Michael J. Willis
Michael Willis
Kalamazoo
Michigan (MI)
Estate Planning & Probate
Business/Corporate
Tax
Profile
Michael is licensed to practice law in Florida and Michigan and is registered as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Illinois. He is an AV-Rated lawyer by Martindale and is the managing partner of Willis Law, a nine-lawyer law firm headquartered in downtown Kalamazoo, with offices in Grand Rapids and Paw Paw. He practices estate planning and administration with a focus in asset protection, estate tax minimization and the handling of special or otherwise complex matters in the probate courts. He is also lead counsel for a growing number of influential companies in west Michigan.
Michael was one of only 6 attorneys in Michigan selected in 2007 by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as an "Up and Coming Lawyer". In 2008 and 2010 he was honored as a "Rising Star" by Michigan Super Lawyers. In 2009, Michael's firm was recognized as a "21st Century Innovator" by Michigan Lawyers Weekly for its implementation of a values driven employee compensation system that he engineered. In 2010 and 2011, his firm was recognized by the Michigan Business Professional Association as one of the "101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in West Michigan".
Giving back to his community has been of critical importance to Michael since co-founding his firm with his brother. These efforts have resulted in the formation of a pro bono clinic at Kalamazoo's homeless shelter, the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, and the dedication of the lawyers in his firm to this effort at a minimum one day per month. Michael's pro bono efforts were recognized in 2009 by the President of the Florida Bar and the Florida Supreme Court as he was selected as the "out of state" (49 states) recipient of the President's Pro Bono Service Award.
Selected To
Michigan Rising Stars 2011
Michigan Rising Stars 2010
Michigan Rising Stars 2008
About Michael Willis
Admitted: 2001, Michigan
Professional Webpage: www.wwplc.com/cm/attorneybios/michaelwillis.asp
Honors and Awards:
- Award presented to only 6 of 40,000 attorneys in Michigan. , Up & Coming Lawyers, Michigan Lawyer's Weekly, 2007
- Rising Star, Michigan Super Lawyers, 2008
- One of only 21 lawyers or law firms to receive 21st Century Innovator Award for innovation in the practice of law. Willis Law was recognized for it value-driven employee compensation system. , 21st Century Innovator Award, Michigan Lawyer's Weekly, 2009
- Recipient for the out-of-state (49 states) judicial circuit., President's Recipient of Pro Bono Service Award, President of the Florida Bar and Florida Supreme Court, 2009
- Willis Law was recognized as one of this year's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in West Michigan. Winners were selected for innovative strategies and best practices in human resources. In its announcement, the Association noted that "the honorees have clearly demonstrated why each of them would be an ideal place for employees to work.", 101 Best and Brightest Companies, Michigan Business and Professional Association, 2010
- Rising Star, Michigan Super Lawyers, 2010
- AV-Preeminent Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell, 2010
- Willis Law was recognized as one of this year's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in West Michigan. Winners were selected for innovative strategies and best practices in human resources. In its announcement, the Association noted that "the honorees have clearly demonstrated why each of them would be an ideal place for employees to work.", 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For, Michigan Business and Professional Association, 2011
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Registered as a Certified Public Accountant, Illinois, 1996
- Completed ICLE's Probate & Estate Planning Certificate Program, 2006
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Secretary and Treasurer, Lake Doster Development Company (land development company)
- President, Jack H. Kelly Farms, Inc. (land development company)
- Kalamazoo County Bar, Member
- Christian Legal Society, Member
- Estate Planning Committee of the American Association of Attorney-CPAs
- Michigan and Florida Bars, Member
- Real Property, Probate and Trust Law and Taxation Sections of the American Bar Association, Member
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Friends of the Portage Senior Center, Board Member (Prior), Committee Appointee (Prior), Counsel (current)
- Vineyard Outreach Ministries, Board Member (Prior), Counsel (current)
- Big Brothers Big Sisters SubCommitttee on Planned Giving, Member
- St. Monica School of Kalamazoo, Local Advisory Council, Member (Prior)
- Co-founded Christian Legal Aid of Southwestern Michigan by which the firm of Willis Law devotes all of its lawyers in Kalamazoo, one-day per month, to service for the poor at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission.
- Southwest Michigan Professional Network, Board Member (prior), Secretary (prior), Counsel (prior)
- Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis Foundation, Board Member, Co-President
- Notre Dame Club of Kalamazoo, Board Member, Committee Chair
- Elected to the Board of Trustees of Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, Indiana, 2009
Scholarly Lectures and Writings:
- Presenter, International Estate Tax Planning, 2001
- Presenter, Preparing for Long Term Care Costs, 2003
- Presenter, Probate Avoidance and Estate Tax Minimization, 2003
- Presenter, Estate Planning Seminar, 2004
- Presenter, Living Trusts and Estate Tax Issues, 2004
- Presenter, Life Insurance Trusts , 2004
- Presenter, Estate Planning and Tax Control, 2005
- Presenter, Estate Planning, Business Succession Planning and Tax Control, 2006
- Presenter, Your Personal Financial Future - Finding the Keys to Success, 2007
- Presenter, Wills, Trusts and Probate, 2009
- Published an article related to asset protection and single-member limited liability companies in the Michigan Business Law Journal, Author, Singe Member LLCs v. the Member's Judgment Creditor - How Strong is the Shield?, The Michigan Business Law Journal, Asset Protection And Business Law, 2009
- Presenter, Estate Planning and Tax Control, 2010
- Contributor, Long Term Care Planning Techniques, 2010
- Presenter, Estate Planning for Widows, 2010
Representative Clients:
- Entrepreneurial, Wealth-generating Individuals; Life Science Related Corporations and Individuals; Technology Firms; Professional Service Organizations; Development Companies, 2010
Newsletters:
- Quarterly Newsletter delivered to approximately 500 households each quarter for purpose of informing and updating on estate planning methods, techniques and concepts. , Estate Planning Newsletter, Estate Planning
Educational Background:
- University of Notre Dame, BBA, Magna Cum Laude, 1996
Additional Sources of Information about Michael J. Willis
profileMichael J. Willis:
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