Eckerman Lawyers

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.

Mr. Dubin has devoted his entire career to fighting the injustice of flooding, air pollution, evacuations caused by industrial accidents and environmental contamination. The problem with decaying sewer infrastructure is a significant problem felt by residents throughout the Midwest. The typical consequence of this neglect is flooding of homes and businesses. Unfortunately, many Midwest residents have first-hand knowledge of this problem. As a result of Mr. Dubin’s hard work, thousands of flood victims have obtained the compensation they deserve. Mr. Dubin has represented flood victims in Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. Mr. Dubin has also been at the...

Emily Weinberger received a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law in May of 2023 and was sworn into the State Bar of Michigan in November of 2023. During her time in law school, Emily served as the President of the Student Bar Association and as an Associate Editor of the Animal and Natural Resource Law Review Journal. In addition, Emily worked for MSU College of Law’s McClellan Free Speech Online Library providing resources for students to learn about their First Amendment rights. Emily also spent time working with the Legal Aid and Defender Association, advising clients through...

David R. Adgate earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 2013 from the University of Michigan. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 2017 from Wayne State University Law School. He then completed a Post-Baccalaureate Medprep Program at the University of Michigan in 2019 where he also served as the president of the Medprep Engage Student Organization. David joined Buckfire Law in January 2024 and focuses primarily on first-party automobile claims, third-party auto negligence, and motorcycle and bicycle accidents. He also handles other personal injury claims, including slip and falls, dog bites, and wrongful death lawsuits. Prior to joining Buckfire & Buckfire,...

Mark Bernstein is honored to serve as the President and Managing Partner of The Sam Bernstein Law Firm, PLLC. In courtrooms and communities across Michigan he fights to make sure everyone gets a fair shake – not just powerful corporations and insurance companies. He continues the Bernstein family commitment to public service, work in government, business and the law.

Mark Bernstein serves on the Executive Board of the Michigan Association for Justice. He was elected by leading defense and plaintiff attorneys from across Michigan to serve on the State Bar of Michigan Negligence Section Council. He was recently honored as a...

I know that each family dynamic is unique, so I work side-by- side with clients to navigate challenging family law matters or the confusion of probate or trust settlement following the death of a loved one. As for my qualifications, I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Michigan University where I double majored in both Public Law and Journalism. I went on to get a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School where I was a Dean's List student with an academic scholarship award, a member of the school's Access to Justice Clinic, and a founding board member...

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

I graduated from Swartz Creek High School in 1982, from the University of Michigan - Flint in 1986 and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School (now Western Michigan Law School) in 1989. I have been practicing since 1989. My practice is mostly confined to the family. I do divorce, child custody and support, parenting time, paternity, child abuse and neglect, wills, estate planing, guardianship and conservatorship.

I believe most people are in my office for stressful situations. I try to relieve that stress and walk you through the court process as easy as possible.

With a passion for helping her community, Brandi sought a career that allows her to make a positive impact. Prior to attending law school, she worked alongside probate attorneys for nearly 10 years. She is experienced in guardianships, conservatorships, estates, and trusts. Brandi is a compassionate and dedicated advocate for her clients.

Shaw has spent nearly 30 years as a litigation attorney. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1989 from Michigan State University. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1993 from Wayne State University School of Law and is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan and the United States District Court of the Eastern and Western District of Michigan. Shaw joined Buckfire Law Firm in September 2023 and focuses mainly on first-party auto claims, third-party auto negligence, and motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents. He has tried countless personal injury trials and has extensive experience handling a wide variety...

Unlike traditional law firms, I wanted to start a practice that fit with what small businesses needed. They needed a creative problem solver that provided more than generic information and some forms or a high priced law firm that passed work off to an associate. The Business Law Group leverages technology to provide a reasonable solution to your businesses legal needs. We allow you to focus on building your business instead of worrying about doing trying to do our job.

I am passionate about helping people with their family law problems. I help my clients with issues of divorce, child custody, parenting time, child support, and family abuse protection orders. As a parent myself, I understand how important these issues are to my clients. I view my job as a compassionate guide through a complex legal system that can be difficult for non-lawyers to navigate on their own. I try to resolve these issues as amicably as possible, although I have taken many cases to trial when it is necessary and appropriate to do so. I...

Steve is a commercially focused attorney at the firm Dickinson Wright PLLC. Steve has broad knowledge of branding, advertising and marketing topics, including agency work, content syndication, licensing, and sponsored content in print, broadcast, social and OTT media. Steve also helps clients with transactions in commercial real estate. Previously, Steve served as Regional Counsel, Europe at Stryker. Before going in-house for Stryker, Steve was an attorney in the advertising and real estate practice groups at Honigman. Steve previously earned ten years of experience with supply chain management in government, healthcare, and technology. Steve holds a JD with a...

I am Erika S. Shadowens, a family law attorney with a strong reputation for my tenacious advocacy and strategic approach to litigation. As a partner at Varnum LLP, I have dedicated over 28 years to representing clients in complex divorce, child custody, and high-asset family law cases. Known for my unwavering dedication, I am a formidable presence in the courtroom, where I advocate relentlessly to protect my clients' rights and interests. My litigation experience covers all levels of the legal system, including the Michigan Supreme Court, where I have successfully argued challenging cases. Whether it's high-conflict custody disputes or intricate financial...

Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Brandon Gardner founded Brandon Gardner & Associates, PLC on the principle that every client deserves zealous, high-quality legal representation, especially those facing the most serious crimes and complex family disputes. Brandon has over twenty years' experience in multiple aspects of the court system from small claims dispute resolution to appeals to the Michigan Supreme Court and utilizes this breadth of knowledge to develop custom solutions to every case at the firm, no matter the complexity. Mr. Gardner’s practice areas include serious felonies and federal crimes, complex domestic litigation, and personal injury litigation. Additionally, he is an approved domestic relations mediator on...

Beth A. Striegle grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After graduating from West Catholic High School, she attended Ferris State University where she obtained an Associate’s Degree in Commercial Art. Prior to attending law school, she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Calvin College where she graduated with honors. While attending Thomas Cooley Law School she raised two young boys. Beth completed her law school internship at the Sixty-Plus Elder Law Clinic. She considers the experience she gained while working for the clinic to be very valuable because it gave her a better understanding of the various issues...

Ross W. Keilen is an attorney with Keilen Law, PLC. Ross focuses his practice on helping individuals and businesses with challenges, transactions, and disputes; Ross specializes in commercial litigation, business/corporate law, estate planning, assets management, personal injury, and probate disputes.

Ross earned a Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University; thereafter, he graduated from the Michigan State University College of Law, where he received several jurisprudence awards and was listed on both the Honor Roll and the Dean’s List. Ross is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.

Ross lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He enjoys golf, distance running and sailing. He...

Doug McPhail has more than 30 years experience helping families, like yours, protect their estates from nursing home poverty, taxes and unnecessary probate expenses. Doug earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Mass Communications from Taylor University where he was active in student government leadership roles. After college, Doug enrolled at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law where he graduated with honors in 1988. Doug earned the American Jurisprudence Award for Academic Excellence in the area of professional responsibility and was published member of the University of Detroit Law Review. While in law school, Doug...

For more than half a century, attorney Sam Bernstein has championed the cause of the seriously injured. Many people throughout Michigan and the rest of the United States are familiar with the warmth and professionalism generated by Sam and his firm. Sam Bernstein carries on the tradition of his father, attorney Mandell Bernstein who served the Detroit community as a leading member of both the legal and civic communities.

Sam was raised in Detroit, Michigan where he attended Mumford High School. He attended Michigan State University where he graduated with a B.A. in education and political science. After college, Sam received...

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...

Brian L. Johnson was born and raised in Muskegon, Michigan. He received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Michigan State University, and his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. He is a member of the Benzie County Bar Association and the Probate and Estate Planning and Elder Law Sections of the State Bar of Michigan.

Brian’s areas of practice include estate planning, business formation, general business practice,...

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,...

I graduated from law school in 1986 and started my law career in Los Angeles, California, where I practiced until 1993. At that time, I moved back to Traverse City, Michigan to establish Dingeman & Dancer, PLC with my lifelong friend, Dan Dingeman. Throughout my career, I have handled a diverse range of legal matters, but in recent years, I have focused my practice on serious personal injury and wrongful death cases. Having been seriously injured myself during college, I personally understand the challenges faced by those injured due to the negligence of others. I have secured numerous large settlements and...

Elizabeth graduated from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2020. While there, she was an Executive Article Editor for the Chicago-Kent Journal of Intellectual Property, interned in the legal departments of a national trade organization and Illinois’ top children’s hospital, and worked at law firms that focused on civil litigation and transportation law. Prior to law school Elizabeth earned degrees in Biochemistry and Biology from Ferris State University, where she participated in the biochemistry research lab and was president of the school’s chapter of the American Chemical Society. After graduating, Elizabeth relocated to Traverse City and began her career as judicial assistant...

Shelley Kester is an award-winning attorney, a community leader, a dynamic communicator and a caring individual. She is Chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Her practice includes nearly all aspects of family law, including divorce law and child custody. She was among the first in Northern Michigan to complete the Family Law Certificate Program through the Institute of Continuing Education and the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan. She is President of wilson Kester, the Empowered Divorce Source. A frequent contributor to the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Ms. Kester is...

Kevin Hirzel is the Managing Member of Hirzel Law, PLC. Hirzel Law has offices in Farmington and Traverse City and services clients throughout the State of Michigan. Mr. Hirzel focuses his practice on condominium law, homeowners association law, litigation and real estate law. He has received numerous recognitions on a local and national level for the high level of representation that he provides to clients. Mr. Hirzel is a fellow in the College of Community Association Lawyers, a prestigious designation given to less than 175 attorneys in the country. He was named a Leading Lawyer in Michigan in 2018,...

T.J. was born and raised in Central Michigan, where he lives with his wife and three children. He is a proud Michigander, who was raised in a blue collar family and taught from the beginning the importance of hard work and giving back to the community. T.J. is a life member of the VFW, Military Order of Purple Heart and sits on the board of directors of a local non-profit organization. Shortly after graduating high school, T.J. enlisted in the Army where he would serve for nearly 11 years, retiring as a Staff Sergeant. Some of the more notable highlights...

Assistant Attorney General for the State of Michigan since 2011.

I have devoted my litigation practice to business, complex commercial and product liability actions. Through my trial practice, I have appeared as trial counsel in numerous federal and state courts, as well as administrative agencies and mediation and arbitration tribunals. I have successfully represented and obtained verdicts, judgments, awards and settlements for a list of valued clients that include major automobile manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, and finance companies, as well as closely held businesses and their owners, families, and individuals.