What types of matters does the firm handle?

We assist with:

  • Estate planning and administration
  • Probate and trust administration
  • Elder law, including qualification for long-term care/ Medicaid
  • Family law matters
  • Business planning and transactions
  • Real estate matters
  • Criminal defense, including OWI and driver’s license restoration
  • General litigation, including insurance defense
  • Employer-side labor and employment matters
  • Municipal and public sector representation
  • Nonprofit entities

We do not assist with:

  • Bankruptcy
  • Immigration matters
  • Intellectual property
  • Securities matters

Can you assist remotely?

Yes. Consultations and some services may be handled via phone or video conferencing when appropriate.

What regions do you cover? Where do you take cases?

We cover the entire Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the Wisconsin border. However, most of our clients are concentrated in the central and western U.P., in the counties of Marquette, Dickinson, Delta, Houghton, Baraga, and Keweenaw.

Where is your office?

We have two offices: our main office in Marquette and our satellite office in Hancock. Meetings in the Hancock office are by appointment only.

What’s a conflict check, and why do you need to know the name of the other party before you take my case?

Before representation begins, we complete an internal conflict check. In Michigan, avoiding conflicts of interest is an important ethical duty for attorneys and law firms. This process involves searching our client records to determine whether the firm has a current or past client with an interest in the matter which may pose a conflict of interest or otherwise affect our duty to our clients.

What happens during the initial consultation?

After the firm gathers intake information from the client and completes an internal conflict check, a meeting is scheduled with the attorney. The meeting may be in person, by phone, or by video conference. You can expect the attorney to have prepared for the meeting and have a general understanding of your reason for seeking legal help. The attorney will ask questions to be sure they have a full understanding of your concerns, and then will discuss the legal options available to you. The meeting concludes with a discussion of the next steps to handle your matter, and the fees involved.

Does the firm offer free consultations?

No. Initial consultations are billed because attorneys spend time preparing for the meeting and provide substantive legal advice during the meeting. You will get real, reliable, and useful information—not a sales pitch. If a client chooses not to continue with the firm after the initial consultation, only the meeting time is charged with no further obligation.