In the News

Michael Willis Receives Highest Rating (AV^® Preeminent^TM) from Martindale Hubbell
Willis & Willis, PLC is proud to announce that its managing partner, Michael J. Willis, J.D., C.P.A., has received Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating, AV^® Preeminent^TM. For over a century, attorneys have relied on Martindale-Hubbell's Law Directory for authoritative information on the worldwide legal profession. Martindale-Hubbell provides that the ratings play an integral role as both a service to the community and to all buyers of or referrals for legal services. An AV rating is assigned to attorneys that have reached the height of professional excellence. The following are some of the comments provided by some of the peer reviewers..."I would recommend Michael to anyone who needs an excellent lawyer in the area of trusts and estates"; "He is the gold standard of lawyers"; "Michael is one of the premier business attorneys in Kalamazoo County"; "His work is impeccable and his service unmatched"; "He is a conscientious, dedicated, and thoughtful practitioner"; and "Michael is one of the most premier attorneys I have worked with in 37 years". 

Michigan Lawyers Weekly honors Willis & Willis

Michigan Lawyers Weekly honored Willis & Willis, PLC with a 21st Century Innovation award for building their firm bonus system around the employee's performance having lived up to the firm's values and standards.

Shaun Willis recognized as "Rising Star" by Michigan Super Lawyers

Shaun Willis was recognized as a 2009 "Rising Star" by Michigan Super Lawyers & Rising Stars listing. Only 2.5 percent of all lawyers in Michigan are listed as Rising Stars in Super Lawyers. For more information, go to http://www.superlawyers.com/.

Attorney Michael J. Willis selected by the Florida Supreme Court and Florida Bar Association as the Out-of-State Judicial Circuit Recipient of the Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award

Attorney Michael J. Willis, managing partner of the law firm of Willis & Willis PLC in Kalamazoo, has been selected as the recipient of The Tobias Simon Pro Bono Service Award for the Out-of-State Judicial Circuit. Each year, the Florida Supreme Court and Florida Bar Association give special recognition to lawyers, groups and a member of the judiciary who have freely given their time and expertise in making legal services available to the poor. The awards include the Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award. Michael was selected for the “out of state” circuit where any member of the Florida Bar in 49 states is eligible for nomination and selection.

The award is named for the late Miami civil rights lawyer Tobias Simon and is presented annually by the Chief Justice to the attorneys who best exemplify the highest ideals of the profession in assuring the availability of legal services to the poor. Michael will be honored for his time, professional expertise and contributions in making legal representation available to those otherwise unable to afford the same at the Florida Supreme Court in Tallahassee on January 29, 2009.

Michael Willis and Shaun Willis recognized by Michigan Super Lawyers.

Michael Willis and Shaun Willis were recently recognized as Rising Stars by the 2008 Michigan Super Lawyers & Rising Stars listing, as follows: Michael Willis for the Business/Corporate practice; and Shaun Willis for the Construction Litigation practice. Only 2.5 percent of all lawyers in Michigan are listed as Rising Stars in Super Lawyers. For more information, go to http://www.superlawyers.com/.

Michael and Shaun Willis recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as Up & Coming Lawyers 2007

Michael Willis and Shaun Willis were recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly in its November 19, 2007 edition as Up & Coming Lawyers for 2007, an honor given to only 6 of 40,000 attorneys in the State of Michigan. >> Article (PDF); >> Press Release (PDF)

Willis & Willis PLC Pro Bono Clinic featured by Kalamazoo Gazette

Kalamazoo Gazette article regarding Willis & Willis, PLC Pro Bono Clinic: The Kalamazoo Gazette featured the firm and its pro bono work in its May 3, 2008 edition. >> Article

Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity Appoints Shaun Willis as President of its Board

Attorney Shaun Willis, Co-Founder and Partner of Willis & Willis, PLC was appointed President of the Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity (KVHH) Board of Directors on March 21, 2008. Shaun has been involved with KVHH since 2005 and served as the KVHH Board’s First Vice President since 2007. Don Jones, Director of KVHH said that “the organization is thrilled that Shaun is taking a higher level of leadership and involvement. He is absolutely the right person for the job and he will help us do great things. He has a big heart, a lot of focus and is exactly what the organization needs in this very important 25th year of operation.” >> Press Release

The Jack Kelly Trust, through its co-trustees Michael and Shaun Willis, announces sale of nearly 600 acres of real estate

Co-Trustees of the John Hoffman Kelly Trust, Michael Willis and Shaun Willis, announced the auction of 600 acres of land owned directly or indirectly by the John Hoffman Kelly Trust. The auction was held by Schrader Real Estate & Auction Co., Inc. on August 25, 2007. This was a massive undertaking with a very positive result. Of the 63 tracts presented at the auction, 59 tracts were sold. Articles regarding the auction can be found at the following link: >> PDF of related articles

Willis & Willis Goin' Green Project 2010

At the urging of Mrs. Susan Willis, wife of managing partner, Michael J. Willis, they reviewed several EPA-sponsored programs for potential participation to reduce its carbon footprint. The firm was looking to participate in programs that were doable, cost effective or cost reducing, would take little or no extra time or effort on the part of employees, and would allow it to measure results. They kicked off the Willis & Willis Goin' Green 2010 Project this year and will be participating in the following programs:

EPA Energy Star Partner. The firm is one of currently 2,282 companies and organizations across the country taking steps to protect the environment through reducing energy use. Following an energy audit, they have implemented a number of new practices to reduce energy consumption.

EPA's WasteWise Project. This project required the submission of baseline data providing a benchmark from which the firm will measure its success in reducing the amount of paper and other materials that enter the waste stream from its office by increasing its recycling efforts and reducing the amount of paper used.

ABA-EPA's Law Office Climate Challenge. The firm is one of just over 200 climate challenge partners and the challenge, among other things, influenced it to adopt best practices for office paper management by reducing the amount of paper used by requiring 2-sided copies, scanning and filing documents electronically, purchasing more recycled products and re-using waste paper.

Willis & Willis, PLC is a full service business law firm headquartered in downtown Kalamazoo with offices in Grand Rapids and Paw Paw. It is a six-attorney law firm with seven support staff.

Western Michigan University Presentation

On January 20, 2010, Attorneys Shaun Patrick Willis and Jeshua T. Lauka made a presentation before students of Western Michigan University. The topic was "Knowing Your Rights: A Guideline for College Students." The event was sponsored by Western's Pre-Law Society. The presentation included instructing students on the most common crimes students commit and the penalties associated with those crimes. Also discussed were noise violations, recent changes in the local MIP ordinance, and the liability of homeowners who allow drinking on their properties. Other topics of interest to students were covered during a general Q&A session.

Willis & Willis, PLC is a full service business law firm headquartered in downtown Kalamazoo with offices in Grand Rapids and Paw Paw.