North Star Lawyers

I am passionate about helping people create an estate plan to meet their needs. When you contact my office you will speak with me. I will take the time to listen to your wishes, explain the law and help develop a plan place to pass you money and property to your loved ones and give you peace of mind.

Mr. Villar graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and went on to hold clerkships for the Honorable George R. Corsiglia in the Allegan Circuit Court and for the Michigan Court of Appeals. Since entering private practice in 1993, Mr. Villar has participated in numerous high visibility cases throughout Southwest Michigan.

Mr. Villar has also worked for one of the largest law firms in America, Dorsey & Whitney. Dorsey & Whitney employed over 330 attorneys and had offices in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, New York, Brussels (Belgium), London (England), and Paris (France). While demanding, Dorsey & Whitney prepared Mr. Villar for...

Jason Thompson represents clients in class action and multidistrict litigation (MDL) involving consumer protection, employment rights, and mass tort cases in federal and state courts throughout the United States. His clients include individuals as well as municipalities, healthcare plans, and unions.

Over the past 23 years, Jason has been recognized for his excellence as a trial lawyer, including selection by his peers as a Super LawyerTM, board certification by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and an AV Preeminent Lawyer rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Jason has been appointed as class counsel and in MDL leadership positions in cases involving antitrust, overtime pay,...

Chelsea Rebeck, CPA, CFE, JD, LLM (Tax)

Chelsea is a partner at Rebeck & Allen, located in Southfield, Michigan. Chelsea's unique skill set enables her to create strategies to solve complex problems and her passion for helping others ensures her clients are immediately at ease with a solution that works for their situation.

Attorney Chelsea Rebeck puts her tax law knowledge to good use for her clients. Her legal services include such areas as tax controversy, Tax Preparer Penalties, IRS audits, Offers in Compromise, U.S. Taxpayers living abroad, International persons with U.S. entities, tax advice, Expert Witness services, Department of Labor...

I specialize in estate planning. My clients are individuals and small businesses. I enjoy working with these types of clients because I can make a significant impact on their lives and businesses by helping them plan for their future. My holistic approach to legal services looks at the various implications of certain legal actions while tailoring my services to fit your specific needs. I will work hard to understand you and your goals, be accessible and come up with a plan to obtain the best outcome given your circumstances.

Born and raised in Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, MI, Barry Conybeare attended high school at Lake Michigan Catholic. He graduated from the University of Michigan (B.A., 1988). Barry received his law degree, magna cum laude, from DePaul University College of Law (J.D., 1992). After graduating, Barry worked in Chicago as a commercial litigation associate with one of the world’s largest law firms, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom. In 1994, Barry, and his wife Jody, moved home to Southwest Michigan. There he began practicing law with his father, Bruce Conybeare, at Conybeare Law Office.

Barry’s practice focuses on all aspects of personal...

Mr. Sherman has been an immigration lawyer since 1994. His practice focuses on providing prompt, personalized immigration legal services to clients in the healthcare and business sectors. He also provides legal services to people interested in obtaining family-based visas. Mr. Sherman holds an A.B. with High Distinction in Near Eastern Studies from the University of Michigan, and a J.D. from Wayne State University School of Law. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the District of Columbia Bar, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and the Oakland County Bar Association. Mr. Sherman is...

PRACTICE OF BANKRUPTCY LAW SINCE 1992. Martindale-Hubbell “BV” rated. 2008 Macomb County Bar Association Pro Bono Services Award. 2008 Speaker, “Legal Forum For Seniors” Macomb Bar Association, June 5, 2008. Continuing Legal Education 2015- ABI Consumer Bankruptcy Conference (November 11, 2015). 2015-State Bar of Michigan Social Security Law Seminar (October 2, 2015). 2014-ABI Consumer Bankruptcy Conference (November 11, 2014). 2014- State Bar of Michigan Social Security Law Seminar (October 3, 2014). 2013-ABI Consumer Bankruptcy Conference (November 11, 2013). 2013- State Bar of Michigan Social Security Law Seminar (October 18, 2013)....

Bill is one of the only lawyers in the state of Michigan who is also a 15 year experienced leader in the non-profit community, with extensive counseling and public relations experience. His years of experience outside the courtroom and results inside of the courtroom give him respect and a skill set that many other defense attorneys do not possess. Furthermore, it makes him more relatable to clients, better at negotiating with prosecutors and city attorneys, and skilled in making an argument to a judge or jury. Bill is also a former academic, which translates to excellent written skills when...

Randy Babi, a highly esteemed attorney and Michigan native, serves clients in the courts of Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne county with expertise and dedication. His specialization in Criminal law has been repeatedly recognized, most notably with his consistent receipt of the Superlawyer's Rising Stars award since he began practicing in 2016. Super Lawyers is a prestigious rating service that acknowledges exceptional lawyers who have achieved high-degree of peer recognition and professional accomplishment. Through a patented, peer-influenced, and research-driven selection process, they honor only the top 5% of attorneys each year with inclusion in the Super Lawyers list. Randy's continual appearance...

As the founder and lead partner of The Liblang Law Firm, P.C., I am dedicated to serving clients in Birmingham, Michigan, and nearby areas. My practice primarily deals with personal injury, lemon laws, and collection harassment. Additionally, I manage cases related to credit issues, fraud, misrepresentation, special research, brief writing, and alternative dispute resolution. I earned a Bachelor of Arts with honors in psychology from Oakland University before graduating cum laude with a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 1981. With over 40 years of experience, I am passionate about advocating for individuals who have suffered...

Mr. Schneider has been in practice for over 36 years. He has been a leader in the area of consumer bankruptcy law. He has been certified by the American Board of Certification sponsored by the American Bankruptcy Institute since 1995. He has co-authored the chapter on representing Consumers in Bankruptcies under Chapter 7 in the Michigan ICLE publication Handling Consumer and Small Bankruptcies in Michigan. He is currently rated as follows: Martindale-Hubbell "AV" "Preeminent" 2010 - 2014; Avvo.com 10 "Superb" 2010 - 2014; Avvo.com Client’s Choice Award 2013-2014; a "Leading Michigan Lawyer" 2014 by the Leading Lawyers Network; "Michigan Super...

Mr. Kendal offers a unique program of flat-fee rapid and effective estate planning, including wills, trusts, and related documents. Mr. Kendal can take care of helping you assure your family’s future is legally secured and your wishes for how you would want your estate, that you have worked for and built up over your lifetime, is distributed according to your wishes. Mr. Kendal’s extensive background in probate, computer and E-law, commercial transactions, commercial litigation, trademarks and copyrights, and firearms law, gives him the experience needed to protect your business’ interests and help you achieve your business goals. With over 19 years...

David Nacht fights for people throughout their career, from student to employee to executive. Nacht is particularly proud of his efforts to expand due process rights for the accused: whether in the workplace, by federal investigators, or by prosecutors. Nacht’s approach is to listen to his client and put his client, and the client’s career and reputation first. Nacht uses his extensive knowledge of the law to help achieve his client's objectives. The key is strategy and thinking several steps ahead. Fight for Dignity, but don’t let emotions cloud decision-making. Few lawyers regularly practice both criminal and civil law in...

Mara Kent (she/her/hers) is a life-long resident of Ann Arbor, Michigan and a licensed attorney since 1996. Mara’s practice areas include estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder law and long-term care planning, special needs planning, estate planning for surrogacy, same-sex adoptions and step-parent adoptions, and prenuptial agreements. Mara loves working with people and making personal connections with her clients, doing what she generally considers to be “happy law.” Mara counsels her clients on how to plan for major life events by anticipating common (and not-so-common) problems before they arise, so her clients can strategize about how to minimize court involvement,...

John F. Schaefer, founder of The Law Firm of John F. Schaefer, is one of the best-known and most highly-respected matrimonial lawyers in the United States. From its inception, Best Lawyers in America has listed John Schaefer as one of the premier matrimonial lawyers in America, and named him Lawyer of the Year, Detroit Area, in 2013. Worth magazine named him one of the top 100 lawyers in America, in any practice area.

I file bankruptcies for individuals under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 of Bankruptcy Code. I have filed hundreds of cases with positive results. Additionally, I've taken the time get board certified in this specialty so members of the public can rest assured that I understand what I'm doing.

Aubri has devoted her entire legal career to being a trial lawyer. In her almost 15-years of practice, Aubri has tried over 50 cases to verdict. With this vast experience that few attorneys today have, Aubri is as comfortable talking to a jury as she is having a cup of coffee with a friend. Aubri started her career as a prosecuting attorney, and then transitioned to civil litigation, first as a medical malpractice defense attorney at a large litigation law firm. However, representing insurance and business interests over human beings did not align with her compassionate...

Michael R. Bartish is a founding member of Springstead & Bartish Law, P.L.L.C.. He defends and represents clients in state and federal courts throughout Western Michigan from Niles to Traverse City. Mr. Bartish is a former active duty Judge Advocate General in the U.S. Army where he served at Fort Hood, Texas, from 1999 through 2002. During his active duty service, Mr. Bartish served as a trial counsel and senior trial counsel for the First Cavalry Division and as a Trial Defense Counsel for Fort Hood, Texas. After four years on active duty, Mr. Bartish went into private practice...

Attorney and Counselor – Michael J. Boyle is a Partner and Shareholder and serves as Senior Trial Attorney. He joined the Barone Defense Firm in 2005 after a successful solo criminal defense practice. Mr. Boyle is a highly trained and skilled Trial Attorney and has represented clients in over 70+ counties throughout Michigan. Mr. Boyle is a graduate of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan Trial College. He has also a graduate of the highly regarded “Trial Lawyers College,” which was founded by nationally renowned trial attorney Gerry Spence. Like Mr. Barone, Mr. Boyle has worked personally with...

Attorney James D. Hubbert is the managing partner of the Law Offices of Graham and Hubbert. He has over 35 years of legal experience and has the highest peer and client ratings with Martindale-Hubbell ( A.V. Preeminent) and A.V.V.O. (Superb).

President and founder Jesse R. Sweeney (pictured above), is a graduate of Michigan State University, James Madison College, and Michigan State University Law School (1999, Cum Laude). He is Certified as a bankruptcy expert through the American Board of Certification Board Certified, is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. Additionally, he is licensed and in good standing in the State of Michigan, the Eastern District of Michigan and the Western District of Michigan and the US District Court of Colorado, . He has been practicing bankruptcy law...

Michael A. Robbins is past president of the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, past chairperson of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and past president of the Michigan Interprofessional Association. Mr. Robbins has not only been named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in family law, but was also showcased in Newsweek as one of the Eight Leaders in Family Law in the United States. He has also been named one of the top 100 lawyers in Michigan by the New York Times and Super Lawyers. He is a frequent lecturer...

"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,...

I am deeply passionate about helping others, a drive that fuels my diverse professional and personal pursuits. My day typically starts early at 4:30 am, whether I'm preparing for my day at the estate planning firm, coaching businesses, or running the gym out of my garage. I began my legal career in workers’ compensation insurance defense, dedicating the majority of my practice to this area until 2010. Around that time, many of my friends started families, sparking my interest in estate planning. This new focus allowed me to assist others in preparing for their future, eventually leading me to expand...

Channelle Kizy-White has over a decade of legal experience and a winning record of success with helping people in their time of greatest need. If you’re looking for an attorney you can trust and a fighter who won’t give up, that attorney is Channelle Kizy-White.

If there’s one word that describes Channelle, that word is “advocate.” She sees her clients’ problems as her own problems—their fight is her fight. Channelle is a listener, a counselor, and an experienced voice who stands up for you when other attorneys might sit down. And for Channelle, family law is more than just about...

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...

Tax professional with over 30 plus years of experience working with the IRS and various state tax agencies across the country. Agustin holds an LLM (in Taxation) from NYU Law School and a JD from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. In addition, Agustin holds a DBA from Case Western Reserve University and two MBAs. Agustin has taught tax law (individual, partnership, and corporate) at law school as well as taught MBA courses at various graduate schools across the country. In addition, he was served as speaker at conferences presenting on various current tax issues.

Since 1976, Zeigler Townley P.C. has handled a wide variety of challenging and complex business and personal matters both in and out of Court. As a Vietnam Veteran, Matt has a very long view of all business litigation, employment and transactional matters, knowing what matters, and what does not.

Our firm has extensive experience in all types of felony and misdemeanor cases, including drug crimes, weapons crimes, violent crimes, white collar crimes, corruption charges, computer crimes, sex crimes, immigration and international crimes, DUI/OWI/OUIL charges, domestic violence, and other matters. We are experienced, strategic, aggressive and determined to protect the rights and freedom of our clients.

Attorney, Eric L. Pernie is a true state native, born and raised in MI. He attended Ferris State University and graduated Summa Cum Laude. While he was there, he worked hard for his criminal justice degree while simultaneously being an active member of the Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society. Upon graduating, Eric received his police certification from Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). Shortly afterward, he started working at the Bloomfield Township Police Dept. as a road patrol officer.

Eric worked diligently as a police officer for well over a decade and gained numerous skills during his...

Matthew Fraiberg represents men and women throughout Michigan from Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties and takes pride in offering knowledgeable, cost-effective, efficient representation to individuals in the community.

Matthew graduated from Michigan State and University of Toledo College of Law, he has also worked as an Executive in the local business community which brings him an abundance of knowledge in understanding complex assets and business valuations that is critical in divorce cases.

Prior to becoming a criminal defense attorney, Mr. Fraiberg was a City Prosecutor and worked as a judicial clerk and assistant legal research clerk for Oakland County circuit court judges....

Jesse Young is a Senior Shareholder at Sommers Schwartz who represents clients in serious employment disputes, including but not limited to issues of severance negotiations, discrimination, retaliation, whistleblowing activity, employment contracts, terminations, and compliance. His clients include individuals and businesses. As a founding member of the firm's national wage-and-hour practice, Jesse has appeared in hundreds of wage-and-hour lawsuits and hundreds more arbitrations arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and similar state laws. In this regard, he represents clients nationwide dealing with the payment of minimum wages and/or overtime, classification of employees, “off the clock” work, meal breaks, donning and...

Ken Watkins is an accomplished trial attorney and Senior Shareholder with Sommers Schwartz. Over the course of his career, he has obtained numerous multimillion-dollar settlements on behalf of the clients he’s been proud to represent. His achievements include one of the largest seven-digit medical malpractice cases in Macomb County in 2008, and his election to membership in the exclusive Million Dollar Verdict Club.

Outside of the practice, Ken is known for giving back to the community. He has spoken on several occasions at the Detroit Public Schools Career Days; serves on board of directors for Urban Solutions, Inc., an organization dedicated...

Richard Fox has successfully resolved hundreds of medical negligence and other personal injury cases on behalf of injured victims over the past 40 years. He was the plaintiff attorney involved in the largest reported medical malpractice case settlement in the state of Michigan for the year 2002. Rick has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® (2008 - 2018) in the specialty of Personal Injury Litigation. Selection to Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive and rigorous peer-review survey comprising more than 2 million confidential evaluations by the top attorneys in the country....

Criminal defense is all I do! I understand that facing a criminal prosecution is very stressful to you and your family. We are committed to protecting your rights and freedoms, tailoring our services to each client's individual situation. For over 28 years as a criminal defense lawyer, I have represented Michigan residents who are facing charges of misdemeanors and felonies at both the state and federal levels. Some of the cases that I have handled include drug crimes, violent crimes, assault, homicide, fraud, sex crimes, weapons violations, traffic offenses, drunk driving, cyber crimes, juvenile crimes expungements and drivers license restoration....

As a student of law, Jim Kolosowsky recieved the highest student honors in Family Law and Interviewing and Counseling. His academic achievements earned him a position as the Senior Associate Editor of Law Review at Thomas M. Cooley Law School; several honors scholarships; and a graduate ranking in the top 12% of his law school class. As a trial attorney, Jim Kolosowsky has represented numerous clients in both misdemeanor and serious felony cases. Jim has received not guilty jury verdicts in cases ranging from armed robbery to murder.

Rachel Pinch attended the University of Michigan, where she played tuba in the Michigan Marching Band and graduated with a double major in Organizational Studies and Psychology in 2012. She then earned her law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 2015. During her time in law school, Rachel worked with the Disability Law Clinic, served as an intern to federal district judge Arthur J. Tarnow, and was a published member and editor of the Wayne Law Review.

Nate is a personal injury lawyer with Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers,. In 2018, the National Trial Lawyers Association named Nate one of its Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers in Michigan. Nate graduated from the University of Michigan and Chicago-Kent College of Law. While in law school, Nate interned with the United States Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Federal Defender. Nate graduated from the Trial Lawyers College in 2017, a prestigious trial program taught by several of the nation’s top trial attorneys. Nate practices personal injury law because, according to him, it is a battle for...

Hi, I'm Mechelle, a family law attorney with a unique background. As a U.S. Navy Veteran and Global Strategic Sourcing Manager in healthcare, I've honed skills in pressure-driven environments and managed multi-million-dollar contracts. My expertise extends to law through a focus on continuous improvement and lean manufacturing. This diverse background allows me to bring a strategic and settlement-focused approach to family law, mediation, and law firm consulting. Whether navigating complex legal issues or assisting fellow attorneys in optimizing their practices, I am dedicated to efficiency, effectiveness, and delivering results. Choose me as your attorney for a streamlined, results-driven legal experience.