office of Julian J. Poota, PLLC when we can be of service. We can be reached toll free at (888) 399-7979. Your initial consultation is free of charge and we are able to take your calls...

Claim your FREE BOOK "What's Keeping You Up At Night: An Attorney’s Practical Approach To Resolving Real Estate Nightmares" by visiting www.ProvenResource.com/book4u As a former "big Bank" real estate and contracts attorney, I love to demystify complicated real estate and financial legal concepts and problems for people who are frustrated, "spinning their wheels" with incompetent or dismissive real estate or banking "professionals." I hate when someone finds themselves at a legal disadvantage - they're "stuck" when they unknowingly relying on outdated or impractical information and forms off of the "internet." People often get in trouble when they base their legal...

A long record of exceptional results, driven by a passion to win for clients.

Specializing in serious business litigation and shareholder/member disputes.

H. Joel Newman has obtained numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements representing plaintiffs and has successfully defended numerous clients against multi-million dollar claims. He works efficiently on his client's behalf, to maximize value.

Mr. Newman successfully defended a "Big Three" automobile and truck manufacturer in an action brought by two major motorhome manufacturers seeking eight-figure damages for the allegedly defective product. He has represented plaintiffs and defendants in numerous shareholder lawsuits, at least two of which involved more than $1,000.000,000 in...

Mr. Villar graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and went on to hold clerkships for the Honorable George R. Corsiglia in the Allegan Circuit Court and for the Michigan Court of Appeals. Since entering private practice in 1993, Mr. Villar has participated in numerous high visibility cases throughout Southwest Michigan.

Mr. Villar has also worked for one of the largest law firms in America, Dorsey & Whitney. Dorsey & Whitney employed over 330 attorneys and had offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, New York, Brussels (Belgium), London (England), and Paris (France). While demanding, Dorsey & Whitney prepared Mr. Villar for...

I am an intellectual property attorney and business advisor (JD/MBA/MSE) with over 15 years of experience counseling clients on a range of matters, including portfolio development, patent preparation and prosecution, trademark and brand protection, litigation, licensing, and corporate due diligence. I am registered to practice before the United States Patent Office (USPTO) (Reg. No. 56,024) and admitted to practice in the State of Michigan, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. I have prepared, filed and prosecuted thousands of patent applications in fields such as automotive, autonomous...

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