Vestaburg Family Lawyers

Shawn Coppins is an aggressive litigation attorney and is one of the firm’s founding partners. Mr. Coppins was born and raised in the Metro-Detroit area. Prior to establishing Coppins Law Group, he was a litigation attorney at one of Michigan‘s largest law firms. Mr. Coppins also worked as a litigation attorney with one of Michigan's most well renowned Civil Rights Firms. Since his admission to the State Bar of Michigan, Shawn Coppins has represented clients in both State and Federal Court. Although many seem quick to criticize trial attorneys, their criticism ends when they find themselves...

Ray's practice is mainly involved with divorce, custody, alimony and collections. Raymond Pater was born in the Netherlands and is one of eight children. After his family immigrated to the United States, and although of modest means, six of his siblings attended college and two went on to obtain PhDs, later becoming college professors. An older sister never attended high school, but was admitted to college because of a nearly illegible transcript and ironically went on to become a high school teacher. While attending grade school and high school, Ray worked in the family business selling eggs and chickens...

I am a licensed attorney in the state of Michigan, who practices criminal and family law in Genesee County and Metro Detroit. I am an experienced attorney that consistently wins favorable outcomes for clients across southeast and mid-Michigan.

Ashley graduated from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2019, and went on to pass the bar as a first-time test taker. Ashley has a strong passion for Family and Criminal law and began her legal career as an intern at the Genesee County Courthouse in the Criminal/Civil Division, before moving on to become a Judicial Law Clerk for the Family Division – after which she entered practice and went on to establish Birka Law PLLC.

Christopher has lived in Grand Rapids since 1st grade, He graduated from City High School, and then moved on to Grand Valley State University, where he met his wife, Devon. After receiving his Bachelor's in English and Political Science, Christopher moved on to complete his legal education at Thomas M. cooley Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 2011. His practice at The Grand Rapids Law Group handles criminal defense, divorce & child custody, business law, drunk driving defense, social security & disability, and other legal matters.

Ms. Breen specializes in family law which includes divorce, child custody disputes, child support, spousal support, and prenuptial agreements. She also prepares estate plans which includes the preparation of trusts, wills, powers of attorneys for finance and medical care, and setting up guardianships/conservatorships. Ms. Breen has litigated hundreds of cases and has the experience to represent her clients in court.

Sabrina Cronin is the Founder and President of The Cronin Law Firm. Following Sabrina’s lead, the breadth and depth of knowledge at The Cronin Law Firm is quite expansive. She and her team handle family law, business law, criminal defense, estate planning, entertainment law, personal injury, real estate, bankruptcy, civil litigation, employment law and immigration. In more than two decades as an attorney, Sabrina has fed her curiosity and challenged herself to become intimately involved in multiple areas of the law. Her professional experience is distinctive and varied. She began as an associate attorney for Sullivan, Ward, Bone, Tyler,...

Blake Lipman has been a practicing attorney in Michigan since 1995. He worked as a real estate lawyer for a number of title companies for approximately 5 years. He is a graduate of Wayne State University Business School and Wayne State University Law School. Mr. Lipman practices in the greater tri-county area, which includes Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, Washtenaw, and Monroe counties. Mr. Lipman has a reputation as a tough, fair, and experienced litigator.

Eden J. Allyn is an ardent advocate for her clients. Practicing since 1996, Ms. Allyn has dedicated herself to helping her clients by staying abreast of the latest issues and developments in the law. She has furthered her education in the family law arena by earning a Certificate of Completion of the Family Law Certificate program through the Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education, by obtaining a collaborative law certificate and by training and working as a domestic family law mediator and attorney. Ms. Allyn has zealously represented clients in all levels of courts in Michigan, including appellate actions at...

In order to best serve my clients, my standard is to work diligently in order to help individuals whom find themselves in difficult situations. Many individuals find themselves scared and uncertain of what to expect. As such, I stive to put myself in that client's shoes. I realize that the type of law I practice can be difficult, but it is important to provide my clients with nothing short of the best results. I take my job very seriously and am prideful in being honest and hard working.

Metro Detroit Divorce Attorney Simone R. Sprague grew up in Macomb County, Michigan, where she lived with her parents, grandfather, and three younger siblings. Growing up in her grandfather’s home gave Simone a true appreciation of what it means to be “family,” as she was often surrounded by Aunties, Uncles, and multitudes of cousins (think My Big Fat Greek Wedding). She credits her passion for helping people to these experiences, and to her mother who never turns down a person in need. Simone received her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the Lee Honors College at Western Michigan University, where she played...

Michigan Licensed Attorney since 1990. Michigan Licensed in Real Estate since 1992, Licensed Broker since 2002. Member State Bar of Michigan, Washtenaw County Bar Association. Real Estate Law Section Co-Chair, WCBA, 2011-2012. Member National Association of Realtors, Michigan Association of Realtors, Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors, Realtor.com. Member, Real Estate, Probate and Estate Planning, and Family Practice sections of the Washtenaw County Bar Association. Member Women Lawyers of Michigan. Member Washtenaw Estate Planning Council. Member Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Area Chamber of Commerce.

Associate Attorney

I have been practicing law for 25 years. My practice focuses on family law including divorce, custody, parenting time, asset division and support.

I have been practicing law for approximately 25 years in mid-Michigan. Generally, I practice in the areas of family law, estate planing, probate and trust administration, real estate, and commercial litigation. I also represent a number of small municipalities. In my free time, I enjoy sports cars, outdoor activities, motorcycles, and construction projects.

Marisa is an attorney at Varnum providing support across several practice areas. As a member of the Litigation Practice Team, she focuses her practice on commercial business disputes and general litigation matters, including contract disputes, business torts and construction or property-related issues. Marisa also supports the firm’s Privacy and Mobility Practice Team, working with children’s privacy issues and helping clients address regulatory and compliance challenges in the evolving mobility sector. Within the Family Law Practice Team, Marisa has experience with cases involving divorce, custody disputes, minor guardianships, stepparent adoptions and parental rights termination. She is actively building a fertility law practice,...

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,...

Erik S.H. Wallen graduated from Michigan State University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He received his Juris Doctor degree in 1989 from Thomas M. Cooley School of Law. He was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1989 and was hired as an Associate with the Law firm of Patterson Gruber Kennedy Gill and Milster located in Bay City, Michigan concentrating in criminal defense and general civil litigation. In 1997 Erik was promoted to Partner, concentrating in Civil Litigation. In 2000, Erik joined the law firm of Kennedy Gill Wallen Rieman and Reyes as...

Practicing Law for 30 years. Former Legal Counsel to the Michigan House of Representatives

Over 20 years of experience exclusively in Family Law. We can help you with your divorce, custody, parenting time or support matter. Call us. Your first call with a lawyer is free.

Attorney in Ann Arbor and Canton, MI. My practice is devoted to law for every day people. I deliver legal services with value, convenience, and respect.

Ryan T. Fowler focuses his practice on divorce, family law and criminal defense. Ryan understands that family and criminal legal issues can be emotionally challenging and stressful, which is why he approaches his clients with care and compassion. Ryan emphasizes open and honest communication with clients to ensure that his clients understand the law as it applies to their case so that they can make fully informed decisions. Ryan strives to alleviate the stress that clients often feel under the weight of a daunting and confusing legal process by identifying their needs and strongly advocating for their position. Prior...

Albert W. Laaksonen II, is the founding attorney of Laaksonen Law Offices, P.C. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and his JD from the Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington, Indiana.
Attorney Laaksonen is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Van Buren County Bar Association, and the Kalamazoo County Bar Association. He is certified as both a Civil Mediator and a Domestic Relations Mediator.

He currently serves on the Community Corrections Board for Van Buren County, and the the Kalamazoo Christian School Association Board.

Attorney Laaksonen specializes...

Jamie grew up in Lake Orion, Michigan, where her office is located. She is a divorced mother of four children: Trevor, Emily, Ben and Everly. She is also a part of the special needs community, as her youngest has Down Syndrome. She has both the personal and legal experience to help you expertly navigate your legal needs. Jamie is a proud graduate of Oakland University and Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where she graduated Cum Laude in 2012, receiving the prestigious Certificate of Merit in Family Law and Trial Skills. She interned with the...

Heather Brooks-Szachta earned her Juris Doctorate in 1997 from Wayne State University Law School in Detroit, Michigan. This came after earning her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Michigan-Flint in 1992. She was licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan in 1997 and was admitted to Federal Court in 2005. Before coming to work at the Law Offices of Barry Shoults & Associates in 1999, and becoming partner in Shoults, Picard & Brooks, PLLC in 2010, she gained experience at the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, the Wayne County Neighborhood Legal Services Clinic, and a...