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 intertwine.

From the day they obtain their professional licenses, physicians encounter numerous legal issues, from entering into employment arrangements to starting into their own practices and forming business relationships. Michelle counsels doctors and physician groups at every stage, including employment agreements and restrictions, business entity selection and formation, leases and purchases of office space and equipment, vendor contracts, and dissolution. Physician clients also look to her for their estate planning, wealth transfer, and asset protection needs.

Farmers are an important constituency and backbone of the Michigan economy within which different legal needs often intertwine. Along with agribusinesses and other companies, they face complicated business and succession planning issues. Michelle acts as outside general counsel to these clients, serving as a trusted advisor to multiple generations and owners. This requires a broad perspective and familiarity with an even broader array of legal concerns, including labor and employment, immigration, insurance, financing, and real property matters.

Along with her wise counsel and business savvy, clients value Michelle’s attentiveness and responsiveness – she is “on call” 24 hours a day. Most importantly, she not only listens to her clients, but she also makes them feel heard.

Equally dedicated to the community in which she lives and works, Michelle sits on the Professional Advisory Committee for Grand Rapids Community Foundation.

Michelle is on the board of directors for the Ottawa County Chapter of the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), a consortium of agencies devoted to addressing the needs of sexually abused children and their families. She is also Vice President of Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl, a staple in the Grand Haven community where families can learn to ski and snowboard.

For a farming family with two aging parents, five adult children, and thousands of acres of land valued at $50 million, Michelle crafted an appropiate business structure and estate plan that equitably accommodated everyone – including some children who did not wish to participate in the business – and ensured the future of the enterprise and family history.