Battle Creek Lawyers

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.

The best part of being a lawyer is helping others with their legal issues. I don’t pay for TV advertisements or premium on-line placements. Instead, I do the best I can at a fair price for my valuable clients who in turn pay me the ultimate compliment by referring me to others who may need legal services. Here are a few things I ask you to consider.

- I deal directly with my clients. I do not pass you on to a junior associate; I do the actual work, which I continue to find interesting and rewarding.

-I work...

Wesley Todd is an attorney of the firm Lewis Reed and Allen. He has been named a super lawyer for the past 6 years, and has more than a decade of experience. He practices criminal law and family law in Calhoun County, Kalamazoo County and Branch County. He has successfully helped hundreds of clients during some of the most difficult times of their lives, with everything from a OWI/DUI charge to Divorce.

James T. Haadsma has practiced with the McCroskey Law since August, 1987. He specializes in representing injured workers in workers’ disability compensation disputes before the Michigan Workers’ Compensation Agency, and in representing injured workers before the Social Security Administration’s Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. Mr. Haadsma also occasionally represents a partially disabled employee in controversies with employers under the Americans with Disabilities Act/Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act. He represents clients from Washtenaw to Berrien Counties, but predominantly in Calhoun County.

Before joining the McCroskey firm in August, 1987, Mr. Haadsma practiced with the Muskegon office of Legal Aid...

Chris Micklatcher is the President of Fresh Start Tax Solutions, a tax resolution firm specializing in assisting small businesses and individuals with their tax problems. Mr. Micklatcher is licensed as both a Certified Public Accountant and Attorney and can be reached at Fresh Start Tax Solutions LLC, 7100 Tower Rd, Battle Creek, MI 49014. The telephone number is 269-969-9752. You can find his website at www.freshstarttaxsolutions.com.

Jesse Young is a Senior Shareholder at Sommers Schwartz who represents clients in serious employment disputes, including but not limited to issues of severance negotiations, discrimination, retaliation, whistleblowing activity, employment contracts, terminations, and compliance. His clients include individuals and businesses. As a founding member of the firm's national wage-and-hour practice, Jesse has appeared in hundreds of wage-and-hour lawsuits and hundreds more arbitrations arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and similar state laws. In this regard, he represents clients nationwide dealing with the payment of minimum wages and/or overtime, classification of employees, “off the clock” work, meal breaks, donning and...

Gary E. Tibble has been helping clients in Kalamazoo and throughout Southwest Michigan in the areas of: Residential and commercial real estate Estate planning Probate Wills and Trusts Criminal Record Expungements Mr. Tibble received his Bachelor of Arts from Western Michigan University in 1977; a Master of Public Administration from Western Michigan University in 1980; a Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1990. He was admitted to practice in Michigan in 1990 and the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit in 1990. Mr. Tibble is a member of numerous organizations, including: Michigan Bar Association, Kalamazoo Bar...

Steve Weston has over three decades of experience representing seriously injured clients and their families. Through his extensive knowledge of personal injury law, he understands that his role as an attorney and advocate is crucial to his client’s recovery. Steve advocates for victims suffering from a wide range of accidents and injuries and has dedicated years of study to gain an especially thorough understanding of traumatic brain injuries and severe burn injuries. He has represented victims of defective products, fire and explosions, unsafe premises, and auto accidents in many unique situations. The satisfaction of his clients is how Steve measures his...

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...

Gail Towne has worked almost exclusively in the area of family law for over thirteen years throughout the state of Michigan. She is now a partner with the Kalamazoo law firm of Lennon, Miller, O'Connor & Bartosiewicz, PLC where she commits her practice to helping individuals and families traverse through the family courts or facilitate private settlements related to family law issues. Specifically, Gail's practice focuses on domestic relations law including divorce, paternity, child custody, child support, and other family law matters. She is an experienced litigator, but also committed to alternative dispute resolution, particularly collaborative law,...

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...

Over 20 years actively practicing law in Southern Michigan. I was a partner at a large law firm for several years, but now I operate my own small firm. Because of that, we have significantly reduced overhead compared to large law firms. This means we can provide clients with the highest quality legal services at a lower expense.

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...

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...

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...

Born and raised in Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, MI, Barry Conybeare attended high school at Lake Michigan Catholic. He graduated from the University of Michigan (B.A., 1988). Barry received his law degree, magna cum laude, from DePaul University College of Law (J.D., 1992). After graduating, Barry worked in Chicago as a commercial litigation associate with one of the world’s largest law firms, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom. In 1994, Barry, and his wife Jody, moved home to Southwest Michigan. There he began practicing law with his father, Bruce Conybeare, at Conybeare Law Office.

Barry’s practice focuses on all aspects of personal...

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...

President and founder Jesse R. Sweeney (pictured above), is a graduate of Michigan State University, James Madison College, and Michigan State University Law School (1999, Cum Laude). He is Certified as a bankruptcy expert through the American Board of Certification Board Certified, is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. Additionally, he is licensed and in good standing in the State of Michigan, the Eastern District of Michigan and the Western District of Michigan and the US District Court of Colorado, . He has been practicing bankruptcy law...

I have been practicing family law for more than three decades. It is my goal for our legal team 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...

I file bankruptcies for individuals under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 of Bankruptcy Code. I have filed hundreds of cases with positive results. Additionally, I've taken the time get board certified in this specialty so members of the public can rest assured that I understand what I'm doing.

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...

Scott M. Neuman is an aggressive, experienced attorney with offices in the Lansing and Detroit Areas. He has been helping people in Michigan for over 20 years and has handled over 4,000 cases. You can reach him by calling 517-349-2700 or 1-888-684-3999, by email at xneumanx@aol.com, or via our contact form.

Since graduating from The University of Texas School of Law, one of the nation’s top law schools, Liisa Speaker has become well known for her excellent written and oral advocacy. Her appellate skills have helped clients obtain victories in appeals ranging from custody disputes to no-fault automobile insurance litigation to real property case and to probate appeals. Liisa Speaker is an attorney who practices exclusively in the field of appeals, she opened Speaker Law Firm in 2007. She has focused her appellate practice on family law, adoption, and child welfare cases. Liisa has represented clients in the Michigan Court of Appeals...

Elizabeth Abdnour is an attorney and partner at Abdnour Weiker LLP fighting for fair and equitable treatment at school and in the workplace. Liz is an experienced, compassionate, and client-centered attorney and advocate who has committed her career to working towards justice and equality for all people. Liz's legal expertise includes special education, school discipline, Title IX, civil rights, disability, employment, and sexual and domestic violence. ? For the first eight years of her career, Liz worked as a legal services attorney, representing low-income individuals in a variety of civil legal matters. Liz spent two years as the supervising attorney of a...

Hello! My name is Thomas Trent Harris and I go by my middle name, Trent. I was born and raised in Jackson, Michigan and went to the Jackson Public Schools, graduating from Jackson High School in 1995. I earned my bachelor's degree from Albion College in 1999 and my juris doctor degree from Chicago Kent College of Law in 2008. I am licensed to practice in Michigan and Illinois, and my law practice today is focused almost completely on estate planning for individuals, families, and business owners.

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...

Estate Planning Attorney – Biography Matthew V. Piwowar is the founder of Legacy Architects PLLC. His practice focuses on Estate Planning, Trusts and Wills, Special Needs Children, Business Succession, Long-Term Care, and Probate. He has over 30 years of experience advising on estate planning, business law, mergers & acquisitions, finance, and international law. Mr. Piwowar was born in Marquette, MI and grew up in West Michigan. He provides services to his clients statewide, from Grandville and Grand Rapids, south to Three Rivers and Kalamazoo, north to Boyne City and St. Ignace. Experience Piwowar’s background includes such transactions as: the sale of a...

Founder and managing partner of esteemed law firm, Goodman Acker, Gerald Acker is a Michigan native who received his law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 1981. His practice focuses on legal and medical malpractice; car, truck, and other moving vehicle accidents, and premises liability. In addition to his legal career, Gerald is also actively involved in the political arena, and has worked on behalf of several candidates who support people’s continued access to legal services. He is a member and past president of the Michigan Association for Justice, where his primary focus is to provide members with...

A relationship approach to providing peace of mind for your family and your business. That says it all. At Lichterman Law, PLC we strive to provide families and businesses with access to their own personal lawyer. We call it the Lichterman Law Difference. It is my passion to help families and businesses make the best decisions possible throughout their lifetime or existence. We provide all services on a flat-fee only basis, agreed to in advance so there are no surprises. We want you to know you can call us any time without getting charged...

Joseph Brugnoli has always been driven to defend and protect; first by serving in the in the Army in the 75th Ranger Regiment then as a police officer. Becoming an attorney felt like the natural progression for his future and he found that his law enforcement background served as an invaluable asset to his clients. His time in the Army paired with almost 11 years as a police officer has put him through just about every type of intense situation and taught him how to come out ahead. Battle tested and razor sharp, Joseph Brugnoli’s unique background allows him to...

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.

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...