With more than 30 years of practice in the law, including extensive and complex litigation experience, Kurt has always been a true champion for his clients. While a lot of attorneys say they were inspired by the lawyer Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird, Kurt was inspired by a real-life Atticus Finch – his father. He saw from an early age what it meant to help people and it inspired him to care for and to serve others. Kurt has revered our Constitution his entire career. He serves as a champion of the Constitution and a beacon of hope for those whose rights would otherwise have been trampled every time he steps into the courtroom.
A former Assistant Attorney General, as well as a high-ranking state official, Kurt has a unique understanding and perspective of government, yet has a deep appreciation for people who need an aggressive and trusted criminal defense litigator. Kurt's practice has covered a wide variety of issues and trial work, including the areas of health care fraud and health professional licensing matters. Kurt has also successfully counseled and represented students, faculty, and staff in higher education Title IX-related disciplinary administrative hearing matters.
Kurt has participated in a multitude of volunteer activities, but his favorite was acting as a reader for the blind on WKAR radio. When he isn’t hard at work or volunteering, Kurt can be found fly fishing. He also loves reading, the occasional round of golf, and spending time with his wonderful wife and their adorable three dogs – Lucy, Gus, and Skylar!
Professional Activities/Community Involvement
- Admitted to Practice:
- State Bar of Michigan
- United States District Court, Western District of Michigan
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- Member, Criminal Law, Health Care Law, and Master Lawyers Sections, State Bar of Michigan
- Adjunct Professor, Michigan State University College of Law, 2002-2003
- Pre-Trial and Trial Advocacy Skills Courses
- Adjunct Professor of Law, Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, 2012-2014
- Member, Ingham County Bar Association
- Fellow and Past Vice President, Ingham County Bar Foundation
- Member, Advisory Board of Legal Services of South Central Michigan
- Past Member of Board of Directors of Legal Services of South Central Michigan
- Member, Board of Directors, Michigan Center for Rural Health, 2011-2015
- Member, Board of Directors, Capital Area Regional Health Information Organization, 2009-2011
- Member, Board of Directors, Michigan Public Health Institute, 2009-2011
- Member, Board of Directors, Michigan Quality Care Community Council, 2005-2009
- Volunteer Reader, WKAR Radio Talking Book, 2008-2009
Legal Education
DePaul University College of Law, Chicago, IL
Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
- Bachelor of Arts, Political Science – Prelaw, June 1985
- Graduated with Honor
Harvard Law School Negotiation Workshop, Cambridge, MA
Practice Areas
- Trial Litigation
- Health Professionals Licensing Hearings and Health Care Fraud Defense
- Appeals, Habeas, and Post-Judgment Motions
- Higher Education Title IX-Related Disciplinary Administrative Hearing Matters
Presentations
- You Can Always Get What You Want: Ideas for Obtaining Discovery to Win Your Case, Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan Spring Conference, March 2023
- Recent Developments in Criminal Law, Upper Michigan Legal Institute - State Bar of Michigan and the Institute for Continuing Legal Education, June 2022
- Guest Lecturer, Transition to Practice, Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, February 2022
- Guest Lecturer, Transition to Practice, Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, October 2021
- Defending Health Professional Licensees, Grand Rapids Bar Association, April 2021
- Criminal Law Legislative Update, Studio Seminar Series, Institute for Continuing Legal Education, March 2021
- How to Defend Clients When Their Professional Licenses are at Risk, Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan Fall Conference, November 2019
