(866) 666-2889 - CALL NOW! Mr. Akiva Goldman is the managing partner of Goldman & Associates and a member of the State Bar of Michigan. Mr. Goldman received his undergraduate and law degrees from Wayne State University with honors and has continued to grow his legal abilities ever since. With more than 25 years of legal experience, Mr. Goldman understands what it takes to provide his clients with the results that they desire.

Donald J. Baranski received his Bachelor of Arts in Humanities Pre Law, from Michigan State University. This was a triple major of American History, Philosophy, and Psychology. He then received a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy from Michigan State University. He then obtained his Doctorate in Law from Michigan State University College of Law. Baranski has been a licensed Attorney and Counselor at Law in the State of Michigan since 1988. He clerked for a trial judge for two years. He worked as a City Attorney, and as a public defender. Baranski has handled a general practice of law including: family law, criminal law, juvenile law, adoptions, contracts, real estate, landlord/tenant, probate estates, wills & trusts, guardianships and conservatorships, mental health law, social security disability, workers compensation, unemployment compensation, education law, collections and bankruptcy. Baranski has conducted jury trials and bench trials in District, Probate and Circuit Courts. Baranski is also admitted to the Western District of Michigan and Eastern District of Michigan Federal Courts.

(866) 666-2889 - CALL NOW! FREE CONSULTATION - Mr. Akiva Goldman is the managing partner of Goldman & Associates and a member of the State Bar of Michigan. Mr. Goldman received his undergraduate and law degrees from Wayne State University with honors and has continued to grow his legal abilities ever since. With more than 25 years of legal experience, Mr. Goldman understands what it takes to provide his clients with the results that they desire.

Merrill Gordon is an honest, aggressive, tough attorney with more than 35 years of experience in fighting for clients in divorce and family court proceedings along with all manners of civil actions, including personal catastrophic injuries, wrongful death claims, auto accidents, drunk driving representation, insurance coverage disputes, dog bites , slip-and-fall cases, medical malpractice and civil litigation matters. Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire How did you build a successful practice? By always being responsive to clients needs and effectively communicating with clients What should clients look for in a lawyer? Some one who is tough, aggressive and puts their needs first, it is also important to look for someone who can effectively coomunicate with them How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases? It is very important to have someone who knows the court, judges and court system well so that effective representation can be provided What information can you provide in a free phone consultation? I always provide information about the family law process and an evaluation of the facts of the clients particular case and my thoughts on a proposed plan of action What information do you need in a free phone consultation? Any information the client wishes to share although the more information that I have the more targeted my response can be What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? I am a sole practionar who can give all of my clients individual attention. I work extensively with divorce, custody, support and other family law cases so that my personal service to my clients us unmatched What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? Helping clients navigate a difficult period of their life and seeing that they maintain personal relationships with their children and remain healthy financially following the conclusion of their case What are your other interests in addition to law? Bicycle riding, cross country skiing, hiking, and all forms of outdoor activity Are you involved in your community? I am involved in both my Temple and other community activities

John J. Schrot, Jr.’s legal career has predominantly focused on family law. He also has extensive experience in contract negotiations, commercial transactions, employment law, real estate, insurance, construction, securities, corporate law, arbitration, and other intricate personal and contractual relationships. Mr. Schrot received the prestigious Top 10 Attorney Award from both the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys (NAFLA) and American Institute of Family Law Attorneys (AIOFLA), recognizing him as one of the Top 10 family law attorneys in Michigan. NAFLA was established with the primary goal of discovering and recognizing the top 10 family law attorneys in each state for their hard work, knowledge, skill, experience, expertise and success in their practice of family law. AIOFLA is similar, as well as having an emphasis on "client satisfaction." The attorneys who make the NAFLA and AIOFLA Top 10 must first be nominated. He has been consistently recognized as a Super Lawyer(Super Lawyers.com), a Top 100 Matrimonial and Family Attorney by The National Advocates, and in the dbusiness Magazine as a Top Lawyer in Metropolitan Detroit in the practice areas of family law and litigation; and selected by his peers as a Leading Lawyer in family law in Michigan. He has served by court appointment as a special master of discovery, facilitator, mediator, umpire, arbitrator and receiver. He has consistently achieved an AV Preeminent rating, the highest peer rating by Martindale Hubbell, a nationally recognized directory of attorneys, for his legal ability and ethical standards. He received the Distinguished Lawyer Award from the Shamrock Bar Association, and has been named a Leader in the Law. He has appeared in state and federal courts throughout Michigan and has argued in the Michigan Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Professional memberships include the American Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan and Oakland County Bar Association, ABA section memberships include litigation, family law and business law. Section memberships in the State Bar of Michigan include family law and business law. He is an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. Mr. Schrot is a past chairman of the Oakland County Bar Association’s Circuit Court Committee. He is also a member of the City of Birmingham Board of Ethics, Past Grand Knight of the Birmingham Knights of Columbus, Past President of the Birmingham Rotary Club, among other volunteer positions. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit, and has been past chair of the Board of Directors of the Birmingham YMCA and the City of Birmingham Ethics Board and Advisory Parking Committee. He was the recipient of the Federal Bar Foundation Edward Rakow Scholarship Award at the Detroit College of Law in 1976, where he was the Editor-in-Chief of the Detroit College of Law Review. He also served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Harold H. Bobier, Judge of the U.S. District Court in Bankruptcy for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Carl E. Sears has a wealth of experience representing individuals just like you with their family law matters. He knows family laws and has the skills and experience you need to protect your interests in court. He will help you find creative solutions to your family law concerns in a cost-effective manner. Carl Sears will give you straightforward answers to your questions and will keep you informed of all your case developments from beginning to end. Whether you are going through a divorce or a child custody dispute, the process can be financially and emotionally draining. He will guide you through the process and explain your legal rights and options so that you can make informed decisions. Our goal is to competently and expeditiously resolve your case so that you can move on with your life.

Jacob Cristoforo is a practicing attorney in the state of Michigan.

Paul J. Dillon is the managing partner of the firm. Since 1992, Mr. Dillon maintains specialties in the fields of business law, real estate law, personal injury, employment, and criminal matters. Mr. Dillon combines his outstanding academic and legal credentials with the business and accounting experience he obtained while working for a national accounting and consulting firm, to identify and explain to clients, adversaries, and juries the financial impact of various legal issues and disputes. After spending nearly five years with the consulting practice of Arthur Anderson & Co., Mr. Dillon earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Detroit School of Law in 1992. During law school, Mr. Dillon was awarded clerkship at the Wayne County Circuit Court, the United States Attorney General's Office, and Pepper Hamilton LLP, a nationally recognized law firm. Mr. Dillon received his bachelor of arts in 1984 from Kalamazoo College, where he captained the Division III football team for two years, while also being active in intercollegiate baseball and wrestling. Mr. Dillon also studied in Hannover, Germany for a semester of his undergraduate experience. He has been honored to have been designated as a Michigan Super Lawyer and continues to strive to the highest of standards for the practice of law. Paul is married to JoDee, his wife of twenty-nine years. The Dillon’s have five children and live in Plymouth where both Paul and JoDee attended Salem High School. Paul enjoys watching his children participate in a variety of sports.

James A. Fisher is a shareholder and President of the Vandervoort, Christ & Fisher, P.C. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and his law degree from Wayne State University. Jim's practice is now focused on providing the highest level of client services and legal representation in the areas of Family Law (Divorce, Custody, Alimony, and related tax issues, Post-Judgment Modification issues, complex Property Division cases and Pre/Post Nuptial Agreements) and Estate and Tax Planning. Jim practices in Calhoun, Branch, Kalamazoo, Barry, and Eaton counties. Jim has been recognized as a Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation, a distinguished group of attorneys chosen for their professional excellence and service to the community. He was also selected and named one of Michigan's "Super Lawyers" in the area of Family Law. Super Lawyers identifies the top 5 percent of attorneys in each state, as chosen by their peers through the independent research of law. Jim has an "AV" rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the facilitator of a peer review process. The legal ability rating of "A" indicates a very high to preeminent legal rating. A General Ethical Standards rating of "V" indicates a very high ethical standard. Based upon a survey of his peers, Leader Lawyers.com and the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys have recognized Jim for his excellence in the field of Family Law. In addition to being a member of the State Bar of Michigan, wherein he is a member of the Family Law section, he is also involved in several professional associations including the American Bar Association, the Calhoun County Bar Association of which he is a past president and member of the Friend of the Court/Family Law Committee, and the Branch County Bar Association. Jim has been an active member of many community organizations and nonprofit corporations. He is past Chairman of the Board of the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce and also a past President of the Rotary Club of Battle Creek, where he has been recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.

Since 2003, Allaben & Bandeen Attorneys at Law has provided a range of legal services in Grand Rapids, MI, and communities across Michigan. Our attorneys have 60+ years of combined skills and experience. They practice in a number of areas and take a client-first approach to every case. We represent clients in a variety of legal matters including personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, Michigan No-Fault law, divorce, and child custody cases.