Mike Van Haren concentrates his practice on all aspects of planning for high net worth individuals, the family offices that serve those individuals, and the businesses they own. Gift, estate, and sophisticated tax planning, family business succession planning, charitable and foundation planning, and the special needs of family offices are the focus of Mike's practice.

Representative Experience

• Represents more than one dozen families that have family offices to assist family with planning, investments, and other services
• Advise members of numerous family businesses who are transitioning ownership to the next generation
• Key planner for transition of multi-national family held business from fourth to fifth generation
• Organized dozens of family limited partnerships and family limited liability companies
• Tax adviser for the Firm's litigation team with respect to the Family Limited Partnership Gift Tax Valuation Case, Lappo v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 2003-258
• Established and represents multiple private foundations

Honors and Awards

• Best Lawyers in America, Nonprofit/Charities Law and Trusts and Estates, 1987-2010
• Listed in Who's Who in American Law
• Listed in Who's Who in America
• Named to Michigan Super Lawyers 2006-2009
• Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (1986-Present)
• Fellow, Michigan State Bar Foundation
• Vice Chairperson of the Firm's Management Committee (2005-08)
• Associate Editor, 1974-75, Journal of Urban Law
• First in law school class

Bar Associations

Teaching and Lecturing

• Adjunct Professor, Grand Valley State University, Master of Taxation Program, 1983-85
• Lecturer for Estate Planning, Probate, and Tax Matters for Institute of Continuing Legal Education courses and other organizations

Publications

• "Defending the Estate Against Claims," Michigan Probate Review, February 1982, Vol. 1, Number 3
• Coeditor, "Probate Practice in Decedent's Estates," Michigan Basic Practice Handbook, ICLE, 1985 Revision

• What’s Next For Estate (And Gift And GST) Taxes?
• Estate Planning Focus

Professional Affiliations

• American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
  Fellow; Business Law Committee, State Law Coordinator (1997-01)
  
• West Michigan Estate Planning Council
  Board of Trustees (1986-89); Member (1984-Present)
  

Community Affiliations

• Catholic Social Services
  Board Chair (2002); Board of Trustees (1996-02)
  
• Franciscan Life Process Center
  Advisory Board, Child Development Center (1989-99)
  
• Goodwill Industries of Grand Rapids Foundation
  Board of Trustees Member (2002-Present)
  
• Grand Rapids Community Foundation
  Professional Advisory Committee (1997-Present)
  
• Leave a Legacy West Michigan
  Steering Committee (1999-00)
  
• Rotary Club of Grand Rapids
  2002-Present
  
• The Wege Foundation
  Board of Trustees (1996-Present)
  

News

• 51 Warner Norcross Attorneys Recognized as Super Lawyers
• 62 Warner Norcross Attorneys Rated Best Lawyers in America