Key Service Areas
- Business Planning and Corporate Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Tax Law
legal assistant - Aleia Wright
Grand Rapids Location
55 Campau Avenue NW, Suite 300
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
Hastings Location
150 W Court St Suite A
Hastings, MI 49058
Holland Location
11377 James Street
Holland, Michigan 49422
About Robert
What types of legal issues do you help individuals and businesses resolve?
I serve as general counsel to high net worth families and their businesses (corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies). While being responsible for the successful delivery of all of our firm’s legal services, I personally handle matters that require attention to corporate compliance, corporate governance, business sales and combinations, shareholder disputes, contracts, real estate, credit facilities and estate and tax planning. When counseling clients, family or friends, I make every effort to fully understand their present situation and their ultimate goals and objectives. By placing myself in their shoes I am able to treat the situation as though it was my own. This approach enables me to fully appreciate the importance of the legal needs of the client and execute on the critical details necessary for a successful resolution.
What sets you apart from other lawyers in your practice field?
What sets me apart from others is my rare dual certification as a CPA and a lawyer. Having passed the CPA exam on my first sitting after studying accounting at Michigan State University, I worked for a national accounting firm for 4 years where I gained valuable insight and practical application of important tax and accounting rules. I am able to evaluate each business issue with a broad “end-game” perspective and deliver a concentrated focus on key components to the situation in order to successfully deliver our legal services.
What did you learn in your first year of practice that you still utilize today?
Shortly after I was hired, I met with a (potential) new client of the firm concerning a small tax problem. I took care of the problem that day, without charge, and provided some advice on how best to prevent similar tax problems in the future. While our paths never crossed again, I received a phone call the following day from someone that had been referred to me by that individual. After 25 years, that referral is still my client today. Being a lawyer at Rhoades McKee allows me to always treat people well, with respect and as a friend. It works for me.
Education
Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., 1987
Michigan State University, B.A., 1983
