Butzel, a pioneering Detroit-based law firm founded in 1854, is adding eight attorneys and 12 staff members (administrators and paralegals) in southwest Michigan. They are joining the firm from Kotz Sangster.
The new Butzel attorneys include:
Niles Office
Mowitt (Mitt) S. Drew III (shareholder), Kelly L. Travis (shareholder), and John R. Colip (shareholder).
South Haven
Andrew W. Barnes (shareholder) and Jordan D. Florian (associate).
St. Joseph
Amber D. Peters (shareholder), Matthew S. Derby (shareholder), and William M. Engeln (Counsel).
“Butzel’s clients are across the whole state and they’re growing. We need to be where they are and we need first-rate attorneys to be accessible to those clients,” says Paul M. Mersino, president and CEO of Butzel. “After adding Grand Rapids a little more than a year ago, these three offices and their attorneys are a natural fit.
“Mitt and his team are outstanding attorneys and people who fit our culture. They personify the excellence we’re looking for in this time of growth and share our commitment to excellent client service above all else. We are pleased to add them to the Butzel team.”
The practice areas of the new attorneys include:
Mowitt (Mitt) S. Drew III
Drew has been practicing law for 25 years and focuses his practice on business litigation including agri-business/food processing, commercial and contract, estate planning, family law, family litigation, probate and trust administration, real estate land use and zoning as well as real property sales and acquisitions.
He earned a J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1999 and a B.G.S. from the University of Michigan in 1996.
Kelly L. Travis
Travis’ practice is focused on general litigation. She is a former Assistant Prosecutor in Berrien County. Her practice areas include asset protection planning, commercial and contract, estate planning, family law, family litigation, family wealth transfer planning, probate and trust administration, real estate, land use and zoning, and wealth transfer planning.
She earned a J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1996 and a B.S. from Indiana University, Kelly School of Law in 1992.
John R. Colip
For more than 40 years, Colip’s practice has been focused on asset protection planning, corporate and business planning services, estate planning, family law, probate and trust administration, real property sales, and acquisitions.
He earned a J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1975 and a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in 1972.
Andrew W. Barnes
His real estate practice is focused on agri-business/food processing, appellate, asset protection planning, claim litigation/arbitration, commercial contracts, commercial property leasing, real estate financing, real estate property, sales, and acquisitions, to name a few.
Barnes earned a J.D. (magna cum laude) from Michigan State University College of Law in 2006 and a B.A. (magna cum laude) from Western Michigan University in 2003.
Jordan D. Florian
Florian’s litigation practice areas include a focus on commercial contracts, environmental, environmental law for real estate, real property sales, and acquisitions, and more.
Florian earned a J.D. (cum laude) from Valparaiso University School of Law in 2017 and a B.S. from Louisiana State University, Natural Resources Ecology Management – Westland Science in 2014.
Amber D. Peters
Her litigation practice includes a focus on estate planning, family estate planning, family law, and family litigation as well as probate and trust administration.
Peters earned a J.D. from Wayne State University School of Law in 2014 and a B.A. (cum laude) from Bethel College in 2010.
Matthew S. Derby
His labor and employment practice includes a focus on investigation of employee misconduct, promotions/demotions, ERISA withdrawal liability, employment service agreements, and more.
Derby earned a J.D. from Wayne State University School of Law in 1987 and a B.A. (with distinction) from the University of Michigan in 1982.
William M. Engeln
Engeln’s corporate practice includes bank financing for businesses, commercial contracts, contract drafting and negotiation, corporate and business planning services, corporate finance, corporate governance, estate planning, mergers and acquisitions, probate and trust administration, real property sales and acquisitions, and succession planning for business owners.
He earned a J.D. (cum laude) from Northwestern University School of Law in 1980 and a B.A. (summa cum laude) from Washington State University in 1970.
Butzel’s full-service law offices are located in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Troy and in southwest, Mich. as well as New York, NY, Washington, D.C., and global alliance offices. Butzel is an active member of Lex Mundi, a global association of 160 independent law firms.
For more information, visit butzel.com.
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