Jamie Slotsema

Mary Jane represents clients in all types of real estate transactions and has a specialty practice in environmental law. Her environmental expertise includes counseling clients regarding environmental liabilities and negotiating environmental risks in the context of development projects, sales, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, remediations , disputes, and permitting, and accessing brownfield and other financial incentives. She serves a diverse client base, ranging from publicl...

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...

Erik R. Daly is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Securities / Capital Markets Law. Erik R., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Erik R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Patrick R. Drueke regularly represents landlords and tenants leasing commercial or industrial space; buyers and sellers of commercial and residential property; developers and other property owners seeking zoning approval; neighborhood associations as general counsel; businesses and individuals in disputes regarding their real estate or construction projects; owners and operators of environmentally contaminated sites facing enforcement action; and commercial and residential contractors in cons...

Rick is a partner in the Kalamazoo office. Since 1981, he has represented employers exclusively in solving labor and employment law problems in the workplace. He devotes most of his time to advising employers about how to avoid workplace crises, comply with state and federal labor and employment laws and regulations, and prevent litigation. He has significant experience counseling employers on how to stay union-free, and routinely works with clients in the application and enforcement of colle...

Pam helps individuals, families, and business owners preserve their legacy through proper estate planning and by working with them to resolve family strife during times of disability or death. This includes listening and understanding the client’s concerns so that she can recommend and prepare proper estate plans, establishing guardianships and conservatorships where appropriate, working through various potential tax issues, attending hearings and other matters at the probate court when...

Melissa leads the Real Estate Practice Team, and focuses her practice on corporate and real estate matters, with an emphasis on commercial sales, acquisitions, leasing, redevelopment, and construction law. She has extensive experience in structuring primary and replacement real estate financing with banks, private investors, and joint ventures, including mezzanine and other uniquely structured secured loan facilities. Melissa offers her clients significant experience in negotiating commercial...

Mark E Rizik is Chair of the firm’s Taxation practices. He has extensive experience in matters regarding tax penalty cases, tax refund claims and litigation, estates and trusts as S corporation shareholders, employee and independent contractor classification, employee leasing, business transactions, and tax controversies. Mr. Rizik has tried hundreds of tax cases successfully. His cases have often resulted nationally published opinions. Mr. Rizik previously was a Senior Trial Attorney i...

Scott R. Murphy is a partner in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, office of Barnes & Thornburg, where he serves as vice chair of the firm's Construction Law Practice Group.Scott is also a member of the firm's Commercial Litigation practice group, where he concentrates his practice on business torts, contract disputes and securities fraud as well as shareholder oppression claims. A seasoned litigator, Scott has experience in numerous forums, including state and federal courts, arbitration tribun...

Matthew L. Vicari has been practicing law since 1990. His practice is focused on representing business entities, executives, medical and other professionals, and individuals in commercial disputes, as well as criminal matters involving a wide range of corporate, government and individual crimes. He is the chair of the white collar crime and fraud and embezzlement recovery practice groups at the firm. Mr. Vicari is an active member of many professional associations often taking a leadership ro...