Butzel works together with Silver & Van Essen P.C. to ensure seamless transition of Grand Rapids office

DETROIT, Mich. –  Butzel, one of Michigan’s leading law firms, recently announced it is growing with the addition of a Grand Rapids office and three established local attorneys including Lee T. Silver, Michael L. Gutierrez and J. Terrance Dillon, currently with Silver & Van Essen P.C. (SVE). The attorneys will join Butzel on January 1, 2023.

“Silver & Van Essen P.C. is known in West Michigan for its laser focus emphasis on providing top client service – which aligns perfectly with Butzel,” said Paul M. Mersino, Butzel’s next President and CEO, effective in March 2023 at the firm’s Annual Meeting. “We have clients in West Michigan and across the state. It is a natural progression for Butzel to expand to Grand Rapids. We are looking forward to it.”

Silver, Gutierrez and Dillon will augment Butzel’s litigation practice, as Butzel grows the new location into a full-service office and adds more attorneys.

“It is a win for West Michigan to have Butzel’s caliber of expertise, which complements our robust roster of highly skilled attorneys,” said Douglas W. Van Essen, co-founder of SVE, who will remain in the office, although as a sole practitioner. “We are working in tandem with Butzel to ensure a seamless transition while continuing exemplary client service and, in the near term, all clients can continue to reach their counsel through the same mailing or e-mailing addresses and phone numbers used by SVE.” 

Lee Silver added, “The New Year will bring exciting developments for SVE clients who will benefit from our counsel and Butzel’s extensive client resources as we grow in 2023.”