In the News
Pam Goheen is Recipient of Willis Award
Willis Law presented the Willis Award to Pam Goheen at the firm's Christmas party at the Beacon Club. This award was given to her for her exemplary service, extraordinary team leadership, improved process implementation, and her contribution to the firm's success. Effective January 1, 2012, her title will be Operations Director. Pam will be in charge of firm-wide office management and administrative affairs. Pam has been with the firm for seven years which has quadrupled in size since Pam was hired and thanks to her leadership. Willis Law is a full-service business law firm headquartered in downtown Kalamazoo with offices in Grand Rapids, South Haven and Paw Paw.
Izenbaard Promotion
Amanda Izenbaard of Willis Law was recently promoted to Client Services Manager. Her enhanced role will further allow her to provide excellent service to the clients of Willis Law. Willis Law is a full-service business law firm headquartered in downtown Kalamazoo with offices in Grand Rapids, South Haven and Paw Paw.
New Partner at Willis Law
Willis Law is pleased to announce that Jeshua T. Lauka, J.D., has been promoted to Partner. Jeshua earned his Juris Doctorate from Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, VA. He graduated cum laude from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Humanities, Pre-Law with Cognates in Economics and Spanish. He practices in civil litigation with an emphasis on bank foreclosure litigation and manufacturing-related litigation. Willis Law is a full-service business law firm headquartered in downtown Kalamazoo with offices in Grand Rapids, South Haven and Paw Paw.
Barry County Home Builders Association Presentation
Jeshua T. Lauka, J.D., of Willis Law, recently presented an overview of the Construction Lien Act to the Barry County Home Builders Association. The overview included a summary of the Act, latest legislation, and highlighted common issues pertinent to residential home builders in the construction lien filing and foreclosure process. Willis Law is a full-service business law firm headquartered in downtown Kalamazoo with offices in Grand Rapids, South Haven and Paw Paw.
New Partner at Willis Law
Willis Law is pleased to announce that Benjamin J. Herbert, J.D., has been promoted to Partner. Ben earned his Juris Doctorate from Michigan State University College of Law in East Lansing, Michigan. He graduated cum laude from Michigan State with a B.A. in Economics. Prior to joining Willis Law, Ben practiced law and managed his own law practice in Richland, MI. He practices in Medicaid Planning, Estate Planning, Probate and Real Estate. Willis Law is a full-service business law firm headquartered in downtown Kalamazoo with offices in Grand Rapids, South Haven and Paw Paw.
Michigan Bar Journal; October, 2011 - The Power of Pro Bono - By Heidi Naasko
Shaun Willis is co-founder and partner at Willis Law, a busy firm that handles litigation, business representation, estate planning and administration, real estate, and construction matters. So how do Willis and the other attorneys at his firm find time to fit in pro bono work?
"You have to make the time," he says. Willis knew his fi rm could do more than simply volunteer at the bar association's "Ask a Lawyer" Program. (to view full story click here).
Landlords vs. Tenants, Find a Happy Medium
Some people in the Kalamazoo area have experienced tenant or landlord problems but what exactly are the rights both tenant and landlord hold?
In concerning maintenance of the building, the landlords hold responsibilities to provide the tenants with a clean place to live.
“A landlord has statutory duties set forth in MCL 554.139(1)(a) to keep premises and common areas ‘fit for the use intended by the parties’ and also has a duty set forth in MCL 554.139(1)(b) to ‘keep the premises in reasonable repair,” Jeshua Lauka, attorney at Willis Law, said. “If a landlord fails to keep the premises in reasonable repair this constitutes a breach of the lease agreement” (to view full story click here).
The State Bar of Michigan recently recognized Willis Law for its stellar level of participation in pro bono work and services rendered, listing the firm in its 2010 Pro Bono Circle of Excellence. The Willis Law Pro Bono Clinic is held monthly at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission providing free legal services to those who cannot otherwise afford legal services. Willis Law is a nine lawyer, full-service business law firm headquartered in downtown Kalamazoo with offices in Grand Rapids, South Haven and Paw Paw.
Willis Law recently moved its Grand Rapids office to the Brass Works Building. The firm's Grand Rapids office specializes in Corporate Law, Litigation, Estate Planning and Administration, Medicaid planning, and Real Estate. Willis Law is a full-service business law firm headquartered in downtown Kalamazoo with offices in Grand Rapids, South Haven and Paw Paw.
Attorney Steven J.L. Larsen has joined Willis Law and will be located in South Haven. Steve has over 30 years of legal and business experience in corporate law, contract drafting and negotiations, real estate development, new business development, management and strategic planning. He is a versatile, creative attorney and businessman with a unique combination of legal, financial and business planning experience. He received his J.D. from Cooley Law School. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan. He is also a licensed pilot. Willis Law is a nine lawyer, full-service business law firm headquartered in downtown Kalamazoo with offices in Grand Rapids, South Haven and Paw Paw.
Christopher M. Brown Announcement
The Willis Law Firm is pleased to announce the addition of Christopher M. Brown, a recognized West Michigan estate planning and asset protection planning attorney. Mr. Brown, who also assists clients with the administration of trusts and estates, business succession planning, and Medicaid planning, will further the firms expansion into the Grand Rapids area.
Mr. Brown is the chair of the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the Grand Rapids Bar Association and the former chair of the Western Michigan Estate Planning Council. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and the United States Tax Court and is one of only a few attorneys in Michigan with the esteemed Accredited Estate Planner designation from the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils.
He obtained his Juris Doctorate from Michigan State University College of Law in 1999, graduating summa cum laude with a concentration in taxation, and expects to graduate with a Masters of Taxation degree from Grand Valley State University in December 2010. Willis Law is a full-service business law firm headquartered in downtown Kalamazoo with offices in Grand Rapids and Paw Paw.
Willis Law selected as one of this year's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in West Michigan
Willis Law was selected as one of this year's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in West Michigan as announced by the Michigan Business and Professional Association. Only companies with the highest quality human resources initiatives can be named. Winners were selected for innovative strategies and best practices in human resources. In its announcement, the Association noted that "the honorees have clearly demonstrated why each of them would be an ideal place for employees to work." The firm is proud of its greatest resource – their employees. Willis Law is a full service business law firm headquartered in downtown Kalamazoo also with offices in Grand Rapids and Paw Paw.
Michael Willis Receives Highest Rating (AV® PreeminentTM) from Martindale Hubbell
Willis Law is proud to announce that its managing partner, Michael J. Willis, J.D., C.P.A., has received Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating, AV® PreeminentTM. For over a century, attorneys have relied on Martindale-Hubbell's Law Directory for authoritative information on the worldwide legal profession. Martindale-Hubbell provides that the ratings play an integral role as both a service to the community and to all buyers of or referrals for legal services. An AV rating is assigned to attorneys that have reached the height of professional excellence. The following are some of the comments provided by some of the peer reviewers..."I would recommend Michael to anyone who needs an excellent lawyer in the area of trusts and estates"; "He is the gold standard of lawyers"; "Michael is one of the premier business attorneys in Kalamazoo County"; "His work is impeccable and his service unmatched"; "He is a conscientious, dedicated, and thoughtful practitioner"; and "Michael is one of the most premier attorneys I have worked with in 37 years".
Willis Law is a full service business law firm headquartered in downtown Kalamazoo with offices in Grand Rapids and Paw Paw.
Michigan Lawyer’s Weekly Recognizes Willis Law with 21st Century Innovator Award
On September 10, 2009, Willis Law was honored at an awards ceremony hosted by Michigan Lawyers Weekly celebrating law firms that demonstrate innovative thinking in the 21st Century. The firm was one of only 21 lawyers and law firms in the state whose innovative problem-solving strategies were recognized. More than 200 people attended the 21st Century Innovator Award ceremony held at the Detroit Marriott in Troy. Willis Law was specifically praised for its value-driven employee compensation plan which ties an employee's pay, in part, to performance on firm values. The firm values intend that all clients receive the highest possible level of service. Willis Law is a full service business law firm headquartered in downtown Kalamazoo.
Michael J. Willis appointed to Holy Cross College Board of Trustees
On September 28, 2009, Holy Cross College announced the appointment of Michael J. Willis, J.D., C.P.A., of Kalamazoo, MI to their Board of Trustees. Mr. Willis, the managing partner and co-founder of Willis Law, will bring expertise in corporate law, real estate and tax law, and business development to the Holy Cross Board.
"As Holy Cross College prepares for another wave of growth, having a talented, experienced and knowledgeable professional like Mr. Willis on our board is indispensible. He has developed a strong reputation of compassionate, moral leadership in his Southwestern Michigan law practice, and we will draw heavily on his wise counsel as we plan and make decisions going forward" said Br. Richard Gilman, CSC, PhD, President of the college.
With locations in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Paw Paw, Michigan, Willis Law serves clients both regionally and throughout the country. The practice is well-known for outstanding service to clients and the community. The firm's pro bono work includes providing free legal service once a month to the public at the Kalamazoo Public Library and the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission as well as operating the Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis Foundation, a scholarship fund that benefits American children who have lost their parent (or whose parent has been permanently disabled) in combat.
In 2007, Mr. Willis was selected by Michigan Lawyer's 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 and is listed in Marquis "Who's Who in American Law". He was also selected by the Florida Bar as the President's recipient of the Pro Bono Service Award for 2009 for the Out of State (49 states) Judicial Circuit.
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. Mr. Willis's wife Susan and their children, Isabella, Christian and Mary, are the lights of his life. They live in Kalamazoo.
Willis Law is a full service business law firm headquartered in downtown Kalamazoo.
Shaun Willis recognized as "Rising Star" by Michigan Super Lawyers
Shaun Willis was recognized as a 2009 "Rising Star" by Michigan Super Lawyers & Rising Stars listing. Only 2.5 percent of all lawyers in Michigan are listed as Rising Stars in Super Lawyers. For more information, go to http://www.superlawyers.com/.
Attorney Michael J. Willis selected by the Florida Supreme Court and Florida Bar Association as the Out-of-State Judicial Circuit Recipient of the Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award
Attorney Michael J. Willis, managing partner of Willis Law in Kalamazoo, has been selected as the recipient of The Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award for the Out-of-State Judicial Circuit. Each year, the Florida Supreme Court and Florida Bar Association give special recognition to lawyers, groups and a member of the judiciary who have freely given their time and expertise in making legal services available to the poor. The awards include the Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award. Michael was selected for the “out of state” circuit where any member of the Florida Bar in 49 states is eligible for nomination and selection.
The award is named for the late Miami civil rights lawyer Tobias Simon and is presented annually by the Chief Justice to the attorneys who best exemplify the highest ideals of the profession in assuring the availability of legal services to the poor. Michael will be honored for his time, professional expertise and contributions in making legal representation available to those otherwise unable to afford the same at the Florida Supreme Court in Tallahassee on January 29, 2009.
Michael Willis and Shaun Willis recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers.
Michael Willis and Shaun Willis were recently recognized as Rising Stars by the 2008 Michigan Super Lawyers & Rising Stars listing, as follows: Michael Willis for the Business/Corporate practice; and Shaun Willis for the Construction Litigation practice. Only 2.5 percent of all lawyers in Michigan are listed as Rising Stars in Super Lawyers. For more information, go to http://www.superlawyers.com/.
Michael and Shaun Willis recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as Up & Coming Lawyers 2007
Michael Willis and Shaun Willis were recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly in its November 19, 2007 edition as Up & Coming Lawyers for 2007, an honor given to only 6 of 40,000 attorneys in the State of Michigan. >> Article (PDF); >> Press Release (PDF)
Willis Law Pro Bono Clinic featured by Kalamazoo Gazette
Kalamazoo Gazette article regarding Willis Law Pro Bono Clinic: The Kalamazoo Gazette featured the firm and its pro bono work in its May 3, 2008 edition. >> Article
Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity Appoints Shaun Willis as President of its Board
Attorney Shaun Willis, Co-Founder and Partner of Willis Law was appointed President of the Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity (KVHH) Board of Directors on March 21, 2008. Shaun has been involved with KVHH since 2005 and served as the KVHH Board’s First Vice President since 2007. Don Jones, Director of KVHH said that “the organization is thrilled that Shaun is taking a higher level of leadership and involvement. He is absolutely the right person for the job and he will help us do great things. He has a big heart, a lot of focus and is exactly what the organization needs in this very important 25th year of operation.” >> Press Release
The Jack Kelly Trust, through its co-trustees Michael and Shaun Willis, announces sale of nearly 600 acres of real estate
Co-Trustees of the John Hoffman Kelly Trust, Michael Willis and Shaun Willis, announced the auction of 600 acres of land owned directly or indirectly by the John Hoffman Kelly Trust. The auction was held by Schrader Real Estate & Auction Co., Inc. on August 25, 2007. This was a massive undertaking with a very positive result. Of the 63 tracts presented at the auction, 59 tracts were sold. Articles regarding the auction can be found at the following link: >> PDF of related articles
Willis Law Goin' Green Project 2010
At the urging of Mrs. Susan Willis, wife of managing partner, Michael J. Willis, they reviewed several EPA-sponsored programs for potential participation to reduce its carbon footprint. The firm was looking to participate in programs that were doable, cost effective or cost reducing, would take little or no extra time or effort on the part of employees, and would allow it to measure results. They kicked off the Willis Law Goin' Green 2010 Project this year and will be participating in the following programs:
EPA Energy Star Partner. The firm is one of currently 2,282 companies and organizations across the country taking steps to protect the environment through reducing energy use. Following an energy audit, they have implemented a number of new practices to reduce energy consumption.
EPA's WasteWise Project. This project required the submission of baseline data providing a benchmark from which the firm will measure its success in reducing the amount of paper and other materials that enter the waste stream from its office by increasing its recycling efforts and reducing the amount of paper used.
ABA-EPA's Law Office Climate Challenge. The firm is one of just over 200 climate challenge partners and the challenge, among other things, influenced it to adopt best practices for office paper management by reducing the amount of paper used by requiring 2-sided copies, scanning and filing documents electronically, purchasing more recycled products and re-using waste paper.
Willis Law is a full service business law firm headquartered in downtown Kalamazoo with offices in Grand Rapids and Paw Paw. It is a six-attorney law firm with seven support staff.
