Legal Services & Lawyers

Dean E. Sheldon III is committed to providing you with top notch legal service. We approach every client with a focus on integrity, advocacy, and understanding. We fight for you!

Dean E. Sheldon III received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Dayton School of Law in 1986, graduating with honors in federal jurisdiction. He was admitted to the Ohio Bar and served as a law clerk for Hon. Judge Don J. Young, United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division.

In 1987, Dean joined the law firm of Nathan & Roberts in Toledo, Ohio as an associate attorney, specializing in bankruptcy and commercial litigation. During this time, he also worked as an attorney for Chapter 7 Trustee, H. Buswell Roberts, Jr. In 1990, Dean joined the firm of Donald D. Simmons, former Wood County Common Pleas Judge. Dean started his solo practice in 1991. In addition to bankruptcy, his practice included real estate, probate, juvenile, domestic relations, criminal, creditor's rights, landlord/tenant, personal injury, worker's compensation, social security and business law.

Drawn to the natural beauty of northern Michigan and wanting a healthy community for their two year old daughter, Dean and Sally Sheldon moved to Traverse City in 1997. Dean worked for a year as closing agent at Mid-American Title Company. He was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1998. He started Good Harbor Mortgage Company in 2000. Dean is also admitted to practice in the U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts of Michigan, Western Division. Dean is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.

James A. Christopherson, Esq. is an arbitrator, mediator and practicing attorney. He has over 28 years of experience as an attorney, arbitrator and mediator in complex construction, real estate, healthcare, commercial, contractual, financial and environmental disputes. He is available to provide legal assistance in commercial, healthcare, real estate, construction and environmental disputes throughout the State of Michigan. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Mr. Christopherson is on the National Roster of Neutral Arbitrators for both Commercial Arbitration and Construction Arbitration for the American Arbitration Association. He is an Arbitrator for the American Health Lawyers Association, the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution, the National Arbitration Forum and the London Court of International Arbitration. He is a mediator for the American Health Lawyers Association, the American Arbitration Association, the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, the Conflict Resolution Service and many state courts.