Do the legal rules and regulations seem complex and hard to navigate?
Do you want the peace of mind to know that your family and assets are protected?
Are you a business owner that wants protection from certain liabilities, and the ever-changing economy?
Our Mission
The Law Offices of Casey D. Conklin, PLC’s mission is to provide our clients with superior customer service through individual attention, commitment, trust, diligence and aggressive legal representation.
Estate Planning
Business Planning
Civil Litigation
Tax Law
The Law Offices of Casey D. Conklin, PLC is comprised of an exceptionally talented team that are experienced in a wide variety of areas including, but not limited to:
Appeals
Bar Exam Appeals
Business Organizations and Planning
Constitutional Law
Employment Law
Estate Planning
Wills and Trusts
Events
Exit Planning
Federal Law
Mediation
Professional Licensing
Real Estate
RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act)
Sexual Harassment
Sports and Entertainment Law
Tax Law
The Law Offices of
Casey D. Conklin, PLC
The Law Offices of Casey D. Conklin, PLC is comprised of an exceptionally talented team that are experienced in a wide variety of areas including, but not limited to, Business Law, Estate Planning, Employment Law, Family Law, and Civil Litigation. We are an expanding firm, and all are committed to providing superior quality legal representation to our clients.
Our goal is to be your trusted advisor who can help you make the very best personal, financial, and legal decisions for your family throughout your lifetime. We want to help you not just now, but also when you can't be there so that we can help guide your loved ones through a difficult process.
Casey D. Conklin
Born and raised in Mid-Michigan, Casey attended Michigan State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Advertising. Casey worked for years in advertising, marketing, and business consultation before deciding to attend law school.
In 2013, Casey graduated Cum Laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School (now Western Michigan University Cooley Law School), with a concentration in Intellectual Property. While attending law school, Casey worked on various consumer protection projects with the Attorney General of Michigan, as well as interning for an East Lansing based law firm.
In 2014, Casey was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan, and is licensed to practice in the state of Michigan, is admitted to practice in the Michigan Federal Court of the Western District, and has been admitted to practice in the Colorado Federal Court, as well as the United States Tax Court. Since becoming licensed, Casey has been working as a solo practitioner in Michigan. Casey has worked in a wide variety of areas including Real Estate, Copyright, Contracts, Tax Issues, Business Organization, Wills and Trusts, and Compliance. Casey has received a Certificate of Completion in the areas of probate and estate planning issued by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Additionally, Casey is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor.
Casey D. Conklin
Collin Nyeholt
Associate Attorney
Collin Nyeholt earned a Juris Doctor Cum Laude from Michigan State University College of Law in May of 2010. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance, and a Associate of Applied Arts in Music. Collin was admitted to the Bar on October 21, 2010.
Collin’s main concentration has been plaintiffs’ side litigation. His primary areas of practice are civil rights, employment, and consumer and commercial litigation. Collin has extensive experience litigating at the trial and appellate levels in both the state and federal courts against both private and public entities. He boasts, among other accomplishments, a $350,000 trial judgment in a Title VII Retaliation case against the State of Michigan that was upheld in a published decision by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has also written, appeared on, and argued numerous cases in the Sixth Circuit and the Michigan Court of Appeals. He was a substantial contributor on a published decision that established State employees’ right to seek reinstatement to their positions if they are terminated for exercising intermittent FMLA leave in the Sixth Circuit. And, he has written several articles and comments for various publications.
Collin is admitted to practice before the Michigan Bar, the United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
Elizabeth Johnson
Executive Legal Assistant
Elizabeth Johnson is the firm’s Executive Legal Assistant / Office Manager. Mrs. Johnson’s legal experience includes over thirty (30) years in various areas of law including criminal, civil, corporate, business, employment, bankruptcy, and medical malpractice. Mrs. Johnson is currently assisting the firm in the areas of civil litigation, estate planning, corporate, business and tax law. Additionally, she supervises support staff, coordinates/monitors activities within the firm, provides backup for the receptionist position and assists other attorneys as needed.
Attorneys and Counselors at Law
We are a full-service, estate planning law firm based in Grand Rapids and Lansing, Michigan.
We believe estate planning is a process designed to improve the quality of life for your loved ones. Estate planning empowers you to control how your assets are used in the event of an illness as well as how your assets are to be passed onto future generations.
Our firm emphasizes the need for expanded client counseling and education on how your estate plan works and on what actions you need to take care of during your lifetime to assure that your estate plan performs in the manner you expect. The administration of your plan is as essential as the quality of the legal documents themselves.
This commitment to full service requires a higher level of client support than provided by most legal firms. Our estate plans are designed to succeed beyond what is common in today’s marketplace.
Brian Hilderley earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Detroit. He then earned his Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law in 1999.
Brian is a native of Jackson, Michigan. He began his legal practice working in Jackson at the office of Robert Flack, representing clients in the Probate Court, both Circuit and District Courts for civil litigation, municipal and real estate matters and preparing personal estate planning. He was then employed by Collins, Einhorn, Farrell and Ulanoff in Southfield, Michigan, practicing in the area of toxic tort litigation. He then returned to Jackson to the law office of Parker & Adams, P.C. practicing in the areas of business/corporate law, real estate, civil litigation and estate planning, prior to starting his own practice. Brian joined the law office of Wilson & Brown, PLLC in 2006, and is now a founding member of Brown & Hilderley, PLLC.
Brian Hilderley continues to specialize in the areas of criminal matters, and family law. Brian works with clients on criminal defense, felonies and misdemeanors, drinking offenses, driving offenses, drivers license restoration, juvenile law, divorce, custody, child support, and visitation.
Ralph W. Carmichael
Ralph W. Carmichael has over 30 years of legal experience. Since 1989, he has encountered numerous issues in corporate, administrative, real estate, bankruptcy, restructuring and financial services law and regulations. As a litigator, his experience ranges from minor employment issues to complex financial transaction cases. He began his career on Wall Street over thirty years ago with Bear, Stearns, & Co., Inc. Mr. Carmichael also worked as an Associate at the oldest Wall Street law firm, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft and clerked for Hon. John E. Sprizzo in the US District Court. Mr. Carmichael is a patent holder and has significant experience in intellectual property and entrepreneurial transactions. Also, Mr. Carmichael is a Associate Professor in Finance at Michigan State University. His industry expertise ranges from financial services to technology driven companies in the medical and aerospace industries. He is a member of the bar of the state of New York, District of Columbia, Michigan, and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Carmichael received a J.D. degree from New York Law School in 1989 (where he was a Law Review Editor) and M.B.A. and B.A. degrees from Michigan State University in 1985.
The Law Offices of Casey D. Conklin, PLC is comprised of an exceptionally talented team that are experienced in a wide variety of areas including, but not limited to:
An appeal is after a trial has occurred and the case is taken to a higher court to be reviewed. There are appeals from the District Court, the Circuit Court, the Probate Court and administrative agencies, such as the Secretary of State to obtain a driver’s license. We have experience with appeals in the Michigan Court of Appeals, the Michigan Supreme Court and the federal Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
Law School graduates have to take what is most likely the hardest exam of their lives. Once you've received your score you have the right to appeal the examiner's decision and request an increase. We can help you appeal this score, and help you prevent having to retake the exam.
Need help starting your own business? We can help. Forming business entities is a tricky process. We can help guide you through the process of drafting articles of organization, operating agreements, and business plans. Preparing and filing the necessary documents with the proper authority will give you peace of mind and let you focus on the parts of your business that you enjoy. We will help you avoid unexpected pitfalls in your business without ongoing maintenance and planning plans that will help you be proactive in your success.
Construction law usually deals with the construction of buildings, whether commercial or residential. There are general contractors who contract with subcontractors who have various specialties. The building may or may not already have someone who has purchased the finished project, this would be the homeowner, or commercial owner of the building. There are various contracts between the contractor and subcontractors, and the owners. Additionally, the builders have to deal with a multitude of governmental agencies to be able to erect the building.
Do you feel like you've been discriminated against at work or terminated unfairly? Are you an employer who's afraid one of your employees might bring a claim against you? Call our experts who specialize in litigating employment disputes, unlawful termination, discrimination, harassment and other issues in the workplace.
Estate planning can be a tricky process and is extremely important to get completed before you need it. Let us help you create the best strategy for your estate in order to best utilize and preserve your resources. This process can include tax planning, drafting wills, creating trusts, naming guardians for your children, and assigning power of attorney.
Let us help you now so you and your family don't need to worry later. Click here to create the necessary legal documents to name guardians for your children for free.
Our process begins with a Wealth Planning Session. Before the Session you will complete homework that will have you feeling more organized and put together than you have in a long time. Maybe ever.
During the Session, we will look at what would happen to all of what you have and everyone you love, if anything were to happen to you. Then, we’ll determine a plan together to make sure everything goes the way you want it to so you are always in control. And so your family always knows just how much you care.
Call our office, or visit our online calendar to schedule your
For more information and resources on Estate Planning visit our Information and Resources Page.
Events
If you are holding an event and don't know where to start in terms of licenses, permits, and insurance, we can help. We have years of experience in navigating city and state requirements for public and private events.
Exit Planning
Exit Planning helps business owners set, sort through, and achieve their exit objectives. It enables owners to leave their companies when they want, to the successors they want, and with the amount of cash they need. Without exception, every owner leaves his or her company. Whether you do it in style depends on the specific exit planning actions you take before you leave.
If you see ownership change in your future, we can help you plan a successful business exit. We can help you answer the seven planning questions located here, and identify qualified advisers to help you through the process.
To learn more about Exit Planning, visit our Exit Planning page.
To schedule a complimentary 20 minute consultation, please visit my online calendar.
Let's face it. Federal lawsuits can be intimidating, no matter which side you are on. We are fully licenced in Michigan Federal courts to litigate Federal Issues such as civil rights, discrimination, RICO, and more.Mediation
Facilitative mediation is where a skilled mediator works with the parties in a dispute to see if they can agree on some common ground to avoid extensive litigation on a dispute.
Professional licensing deals with medical doctors, dentists, attorneys, therapists, psychologists, counselors, or any other profession which requires a license from the state in order to conduct their trade or profession. Typically, a professional has their license attacked, suspended, or revoked and they need assistance to have their full license restored to them.Real Estate
Real estate law usually refers to the transactions on land. This can be by a deed, or by contract. There are Warranty Deeds, Quit Claim Deeds, Lady Bird Deeds, and Land Contracts to name a few. When one person buys another persons’ house, there is not only a deed drafted but a real estate closing is conducted to exchange a deed of some type in exchange for money. There are other documents, which are preliminary to the closing, for example, a purchase agreement. Never sign anything without having an attorney review if first. No matter what a document is called in real estate, they all have meaning and can result in a horrible financial decision if not reviewed carefully before signing.
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act is one of the most complex legal acts in the American law system. We litigate RICO claims so you can rest easy knowing our experience is working for you.
Many potential sexual harassment plaintiffs are surprised to learn that there is a difference between what many of us would consider “sexual harassment” and what the law actually says is illegal and actionable. As the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission tells us, “[i]t is unlawful to harass a person (an applicant or employee) because of that person’s sex. Harassment can include ‘sexual harassment’ or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature.” It may also include “offensive remarks about a person’s sex” such as “making offensive comments about women in general." Finally, “[a]although the law doesn’t prohibit simple teasing, offhand comments, or isolated incidents that are not very serious, harassment is illegal when it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive work environment or when it results in an adverse employment decision (such as the victim being fired or demoted).” State law civil rights acts tend to mirror Title VII’s definition. Michigan Courts, for instance, have fairly consistently held that the ELCRA should borrow from Title VII’s interpretation of “sexual harassment.”
Know your rights before you sign any contracts. Our lawyers are waiting to help counsel you on intellectual property issues, and we are happy to help review or draft contracts in order to make sure you are getting what you deserve.
Our experts on tax laws can help you appeal or contest state or federal tax debt and help guide you in applying for tax exemptions/appeal denial of exemption.
The Empowered Estate Plan
PLANNING TODAY, PEACE OF MIND TOMORROW
Quality estate planning results from an experienced counseling-oriented attorney carefully listening to your needs, goals and concerns. Since each client has individual needs, we never attempt to fit you into a “one size fits all” plan. Your estate plan is designed with your cooperation and your family in mind, because each family is unique.
Our goal is to be your trusted advisor who can help you make the very best personal, financial, and legal decisions for your family throughout your lifetime. We want to help you not just now, but also when you can't be there so that we can help guide your loved ones through a difficult process.
In short, our sole focus is to help families avoid collapse after the death or disability of a loved one.
As your trusted advisor and counselor, we'd love to start protecting the people you love and everything else you care about today.
You want to control your property while you are alive and well, taking care of your loved ones and yourself if you become disabled. Before or after your death, you want to distribute your property to whomever you want, whenever you want, and however you choose. You also want to avoid any unnecessary taxes, court costs, or other fees.
The Law Offices of Casey D. Conklin, PLC with years of legal experience to help you plan, protect, and preserve your wealth and family values. We will work with you and your other planning professionals as a “TEAM” to meet your planning objectives, for you and your loved ones.
We can show you how to plan for a lifetime, save money, save taxes, save court costs and fees, and get a “superior” estate or business succession plan, all at the lowest “overall” cost to you and your loved ones.
Leaving a Real Legacy – Business Succession Planning
Exit Planning helps business owners set, sort through, and achieve their exit objectives. It enables owners to leave their companies when they want, to the successors they want, and with the amount of cash they need.
"At some point, virtually all closely-held and family-owned businesses will lose their primary owner to death or retirement." - Dr. Joyce Brochaus, author of Succession Planning.
After you are gone or in the event of your incapacity, your loved ones, family, business partner, clients, vendors, and others will miss you deeply. Your business needs to be able to go on to support them.
You will either leave them with a legacy that is meaningful, easy to manage or cash out, and keep supporting them -- or you will leave them with a big mess to deal with.
We will explore together what we can do today to ensure your business can and will continue to serve you and your clients well whether you are on vacation, taking a health break, or when you pass it on to loved ones after you are gone.
If you see ownership change in your future, we can help you plan a successful business exit. We can help you answer the seven planning questions located on this page and identify qualified advisors to help you through the process.
