Willis, Michael J.

Michael Willis founded this estate planning law firm with his brother, Shaun Patrick Willis.  Their father, Hon. Frank D. Willis, is the probate judge for Van Buren County, and Michael proudly carries on the family tradition in estate law by focusing his practice in estate planning, probate and estate and trust administration. 

Michael is registered as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Illinois, and is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Michigan.  Michael received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.  He graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.  Before forming Michigan Estate Lawyers, Michael worked for Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP and Kerr, Russell, Weber, PLC.

Awards and Honors

• Michael is listed in the Best Lawyers in America.
• Michael is rated as an AV® Preeminent™ attorney by Martindale-Hubbell's Peer Review Rating.  This rating, according to Martindale, which has been rating lawyers for over a century, signifies that a lawyer has reached the heights of professional excellence and is recognized for the highest levels of skills and integrity.
• In 2007, he was selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of Michigan's Up and Coming Lawyers, an award presented to only 6 of 40,000 attorneys in Michigan.
• In 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2012, he was selected as a Rising Star by Michigan Super Lawyers.
• In 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, he was listed in Marquis "Who's Who in American Law".
• In 2009, he was selected by the Florida Bar as the President's recipient of the Pro Bono Service Award for the Out of State (49 states) Judicial Circuit.
• Also in 2009, Michigan Estate Lawyers, Attorneys & Counselors, was honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a 21st Century Innovator for its value-based employee compensation system.

He belongs to the Michigan and Florida Bars; the Estate Planning Committee of the American Association of Attorneys-CPAs; the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law and the Taxation Sections of the American Bar Association; the Michigan Bar, the Kalamazoo County Bar Association and the Christian Legal Society.

Michael's wife, Susan, and their children, Isabella, Christian, Mary, Michael Joseph, and Therese, are the lights of his life.

Michigan Estate Lawyers, Attorneys & Counselors, dedicates its practice to God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the founders' fallen brother, Cpl. Christopher Kelly Willis.

Corporate Boards

• Lake Doster Development Co., Secretary and Treasurer
• Jack H. Kelly Farms, Inc., President

Non-Profit Boards

• Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, Indiana
• Notre Dame Club of Kalamazoo, Committee Chair (former)
• Cpl. Christopher Kelly Willis Foundation, Co-President
• Vineyard Outreach Ministries
• Southwest Michigan Professional Network, Secretary (former)
• Friends of the Portage Senior Center, Vice-President (former)