Spruce Family Lawyers

Over 30 years experience in Family Law.

John F. Schaefer, founder of The Law Firm of John F. Schaefer, is one of the best-known and most highly-respected matrimonial lawyers in the United States. From its inception, Best Lawyers in America has listed John Schaefer as one of the premier matrimonial lawyers in America, and named him Lawyer of the Year, Detroit Area, in 2013. Worth magazine named him one of the top 100 lawyers in America, in any practice area.

I am a dedicated Attorney serving the great state of Michigan from Lansing to Traverse City, and all surrounding areas. I have a strong belief in our rights of life, liberty and freedom, as citizens of this great country, and I will do everything within my power to prevent my client's rights from being abridged. I specialize in the areas of Criminal Defense, Family Law, Personal Injury, No Fault, and civil litigation, but I devote myself to helping anyone in need, no matter the legal significance. I pride myself on providing personalized services and obtaining the best...

Zach Backlund works in our Gaylord, Michigan branch office and has handled numerous family law, estate plan, and real estate cases over the past several years in many counties in northern Michigan. He previously practiced law in the Traverse City, Michigan area, working on a variety of cases involving both transactional and litigated matters. Before becoming an attorney, Zach Backlund worked as a landman (2014-2016), taught English as a second language (2006), and also served as an AmeriCorps Corps Member (2005-2007).

Sterling Law practices in the areas of Family Law, Immigration, Estate Planning, Probate, Civil Litigation, Real Estate, and Business...

Courtney grew up in Mid-Michigan and earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice from Central Michigan University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She then attended Michigan State University College of Law, earning her Juris Doctor, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Following her education, Courtney was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in October 2007 and began her legal career as a judicial law clerk for the Midland County Circuit Court. There, she assisted the judiciary by researching issues in many different areas of the law. After passing the Florida Bar Exam,...

Jon Tomaso has years of experience as an attorney, practicing in the areas of family law and criminal law. Along with his associates at Sterling Law and ADAM (American Divorce Association for Men), the attorneys seek for their clients dignity and fairness and for all they seek social justice in a biased system. Sterling Law attorneys care for their clients by totally dedicating themselves to their cases, by giving guidance and answering questions in a timely effective way, and by being well-prepared in court. They take their clients' cases to heart and pursue their goals with the talent and...

Lea Ann Sterling has been a member of the Michigan Bar since 1998. Admitted to the bar in Ohio in 1981, Mrs. Sterling practiced law in Columbus. In 1997, she began a sabbatical to write, travel, and relocate from Ohio to Michigan. Her first book, Historic Homes of Olde Towne, was released in 1999 and won the Ohio Historical Society’s Public Education and Awareness Award. Historic Cottages of Mackinac Island, released in 2001, was listed on the Michigan Governor’s List of Best Books of 2001. In March 1999, Mrs. Sterling was appointed Village of Empire Zoning Administrator where she was...

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.

Groat Law is a boutique family law experience serving clients throughout Northern Michigan and beyond. With a nearly 20-year proven winning track record, let Travis be your warrior and fight for you and your family.

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...

Over the past 29 years, Ray Gregory has represented thousands of clients in family, employment, business, contract, criminal, and probate litigation in state and federal courts.

Erik S.H. Wallen graduated from Michigan State University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He received his Juris Doctor degree in 1989 from Thomas M. Cooley School of Law. He was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1989 and was hired as an Associate with the Law firm of Patterson Gruber Kennedy Gill and Milster located in Bay City, Michigan concentrating in criminal defense and general civil litigation. In 1997 Erik was promoted to Partner, concentrating in Civil Litigation. In 2000, Erik joined the law firm of Kennedy Gill Wallen Rieman and Reyes as...

Michael grew up in Tuscola county and graduated from Kingston High School. He graduated with Summa Cum Laude Honors from Saginaw Valley State University with a Bachelors of Professional Accountancy. After attending SVSU, he attended law school at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, MI. While attending Cooley, he was a member of the Thomas M. Cooley Law Review, competed in Mock Trial competitions, worked as an intern for an attorney in Okemos, MI., and represented several individuals in the Washtenaw County court system as a student-attorney. Michael graduated from Cooley with Magna Cum Laude Honors. Michael is...

Kristen received her Bachelor’s Degree in Government from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri and her Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School – Auburn Hills. During her undergraduate studies, Kristen completed an internship with the Family Research Council, studied in Washington D.C., and also studied-abroad in Israel. While in law school and before coming to work at Shoults, Picard & Brooks, PLLC, she gained experience through moot court and internships at the 71-B District Court with the Honorable Kim David Glaspie and an internship with the Lapeer County Prosecutor’s Office. Kristen is licensed to practice in the...

Jennifer Duitsman Coy graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, and received her law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She has been practicing law since early 2011. Her practice areas include estate planning, probate, real estate, and family law. Jennifer is also a trained mediator and volunteers with the 46th Circuit’s Legal Aid Divorce Clinic.

For over a decade, George Law has successfully represented people facing legal obstacles. As a client of George Law, you will work with experienced attorneys and staff who understand the impact a legal issue can have on your future. Our number one priority is standing up for clients’ rights and giving them a voice through our confident and competent representation. We have successfully helped our clients manage complex legal challenges in a broad variety of cases including DUI/OWI, Criminal Defense, White Collar Crimes, Sexual Assault, Family Law and other legal matters that otherwise could damage a person’s business efforts personal...

I have been practicing family law for 28 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...

Mara Kent (she/her/hers) is a life-long resident of Ann Arbor, Michigan and a licensed attorney since 1996. Mara’s practice areas include estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder law and long-term care planning, special needs planning, estate planning for surrogacy, same-sex adoptions and step-parent adoptions, and prenuptial agreements. Mara loves working with people and making personal connections with her clients, doing what she generally considers to be “happy law.” Mara counsels her clients on how to plan for major life events by anticipating common (and not-so-common) problems before they arise, so her clients can strategize about how to minimize court involvement,...

Our legal practice is focused on one thing, delivering results for our clients. Philip Vera is a lifelong resident of Macomb County, MI. He is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Shelby Township, MI. It was around that time he decided that the practice of law was his calling. “I was completely fascinated by the court system and the role attorneys have in it,” says Mr. Vera. Upon graduating, Mr. Vera attended Oakland University in Rochester Hills, MI. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in psychology. From there, he enrolled at Thomas M. Cooley Law School...

Michael A. Robbins is past president of the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, past chairperson of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and past president of the Michigan Interprofessional Association. Mr. Robbins has not only been named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in family law, but was also showcased in Newsweek as one of the Eight Leaders in Family Law in the United States. He has also been named one of the top 100 lawyers in Michigan by the New York Times and Super Lawyers. He is a frequent lecturer...

Lisa D. Stern is a dedicated family law attorney, providing comprehensive representation for couples involved in various aspects of domestic relations, including pre-nuptial agreements, divorce, custody cases, and post-judgment proceedings. Her expertise extends to managing the equitable division of assets, with a particular focus on closely held businesses and substantial marital estates. Recognized for her assertive advocacy, Lisa collaborates closely with local psychologists, mediators, drug and alcohol assessors, private investigators, and other reputable professionals to ensure her clients receive optimal representation. Understanding the intricate financial and business complexities that accompany marital dissolution, Lisa offers valuable guidance on decisions related to the...

My mission is to assist clients in making informed and educated decisions with no false representation, and to provide realistic expectations for their outcomes. Over the course of the last several years, I have represented thousands of clients, handled multi-million dollar trusts, and provided pro-bono work for select local residents in need.

Born and raised in Mishawaka, Spence joined the firm in 1979. He counsels clients in the areas of domestic and family law, commercial litigation, mediation and personal injury and wrongful death cases. During his career, he’s served as President of the St. Joseph County and Indiana State Bar Associations. He sits on the Mishawaka Education Foundation, and received the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash Award from Governor O’Bannon in 2002.

Every day I am in court fighting for someone just like you.

I am a real criminal defense attorney. I have tried cases to juries from East Lansing to Downriver and from Pontiac to Jackson.

Based in Ann Arbor, I have represented people on felonies and misdemeanors in 13 circuit courts and 39 district courts.

Many criminal defense attorneys advertise their past as prosecutors. The message from former prosecutors is they know the system well because they were a part of the system.

I advertise in the opposite way – I have never been a prosecutor. From the start I have been on your...

An award-winning law firm with offices in Novi, Ann Arbor and Plymouth.

The law practice is led by attorney Edward Shaw, who has 30 years of experience. Mr. Shaw is joined by several professional and long time assistants who help guide our clients through the legal process. He is a member of the State Bar Association, the Washtenaw Bar Association and President of the Plymouth Bar Association.

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.

As a family law attorney with more than 24 years of experience, I have helped many clients make life-altering decisions and have guided them through the most challenging periods of their lives. My goal always is to serve as a problem-solver for my clients, who routinely come to me with difficult issues surrounding divorce, property valuation and division, child custody, financial support, and many other family law concerns. I offer all of my clients a place where they can be heard, receive practical advice based on their goals and objectives, and develop a sound plan for moving through their divorces...

Channelle Kizy-White has over a decade of legal experience and a winning record of success with helping people in their time of greatest need. If you’re looking for an attorney you can trust and a fighter who won’t give up, that attorney is Channelle Kizy-White.

If there’s one word that describes Channelle, that word is “advocate.” She sees her clients’ problems as her own problems—their fight is her fight. Channelle is a listener, a counselor, and an experienced voice who stands up for you when other attorneys might sit down. And for Channelle, family law is more than just about...

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...

Born in Detroit, Michigan in the 60's. My parents taught me the value of a strong work ethic, humility, gratitude and family. I love learning and am fascinated with the intersection of law, psychology, medicine and justice. I love to cook, sail, travel, ski and laugh. I am a hockey-softball-baseball mom, and a mentor to as many young lawyers as ask. I enjoy teaching and making a difference. Do one thing every day that makes you smile. I do.

I have been practicing law for almost 20 years, and focus my practice on litigation cases, business law, family law cases, misdemeanor criminal defense, probate law, and real estate matters.

My office is in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, which is a suburb of Detroit. I represent clients mostly in the Metro Detroit area (Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, and Washtenaw counties). But, depending on the case, I do represent clients in other areas of Michigan, and have handled cases in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Traverse City, Lansing, as well as other locations in Michigan.

In addition to my representation of clients in Michigan, I have...