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B. Andrew Rifkin

B. Andrew Rifkin

Bank | Rifkin
  • Divorce, Family Law
  • Colorado, Michigan
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Biography

As a family law attorney with more than 24 years of experience, I have helped many clients make life-altering decisions and have guided them through the most challenging periods of their lives. My goal always is to serve as a problem-solver for my clients, who routinely come to me with difficult issues surrounding divorce, property valuation and division, child custody, financial support, and many other family law concerns. I offer all of my clients a place where they can be heard, receive practical advice based on their goals and objectives, and develop a sound plan for moving through their divorces and forward with the next phases of their lives. I realize that every family and every case is unique, and I tailor my approach accordingly. My overarching belief is that busy family court judges do not have time to fully understand and creatively solve complex problems, making public courtroom litigation often a poor choice for resolving difficult issues. Since litigation also is acrimonious and expensive, it rarely leads to a lasting peace or a thorough, cost-effective result. For that reason, I frequently work with my clients (and often one or more other specialists from our team of carefully-selected professionals) to resolve their disputes privately and confidentially, outside of the courtroom. Sometimes, for example, I am able to work with an experienced counselor to put a couple on a path to reconciliation; other times, I use private negotiation or mediation to help resolve difficult issues. In those cases where courtroom litigation is unavoidable, I use my experience and expertise to advocate zealously on behalf of my clients. I have tried cases to judges and juries in federal and state courts throughout Michigan, and I successfully have represented clients in proceedings in Michigan, Illinois, California, and Colorado.

Practice Areas
Divorce
Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
Family Law
Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
Fees
  • Free Consultation
    (120 minutes)
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Colorado
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Michigan
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Professional Experience
Partner
Bank | Rifkin
- Current
Adjunct Professor
- Current
The Law Firm of John F. Schaefer
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Adjunct Professor
University Of Detroit Mercy School Of Law
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Education
University of Michigan Law School
J.D. | Law
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Honors: Winner of the Henry M. Campbell Moot Court Competition, 1990-91 Outstanding Legal Writing Instructor Award, 1991 Book Award: Legal Research and Writing , 1990
Activities: University of Michigan Law School Clinical Law Program; Moot Court Competition Program Board Member
University of Michigan Law School Logo
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
B.A. | Economics
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Honors: Bachelor of Arts with Distinction and Honors in Economics, May 1987 Honors Thesis: Medical Malpractice Insurance Prices: A Study of Rate Variance Diploma with Distinction, 1987 Honors in Economics, 1987 College Honors Program in Economics, 1986 University of Michigan Class Honors, 1985
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Logo
Awards
Best Lawyers in America
Best Lawyers in America
Super Lawyer
Superlawyers
Preeminent 5.0 out of 5
Martindale-Hubbell
Top Lawyers
DBusiness
Best Lawyers in America
Best Lawyers in America
Super Lawyer
Michigan Super Lawyers
Preeminent 5.0 out of 5
Martindale-Hubbell
Top Lawyers 2015
DBusiness
Top Lawyers
Crain’s Detroit Business
Top Lawyers 2014
DBusiness
SuperLawyer
Superlawyers
Best Lawyers in America 2014
Best Lawyers in America
Best Lawyers in America 2013
Best Lawyers in America
Top Lawyers 2013
DBusiness
Fellow
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Top Lawyers 2010
DBusiness
Superb Rated
Avvo
Super Lawyer
Michigan Super Lawyers
2008-2013
Peer Review Rating AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 (since 2003)
Martindale-Hubbell
Professional Associations
Oakland County Bar Foundation
Fellow
- Current
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American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Fellow
- Current
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Colorado State Bar  # 22511
Member
- Current
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Oakland County Bar Association
Family Law Bench-Bar Committee
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Activities: Oakland County Bench-Bar Conference Family Law Committee: Served as committee member organizing meeting, preparing issues for discussion and written materials, and moderating annual family law conference between Oakland County attorneys and judges
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Oakland and Wayne County Circuit Courts
Court-Appointed Mediator
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Invited Judge
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Activities: First Year Moot Court Oral Argument Competitions Annual Client Counseling Competitions
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Detroit College of Law
Invited Judge
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Activities: Freshman Moot Court Oral Argument Competition
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Matrimonial Attorney Took a Different Route
Oakland Legal News
Chapter 1 Update, Family Law Practice Issues
ICLE Michigan Family Law Practice
Beyond Rinvelt: Where Do Prenuptial Agreements Go from Here?
LACHES
Full Protection for the Injured Ward: Ensuring That Guardian and Conservator Fees Are Paid by the PIP Insurance Carrier
MICH. BAR J., July 2000, Volume 79 No. 7
Shop with Care: Choosing a Forum in Recreational Accident Cases
LACHES, January 1999
Liability of the Physician in Charge
MICH. BAR J., Dec. 1994, Volume 73 No. 12 at 1296
When Doctors Go Bare: Compensation Beyond the Underinsured Physician
MICH. BAR J., Oct. 1994, Volume 73 No. 10 at 1080
Speaking Engagements
Prenupital and Postnuptial Marital Agreements, Guest Lecturer, Nuts and Bolts of Estate Planning, University of Michigan Law School
The Ultimate Evidence Refresher, ICLE Family Law Institute - 2014
From Vodvarka to Shade and Everything In Between, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Annual Michigan Advanced Family Law Seminar - 2014
Discovery in Divorce Cases, Fundamentals of Divorce Practice & Procedure - 2013
Double Dipping: What is the Right Approach?, Family Law Institute, 12th Annual - 2013
Making a Spousal Support Claim Based on Net Cash Flow Analysis, AAML Annual Michigan Advanced Family Law Seminar - 2013
Successfully Offering Real Evidence at Trial, AAML Annual Michigan Advanced Family Law Seminar - 2012
Divorce Discovery, Fundamentals of Divorce Practice & Procedure - 2011
Websites & Blogs
Website
www.bankrifkinlaw.com
Contact & Map
401 South Old Woodward Avenue
Suite 410
Birmingham, MI 48009
Telephone: (248) 480-8333