Effective Advocates • Trusted Counselors

Celebrating 140 Years of Legal Service

in Grand Rapids

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Wheeler Upham Lobby and Front Desk

Personalized Service

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.
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Offices

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.
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Locally based in West Michigan

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

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Wheeler Upham is a full service law firm

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.
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James M. Shafer – Resume

Bar Admissions

  • Michigan, 2009
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 2009
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 2009
  • Indiana, 1998 (inactive)

 

Education

  • JD, Indiana University, Indianapolis, 1998, Cum Laude
    BA, Indiana University – Purdue University at Indianapolis, 1994 (major: history)

 

Employment History

  • Private Practice, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2011-Present
  • Realtor, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2012 – 2020
  • Private Practice, Washington, D.C., 2010-2011
  • Private Practice, Clawson, Michigan, 2009-2010
  • Private Practice, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1998-2009

 

Professional Associations

  • National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
  • State Bar of Michigan
  • Grand Rapids Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association

 

Volunteer Associations

  • Rockford Housing Commission, Chair of the Board, Rockford Michigan
  • West Michigan Lutheran High School, Kentwood Michigan

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 

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.