Iron Mountain, MI

Matthew Laydon

Matthew was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula in Iron Mountain, Michigan. He was a three-sport athlete at Iron Mountain High School, where he was a Michigan state champion tennis player and an all-state wrestler. He earned his undergraduate degree at Michigan State University, where he obtained a B.A. in Finance and graduated with highest honors. He then attended Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington, Indiana. Matthew graduated from law school in 2006 with cum laude distinction and is licensed to practice law in Arizona, California, Indiana and Michigan. Matthew began his legal career in Indianapolis, Indiana, at Price Waicukauski Joven & Catlin, LLC, a nationally recognized firm that represents clients in complex plaintiff-side litigation matters. While there, he was instrumental in handling cases that included Medicare anti-kickback law, intra-corporate disputes and toxic tort litigation. Matthew continued with his education and earned his M.B.A. with highest honors from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. There, he was awarded a Dean’s Fellowship and full academic scholarship. After receiving his M.B.A., Matthew joined the law practice of Gambs, Mucker & Bauman in Lafayette, Indiana, where he was in charge of the litigation department. In that position, Matthew represented plaintiffs in the areas of personal injury, commercial litigation and probate disputes. During that time, Matthew successfully tried numerous cases, first chair, to the bench and a jury. In 2014, Matthew moved to southern California. He passed the California bar exam and began working as of counsel for Scottsdale Injury Lawyers in Arizona and Piccuta Law Group in Monterey, California. His practice consisted of handling serious personal injury matters, consumer class actions, and civil rights cases involving law enforcement misconduct and prisoner mistreatment. Taking his knowledge and experience with him, Matthew returned to the Upper Peninsula to start his own practice, specializing in personal injury and wrongful death cases. He passed on other opportunities, because he believed that he could bring a more personal and committed touch to a place he has always considered home. Outside of his law practice, Matthew enjoys playing tennis and golf, spending time with friends and family, including his dog, Irish, and following his favorite sports teams, including the Green Bay Packers and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

Nancy Finch

Nancy Finch has over 30 years of experience practicing throughout the Western counties of the Upper Peninsula at the trial and appellate court levels, including the United States Federal District Court and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. A native of Detroit, she moved to the Upper Peninsula in 1986. She earned her B.A. from Wayne State University in 1982 and her law degree from the University of Detroit School of Law in 1986. She is dedicated to providing high-quality, ethical, and professional service to her clients.

Gerald N. Pirkola

Gerald is a skilled trial attorney who has obtained millions of dollars in jury verdicts for his clients and, together with David and Rob, rounds out the Law Firm’s litigation team. During his twenty years with the Law Firm, he has practiced in federal courts in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, and is licensed in Michigan and Wisconsin. Gerry serves our community as City Attorney for the City of Iron Mountain and litigation counsel for Dickinson County Healthcare System. He is an experienced medical malpractice litigator familiar with all facets of this intricate area of law.

Mike was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula in Iron Mountain, Michigan. After high school, Mike graduated with honors from the University of Michigan, where he earned degrees in Political Science and Philosophy. Mike went on to attend Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington, Indiana, graduating in 2006 with cum laude distinction. After law school, Mike began his legal career at a boutique bankruptcy firm in Indianapolis, Indiana, assisting clients with debt relief and various financial issues. In addition to handling the firm's Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies, Mike went after debt collectors for Fair Debt Collection Practices Act violations, securing large financial awards for his clients. In doing so, Mike took great pride in combining the highest quality legal work with a human touch, understanding that his clients were navigating an extremely difficult and frightening time in their lives. He continues to bring this commitment and loyalty to every client in every case. Mike went on to open his own practice in Indianapolis, where he concentrated on personal injury cases, bankruptcy law, business formations and estate planning. One of the highlights of his legal career occurred during this period, when he spearheaded and successfully settled a class action lawsuit against a national debt collector for violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act. After getting married to his wife, Nicole, and having his first child in 2019, Mike and his family decided to move back to Iron Mountain. Mike now brings his diverse legal background and more than 15 years of legal experience to the Laydon Law Group. His current practice consists of handling personal injury cases as well as providing bankruptcy, real estate, and business/estate planning services. When not working, Mike appreciates spending time with his friends and family, including his dog (Jordy), reading, and enjoying the outdoors. Like Matt, he is also an avid Green Bay Packers fan.

Emily Gunville

Emily J. Gunville joined Finch Law, P.C. in 2020. She is a 2014 graduate of the Thomas M. Cooley Law School and represents clients in Dickinson, Iron, Delta, and Menominee Counties, as well as other surrounding areas. She is a founding board member for the Friends of the Dickinson County Fair, volunteers at Holy Spirit Catholic school, and is an active member of the Zonta Club of Iron Mountain-Kingsford.

Grant T. Carlson

Grant heads up the Law Firm’s general legal team serving clients in Michigan and Wisconsin in criminal, family law, divorce, child custody and parenting time issues, as well as property, business, driver’s license appeals and general litigation matters. Grant is also the Attorney for the City of Norway and numerous local Townships in Central Upper Michigan. He has extensive trial and litigation experience with a long history of courtroom success. Chosen as the “People’s Choice” for “Best Attorney” in 2017-2022, Grant has served as past President of the Dickinson County Bar Association, is actively involved in the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Kiwanis Club, the Norway Area Community Foundation, and the Dickinson Trail Network (DTN). Grant began his legal career in Marquette, Michigan and joined Mouw & Celello P.C. in 2002.

Michael P. Celello

Michael a veteran of the United States Army, served the citizens of Dickinson County, Michigan, as an assistant prosecuting attorney and currently serves as General Counsel to Dickinson County Healthcare System and is the Assistant City Attorney for Iron Mountain, Michigan. He has represented criminal clients in negligent homicide, drunk driving causing death, and serious drug cases as well as drunk driving and other general criminal matters, including overturning lower court decisions on appeal. He provides Family Law advice and representation to divorce clients and clients struggling with child support and custody issues. Mike serves as legal counsel to several business clients throughout the Law Firm’s service area and has structured the purchase and sale of local businesses, including those requiring the approval of Michigan’s Liquor Control Commission.