John Schaefer

John Schaefer

The Law Firm of John F. Schaefer
  • Divorce, Family Law
  • Michigan, New York
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Biography

John F. Schaefer, founder of The Law Firm of John F. Schaefer, is one of the best-known and most highly-respected matrimonial lawyers in the United States. From its inception, Best Lawyers in America has listed John Schaefer as one of the premier matrimonial lawyers in America, and named him Lawyer of the Year, Detroit Area, in 2013. Worth magazine named him one of the top 100 lawyers in America, in any practice area.

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
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Michigan
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New York
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Languages
  • English
Professional Experience
Trustee Emeritus
Michigan State University College of Law
- Current
Board of Trustees
William Beaumont Hospital
- Current
Hundred Club
- Current
President
The Law Firm of John F. Schaefer
- Current
Board of Directors
Gil Schaefer Distributors, Inc.
- Current
Michigan State University-Detroit College of Law
- Current
Board of Directors
Walker Motors, Inc.
- Current
President (2005-2006)/Board of Directors (1996-2006)
Oakland County Bar Association
-
Board of Directors
Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL)
-
Board of Directors-Secretary
J.P. McCarthy Foundation
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Chairman
Detroit College of Law Foundation
-
Board of Trustees
Detroit College of Law
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Of Counsel
Williams, Shaefer, Ruby & Williams
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Shareholder
Williams, Schaefer, Ruby & Williams, P.C.
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Board of Trustees
Michigan Cancer Foundation
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Board of Governors
Cranbrook Schools
-
Board of Directors
Consortium for Human Development
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Board of Directors/Secretary/Treasurer/President
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
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Corporate Board
Boys and Girls Club of Metro Detroit
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Buesser, Buesser, Snyder & Blank
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Education
Michigan State University
Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree
Honors: Distinguished Alumni Award
Michigan State University Logo
Michigan State University
B.A.
Michigan State University Logo
Detroit College of Law
J.D.
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Awards
Lawyer of the Year - Family Law - Detroit Area
The Best Lawyers in America
Receipient of the Hon. George N.Bashara '60 Distinguished Alumni Award
Michigan State University College of Law
Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree
Michigan State University College of Law
Naming of the John F. Schaefer Law Library
Michigan State University College of Law
Top Lawyers
Crain's Detroit Business
A True Friend to the Detroit Police Athletic League and to the Youth of Detroit
Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL)
10 Divorce Lawyers You'd Want in Your Corner
Detroit Monthly
America's Top Divorce Lawyers
Town & Country Guide to Civilized Divorce
Super Lawyer
Super Lawyers
2006-Present
The Top Lawyers in Metro Detrot
DBusiness
2006-Present
The Nations' Top 100 Attorneys
Worth Magazine
2006-2008
Who's Who
Oxford
1992-Present
Whos Who in the World
Marquis Who's Who, Inc.
1995-Present
Who's Who in American Law
Marquis Who's Who, Inc.
1995-Present
Who's Who in America
Marquis Who's Who, Inc.
1995-Present
Professional Associations
Notre Dame Club of Michigan
- Current
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International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Current
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Michigan State Bar Foundation Fellows
- Current
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American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Current
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State Bar of Michigan  # 19948
Member
- Current
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American Bar Association
- Current
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Oakland County Bar Association
- Current
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Detroit Bar Association
- Current
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Judicial Review Committee
Member - U.S. Senate Committee
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Michigan Association of the Professions
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Michigan Inter-Professional Association on Marriage, Divorce and the Family
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American Judicature Society
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Divorce in Michigan - The Legal Process, Your Rights and What to Expect
Addicus Books, Inc.
Speaking Engagements
The Effective Handling of the Non-Routine Divorce Case
University of Detroit Continuing Legal Education
An Extended Program on Family Law
The Law Society of Upper Canada
Divorce Settlement: Compulsory Arbitration of Mediation
Michigan Inter-Professional Association on Marriage, Divorce and the Family
Tax Ramifications of Divorce Cases
Southfield Bar Association
Trying the Big Case-Divorce
Dearborn Bar Association
Michigan Judicial Institute Principal Instructor to Michigan Circuit Judges
1981 - Domestic Relations: Substantive Law" 1980 - Domestic Relations: Substantive Law"
WXYZ-TV
"Kelly and Company" Appearance with Joel Hyatt and Discussion on advertising by lawyers
Legal Malpractice
Michigan Trial Lawyers Association and State Bar of Michigan
Family Law in Michigan
Legal Education Institute, Inc.
Oakland University Continum Center
1988 - Speaker: "The Economics of Divorce" 1987 - Speaker: "Choosing an Attorney"
Straight Talk About Divorce-Bitter Reality
Oakland County Friend of the Court Divorce and Family Counseling Workshop
WJBK-TV
1992 - "Comment" Family Values 1981 - "Kelly at Night" Discussion on Living Together and Palimony with reference to the book Living Together by Marvin Mitchelson 1981 - "Kelly and Company" Appearance with Marlene Adler Marks and discussion on her book The Suing of America: Why and How We Take Each Other to Court 1979 - "Women to Women" Interview and Discussion on Marvin v. Marvin
WDIV-TV
"Henry Baskin Show," Discussion Regarding Child Custody and Shared Responsibility
The Role of the CPA Regarding Pre-Trial Discovery, Financial Analysis and Advice, Valuations, Tax Matters, Trial Preparation and Testimony, Use of Reports and Other Visual Aids
The Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants
Why Michigan Should Divorce Antenuptial Agreements from Divorce Cases
Michigan Bar Journal
Legal Trends in Family Law
Women's Information Network
Judicial Educational Seminar
Oakland County Circuit Court-Family Court Judges
The Uncertain State of Michigan Equitable Distribution Law Post-Reeves
State Bar Journal
Evidence by the Rules From the Experts
Oakland County Bar Association
Institute on Continuing Legal Education
2002 - Speaker: "Handling Separate Property in the Divorce Case" 1997 - Speaker: "Spousal Support Post Judgment" 1979 - Speaker: "Michigan Divorce Law and Procedure" 1979 - Speaker: Child Custody Contests" 1978 - Speaker: "Divorce Trial Advocacy" 1978 - Speaker: "The Divorce Case: From Separation to Settlement" 1977 - Speaker: "Settlement Agreements in Divorce Cases" 1976 - Speaker: "The Contested Divorce Case"
WJR
1997 - "Paul W. Smith Show", Law Day Discussion 1979-1992 - "The J.P. McCarthy Focus Show" Law Day Discussion 1983 - "J.P. Show" Interview
State Bar of Michigan
2001 - Speaker: "State of Michigan Spousal Support Law" 1995 - Speaker: "Handling the Million Dollar Divorce Case" 1991 - Speaker: "Divorce Tips from the Experts" 1989 - Seminar Panelist and Speaker: "Ask the Experts" 1985 - Speaker: "Pitfalls of a Domestic Relations Practice" 1978 - Speaker: "Discovery Procedures in Divorce" 1978 - Speaker: "Post-Divorce Motion Practice" 1978 - Speaker: "Alimony, How Would You Decide?" 1977 - Speaker: "Attitudes of Circuit Judges Regarding Alimony" 1976 - Speaker: "The Motion Docket" 1975 - Principal Participant: Attorney for Plaintiff, Mock Trial 1972 - Speaker: "Attorney Fees in Divorce Cases"
Beyond Rinvelt: Where do Prenuptial Agreements Go from Here?
Laches - Family Law Issue
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
2015 - Speaker: MCR 3.206(C) 2014 - Speaker: "What is the true meaning of a "double-dip" from a Mathematical Perspective, and Why do I need to know this? 2013 - Speaker: "Creating a Statement of Net Worth; Date of Valuation" 2012 - Speaker: "Laying the Foundation for Specific Types of Exhibits and Voir Dire of Proposed Exhibits" 2011 - Moderator: "Ask the Judges" 2010 - Mediator of Panel Discuss w/ Judges Feeney, Hallmark and Newblatt 2009 - Speaker: "Is the Attorney Culpable of All Acts of the Private Investigator" 2007 - Speaker: "Big Bucks, Big Risks: The role of Results-Oriented Fees in the Practice of Matrimonial Law 2006 - Speaker: "The Problem with a 'Holder's Interest' Standard of Value" 2005 - Speaker: "Tricky and Difficult Evidence Problems in Domestic Relation Case Made Plain" 2004 - Speaker: "Nuances in Blue Cross Conversion Policies" 2000 - Speaker: "Revisiting Reeves and Making QDROs part of Judgments of Divorce" 1999 - Speaker: "Stock Options Revisited" 1998 - Speaker: "Stock Options: How to Value" 1995 - Speaker: "Presentation of Direct and Cross Examination of CPA" 1994 - Speaker: "Valuing Closely Held Corporations"
John F. Schaefer, Courtly Lawyer
dBusiness
For Love or Money
Worth Magazine - The Divorce Issue
Fighting Words
Worth Magazine - The Divorce Issue
When Your Own Private Investigator Lands You Behind Bars
The Journal-Family Law Edition
Non-Refundable Retainers and Value Added Billing
ICLE
In View Series
Hosted by Larry King featuring John F. Schaefer, preeminent family law attorney
Appearance before the Michigan Supreme Court
Addressing Proposed Alternative Amendments of Rule 1.5 of the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct and Proposed Amendment of Rule 7.215 of the Michigan Court Rules
Websites & Blogs
Website
Website
Social Media
Contact & Map
380 N Old Woodward Ave
Birmingham, MI 48009
Telephone: (248) 642-6655
Fax: (248) 642-7878
130 Kercheval Ave.
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
Telephone: (248) 642-6655
152 East Main St.
Harbor Springs, MI 49740
Telephone: (248) 642-6655