Co-Founder and Managing Partner
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
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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.
For a free consultation, please call our Kalamazoo and 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
