Effective Advocates • Trusted Counselors

Celebrating 140 Years of Legal Service

in Grand Rapids

Contact Us View Attorneys

 

Wheeler Upham has been providing effective, efficient legal counsel for over 139 years. Our attorneys have backgrounds and expertise in virtually every area of the law, enabling us to continue a strong tradition of providing our clients the advantages of a full-service law firm.
Read More

Our attorneys are leaders in the courtroom, boardroom, classroom, community and profession. Two of our founding attorneys served as federal judges, and several others have held seats on the local bench. Seven Wheeler Upham attorneys have served as President of the Grand Rapids Bar Association. One of our colleagues was elected President of the State Bar of Michigan.
Read More

Based in downtown Grand Rapids, our offices are adjacent to the Kent County and City Hall buildings. We are conveniently located just steps from the county, state and federal courthouses.Read More

Our lawyers have expertise ranging from business and corporate law to estate planning and administration, from employment law to product liability defense, from personal injury to creditor’s rights. We have experts in the Postal Service, real estate law, insurance law, alternative dispute resolution and mediation, tax exempt and non-profit organizations, ecclesiastical law, litigation, and family law, and we can provide local counsel for out-of-town attorneys.
Read More

 

Damien W. Sanchez - Resume

Bar Admissions

  • Michigan, 2006
  • S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 2006
  • S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 2007
  • S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 2013


Education

  • JD, Syracuse University College of Law, 2005
    • Executive Editor, Law Review
  • BA, University of Michigan, 2002


Professional Associations

  • State Bar of Michigan
  • Grand Rapids Bar Association
  • Board Member, Legal Aid of Western Michigan

Employment History

  • Private Practice, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2009 - Present
  • Public Sector, Non-profit (Migrant Legal Aid), Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2006-2009

Benjamin M. Nichele - Resume

Bar Admissions

  • Michigan, 2020
  • S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 2023


Education

  • JD, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, 2017
  • BS, Butler University, 2012


Professional Associations

  • State Bar of Michigan
  • Grand Rapids Bar Association

 

Employment History

  • Private Practice, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2023 – Present
  • Michigan insurance company, 2021 – 2023 

Shane A. Henry - Resume

Bar Admissions:

  • Michigan, 2017

Education

  • JD, Magna Cum Laude, Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, 2017
    • Full tuition scholarship
    • Dawn Beachnau Award
    • Leadership Achievement Award
    • Articles Editor for the Cooley Law Review
    • Teaching assistant for contacts and criminal procedure
    • First-year Moot Court Competition champion
    • Internships at Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge and the Kent County Corporate Counsel’s office
    • Certificates of Merit in Contracts 1 and 2, Criminal Law, Property 1 and 2, Criminal Procedure, Constitutional Law 1 and 2, Research and Writing, Advanced Writing, Scholarly Writing, Federal Administrative Law, Health Law, Medical Malpractice, Taxation, Wills Estates and Trusts, Evidence, Torts 1 and 2, Equity and Remedies, Secured Transactions, and Business Organizations
  • BS, University of Michigan, 2012
    • Major: Neuroscience

Professional Associations

  • Grand Rapids Bar Association
  • State Bar of Michigan

Employment History

  • Wheeler Upham, P.C., Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2022-present
  • Apple Street Law Office, P.L.C., Hastings, Michigan, 2018-2022

Barbara J Kennedy – Resume

SUMMARY OF PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

I have significant, progressive experience in the legal profession with 25+ years of experience as counsel in a wide variety of civil, regulatory, licensing and dispute resolution matters. I enjoy the unique advantage of having acquired a comprehensive perspective on effective litigation handling, gained from several years of experience as a legal secretary and paralegal in litigation practices. I am a hands-on, results-oriented attorney committed to excellent and effective representation.
I graduated Cum Laude from the Detroit College of Law (now Michigan State University Law College). I achieved my two undergraduate degrees and law degree with honors while attending night school and working full time in the legal profession. I am also active in professional and community organizations.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

WHEELER UPHAM, P.C.
Associate, 6/21 – present
Providing advocacy and counsel primarily in the areas of civil litigation, personal injury, family law, wills, powers of attorney, probate administration, professional licensing, and employment law.

BARBARA J KENNEDY, ATTORNEY & COUNSELOR
Proprietor, 03/19 – 5/21
Providing dependable legal services to individuals, small businesses, non-profits and licensed professionals in a variety of matters

AARDEMA WHITELAW, PLLC
Senior Associate, 09/12 – 11/18
Originally hired to “pinch hit” during the maternity leave of another attorney; accepted offer of full-time employment as healthcare defense counsel. Immediately approved as counsel by the firm’s insurance carriers and developed caseload assigned by senior counsel. Responsible for all aspects of case work-up from initial retention through trial.