
A Full-Service Law Firm
Willis Law Pro Bono Clinics
Once a month, the lawyers and staff at Willis Law provide legal services to those in need free of charge. The services are provided at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission. Services include estate planning, probate, criminal defense, civil litigation and select corporate work. The firm is dedicated to providing access to legal work to those incapable of paying for the same.
Willis Law is proud to give back to our community by helping women at the YWCA with their legal issues. Once per month, we offer our services on a pro bono basis to women in need of assistance for a wide range of issues including domestic violence & human trafficking, to help them lead a better life. We proudly represent these women from the start of their case all the way through to its resolution, not just by providing simple legal advice. We feel that by actually handling the cases and doing the work on behalf of these clients, we are helping them obtain a better resolution than the advice alone would be able to provide.

Giving Back
Our attorneys care deeply about the communities we serve, dedicating 10% of our time to giving back through volunteer work, local partnerships, and charitable initiatives.
Nonprofit Boards for which Willis Law attorneys are or were board members or executives, or volunteer their time:
- Holy Cross College at Notre Dame, Indiana
- Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis Foundation
- Kalamazoo Christian School Association
- Vineyard Outreach Ministries
- St. Monica School
- Ducks Unlimited of Greater Kalamazoo
- Kalamazoo Area Habitat for Humanity
- Muscular Dystrophy Association
- American Red Cross
- Christian Legal Aid of Southwest Michigan
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Ladies Library Association
- Kalamazoo Air Zoo
- Radiant Church
- The Park Club
- Notre Dame Club of Kalamazoo
- Greater Kalamazoo Association of Realtors
- Goodwill Industries
- Great Lakes Justice Center
- Southwest Michigan First
- Tree of Life School
- Hospitality House
- Junior Achievement
- Stratford Hills Association
- Home Builders Association of Kalamazoo
- Kalamazoo County Bar Association
- Boys and Girls Club
- Kalamazoo Deacons Conference
- Michigan Mountain Bike Association
- Wills For Heroes
- YWCA: Domestic Violence Prevention
- Alternatives of Kalamazoo
- Cadet Program: Westwood Church
- Rich & Tyler Smith Soccer Center Project
- Valley Family Church
- Urban Apolistic Church
- Hacket High School
Wills For Heroes Foundation

In 2007, Attorney Emily Durham (then general counsel, AVB Companies) and Attorney Shaun Willis (partner, Willis Law) teamed up to bring the “Wills for Heroes” program to Michigan. With the support of attorney Michael Willis and paralegal Jayme Jones, the Kalamazoo attorneys established this pro-bono affiliate program in Michigan.
Annually, Willis Law attorneys come together to help the first responders who serve us every day. Volunteer Willis Law attorneys will provide estate planning documents to members of the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department, free of charge.

Wills for Heroes is an opportunity for attorneys to give back to the first responders who protect and serve their communities every day. The program will launch in Michigan with the first event being held in collaboration with officers from the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Department and volunteer attorneys. Sheriff Richard C. Fuller, III, has worked closely with Durham and Willis to bring this program to the Department for the launch in Michigan.
The Wills for Heroes Foundation works nationwide with affiliate organizations to provide free wills and other estate planning documents to America’s first responders, including police officers, firefighters and paramedics. Since November 2001, the Wills for Heroes program has provided more than 7,000 estate planning documents nationwide. Attorneys Anthony Hayes and Jeffrey Jacobson oversee the Wills for Heroes Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Donate to join us in “protecting those who protect us”® at www.willsforheroes.org.


Willis Law offers experienced, zealous representation throughout West Michigan. Whether you need local counsel, have a conflict of interest, or require assistance outside your practice area, we’re here to help. We honor all ethical fee-sharing agreements and keep you informed while protecting your client relationships.


The People Who Walk Beside You
Guiding You with Experience, Integrity, and Heart
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Michael J. Willis J.D., C.P.A. Director and Co-Founder
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Shaun P. Willis J.D. Director and Co-Founder
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Samuel R. Gilbertson J.D. Managing Partner
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Davis C. Martin, J.D. Partner
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Donald H. Smith, J.D. Attorney/Partner
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Robert Wilson Chief Financial Officer
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Frank D. Willis J.D. Chief Senior Counsel
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Paul Morgan, J.D. Senior Counsel Attorney
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Chico S. Obande J.D. Attorney
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Jennifer L. Grahek, J.D. Attorney
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Aric D. Kasel, J.D. Attorney
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Cody Hayward, J.D. Attorney
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Austin J. Beaudet Attorney
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Mariko C. Willis, J.D. Of Counsel Attorney
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Verelle Kirkwood J.D. Of Counsel Attorney
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Kristyn Meulenberg J.D. Of Counsel Attorney
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Nicholas Vogelzang Of Counsel Asbestos Litigation Attorney
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Larry E. Henneman Of Counsel Patent Attorney
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Wally Ferrara Operations Manager
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Michele Guyman Paralegal
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Brian Thompson Paralegal
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Angela Doster Paralegal
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Clare Zemlick Legal Assistant
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Patty Stickels Legal Assistant
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Kay Davidson Legal Assistant
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Jessica Janik Legal Assistant
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Elizabeth Doolittle Administrative Assistant
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Mark Zigterman Accountant
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Margarita Jensen Intake Coordinator
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Patrick Willis Courier
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Rylan Smith Courier
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Chris Willis Courier
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Christian Willis Courier
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Devin Willis Receptionist
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Alex Lockwood
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Savannah Thompson Legal Assistant
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Walter Willis Courier



Dedicated to Our Client's Success
We put our money where our mouth is – each of our employees, from top to bottom, are rated by all other employees on how they are meeting core values – bonuses are paid each year based on the results.
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I can't recommend the incredible people and services of Willis Law! They are incredible benefactors of our community and are committed to making it a better place.- Adam S.
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I have been fortunate enough to work with Willis Law for the last few years. The team is very knowledgeable and always so responsive. I appreciate their insight and expertise which has added so much value to my life. Can't go wrong with this firm!- Ryan J.
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Willis Law is phenomenal! Fast response, polite, and courteous. Very capable. They will be the first I call if other legal services are needed. Highly recommended!- Sherry B.
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I experienced great personal attention from Willis Law. Everyone was above competent. I don’t doubt the quality of legal counsel I received!- Thomas F.
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All things went smoothly and as expected. Very pleased with the resulting estate plan.- Anonymous
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- James S.
I don’t know how Mariko could be better. She totally exceeded my expectations. If anyone I hear is in need of legal services, Willis will be the first words out of my mouth!
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Mariko was very professional, but it was also obvious she cared about what we were doing and made sure our experience was a good and productive one. Thank you!!- Tim F.
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- Anonymous
My wife and I thank you and your staff for navigating us through the estate process once again. It can be overwhelming at times. Your firm has been absolutely wonderful to work with.