Who We Are
Michael J. Willis J.D., C.P.A.
A Co-Founder and Managing Partner of our firm, Michael J. Willis focuses primarily on the practice areas of business and corporate law, estate planning and administration, and estate and trust litigation.
Michael is listed in the Best Lawyers in America, SuperLawyers and Leading Lawyers, is rated AV* Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Rating and has received numerous other recognitions for his legal excellence. Along with his brother Shaun Patrick Willis, he proudly carries on the family tradition begun by their father, Hon. Frank D. Willis, Chief Judge in Van Buren County.
Michael serves on the Board of Trustees, and is Co-President of the Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis Foundation, which provides college scholarships to children who have lost a parent, or whose parent was permanently disabled in a combat zone. Read more about the Willis Foundation here. He also serves on the Board of Trustees at Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, Indiana. His wife, Susan, and their six children, are the lights of his life. Together, they attend St. Monica church.
Shaun Patrick Willis J.D.
A Co-Founder and Partner of our firm, Shaun Patrick Willis is a trial attorney practicing in business litigation, construction litigation, real estate litigation, United States Federal Court litigation for Western and Eastern District of Michigan, criminal litigation, arbitration, mediation and civil litigation. He is one of three attorneys in Michigan who is endorsed by the Michigan Association of Private Investigators, and has been recognized by Super Lawyers in business litigation, criminal litigation, real estate litigation and construction litigation. Shaun Willis has been named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Trial Lawyers under 40. Shaun Willis has tried several jury trials and bench trials to successful verdicts in several state courts as well as in the United States Federal Courts.
Shaun serves on the Board of Trustees, and is Co-President of the Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis Foundation, which provides college scholarships to children who have lost a parent, or whose parent was permanently disabled in a combat zone. Read more about the Willis Foundation.
He is a licensed commercial pilot, an avid hunter and also devotes his time to seminars for developers, architects, manufacturers and realtors, and to teaching the legal portion of Concealed Carry classes. He and his wife, Corrina Maria Willis, are involved in the Kalamazoo community and volunteer on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis Foundation. They have seven children and attend Valley Family Church.
Frank D Wills Frank D. Willis
Frank D. Willis is the former Chief Judge of the Van Buren County Probate Court. He served in that role for 38.5 years, making him one of the longest standing judges in Michigan Probate Court history.
Frank Willis began his career as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Van Buren County. In just three years, he was appointed to Probate Judge by then Governor Miliken. Over the next 38 years, Judge Willis honored his position and tirelessly served his community, winning reelection every 6 years. During his tenure as Chief Judge, Judge Willis maintained a very efficient court. His court policies and systems are used as a model statewide for other probate courts.
Benjamin Herbert J.D.
A partner at our firm, Benjamin Herbert is licensed to practice law in Michigan and focuses his practice on the areas of estate planning and administration, Medicaid planning, real estate and lake law.
When not providing outstanding representation to our clients, Benjamin enjoys spending time with his wife Jennifer and sons Tyler and Jay. He is active in our community through teaching at his church as well as volunteering. His passions including serving the Lord, fishing, camping and enjoying the great outdoors.
Donald H. Smith J.D.
A partner at the firm, Don was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan and graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School in 1989. He attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan and graduated with a BA in Psychology/Sociology in 1993. In 1994, Don went to work as a child abuse investigator with the Michigan Department of Social Services, where he assisted hundreds of abused and neglected children and their families. In 2000, Don was promoted to management, making him the youngest Children’s Protective Services Supervisor in Michigan at that time. In 2002, Don graduated magna cum laude and earned his juris doctorate degree from Michigan State University – Detroit College of Law in East Lansing, Michigan. In 2006, he went to work with the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office, where he prosecuted felonies and misdemeanors in district and circuit courts. He also handled mental health commitment hearings in the Kalamazoo County Probate Court and the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital.
When out of the office, Don enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. Don has coached for his children’s soccer, basketball and football teams and taught Sunday School teacher at Haven Church in Kalamazoo. Don is involved with the Kalamazoo County Bar Association, having served as Chair of the Young Lawyer’s Section and is soon to be President of the Bar. He also enjoys working out and practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Brett A. Cummings J.D.
Brett A. Cummings graduated in the top 10% of his class from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and earned his J.D. while working full-time for a subsidiary of Xerox and attending weekend classes. He was one of the founding members and treasurer of the Grand Rapids Weekend Student Association. Brett earned the Certificate of Merit in Equities and Remedies.
He spent one year attending Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin before returning to Michigan and finishing up his B.A. in Business Management with a focus on economics and international relations at Western Michigan University. As part of his education, he spent 6 months studying abroad at the Universidad de Belgrano in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Jeriamiah L. Joseph J.D.
Jeriamiah L. Joseph is an Associate at Willis Law with a practice focused in personal injury and wrongful death. He is admitted to practice law in Indiana and Michigan and is a member of both the Indiana and Michigan State Bar Associations. Jeriamiah earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Toledo College of Law, graduating magna cum laude. He also graduated from Tiffin University with a B.A. in Criminal Justice, graduating magna cum laude. Prior to joining Willis Law, Jeriamiah practiced insurance defense work and family law in Indiana for over six years.
Kristyn Meulenberg J.D.
Kristyn T. Meulenberg is an Associate with Willis Law practicing in estate planning, estate and trust administration, social security disability and corporate law. Kristyn attended Western Michigan University, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and a Minor in Accounting. From there, she attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where she graduated in the top 10% of her class. While attending law school, Kristyn was President of the Tax Law Society and was on Law Review as a Senior Associate Editor.
Kristyn and her husband, Alden, have a son, Greyson, who is the light of their lives. When not at work, Kristyn enjoys spending time with her family and friends, running, scrapbooking, and reading.
Jason N. Machnik J.D.
Jason N. Machnik was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He attended Western Michigan University where he earned a B.A. in Marketing. Jason went on to graduate Cum Laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and earned his J.D. in the accelerated program. While in law school, He served as Class Representative for the Student Bar Association and as Chapter President of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. Jason earned the Certificate of Merit in Property Law.
Alesha Burnash J.D.
Alesha Burnash is an Associate Attorney at Willis Law who practices in child custody and general litigation. Alesha was born and raised in Flint, Michigan and attended Michigan State University where she received her B.A. in Business Administration-Pre Law. Alesha went on to attend Law School at Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida, where she was an active member in the Environmental Law Program, Animal Rights Law Society, and Public Interest Law Society.
Shortly after graduation, Alesha moved to Tennessee and became licensed to practice law in the Tennessee in November of 2009. Alesha entered private practice, focusing on Family Law, Criminal Law and Juvenile Law in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In the fall of 2013, Alesha and her family decided to move back to Michigan and Alesha received her license to practice law in Michigan shortly after returning.
Liisa Speaker, Speaker Law Firm, PLC, Of Counsel
Ms. Speaker has diverse appellate practices in Michigan and federal appellate courts. Prior to returning to Michigan, she practiced in appeals and commercial litigation at a large Dallas firm and she served as the law clerk to Chief Justice John Cayce at the Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth, Texas and worked on both civil and criminal appeals.
Our Practice Areas
Business Law
Personal Injury
Probate, Estate &
Trust Administration
Litigation
Criminal Defense
Child Custody &
Family Law
Real Estate &
Construction
Probate Litigation And
Estate & Trust Litigation
Estate Planning,
Elder Law & Medicaid
Social Security Disability
& Bankruptcy