PRACTICE
AREAS
BANKING
Our clients in this area include both lenders and borrowers. We regularly write and provide advice regarding promissory notes, mortgages, loan agreements, guaranty agreements and other bank-related documentation. We also handle foreclosure and collection matters.
BANKRUPTCY
We represent creditors in bankruptcy matters.
BUSINESS formation, litigation and transactions
Almost every area of law impacts businesses, including litigation of all types, employment issues, insurance coverage issues, corporation and limited liability formation, collections, buying and selling businesses and more. We represent and advise businesses of all kinds and sizes.
CIVIL LITIGATION
Clients include both plaintiffs and defendants in all types of disputes that may or may not go to court.
COLLECTION
Many businesses or individuals either owe – or are owed - money on loans and other debts. Our firm routinely represents companies and individuals in the collection of debts owed.
CONSTRUCTION
Construction law is a unique type of real estate law. While it also involves the drafting of contracts, it also includes the filing of liens and foreclosure of those liens, construction bond claims or defense of construction claims. In recent years we have handled a number of construction defect claims, representing both plaintiffs and defendants.
CONTRACTS
We review and write contracts of all types, such as residential and commercial real estate purchases and sale documents, employee non-compete and confidentiality agreements, construction-related contracts, promissory notes and mortgages, leases, employment contracts, and more.
CORPORATE
We assist clients in forming corporations, limited liability companies and other entities. We also help with negotiations, purchases and sales of businesses and stock or limited liability company buy-sell agreements.
CRIMINAL
Our firm represents clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges of all types and levels. We handle murder cases, drug cases, batteries, DWIs and misdemeanor charges of all kinds including traffic tickets. We handle nearly 1,000 traffic tickets for our clients each year.
EMINENT DOMAIN,
CONDEMNATION
We advise and represent landowners who have had property damaged or taken for public projects, including utility companies, or by governmental regulations. When a public or utility entity takes land, it is required to fully compensate the landowner for the damages caused by the taking. The amount offered by the entity is often not all that the landowner is entitled to. We help landowners obtain just compensation for their property and sometimes challenge the government’s authority to take their land.
EMPLOYMENT
We regularly advise businesses and individuals on wrongful termination claims, allegations of age, race, sex, and disability discrimination (the “ADA”), the validity of covenants not to compete, contract negotiations and disputes, the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), drafting and reviewing employer policies and procedures, and more.
ESTATE PLANNING,
TRUSTS,
WILLS
This area of practice typically involves planning for the management of assets during one’s lifetime, as well as the management and disposition in the event of death or incapacity. It involves will and trust preparation and review, living wills, advance directives, health care powers of attorney, durable powers of attorney, charitable planning and organizational advice, and more.
FAMILY LAW,
DOMESTIC RELATIONS
Family Law matters often involve divorces (both uncontested and contested), custody disputes, child support and alimony disputes, modifications, large-estate property and debt divisions, guardianships over children by non-parents, grandparents’ rights and visitation, guardianships over incapacitated adults, protective orders, and more. We represent clients in these areas in circuit and juvenile courts as well as appellate courts.
LAND USE, PLANNING,
ZONING
We represent and interact with planning officials, code enforcement officers, planning commissions, boards of adjustment and city councils in zoning, site plan, subdivision, and other developmental approvals and permits as well as conditional use permits and variances.
MALPRACTICE
We handle professional negligence cases of all types, against doctors, dentists, attorneys, and others.
PERSONAL INJURY
People often think of automobile accidents when they hear the phrase “personal injury.” While we handle automobile accident cases, we also handle other types of matters where someone has suffered a physical injury, such as motorcycle accidents, defective vehicle claims, defective product claims, and similar matters. These accidents often cause serious injuries, leaving people with high medical bills, permanent injuries, and lost time from work that may not be covered by insurance. Often the driver at fault may not have insurance, or the insurance companies involved will deny any liability forcing the injured person to go to court. Our firm assists individuals and their family members pursuing claims against the party at fault, and in filing claims with the various insurance companies to ensure our clients are not left with unpaid medical bills, uncompensated permanent injuries, and other expenses related to the accident.
PROBATE
Probate involves the legal process of approving and paying debts and transferring assets when someone dies. We regularly represent beneficiaries and personal representatives in probate proceedings, as well as in trust administration.
REAL ESTATE
Real estate law includes, among other things, prosecuting and defending foreclosure lawsuits, preparing deeds, promissory notes and mortgages, representing homeowners who are purchasing or selling residential homes, preparing and advising on contracts for sale, options to purchase, residential leases, commercial leases, buy/sell agreements, restrictive covenants, easements, owner financed sales contracts, and even handling complex purchases or sales of large commercial developments. We prepare, file, enforce and advise on all matters related to materialmen’s and material suppliers’ liens.
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY
You may be entitled to Social Security Disability Benefits if you recently lost your job or are unable to work full time due to a physical or mental condition. We can help you get the benefits you are entitled to and there is no fee unless we win your case. There are no age limits for disability benefits. If you have been denied Social Security Disability benefits we can help you file an appeal and will work closely with you to develop and strengthen your case, greatly increasing your chances of winning your disability claim. We would be happy to speak with you to answer any questions you may have, including questions about eligibility for Social Security Disability, and consultations are always free.
