Legal Services & Lawyers

Barry Shoults is a graduate of Lapeer Public Schools. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan - Flint and then received in 1981 his Juris Doctorate from the Detroit College of Law, now the Law School at Michigan State University. He was admitted to the practice of law in Michigan Courts in 1981 and in Federal Court in 1984.

He worked his way through college and law school at various jobs including selling building supplies for Church’s Lumber. He started his legal career working for Legal Services of Eastern Michigan in Flint which provided legal aid to the poor of Genesee and Lapeer counties before starting this law firm in Lapeer in 1982.

Barry Shoults is a member of various sections of the Michigan State Bar Association as well as the Lapeer County Bar Association of which he was President from 2004 - 2005. He is one of the few Lapeer County attorneys who is a member of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan. He is also a member of the Lapeer Area Chamber of Commerce, the Lapeer Downtown Business Association and Calvary Bible Church.

Barry Shoults was the Mayor of Lapeer between 1981 - 1989 during which he was on the Downtown Development Authority and the City Planning Commission. Prior to that he served on the Lapeer County Planning Commission, the Genesee-Lapeer-Shiawassee County Regional Planning Commission, and the Genesee-Lapeer-Shiawassee County Health Systems Agency. He was elected City Commissioner in 1973 and served one term as an elected County Commissioner (1977-78) during which he influenced the decision to build the current court house in downtown Lapeer.

Barry Shoults has taught seminars on the state regulations regarding the use of the evidentiary breath test called the "Breathalyzer" and on "How to Get Along with the Friend of the Court" He has also appeared on the television program, "Ask a Lawyer" when it was being produced by Channel 28 in Flint.

Aric K. Melder has assisted each of his clients with the finest legal representation possible while upholding the ethics, spirit, and intent of the law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1996. He graduated from Detroit College of Law, at Michigan State University with a Juris Doctor, in 1996, and Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1993.

Aric K. Melder has concentrated his expertise and experience in the areas of Family Law, Divorce, Adoption, Bankruptcy, Debt Collection /Debt Collection Defense, Asset Protection, Real Estate, Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning, Criminal Defense, Drunk Driving, Traffic Matters and Insurance Disputes.

Areas of Practice:

Family Law
Divorce
Adoption
Bankruptcy
Debt Collection /Debt Collection Defense
Asset Protection
Real Estate
Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning
Criminal Defense
Drunk Driving
Traffic Matters
Insurance Disputes

Sanford J. Melder has helped thousands of people as an attorney. He was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1974. He graduated from Wayne State University with a Jurist Doctor in 1973, and Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science in 1968.

Sanford J. Melder has practiced law for over 30 years, representing clients in legal matters including Family Law, Divorce, Adoption, Real Estate, Debt Collection/Debt Collection Defense, Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning, Asset Protection, Criminal Defense, Traffic Matters, Drunk Driving, Business Law and Personal Injury.

Areas of Practice:

Family Law
Divorce
Adoption
Real Estate
Debt Collection/Debt Collection Defense
Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning
Asset Protection
Criminal Defense
Traffic Matters
Drunk Driving
Business Law
Personal Injury