On May 5, 2026, in celebration of Law Day, the Grand Rapids Bar Association & the Justice Foundation of West Michigan will partner with the 61st Judicial District Court to host students from Ottawa Hills High School for an immersive educational experience at the courthouse, offering a firsthand look at the judicial system in action.

The students are participants in the 3Rs program, an initiative of the Justice Foundation of West Michigan. Through this program, the entire ninth-grade class, along with some upperclass students, meet monthly with legal professionals to explore the Constitution and examine their “Rights, Responsibilities, and Realities” through practical, discussion-based civic education.

As part of the Law Day celebration, students will observe live courtroom proceedings, tour court facilities, and engage directly with judges, attorneys, and staff. These experiences are designed to reinforce classroom learning while providing meaningful insight into how the legal system operates in everyday life.

In conjunction with the visit, students will also participate in an essay contest organized by the Grand Rapids 61st District Court. The contest encourages students to reflect on the Rule of Law and the American Dream, the national theme of Law Day 2026. Selected students will be recognized for their work by members of the court.

"Law Day is an opportunity to connect with students in a meaningful way and help them better understand the justice system,” said Chief Judge Angela T. Ross. “For many young people, this system can feel overwhelming or unwelcoming, so by opening our doors, we are showing them they matter, that their voices deserve to be heard, and that they have the power to make a real difference in their communities.”

The Justice Foundation of West Michigan is proud to support initiatives like the 3Rs program that promote civic education and strengthen community understanding of the legal system.

Kalamazoo, Mich.   Attorney Shaun Willis, J.D., has been appointed by the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives to serve on the Governor’s Water Use Advisory Council.

Mr. Willis is Co-Founder and Partner of Willis Law, a firm that employs 40 attorneys and staff with offices in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Paw Paw, and Chicago. With more than 20 years of experience, he focuses his practice on business, real estate, and construction litigation. He is recognized for his success in mediation arbitration and trials, having attained excellent results for  his clients.

“I am honored to be appointed to the Governor’s Water Use Advisory Council,” said Shaun Willis. “Michigan’s water is one of our greatest resources, and I look forward to contributing practical, real-world solutions to help protect it for future generations.”

Willis is admitted to practice in all Michigan state courts, the federal courts in both the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Michigan Supreme Court. He is also a certified Major League Baseball agent and a licensed commercial pilot.

The Willis Law firm is dedicated to God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and Shaun’s late brother, Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis. In his memory, Shaun actively volunteers with the Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis Foundation, which provides college scholarships to children whose parent has been killed or 100% disabled in a combat zone.

Willis and his wife Corrina are active in the Kalamazoo community and attend Valley Family Church. They are the proud parents of seven children.

About Willis Law Willis Law is a full-service business law firm dedicated to its clients, its community, and its faith. The firm maintains offices in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Paw Paw, and Chicago.

For more information, visit www.willislaw.com.

LAW CLERK – The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan is accepting applications for a full-time Law Clerk to Magistrate Judge Ray Kent in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  The Law Clerk will perform research and writing tasks assigned by the Judicial Officer.  For additional position and application details, please visit the court’s website at  www.miwd.uscourts.gov   (Court Information>Employment Opportunities). EOE   Application deadline:   Open until filled. 

(Grand Rapids, MI — February 5, 2026) Hilger Hammond is pleased to announce the promotion of Jeremy Orenstein, Chad Antuma, and Andy Hilger to partner, marking an important milestone in the firm’s continued growth and leadership development.

“We could not be happier to have Jeremy, Chad, and Andy join the partnership,” said Ben Hammond, partner and founding member of Hilger Hammond. “They have each, in their own way, developed the skills and demonstrated the leadership that will allow them to thrive in the next leg of their journey with the firm. These lawyers are hungry, humble, and smart — which is exactly what a growing firm needs to succeed.”

Each new partner brings distinct experience and leadership that will strengthen the firm’s ability to serve clients across its core practice areas.

Jeremy Orenstein focuses his practice on construction, real estate, business litigation, and appeals. With experience from both the Michigan Court of Appeals and trial courts, he regularly handles complex commercial disputes, property matters, and construction-related controversies. Jeremy has been recognized as a 2026 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Construction Law and Litigation, a 2025 Top Lawyer in Construction Law by Grand Rapids Magazine, and a 2025 Michigan Rising Star in Construction Litigation by SuperLawyers Magazine.

Chad Antuma practices in complex and commercial litigation, real estate law, and business law at all stages of dispute. He has developed a growing tree law practice, addressing disputes involving property rights, liability, and land-use issues. Chad has been recognized as a 2025 Michigan Rising Star in Business Litigation by Super Lawyers and a 2025 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Commercial Litigation and Healthcare Law.

Andy Hilger brings more than a decade of hands-on construction industry experience into his legal practice, providing clients with practical, real-world insight throughout the lifecycle of construction projects — from contract formation and negotiation through arbitration, mediation, and litigation. Andy was named a 2025 Top Lawyer in Construction Law by Grand Rapids Magazine.

“These new partners each bring different skill sets that greatly benefit the firm,” Hammond added. “Andy’s construction industry background gives him a unique understanding of the practical impact of legal advice. Jeremy’s appellate and arbitration experience strengthens our litigation bench. Chad has a knack for developing client relationships and tackling complex legal matters across a wide variety of cases.”

“The future is very bright,” Hammond said. “With these three new partners — and other attorneys close behind them in experience — we have secured a strong core of lawyers who will lead Hilger Hammond into its next phase.”

Media Contact:

Assistant Corporate Counsel II position open with Kent County

Salary: $119,210.00 - $135,578.00 Annually

Job Type: Full-time

Location: 300 Monroe Avenue NW Grand Rapids

Job Number: 2502-171-3599

Department: Administrator/Controller

Opening Date: 01/30/2026

Closing Date: 2/13/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

More details can be found here: Assistant Corporate Counsel II | Job Details tab | Career Pages

 

Job Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Corporate Counsel, provides advanced legal counsel and advice in assigned Corporate matters to the Board of Commissioners, Administrator’s Office and other County departments and agencies.  Assists the Corporate Counsel in development and implementation of legal policy and procedure and supervision of outside counsel retained by the County.  Represents the County in administrative and judicial proceedings.  Incumbents within the class work independently within the guidelines of established office policies, court procedures, and rules of evidence and procedure. May provide direction to Assistant Corporate Counsel I when working on joint projects or in preparation for litigation

Responsibilities:

Provides legal advice with respect to assigned Corporate matters to the Board of Commissioners, the Administrator’s Office and other County departments and agencies.

Monitors the operations and interactions of County departments to identify and reduce potential exposure to legal liability.

Researches, analyzes and evaluates legal issues on behalf of County departments and agencies and the Board of Commissioners and provides written and/or oral opinions and advice as appropriate.

Assists in the development of legal policies and procedures to minimize the County’s exposure to legal liability and to ensure County compliance with all federal and state laws, rules and regulations applying to the governance of Kent County.

Represents the County in litigation.

Represents the legal interests of the County at meetings of the Board of Commissioners and its Standing Committees in the absence of the Corporate Counsel, and in interdepartmental and intergovernmental operations and actions.

Negotiates and reviews transactional agreements and other legally binding agreements between the County and other parties.

Reviews and analyzes the potential impact on the County of proposed or pending legislation and judicial decisions.

Assists in public records/records retention issues, FOIA requests, and/or subpoena processing.

Supervises outside legal counsel retained by the County in assigned matters.

Assists in drafting proposed County ordinances and potential legislation.

Performs other work as required to preserve and protect the interests and assets of the County.
 

 

Minimum Qualifications

 

Possession of a Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Law Degree from an ABA accredited institution.

Minimum three years of demonstrably successful experience in the practice of municipal, general corporate, commercial real estate, environmental regulation, business, transactional, employment, labor, and/or other areas of law.

Demonstrably successful experience in Michigan municipal law highly preferred. Will consider significant successful experience in other areas of law.

Licenses and Certifications: Must be a member in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan and eligible to practice before Michigan and Federal Courts.

 

Required skills and knowledge:

Thorough working knowledge of general legal theory, principles and practice.

Thorough working knowledge of the code of ethics and standards of practice for attorneys.

Working knowledge of municipal law and its application to the operation of county governments, and comprehensive knowledge of related reference and research resources.

Working knowledge of federal, state and local statutes, rules, and regulations affecting the practice of municipal law in county government, and comprehensive knowledge of related reference and research resources.

Working knowledge of the principles and practices of dispute resolution (litigation and non-litigation).

Working knowledge of the principles and practices of negotiation, preparation and review of transactional documents.

 

Additional Information

*Notices will come via email so please be sure to monitor the email address indicated on your application* 

 

Grand Rapids Public Library Survey

The Grand Rapids Public Library is exploring new ways to connect residents with community partners and resources, and is reaching out to the community for input to help guide its next steps. Please see the link below to submit your feedback and help prioritize what matters most to you as the library moves forward. The survey takes about 3–4 minutes.

Grand Rapids Public Library Community Survey Link

LAW CLERK - Applications are being accepted for a full-time Law Clerk to Magistrate Judge Phillip J. Green in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  The Law Clerk will perform research and writing tasks assigned by the Judicial Officer.  Position available now and may be eligible for limited telework after period of establishment and/or training is completed. For application and position details, visit the court’s website at  www.miwd.uscourts.gov   (Court Information>Employment Opportunities). EOE   Application deadline:   Open until filled. 

General Definition of Work:

Under the direction of the Judge, the Law Clerk will be required to perform legal research and analysis to assist the Judge in determining the disposition of matters before the court. Written memoranda, summaries and analysis for use at oral argument will be required. Written reports and recommendations as to disposition of cases may also be required. In addition, the Law Clerk under guidance of the Judge may prepare drafts for decisions, orders, findings of fact, jury instructions, and other legal documents. The Law Clerk may provide technical review of proposed opinions and alert Judge to errors of fact and law. The Law Clerk will provide other professional legal research, analysis, and writing assistance to the Judge as requested. The Law Clerk will communicate and work closely with other court personnel to ensure timely and efficient court operations.

Essential Functions:

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs legal research and analysis to assist the Judge in determining the disposition of matters before the court.
• Examines briefs, case records and legal authorities.
• Writes memoranda and may recommend questions for the Judge's use at oral argument.
• Researches statutes, case law, matters of fact, administrative law decisions and other materials pertaining to the issue or case at hand; digests and analyzes information; and prepares reports and recommendations.
• Confers with the Judge to discuss legal research materials.
• Recommends disposition of cases, and under guidance of the Judge, drafts decisions, opinions, orders, findings of fact and other legal documents for Judge's review and approval.
• As requested, provides technical review of proposed opinions and alerts judges to errors of fact and law.
• Prepares jury instructions for trials. Maintains and updates jury instruction notebooks.
• May serve as a bailiff in the courtroom, maintaining order, enforcing courtroom rules of behavior, and maintaining the integrity of the jury.
• May perform other functions as necessary to ensure proper case flow and timely litigation of cases in the court, working with and communicating with court staff and attorneys appearing before the court.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school with coursework in constitutional and family law, contracts, property, criminal, civil, and administrative procedures or related field.

Experience: Minimal (less than 1 year) experience in legal research and writing, including clerkships, internships, clinics, law review, moot court, and/or other legal experience, or a combination of education and experience.

Preferred:

• Thorough working knowledge of legal terminology, legal research methods and resources, and the principles and practices of legal writing.
• Computer literacy and knowledge of word processing, computer-based research, and database management applications.
• Ability to become familiar with and comply with the Michigan Code of Judicial Conduct, Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, and Code of Conduct for Michigan Trial Court Employees.
• Ability to become familiar with and comply with privacy requirements related to the court.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and human relations skills.

Special Requirements:

• Licensed attorney in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan or attainment of licensure within three (3) months of hire.

Additional Information

Additional information and application details can be found here.

LAW CLERK - Applications are being accepted for a full-time Law Clerk to Magistrate Judge Phillip J. Green in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  The Law Clerk will perform research and writing tasks assigned by the Judicial Officer.  For application and position details, visit the court’s website at  www.miwd.uscourts.gov   (Court Information>Employment Opportunities). EOE   Application deadline:   Open until filled.  Priority consideration given to those who apply by October 20, 2025. See attached document for position overview.

PURPOSE The individual in this position conducts hearings as authorized by the Chief Judge including domestic relations, juvenile delinquency, and child protective proceedings.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
• Requires excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Maintains expert-level knowledge of Michigan Court Rules, statutes, case law, and the Michigan Rules of Evidence governing domestic relations, juvenile delinquency, and child protective matters, with continual awareness of legislative and judicial changes.
• Possesses and sustains advanced knowledge of the Michigan Child Support Formula, remaining informed of revisions and updates to its application.
• Analyzes, evaluates, and organizes testimony and other evidence.
• Interprets, reviews, and structures court orders, statutes, procedures, and court rules.
• Exercises judicial independence while consistently demonstrating appropriate judicial demeanor.
• Communicates professionally with litigants, attorneys, counselors, judges, and other stakeholders, including ability to positively interact with Family Division colleagues.
• Protects the confidentiality of court records, including sensitive case data and federal tax information.
• Adapts to technological advancements, maintaining proficiency with new software, hardware, and related updates.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Primarily courtroom and office-based with light physical effort with potential opportunity for remote work.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Conduct motion and evidentiary hearings, contempt hearings, settlement conferences, preliminary hearings, progress reviews, emergency removal hearings, and other hearings as designated by the Court.
• Review pleadings, orders, and reports.
• Administer oaths.
• Conduct legal research, both as needed for referee recommendations and as directed by the Court.
• Listen to testimony.
• Rule on the admissibility of testimony and other evidence.
• Determine and apply appropriate burden of proof.
• Analyze facts and apply appropriate guidelines and law.
• Produce written findings of fact and recommendations for orders and orders in an expeditious manner as required by Court Rule.

• Provide advice to staff regarding legal issues involved in domestic relations, juvenile delinquency, and child abuse/neglect cases.
• May be required to provide Magistrate duties.
• Participate in workgroups and committees.
• Must be available for on-call duties and after-hours matters.
• Participate in the development of policy, programming, and services for domestic relations, juvenile delinquency, child protective proceedings, and other areas of the court as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from an accredited law school, licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan, and must be a good standing of the State Bar of Michigan. Must have a minimum of four years of experience as a practicing attorney, preferably in domestic relations or family division matters, or two years of experience as a referee or magistrate, preferably in a domestic relations or family court setting. Will consider other legal experience which provides comparable knowledge and experience.

SUPERVISION
This position reports to the assigned Family Division Judge who reports to the Chief Judge. Day-to-day work is performed under the direction of the Family Division Administrator.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
In addition to conducting the Referee hearings, the individual in this position acts as the hearing room bailiff and court recorder. The Referee is responsible for preparing Referee Recommendations for Orders and Orders following hearings consistent with the Michigan Court Rules.
• Able to work effectively with clients facing financial and emotional stress while maintaining neutrality and objectivity.
• Committed to providing unbiased customer service.
• Willing to participate in ongoing training, both on-site and off-site.
• Employment is contingent on background check, criminal history, fingerprint check, and drug screen.
• Applicants must complete a County application form.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
The individual in this position is an at-will employee and serves at the pleasure of the Chief Judge.
Send Applications To: Van Buren County Administration Building
219 E. Paw Paw Street, Suite 302
Paw Paw, MI 49079
Applications are available from Human Resources Division
Phone: (269) 657-8230
Website: https://www.vanburencountymi.gov/682/Employment-Opportunities
Van Buren County Government is An Equal Opportunity Employer