Iosco County Lawyers

Josh Traeger is the Founding Attorney of both True North Legal Group and The Military Defense firm. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University (B.A. 2006) and Loyola University Chicago School of Law (J.D. 2009). After law school, Josh joined the United States Air Force and served on active duty for ten years. His primary role was as a Senior Trial Counsel, prosecuting criminal matters and handling the military's most difficult cases worldwide. After separating from active duty, Josh moved home to Northern Michigan and established two businesses. True North Legal Group is a community-centered law...

Over three decades ago, Douglas E. Fierberg expanded his commercial trial practice in Washington D.C. to establish the only national legal practice focused on representing school violence victims and survivors nationwide. The work began on behalf of a high school student who survived brutal sexual assaults in Washington, D.C. by two assailants, and a college student hospitalized after being hazed at Omega Psi Phi Fraternity at the University of Maryland. From there, the practice went to Texas on behalf of 4 college students killed outside a fraternity house whose chapter president ignored a direct warning from the police the night...

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...

Nick Roumel is a trial lawyer with over 30 years experience in state and federal courts. He focuses on plaintiff's employment and civil rights litigation, as well as educational law matters, such as Title IX sex harassment, assault, and retaliation, as well as serious personal injury in the educational setting. He is recognized as a Thompson-Reuters "Super Lawyer" in employment litigation, reserved for the top 5% of attorneys in that field. Mr. Roumel has represented numerous high profile athletes and artists; victims of domestic and sexual violence; and students expelled for exercising constitutional rights. He has been appointed for various matters...

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...

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...

Over 50 years of successful consultation and trial practice.

Stacey Brancheau established the Brancheau Law Firm to pursue her passion for helping individuals and their families navigate the often overwhelming process of wealth planning. In addition to her experience as an attorney, Stacey holds her Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) designations. With 20 years of experience in the wealth planning industry, serving as an attorney, financial planner, fiduciary advisor and senior trust officer for a regional bank, she is uniquely qualified to assist her clients in developing a comprehensive plan to ensure that their loved ones have the information, guidance and...

Mr. Serra concentrates his practice on tirelessly representing the needs of Michigan businesses and business owners. Reese Serra has counseled businesses ranging from a wide variety of industries with an expertise in representing technology clients of all sizes.
As a civil litigator, Mr. Serra has procured victories for his clients at all levels of State and Federal courts, including numerous successful appeals.

Mr. Serra focuses his practice in the areas of real estate matters, business and financial transactions, including: mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations of business entities; complex commercial and real estate lending and restructuring transactions; international business transactions; real estate sale...

Forceful advocacy. Creative solutions.

Maxwell Goss represents businesses and individuals in all stages of federal and state court litigation and provides strategic advice on intellectual property and business law matters. Max has represented clients throughout Michigan and across the country. Experienced in a broad range of matters, his practices focuses chiefly on intellectual property, non-compete, and shareholder litigation.

Derek Howard was a longtime Judicial Staff Attorney in Oakland County’s Business Court. In 2019, Derek launched his own business law firm and has quickly enjoyed a string of business litigation success, including multiple cases featured in legal publications. Derek has also published articles on various topics including, software disputes, fraud, and mediation. In 2023, Derek teamed up with Joseph Doerr and Sara MacWilliams to form a firm that offers clients a deeper bench of expertise and legal support, while maintaining the individualized, attentive service the partners are known for. Doerr MacWilliams Howard PLLC offers highly skilled, personalized legal services...

Lee Hornberger is a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators. He is a former Chair of the SBM Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Editor Emeritus of The Michigan Dispute Resolution Journal, former member of the SBM Representative Assembly, former President of the Grand Traverse-Leelanau-Antrim Bar Association, and former Chair of the Traverse City Human Rights Commission. He is a member of the Professional Resolution Experts of Michigan (PREMi), an invitation-only group of Michigan’s top mediators, and a Diplomate Member of The National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a Fellow of the...

Mr. Samouris has been a part of the winning criminal defense team at Grabel & Associates for over a decade. During that time he has gotten favorable results for clients in an endless list of types and degrees of criminal offenses in counties all over the state of Michigan. Mr. Samouris credits his success with his client’s criminal cases to his thorough preparation and hardworking attitude. At Grabel & Associates, we understand being prepared is half the battle when getting the best possible results for our clients. Meticulous preparation along with exceptional knowledge and application of the laws that apply...

James has been with the Mike Morse Law Firm since 2014. He grew up in Troy Michigan and has been a lifelong Michigan resident. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and won regional competitions as a member of Moot Court and Commercial Arbitration as well as individual awards in trial and appellate advocacy. He earned his law degree from the Michigan State University College of Law, from which he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He has extensive experiencing in handling auto litigation cases. In his spare time, James is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hiking, hunting, and fishing.

Following completion of his undergraduate degree, Jim elected to stay in East Lansing for his legal studies. During law school he worked with the Washtenaw County Public Defender’s Office and Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. Since 2010 his practice has focused on civil litigation, specifically premises liability, automobile negligence and No-Fault law. In his free time Jim enjoys playing sports, going to movies, and spending time with family and friends.

Jeffrey (Jeff) C. Kerby attended Wayne State University Law School, where he was an active member of the Wayne Law Moot Court team. He argued against law students from across the country, participating in two nationwide competitions held in New York City. Jeff was also a member of the Wayne Law Review, where he was responsible for reviewing and editing scholarly articles written by prominent attorneys, judges, and law professors. During his summer break, Jeff obtained a fellowship assisting attorneys at the Michigan State Appellate Defender’s Office, where he researched and drafted appeals for criminal defendants across the state. Following...

Alex Kassa graduated from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Science in General Management. He went on the earn his law degree from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law where he graduated cum laude. At Detroit Mercy, Alex earned a CALI Excellence for the Future Award in U.S. Basic Federal Income Tax and received the Ayar Law Group Scholarship for Tax Excellence. As an attorney at the Mike Morse Law Firm, Alex has dedicated his career to protecting accident victims across Michigan. In his free time, Alex enjoys spending time with family, golfing, and playing basketball.

Chris Filiatraut has been an expert trial lawyer for his entire 26 year career. He has personally tried over 100 cases in the area of personal injury and No-Fault. He has numerous million and multi-million dollar verdicts to his credit and is widely known and respected by both plaintiff and defense counsels for his accomplishments in the courtroom. He has several of the largest trial verdicts in the state since joining the Mike Morse Law firm in 2010. Chris has testified before the Michigan Legislature on No-Fault issues and is a regular speaker at seminars around the state ranging on issues...

Joshua B. Farr graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy and Political Science in December of 2003. He attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he graduated Cum Laude in January of 2010. He began his career in general practice with the Landau group where he had interned during Law School. From there he was hired as an Assistant General Counsel of an International Property Ownership and Management company. He was moved into the General Counsel role managing the legal affairs and overseeing litigation throughout the country. He served a dual role during this time as...

Howard Eisenshtadt is a 1986 graduate from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and earned his Juris Doctor from The University of Detroit in 1989. He began his legal career as a No-Fault automobile negligence attorney in Southfield, Michigan. He’s secured large settlements for victims of car accidents, motorcyclists, defective products, dog attacks, and premises injuries. Howard’s legal experience also includes two decades in the title insurance and settlement services industry. He is a licensed title agent in several states, served as general counsel, and lead national enterprise sales executive with Detroit’s Amrock. Outside of the office Howard enjoys Michigan Football and...

Eakta Dave is a litigation attorney who loves to work hard for her clients. She graduated from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and earned her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. While in law school, she worked as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Judge Terrance Berg at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Eakta joined the Mike Morse Law Firm in 2022 and is eager to work hard to be the best advocate for her clients. She takes pride in the fact...

Lewis decided to become personal injury attorney because he enjoys protecting the rights of the seriously injured. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor Science in Biology. While at the University of Michigan, Lewis developed an interest in the areas of anatomy and physiology. He then attended Loyola University’s School of Law in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he graduated Cum Laude. After law school, Lewis lived and practiced law in San Francisco and San Diego before returning home to Detroit. He has experience in the areas of personal injury litigation, insurance defense litigation and patent prosecution. He is...

Attorney at The Mike Morse Law Firm.

Austin Bruce graduated from Michigan State University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a minor in Economics. He then attended Wayne State University Law School, where he graduated in 2019 with his Juris Doctor. While attending law school, Austin clerked at law firms throughout Metro Detroit gaining experience in a variety of fields including criminal defense, medical malpractice, and personal injury. He also participated in a year long civil rights clinic offered through Wayne State. Austin joined the Mike Morse Law Firm in 2021, where he works in personal injury. In his free time, Austin enjoys spending time...

Adrienne Brown graduated from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. While there she was actively involved in community outreach by volunteering throughout the city of Cleveland. She then earned her Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University-Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where she oftentimes was recognized on the Dean’s List. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, reading, shopping, event planning and traveling to new places. She is also a die-hard basketball fan.

Matt Bates has spent his entire career helping individuals injured in personal injury accidents. He pursued his undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University. He graduated from Wayne State University Law School in 2008. While at Wayne State, he won numerous mock trial competitions and served as the President of the Student Bar Association Board of Governors as well as Law School Representative to the University Student Counsel. Following graduation, Matt served on the Executive Board for the Wayne State Law School Alumni Association. In 2008, Matt joined the Mike Morse Law Firm as a litigation attorney. He currently specializes in auto,...

Keith is an associate attorney who primarily handles the firm’s appellate practice. He is a graduate of Central Michigan University where he was a Centralis Scholarship and a State of Michigan Competitive Scholarship recipient. Keith then attended Wayne State University Law School where he achieved Honors Distinction in Legal Research and Writing and received a WSU Board of Governors’ Scholarship. Since 2001, He has been a member of the State Bar of Michigan and is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, the Michigan Court of Appeals, and the Michigan Supreme Court. Over the...

I am Michael Cronkright, the owner and founder of Cronkright Law, PLLC. I represent parents, daycare workers, foster parents and other license holders against false allegations. Because of that, I practice criminal defense, family law, CPS defense and administrative law. I hold firmly to the belief that every parent, every criminal defendant and every person accused or suspected of misconduct deserves the best possible defense. Our legal system seems to be trending toward treating the accused poorly and lowering the quality of defense. Unfortunately, many clients are represented poorly by attorneys who don’t give them the time and...

In 2005, Katrina graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelors in Political Science. She then enrolled in Thomas M. Cooley Law School at their Grand Rapids campus. While at law school, Katrina was awarded the Certificate of Merit for her Advanced Trial Skills course. She was also on the Deans list for 4 consecutive terms. She participated in Moot Court and Mock Trial. She also did an externship with the Kent County Prosecutor’s office. After graduating law school and being sworn in to the bar, Katrina worked in a general practice firm for two years before moving to the Detroit area. Since...

Allen Ayoub graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn with high distinction in 2010. He went on to earn his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School where he graduated third in his class of 329. Allen has represented accident victims for his entire legal career, recovering millions for his clients. He recently obtained a large trial verdict in Macomb County Circuit Court for over $300,000.00. In his free time, Allen enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and working out.

John Nachazel, Jr. graduated from the Honors College at Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Economics. John graduated from Michigan State in just three years with two majors. While at Michigan State, John worked as a Research Assistant in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of the College of Engineering and as one of only three Philosophy Department Tutors. He then attended the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona on a full tuition scholarship. While at the University of Arizona, John was the 2017-2018 Chester E. Smith Fellow and the 2019-2020...

Paul Wheatley graduated from Michigan State University in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a concentration in environmental journalism. During his time at MSU he worked as a reporter for the state news. He later worked as a city reporter for the Petoskey news-review in Petoskey, MI., and the Vindicator newspaper in Youngstown, Ohio. Paul earned a scholarship to the Thomas m. Cooley law school and earned his law degree with a concentration in environmental law. He interned, clerked, and worked as an attorney for the Liblang law firm, pc where he aided clients with consumer law –...

Julia F. Opiela graduated from Michigan State University, James Madison College in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy. During her undergraduate studies, she was one of ten U.S. students selected as a President Clinton Scholar and spent one year of international study at American University Dubai. Thereafter, she attended law school at Michigan State University College of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor in May 2015. While in law school, Julia was a member of the international law society and recipient of the Trustee Fieldman and Weiner Endowed Scholarships. She spent a semester...

Originally raised on the shores of Lake Superior, I have been a member of the State Bar of Michigan since 1999 and the New Hampshire Bar Association since 1985. I maintain a statewide OWI defense practice in New Hampshire for 14 years but now concentrates on all types of serious Michigan criminal cases. I have conducted hundreds of administrative hearings, bench trials, and jury trials. I am licensed to practice in Michigan courts as well as the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. I...

I am attorney Chuck Kronzek. My interest in founding this law firm, along with my first partner, Michael Cronkright, was to operate a firm where we could offer each of our clients the best possible representation, the best possible attorneys, and the best possible results. I am proud of what we have been able to achieve over the decades. Since beginning in 1995, we have had many trial victories; too many to keep track of really. We enjoy our reputation for being thorough, intense, competent Michigan attorneys. We love winning cases and helping clients. At THE KRONZEK...

Education: 1974 graduate of Bloomfield Hills Andover, the University of Michigan, B.A. 1979, and the Detroit College of Law, J.D, 1986. Experience: Prior to beginning my practice I was an intern to the late former Congressmen James G. O’Hara and James J. Blanchard, who later became governor. I was also a judicial clerk to the late Hon. Richard D. Kuhn, Oakland County Circuit Court Judge and Research Intern for the Hon. Gene Schnelz, Oakland County Circuit Court Judge, retired. I was a hearing panelist chairman for the Attorney Discipline Board, a former Special Assistant Attorney General, and I have taught business law at...

Melanie graduated from the Detroit College of Law Cum Laude in 1986. She received her BS in Business Management from Detroit College of Business Magna Cum Laude in 1982. She then practiced at corporate law firms and insurance defense law firms for the next 35 years. Over that time, she managed an insurance defense law firm for one large insurance company. She has also tried more than 100 lawsuits to a jury verdict. She was one of the prominent trial attorneys for a large national insurance company. Melanie is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, an invitation...

In 2005, Jake Yeater graduated cum laude from the University of Findlay, where he attained bachelor degrees in Law and Liberal Arts and Criminal Justice. That fall, he attended Thomas M. Cooley School of Law where he later graduated in the top 5% of his class, cum laude. While a law student, Jake participated in Law Review as the Scholarly Writing Editor, Law Journal, Moot Court, and Mock Trial. He was also awarded the Eugene Krasicky Award for his significant contributions to the publication of the Law Review. Before coming to the Mike Morse Law Firm, Jake spent several years clerking...

Originally from northern Michigan, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pre-Law from Lake Superior State University. I then attended Michigan State University College of Law, where I graduated Cum Laude. While in law school, I became an editor for the prestigious MSU Law Review. My professional memberships have included the Michigan Association for Justice, the State Bar of Michigan, as well as the Young Trial Lawyers Association. In addition to being licensed to practice in all Michigan courts, I am also licensed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan and the United...

James Wendt graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2007. While at Eastern Michigan, James was recognized as “Most Outstanding Junior Class Business Student” as well as “Most Outstanding Senior Class Business Student.” Thereafter, he attended Wayne State University Law School, where he graduated in the top 15% of his class and received honors for his work in legal research and writing. Prior to joining the Mike Morse Law Firm in January of 2012, he maintained a private practice, serving clients in the areas of domestic litigation and criminal defense. In his free time, James enjoys...