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Specializing in family law, my sole focus is to understand the complexities of your individual case and bring it to a quick, private and peaceful resolution. Family court judges are overloaded and often don’t have the time to take a deep dive into each family’s unique situation; this is often to the detriment of the family members, who suffer through courtroom conflicts that are dragged out — and which lead to steep bills. For that reason, I frequently work with our clients to resolve their disputes outside of the courtroom in a confidential setting, and recruit the aid of other specialists from our team of carefully selected professionals when it’s needed. In those cases where courtroom litigation is unavoidable, I use my decades of experience to provide unwavering advocacy before a judge in your defense.

Family conflict can be extremely emotional, and I take every opportunity not only to counsel, but to listen. Having overseen the successful resolution of hundreds of cases, my outstanding approach has been nationally recognized year after year, including by Best Lawyers in America, the oldest and most respected national peer-review publication in the legal profession. For the last three years I was named a “Top Lawyer” by dBusiness Magazine, as well as Crain’s Detroit Business. I’m an eight-time winner of the annual Super Lawyer award, and for over a decade I have consistently received the highest possible rating from the esteemed Martindale-Hubbell organization for my litigation skills and high ethical standards.

A dedicated Wolverine, I earned my B.A. with Distinction and Honors in Economics, from the University of Michigan, and I received my Juris Doctor from U of M’s Law School, which consistently is ranked as one of the top 10 law schools in the nation. I am a Fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and I am a frequent lecturer and commentator on family law and divorce issues. I serve as an adjunct professor of law at Michigan State University, and I’m licensed to practice in both Michigan and Colorado.

Contact & Links
Location
  • 401 South Old Woodward Avenue, Suite 410
    Birmingham, MI 48009
Languages
  • English
  • French
Education
  • The University of Michigan Law School, J.D., graduated 1992
Bar Admissions
  • Colorado, Colorado Bar Association
  • Michigan, State Bar of Michigan
Affiliations
  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - Fellow
  • Colorado Bar Association - Member
  • Michigan Bar Association - Member
  • Oakland County Bar Association - Member
  • Oakland County Bar Foundation - Fellow
  • University of Michigan Alumni Association - Member

Bank Rifkin
Birmingham, Michigan

2 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

1 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America award

Best Law Firms Badge Visit Website View Firm Profile

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Family Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Family Law, Troy (2022)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Family Law
Awards:
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2013
  • Peer Review Rating AV Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell, 2013
  • Michigan Super Lawyer, Michigan Super Lawyers, 2013
  • Top Lawyers 2013, dBusiness, 2013
  • Michigan Super Lawyer, Michigan Super Lawyers, 2012
  • Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2011
  • Super Lawyer, Michigan Super Lawyers, 2011
  • Super Lawyer, Michigan Super Lawyers, 2010
  • Super Lawyer, Michigan Super Lawyers, 2009
  • Super Lawyer, Michigan Super Lawyers, 2008
  • Henry M. Campbell Moot Court Competition Winner, University of Michigan Law School, 1991
  • Super Lawyer, Michigan Super Lawyers , 2015
  • Preeminent 5.0 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell, 2015
  • Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, 2016
  • Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers, 2016
  • Preeminent 5.0 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell, 2016
  • Top Lawyers, dbusiness, 2016
  • Top Lawyers 2014, dBusiness
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2014
  • Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers, 2014
  • Peer Review Rating AV Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell, 2014
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2015
  • Top Lawyers, dBusiness, 2015
  • Top Lawyers, Crain’s Detroit Business, 2015
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television
  • Entertainment Law - Music

Publications

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