Velzen, Randall L.

Randall L. Velzen almost exclusively practices in the area of family law (including estate planning). He helps his clients through the often complicated divorce process and is highly experienced with such sensitive matters as custody issues, business/asset valuations and divisions.

Randy was one of the first attorneys in West Michigan to complete Collaborative law training through the Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan and is currently chair elect of the Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan (i.e. the state board for Collaborative professionals). He is also part of the training team for Collaborative Professionals of Michigan. Randy is a founding member of the Collaborative Divorce Professionals of West Michigan. This up-and-coming area of divorce law takes place prior to becoming involved with the divorce litigation process. The parties and attorneys sign a contract committing to try to settle the case. The primary benefit of Collaborative law is that from the onset of the divorce process all parties are committed to settling the case, rather than pursuing litigation. Randy is of the strong conviction that this process of resolving marital disputes with dignity is a better and less damaging approach for the families involved.

"Families going through a divorce face an enormous amount of stress. By utilizing the Collaborative approach to divorce proceedings we try to minimize that stress by focusing on cooperation, trust, respect, and the integrity of all those involved in order to reach a settlement." Randy Velzen

He began his professional career in 1978 as an associate with the Law Firm of Murphy Burns & McInerney. In 1981, he was a founding member of the law firm of Napieralski Walsh & Velzen, leaving that firm to become a sole practitioner in 1985. He continued as a sole practitioner until December 1999, when he joined Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge. In August 2010, he became a founding member of Velzen, Johnsen & Wikander, P.C.

Randy is very active with the Grand Rapids Bar Association, having served on the board and numerous committees. He is a past chair of the Family Law Section and a past member of the Executive Committee of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section ("ADR"). He is chair elect of the Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan and a member of the Standards Committee of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. He has also been a guest lecturer with the Grand Rapids Bar Association in several capacities and a participant on the Bar Association's show, "Ask an Attorney." Randy is also a member of the Legislative and ADR sections of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan.

Randy is married to Laurie Velzen and they have two sons, Andrew and Benjamin.