Sarah Harper

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...

Timothy P. Monsma is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Timothy P., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Neil P. Jansen received his bachelor's degrees in Political Science and International Studies from Michigan State University in 1984 and his law degree from Wayne State University in 1988, where he was a member of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court team and Chancellor of the Moot Court Program. Neil practices in the areas of civil and real estate litigation, probate litigation, estate planning and eminent domain. He is a member of the Grand Rapids and American Bar Associations,...

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...

Mary Kay Shaver is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Public Finance Law. Mary Kay, 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 Mary Kay is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kimberly A. Baber is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Kimberly A., 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 Kimberly A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian Kersey concentrates his practice in aviation law and commercial finance matters. He brings nearly 30 years of wide-ranging experience as a lawyer and as a banker to bear in providing practical solutions and guiding his clients to successful outcomes quickly and efficiently. Mr. Kersey is Co-Chair of Bodman's Aviation Law and Finance Practice Group. His aviation law practice encompasses a wide variety of areas, including purchase and sale transactions, regulatory compliance, risk managem...

Dan's practice includes the capitalization and structure of business entities, strategic and governance issues for public and private companies and structuring and negotiating mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances. He has worked with large and small businesses and regularly advises directors on corporate and strategic issues.

Nikole L. Canute’s areas of practice include: labor and employment law, employment litigation, energy litigation, civil litigation, fraud investigation and litigation and securities litigation. She is very skilled in handling employment investigations, electronic discovery and matters involving computer forensic investigations. Nikole also specializes in energy matters, including condemnation. Her experience includes working with local municipal authorities and law enforcement during pr...

Joe is a partner in the Corporate Services Practice Group and has been with the firm since 1993. His practice focuses on corporate governance and counseling, securities matters, and mergers and acquisitions along with certain tax matters. He represents publicly-held and privately-held clients in a variety of industries and matters, from board governance to securities law compliance to buying and selling businesses, as well as structuring business transactions, and successions. Joe is also inv...