Grand Haven, MI

John’s legal ability has won many cases, but John’s understanding, knowledge, and experience are what win the trust of his clients. He has won academic distinctions like the Corpus Juris Secundum Award in Contracts and Civil Procedure while earning his Juris Doctor degree. He is admitted to practice in Michigan, South Carolina, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania, before the Supreme Court for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and federal courts in Michigan, North Carolina, and South Carolina. John began practicing law in 1997. The majority of John’s career has been with a specialized litigation firm in Charleston, South Carolina. While there he acted as lead counsel in over 50 jury trials before becoming a partner at Van Tubergen, Treutler and Hayes, PLLC located in downtown Grand Haven. Van Tubergen, Treutler and Hayes is a general practice law firm and John’s primary focus is on family law, civil litigation, personal injury litigation, business, and estate planning. John is active in the community. He is a member of the School Board for West Michigan Academy of Arts and Academics and sits on the Board of Directors for Legal Aid of Western Michigan. While John Hayes’s biography demonstrates his legal accomplishments, those who know John will tell you of his passion for cycling. A former State Criterium Champion and a member and former president of the Lowcountry Racing Team, John has published articles on bicycle awareness and safety. He holds a USA Cycling Category 3 racing license. John lives in Grand Haven with his wife and children.

Attorney Jason S. Barrix brings a formidable record of trial success and a diverse background to his legal practice. With more than 32 years of experience in personal injury law and criminal defense, his services have been honed through a dedication to advocacy and justice. He has a proven track record of success in the courtroom, successfully trying cases ranging from drunk driving to murder, and has achieved notable victories in drunk driving defense and substantial personal injury settlements and verdicts.

Mike’s diverse experience is an asset to his clients. His versatility gives him the ability to recognize peripheral issues that affect his client’s decisions. Mike also has strong people skills that allow him to effectively communicate with his clients. Mike’s people skills also help him connect with juries. As of this date, Mike has personally tried 24 criminal jury trials, with only two losses, two hung juries, and the rest were wins. Mike has helped many clients establish business entities. He continues to represent those clients with the varying issues they encounter. Mike also acts as general legal counsel for several local manufacturing companies. Mike recently began representing clients who are involved in the Outdoor Television Industry. This includes providing representation (litigation and contracts) to one of the premier production companies as well as general counsel for several television programs airing on the Outdoor Channel, and other industry insiders. Mike has also been recognized for his expertise in Estate Planning and Elder Law by the prestigious Institute for Continuing Legal Education, as he has been a featured lecturer for issues relating to Special Needs Trusts. Mike uses his experience to help his clients with all aspects of Estate Planning. He has learned that every family is unique and that it is especially important for him to carefully listen to his clients before giving advice. Mike’s basic philosophy of estate planning is to “hope for the best but plan for the worst.” He also understands that these meetings often bring anxiety to his clients, and also sometimes even conflict when spouses do not agree on an appropriate way to treat one or more of their children. Mike has also successfully represented many people in matters concerning divorce, child support, custody, parenting time, and neglect abuse proceedings. Mike’s knowledge of business entities, operations, and business practices allows him to better represent a business owner (or his or her spouse) in divorce actions. As such cases often hinge on the valuation of businesses and understanding how to manipulate the accounting to obtain an optimal result for his client. Born March 19, 1975 in Grand Haven, Michigan. Mr. Van Tubergen grew up in Grand Haven graduating from Grand Haven Senior High School in 1993. While in law school he started working for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office as an intern and then a part-time employee. Upon passing the bar exam, Mr. Van Tubergen accepted a position with the Cass County Prosecutor’s Office spending a year in Cass County before returning to Grand Haven to open his own practice in January 2002. Mr. Van Tubergen formed a partnership with Carl Treutler in July 2003. The pair then moved into the building at the current location in October 2003. Mr. Van Tubergen currently resides in Grand Haven with his spouse (Amanda) their daughter Alena, and their two German Shorthair Pointers. When he is not working Mike focuses on being a great husband and dad. He also tries to leave a little time for his other passions, hunting and sporting clays.

Mr. Treutler has practiced law since 2002. Prior to that time, he worked in the Grand Haven Public Schools as a high school mathematics teacher, football, and track coach. During his law practice, Mr. Treutler has worked in the areas of debt relief or bankruptcy, family law, estate planning, and several other areas. Mr. Treutler formed a partnership with Michael T. Van Tubergen in 2003. The partners purchased their current office building at 114 N Third Street in Grand Haven, MI, in that year and are currently adding additional offices to that building. Mr. Treutler lives in Grand Haven with his wife, Susan. He is the father of two sons and the proud grandfather of eight wonderful grandchildren.

Scott enjoys a practice combining the details of estate planning and business matters with the intensity and spontaneity of litigation. He represents a variety of individuals and corporations in all manner of transactions and litigation, including acquisitions, sales, leasing, zoning, construction liens, and non-compete agreements. He also actively represents individuals in criminal and family law matters. Scott balances the challenges of the legal world with a variety of activities, including running, reading, golfing, and spending as much time as possible with his three daughters.