Michael Lichterman, Attorney & Counselor at Law
Michael Lichterman is a caring attorney dedicated to helping individuals and families make the best legal decisions. Michael’s practice focuses on estate planning, special needs planning, wealth transfer, asset protection, elder law and medicaid planning, and small business formation and counsel. He develops lifelong relationships with his clients, serving as a trusted advisor to them and their families. Michael skillfully guides his clients as they preserve and protect their assets, loved ones, and legacies, including their most important asset — who they are and what is important to them (values, insights, stories, and experiences).

Michael received his law degree (Magna Cum Laude) from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Grand Rapids, MI and his B.B.A. in Finance from Grand Valley State University (with Honors). During and following law school, Michael worked for a commercial equipment leasing company as Vice President and Assistant Counsel.

Michael has been practicing law in Michigan since 2007 and enjoys becoming an on-going trusted advisor and lifelong resource for all his clients, assuring he can be there for their family when they cannot. He considers each day to be another opportunity to help Michigan families and businesses protect and provide for their future.

Michael is devoted to helping families and businesses achieve their goals of protecting their assets (their “stuff’) through innovative estate and business planning. Michael thinks of his firm as a caring, forward-looking, problem-solving vehicle for legally and financially transitioning families particularly those who want to leave a lasting family legacy, those with young children, and small-business owners. He also encourages and guides his clients to pass along more than just their financial assets through Whole Family Wealth Planning, which conveys their values, insights, stories and experiences to their families and loved ones.

When he is not busy helping clients, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife, Mandy, and their children, Matthew and Elizabeth, golfing, reading, competitive pistol shooting, and playing music at his church. He gives back to the community through his involvement with Mind Meets Music (Board Member and Board Secretary) and as a Board member of Greater Life Pentecostal church. He holds a Certificate in Probate and Estate Planning from the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the State Bar Probate and Estate Planning Section, and is a presenter and commentator attorney for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. He is a council member of the Probate and Estate Planning Council of the State Bar of Michigan, and is a Michigan Super Lawyers® Rising Star in Estate Planning and Probate (2013 – 2017). He is proud to be a member of Wealth Counsel, the West Michigan Estate Planning Council and the Grand Rapids Bar Association. He has been a guest on the Home Boys Real Estate show on WJRW (1340 AM) on the topic of real estate and estate planning.

Awards/Professional Achievements
Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star in Estate Planning and Probate – 2013-2017
State Bar of Michigan Probate & Estate Planning Section Council – Member; Chair of Electronic Communications Committee
Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education Advisory Board Member – Estate Planning and Probate
Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education – Presenter and Commentator Attorney

Court and Bar Admissions
All Michigan State Courts
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Education
Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School – 2007
Bachelor of Business Administration (Finance) from Grand Valley State University – 2002