Anthony P. "Tony" Gauthier

Chris works intimately with clients and their advisors to create estate plans that enable families to plan for today as well as for future generations. Chris regularly prepares sophisticated estate plans, emphasizing probate avoidance, estate tax planning, and business succession planning. In addition, Chris has an emphasis on helping families with cottage succession planning. Chris's practice also includes a significant focus on post-death planning and estate and trust administration. Chris ...

John works with business and health care clients, mainly helping them manage their relationships with their workers. This may involve developing contracts, bargaining agreements or benefit plans, guiding clients through the regulatory maze that now governs every aspect of the employment relationship, or handling investigations, arbitrations or litigation. He has extensive experience in complex commercial contract litigation and cases involving unfair competition, as well as defending class an...

Robert A. Buchanan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Municipal Law. Robert A., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Elizabeth K. Bransdorfer received her bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts and her law degree cum laude from the Law School, both at the University of Minnesota. Liz specializes in divorce and family law using mediation, and collaborative practice as well as traditional litigation and arbitration. She is admitted to practice in all Michigan state courts, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the United States District Co...

James R. Brown concentrates his law practice in municipal law and real property law. He represents many townships, villages, cities and other municipal bodies throughout West Michigan and elsewhere in the state. His law practice has a particular emphasis in the representation of townships, and he serves as general counsel for a large number of townships in Kent County and in surrounding counties. Jim is also an experienced township official, having served for 25 years as chairperson of the Gr...

Neil Marchand is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Neil, who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Neil is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeffrey J. Fraser represents public and private employers across the country in employment and labor relations matters. He has extensive experience counseling employers regarding Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) [disability management] issues; anti-harassment matters; effective discipline and discharge, union avoidance, collective bargaining, employment discrimination avoidance, and administrative agency matters. Mr. Fraser has an advanced understanding o...

Thomas R. Behm is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Thomas R., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert W. O'Brien is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate and Real Estate Law. Robert W., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nyal is a partner in the Real Estate Practice Group. He focuses his practice on conveyance and lease transactions, land use approvals for various development projects including shopping centers, resorts, residential subdivisions, marinas and commercial projects, construction and permanent lending, on behalf of lenders and borrowers and real estate investment trusts. He has unique municipal experience having served as a member of the East Grand Rapids City Commission and Chairperson of its Pla...