Grand Rapids Attorneys

In addition to leading McShane & Bowie as our Managing Partner, Michelle Anthes concentrates her practice in estate planning, trust and probate administration, as well as corporate law, with a focus on physician practices and farming – an important constituency and backbone of the Michigan economy within which different legal needs often intertwine.

Bill Bowie focuses his practice on the financial side of business transactions. This includes real estate development, zoning, condominium, taxation, property tax assessments, general business, and estate planning. Bill deals with real estate developers, general contractors, retailers, and automotive dealers; and advises clients who are buying and selling real estate and businesses. He has been involved in numerous commercial and real estate developments, providing both legal services and structuring and financing analysis.
Bill also serves on the firm’s management committee.

In and out of the courtroom, Jennifer Brougham is a strategist and a tactician, achieving favorable outcomes for clients in a variety of business and employment disputes and commercial transactions.

Kathleen Bruinsma represents business and nonprofit entities in matters of employment, land use, and domestic and international trademark. Prior to joining McShane & Bowie, Kathleen practiced in the Chicago office of a London law firm, where, in addition to commercial and class action defense work, she handled contract and treaty matters for French-speaking clients.

Jim Bruinsma focuses on commercial, financial services, and real estate litigation, as well as business and corporate representation that includes contract negotiation, land use and real estate development, governance, and financial transactions.

Jennie Boldish Bryan is one of the most respected and accomplished family law attorneys in Western Michigan. Jennie represents both men and women in complex divorce litigation including property issues, business valuations, prenuptial agreements, support issues, custody and parenting time. Known for her preparation, diligence, and responsiveness, she is an effective advocate and skilled negotiator.

Wayne represents clients in business, corporate, succession planning and estate planning matters, with a goal of representing his clients from “cradle to grave,” In fact, many clients say that they’ve never met a lawyer like Wayne. More than just a lawyer. A true old-fashioned counselor and advisor.

Dan Challa provides comprehensive counsel in real estate matters, representing banks, institutional lenders, developers, builders, and others across a range of transactions – a practice he’s built since joining McShane & Bowie after graduating from law school in 1981.

As a senior associate in the firm’s business and corporate practice group, Nick Heinz represents clients in a wide array of business transactions. He has a particular focus on mid-market mergers and acquisitions.

Mark Hills focuses on commercial, financial services, real estate, and complex family law litigation.

For the past 20 years, Laura Kane has enjoyed helping clients to solve problems efficiently and to achieve their goals. Laura knows that good client service requires active listening, hard work, dedication, creativity, and resourcefulness.

Before becoming a lawyer, Laura worked for many years as a litigation and corporate paralegal for a range of employers—a national law firm, in-house legal departments, and state government. Laura gained valuable experience in complex litigation and commercial and real estate transactions while assisting a variety of clients. Her background provides a unique perspective and pragmatic approach to legal matters.

As a lawyer, Laura has focused on civil litigation matters and enjoys courtroom advocacy. With a keen awareness of the effort and cost involved in protracted litigation, Laura has also counseled clients on early dispute resolution and litigation avoidance.

Laura is passionate about defensible e-discovery practices, effective oral advocacy, and innovative trial techniques.

Outside of the office, Laura plays piano and enjoys hiking, fishing, and travel with her husband and two children. Laura serves on the Advisory Board of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of Michigan and cares deeply about ADL’s Mission.

BAR ADMISSION:

• Michigan
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Evan Malady is an associate at McShane & Bowie, PLC practicing in our real estate, commercial litigation, and estate planning groups.

Evan received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and his law degree from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.

Todd Neckers decided he was going to be a lawyer as soon as his dreams of playing professional baseball died – which happened to be in the 6th grade – so you could say he has prepared for a legal career since the early 1990s. And with seven lawyers in his family, including his father, he had plenty of opportunities to observe and ask questions from a very young age.

Steve Price advises and represents clients on a broad range of real estate and business matters.

Kyle Quinn concentrates exclusively on family law matters, helping people at some of the most emotionally difficult and financially uncertain points in their lives. These matters include but are not limited to prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, divorce, separate maintenance, property division, child support, spousal support (alimony), custody, and parenting time.

Aaron Smith provides practical counsel in all phases of commercial real estate development, guiding clients through both legal and business issues to help them achieve their objectives.

His areas of expertise include complex commercial real estate acquisitions, dispositions and developments. Aaron also has extensive experience negotiating office, retail and industrial leases and recreational land use agreements.

Nicholas Smith concentrates his practice in commercial real estate, working with individuals, small businesses, developers, real estate investors, and financial institutions throughout Michigan. Primarily, he focuses on property acquisition, disposition, and leasing.

David Smith has been with McShane & Bowie for more than 50 years and during that lifetime of experience, he has focused his practice exclusively on commercial real estate and development. He is now Of Counsel to the Firm and is no longer accepting new client assignments.

Bill VanderSluis has an extensive transactional real estate practice that spans agricultural law to zoning law and everything in between. To Bill, every real estate matter is a puzzle that needs deciphering and solving, a perspective that helps him minimize risk for the banks, developers, investors, farmers, and individuals he represents. Retaining Bill is like buying an insurance policy – if there’s a problem, he’ll find it and fix it now, saving unnecessary time and expense later.

Keith Walker moved to Grand Rapids from Los Angeles in 1977 to join McShane & Bowie after graduation from the UCLA Law School. His areas of practice include real estate development, zoning, condominium, and other aspects of real estate law; general business, and tax and estate planning.