Onsted Criminal Lawyers

Upon Graduation from Law School in 1997, Attorney Chefalo worked in Lansing Michigan for the 30 th Judicial Circuit Court as a law clerk for the Honorable Thomas L. Brown. While there, he researched complicated legal issues and drafted proposed opinions on all civil and criminal matter that came before the court. In 1999, Attorney Chefalo moved to Traverse City Michigan to work in private practice. When asked why he picked Traverse City, Attorney Chefalo stated: “if you are going to start a law office from scratch, you might as well do it in a beautiful place.” His goal...

Over 35 years of trial experience. Former prosecutor and public defender of criminal cases. Handle divorce, custody, child support, and paternity cases in the area of family law. Also, adoption, guardianship and conservatorship cases. Represent parents and/or children in juvenile court cases. Estates and estate planning.

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...

Mas/Stig-Nielsen was founded because there is a need for high-quality, smart criminal defense in northern Michigan. We are committed to serving the needs of people accused of crimes by the government. Our firm is guided by the words of author and activist Bryan Stevenson,
each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done. Regardless of what you stand accused of doing, we will help you.

Defense attorneys often sell themselves as being aggressive advocates in the courtroom, however, in our experience, that is not enough. Mas/Stig-Nielsen vehemently fights for our clients but more importantly we are prepared,...

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...

Patrick Dougherty has been helping individuals and their families through legal challenges and the complexities of the legal system for over 24 years. Patrick is licensed to practice all issues of law in the State of Michigan. He is authorized to practice law in all State Courts in Michigan, including all State Circuit Courts; all State District Courts; the Federal Eastern District and Western District Courts; the Bankruptcy Court for the Western and Eastern Districts of Michigan; the Michigan Court of Appeals; and the Michigan Supreme Court. Patrick Dougherty is also authorized to practice law in the 6th Circuit Court...

A life long Michigan resident, Steven A Heisler is a graduate of Saint Clair County Community College in Port Huron, Michigan where he earned his A.D.G.B. (Associates Degree in General Business) degree. Mr. Heisler continued his business education at Baker College in Flint, Mt. Clemens, and Port Huron, Michigan where he earned his B.B.L. (Bachelors of Business Leadership) degree. Mr. Heisler's legal education was from one of the nation's most respected law school in the United States, Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan where he earned his J.D. (Jurist Doctor) degree. Mr. Heisler is highly respected...

Robert Peterson is a general practice attorney currently admitted to the Michigan bar. He was previously admitted to the Iowa bar and the Northern and Southern District of Iowa bars. As a general practice attorney in Michigan, he practices in the fields of criminal defense, juvenile law, defense of child neglect and abuse cases, real estate law, and elder law. He has been in the practice of law since 2008, with former careers as a private investigator and U.S. Army officer.

Mas/Stig-Nielsen was founded because there is a need for high-quality, smart criminal defense in northern Michigan. We are committed to serving the needs of people accused of crimes by the government. Our firm is guided by the words of author and activist Bryan Stevenson,
each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done. Regardless of what you stand accused of doing, we will help you.

Defense attorneys often sell themselves as being aggressive advocates in the courtroom, however, in our experience, that is not enough. Mas/Stig-Nielsen vehemently fights for our clients but more importantly we are...

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

LAUREN K. PFEIL graduated with a Bachelors of Arts with highest honors from The University of Texas at Austin and received her law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she specialized in family law. While in law school, Lauren received family and child law fellowships from both Loyola University Chicago School of Law and The University of Michigan School of Law. Her article “Recognizing Race as a Reality, Not a Barrier: The Problems within Colorblind Adoption Policy within a Race Conscious America” was published in the spring edition of The Children’s Legal Rights Journal. Upon graduation from...

Paul Jarboe is an experienced and dedicated trial attorney with over 30 years of legal experience. Mr. Jarboe graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1982. Mr. Jarboe is a former prosecuting attorney, and has an extensive background in the areas of divorce, child custody, criminal defense and civil litigation, which includes State and Federal Criminal cases. Mr. Jarboe’s practice includes: Criminal Defense, Family Law, Personal Injury & Estate Planning.

Janet M. Mistele, J.D. is a member of the State Bar of Michigan (1989), the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan (1991), and the North Carolina State Bar (2003). Ms. Mistele earned her Juris Doctor degree, Magna Cum Laude, from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where she was a member of the National Trial Team, and earned American Jurisprudence Awards for top honors in seven of her law school courses. Upon graduation from law school in 1989, Ms. Mistele accepted a position with the Michigan Court of Appeals in Lansing, Michigan as a Prehearing Attorney,...

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.

U of M 1970 to 1974, BA degree in Economics. Detroit Police Officer 1974 to 1987. Wayne State Law School 1987 to 1990. Admitted to Michigan Bar in 1991 Specialized law practice in criminal law, consumer protection and business litigation

Lawyer Edward M. Czuprynski, graduated with High Honors from Michigan State University, B.S. in 1977, and the University of Detroit School of Law, J.D. in 1981. He is the president and chief counsel of Bay Justice Associates, PC. We focus on our clients as individuals, not just as cases. We can do everything that a big firm can, but more efficiently, and we pass the savings on to you. Unlike a big firm, Bay Justice Associates, P.C. provides you with personal attention, frequent updates, and prompt service. With our legal service, you’ll always be given timely and personalized assistance...

Having a skilled legal advocate in your corner is crucial when facing criminal charges. That is why Jason L. Jansma is here to help. As a former prosecutor, he has gained invaluable insight and experience on how the other side of the courtroom thinks. Attorney Jansma has been placed among the top criminal lawyers in Michigan, making him a strong ally for any individual to have. He handles all types of criminal matters and provides counsel and assistance for family law issues as well. No matter your situation, be sure to call on him when you need reliable, proven, and...

Coming from a working class family, I worked numerous jobs on my way to become an attorney.

I am a native of the Copper Country and hold a BA in History from Finlandia University, followed by a Juris Doctor from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. With two years of experience as a law clerk at Eliason Law Office, I have now transitioned to an attorney role within the same firm. My practice primarily serves Houghton, Keweenaw, and Baraga Counties in the Upper Peninsula, although representation in other counties is available depending on the circumstances. I am committed to maintaining a close attorney-client relationship and offering quality representation regardless of whether your legal problem is minor or major, routine...

Opening the firm in 2010, Mr. Eliason has been practicing in a variety of legal areas in Hancock for almost 15 years. His experience with many types of cases and his local knowledge have proven to be successful. He is graduate of Plymouth State College in Plymouth, NH (BS) and Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee, WI (JD). He is admitted to the State Bar of Michigan and the State Bar of Wisconsin. Mr. Eliason is also a proud member of the Copper Country Bar Association.

A native Michigander and veteran of the United States Air Force, Patrick Cherry received his B.A. degree with high honors from University of Michigan in 2012. He then worked as a judicial intern and law clerk while attending Wayne State University Law School, graduating in 2015. After graduation, Patrick moved with his family to Interlochen to enable his oldest son to attend the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy. Patrick joined McCurdy, Wotila & Porteous in April 2016 as the newest Associate Attorney in the firm. As a trial lawyer, Patrick represents our clients in all types of litigation including...

Balgooyen Law Offices has been a general practice firm in Muskegon County for over 40 years, having represented three municipal governments, several area businesses, and multiple generations of Muskegon families. Fredric F. Balgooyen, sole practitioner, has experience as both a prosecuting and public defense attorney, is a member of the State Bar of Michigan's Criminal Law Section, Probate and Estate Planning Section and Master Lawyer Section. Practice areas include estate planning, Wills & Trusts, Probate and decedent estates, real estate, business law, business planning, commercial and civil litigation, Landlord-Tenant, family law, domestic issues, divorce, child support...