Southgate Lawyers

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...

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.

Educated at the University of Michigan Law School, I have spent decades helping people who have been injured or killed through the the carelessness of others. We have won some of the largest jury awards in the State of Michigan, and across the country, including a $17.8 million verdict for a victim of a mild traumatic brain injury. We fight for our clients and have never lost to an insurance company. At the same time, we care deeply for our clients and work hard to get them through these extremely challenging times that follow life changing events.

Marc E. Lipton earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan., graduating with high distinction. from the University of Michigan. He went to Harvard Law School where he received his Juris Doctor and graduated Cum Laude. Marc is the longest-serving current member of Lipton Law. He was admitted to the Michigan State Bar in 1990 and joined his father’s firm the same year. He began serving as a managing partner as well as handling complex litigation. Marc focuses his practice on complex catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. He has been the lead counsel on many cases resulting in multi-million-dollar...

Criminal defense is all I do! I understand that facing a criminal prosecution is very stressful to you and your family. We are committed to protecting your rights and freedoms, tailoring our services to each client's individual situation. For over 28 years as a criminal defense lawyer, I have represented Michigan residents who are facing charges of misdemeanors and felonies at both the state and federal levels. Some of the cases that I have handled include drug crimes, violent crimes, assault, homicide, fraud, sex crimes, weapons violations, traffic offenses, drunk driving, cyber crimes, juvenile crimes expungements and drivers license restoration....

Aaron Shahan focuses his practice on the areas of probate and trust law. He assists his clients with a broad range of disputes involving probate, trust, and fiduciary matters. Aaron Shahan also helps individuals, couples, and families create estate plans, private foundations and charitable trusts. Prior to forming ATLAS LAW, PLC, Aaron practiced with a premier estate planning and probate litigation firm. He has extensive litigation experience and is proficient in advanced estate planning and asset protection techniques. Aaron is licensed to practice in Michigan, Florida, and Arizona. He is also an accredited attorney with the Veterans Administration. ...

AV Rated by Martindale-Hubble Life Member – Multimillion Dollar Advocates Forum 10.0/10.0 Avvo Rating

Brent Bowyer, is a co-owner and partner at ADAM. He faced divorce head on at a very young age. When he was eight years old his parents divorced. His father, a lawyer and an alcoholic, was gone. His older sister was no longer living with him. He was forever changed, and it felt like everyone was leaving. That was the first time he ever really felt alone. He was just a child, so of course he knew nothing about divorce. He was completely uninformed. For the first time he could trust no one, and...

ANDREW B. WACHLER is the principal of WACHLER & ASSOCIATES, P.C. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Michigan in 1974 and was the recipient of the William J. Branstom Award. He graduated Cum Laude from Wayne State University Law School in 1978. He was admitted to the Michigan Bar and the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan in 1978. Mr. Wachler is a member of the American Bar Association Health Law Section through which he served on the HIPAA Task Force, the Programs Committee, and the editorial board of The Health Lawyer publication. Mr....

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...

John Fernandez is a lawyer with a difference, having over 28 years of practice as a member of the Michigan/Great Lakes Regional bar and invaluable experience as a litigator for people with disabilities, including Social Security Title II and Title XVI claims, Workers Compensation Claims, and Special Education/School Law Claims under IDEA. winning over 1000+ cases at federal and state hearings. Mr. Fernandez advocates legal equality as fundamental to the principle of the law. Mr. Fernandez received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and his law degree from Suffolk University Law School in Boston. Upon returning to...

Madeline “Maddy” Sinkovich studied history and played softball at Kalamazoo College. While at K, Maddy studied abroad at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary. She then received her law degree from Wayne State University Law School. While at WSU, Maddy was the Chair of the Damon J. Keith Students for Civil Rights and awarded the Outstanding Law Student award by the Detroit chapter of the National Lawyers Guild. Maddy is a passionate advocate who believes in using the law for positive social change. Maddy is on the appellate team at the Mike Morse Law Firm where she uses her skills in...

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,...

Cole Schmidt graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2009, and went on to earn his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law in 2014. While attending law school, Cole interned with the Owosso city attorney and performed criminal prosecution in accordance with Michigan’s court rules; he also assisted with many matters both municipal and civil. After law school, Cole clerked for Oakland County’s corporation counsel before joining a small private practice firm specializing in home/auto insurance defense and dram shop actions. As a social security attorney at the Mike Morse Law Firm, Cole has successfully helped hundreds of...

A staunch champion of injury victims throughout her career, Kira Damusis has a wealth of pre-litigation and litigation experience which she gained working as an attorney at a number of Detroit area law firms before joining The Smith Law Offices, where she has brought her expertise in handling automobile accidents, premises liability, dog bites, and has further expanded into family law, bankruptcy, debt negotiation and collections.

Kira first entered the world of personal injury practice before becoming licensed to practice working as a law clerk while she studied for the Michigan State Bar Exam. With both personal and professional experience of...

Matthew Curtis is a senior shareholder and member of the Board of Directors at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. For the past 30 years, he has successfully litigated complex personal injury and medical malpractice cases throughout Michigan, and across the country including Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, Georgia, and Maryland.

Matt concentrates his practice in the areas of:

Birth Trauma/Neonatal Malpractice
Delayed or Misdiagnosis of Medical Conditions
Surgical Mishaps
Emergency Room Negligence
Automobile/Trucking Accidents
Wrongful Death/Catastrophic Injuries

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...

Welcome, we are ready to help. Findling Law is a leading Michigan divorce law firm, dedicated to fulfilling client's goals by solving complex problems. Change is rarely easy, sometimes complicated and often emotional. Our experienced family law lawyers and support group utilize a team approach to focus on solutions. We apply Michigan law and specialize in helping you focus on your goals, protect your property interests, manage your custody and support interest, and keep you happy. Our commitment is to solve problems at an affordable cost. We love to settle cases, but are not afraid to fight. If...

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...

I always knew that I wanted to use my law degree to help people in need. After moving from Toronto to Detroit, at the peak of the recession, I saw that the community of Detroit was in a real need. Hard-working people were now losing jobs and living off of credit cards just to get by. People in Detroit who could not afford medical insurance had medical bills that were piling up. These people just needed a break, a second chance, to get their life together again and start fresh. I knew then, that I wanted to commit my life...

Alari K. Adams is a highly skilled and experienced litigator whose practice concentrates on Business Law and Employment Law matters. Additionally, she is currently recognized as a Michigan Super Lawyers - Rising Star. Alari's diverse experience has given her the capacity to represent a wide array of clientele, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses, public entities, and individuals. She has assisted these clients with issues pertaining to labor and employment law, business transactions and litigation, intellectual property, and outside general counsel. Alari draws upon these diverse experiences to effectively counsel her clients, by providing the best and most...

Walter Metzen is a Board Certified Specialist in Consumer Bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification and represents consumer and small business debtors in bankruptcy cases in both the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan. Mr. Metzen earned his bachelor of science degree in Forensic Science at Michigan State University and his law degree from the University of Detroit. Mr. Metzen is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Consumer Bankruptcy Association and the American Bankruptcy Institute and has been a guest lecturer on bankruptcy and debtor/creditor topics at the University of Detroit Mercy School of...

Evan Ficaj (pronounced Fitz–Eye) is a skilled attorney who deeply understands the dreams and hurdles encountered by artists, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. With extensive experience in business and corporate law, contracts, entertainment, finance, estate planning, technology, public relations, and management, Evan is a formidable ally for those prepared to make a substantial impact. Before establishing the Evan Ficaj Law Firm, Evan held the position of Attorney Advisor at the US Small Business Administration. He advised over 4,000 small business loans spanning all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, and Guam. His proficiency in business and corporate law, loan compliance, and closing...

Donald J. Cummings graduated from Truman State University with a Bachelor of Science in 2001. While at Truman, he was on the varsity wrestling team and was selected to be a member of the Academic All-American Wrestling Team. After Truman, Mr. Cummings attended the University of South Carolina School of Law. He graduated with honors and was chosen to be a member of the Order of the Wig and Robe and the Order of the Coif. Mr. Cummings is a trial lawyer and has dedicated himself to helping injured victims. He has lectured and taught other lawyers how to try cases....

I was born and raised in the lakes region of Oakland County in a little town called Union Lake. Union Lake is situated at the crossroads of Waterford Township, White Lake Township, West Bloomfield Township and Commerce Township hence the name Four Towns, known only by locals. I began my legal career with Wayne County Neighborhood Legal Services in their general litigation section taking my experience in consumer law with me into private practice. I currently practice all types of Consumer Law specializing in Bankruptcy, Estate Planning, Landlord-Tenant and Probate Law. I maintain a presence in Downtown...

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 earned my undergrad degree from Oakland University where I majored in Communication and minored in Studio Art, and my law degree came from Western Michigan Thomas M. Cooley Law School . I started working at a criminal defense firm in 2009 and worked on every sort of criminal case you could imagine, but my favorite has always been driver’s license restoration. I realized early on that having or not having a driver’s license affects so many people—not just the driver. Children need their parents to drive them to school, activities, and doctor appointments. In fact, in...

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...

T. Scott Galloway is a founding member of Galloway and Collens, PLLC, a boutique law firm in Huntington Woods, Michigan which focuses its practice on real estate (residential and commercial), property management law, probate and elder law issues. Mr. Galloway regularly assists real estate professionals and their clients with their legal matters throughout Michigan. The law firm and Mr. Galloway represent clients from all corners of the globe who have real property concerns in and around Detroit. Mr. Galloway is a frequent speaker before the Institute for Continuing Legal Education, the Real Property Law Section, the Greater Metropolitan Association...

My specialty is probate litigation. This means that I focus all of my practice's energy, resources, and attention to specializing and knowing the in's and out's of all things probate and successfully fight in contested matters. Whether you are facing probate litigation, estate administration, conservatorship, guardianship, Special Needs Trusts, or even grappling with a friend or relative with mental health challenges, I will utilize my specialized expertise and relentless advocacy to navigate you through your probate challenges and issues in the Wayne County Probate Court and the Oakland County Probate Court.

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...

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.

Meghan Kennedy Riordan has 25 years of experience in all aspects of immigration law. She has extensive experience in both employment-based and family related immigration law, issues of inadmissibility and removability, and naturalization/citizenship, as well as inbound/outbound corporate migration, immigration-related audits and I-9 compliance.

Brent Thomas graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, MA in 2000 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a Pre-Law concentration. Also, while at Northeastern University he was a member of the Northeastern University, Division I Men’s Ice Hockey team. After college, he attended Suffolk University Law School, in Boston, where he earned his Juris Doctor, Cum Laude in 2003. During law school, Brent worked with the Michigan State Appellate Defender’s Office and the Environmental Protection Agency where he honed his writing and advocacy skills. After law school, Brent has spent his entire career fighting insurance companies and helping...

Joshua Shope earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Michigan, Magna Cum Laude, in 2006. He went on to earn his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 2010. During his time at the University of Michigan Law School, he was an Associate Editor on the Michigan Journal of Race and Law, and he interned at the Chippewa County Prosecutor’s Office. Prior to joining the Mike Morse Law Firm, Joshua worked for a large firm handling civil litigation cases. In his free time, Joshua enjoys spending time with family and reading.

Attorney Kelly M. Neumann who is originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan received a dual major in Criminal Justice and Political Science at Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan and received her Juris Doctor from the New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts.

Neumann has worked with Boston City Counsel's Legislation Department, the Trial Division of the Attorney General's Office of Massachusetts and at an Insurance Defense Law firm. She also ran the Tort and Workers Compensation Department at one of the biggest personal injury law firms on the East Coast.

Neumann has successfully settled a personal injury matter for over $9 million,...

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...

Daresha McCloud graduated from Bowling Green State University with honors in 2007. She went on to earn her law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. During law school, Daresha was awarded a Certificate of Merit for receiving the highest grade amongst her peers in Torts II and Civil Procedure II. She graduated from law school cum laude in 2012. Since graduating law school, Daresha has primarily devoted her practice of law to representing individuals who have been involved in auto accidents, slip and falls, and dog bites. Daresha also had an opportunity to work as an insurance defense attorney....

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...

Richard Groffsky focuses his practice on medical malpractice and personal injury litigation, and has represented victims of devastating brain injuries and birth injuries in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, South Carolina, and Georgia in significant brain injury and birth injury cases.

Known for securing impressive verdicts and settlement – 25 of which exceeded $1 million – Rick’s accomplishments on behalf of this clients has earned him repeat recognition by "Best Lawyers in America" and "Super Lawyers."