Michigan Estate Lawyers, Attorneys & Counselors
Dedicated lawyers serving Western Michigan
Michael J. Willis
Co-founder and managing partner of Kalamazoo law firm Michigan Estate Lawyers, Attorneys & Counselors
Michael Willis founded this Kalamazoo estate planning law firm with his brother, Shaun Patrick Willis. Their father, Hon. Frank D. Willis, is the probate judge for Van Buren County, and Michael proudly carries on the family tradition in estate law by focusing his practice in estate planning, probate and estate and trust administration.
Biography of estate lawyer Michael J. Willis, J.D., C.P.A
Michael is registered as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Illinois, and is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Michigan. Michael received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame. Before forming Michigan Estate Lawyers, Michael worked for Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP and Kerr, Russell, Weber, PLC.
Awards and Honors
- Michael is rated as an AV® PreeminentTM attorney by Martindale-Hubbell's Peer Review Rating. This rating, according to Martindale, which has been rating lawyers for over a century, signifies that a lawyer has reached the heights of professional excellence and is recognized for the highest levels of skills and integrity.
- In 2007 he was selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of Michigan's Up and Coming Lawyers, an award presented to only 6 of 40,000 attorneys in Michigan.
- In 2008, he was selected as a Rising Star by Michigan Super Lawyers.
- Also in 2008, he was first listed in Marquis "Who's Who in American Law".
- In 2009, he was selected by the Florida Bar as the President's recipient of the Pro Bono Service Award for the Out of State (49 states) Judicial Circuit.
- Also in 2009, Michigan Estate Lawyers, Attorneys & Counselors, were honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a 21st Century Innovator for it value-based employee compensation system.
He belongs to the Michigan and Florida Bars; the Estate Planning Committee of the American Association of Attorney-CPAs; the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law and the Taxation Sections of the American Bar Association; the Michigan Bar, the Kalamazoo County Bar Association and the Christian Legal Society.
Michael's wife, Susan, and their children-Isabella, Christian, Mary, and Michael Joseph-are the lights of his life.
Michigan Estate Lawyers, Attorneys & Counselors, dedicates its practice to God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the founders' fallen brother, Cpl. Christopher Kelly Willis.
Practice Areas
- Wills and trusts
- Probate administration
- Trust administration
- Probate litigation and will contests
- Guardianships and conservatorships
- Elder law and Medicaid
- Planning for disabled persons
- Planning for cash awards
Certifications
- Certified Public Accountant
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
- Florida
Education
- The University of Michigan Law School, J.D.
- University of Notre Dame, B.A. magna cum laude
Publications
- "Single-Member LLCs v The Member's Judgment Creditor: How Strong is the Shield?" The Michigan Business Law Journal, Vol. 29, Issue 1, Spring 2009.
- "Estate Tax and Gift Tax Law Changes for 2009 - What You Need to Know," Builder/Architect, Vol. 19, No. 3, May/June 2009
Presentations
- Wills, Trusts and Probate - Douglas Community Center (2009)
- Your Personal Financial Future: Finding the Keys to Success - MSU Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies (2007)
- Estate Planning and Business Succession Planning and Tax Control - Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo (2006)
- Estate Planning and Tax Control - Kalamazoo (2005)
- Life Insurance Trusts and Use of Medicaid Annuities - Kalamazoo (2004)
- Living Trusts and Estate Tax Issues to Van Buren County Retired School Personnel - Lawton (2004), Lawton (2008)
- Estate Planning Seminar for Senior Services, Inc. - Kalamazoo (2004)
- Probate Avoidance and Estate Tax Minimization to Parchment Rotary - Parchment (2003)
- Long Term Care Costs (in conjunction with GE Insurance) - Portage (2003)
- International Estate Tax Planning - Kerr, Russell & Weber PLC - Detroit (2001
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Florida Bar Association
- Michigan Bar Association
- American Association of Attorney-CPAs, Estate Planning Committee
- American Bar Association
- Real Property Section
- Probate and Trust Law Section
- Taxation Section
- Kalamazoo County Bar Association
- Christian Legal Society
Corporate Boards
- Lake Doster Development Co., Secretary and Treasurer
- Jack H. Kelly Farms, Inc., President
Non-Profit Boards
- Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, Indiana
- Notre Dame Club of Kalamazoo, Committee Chair
- Cpl. Christopher Kelly Willis Foundation, Co-President
- Vineyard Outreach Ministries
- Southwest Michigan Professional Network, Secretary (former)
- Friends of the Portage Senior Center, Vice-President (former)
Past Employment
- Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP
- Kerr, Russell, Weber, PLC
Contact a Michigan lawyer who helps guide your important life choices
Michael J. Willis takes on the needs of his clients personally, with a dedication modeled on his Christian values.
Read the full biography of Michael J. Willis
Christopher M. Brown, J.D./M.S.T. - Partner
Christopher M. Brown is a Partner with Willis Law, and is the Managing Partner of the firm's Grand Rapids office, which is located at 648 Monroe Avenue NW, Suite 106 in the Brass Works Building. He obtained his J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law in 1999, summa cum laude, and holds a Masters of Taxation degree from Grand Valley State University.
Chris has over ten years of experience in the areas of estate planning and asset protection planning for health care professionals, business owners and executives. Chris is one of only a few attorneys in the State with a focus in asset protection planning, and in recognition of his skills in this area he was appointed to the ABA's Asset Protection Committee. In addition, Chris is one of only a few attorneys in the State who holds the Accredited Estate Planner designation and he is the youngest attorney ever elected to serve as the chair of the Western Michigan Estate Planning Council and chair of the Grand Rapids Bar Association's Probate and Estate Planning Section.
Chris is extremely active in the Grand Rapids community and serves on many local non-profit boards. In recognition of his community service and professional accomplishments, Chris was named Michigan State University's Distinguished Young Alumni in 2008.
Areas of Practice:
- Estate Planning
- Asset Protection Planning
- Trust and Estate Administration
- Business Succession Planning
- Medicaid Planning
Representative Clients:
- Business Owners
- Health Care Professionals
- Executives/Professionals
Professional Associations and Awards:
- Grand Rapids Bar Association
- National Assn' of Estate Planners/Councils
- Western Michigan Estate Planning Council
- Thresholds (area non-profit)
- Saint Mary's Doran Foundation
- Saint Mary's Planned Giving Advisory Counsel
- Center for Community Leadership
- ABA Asset Protection Committee
- Western Michigan Planned Giving Group
- Catholic Lawyers Association
- Economic Club of Grand Rapids
- MSU Distinguished Alumni Award
Bar Admissions:
- State Bar of Michigan
- U.S. Tax Court
- U.S. Supreme Court
Chris and his wife, Jodi, have three children. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching MSU sports and is also a devoted fan of the Detroit Lions and Tigers.
Willis Law dedicates its practice to God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the founders' fallen brother, Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis.
Read the full biography of Christopher M. Brown
Benjamin J. Herbert, J.D., Associate
Benjamin Herbert is an Associate with Willis Law, is licensed to practice law in Michigan and is a member of the State Bar of Michigan. Benjamin earned his Juris Doctorate from Michigan State University College of Law (formerly Detroit College of Law) in East Lansing, Michigan. He graduated cum laude from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Economics. Prior to his current position at Willis Law, Benjamin practiced law and managed his own office in Richland, Michigan.
Licenses & Certificates
- Licensed to Practice law in Michigan
- Licensed to Appear before the United States District Court - Western District of Michigan
- Graduate of the Institute of Continuing Legal Education Probate & Estate Planning Certificate Program
Areas of Practice:
- Corporate Law
- Estate Planning
- Estate administration
- Trust Administration
- Elder Law
- Medicaid Planning
- Real Estate Law
- Water Law
Representative Clients:
- Entrepreneurial, Wealth Generating Clients
- Professional Service Organizations
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Young Professionals
- Retirees and Senior Citizens
Boards and Chapters:
- Board Member of Alternatives Pregnancy Care Center
- A member of the Kalamazoo Chapter of Ducks Unlimited
- Board of Directors for the Christian Legal Aid of Southwest Michigan
Seminars:
- Estate Planning for Married Couples
- Estate Planning for Single People
- Estate Planning for Widows and Widowers
- Estate Planning for the Young Professional and Young Family
- Medicaid Planning and Asset Protection
When out of the office Benjamin enjoys spending time with his wife Jennifer and children. Serving the Lord, fishing, camping and outdoor activities are his passions.
Willis Law dedicates its practice to God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the founders’ fallen brother, Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis.
You can reach Benjamin Herbert at 269-492-1040 or by email at
bherbert@willislawyers.com
Please visit our website at www.willislawyers.com
Read the full biography of Benjamin Herbert
For more information about our attorneys, please follow the link below:
- Michael J. Willis
- Christopher M. Brown
- Benjamin Herbert
- Shaun Patrick Willis
- Jeshua T. Lauka
- Steven J.L. Larsen
- Jason Ronning
- Liisa Speaker
- Robert Sayfie
For a free consultation, please call our Grand Rapids, Michigan, lawyers toll free at 866-473-5636 or contact us by e-mail to submit a question about your case.
Grand Rapids Office
Kalamazoo Office
Paw Paw Office
