Michael J. Willis

Michael J. Willis: Attorney with Willis Law
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
About Attorney Awards

Biography

Michael Willis co-founded Willis Law with his brother, Shaun Patrick Willis, following in the footsteps of their father, Hon. Frank D. Willis, former Chief Judge for Van Buren County. Michael is a Certified Public Accountant in Illinois and is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Michigan. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (Lawyer of the Year in 2020, 2022, and 2023), Super Lawyers, and Leaders in the Law, and holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Before founding Willis Law, Michael worked at Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP and Kerr, Russell, Weber, PLC.

Michael earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame. He is a member of the Florida and Michigan Bars, the Kalamazoo County Bar Association, and the Christian Legal Society. Michael has served on the board at Holy Cross College and is actively involved with the Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis Foundation, which provides scholarships to children of fallen heroes, as well as with St. Monica Catholic Church and Hackett Catholic Prep High School.

Michael lives in Kalamazoo with his wife, Susan, and their six children.
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Areas of Practice (35)

  • Estate Planning
  • Corporate Law
  • Estate Administration
  • Estate Litigation
  • Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures
  • Medicare and Medicaid
  • Elder Law
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Administration
  • Probate Litigation
  • Contested Trusts and Estates
  • Trust Litigation
  • Family Wealth Transfer
  • International Estate Planning
  • Wealth Preservation
  • Guardianship and Conservatorship
  • Asset Protection
  • Medicaid Planning
  • Business Law
  • Business Succession Planning
  • Business Estate Planning
  • Buying and Selling of Businesses
  • Corporate Formation
  • Corporate Planning
  • Corporate Successions
  • Nonprofit Corporations
  • Real Estate
  • Real Estate Sales
  • Real Estate Acquisitions
  • Tax Planning
  • Property Tax Appeals
  • Wills
  • Probate
  • Tax Audits
  • Securities
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Education & Credentials

University Attended:
Huntington College; University of Notre Dame, B.B.A., magna cum laude, 1996
Law School Attended:
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, J.D., 2000
Year of First Admission:
2001
Admission:
2001, Michigan; 2001, Florida; 2001, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
Memberships:
Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo County, and American (Member, Sections on: Real Property, Probate and Trust Law; Taxation Law) Bar Associations; State Bar of Michigan (Member, Sections on: Probate, Estate Planning and Business Law); The Florida Bar; Association of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants; National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Member, Sections on: Real Property, Probate and Trust Law and Taxation).
Birth Information:
Kalamazoo, Michigan, December 24, 1973
ISLN:
915625435

Payment Information

Fixed Hourly Rates
Available
Credit Cards Accepted
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Other Information
Free initial consultation, Fixed fees available

Peer Reviews

4.5/5.0 (22 reviews)
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge

  • Legal Knowledge

    4.5/5.0

  • Analytical Capability

    4.5/5.0

  • Judgment

    4.5/5.0

  • Communication

    4.4/5.0

  • Legal Experience

    4.4/5.0

  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Other Law Firm Position on 01/20/10 in General Practice

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Judge on 12/28/09 in Trusts and Estates

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 12/09/09 in Commercial Contracts

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Judge on 12/09/09 in Probate Administration

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 12/09/09 in Estate Planning

    Michael is an A + lawyer. His work is impeccable and his service unmatched.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Managing Partner on 09/15/09 in Trusts and Estates

    Michael Willis is one of the most premier attorneys I have worked with in 37 years.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 09/05/09 in Trusts and Estates

    I would recommend Michael to anyone who needs an excellent lawyer in the area of trusts and estates

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 09/05/09 in Estate Planning

    Michael is a glowing example of how one should practice law. He is the gold standard of lawyers and should be awarded an AV rating.

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  • 4.8/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 12/28/09 in General Practice

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  • 4.8/5.0 Rated by a Judge on 12/17/09 in Commercial Litigation

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Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.

Other Legal Directories

Avvo Client Review
5.0/5.0 (3 reviews)

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Location

Contact Michael J. Willis

Contact Information:

269-492-1429  Phone

269-492-1042  Fax

www.willis.law/who-we-are/attorneys-staff/michael-j-willis-j-d-c-p-a-

www.willis.law/#~O07436

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