Willis Law, Attorneys & Counselors
Kalamazoo & Grand Rapids Probate Attorneys
Dedicated lawyers serving Western Michigan
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Michael J. Willis
Co-founder and managing partner of Kalamazoo law firm Willis Law, 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 Willis & Willis, PLC, Michael worked for Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP and Kerr, Russell, Weber, PLC.
Awards and Honors
- Michael is rated as an AV® Preeminent™ 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, Willis Law, 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.
Willis Law, Attorneys & Counselors, dedicates its practice to God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the founders' fallen brother, Cpl. Christopher Kelly Willis.
Practice Areas
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.
Shaun Patrick Willis, Partner and Co-founder
Shaun founded this law firm with his brother, Michael Willis. Shaun leads the firm's litigation practice and handles matters in estate and probate litigation.
Practice Areas
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Education
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan, J.D.
- Western Michigan University, B.S.
Honors and Awards
- Selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of Michigan's Up and Coming Lawyers (2007)
- Award presented to only six of 40,000 attorneys in Michigan
- Selected by Michigan Super Lawyers to its Rising Star List (2008 and 2009)
Corporate boards and Committees
- Lake Doster Development Company
- Jack Kelly Farms
- Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo
- Chamber of Public Affairs
- Young Lawyers Society, Chairman
Non-Profit Boards
- Kalamazoo Christian Schools Association
- Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis Foundation, Co-President
- Ducks Unlimited of Greater Kalamazoo
- Habitat for Humanity
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kalamazoo
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Kalamazoo County Bar Association
- Young Lawyers Society, Chairman
- Board of Directors
- Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis Foundation, President
- Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo
- American Bar Association
- Western Michigan University Alumni Association
- Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce
- Southwest Michigan Gun Club
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
- Southwest Michigan Professionals Network
- Home Builders Association
- Greater Kalamazoo's Government Affairs Forms Committee
- Chamber of Commerce Environmental Committee
- Chamber of Public Affairs, Board of Directors
- American Red Cross Disaster Action Team
Past Employment
- Kalamazoo County's Office, Prosecuting Attorney (intern)
- Howard & Howard Attorneys, P.C.
- The Law Office of Shaun Patrick Willis, Solo Practitioner
Read the full biography of Shaun Patrick Willis.
Email Shaun Patrick Willis.
Jeshua T. Lauka, Associate
Jeshua assists both the probate litigation and the estate planning practices of Willis & Willis, PLC.
Practice Areas
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Education
- Regent University School of Law, J.D.
- Academic Merit Award and Dean's Scholarship
- Michigan State University, B.A. cum laude
- Dean's List—six semesters
Professional Associations and Memberships
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of Michigan
- Kalamazoo Bar Association
- Van Buren Bar Association
- Christian Legal Society
Community Activity
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Muscular Dystrophy Association
- Saginaw City Rescue Mission
- American Red Cross
Past Employment
- State of Michigan Attorney General's Office, law clerk, Healthcare Fraud and Child Support Divisions
- State of Michigan Senate law clerk, Majority Policy Office
Read the full biography of Jeshua T. Lauka.
Benjamin Herbert, Associate
Benjamin assists both the probate litigation and the estate planning practices of Willis & Willis, PLC.
Practice Areas
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Education
- Michigan State University College of Law, J.D.
- Michigan State University, B.A., cum laude
Professional Associations and Memberships
- State Bar of Michigan
Read the full biography of Benjamin Herbert.
Robert J. Sayfie, Of Counsel
Robert leads the Intellectual Property Law Group at Willis & Willis, PLC.
Practice Areas
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Bar Admissions
- Michigan
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- Registered to practice before U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Education
Read the full biography of Robert J. Sayfie.
Jason Ronning, Of Counsel
Jason joined Willis & Willis, PLC in 2009.
Practice Areas
- Litigation
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
- U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan
Education
- University of Miami School of Law, Florida, J.D.
Past Employment
- Cass County Chief Assistant Prosecutor
Read the full biography of Jason Ronning.
Contact our probate attorneys in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo
To get legal advice on estate planning and administration from an Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids probate attorneys in West Michigan, please contact Willis Law, Attorneys & Counselors, toll free at 866-473-5636 or submit our online email form.
The firm dedicates its practice to God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the founders' fallen brother, Cpl. Christopher Kelly Willis.
