Benton Harbor Lawyers

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...

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....

Eric M. Simpson has been dedicated to protecting the rights of the seriously injured and their families for his entire legal career. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts. He then graduated Cum Laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1997 with his Juris Doctor. Not only is Eric a licensed member of The State Bar of Michigan, but also The North Carolina State Bar and The State Bar of Texas. He has practiced law in many different States and throughout the State of Michigan. He has extensive knowledge of...

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...

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...

Attorney Lukas M. Sikorski graduated from the University of Michigan - Dearborn with a bachelors degree in anthropology and a minor in psychology in 2007. Lukas also attended the Warsaw School of Economics (Szkola Glowna Handlowa) in Warsaw, Poland. After graduating, he attended Wayne State University Law School where he received his Juris Doctor. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Eastern District of Michigan. He is also a state certified small claims mediator.

Before joining The Sikorski Law Firm, Lukas spent two years working for a solo practitioner in Wayne, Michigan. He also worked a...

Shawn is the owner of The Head Law Firm, PLC. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. He represents individual and business clients throughout the Detroit Metro Area, including Livonia, Westland, Plymouth, Canton, Northville, Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield, Novi, Troy, and other surrounding areas.

Shawn has been repeatedly recognized as one of Metro Detroit’s Top Lawyers in the areas of criminal defense and commercial litigation by DBusiness Magazine. He has also been selected as a Rising Star by Michigan Super Lawyers every year since 2015.

Shawn graduated...

Scot focuses on business law, real estate development, employment law, estate planning, probate, and commercial litigation. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and his J.D., with cum laude honors, from the Notre Dame Law School. While at Notre Dame, Scot was an editor with the Journal of Legislation and clerked for the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in Flint, MI, and the Michigan Supreme Court in Lansing, MI. After graduating from Notre Dame Law School, Scot clerked with the Michigan Court of Appeals in Grand Rapids, MI. In January 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...

Rich is a Founding Member of Foley, Baron, Metzger, & Juip PLLC. He has a national civil litigation practice with special emphasis on environmental litigation, products liability and chemical exposure matters. He has considerable experience in spill response and forensic analysis at historical sites of contamination. His experience also includes property transactions including environmental due diligence, hazardous waste, CERCLA and RCRA issues, and Michigan’s Natural Resources Environmental Protection Act (NREPA). Rich’s extensive practice also includes business issues and commercial litigation, construction law, mass torts, product liability, aviation law and due diligence and regulatory work on cannabis licensing

After practicing law...

Ben’s practice focuses on environmental, toxic tort, mass tort and products liability litigation, permitting and compliance with environmental regulations, assisting with chemical release response and cleanup and defending and resolving actual or potential regulatory violations. He also has experience defending against personal injury lawsuits, class action lawsuits relating to alleged nuisance odors, particulate matter and groundwater and soil contamination. Ben’s extensive practice also includes business issues and commercial litigation. He has assisted clients in their efforts to obtain environmental permits, resolving permit violations, and litigating denied permits under Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA). He also has considerable...

Nick's practice focuses on environmental, toxic tort, mass tort and products liability litigation, permitting and compliance with environmental regulations, and defending against alleged violations of environmental regulations. He also has experience in Real Property litigation, injury law and Default Servicing litigation.

Nick began his career with a commercial litigation and insurance defense firm in Chicago, Illinois, where he managed a national corporate compliance and insurance defense team responsible for defending claims on behalf of large industrial clients in several states across the country. His experience there included the defense of workers’ compensation matters, litigating and trying cases involving industrial accidents...

Peter is Great Lakes Law Firm, PLLC's managing member. He graduated, magna cum laude and in the top of his class, from W.M.U. Cooley Law School with a J.D. in Transactional Law. He also received the Distinguished Student Award in the term he graduated. And he completed a LL.M. (Masters of Law) in Tax Law there too. Previously, Peter received a M.B.A. in Business Management from Eastern Michigan University, and he received a Graduate Degree in Banking from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. And, following in a family tradition, he also graduated from the University...

Brett is a Certified Elder Law Attorney and has been helping his clients for over 20 years. He is the owner of The Elder and Estate Planning Law Firm, P.L.L.C. located at 8285 S. Saginaw Street in Grand Blanc. As the firm name suggests, his practice is dedicated exclusively to assisting clients with their estate planning and elder law needs, such as Medicaid planning, trusts, wills, Veterans Benefits planning, guardianship, conservatorships and probate estate or trust administration.

You have questions- I have answers. Call now for a free consultation. (810) 516-5116. Many law firms say that they offer personalized service, but their actions don't always reflect that when it comes to dealing with their clients. I'm David McCleary, and at my law firm, McCleary & Associates, P.C., I take those words to heart. I want to be your family's trusted adviser for all your estate planning needs. I meet with all my clients myself, one-on-one. This means I can offer a true individualized service to the people in the Grand Blanc and...

Michael Hollins, Sr.  is a graduate of Western Michigan University - Thomas M. Cooley Law Schol where he received his Juris Doctorate.  During law school, he worked as an intern to a prominent United States District Court Judge in the 6th circuit.  Mr. Hollins is known for his friendly and professional demeanor with clients and is a strong and passionate advocate in court. To Mr. Hollins, the best part of his job is when a client walks into his office overwhelmed by their financial circumstance and then walks out of his office armed with a plan to save their home, have a...

Benjamin Stoltman focuses on Adult and Minor Guardianships, Wills, Trusts and Estates, Adoptions, Non-Profit Formation, Business Transactions, and Appeals.

Ben graduated magna cum laude from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. While in law school, Benjamin served as a member of Law Review and was the recipient of numerous awards for academic merit, including top marks in civil procedure, military law, and the professional responsibility seminar.

Benjamin was also inducted as a member of the Justice Frank Murphy Honor Society, an honor reserved for students graduating in the top ten percent of their class.

Prior to starting...

Spencer is an experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney. He has a passion for identifying, developing, and creating innovative solutions in order to ensure the best possible result for each and every client. Most of all, Spencer is an effective communicator with prosecutors, opposing counsel, and judges. He takes great pride in developing a rapport with all members of the criminal justice system and legal community. When facing serious legal issues, it is vital that your attorney is available to address your concerns and, is not only willing to, but also ensures that you are educated on...

I am an experienced Michigan attorney who has specialized in Social Security Disability and Workers Compensation for over 30 years. I am extremely dedicated and passionate about protecting my clients rights. The claims process can be challenging and frustrating, but I will be there to support you every step of the process. Bruce Weider is a graduate of Michigan State University and received his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School. He loves the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. He has represented thousands of clients with excellent results.

Sean P. Murphy is an Attorney and Member of Head Murphy Law. Sean was voted the 2023 Best Lawyer in Metro Detroit in the Community Choice Awards presented by the Detroit Free Press. Sean has also been selected as a Super Lawyers' Rising Star since 2019, and he has also been selected as a DBusiness top lawyer on multiple occasions. Sean is a lifelong resident of the Metro Detroit area. After graduating first in his class and summa cum laude from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Sean worked as a Judicial Law Clerk for Justice Stephen J. Markman...

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...

Mr. Amadeo felt driven to become an attorney after seeing the injustices during his youth in Atlantic City. His legal knowledge paired with his time spent in journalism drives him to thoroughly investigate all angles of a case. Mr. Amadeo understands the importance of creative thinking when it comes to defense strategies and works closely with his clients to ensure that every detail of the case is fully explored. He is extremely dedicated to his clients, and always puts their needs first. He strives to be available to his clients whenever they need him and gives 110% to every case....

Focus: Helping people get back to work, stay at work, fighting wage theft and preventing retaliation and wrongful termination. Blowing the whistle on Medicare fraud and other taxpayer fraud. Legal advice; counseling; trial lawyer. David Blanchard’s job is to take the case to court and fight for the civil rights of human people. David Blanchard is a respected trial lawyer with a reputation for fighting injustices regularly heaped upon honest hard-working individuals and small business owners. He is recognized for his aggressive, goal-oriented advocacy and advice. David Blanchard received his B.A. in political science and a J.D. cum laude from...

Ms. Terry is a 1996 graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Criminal Justice. She received her law degree from Thomas M Cooley in 1998. Ms. Terry practices in the areas of bankruptcy, real estate and estate planning/probate matters.

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...

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...

The Law Office of Eric J. Sheppard represents clients in criminal cases and divorce/custody cases, as well as many other areas of law. We fight for our client's rights. We provide diligent representation and give personalized attention to all of our cases. Contact us today at 517-618-1580.

My practice is focused on estate planning, family law, and probate. I assist clients with various matters such as preparing trusts and wills, estate planning administration, guardian and conservatorship, health care directives, divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and prenuptial agreements.

Raymond A. Harris is a shareholder with Buhl, Little, Lynwood & Harris, PLC in East Lansing, Michigan. He practices in the areas of estate planning, elder law, probate and trust administration and litigation, guardianships and conservatorships, special needs planning, and Medicaid planning. Raymond is licensed to practice in both Michigan and Florida. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and serves on the board of directors for the Michigan NAELA chapter. Raymond is a frequent speaker and author on topics relating to Medicaid planning, special needs planning, elder law, probate,...

Nicholas Leydorf is a graduate of Michigan State University and The Catholic University of America: Columbus School of Law. Nicholas has extensive experience in all types of criminal defense cases, including high profile criminal cases. He enjoys spending time with his family and has previously served the East Lansing Rotary Club as a board member.

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...

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...

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...

Attorney Katherine R. Sikorski graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelors degree in political science. After graduating, she attended Wayne State University Law School where she received her Juris Doctor. She also earned an LLM degree in taxation. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Eastern District of Michigan, and the Northern District of Illinois. Additionally, she is a state certified small claims mediator.

Katherine spent two years working for an esteemed firm in downtown Detroit which focuses pimarily on medical malpractice defense. Since founding The Sikorski Law Firm, Katherine has focused primarily on family law....

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...

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...

Ramona Howard was born and raised in the Metro Detroit area. She earned both her undergraduate and law degrees from Wayne State University. After earning her Juris Doctor, she began her legal career working for a small personal injury firm, and it was there that she cultivated her interest in medical malpractice litigation.

With the exception of a year spent working in the Pre-Hearing division of the Michigan Court of Appeals, Ramona has dedicated her entire legal career representing clients with medical malpractice and personal injury claims at both the trial and at the appellate levels.

Michael Jaafar is an accomplished and highly sought-after attorney who has made a name for himself as a tenacious litigator and skilled advocate. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and an unrelenting drive to win, Michael has earned a reputation as one of the most formidable attorneys in the field. Michael's impressive track record of success includes settling a personal injury case for $2 million when the initial offer was only $25,000, as well as securing one of the largest class action settlements in history against McDonald's Corporation. He has also been recognized for his outstanding legal skills and accomplishments, having...

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...

Perry graduated from Michigan State University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. While attending Wayne State University Law School, he clerked for the Hon. Alice L. Gilbert who handled a diverse civil and criminal docket at the Oakland County Circuit Court. During that clerkship, he gained immeasurable courtroom experience assisting the judge with trials that ranged from complex contract disputes to first-degree felonies. That experience informed his decisions as an attorney and has led to a 20-plus year career working as an advocate for people in such areas as: real estate law including landlord tenant; personal injury law...