Michael A. Shields - Kalamazoo, MI
Attorney at Lewis Reed & Allen, PC
Business Lawyers in Kalamazoo, MI
136 East Michigan Ave. Ste. 800 Kalamazoo, MI 49007
- Free Consultation
Kalamazoo Business Lawyer
Updated: 04/09/2026
Areas of Practice
- Business
- Corporate
- Tax
- Estate Planning
- Probate & Trust Administration
- Real Estate
Attorney Information
Overview
Michael A. Shields was born in Allegan, Michigan. He earned his Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, from Hope College in 1981, and his Juris Doctor, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Toledo College of Law in 1986.
Michael obtained his certification as a Certified Public Accountant, State of Michigan, in 1983, and his certification as a Certified Financial Planner, International Board of Standards and Practices for Certified Financial Planners, in 1990. He also holds a Certificate of Completion in Probate and Estate Planning Certificate Program issued by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan in 2005, and renews it annually and a Certificate of Completion in Elder Law Certificate Program issued by the Institute of Continuing Education in 2019, and renews it annually.
Michael’s practice focuses on business planning, organizational planning and documentation, acquisitions and mergers, estate planning, preparation of Wills and Trusts, probate administration, trust administration, contract law, commercial transactions, real estate transactions, and business and tax research. Michael is an AV-rated lawyer in the Martindale-Hubbell® lawyer directory.
Michael is a member of the Kalamazoo County Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, Michigan Association of CPA’s and American Institute of CPA’s. He is also a lecturer for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE).
Michael has authored several publications, including “Planning for Spouses and Descendants” and “Trusts by Citizens or Residents for Noncitizen Spouses (Qualified Domestic Trusts)”, Michigan Revocable Grantor Trusts (ICLE). He is also author of the “Inheritance Tax” Section of the Michigan Probate Sourcebook (ICLE) and “Michigan Estate Tax”, Taxation of Estates and Trusts (ICLE). He is co-author of “Real Estate Reporting Expanded by New Regs.”, Taxation for Accountants (March 1991), Taxation for Lawyers (May/June 1991) (Warren, Gorham & Lamont), Michigan Inheritance Tax – A Practitioner’s Guide (ICLE), and “Will Contests and Will Construction”, Michigan Probate Litigation (ICLE).
Michael is a shareholder of the firm and has served as Treasurer since 2003.
Michael has been involved in community activities: Kalamazoo Ambucs, Past President; Rotary of Kalamazoo, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kalamazoo and the Arcs Community Advocates. Michael also served for many years as an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 161 of Boy Scouts of America.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- AV-rated lawyer in the Martindale-Hubbell®
Education
-
Legal Education
-
University of Toledo College of Law,
Toledo,
Ohio, 1986
J.D.
Honors: magna cum laude
Honors: Order of the Coif
Law Review: University of Toledo Law Review, Editor, 1985 - 1986
-
University of Toledo College of Law,
Toledo,
Ohio, 1986
-
Non Legal Education
-
Hope College, 1981
B.A.
Honors: cum laude
-
Hope College, 1981
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Attorney and Shareholder
Past Positions
- Certified Public Accountant, Michigan, 1983
- Certified Financial Planner, Certified Financial Planners Board of Standards, 1990
Classes and Seminars
- Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), Lecturer
Pro Bono Activities
- Kalamazoo Ambucs, Past President
- Rotary of Kalamazoo, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kalamazoo
- Arcs Community Advocates
- Troop 161 of Boy Scouts of America, Assistant Scoutmaster
Published Works
Articles
-
Planning for Spouses and Descendants, Michigan Revocable Grantor Trusts (ICLE)
-
Trusts by Citizens or Residents for Noncitizen Spouses (Qualified Domestic Trusts), Michigan Revocable Grantor Trusts (ICLE)
-
Inheritance Tax” Section of the Michigan Probate Sourcebook (ICLE), Taxation of Estates and Trusts (ICLE), Author
-
Michigan Estate Tax, Taxation of Estates and Trusts (ICLE), Author
-
Real Estate Reporting Expanded by New Regs, Taxation for Accountants, Co-Author, 1991
Bar Admissions
- Michigan, 1986
- U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan, 1986
Specialties and Certifications
- Probate and Estate Planning Certificate Program, Institute of Continuing Legal Education
- Elder Law Certificate Program, Institute of Continuing Education, 2019
Other Affiliations
- Kalamazoo County Bar Association (Member)
- State Bar of Michigan (Member)
- Michigan Association of CPA’s (Member)
- American Institute of CPA’s (Member)
Contact
136 East Michigan Ave.
Ste. 800
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Phone: 269-388-7600
Fax: 269-349-3831
Email: Send a message
Website: https://www.lewisreedallen.com/
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