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Stout, Grand Rapids
Brian Bakker is director in the firm’s valuation advisory group. Mr. Bakker has provided valuation and dispute advisory services for numerous purposes including marital dissolutions, commercial litigation, estate and gift taxation, purchase and sale advisement, C Corporation to S Corporation conversions, employee stock ownership plans, shareholder disputes, and other shareholder planning and litigation-related matters. In addition to providing stand-alone business...
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Bershad Valuation Consulting LLC, West Bloomfield
Benjamin I.S. Bershad is a founding member and managing director of the firm. He has provided valuation, dispute advisory, and forensic accounting services for a variety of purposes, including marital dissolutions, shareholder disputes, estate and gift taxation, and other corporate and litigation-related matters. Mr. Bershad has experience in a wide range of industries. He was a contributing editor of "Business...
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Blume Law Group PLLC, Sterling Heights
Sean A. Blume has been in private practice since founding the firm in 2007. Mr. Blume’s practice focuses on complex family law litigation, including juvenile, probate, and adoption matters. His practice has grown to encompass Wayne, Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair counties.He began his legal career managing grant programs designed to assist young people age out of foster care successfully....
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Bodmer Price, Bloomfield Hills
Jason E. Bodmer is a manager in the firm's Dispute Advisory & Forensic Services Group. He has provided valuation, dispute advisory, and forensic accounting services for numerous purposes including marital dissolutions, shareholder disputes, estate and gift taxation, financial reporting, and other corporate and litigation-related matters. His experience encompasses a wide range of industries and he has provided valuation and consulting...
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Mika Meyers PLC, Grand Rapids
Elizabeth K. Bransdorfer practices in the areas of family law, collaborative practice, and appeals. She is a past chair of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and currently cochairs its Mid-Summer Conference and Dedicated Family Court Committee. Ms. Bransdorfer formerly served as a board member of the Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan and is a past...
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The QDRO Company, Chelsea
The owner and president of the company, Ms. Burkel has been reviewing and drafting QDROs since 2006 and has consulted many lawyers and clients regarding the division options of many different retirement plans. She specializes in various privately held ERISA plans as well as state, municipal, and federal plans. Ms. Burkel has been a presenter for the Washtenaw County Bar...
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Catchick Law PC, Bloomfield Hills
J. Matthew (Matt) Catchick, Jr., is the founder and president of the firm. He has concentrated in divorce and family law for over 27 years and has been named a Super Lawyer every year since 2017. Mr. Catchick is an active member of the Family Law Committees for Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne Counties. He is a lifetime member of the...
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James Chryssikos Law Firm PLLC, Bloomfield Hills
James W. Chryssikos is a solo practitioner, concentrating his practice in the area of family law. Mr. Chryssikos served on the Family Law Council for the State Bar of Michigan from 2015-2024, previously serving as cochair of the Legislative Committee and chair of the Collaborative Divorce Committee. He is a past president and current board member of the Collaborative Practice...
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Tabono Law, Muskegon
Shon A. Cook serves as both CEO and senior attorney with the firm. Ms. Cook has been practicing family law for over 30 years in the areas of divorce, custody, premarital and antenuptial agreements, abuse/neglect, guardianships, and probate and trust litigation. She has served on the Representative Assembly, the Family Law Council, as chair of the Muskegon Bar Association,...
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3rd Circuit Court, Detroit
Hon. Melissa A. Cox was elected to the 3rd Circuit Court in November 2016 and is presiding judge of the Family Division. Judge Cox graduated from the University of Michigan and received her JD from Ave Maria School of Law. She began her legal career as a law clerk for the law firm Fausone Bohn, LLP, in Northville. Judge Cox...
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56th Circuit Court, Charlotte
Hon. Janice K. Cunningham was elected to the court in 2013 after more than 25 years in private practice, where she specialized in family law. She is the current chief judge of the Eaton County Courts system. Judge Cunningham hears civil, criminal, and family law cases. In addition to her normal caseload, Judge Cunningham also presides over the Adult Circuit...
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10th Circuit Court, Saginaw
Hon. Brittany A. Dicken is the Presiding Judge of the Family Division of the Court, where she has served since January 1, 2023. Judge Dicken brings over 12 years of dedicated experience in family law to her role. Prior to her election, Judge Dicken held multiple roles within the Saginaw County Friend of the Court Office from 2014-2021, including...
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20th Circuit Court, Grand Haven
Hon. Kent D. Engle was elected to the bench in November 2010 and began serving as judge on January 1, 2011. Judge Engle is responsible for a diverse Family Division docket, including domestic relations, juvenile, and child welfare cases. He began his career in Ottawa County as an assistant prosecuting attorney in 1988, handling cases ranging from traffic citations to...
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Adamy Valuation, Lansing
Michelle F. Gallagher is a nationally recognized business valuation, forensic accounting, and tax expert. In addition to serving clients with valuation and forensic accounting needs for tax and other matters, Ms. Gallagher leads the firm's family law practice. Her extensive experience includes serving as a trusted consultant, expert witness, mediator, and court-appointed expert. Ms. Gallagher has testified on behalf of...
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Union Home Mortgage, Berkley
Carri Goldring is a Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CLDP) who focuses her practice on helping divorcing homeowners make a more informed decision regarding their home equity solutions and the divorce team identify any potential conflicts between the divorce settlement, the mortgage, and the real property. Ms. Goldring is certified in divorce lending and specializes in working with family law attorneys,...
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17th Circuit Court, Grand Rapids
Judge Maureen A. Gottlieb has spent her entire career in family law. The bulk of her career was spent with Legal Aid of Western Michigan (Muskegon, Grand Rapids and Berrien County). Judge Kathleen A. Feeney selected Judge Gottlieb as her Referee in 2017. In 2020, she ran for election and has been on the bench in the Family Division since...
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Merrill E. Graham PhD LMSW RPT, Grand Rapids
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Harrington Law PLC, Novi
James J. Harrington III, the managing member of Harrington Law PLC, concentrates his practice solely upon complex family law cases, with a significant portion of his practice involving family law mediation and divorce arbitration. He also consults with other family law lawyers in complex matters, and is frequently added to family law litigation teams as co-counsel. He has been a...
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Kelly & Kelly PC, Northville
Ryan M. Kelly is a partner at the firm who focuses her practice on family law, including divorce, child custody, support issues, and postjudgment modifications. Her niche includes high-conflict family law matters for professionals, including those involving substance abuse, mental health issues, and special needs children. Ms. Kelly is active in several organizations and is a past president of the...
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6th Circuit Court, Pontiac
Hon. Maureen H. Kinsella was appointed to the Circuit Court on April 27, 2022, by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Prior to her appointment to the Oakland County bench, Judge Kinsella spent nearly 20 years at Miller & Tischler, PC in Farmington Hills in litigation practice and served as the firm’s vice president and a member of the firm’s Management Committee. As...
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20th Circuit Court, Grand Haven
Hon. Paul F. Kraus became Ottawa County's fifth Circuit Court Judge on January 1, 2023. Judge Kraus serves in the Family Division of the Circuit Court and his docket includes adoptions, child neglect/abuse cases, juvenile delinquency, divorce, and other domestic matters. Prior to becoming judge, he worked for the Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office, serving as a senior assistant prosecuting attorney...
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17th Circuit Court, Grand Rapids
Peter Kulas-Dominguez is an attorney-referee for the 17th Circuit Court Family Division. Before accepting this position, Mr. Kulas-Dominguez practiced family law litigation with an emphasis on divorce and nonmarital domestic relationships. He counseled individuals through LGBTQ family issues, domestic relations mediation and collaborative law, spousal support, child custody and support, complex business valuations, and pre- and postnuptial agreements. In addition,...
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Oakland County Friend of the Court, Pontiac
Michelle M. Letourneau-McAvoy is a domestic relations referee. While in private practice, Ms. Letourneau-McAvoy became a certified domestic relations mediator and completed the ICLE Family Law Certificate Program. She is a former member of the State Bar of Michigan Family Law Council, the cochair of the Family Court Forum, and participates in several Family Law Council committees. She is a...
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7th Circuit Court, Flint
Hon. Anthony J. McDowell is a circuit court judge for Genesee County. Before that he was director of the of the Genesee County Friend of the Court, serving as the administrator responsible for all Friend of the Court operations with a focus on improving access and education related to custody, parenting time, support, paternity, and other family law matters. Prior...
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17th Circuit Court, Grand Rapids
Hon. Deborah L. McNabb was elected in November 2016 and assigned to serve in the Family Division. She previously served as a referee for the court beginning in 1991, presiding over both domestic relations and juvenile matters. Judge McNabb serves as a faculty member and an advisory board member for "A Family Law Model for Europe" project, Waterford Institute of...
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14th Circuit Court, Muskegon
Hon. Jenny McNeill was elected as a Muskegon County Circuit Judge in 2022. Judge McNeill previously served as a Friend of the Court referee for the Muskegon County Family Court. She practiced law for more than 21 years, specializing in family law cases, before she became a referee in January, 2018. She is currently the Presiding Family Court Judge...
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Keller Williams, Birmingham
Amy Osterbeck is a Certified Divorce Real Estate Expert (CDRE) and experienced realtor with over two decades of success in Michigan’s real estate market. Trained in both complex case management and collaborative practice, Ms. Osterbeck offers court-savvy, neutral representation to protect equity and guide the sale of marital property in all types of divorce situations—from amicable settlements to high-conflict disputes....
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McShane & Bowie PLC, Grand Rapids
Kyle J. Quinn focuses his practice in the area of family law. Mr. Quinn is a trained and certified family law mediator and trained domestic collaborative practice lawyer. He is active in the State Bar of Michigan and the Grand Rapids Bar Association (GRBA). Within the GRBA, Mr. Quinn has held a variety of positions with the Family Law Section...
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Michigan Court of Appeals, Lansing
Hon. Michelle M. Rick was appointed to the court, which encompasses Clinton and Gratiot counties, in 2007. As chief judge pro tem, she hears family, criminal, and civil cases. Prior to taking the bench, and following a brief time in private practice, Judge Rick worked as a public employee, first as an assistant prosecutor in Livingston County, followed by service...
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Rubin Frampton, Birmingham
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The Sarnacki Law Firm PLC, Grand Rapids
David C. Sarnacki helps people through separation and divorce as either their advocate or mediator. A frequent commentator on trial advocacy, family law, and mediation, Mr. Sarnacki has served on the faculties of the Litigation Counsel of America, National Institute of Trial Advocacy/Hofstra University School of Law, U.S. Attorney General's Advocacy Institute, and Davenport University. He is a past chair...
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6th Circuit Court, Pontiac
Hon. Lorie N. Savin was elected to the bench in November 2020 and was assigned to serve in the 6th Judicial Circuit Court’s Family Division. Prior to her current position, Judge Savin served the court as a referee with the Oakland County Friend of the Court for almost 18 years. Having focused her career on domestic relations and juvenile court...
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Kent County Friend of the Court, Grand Rapids
Traci Schenkel started her legal career representing parents in domestic relations cases in several counties across Western Michigan. She left private practice in 2014 to join the Kent County Friend of the Court, where she serves as the Friend of the Court. Ms. Schenkel serves on several committees including the Michigan parenting time guideline advisory committee, Kent County ADR Oversight...
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Schluter & Hughes Law Firm PLLC, Bloomfield Hills
Dawn M. Schluter is an attorney and counselor-at-law at the firm with over 30 years of experience specializing in estate planning, wealth transfer, probate litigation, taxation, and family law. She also holds an LLM in taxation, making her a go-to expert for complex legal and financial matters. A frequent speaker for professional and community groups, Ms. Schluter has also served...
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Thacker Sleight, Grand Rapids
Allison E. Sleight, a shareholder at the firm, is particularly interested in leveraging technology to improve client service and case outcomes. While adept at negotiating successful resolutions to complex litigation matters, Ms. Sleight is equally proficient in effective trial advocacy handling all aspects of litigation through and including numerous hearings, trials, and post-judgment issues in the state and federal courts....
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Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, Grand Rapids
Jamie Slotsema concentrates her practice on divorce, paternity, guardianships, adoptions and pre- and post-nuptial agreements. In 2025, Ms. Slotsema was recognized by The Best Lawyers in America in the area of family law. She is a member of both the State Bar of Michigan and the State Bar of Indiana. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Slotsema worked as a...
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3rd Circuit Court, Detroit
Hon. Carla G. Testani has served in the 3rd Circuit Court of Michigan since 2018. Judge Testani joined the Family-Domestic Division after spending two decades building a successful private practice concentrating in domestic litigation, mediation, and collaborative practice.Within the legal community, Judge Testani has provided leadership on the 3rd Circuit’s Strategic Planning Committee, Women Lawyers Association of Michigan-Wayne Executive Board,...
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Thacker Sleight, Grand Rapids
Connie R. Thacker concentrates her practice on complex family law matters, including business valuations, custody, and parenting time cases. Ms. Thacker is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and is certified by AAML as an arbitrator. She is certified as a mediator and in collaborative practice and is a certified divorce financial analyst. Ms. Thacker is...
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Cooley Law School, Lansing
Joan P. Vestrand serves as dean of students and as chair of the law school’s Professional Responsibility department. Dean Vestrand formerly served as associate dean of the law school’s Ann Arbor and Auburn Hills campuses, after serving as an assistant campus dean and as an acting dean of Students and Professionalism. She teaches Personal and Professional Responsibility, Legal Ethics in...
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Matrix Psychological Consulting LLC, Southfield
Richard W. Wooten received his doctorate from Wayne State University and worked as a forensic psychologist with the 3rd Circuit Court for many years before moving into private practice. His clinical setting has focused entirely on testing and assessment issues that involve the courts, and he has consulted on psychological matters around the United States. His professional experience includes the...
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Michigan Supreme Court, Lansing
Hon. Brian K. Zahra was appointed in January 2011 by Governor Rick Snyder to serve on the Michigan Supreme Court, elected to a partial term in 2012, and then elected to a full term in 2014. He also served as a judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals from 1999 through 2010 and as a judge in the Wayne County...
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