Bratschie Law Firm

Kentwood Offi ce:2180 44th Street SE, Ste. 300Kentwood, MI 49508

Livonia Offi ce:39111 West Six Mile RoadLivonia, MI 48152

Mailing Address:PO Box 8428

Kentwood, MI 49518-8428

Kentwood Offi ce:

Telephone: (616) 454-6005

Facsimile: (616) 454-6159

Livonia Offi ce:

Telephone: (616) 734-591-7461

Facsimile: (866) 712-0049

Contact InfoDirect Dial Telephone Number:E-Mail Address:

Greg Bierl (616) 464-9482 [email protected]

Michelle Born-Fischer (616) 464-9470 mbornfi [email protected]

Dave Bratschie (616) 464-9483 [email protected]

Steve Bratschie (616) 454-6211 [email protected]

Darren Burmania (616) 464-9471 [email protected]

Danielle Corteville (616) [email protected]

Dan Gunn(616) [email protected]

Eve Handy(616) [email protected]

Louise Kirk(734) [email protected]

Todd Knecht(616) [email protected]

Tracie Lipscomb(616) [email protected]

Scott Mancinelli(616) [email protected]

Barbara Pugh(616) [email protected] Quinn(616) [email protected]

Doreen Stanard(616) [email protected]

John Stoddard (734) [email protected]

Tim Thorpe(616) [email protected]

Julie Hyatt-Wierzbicki (616) [email protected]

Louise Kirk(734) [email protected]

Todd Knecht(616) [email protected]

Tracie Lipscomb(616) [email protected]

Scott Mancinelli(616) [email protected]

Barbara Pugh(616) [email protected] Quinn(616) [email protected]

Doreen Stanard(616) [email protected]

John Stoddard (734) [email protected]

Tim Thorpe(616) [email protected]

Julie Hyatt-Wierzbicki (616) [email protected]

PracticeSteven E. Bratschie & Associates, P.C., is primarily a corporate and business practice law fi rm

located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a strong emphasis on creditors’ rights and commercial

litigation. Steven E. Bratschie has substantial legal experience of almost 27 years, including

all types of commercial oriented litigation. Mr. Bratschie is dedicated to providing top legal

services throughout Michigan in a cost effective manner. Mr. Bratschie’s practice is dedicated

primarily to representing creditors and does not represent debtors, and consists of the following

practice areas:

Creditor/Debtor relationships, representing

primarily large national, regional and

local lending institutions, title insurance

companies, and debt buying companies

in the following areas: workouts,

reorganizations, liquidations, commercial

litigation, defensive litigation, collection,

mortgage foreclosures, title disputes,

bankruptcy related litigation, Chapter

11 and Chapter 7 representation of

secured and unsecured creditors,

nondischargeability claims, forbearance

agreements, agriculture loan workouts/

foreclosures/litigation matters;

Real estate oriented litigation including

construction lien litigation, commercial

landlord disputes/litigation, zoning litigation

and representation of developers of real

estate including and other transactions;

Corporate and commercial advice as well

as litigation services for business clients;

Dispute resolution and general commercial

litigation in federal, state and bankruptcy

courts, as well as representing clients in

arbitration and mediation proceedings.

The Gilmore Collection Restaurants

Hastings City Bank

Independent Bank

Investors Title Insurance Company

National City Bank

Northpointe Bank

Select Bank

Sovereign Bank

Turnkey Network Solutions, Inc.

U.S. Signal

Flagstar Bank

Acquisition Management (debt buyer)

Alltel Communications

Bank of America

Bissell Homecare, Inc.

Brae Asset Fund (debt buyer)

Cadle Company (debt buyer)

Cadleway Properties, Inc. (debt buyer)

CIT

Diamond Drilling and Concrete Sawing

Fifth Third Bank

Firstbank-West Michigan

Some of our clients include:

Attorneys

Steven E. Bratschie. Steven was born in Kansas City, Missouri, but has lived primarily

in East Grand Rapids, Michigan, his entire life. Steven graduated in 1980 with a bachelor of

arts with a double major, (English and business administration) from Hope College in Holland,

Michigan, and received a Juris Doctor, cum laude, in 1983 from University of Detroit School

of Law. Upon graduating from law school, Steven joined the law fi rm of Miller, Johnson, Snell

& Cummiskey, P.C., in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he became a partner and remained

until the fall of 1997. Steven chaired the fi rm’s Creditor’s Rights Group for the time period

1993 – 1997. Steven then joined the law fi rm of McShane & Bowie P.L.C., as a partner until

he left to start Steven E. Bratschie & Associates, P.C., in late 1999. His practice has covered a

wide array of matters including, but not limited to, creditors rights; representation of creditors

in other commercial disputes and/or defensive litigation; foreclosure of large real estate

projects including offi ce buildings, apartment complexes; commercial litigation in state and

federal courts, including franchise issues, tradenames, and international disputes; domestic

law litigation; zoning litigation; real estate transactional work including site condominium

developments; tax tribunal litigation, construction lien litigation, sale and liquidation of

aircraft, vessels, livestock, agricultural lands/business, bankruptcy litigation and Chapter 7

and 11 representation of creditor clients, representation of title companies in construction lien

litigation, and other commercial disputes. Steven is admitted to practice in all courts in the

State of Michigan (State, Federal, and Bankruptcy) and is also a licensed real estate broker.

Steven has served on the Board of Directors for The Dwelling Place, Inc., a large nonprofi t,

low income housing organization; Camp Blodgett, a camp for underprivileged children; and

he is a member at East Congregational Church in Grand Rapids. Steven is married with four

children.

Scott Mancinelli. Scott graduated with a bachelor of arts in political science in 1990

from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and a Juris Doctor in 1994 from the University of

Oregon School of Law in Eugene, Oregon. Upon graduating from law school, Scott practiced

law in southern California until 2000, when he returned to West Michigan. Scott joined the law

fi rm of Coupe, VanAllsburg & Pater, P.C., in 2000 where he practiced until he joined the fi rm

of Steven E. Bratschie & Associates, P.C., in December 2002. His practice has covered a wide

array of matters including, but not limited to, general commercial litigation, complex litigation,

employment and labor law, personal injury, bankruptcy matters and mostly creditor rights

litigation. Scott is a member of the State Bars of Michigan and California, U.S. District Court

for the Western District of Michigan, and the Grand Rapids Bar Association. Scott has been

on the case evaluation panel for Kent County since 2005. Scott has served on the Board of

Directors for the Community Health Center of Holland. Scott lives in Holland with his wife and

two daughters.

Dan Gunn. Dan graduated with a bachelor of arts in political science & economics 2001

from Miami University (Oxford Ohio) and a Juris Doctor in 2005 from University of Toledo College

of Law. Dan joined the law fi rm of Steven E. Bratschie & Associates, P.C. in November of 2006

and currently practices in creditors’ rights, bankruptcy matters, and commercial litigation.

Dan is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District

of Michigan.

Julianna M. Hyatt-Wierzbicki. Julianna was born and raised in West Michigan.

She graduated from Aquinas College in 2004 with a bachelor of arts in political science and

international studies and earned her Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2008

with a concentration in small fi rm/solo practice, focusing on business transactions and estate

planning. Julianna currently practices creditor’s rights, commercial litigation, bankruptcy,

foreclosure matters, and estate planning. Julianna is married and lives in Alto, Michigan.

Michelle Born-Fischer. Michelle was born and raised in West Michigan and is

proud to work in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She graduated from East Kentwood High School and

obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Legal Studies from Grand Valley State University

in 1998. At Grand Valley, she graduated Magna Cum Laude and was awarded the Most

Outstanding Student Award for 1997. After graduating from Grand Valley, Michelle worked for

the Ottawa County Prosecutor’s Offi ce for three years before attending law school. Michelle

received her Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers School of Law in Camden, New Jersey in 2004.

While in law school, Michelle received the Dean Merit Scholarship each year of her attendance.

She was also fortunate enough to study law under the late United States Supreme Court Chief

Justice William Rehnquist for a summer in Europe. After graduating from law school, Michelle

fi rst practiced in the areas of Bankruptcy and Family Law. Her practice has since focused on

Business Banking, Creditor Rights, and Complex Commercial Litigation. Michelle is active in her

community and has volunteered for the Kent County Sheriff Department Victim’s Unit since

2004. She is also from a Darren Burmania. Darren graduated with a bachelor of science in

political science in 1997 from Central Michigan University and a Juris Doctor in 2004 from Wayne

State University in Detroit, Michigan. Upon graduating from law school, Darren practiced law

in Detroit until 2007 when he returned to West Michigan. Darren joined the law fi rm of Steven

E. Bratschie & Associates, P.C., in February 2008 and currently practices in creditors’ rights and

general commercial litigation. Darren is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the U.S.

District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Darren serves on the Board of Directors for

the non-profi t Twilight Benefi t. Darren is married and lives in Grand Rapids with his wife and

daughter. family of military veterans and proudly stays active with organizations such as the

VFW, AMVETS, and the American Legion.

John Stoddard. John brings more than sixteen years of creditors’ rights experience

to his work in Steven E. Bratschie & Associates P.C.’s Livonia and Grand Rapids offi ces. After

practicing nearly seven years in South Bend, Indiana, Mr. Stoddard returned to his native

Michigan in 1999 and exclusively represented creditors for the nation’s largest creditors’

rights fi rm. In 2002, he joined Gold, Lange & Majoros, P.C., where he specialized in litigating

adversary proceedings in bankruptcy while representing debtors, creditors, and Chapter

7 Trustees. Before joining Steven E. Bratschie & Associates P.C., he most recently served as

litigation manager for a publicly-traded fi nance company in Southfi eld. He joined Steven

E. Bratschie & Associates P.C. in February of 2008. Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1965, Mr.

Stoddard received his Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, from Albion College in 1987 and his Juris

Doctor from the University of Notre Dame in 1992. He is admitted to practice law in Michigan

and Indiana (inactive in good standing). He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the

American Bar Association, and the American Bankruptcy Institute. His cases with published

opinions include Bowlby v. NBD Bank, 640 N.E.2d 1095 (Ind.Ct.App. 1994), In re: Cutler, 291

B.R. 718 (Bankr. E.D. Mich. 2003), and In re: Schmiel, 391 B.R. 520 (Bankr. E.D. Mich. 2005). He

has lectured on bankruptcy law issues, including the 2005 amendments to the Bankruptcy

Code, to various groups, including the National Business Institute and the Oakland County Bar

Association. Mr. Stoddard lives in Plymouth with his wife and three daughters. When he is not

attending one of their swim meets or dance recitals, he is an active member of Dixboro United

Methodist Church and Measure for Measure, a men’s choral society.

Gregory P. Bierl. Greg graduated from Michigan State University in 2002 with a

bachelor’s degree in general business administration/pre-law and from The University of Toledo

College of Law and University of Toledo Graduate Studies Program in December, 2005 with

a Juris Doctor and Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Since graduating, Greg has

worked in a general practice civil litigation fi rm in Grand Haven, Michigan, served as corporate

in-house counsel for an expanding investment and real estate business and operated his own

private law practice. Greg began working for the law fi rm of Steven E. Bratschie & Associates,

P.C., in August, 2009 and currently practices in the areas of creditors’ rights, business planning

and commercial litigation. Greg is a current member of the State Bar of Michigan and the U.S.

District Court for the Western District of Michigan.

Louise A. Kirk. Louise specializes in commercial litigation and creditors’ rights. Louise

has represented small, medium and Fortune 100 businesses and tried cases in state and federal

courts and various ADR forums. Licensed in Indiana since 1993 and Michigan since 1994,

she has extensive experience in commercial litigation, including breach of contract, warranty

and insurance disputes, UCC Articles 2, 4 and 9 matters and tort/products liability defense. A

member of both the Michigan and Indiana State Bar Associations, Louise is also admitted to

the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan and the Northern and

Southern Districts of Indiana. A cum laude graduate of Albion College and the University of

Michigan Law School, she served as an editor on Michigan Law School’s Journal of International

Law. Louise worked at Kell & Lynch, P.C. and Bush Seyferth Kethledge & Paige PLLC in metro

Detroit prior to joining the Livonia offi ce of Steven E. Bratschie and Associates, P.C. in 2009. She

is currently an adjunct faculty member of the John Sperling School of Business, University of

Phoenix. Louise is active with her children’s schools, the Salvation Army and Plymouth Canton

Cruisers swim club. She is married and has three children.

Todd R. Knecht. Todd Knecht specializes in complex commercial and employment

litigation in the state and federal courts. He was born March 24, 1955 in Lancaster, PA. He is a

graduate of Hope College (B.A., 1977); and the University of Detroit School of Law (J.D., cum

laude, 1981). He served as law clerk for the late Hon. Douglas W. Hillman, United States District

Court Judge for the Western District of Michigan in 1983. Mr. Knecht was admitted to the

District of Columbia Bar in 1981 and the Michigan Bar in 1983. He is also admitted to practice

in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan; and the U.S. Court

of Appeals, Sixth Circuit. He is a member of the Grand Rapids Bar Association; the State Bar

of Michigan and the American Bar Association. Todd Knecht has over 20 years of experience

representing management and counseling employers on employee-relations matters and

defending management against employment-based lawsuits in the state and federal courts

and administrative tribunals. He has extensive experience in the preparation and enforcement

of non-compete agreements and contracts designed to protect an employer’s trade secrets

from disclosure to competitors. Mr. Knecht also specializes in advising physicians with respect

issues arising out of the medical credentialing process, peer review and hospital staff privileges.

BV® Peer Review Rating.

Darren Burmania. Darren graduated with a bachelor of science in political science

in 1997 from Central Michigan University and a Juris Doctor in 2004 from Wayne State University

in Detroit, Michigan. Upon graduating from law school, Darren practiced law in Detroit until

2007 when he returned to West Michigan. Darren joined the law fi rm of Steven E. Bratschie

& Associates, P.C., in February 2008 and currently practices in creditors’ rights and general

commercial litigation. Darren is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the U.S. District

Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Darren serves on the Board of Directors for the non-

profi t Twilight Benefi t. Darren is married and lives in Grand Rapids with his wife and daughter.

The fi rm is comprisedof the following staff:

Doreen A. Stanard. Doreen Stanard is a legal assistant/secretary with over 29 years

of experience. Doreen has worked consistently with Steven Bratschie since approximately

1986. She has a substantial working knowledge of all areas of practice engaged in by Steven

Bratschie.

* * * * *Tracie Lipscomb. Tracie Lipscomb joined Steven E. Bratschie & Associates, P.C. in

May of 2004 and has more than 14 years of experience as a legal assistant/secretary in legal

litigation.

* * * * *Danielle Corteville. Danielle Corteville joined Steven E. Bratschie & Associates, P.C.

in July of 2008 and is a recent graduate of Michigan State University.

* * * * *Barbara Pugh. Barbara Pugh joined Steven E. Bratschie & Associates, P.C. in February

of 2008 and is our receptionist and general assistant.

* * * * *Kelly Quinn. Kelly Quinn joined Steven E. Bratschie & Associates, P.C. in May of 2009,

with 17 years of experience as a legal assistant/secretary in general litigation.

* * * * *

Evelyn Handy. Eve Handy joined Steven E. Bratschie & Associates, P.C. in August of

2009, with more than 29 years of experience as a legal secretary.

* * * * *Tim Thorpe. Tim Thorpe joined Steven E. Bratschie & Associates, P.C. in October of 2009,

with more than 7 years of experience as a debt collector/para-legal experience.

* * * * *David L. Bratschie. David was born in Kansas City, Missouri, but has lived primarily in

East Grand Rapids, Michigan, his entire life. David graduated with a Bachelor of Landscape

Architecture and minor in Business from Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan, in

1979. David joined Steelcase Inc. right after college and held many engineering, project

management and manager positions until he joined Steven E. Bratschie and Associates,

P.C., in April of 2009. David has extensive experience in project management, cost analysis,

building design and installation, managing teams and process improvement analysis. He

has a thorough understanding of computer equipment, systems and software and is capable

of managing teams of people and large complex projects with many variables to desired

outcome. David is a member of East Congregational Church in Grand Rapids where he does

volunteer work assisting with their food pantry and homeless family temporary housing. David

is married with two children.

Bratschie Law Firm

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