Richard A. Roane

Partner | rroane@wnj.com | V-Card Grand RapidsT 616.752.2367F 616.222.2367 Ric Roane has practiced family law and domestic relations litigation for 25 years. “My work involves entire families,” he says. “My goal is to find a resolution to the problems facing the family I’m serving. It’s a less contentious approach.” He specializes in divorce, nonmarital domestic relationships, domestic relations mediation and arbitration, spousal support, child custody and support, complex business valuation... Read More

Ric Roane has practiced family law and domestic relations litigation for 25 years. “My work involves entire families,” he says. “My goal is to find a resolution to the problems facing the family I’m serving. It’s a less contentious approach.” He specializes in divorce, nonmarital domestic relationships, domestic relations mediation and arbitration, spousal support, child custody and support, complex business valuation distribution and pre- and post-nuptial agreements. Ric is former chair of the Family Law Practice Group.
  • Biography
  • Experience
  • News
  • Publications
  • Leadership
  • Speaking Engagements
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Industries

Practices

Education

  • Whittier Law School J.D. 1986
  • University of Hawaii B.B.A. 1982

Admitted

  • 1988, Michigan

Honors and Awards

  • Best Lawyers in America, Family Law, 2009-Present
  • Named the Best Lawyers' 2012 Grand Rapids Family Law Lawyer of the year
  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
  • Named as one of the Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers 2010
  • Named to Michigan Super Lawyers 2007-Present
  • Michael Barnes Pro-Bono Service Award, 1995

Bar Associations

  • American Bar Association
    Family Law Section
  • State Bar of Michigan
    Family Law Section, 2-term Council Member
  • Grand Rapids Bar Association
    Family Law Section, Past Chairperson

Experience

  • Represents executives, health care professionals, homemakers, family business owners, professional athletes, teachers and others in contested divorce matters
  • Experienced in handling complex asset division, including the valuation of closely held businesses, investment portfolios and real estate valuation and distribution
  • Successfully resolved international divorce, custody and child abduction/return matters
  • Skilled in alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration or mediation of complex property valuation and division issues and matters of custody and support
  • Counsels clients on the pitfalls of social media use and electronic discovery

Publications

Professional Affiliations

  • International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
    Michigan Chapter, President; Fellow
  • National Board of Govenors
    Delegate
  • Institute of Continuing Legal Education
    Family Law Advisory Board
  • Collaborative Divorce Professionals of Michigan
  • ICLE Family Law Advisory Board (2009-Present)

Community Affiliations

  • Legal Assistance Center
    Board of Directors (2008-Present)

Speaking Engagements

  • “Prenuptial Agreements: The Elephant in the Room,” Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises 2013 Annual Conference, April 26, 2013, Chicago
  • “My Impressions and Experience Attending the Oral Arguments in the U.S. Supreme Court,”  a gathering of LGBT professionals and allied community members , Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids, Michigan, March 23, 2013
  • 11th Annual Family Law Institute, ICLE, Plymouth, Michigan, November 15-16, 2012,
  • "Negotiating and Drafting Property Settlement Agreements," ICLE, October 23, 2012
  • "Update on Michigan Family Law Cases, Court Rules and Administrative Orders," Michigan Judges Association, August 21, 2012

Frequently lectures for:

  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
  • Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Family Law Institute (organizing committee)
  • Michigan Family Court Forum (organizing committee)

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