Butzel Expands Statewide Footprint Adding Eight Attorneys and 12 Staff in Southwest Michigan

New Butzel attorneys include:

Niles Office

Mowitt (Mitt) S. Drew III (shareholder), Kelly L. Travis (shareholder), and John R. Colip (shareholder)

South Haven

Andrew W. Barnes (shareholder) and Jordan D. Florian (associate)

St. Joseph

Amber D. Peters (shareholder), Matthew S. Derby (shareholder) and William M. Engeln (Counsel).

“Butzel’s clients are across the whole state and they’re growing. We need to be where they are and we need first-rate attorneys to be accessible to those clients,” said Paul M. Mersino, President and CEO, Butzel. “After adding Grand Rapids a little more than a year ago, these three offices and their attorneys are a natural fit. Mitt and his team are outstanding attorneys and people who fit our culture. They personify the excellence we’re looking for in this time of growth and share our commitment to excellent client service above all else. We are pleased to add them to the Butzel team.”

“We have had the privilege of serving Southwest Michigan for the past three decades,” said Mowitt (Mitt) S. Drew. “Butzel now has a presence from coast to coast in Michigan and we are proud to be part of that expansion.”

Mowitt (Mitt) S. Drew III

Drew has been practicing law for 25 years and focuses his practice on business litigation including agri-business/food processing, commercial and contract, estate planning, family law, family litigation, probate and trust administration, real estate land use and zoning as well as real property sales and acquisitions.

He earned a J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1999 and a B.G.S. from the University of Michigan in 1996.

Kelly L. Travis

Travis’ practice is focused on general litigation. She is a former Assistant Prosecutor in Berrien County. Her practice areas include asset protection planning, commercial and contract, estate planning, family law, family litigation, family wealth transfer planning, probate and trust administration, real estate, land use and zoning and wealth transfer planning.

She earned a J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1996 and a B.S. from Indiana University, Kelly School of Law in 1992.

John R. Colip

For more than 40 years, Colip’s practice has been focused on asset protection planning, corporate and business planning services, estate planning, family law, probate and trust administration, real property sales and acquisitions.

He earned a J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1975 and a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in 1972.

Andrew W. Barnes

His real estate practice is focused on agri-business/food processing, appellate, asset protection planning, claim litigation/arbitration, commercial contracts, commercial property leasing, real estate financing, real estate property, sales and acquisitions, to name a few.

Barnes earned a J.D. (magna cum laude) from Michigan State University College of Law in 2006 and a B.A. (magna cum laude) from Western Michigan University in 2003.

Jordan D. Florian

Florian’s litigation practice areas include a focus on commercial contracts, environmental, environmental law for real estate, real property sales and acquisitions, to name a few.

Florian earned a J.D. (cum laude) from Valparaiso University School of Law in 2017 and a B.S. from Louisiana State University, Natural Resources Ecology Management – Westland Science in 2014.

Amber D. Peters

Her litigation practice includes a focus on estate planning, family estate planning, family law, family litigation as well as probate and trust administration.

Peters earned a J.D. from Wayne State University School of Law in 2014 and a B.A. (cum laude) from Bethel College in 2010.

Matthew S. Derby

His labor and employment practice includes a focus on investigation of employee misconduct, promotions/demotions, ERISA withdrawal liability, employment service agreements, to name a few.

Derby earned a J.D. from Wayne State University School of Law in 1987 and a B.A. (with distinction) from the University of Michigan in 1982.

William M. Engeln

Engeln’s corporate practice includes bank financing for businesses, commercial contracts, contract drafting and negotiation, corporate and business planning services, corporate finance, corporate governance, estate planning, mergers and acquisitions, probate and trust administration, real property sales and acquisitions and succession planning for business owners.

He earned a J.D. (cum laude) from Northwestern University School of Law in 1980 and a B.A. (summa cum laude) from Washington State University in 1970.

About Butzel

Butzel is one of the leading law firms in Michigan and the United States. It was founded in Detroit in 1854 and has provided trusted client service for 170 years. Butzel’s full-service law offices are located in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Troy and Southwest, Mich.; New York, NY; and, Washington, D.C., as well as global alliance offices. Butzel is an active member of Lex Mundi, a global association of 160 independent law firms. Learn more by visiting www.butzel.com or follow Butzel on Twitter: https://twitter.com/butzel_long