Real Property Law Advisory Board
Geaneen M. Arends
Butzel Long, Detroit
Geaneen M. Arends is a shareholder practicing in her firm's Detroit office. She concentrates her practice on general business law and commercial real estate. Ms. Arends assists business clients with general business planning, entity formation and maintenance, mergers, acquisitions, private placements, woman-owned/minority-owned/disadvantaged business certification, insurance and risk management issues, and general business contracts. She has also advised business clients on...View Full Bio
Kellie M. Blair
Matta Blair PLC, Bloomfield Hills
Kellie M. Blair is a partner in her firm. She concentrates her practice in the areas of real estate litigation and transactions, business litigation, and commercial litigation. Ms. Blair has significant experience in real estate title insurance, real estate litigation, real estate errors and omissions, commercial litigation, employment litigation, construction liens, broker liability defense, corporate partnership and limited liability formation,...View Full Bio
Ponce D. Clay
Clay Law PLC, Detroit
Before starting his career in law, Ponce D. Clay was an officer in the U.S. Navy for over 20 years, deployed primarily in the Pacific, South America, and the Caribbean, retiring with the rank of lieutenant commander. Mr. Clay focuses his firm, which was founded in 2012 as a certified veteran-owned business, on real estate matters, probate administration, juvenile defense,...View Full Bio
Sara G. Lachman
Lachman PLC, Grand Rapids
Sara G. Lachman is a real estate attorney and managing partner with the firm. Drawing on experience from her 17-year career, Ms. Lachman's areas of expertise include probate and trust litigation, land contracts and land contract disputes, homeowners association law, zoning issues and appeals, land use and development, commercial and residential construction, and agricultural land issues. She has been named...View Full Bio
Deborah S. Lapin
Maddin Hauser Roth & Heller PC, Southfield
Deborah S. Lapin is a shareholder in the firm's Financial Services and Real Property Litigation Group and practices in the areas of real estate litigation, particularly mortgage related disputes, title insurance coverage disputes, and other contractual disputes. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Mortgage Brokers Association, the Federal Bar Association (Eastern District of Michigan), and...View Full Bio
Stephan K. Lobert
Lobert Law Office PC, Big Rapids
President and attorney at law for his firm, Stephan K. Lobert practices in the areas of real estate, estate planning, business, and probate and trust administration. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Mecosta-Osceola Bar Association, and the Mecosta County Chamber of Commerce. In 2014, Mr. Lobert was recognized as Mecosta County's favorite attorney by the...View Full Bio
Kayleigh B. Long
Hirzel Law PLC, Farmington
Kayleigh B. Long is a member at the firm and focuses her practice in the areas of community association law and appellate litigation. Ms. Long obtained her JD from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, where she graduated in the top five of her class and served as the senior executive editor on the "Indiana Law Review." Ms....View Full Bio
Joseph H. Wener
Couzens Lansky Fealk Ellis Roeder & Lazar PC, Farmington Hills
Licensed in both Michigan and Ontario, Canada, Joseph H. Wener has practiced extensively in the areas of residential and commercial real estate transactions representing individuals, corporate clients and institutional lenders. In addition to real estate, Mr. Wener's practice includes general corporate and business law, with an emphasis on transactions, succession planning and counseling clients on cross-border matters. He is a...View Full Bio
Matthew J. Franson
ICLE Advisory Board Liaison
Matthew J. Franson joined ICLE in September 2021. Mr. Franson works with a diverse group of contributors to update and publish print and online resources in the areas of no-fault, insurance, criminal law, and cannabis law. He also plans and moderates studio seminars on these topics. Before joining ICLE, Mr. Franson was a law clerk and practiced with multiple firms...View Full Bio