Lake Lawyers

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.

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...

Working in Michigan since 1979 to understand and serve my corporate and individual clients in the areas of Estates & Trusts, Elder Law, Business and Contracts, Real Estate, and General Civil Law to develop cost effective solutions and strategies.

Matthew Abraham is an entrepreneurial business attorney practicing in Michigan, United States. He has been practicing since 1993 developing a law practice geared toward serving the new business owner and entrepreneur. Matt has counseled on a broad spectrum of imperatives from complex mergers and acquisitions of service, manufacturing and other companies to routine commerce and transactional law matters and business related contracts. He has advised numerous private companies, established businesses and start-ups, developers and users of technology, and both old and new economy businesses. Abraham|Law provides business law services to clients in a broad range of...

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,...

Assistant Attorney General for the State of Michigan since 2011.

Forrest Pasanski boasts a distinguished career in both public service and private practice. With a firm commitment to representing health professionals, he draws from his vast experience as the Enforcement Division Director for LARA's Bureau of Professional Licensing where he oversaw thousands of health licensing matters. Forrest's background also includes service as an Assistant Attorney General. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Michigan State University College of Law. Forrest is dedicated to ensuring that health licensees receive unparalleled advocacy to protect their professional credentials and reputations. Please fill out the Potential New Client Form at www.Pasanskilaw.com to be contacted for...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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...

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...

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,...

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.

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...

Our practice is limited to Social Security/SSI disability. Our practice is located in a renovated older home, making it comfortable for people who may be uncomfortable in a typical lawyer's office. And, unlike many Social Security attorneys, we do appeal cases to Federal District Court if the case is justified.

Elena A. Lentz is a proud Michigan native, a fierce advocate for her clients, and dedicated family law attorney. Elena is the oldest of five siblings, which gives her a unique perspective on family law issues. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2017, where she participated in the Honors College, Political Science Scholars, and Political Science Advisory Committee. During her tenure at MSU, she completed internships at the Senate Majority Policy Office, Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and the 6th District Congressional Office. Elena went on to attend Indiana University Maurer School of Law in Bloomington, where...

David M. Platt has more than 38 years of experience as an estate planning and business attorney. David concentrates his law practice in the areas of estate planning and administration, probate litigation, pre and post nuptial agreements, real estate and business entity formation. He assists clients in the preparation of wills, trusts, family cottage limited partnerships, as well as providing counsel to minimize income and estate taxes.

David frequently speaks and writes on estate planning and business matters for financial planners, accountants and attorneys, as well as the general public. He is an adjunct professor of law at the Michigan...

Wm Paul Slough resides in Gaylord with his wife, son, and two daughters. Paul grew up on a fourth generation dairy farm in Ellsworth, Michigan and graduated from East Jordan High School. He attended North Central Michigan College in Petoskey before graduating from Michigan State University. Paul received his bachelors of science in Mathematics from the Lyman Briggs School of Science, and later his law degree at Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Paul has worked as a law clerk for the 46th Circuit Trial Court in Gaylord. He has been has been in private practice since the...

Ms. Drysdale-Crown is an experienced Bankruptcy attorney who is admitted to practice in the Bankruptcy Courts for both the Eastern and Western Federal Districts of Michigan. She is also a licensed attorney in the State of Michigan. Ms. Drysdale-Crown is passionate about educating people in regards to debt relief options and representing them through the often difficult and emotional debt relief process. She has received extensive training in the current Bankruptcy Code, Rules and case law. Ms. Drysdale-Crown received her undergraduate triple-major degree from Michigan State University. She also received her juris doctor from Michigan State University, College of Law. She...

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...

Steven A. Freeman has defended Clients ranging in age from 15 to 77 who were accused of various SEX CRIMES such as CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT. His clients have included Corporate Executives, School Teachers, White Collar Professionals, Politicians, Scout Leaders, Retirees, Business Owners and Blue Collar Workers. Criminal Sexual Conduct cases typically involve a relationship between the Client and the Accuser, such as Doctor/Patient, Teacher/Student, Scout Leader/Scout, Step Father/Step Child, Boyfriend/Girlfriend's Child, Parent/Child's Friend, Neighbor/Neighbor, Employer/Employee and Professional/Intern. Anyone can be accused of a Criminal Sexual Conduct Offense regardless of age, education, wealth or social...