Ionia County Criminal Lawyers

Upon Graduation from Law School in 1997, Attorney Chefalo worked in Lansing Michigan for the 30 th Judicial Circuit Court as a law clerk for the Honorable Thomas L. Brown. While there, he researched complicated legal issues and drafted proposed opinions on all civil and criminal matter that came before the court. In 1999, Attorney Chefalo moved to Traverse City Michigan to work in private practice. When asked why he picked Traverse City, Attorney Chefalo stated: “if you are going to start a law office from scratch, you might as well do it in a beautiful place.” His goal...

Matthew P. Mundrick is a licensed attorney in Ohio and Michigan, and he maintains general practice providing legal services to both Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. Specifically, Matt would love to assist you in matters related to: probate court (including guardianship, estate planning, wills, trusts, and special needs trusts), family law (including divorce, dissolution, custody, and child support), property law (including real estate sales/closing, easements, and landlord/tenant), and criminal law (specifically limited to misdemeanors, and moving violations or DWI/DUI). He primarily practices in Toledo, Ohio (including the surrounding suburbs), and Monroe, Michigan. His compassionate approach to the legal system...

Holland Locklear has represented thousands of clients and won millions of dollars on their behalf. A native son of metro Detroit, he is fiercely devoted to his community, which drives him to zealously represent their interests in court. Holland gained expertise while working for the Detroit region’s top civil litigation firms. Holland has successfully litigated automobile accidents, wrongful terminations, discrimination, police and government misconduct, civil rights, dog bites, premises liability, contract disputes, landlord/tenant disputes and more. Holland is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School. In law school, Holland served on the boards of the National Lawyers Guild, Student...

Matt Vititoe has been practicing law in Monroe County and Southeastern Michigan since 2008. Matt graduated from Airport High School in 1990. He completed his undergraduate degree at the Eastern Michigan University in 2000. He graduated from Wayne State University Law School in 2005. Matt is a veteran, who served in the U.S. Navy during the first Persian Gulf War.

Matt Vititoe serves as the Chair of the Monroe County Democratic Party in Monroe, Michigan. He is the president of the Civil Service Commission for the City of Monroe. He is a member of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, National...

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...

A life long Michigan resident, Steven A Heisler is a graduate of Saint Clair County Community College in Port Huron, Michigan where he earned his A.D.G.B. (Associates Degree in General Business) degree. Mr. Heisler continued his business education at Baker College in Flint, Mt. Clemens, and Port Huron, Michigan where he earned his B.B.L. (Bachelors of Business Leadership) degree. Mr. Heisler's legal education was from one of the nation's most respected law school in the United States, Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan where he earned his J.D. (Jurist Doctor) degree. Mr. Heisler is highly respected...

Mas/Stig-Nielsen was founded because there is a need for high-quality, smart criminal defense in northern Michigan. We are committed to serving the needs of people accused of crimes by the government. Our firm is guided by the words of author and activist Bryan Stevenson,
each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done. Regardless of what you stand accused of doing, we will help you.

Defense attorneys often sell themselves as being aggressive advocates in the courtroom, however, in our experience, that is not enough. Mas/Stig-Nielsen vehemently fights for our clients but more importantly we are prepared,...

Before forming Czarnecki & Taylor PLLC, James spent nearly 10 years working at one of the most well-known law firms in Macomb County where he was head of the criminal department.

James was born and raised in Michigan. He is a 2004 Graduate of Wayne State University Law School. ?While in law school he served as Editor-In-Chief of the Moot Court program. He also interned at the State Appellate Defender Office, Federal Defender Office and Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. When he became an attorney he also did volunteer work for the ACLU on criminal cases.

For 15 years James has...

I do not view my career choice as a job… I view it as my calling. I started my legal career late in life which afforded me the added benefit of age and experience. I began practicing law as a Domestic Violence Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Wayne County, Michigan. There I was responsible for preparing and prosecuting all of the Domestic Violence crimes committed in Detroit, Michigan. I personally handled more than 500 files of Domestic Assaults each month. The cases predictably arose out of domestic disagreements between spouses, single co-parents and domestic partners. From my exposure to hundreds...

Glenn McCandliss practices in Southeast Michigan where he was born and raised. Proud son of a WWI Veteran U.S. Naval Officer. Mr. McCandliss's firm provides representation to individuals and transportation companies in trafficmatters, misdemeanor and criminal matters. Mr. McCandliss has extensive experience and has practiced before courts throughout Michigan and is admitted before the following courts including the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Tax Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals...

Patrick Dougherty has been helping individuals and their families through legal challenges and the complexities of the legal system for over 24 years. Patrick is licensed to practice all issues of law in the State of Michigan. He is authorized to practice law in all State Courts in Michigan, including all State Circuit Courts; all State District Courts; the Federal Eastern District and Western District Courts; the Bankruptcy Court for the Western and Eastern Districts of Michigan; the Michigan Court of Appeals; and the Michigan Supreme Court. Patrick Dougherty is also authorized to practice law in the 6th Circuit Court...

As The Marcel Benavides Law Office’s founder, Birmingham Attorney Marcel Benavides advocates for the criminally accused and persons whose civil rights were violated. He has been practicing law since 1999. Prior to opening his practice in Michigan, he was the Chicago Police Department’s in-house trial counsel. Mr. Benavides attended The University of Michigan and received his law degree from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois. He is one of the premier criminal defense attorneys in the area and one of the most successful civil rights litigators in Federal Court.To receive more information, please contact his firm today and...

Robert Peterson is a general practice attorney currently admitted to the Michigan bar. He was previously admitted to the Iowa bar and the Northern and Southern District of Iowa bars. As a general practice attorney in Michigan, he practices in the fields of criminal defense, juvenile law, defense of child neglect and abuse cases, real estate law, and elder law. He has been in the practice of law since 2008, with former careers as a private investigator and U.S. Army officer.

U of M 1970 to 1974, BA degree in Economics. Detroit Police Officer 1974 to 1987. Wayne State Law School 1987 to 1990. Admitted to Michigan Bar in 1991 Specialized law practice in criminal law, consumer protection and business litigation

Mas/Stig-Nielsen was founded because there is a need for high-quality, smart criminal defense in northern Michigan. We are committed to serving the needs of people accused of crimes by the government. Our firm is guided by the words of author and activist Bryan Stevenson,
each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done. Regardless of what you stand accused of doing, we will help you.

Defense attorneys often sell themselves as being aggressive advocates in the courtroom, however, in our experience, that is not enough. Mas/Stig-Nielsen vehemently fights for our clients but more importantly we are...

Paul Jarboe is an experienced and dedicated trial attorney with over 30 years of legal experience. Mr. Jarboe graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1982. Mr. Jarboe is a former prosecuting attorney, and has an extensive background in the areas of divorce, child custody, criminal defense and civil litigation, which includes State and Federal Criminal cases. Mr. Jarboe’s practice includes: Criminal Defense, Family Law, Personal Injury & Estate Planning.

LAUREN K. PFEIL graduated with a Bachelors of Arts with highest honors from The University of Texas at Austin and received her law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she specialized in family law. While in law school, Lauren received family and child law fellowships from both Loyola University Chicago School of Law and The University of Michigan School of Law. Her article “Recognizing Race as a Reality, Not a Barrier: The Problems within Colorblind Adoption Policy within a Race Conscious America” was published in the spring edition of The Children’s Legal Rights Journal. Upon graduation from...

Estate Planning
Wills and Trusts
Business Organization
Real Estate
Criminal Defense
Former Prosecutor

Janet M. Mistele, J.D. is a member of the State Bar of Michigan (1989), the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan (1991), and the North Carolina State Bar (2003). Ms. Mistele earned her Juris Doctor degree, Magna Cum Laude, from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where she was a member of the National Trial Team, and earned American Jurisprudence Awards for top honors in seven of her law school courses. Upon graduation from law school in 1989, Ms. Mistele accepted a position with the Michigan Court of Appeals in Lansing, Michigan as a Prehearing Attorney,...

I was a Michigan State Police Trooper for 10 years before attaining my Law Degree. I commenced my law practice working for the Law Firm that represented the Detroit Police Officer's Association. I represent corporate entities and individuals in State Courts and the United States Federal Courts.

Sanford J. Melder has helped thousands of people as an attorney. He was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1974. He graduated from Wayne State University with a Jurist Doctor in 1973, and Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science in 1968. Sanford J. Melder has practiced law for over 30 years, representing clients in legal matters including Family Law, Divorce, Adoption, Real Estate, Debt Collection/Debt Collection Defense, Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning, Asset Protection, Criminal Defense, Traffic Matters, Drunk Driving, Business Law and Personal Injury. Areas of Practice: Family Law Divorce Adoption Real Estate Debt Collection/Debt Collection Defense Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Asset...

John B. Payne, Attorney, established his practice in 1983, becoming a full-service general practice and litigation firm in 1988, when John received his LL.M. in Taxation. John lectures on estate planning and other topics to groups interested in legal issues. He is the author of Michigan Probate and Counseling the Elderly Client in Michigan, plus numerous articles and seminar manuals. Experienced in appellate matters John has appealed many criminal, civil rights and tax cases in state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

A partner at the Oliver Bell Group, attorney Cameron R. Bell assists clients from the Michigan area with their legal problems involving personal injury, medical malpractice and criminal law, and clients nationwide with their mass tort issues. With a strong drive to practice law from a young age, he is currently committed to providing compassionate and adept legal services for his clients. He majorly concentrates on providing legal counsel for criminal defense, product liability, and mass tort / class action cases. A 2012 B.A graduate, Mr. Bell completed his undergraduate studies in political science at Oakland University located in Rochester, Michigan....

I have been practicing law since 1989. My practice over the past decade has focused on Debt Solutions for individual Chapter 7, 13, and debt settlement. I have practiced in areas of residential and commercial real estate, criminal defense, and probate law.

Shaun A. Mansour is a highly aggressive and relentless trial attorney practicing primarily in Macomb County. Mr. Mansour specializes in litigation, defending clients charged with crimes and prosecuting contested personal injury matters. Mr. Mansour is known for his aggressive style of advocacy and fights to the end for all of his clients' rights.

Jarod M. Calkins is an experienced and dedicated trial lawyer. He focuses his practice on helping the community. Mr. Calkins, through hard work and dedication has earned respect among his clients, the local Judiciary, his peers and the community as a valuable legal resource.

As lead counsel of Calkins Law Offices, a Monroe, Michigan based firm, he provides advice, counsel, and legal representation to businesses and individuals in several areas of law.

Mr. Calkins is proud to have developed working relationships with experts in several areas of the legal field, as well as other professions, to fully assist his clients...

Opening the firm in 2010, Mr. Eliason has been practicing in a variety of legal areas in Hancock for almost 15 years. His experience with many types of cases and his local knowledge have proven to be successful. He is graduate of Plymouth State College in Plymouth, NH (BS) and Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee, WI (JD). He is admitted to the State Bar of Michigan and the State Bar of Wisconsin. Mr. Eliason is also a proud member of the Copper Country Bar Association.

I am a native of the Copper Country and hold a BA in History from Finlandia University, followed by a Juris Doctor from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. With two years of experience as a law clerk at Eliason Law Office, I have now transitioned to an attorney role within the same firm. My practice primarily serves Houghton, Keweenaw, and Baraga Counties in the Upper Peninsula, although representation in other counties is available depending on the circumstances. I am committed to maintaining a close attorney-client relationship and offering quality representation regardless of whether your legal problem is minor or major, routine...