Paw Paw, MI

Shaun P. Willis

Shaun Willis, along with his brother Michael, is a Co-Founder and Director of Willis Law. For more than 14 years, Mr. Willis has focused on assisting clients in litigation, with emphasis on business, real estate, and construction litigation. He is admitted to practice in the State Courts of Michigan, Federal Courts in the Eastern and Western District of Michigan, and the Michigan State Supreme Court. Before the formation of Willis Law, he was sole practitioner of The Law Office of Shaun Patrick Willis, worked in the Kalamazoo County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney and at Howard & Howard Attorneys, PC. Shaun received a J.D. from Thomas Cooley Law School. He graduated with a B.S. in Aviation Flight Science from Western Michigan University. He is a licensed commercial pilot with a multi-engine rating, avid hunter, and teaches the legal portion of CCW classes. He and his wife, Corrina Maria Willis, are involved in the Kalamazoo community, attend Valley Family Church, and Corrina is Past President of the Lawyers Auxiliary Board. They have three daughters, Maria, Francesca, and Lucy and four sons, Patrick, Christopher, Walter and Matthew. In 2007, Mr. Willis was honored to be named as only one of six Michigan attorneys listed as "Up and Coming Lawyers" by Lawyers Weekly. In 2012-2016 the National Trial Lawyers Association named him one of the Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers. Mr. Willis is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. His firm, Willis Law has been recognized as a Best Law Firm by US News, and has been selected as one of the National Best & Brightest Companies to Work For. Mr. Willis is also dedicated to serving his community. He founded pro bono clinics at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission and the Kalamazoo Public Library to ensure that even those who cannot afford an attorney receive necessary, dedicated legal assistance. Mr. Willis volunteers for the Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis Foundation where their mission is to provide college scholarships for kids whose parent has been killed or 100% disabled in a combat zone. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Ducks Unlimited, the Park Club of Kalamazoo and other organizations. He previously served as a member of the board of directors for the Kalamazoo County Bar Association. Mr. Willis also teaches seminars on real estate law, business litigation, and construction law, and has published multiple articles on these subjects. Willis Law dedicates its practice to God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the founders' fallen brother, Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis.

Samuel R. Gilbertson

Samuel Gilbertson is the Managing Partner with Willis Law and the President of its affiliate, Willis Sports Agents. He is licensed to practice in the State Courts of Michigan and the Federal Court of the Western District of Michigan; the State Courts of Indiana, the Federal Court for the Northern District of Indiana, and the Supreme Court of Indiana; the Federal Court for the District of New Mexico; and the District of Columbia. In addition to being a member of the Bar for Washington, D.C., Samuel is a member of the State Bars of Michigan and Indiana. For five consecutive years, he has been named a Rising Star by Michigan Super Lawyers, which is a distinction awarded to 2.5% of lawyers in Michigan. He is also a member of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and co-authored an article published by the Michigan Business Law Journal. Samuel graduated from Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he earned his Juris Doctor as a member of the Honors division. While at Regent Law, he competed on the national trial advocacy team, won Regent’s Top Advocate and Best Oralist awards, served as the president of the Business Law Society, and received Regent’s award for the highest grade in Negotiations and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Prior to becoming an attorney, Samuel spent three years as a college basketball coach at Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee, where he also earned his B.A. in Politics and Government and graduated magna cum laude. He and his wife, Anna, live in Vicksburg, Michigan, with their four sons. They are actively involved in the Kalamazoo community and attend Berean Baptist Church.

Michael J. Willis

Michael Willis founded this firm with his brother, Shaun Patrick Willis. Their father, Hon. Frank D. Willis, is the former Chief Judge for Van Buren County. Michael is registered as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Illinois and is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Michigan. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America (recognized as a Lawyer of the Year in 2020, 2022, and 2023), Superlawyers and Leaders in the Law, and has the highest possible rating from his peers (AV Martindale). Before forming Willis Law, Michael worked for Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP, and Kerr, Russell, Weber, PLC. Michael received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame. He belongs to the Florida and Michigan Bars, the Kalamazoo County Bar Association, and the Christian Legal Society. He recently left 9 years of service on the Board at Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, Indiana, currently serves as co-president of the Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis Foundation which provides college scholarships to children of American heroes, and also serves on the finance council at St. Monica Catholic Church, on the local advisory council to Hackett Catholic Prep Highschool, and on the advisory council to the Catholic Foundation of Southwest Michigan. Michael’s wife Susan and their children, Isabella, Christian, Mary, Michael Joseph, Marie Therese, and Gabriella, are the lights of his life. They live in Kalamazoo. Willis Law dedicates its practice to God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the founders’ fallen brother, Corporal Christopher Kelly Willis.

Aric D. Kasel

Aric D. Kasel, J.D. is an Attorney at Willis Law, with a primary focus on real estate law, personal injury, probate, guardianship, and conservatorship matters, landlord/tenant law, nonprofit formation, and intellectual property law. He is admitted to practice law in Michigan and Wisconsin and provides comprehensive legal counsel to individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations in both transactional and litigation matters. Aric represents real estate investors, high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and families in complex real estate transactions, property tax appeals, contract negotiations, business structuring, regulatory compliance, property disputes, and construction litigation. He also advocates for clients in personal injury claims, ensuring they receive fair compensation for their losses. Additionally, he guides families through probate litigation, guardianship, and conservatorship proceedings, helping protect vulnerable individuals and their assets. His work in nonprofit formation allows charitable organizations to structure their entities efficiently, while his intellectual property practice assists businesses and individuals in trademark protection and brand security. Aric graduated magna cum laude in the top 5% of his class from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. During law school, he excelled in trial advocacy, winning first place in the 1L mock trial inter-school competition. He served as academic chair of the West Michigan Student Bar Association, a mentor for incoming students, and a research assistant. Aric received numerous academic excellence awards, earning the highest grades in Torts, Ethics, Secured Transactions, Business Planning, Family Law, Negotiations, and Michigan Bar Exam Skills. He was also honored with the WMU Cooley Law School Leadership Achievement Award upon graduation. Prior to becoming an attorney, Aric spent several years as a paralegal working in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he also earned his B.S. in Criminal Justice with a Spanish minor, graduating from UW-Milwaukee. Aric is also an Eagle Scout, a distinction that reflects his commitment to leadership, service, and integrity-values he brings to his legal practice every day.

Frank D. Willis

Frank D. Willis is the former Chief Judge of the Van Buren County Probate Court. He served in that role for 38.5 years, making him the longest standing judge in Michigan Probate Court history. Frank Willis began his career as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Van Buren County. In just three years, he was appointed to Probate Judge by then Governor Miliken. Over the next 38 years, Judge Willis honored his position and tirelessly served his community, winning reelection every 6 years. During his tenure as Chief Judge, Judge Willis maintained a very efficient court. His court policies and systems are used as a model statewide for other probate courts to strive for. During his tenure, Judge Willis found cost saving measures to help the county save up to $600,000 per year since 2004. At the same time, under his tenure, juvenile crime in Van Buren decreased by 50%. In 1981, Judge Willis appeared on the Phil Donahue Show to share information on adoptions. He was an instructor at MJI on the subject of Juvenile Code. Through his leadership, the Juvenile Department was recognized by DHS and SCAO for their innovative approach to place children in permanent homes. Judge Willis also received the "Hon. Robert E. Weiss Award for Excellence in Court Improvement." Judge Willis has been an integral member of the court system and a leader in Van Buren County. He is an invaluable asset to Willis Law and brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge. Frank Willis is the father of Managing Partners and Co-Founders, Michael and Shaun Willis, was born and raised in Marshall, Michigan and is a long-time resident of Paw Paw MI. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in Business Administration and earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Florida.

Verelle Kirkwood

Verelle Kirkwood is an Of Counsel Attorney for Willis Law. His practice areas include Business Litigation, Social Security Disability, Personal Injury, Real Estate, and Construction Litigation. Verelle graduated from Michigan State University College of Law in May 2017, where he earned his Juris Doctor. While at MSUCOL, Verelle worked as a Student Clinician at the MSUCOL Immigration Law Clinic, assisting individuals to attain legal status, and defending immigrants’ civil rights against workplace discrimination and unconstitutional detention practices. Verelle also served on the executive board of the Black Law Students Association as the chapter treasurer. Since 2011, Verelle has been a dedicated service member, certified as a 27-D Paralegal Specialist in the JAG Corps. of the U.S. Army Michigan National Guard, and has received several awards for his service. Verelle has been a resident of West Michigan since 2006 where he first came from the Detroit area to attend Kalamazoo College. Besides playing NCAA Division 3 basketball, Verelle also played professional basketball in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and was the boys’ basketball head coach at Phoenix High School of Kalamazoo in 2012. He is admitted to practice in the State Courts of Michigan. Verelle has extensive experience living, working, and studying abroad in both Costa Rica and in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He fluently speaks, reads, and writes Spanish.

Jennifer L. Grahek

Jennifer Grahek is an Associate at Willis Law. She is admitted to practice in Michigan. Jennifer is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Kalamazoo County Bar Association. She is an active member of the Michigan Adoption Subcommittee and Family Law Listserv and has assisted in drafting changes to the Michigan Adoption Code. After 2 decades of providing excellent adoption legal counsel, Attorney Grahek has achieved the honor to be accepted and appointed into the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA), which is an organization of nearly 500 highly vetted attorneys dedicated to the competent and ethical practice of adoption. Jennifer received a J.D. from Thomas Cooley Law School in 2007, graduating in the top 25% of her class. She graduated with a B.A. in Political Science and a dual minor in Criminal Justice and Philosophy from Western Michigan University. When out of the office, Jennifer enjoys attending hockey games, reading, exercising, and spending time with her family and friends. She also remains actively involved in her local community and church.