Legal Services & Lawyers

Since 1989, I have been an attorney licensed by the State Bar of Michigan. In my decades of general practice, I have served more than 1000 clients.

Among the first-50 attorneys in Michigan to complete the Family Law Certificate program offered by the Institute for Continuing Legal Education in Ann Arbor, MI, I have completed more than 250 divorces from start to finish.

In addition to family law, I have a robust criminal law practice, representing clients in jury trials and appeals across Michigan. Approved for felony assignments by the Oakland County Circuit Court, and for criminal appeals through the Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System, I know my way around the criminal justice system.

The Michigan Attorney General has appointed me to serve as a Special Assistant Attorney General (felony child support) and to serve Oakland County as a Public Administrator. These appointments have provided extensive family law, probate and elder law experience as a professional fiduciary in more than 75 cases.

My appellate docket has placed me before the Michigan Supreme Court, Mich Court of Appeals, and the U S Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. Serving 2-years as a pre-hearing attorney for the Mich Court of Appeals was my 1st job out of law school, followed by another 5-years in the appellate section of Plunkett & Cooney, one of Michigan’s largest private law firms.

For 8-years in the middle of my career, I was an Asst Professor and Director of Legal Studies at the Univ of Detroit Mercy. The UDM Law Review published my article on civil rights claims in the law enforcement seizure context. As a professor of legal studies, I trained paralegals in all aspects of assisting attorneys in private practice, publishing a comprehensive article on this subject in the Mich Bar Journal.

Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit (1988)
Bachelor of Arts with honors from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI, (1984).

We are a general practice firm with experience handling a variety of legal matters for our clients. Mr. O'Brien handles both basic and complex bankruptcy, business and estate planning issues. Mr. O'Brien is a member of WealthCounsel, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and the State Bar of Michigan.

Our mission is to provide full and comprehensive legal solutions to individuals, businesses, and business owners by delivering first class legal representation and exhibiting excellent customer service.

I have more than 17 years of experience representing clients in complex matrimonial and litigation cases, business and entertainment matters, and other intricate personal and contractual relationships. I have been recognized by my peers in Michigan Super Lawyers as one the premier family law attorneys in Michigan. Martindale-Hubbell, a nationally-recognized directory of attorneys, has rated me "AV," the highest possible rating of my legal ability and ethical standards, as established by confidential opinions from members of the Michigan Bar. I have tried cases to judges and juries in federal and state courts throughout Michigan, and I have extensive first-chair trial experience in matrimonial, personal injury, product liability, and commercial lawsuits, having successfully represented clients in courts in Michigan, Illiinois, and Colorado.

Mark Bank's legal career has predominantly focused on complex matrimonial matters. He has been listed by his peers in Best Lawyers in America as one of the top family law attorneys in the country and in Michigan Super Lawyers as one the premier family law attorneys in Michigan. He is also a Fellow in the nationally distinguished American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Mark Bank has been affiliated with the firm since 1994, and a partner since 2000. He is admitted to practice in Michigan, Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia; although he has been engaged to handle divorce cases around the country, having been admitted pro hac vice in Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Illinois.

Since 1998 he has been an Adjunct Professor of Law at Michigan State University College of Law where he teaches Domestic Relations and Matrimonial Practice.

Mark Bank is a graduate of the University of Michigan, with distinction, and the George Washington University National Law Center.He has been on the Board of Governors of the University of Michigan Alumni Association of Greater Detroit and the Donor Advisory Board of Children's Hospital of Michigan. He currently serves on the Friends Committee of the University of Michigan Department of Urology.

Recent publications and speaking engagements include: Beyond Rinvelt: Where Do Prenuptials Agreements Go From Here?, The Uncertain State of Michigan Equitable Distribution Law Post Reeves, and The Initial Consultation with Your Divorce Attorney: What to Expect When You Don't Know What to Expect. In addition, he is regular lecturer, having delivered the following: Evidence by the Rules from the Experts, Another Look at Separate Property Theory, Often Overlooked Issues When Drafting Property Settlement Provisions, Handling Separate Property Claims in Michigan, The State of Equitable Distribution Law in Michigan, Presenting Spousal Support Claims (Without Guidelines), and Domestic Relations Bar Review for Michigan Bar Examination.

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

Lorne B. Gold's practice, located in Bloomfield Hills, is predominantly focused on matrimonial matters. He has differentiated himself through his handling and resolution of the most financially and emotionally complex of family law matters. In both 2008 and 2009, Law & Politics and Superlawyers magazine recognized him as one of the state's top divorce and family law attorneys. In 2008, he was recognized as one of the state's top divorce attorneys under the age of 40, the only family law attorney in Oakland, Wayne, Macomb or Livingston County to receive this distinction by his peers . Gold's practice includes representation in the following areas: Divorce and Separation, Child Custody, Visitation and Parenting Time, Property and Equitable Division, Business Valuation, Child Support, Spousal Support and Alimony and Criminal Defense. His practice is focused in Oakland, Macomb, Wayne and the surrounding counties. Gold is a frequent author, commentator and presenter on a wide range of Family Law, trial practice, evidence and discovery issues.
He has spoken and been published both statewide and nationally. He is a Council Member of the State Bar of Michigan's Family Law Section, is the current chair of its' Family Law Journal Committee, the current co-chair of its' Mid-Summer Conference and past chair of its' Continuing Legal Education Committee. Mr. Gold is active in the Oakland County Bar Association, is a past committee chair, and is a Fellow of the Oakland County Bar Foundation. He received a Distinguished Service commendation from the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office in 1999. He also received an Award of Excellence in Service from HAVEN, the Oakland County shelter for at-risk families, for his work on behalf of victims of domestic violence. In addition to his active involvement with professional and Bar associations, Gold serves on the executive and leadership boards of multiple community organizations and agencies and, in 2006, was the recipient of the Mark Family Leadership Award.