Professional Summary

Experienced family law attorney with 16 years of experience in family law matters. Excellent reputation for handling cases involving difficult/novel legal issues. Passion for assisting others in the legal community by actively posting legal breakdowns on the family law list serve; by presenting on family law matters for State and Local bar associations; and generally taking calls from other attorneys (as well as judge's law clerks and various friend of the courts) and helping them work through their legal issues and giving them advice on the applicable law. History of working with outside agencies (such as the US State Department and foreign state departments; the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; and Child Protective Services) to obtain the safe return of children.

Areas of Family Law Practice

Child custody and support
Spousal support
Paternity establishment in both the Family and Probate Court
3^rd party custody and grandparenting time
Registration and enforcement of custody orders under the UCCJEA
Hague Child Abduction litigation in both Federal and State courts
Abuse/Neglect cases involving interstate or ICWA issues
Revocation of paternity

Multinational and Interstate prenuptial agreements
Conflict of law issues in the Family Court
Jurisdictional challenges in the Family Court
Registration and modification of support orders under UIFSA
Military divorce cases
Domestic mediation
Minor guardianships
Motions for findings on special immigrant juvenile status
Personal protection order litigation

Work History

2015 – Current	Partner MI Family Law Group – Grand Rapids, MI Managed the firm’s family division consisting of three other family law attorneys and two family law paralegals. Increased focus on international and interstate family court matters such that over 40% of my active cases involve an interstate or international issue. Worked with outside experts to develop strategy and evidence to further clients’ cases. Helped parents who live in different states develop parenting time orders which maximize parental involvement. Drafted orders and judgments which take into consideration how they would be enforced out-of-state (such as a judgment which awards property located in a different country). Apprised clients of potential risks and costs associated with each course of action. Worked with out-of-state counsel and government agencies on family law cases taking place over multiple jurisdictions. Worked with clients to try to resolve cases as amicably as reasonably possible and to deescalate situations prior to seeking court involvement. Communicated with clients and collected information to research cases and prepare settlement offers.
2008 – 2015	Sr. Associate Attorney Shaw Law Group – Grand Rapids, MI Handled an average active caseload of over 60 family law cases plus some occasional criminal law cases. Specialized in high conflict cases and cases with novel legal issues. Represented clients in PPO proceedings at both the trial court level and on appeal (filed appeals on two different PPO matters to the Court of Appeals, both of which resulted in reversals of the trial court). Handled numerous cases involving UCCJEA and UIFSA issues.
2007 – 2008	Contract Analyst Tekelec – Morrisville, NC and Grand Rapids, MI (by remote) Audited and summarized existing contracts for their use by departments throughout the company.
2006	Extern Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office – Muskegon, MI Drafted appeals and legal memorandums. Tried domestic violence, aggravated assault, shoplifting, and other cases in district court which resulted in 15/15 convictions in cases I tried. Conducted pre-trial conferences for district court and juvenile cases. Interviewed and cross-examined witnesses and suspects.
2004-2005	Integration Database Engineer Gordon Food Service, Grand Rapids, MI Designed and created a database what would interface with other systems, import data and create local user accounts for employees of acquired corporations. Coordinated with division heads in creating appropriate user access for acquired company’s employees.

Education

05/2007

Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, Litigation Concentration

Thomas M. Cooley Law School - Grand Rapids

Elected as President of the Student Bar Association during 2nd semester and held position for two consecutive yearly terms.
Criminal Procedure Moot Court Competition Winner
Certificates of Merit: Constitutional Law I; Secured Transactions, and Criminal Practice.

08/2004

Bachelor of Science, Computer Information Systems & Criminal Justice

Grand Valley State University - Allendale, MI

Speaking Engagements

Navigating Interstate Custody Cases – UCCJEA flowcharts to keep you on the correct path – State Bar of Michigan, Family Law Section, Mid-Summer Conference – Aug 2023.
Choosing the Correct Path for Enforcement of out-of-state Domestic Orders – Grand Rapids Bar Association, Bench Bar Conference – Jan 2023.
UCCJEA Implications in Abuse / Neglect and Guardianship Proceedings – State Bar of Michigan, Family Law Section, Mid-Summer Conference – 2020.
Modifying Support Under UIFSA – Grand Rapids Bar Association, Family Law Section, Monthly speaker series – 2018.
A Guide to Interstate Custody - Grand Rapids Bar Association, Family Law Section, Monthly speaker series – 2016.
Jurisdictional Issues in Divorce & Custody Cases – Ottawa County Bar Association, Domestic Relations Law Summit – 2015

Certifications

ICLE's Family Law Certificate Program
Domestic Relations Mediation Training

Bar Admissions

State Bar of Michigan – Admitted on Jan 4, 2008 following passing the bar on first attempt with an MBE score of 170.
Supreme Court of the United States – Admitted on March 21, 2016.
US District Court for the Western District of Michigan – Admitted on Jan 27, 2016.