Higgins Lake Lawyers

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...

I enjoy the interaction with people where I can explain something that may seem complex in a way that helps them understand. As a former teacher, I do enjoy those ah-ha moments where things click. I enjoy talking with clients and getting to know them and their situation, so that I can find the best possible solutions for their needs. I believe that effective estate planning is a critical component of my client’s life planning. I believe that family fights over inheritance are unnecessary and wasteful. Families achieve better outcomes through planning rather than fighting. While it is...

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.

Mr. Frazier is not a Nashville native, but he fits right into the community with a strong work ethic and family values which have helped him become a great tax law, estate planning, and business law attorney. Mr. Frazier is a husband and father of two children whose humble beginnings help him relate to any client who needs legal advice to resolve their tax law, estate planning, or business law issues.

Mr. Frazier is also a U.S. Army veteran who served his country proudly and with distinction before being honorably discharged. As a former soft-skill Army Ranger, Mr. Frazier understands the...

Eric Steinberg has almost 20 years of experience litigating personal injury cases throughout Michigan. He has handled all types of cases, including auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, Michigan no-fault benefit denials, medical malpractice, dog bite, slip and fall injury, premises liability, construction accidents and others. Mr. Steinberg is proud to have obtained millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for his clients. He is the managing partner of the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., which has offices located throughout Michigan. The Lee Steinberg Law Firm has been representing Michigan clients for almost 50 years. Mr. Steinberg is currently the...

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.

Keeley Blanchard is a top criminal defense attorney in Michigan. She focuses her practice in the areas of defending those wrongfully accused of criminal sexual conduct, child abuse, domestic violence, assault, child pornography, and drug crimes. Her trial experience is significant, she has an excellent reputation for being aggressive, and will out-prepare any of the prosecutors she faces in court.

Robert Banner has 28 years experience serving clients in Northern Michigan. Areas of expertise include, but are not limited to, Divorce, Child Custody, Parenting Time, Drunk Driving, Estate Planning including drafting Wills and Trusts. We serve clients in Boyne City, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Boyne Falls, Bellaire, Central Lake and Gaylord. Mr. Banner was appointed by the Attorney General's Office in April 2018, as Public Administrator for Charlevoix County, Michigan.

Robert Gavin is the Senior Associate at Shifman & Carlson, P.C. He has been practicing law since 2008, and was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2015, 2018, and 2019. He was also listed by DBusiness Magazine as a Top Lawyer in the Metro Detroit Area for Public Finance Law in both 2014, 2017, and 2018.

Rob brings a wide variety of skills and a diverse background to bear for his clients, including his experience with contract negotiation, employee issues, construction issues. Rob's undergraduate degree is in engineering, which has also been useful to clients during construction issues and in...

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John E. Melton is a criminal defense attorney who has successfully defended people charged with a variety of crimes in courts all over the State of Michigan. This includes: -Sexual Criminal Conduct -Drug Crimes -Violent Crimes -Drunk Driving -White Collar Crimes -Domestic Violence -Armed Robbery -Breaking and Entering -and many more. Our offices are in Sandusky and Saginaw. We regularly practice in Flint, Saginaw, Bay City, The Thumb, Midland, Port Huron and surrounding areas and all of Southeast Michigan. We know the judges in these areas. We...

Rachel M. Sexton has spent her entire career as an attorney representing people who find themselves in difficult financial situations. Rachel’s passion is helping people get out from underneath crushing debt and harassing creditors. She has helped hundreds of clients find solutions through bankruptcy. Whether that is saving their homes from foreclosure, getting their cars back after repossession, lowering their car payments, eliminating credit card debt, or dealing with overwhelming IRS debt. Rachel chose to practice bankruptcy because she enjoys helping people in some of the most stressful times of their lives. Rachel’s goal is to help clients move toward...

Scot focuses on business law, real estate development, employment law, estate planning, probate, and commercial litigation. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and his J.D., with cum laude honors, from the Notre Dame Law School. While at Notre Dame, Scot was an editor with the Journal of Legislation and clerked for the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in Flint, MI, and the Michigan Supreme Court in Lansing, MI. After graduating from Notre Dame Law School, Scot clerked with the Michigan Court of Appeals in Grand Rapids, MI. In January of...

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.

Joshua Blanchard is a trial lawyer who holds a BBA in Accounting from Northwood University and a Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He operated a solo law practice representing clients in criminal trial matters throughout the state of Michigan. He has tried a number of jury trials to verdict and has obtained “not guilty” verdicts for his clients in both bench and jury trials. Mr. Blanchard is admitted to practice in Michigan state courts as well as in Federal Court for the Eastern and Western districts of Michigan. Mr. Blanchard represents people in need...

Julie A. Gafkay graduated from Michigan State University in 1992 with a dual major in criminal justice and political theory. She graduated from Whittier Law School in 1995 with honors. Her first position was in Flint, Michigan focusing on civil rights and employment discrimination. In 2003, Attorney Gafkay opened her own statewide practice in Frankenmuth, Michigan. The practice's attorneys provide a general practice to the local area providing legal services in Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning, Elder Law, Business Planning, contract review, landlord/tenant issues, real estate, employment issues and other general practice areas. Attorney Gafkay has...

I am an attorney licensed to practice in Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota. I primarily practice in bankruptcy, foreclosure, real estate, estate planning and probate.

Michael R. Bartish is a founding member of Springstead & Bartish Law, P.L.L.C.. He defends and represents clients in state and federal courts throughout Western Michigan from Niles to Traverse City. Mr. Bartish is a former active duty Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Army where he served at Fort Hood, Texas, from 1999 through 2002. During his active duty service, Mr. Bartish served as a trial counsel and senior trial counsel for the First Cavalry Division and as a Trial Defense Counsel for Fort Hood, Texas. After four years on active duty, Mr. Bartish went into private practice...

Gary K. Springstead is a former FBI Agent and criminal defense attorney defending clients in state court in Michigan and federal courts throughout the United States. He is rated a Super Lawyer for Criminal Law, a 10.0 on Avvo and received the Client's Choice Award on Avvo for his outstanding work. He regularly defends clients in high-profile cases in Michigan and throughout the United States. In federal court, Mr. Springstead defends clients accused of a wide variety of crimes. This includes white collar crimes such as health care fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud and mail fraud, embezzlement, bribery and kickback schemes;...

Kathryn attended Central Michigan University and graduated with a B.S., majoring in Business Administration and minoring in Legal Studies. After graduating from CMU, Kathryn attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School and graduated cum laude with a concentration in Litigation. While at Cooley, Kathryn was awarded multiple certificates of merit for her academic performance. Kathryn focuses her practice on Criminal Defense and Family Law and Estate Planning. Ms. Bolinger is knowledgeable in all areas of divorce, property settlement, and alimony. Ms. Bolinger also handles all issues relating to child custody, parenting time, child support, adoptions, and grandparent's...

Michael Wooley has 23 years of experience in employment-based immigration and his practice focuses solely on immigration. Mike specializes in working with C-level corporate officers and general counsels to formulate long-term immigration plans and short-term solutions for U.S. and international companies. Mike regularly speaks on immigration topics to various professional organizations and enjoys training clients’ HR teams. His expertise encompasses non-immigrant and immigrant business visas, including PERM filings and National Interest Waivers. Mike has exceptional success defending USDOL PERM audits and interfacing with immigration-related federal agencies. He has successfully represented clients in immigration appeals and immigration court. He also assists...

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,...

We opened our office in Manistee, Michigan in 1995 and have been providing excellent, affordable legal services ever since. We have experienced a variety of challenges that have assisted us in developing a law practice that is particularly suited for the needs and desires of Manistee residents and visitors. We offer free initial consultations for criminal matters and personal injury cases, we only charge $100 for initial consultations for all other matters. Admitted to Practice in the State of Michigan in 1995 and Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Tribal Court in 2004. If you...

Joshua Reinert received his Juris Doctorate from Michigan State University College of Law on May 6, 2003. Josh also holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University. Josh has dedicated his professional life to bankruptcy law. He has assisted thousands of consumers in Chapter 7 & Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases in addition to assisting many small business through Chapter 7 liquidations. Josh has represented debtors, creditors and bankruptcy trustees in all aspects of bankruptcy cases. Josh has been a guest lecturer for Legal Services of Michigan, the International Credit Association (ICA), and the Northeast Michigan Bankruptcy Bar in addition to...

Laura Breckenridge has been practicing bankruptcy law since 2003 and has helped hundreds of people in Michigan get financial help and freedom from overwhelming high interest and debt. She has focused her practice on solely bankruptcy law and has developed one of the top bankruptcy firms in the area. She maintains and excellent reputation in the community for her knowledge of the law and her professionalism. Breckenridge & Davis cares about their clients: "our goal is to make sure that our clients get personalized attention and have access to their attorney whenever they need it for any...

I am an Estate Planning and Business Succession Planning Attorney, with the Saginaw - based law firm of Smith Bovill, P.C. I have been a Partner in the firm since 1991. I enjoy working with families and their estate planning and family businesses to help them with succession planning. We work with clients, most often on a flat fee basis, with a no-fee, no-obligation initial consultation. Clients meet with me personally on a one-to-one basis in all cases. Our staff is courteous, professional, knowledgeable and friendly. My philosophy is to build long-term relationships with clients.

Originally a teacher, W. Jay Brown became a lawyer in 1998 and has been in practice in the Great Lakes Bay Region ever since. Mr. Brown graduated first in his law school class and joined Midland’s largest law firm as a litigation associate. While with the firm, Mr. Brown embarked on his litigation career and was soon promoted to member of the firm. In 2009, W. Jay Brown left the law firm to start his own practice based on his vision for the practice of law – where technology and innovation are leveraged to provide clients superior customer and...

I graduated from the Detroit College of Law (MSU) in 1990 and was licensed by the State Bar of Michigan that same year. I graduated with honors with a concentration in taxation and was a published author in the nationally esteemed Detroit College Law Review. My practice is devoted exclusively to asset protection, consumer bankruptcy and student loan assistance. My unique approach to clients enables them to actively participate in the process so that you are completely involved in the process and understand exactly what your options are and what option is best for you and your family. ...

Graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor's of Science in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Criminal Justice.
Graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Was member of the Dean's List. Studied abroad in Australia and New Zealand.
Paralegal for The Law Office of Craig A. Jenison (6 years)
Prior Litigation Support Analyst for Varnum (2 years)
Prior internship with Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office: assisted prosecution with a cold case murder trial
Prior internship with Kent County Prosecutor's Office Juvenile Division
Established and ran her own law office following graduation for six months before accepting a position as Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Oceana...

Over 50 years of successful consultation and trial practice.