Smiths Creek Elder Law Lawyers

EDUCATION: Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 2015, Juris Doctor cum laude. Board Member and Solicitation Editor, Thomas M. Cooley Law Review; Student Law Clerk for the Honorable Joseph J. Farah, 7th Circuit Court, Genesee County, Flint, MI LEGAL EXPERIENCE: Attorney and Entrepreneur, Easter Law, PLLC, Port Huron, MI; Attorney, Lakeshore Legal Aid, Port Huron, MI; Law Clerk, State of Michigan, Bureau of Employment Relations, Detroit, MI. ADMISSIONS AND COURTS: Admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan and the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan....

My training taught me to be a detail oriented, analytical thinker, problem solver and effective communicator. My experience in diverse settings fostered that skill set. I have marketed my practice and businesses, mentored teams with high retention rates, and served businesses and consumers with a focus on empathy and integrity. I have substantive knowledge in the following areas of expertise: Estate planning, probate, employment, healthcare, real estate, banking, corporate, transactional, environmental and contractual law. My strengths include: - Mentoring, coaching and encouraging - Effectively communicating, both verbally and in writing - Accepting Responsibility and Accountability - Managing projects...

Since 1989, I have been an attorney licensed by the State Bar of Michigan. In my decades of general practice, I have served thousands of clients. Among the first-50 attorneys in Michigan to complete the Family Law Certificate program offered by the Institute for Continuing Legal Education in Ann Arbor, MI, I have completed more than 1000 divorces from start to finish. In addition to family law, I have a robust criminal law practice, representing clients in jury trials and appeals across Michigan. A roster attorney for the Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System for 3-years, I...

"Attorney Joe Dallo embarked on a legal career with a profound desire to make a difference in people's lives. His genuine passion lies in not only representing his clients but also in assisting them in charting a course for the future. He firmly believes that his professional services can empower individuals to achieve their life aspirations while mitigating unexpected challenges. However, what truly resonates with Joe in his vocation is safeguarding his clients' most precious elements: their families, homes, assets, and dreams. Joe's unwavering commitment to nurturing dreams for the future led him to establish Dallo Estate Planning. In Joe's own words,...

Matthew Ferri, J.D., M.B.A., is a Michigan estate planning attorney. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Life Care Planning Law Firms Association, ElderCounsel, WealthCounsel, the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, the Michigan Forum of Estate Planners, the Italian American Bar Association of Michigan, and the Purposeful Planning Institute. Mr. Ferri holds U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Accreditation. His practice focus and expertise includes: advanced estate planning, Medicaid planning, elder law, special needs planning, Veterans benefits planning, business formation, and business succession planning. He is the author of Keeping Control, a Game Plan to Protect Your...

Lawrence J. Buckfire earned his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Michigan in 1986 and his juris doctor degree from Wayne State University School of Law in 1989. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan and the State of Ohio. He was recently named a "Best Personal Injury Lawyer" by a Detroit business magaizne. Lawrence is a highly skilled trial attorney with a reputation for meticulous trial preparation and presentation. Mr. Buckfire has achieved the highest possible rating for ability and integrity in the legal profession. He specializes in child lead paint poisoning, wrongful...

Matthew J. Tavi is the Principal Attorney of Tavi Law PLC, a leading Michigan law firm proudly serving a select clientele both locally and nationally from its' principal office located in Birmingham, Michigan.

I am the senior partner and shareholder at the firm, focusing my practice on estate planning and succession planning. I counsel individuals and business owners on various aspects of estate and wealth transfer planning. My experience includes sophisticated tax planning techniques such as dynasty trusts, life insurance trust planning, charitable trust planning, family limited partnerships, and limited liability companies. Additionally, I am well-versed in probate, trust administration, and the formation of private foundations. I have been licensed to practice law in Michigan since 1981. My transactional experience is extensive, particularly in the areas of commercial and residential real estate and business...

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...

I have been practicing for over thirty-five years. My practice is limited to specializing in issues concerning disability, estate, probate, long term care, nursing home, Veterans, Medicaid and special needs planning. I am the immediate past President/Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer’s Association - Greater Michigan Chapter (after having served for the last 6 years) and member of the Association's executive committee and an Assembly Delegate to Alzheimer’s Association – National Chapter, Chicago, Illinois. I am also a Member of National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and have been listed since 1991 in...

Law Degree, MBA with honors degree in Management & Accounting & a BS degree in Accounting & Management. Also has college teaching experience in business law, management and accounting.

David is known to be very personable & good listener in working with clients and fulfilling their needs, has exceptional memory/retention/recall skills, outstanding judge/court/apposing council presentation and response skills & presents cases forcefully.

20+ years and 8,000+ cases for individuals & business with many cases before a jury and/or a judge. Strives to reduce & simply your legal issues, reduce stress and protect your rights. We serve...

Phil was admitted to practice law in 1991 and he is now in his 28th year as an attorney. Phil is one of the founding partners of Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz and Associates, P.C. and he focuses his practice in the areas of personal injury, automobile accident claims, no-fault claims also known as personal injury protection benefits, third party automobile negligence claims, slip and fall injuries, motorcycle injuries, trucking accidents and general civil litigation. Phil grew up in St. Clair Shores and Royal Oak and he has been fortunate to return to Macomb County to practice law.

From 1995 to present, Phil...

I am the founder of the Michigan Law Center, P.L.L.C. located in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The practice focuses on elder law, special needs planning, Veteran’s Administration planning and settlement planning, including a national practice establishing Qualified Settlement Funds. I am involved in several national organizations. I am an Advisory Board Member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners (ASNP), served as Chair of the 6th Annual conference, in addition to being a frequent presenter at their annual conferences and webinars. I am also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and I am serving my...

Benjamin Schock is a skilled, experienced elder law attorney who successfully assists seniors in passing their hard earned assets on to their loved ones while allowing them to receive additional benefits that help them offset the cost of long term care.

David D. Sprague is the firm's principal partner. His practice includes Business Law, Probate and Estate Planning, Elder Law and Medicaid Planning, Family Law (domestic relations/divorce/prenuptial agreements) and Real Estate Law. David has experience working as an attorney at two nationally recognized law firms: Raymond & Prokop, P.C. and Pepper Hamilton LLP. In addition, David has helped clients to successfully complete applications with the Michigan Minority Business Development Council and has defended claims made by the Business Software Alliance. Prior to practicing law, David had nearly 10 years of experience working in the automotive industry and the field of information technology...

One of the founding partners of Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz and Associates, P.C., Jeff focuses his practice in the areas of elder law, estate planning, trust administration, probate administration, and corporate law. Jeff grew up in Sterling Heights and is happy to have returned to Macomb County to practice law.

Prior to establishing Serafini, Michalowski, Derkacz & Associates, P.C., Jeff worked with a large regional accounting and business consulting firm, an insurance defense law firm and a business law firm specializing in corporate law, business formation, business consulting and private equity matters. After working with an elder law and estate planning firm...

Located in Troy, Michigan (near Detroit), I am a litigation attorney with an emphasis on probate litigation (will and trust contests, guardianships, beneficiary rights, estate administration, undue influence, fraud, elder abuse and related litigation), as well as commercial litigation, business planning, real estate, and personal injury. I am co-author of Trial & Heirs: Famous Fortune Fights!

Thomas N. Economy received his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 1996, and his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law in 1999. His practice is devoted to representing seriously injured persons in cases involving no-fault insurance, automobile negligence and premises liability. He has successfully handled numerous important cases before the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. He is an active member of both the American Association for Justice and Michigan Association for Justice. Email: tom@buckfirelaw.com

Mr. Boroja focuses his practice on Probate Administration, Litigation, Estate Planning, and Elder Law. He prides himself on his comprehensive and detailed approach to each client. He works diligently to find solutions to every situation. Mr. Boroja was selected for inclusion in Michigan’s Super Lawyer list and as a Rising Star in 2016, and he has maintained this rating ever since. No more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in each state are selected by the research team to receive this honor. He performs best in high-risk, high-rewards, high-pressure systems, which makes him perfectly suited for the courtroom. Progressive,...

Erin R. Solaiman (Erin Randall) is a senior partner at Schock Solaiman Ramdayal, PLLC, with several years of experience in Elder Law, Estate Planning, Probate, Trust Administration, Wealth Preservation, and Veteran’s Benefits. Prior to founding Schock Solaiman Ramdayal, PLLC, Erin R. Solaiman earned her Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University and her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Erin’s career focuses on Elder Law and Estate Planning. For the past several years, she has been representing individuals and families while guiding them through some of the most difficult times of their lives. Erin’s...

David has practiced law for 15 years and specializes in estate planning, wills, trusts, probate and defense of medical malpractice and civil rights lawsuits. He is a shareholder of Chapman Law Group and is licensed in both Michigan and Indiana. David is a Special Fiduciary at the Oakland County Probate Court. He is dedicated to educating the public on issues in estate planning including providing assets and care to loved ones, limiting taxes, and establishing healthcare protocols. David strives to serve each individual clients estate planning needs, tailoring each plan to address wealth preservation and family financial security. David holds a Certificate...

Danielle B. Mayoras is a shareholder at Barron, Rosenberg, Mayoras & Mayoras. She is an estate, elder law and special needs attorney who is passionate about helping individuals and families plan for their future generations to come. She applies her considerable knowledge and experience (almost three decades) to help clients and their families. Danielle and her husband are co-authors of the best-selling book, Trial & Heirs: Famous Fortune Fights! and are co-hosts of the TV show Fortune Fights airing on the REELZ Channel as well as Trial & Heirs: Protect Your Family Fortune! airing on PBS affiliates. She is also a...

Mike's passion is helping people. Whether it’s his career in estate planning, business coaching, or the gym he runs out of his garage, helping others gets him out of bed everyday (at 4:30am!). Mike’s legal career started in workers’ compensation insurance defense, where he would focus the majority of his practice until 2010, when many people in Mike’s life began having children. Out of this change, bore his love for estate planning, where he was able to use his skills as an attorney to help others plan for the future. From there, Mike’s passion expanded into Elder Law, where he...

Mr. Small is a transactional attorney specializing in strengthening business relationships through strategic counseling, legal risk analysis and contract management. He also serves as a FINRA Arbitrator assisting in the resolution of claims in the investment and financial industry.

He is experienced with Corporate Governance, as well as state and federal casework relating to Commercial Litigation. Mark has served as General Counsel for privately held corporation and LLC's., and as a Special Assistant Attorney General (SAAG) for the State Attorney General's Office. He previously served as a Pre-Hearing Attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals.

I manage the business of life. A life well lived is a business. When I represent a client, I look at their life as a whole and put together a comprehensive plan to assure that they are better off after my representation of them. This applies to their divorce settlements as well as their estate planning.

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...

Aric K. Melder has assisted each of his clients with the finest legal representation possible while upholding the ethics, spirit, and intent of the law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1996. He graduated from Detroit College of Law, at Michigan State University with a Juris Doctor, in 1996, and Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1993. Aric K. Melder has concentrated his expertise and experience in the areas of Family Law, Divorce, Adoption, Bankruptcy, Debt Collection /Debt Collection Defense, Asset Protection, Real Estate, Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning, Criminal Defense, Drunk Driving, Traffic...

Sandy is the founder and senior partner of Mall Malisow & Cooney, P.C. - The Holistic ElderCare Special Needs & Estate Planning Law Firm located in Farmington Hills, Oakland County, Michigan. Sandy is a past Chairperson of the Elder Law & Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan. He is a nationally board certified as an elder law attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation, a VA Accredited Attorney and is a member of NAELA's Council of Advanced Practitioners (CAP). Mr. Mall is a contributing editor and faculty for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE).

Sandy's credentials...

Collin focuses his practice at The Dickey Law Firm primarily in estate planning and elder law. Collin has significant experience in financial advising, assisting clients with investment decisions and taxation matters, and is well versed in handling legal inquiries involving the IRS and the State of Michigan.
Collin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia and his Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
After completing his legal education, Collin worked as a Judicial Law Clerk in the 6th Circuit Court of Oakland County for the Honorable Karen D. McDonald, where he gained valuable exposure to a...

Mr. Shaw has been serving the legal needs of Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, and Wayne County families and businesses for over 25 years. After leading an investment banking firm, Charles R. Shaw established his private practice to focus specifically on his client's legal needs. His premiere estate planning practice has established Mr. Shaw as a highly sought after guest speaker and lecturer, with his legal writing appearing in the Michigan State Bar Journal, the Macomb Daily News, the Detroit Free Press, and the Detroit News. The LAW OFFICES OF CHARLES REGAN SHAW PLC has grown to...