May 2008
On May 1, 2008, the Grand Rapids Bar Association honored Bruce W. Neckers with its Donald R. Worsfold Distinguished Service Award at the Association’s Annual Law Day Luncheon.  The Worsfold award is given to recognize a member of the Grand Rapids Bar Association for a career of service to the Bar, the profession, and the community.  This award, not given every year, is presented when the Bar wishes to acknowledge and honor the contributions of a member whose service stands out for its extraordinary impact on the life of the community.

May 2008
Rhoades McKee attorneys Mark E. Fatum, Edward B. Goodrich, Stephen A. Hilger, Thomas P. Hogan, Richard G. Leonard, Paul A. McCarthy, and Bruce W. Neckers were all named in West Michigan’s Best Lawyers for 2008.  They are part of 229 West Michigan lawyers in 32 specialties, excerpted from “The Best Lawyers in America® 2008.”  West Michigan’s Best Lawyers are selected by their peers.

May 2008
Rhoades McKee was named one of “West Michigan’s 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For” by the Michigan Business & Professional Association.

May 2008
Rhoades McKee is pleased to announce that three summer associates have joined the firm. They are: Allison E. Horton, Marc Aldwin M. Landoy, and Erin M. Lyon.

Allison Horton received a Bachelor of Arts in international economics from Michigan State University, Honors College.  She attends Valparaiso University School of Law where she anticipates receiving a Juris Doctor in 2009.  Ms. Horton is a member of the Moot Court Honor Society and a member of the Valparaiso University Law Review.

Marc Landoy received a Bachelor of Arts in political science and philosophy from Aquinas College.  He attends the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law where he anticipates receiving a Juris Doctor in 2010.  Mr. Landoy is a member of the UDM Chapter of American Immigration Lawyers Association and the UDM International Law Society.

Erin Lyon received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Grand Valley State University and is currently working on her Masters in Business Administration from GVSU.  She also attends Michigan State University College of Law where she anticipates receiving a Juris Doctor in 2009.  Ms. Lyon is the Vice-President of the Business Law Society, Co-President of the Spartan Law Student Society, and a member of the Journal of International Law.

Rhoades McKee’s summer associate program is designed to provide law students challenging opportunities for professional growth. Throughout the summer, Rhoades McKee assigns projects to ensure that the summer associate explores the firm, its members, various practice areas, and the Grand Rapids community.

April 2008
Brian K. Lawson has joined Rhoades McKee as a shareholder. Mr. Lawson graduated from the Indiana University School of Law. Brian will concentrate his practice in the areas of personal injury and commercial litigation.

March 2008
John T. Klees has joined Rhoades McKee as a shareholder. Mr. Klees graduated from the Detroit College of Law and received his Master of Law (Ll.M.) in taxation from the New York University School of Law.  He is licensed to practice law in the United States Tax Court. John has over 18 years of experience in basic and high-net-worth estate planning, wills and trusts, post-death estate and trust administration, estate and gift tax planning, business organization and succession planning, tax and probate litigation, and non-profit organizations.

January 2008
Emily A. Green, associate at the Grand Rapids law firm of Rhoades McKee, has been elected vice chairperson of the Environmental Law Section of the Grand Rapids Bar Association for 2008. Eric R. Starck, shareholder at Rhoades McKee, has been elected as chairperson of the Environmental Law Section of the Grand Rapids Bar Association. They concentrate their practices in the areas of real estate and environmental law.

January 2008
Thomas S. Flickinger has joined Rhoades McKee as an associate. Mr. Flickinger graduated from Ave Maria School of Law, magna cum laude, obtaining his law degree in 2003. He will continue to concentrate his practice in the areas of business transactions, estate planning, and real estate law.

January 2008
Mary Ann Cartwright has been elected President to the board of Re-entry Employment Resource Center, a non-profit organization.  RERC assists parolees in successfully re-entering into the employment arena and is funded by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation and the Michigan Prisoner Re-entry Initiative.

January 2008
Eric R. Starck has been promoted to Shareholder status as of January 1, 2008. Mr. Starck graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1997. He received his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 2001 and was admitted to the Michigan Bar and the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan in 2001. Mr. Starck concentrates his practice in the areas of environmental law and real estate law.