Rudyard Lawyers

I was a law clerk coming out of school, then a trial lawyer, then a general practice and criminal defense lawyer. My practice somehow evolved into focusing on business issues, asset protection, debt work outs, and bankruptcy. I've been practicing for 39 years. I know a little about a lot.

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.

When people come to me, they are facing a situation they aren’t sure how to deal with. They have questions and are looking for answers. I look at the situation and figure out how I can help. And when they hire me, I get to work! In short, I help people solve problems. Helping someone with too much debt is different than helping someone whose parent just passed away. It is different from helping someone get a divorce. Sometimes I help by preparing documents in my office. Other times it means a lawsuit. It could mean taking a case to trial. It could...

Over 50 years of successful consultation and trial practice.

Robert Banner has 28 years experience serving clients in Northern Michigan. Areas of expertise include, but are not limited to, Divorce, Child Custody, Parenting Time, Drunk Driving, Estate Planning including drafting Wills and Trusts. We serve clients in Boyne City, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Boyne Falls, Bellaire, Central Lake and Gaylord. Mr. Banner was appointed by the Attorney General's Office in April 2018, as Public Administrator for Charlevoix County, Michigan.

Aggressive, professional legal representation in Family, Criminal, and Business law. The smart choice. Free 1/2 hour. At the Doak Law Firm we commit ourselves to the things that matter most to you: family, quality, professionalism, getting the Job done efficiently, and done right. We give you the voice that you need at the most important times in your life. Who represents you does matter. Jodi Doak graduated first in class of the largest class ever, starting with over 500 students, from Thomas Cooley Law School. During Mrs. Doak's time there she received multiple awards, including 11 certificates of...

Lea Ann Sterling has been a member of the Michigan Bar since 1998. Admitted to the bar in Ohio in 1981, Mrs. Sterling practiced law in Columbus. In 1997, she began a sabbatical to write, travel, and relocate from Ohio to Michigan. Her first book, Historic Homes of Olde Towne, was released in 1999 and won the Ohio Historical Society’s Public Education and Awareness Award. Historic Cottages of Mackinac Island, released in 2001, was listed on the Michigan Governor’s List of Best Books of 2001. In March 1999, Mrs. Sterling was appointed Village of Empire Zoning Administrator where she was...

Jon Tomaso has years of experience as an attorney, practicing in the areas of family law and criminal law. Along with his associates at Sterling Law and ADAM (American Divorce Association for Men), the attorneys seek for their clients dignity and fairness and for all they seek social justice in a biased system. Sterling Law attorneys care for their clients by totally dedicating themselves to their cases, by giving guidance and answering questions in a timely effective way, and by being well-prepared in court. They take their clients' cases to heart and pursue their goals with the talent and...

Waltman Law PLLC is centrally located in northern lower Michigan in the city of Gaylord. The primary areas of practice are Bankruptcy and Real Estate Transactions. I am also trained as an eldercaring coordinator and as a mediator in General Civil, Domestic Relations, Child Protection, Behavioral Health, and Elder matters.

For over 30 years Jim Austin has been providing quality legal services, counseling and care to individual and business clients throughout Michigan with business, general civil and transportation matters. Jim practices regularly in courts throughout the State of Michigan. With Corcoran Austin, PC, he has offices in Alden, Traverse City and Charlevoix. He has argued cases before the Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Court of Appeals, Federal District Courts and Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. He represents wrecker and towing companies throughout Michigan and sits on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Towing Association. He has represented truckers and trucking companies...

The Mortimer Law Firm and their experienced team of attorneys and paralegals are skilled in, Social Security Disability, Bankruptcy, Driver’s License Restoration, Criminal Law, Student Loan Repayment consulting, and Estate Planning. For over 30 years, the Mortimer Law Firm has served their clients with zeal and fought effectively for their justice. The Mortimer Law Firm has 2 offices in Alpena and Petoskey, MI. Our consultations are always free.

Active in the practice of Admiralty and Maritime Law throughout the Great Lakes and Great Rivers Region of the United States, including marine related criminal offenses. Representing marine insurance interests, recreational boaters, ferry operators, marine surveyors, salvors, marine construction, charter boat operators, ferry operations, and marinas. Affiliated with: GREAT LAKES DISPUTE RESOLUTION, LLC www.GLDR.us , a mediation and arbitration service dedicated to marine and maritime interests.

Over 35 years of trial experience. Former prosecutor and public defender of criminal cases. Handle divorce, custody, child support, and paternity cases in the area of family law. Also, adoption, guardianship and conservatorship cases. Represent parents and/or children in juvenile court cases. Estates and estate planning.

Zach Backlund works in our Gaylord, Michigan branch office and has handled numerous family law, estate plan, and real estate cases over the past several years in many counties in northern Michigan. He previously practiced law in the Traverse City, Michigan area, working on a variety of cases involving both transactional and litigated matters. Before becoming an attorney, Zach Backlund worked as a landman (2014-2016), taught English as a second language (2006), and also served as an AmeriCorps Corps Member (2005-2007).

Sterling Law practices in the areas of Family Law, Immigration, Estate Planning, Probate, Civil Litigation, Real Estate, and Business...

Raised in Michigan and Florida, Attorney Powers maintains her private practice of law in Petoskey, Michigan, a resort community nestled along Lake Michigan's Little Traverse Bay. However, she handles matters throughout the State of Michigan and often works with out-of-state counsel. Attorney Powers practices in the areas of real property law, appellate law, business law, estate planning and probate and trust administration, and municipal law. Ms. Powers served as City Attorney for the City of Petoskey for several years and also wrote, implemented, and coordinated the Paralegal Program for North Central Michigan College, an associate degree program,...

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.

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...

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...

Indiana University undergraduate, JD cum laude from St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO. Indiana Deputy Attorney General for two years. The Dow Chemical Company for 25 years, serving as Assistant General Counsel for Financial Law, Assistant General Counsel for Litigation, and Deputy Director Global Ethics and Compliance. Joined the Petoskey firm of Stroup Erhart, PC, almost 20 years ago, now known as Nelson Forster & Stikovich, PC. Current practice area focuses on estate planning and administration. Martindale Hubbell Peer Rated A-V Preeminent. See: www.accesslaw.net

Over the past 29 years, Ray Gregory has represented thousands of clients in family, employment, business, contract, criminal, and probate litigation in state and federal courts.

Groat Law is a boutique family law experience serving clients throughout Northern Michigan and beyond. With a nearly 20-year proven winning track record, let Travis be your warrior and fight for you and your family.

Jennifer Duitsman Coy graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, and received her law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She has been practicing law since early 2011. Her practice areas include estate planning, probate, real estate, and family law. Jennifer is also a trained mediator and volunteers with the 46th Circuit’s Legal Aid Divorce Clinic.