Alto Animal & Dog Lawyers

Tom Kuiper is an experienced litigator with proficiency in a variety of cases and forums. He practices in State district, circuit, probate, federal and appellate courts, and in arbitration and mediation settings. He represents a variety of clients, from billion-dollar corporations in commercial litigation disputes to the individual involved in a personal dispute or family breakup. He also mediates a wide variety of cases. Although the issues and forums may differ, Tom's approach remains the same: To relate to people, to communicate difficult legal concepts and information in a clear and simple manner, and to work on a personal...

Michelle McLean received her Bachelors of Science from Cornerstone University in 2002. She later received her Juris Doctorate Cum Laude from Michigan State University College of Law in 2007. While earning her law degree, Ms. McLean served both on the Inns of Court (Lansing) and also worked as an extern for Kent Countyâs 17th Circuit Judicial Court. Prior to practicing law, Ms. Mclean worked for a national mortgage lender and has over fifteen years experience in this capacity. She worked as an underwriter, collector, manager, and finally as an account executive. By combining her...

Jason Barrix founded the Barrix Law Firm in 1993 after Graduating from Thomas Cooley School. He was admitted tot he Michigan State Bar in 1993 as well as the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. Prior to Law School Jason Barrix attended and Graduated from Central Michigan University. There he majored in Political Science receiving his Bachelor's of Science in 1988. Mr. Barrix has focused his practice on Representing those injured do to the negligence of others including Personal Injury, Auto Accident, Dog Bite, Food Poisoning, Medical Malpractice, Trip and Fall, Social...

Mrs. Herson is a 2013 graduate of Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. During her tenure at Cooley, she was a student attorney in the Sixty Plus Clinic performing over 270 hours of Pro bono service in Estate Planning. She is a current Board member for the Sixty Plus Clinic and continues to advocate for protecting our elderly. In addition to zealously advocating for her clients, Mrs. Herson is an adjunct law and MBA professor for several universities and has co-authored a nonprofit law book.

Robert J. Lantzy received his undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University in 1993 and graduated cum laude from Michigan State University College of Law in 1997. Mr. Lantzy is an experienced trial attorney and has concentrated his practice in several areas of civil litigation, including lead paint exposure, trucking accident cases, premises liability cases, and wrongful death lawsuits. Robert is licensed to practice law in Michigan and Ohio. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Michigan Association for Justice, and the Macomb County Bar Association.

Lawrence J. Buckfire earned his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Michigan in 1986 and his juris doctor degree from Wayne State University School of Law in 1989. He is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan and the State of Ohio. He was recently named a "Best Personal Injury Lawyer" by a Detroit business magaizne. Lawrence is a highly skilled trial attorney with a reputation for meticulous trial preparation and presentation. Mr. Buckfire has achieved the highest possible rating for ability and integrity in the legal profession. He specializes in child lead paint poisoning, wrongful...

Eric Steinberg has over 15 years of experience litigating personal injury cases throughout Michigan. He has handled all types of cases, including auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, Michigan no-fault benefit denials, medical malpractice, dog bite, slip and fall injury, premises liability, construction accidents and others. Mr. Steinberg is proud to have obtained millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for his clients. He is the managing partner of the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., which has offices located throughout Michigan. The Lee Steinberg Law Firm has been representing Michigan clients for almost 50 years. Mr. Steinberg is currently the...

Michael R. Shaffer earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1995 from Michigan State University. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1999 from Wayne State University Law School. Shaffer joined Buckfire Law in September 2022 with extensive experience in Michigan’s No-Fault Law and auto accident litigation. Prior to joining Buckfire Law, he worked for 17 years for a well-known plaintiff firm specializing in auto law. Shaffer’s primary focus will be on first-party automotive claims, third-party auto negligence, and motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents. He also handles other personal injury claims including dog attacks, slip and falls, and wrongful death lawsuits.

T.J. was born and raised in Central Michigan, where he lives with his wife and three children. He is a proud Michigander, who was raised in a blue collar family and taught from the beginning the importance of hard work and giving back to the community. T.J. is a life member of the VFW, Military Order of Purple Heart and sits on the board of directors of a local non-profit organization. Shortly after graduating high school, T.J. enlisted in the Army where he would serve for nearly 11 years, retiring as a Staff Sergeant. Some of the more notable highlights...

Eric Steinberg graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor in Business Administration in 2001. After graduating, he worked as a financial consultant in Chicago. Not satisfied with spending his days in the financial field, Eric turned to the law. He attended the Chicago-Kent College of Law and earned a law degree in 2006. While receiving his legal education, Eric worked in the employment discrimination law clinic at Chicago-Kent, helping victims of discrimination receive just compensation and peace of mind. Eric joined the Law Offices of Lee B. Steinberg, P.C. full time in 2006. As a member of the Michigan...

M. Timothy Gergely focuses his practice in the areas of personal injury and accident law. Mr. Gergely concentrates his practice on helping individuals who have sustained injuries as a result of automobile and semi-truck accidents (No-Fault automobile accident and insurance claims), dog bites, medical malpractice, premises liability, wrongful death, dram shop (bar/tavern liability), and workmen's compensation. Mr. Gergely has handled numerous cases involving serious personal injury in which he has recovered millions of dollars of compensation for his injured clients. Several of Mr. Gergely's significant recoveries for his clients have been featured in Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

Attorney Michael J. Morse is the founder of The Mike Morse Law Firm in Southfield, Michigan. Morse focuses his practice on personal injury law, representing clients who have been injured due to car accidents, truck accidents or other catastrophes caused by negligence in the metropolitan Detroit area as well as Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Canton, Mount Clemens, Troy, Warren and Southeast Michigan. He also handles a variety of Social Security matters. After earning a bachelor’s degree in business from The University of Arizona, Morse attained his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, where he graduated cum laude....

Franci Silver graduated from Oakland University, with a degree in Political Science. After graduating Oakland University, she attended the Detroit College of Law, receiving her Juris Doctorate in 1988. She immediately went to work for a personal injury law firm before coming to work for the Law Offices of Lee B. Steinberg in 1991. During her law practice, she has obtained several jury verdicts and awards against numerous defendants. Ms. Silver specializes in social security disability (SSD) appeals, helping numerous clients obtain SSD awards after initially being denied by the Social Security Administration. She also specializes in premises liability law and...

Chris Filiatraut has been an expert trial lawyer for his entire 26 year career. He has personally tried over 100 cases in the area of personal injury and No-Fault. He has numerous million and multi-million dollar verdicts to his credit and is widely known and respected by both plaintiff and defense counsels for his accomplishments in the courtroom. He has several of the largest trial verdicts in the state since joining the Mike Morse Law firm in 2010. Chris has testified before the Michigan Legislature on No-Fault issues and is a regular speaker at seminars around the state ranging on issues...

James has been with the Mike Morse Law Firm since 2014. He grew up in Troy Michigan and has been a lifelong Michigan resident. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and won regional competitions as a member of Moot Court and Commercial Arbitration as well as individual awards in trial and appellate advocacy. He earned his law degree from the Michigan State University College of Law, from which he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He has extensive experiencing in handling auto litigation cases. In his spare time, James is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hiking, hunting, and fishing.

Melanie graduated from the Detroit College of Law Cum Laude in 1986. She received her BS in Business Management from Detroit College of Business Magna Cum Laude in 1982. She then practiced at corporate law firms and insurance defense law firms for the next 35 years. Over that time, she managed an insurance defense law firm for one large insurance company. She has also tried more than 100 lawsuits to a jury verdict. She was one of the prominent trial attorneys for a large national insurance company. Melanie is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, an invitation...

Donald J. Cummings graduated from Truman State University with a Bachelor of Science in 2001. While at Truman, he was on the varsity wrestling team and was selected to be a member of the Academic All-American Wrestling Team. After Truman, Mr. Cummings attended the University of South Carolina School of Law. He graduated with honors and was chosen to be a member of the Order of the Wig and Robe and the Order of the Coif. Mr. Cummings is a trial lawyer and has dedicated himself to helping injured victims. He has lectured and taught other lawyers how to try cases....

John Nachazel, Jr. graduated from the Honors College at Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Economics. John graduated from Michigan State in just three years with two majors. While at Michigan State, John worked as a Research Assistant in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of the College of Engineering and as one of only three Philosophy Department Tutors. He then attended the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona on a full tuition scholarship. While at the University of Arizona, John was the 2017-2018 Chester E. Smith Fellow and the 2019-2020...

Lewis decided to become personal injury attorney because he enjoys protecting the rights of the seriously injured. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor Science in Biology. While at the University of Michigan, Lewis developed an interest in the areas of anatomy and physiology. He then attended Loyola University’s School of Law in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he graduated Cum Laude. After law school, Lewis lived and practiced law in San Francisco and San Diego before returning home to Detroit. He has experience in the areas of personal injury litigation, insurance defense litigation and patent prosecution. He is...

Allen Ayoub graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn with high distinction in 2010. He went on to earn his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School where he graduated third in his class of 329. Allen has represented accident victims for his entire legal career, recovering millions for his clients. He recently obtained a large trial verdict in Macomb County Circuit Court for over $300,000.00. In his free time, Allen enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and working out.

Matt Bates has spent his entire career helping individuals injured in personal injury accidents. He pursued his undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University. He graduated from Wayne State University Law School in 2008. While at Wayne State, he won numerous mock trial competitions and served as the President of the Student Bar Association Board of Governors as well as Law School Representative to the University Student Counsel. Following graduation, Matt served on the Executive Board for the Wayne State Law School Alumni Association. In 2008, Matt joined the Mike Morse Law Firm as a litigation attorney. He currently specializes in auto,...

Joshua B. Farr graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy and Political Science in December of 2003. He attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he graduated Cum Laude in January of 2010. He began his career in general practice with the Landau group where he had interned during Law School. From there he was hired as an Assistant General Counsel of an International Property Ownership and Management company. He was moved into the General Counsel role managing the legal affairs and overseeing litigation throughout the country. He served a dual role during this time as...

Julia F. Opiela graduated from Michigan State University, James Madison College in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy. During her undergraduate studies, she was one of ten U.S. students selected as a President Clinton Scholar and spent one year of international study at American University Dubai. Thereafter, she attended law school at Michigan State University College of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor in May 2015. While in law school, Julia was a member of the international law society and recipient of the Trustee Fieldman and Weiner Endowed Scholarships. She spent a semester...

Eakta Dave is a litigation attorney who loves to work hard for her clients. She graduated from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and earned her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. While in law school, she worked as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Judge Terrance Berg at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Eakta joined the Mike Morse Law Firm in 2022 and is eager to work hard to be the best advocate for her clients. She takes pride in the fact...