Ionia, MI

Daniel Balice

Mr. Balice has been in practice since 1985, after graduating with high honors from Cooley Law School. In that time, he has established himself as one of the preeminent attorneys in mid-Michigan, practicing not only in Ionia County but throughout the mid-Michigan area. He has secured large personal injury and wrongful death awards for his clients through trial and settlement, and is also well-known for his vigorous defense and excellent results in criminal defense cases. Mr. Balice has developed an outstanding family law practice as well, representing hundreds of clients competently, professionally, and with discretion in their divorces, custody cases, and related family law matters. He has a general practice which also includes decedent’s estates, real estate disputes, and contract law. Mr. Balice is very involved in the community, having served as mayor of Ionia since 1989, and has served on boards which include Sparrow-Ionia Hospital, Independent Bank, the Ionia Free Fair Association, Habitat for Humanity, the Ionia Community Foundation, and Ionia Area Hospice.

Terese Paletta

Terese Paletta is a founding member of Peterson Paletta Balice, PLC, and has distinguished herself as one of only 10 attorneys in Michigan recognized as a Child Welfare Law Specialist by the National Association of Counsel for Children. She applies the same level of commitment to excellence and compassion for her clients to the other areas of her practice. With over 20 years of family law experience, Terese is one of only two Child Welfare Law Certification recipients in the Grand Rapids area and has received extensive parent coordination training. She has served as the exclusive attorney-parent coordinator for the 8th Circuit Court in Ionia County since 2002 and is the founder of the Ionia County Parenting Coordination Team, which is dedicated to providing comprehensive services to children victimized by high-conflict divorce. She has been published in the Michigan Child Welfare Journal detailing this innovative work. As a member of the Association of Family Courts and Conciliators, Terese is an expert mediator. She assists children and families in the full spectrum of legal needs, including adoption, guardianships, conservatorships, and school law issues. Terese is often called upon by the courts to represent children in abuse and neglect, custody, and delinquency matters. A former assistant prosecuting attorney and administrative hearings officer, Terese also possesses expertise in criminal defense and general civil litigation.

Kevin Peterson

Kevin Peterson is a founding member of Peterson Paletta Balice, PLC, and focuses his practice on defending clients charged with crimes in both state and federal courts. Kevin is well-respected in the West Michigan legal community as a strong advocate for his clients. Kevin has previously been appointed as the sole criminal defense representative of a domestic violence court and has been appointed by the 8th Circuit Court to represent prisoners charged with crimes. Kevin has successfully defended clients charged with murder, child abuse, criminal sexual conduct, theft crimes, conspiracy, drug crimes, weapons crimes, and more. Kevin is also an adjunct professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he teaches trial skills.

Patrick M. Duff

Patrick M. Duff was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1983. He has over 40 years of experience and is involved in various mediation and community roles, including serving on the Portland City Council.

Eric E. Matwiejczyk

Eric E. Matwiejczyk was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1992. He has extensive experience as a prosecutor, including serving as Chief of Narcotics and Major Crimes Unit, and is an adjunct professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Cheryl L. Chadwick

Cheryl L. Chadwick was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1996. She has served on the Ionia County Board of Commissioners and as an Assistant Prosecutor for Ionia County.

Danielle Dawson

Danielle Dawson is a native of West Michigan and is a graduate of Michigan State University. She received her law degree from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Danielle joined Peterson Paletta Balice in 2022 after serving as the prosecutor for the City of Kentwood and other municipalities in ordinance enforcement matters. Danielle also has experience in a myriad of other legal settings ranging from legal secretary in a local law firm to paralegal in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan in the Financial Litigation and Asset Forfeiture Unit. Since joining Peterson Paletta Balice, Danielle has established herself as a well-respected family law attorney and has represented numerous individuals in divorce, child custody, child support, abuse and neglect and many other family law related matters. Danielle also has established a significant criminal defense practice representing individuals charged with ordinance violations, misdemeanors, and felonies throughout the state of Michigan.