Donald J. Baranski

Donald J. Baranski

also known as Okemos Legal Group, PLLC

3.8
Rating: 9.4

Licensed for 37 years

Family Lawyer at Okemos, MI
Practice Areas: Family, Criminal Defense, Adoption, Probate

4125 Okemos Road, Suite 23, Okemos, MI

About Donald

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 30%

Criminal defense of felony cases including life offenses and misdemeanors, drunk driving, drug offenses, sex offenses and cannabis law.

38 years | 1,200 cases

30%
Family 30%

Divorce, Child Custody, Parenting Time, Child Support, Alimony, Property Division, Debt Allocation, Paternity, Orders to Show Cause, Friend of the Court Hearings, Bench Trials, and Post Judgment matters.

38 years | 500 cases

30%
Adoption 20%

Direct placement of newborns. Family adoption. Stepparent adoptions. Termination of parental rights of the biological/legal parents.

38 years | 127 cases

20%
Probate 20%

Drafting of Last Wills and Trusts. Probate deceased estates, litigation in contested cases, Guardianships and Conservatorships of adults and minors.

38 years | 726 cases

20%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 350-400 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Michigan for 37 years

State: Michigan

Acquired: 1988

Active in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Okemos Legal Group, PLLC

4125 Okemos Road, Suite 23, Okemos, MI, 48864

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Donald J. Baranski's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.8 /5.0

10 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by Eric | July 22, 2021 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Not a good advocate

I had placed my story on legal match and , Mr. Baranski responded by saying I could have a free 30 minute consultation. I thought great. So Monday rolls around and I contacted his office to try and set up a time to talk about my situation. A young lady took my information and said he would call me... back. He din not! So Thursday afternoon, I emailed him and his response was about 7 words long, stating I needed to contact a attorney in North Carolina about my issue. So I politely inquired why and he said I entered into my online contract there. I Then I asked why do you say that, when I live in Michigan and the payment came from my Michigan credit union account. He failed to even give me the piece of mind of a decent explanation. He could read my story on legal match in which I was very thorough with. If I need a attorney from North Carolina , why even respond in the first place. If he was a good attorney or even practiced for 33 yrs like his profile says , then he would have not even responded to me in the first place. I have a feeling his good reveiws come from his friends or colleagues at his law firm.With that being said, I would approach this man with caution, some people may only have one shot at a litigation process. Don't make the mistake of hiring the wrong advocate for your situation.

Posted by Jeri | November 16, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt

Bankruptcy

When going through a bankruptcy it is a very difficult and embarrassing thing to do but retaining Mr. Baranski as my lawyer was the best decision for many reasons. Not only is he intelligent and extremely capable but he has a way of putting you totally at ease. His sense of humor and mild manner make...s any situation you are faced with so much easier. I am very thankful for everything he did and recommend him to everyone.

Posted by anonymous | November 15, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Probate

More Than a 5 Star Attorney

We hired Donald Baranski to handle a very bitter probate estate case. He went above and beyond what most attorneys will do to help settle the estate . He explained the law to us and was amazing at keeping us informed every step of the way about what was happening in our case. I highly recommend him. ...

Posted by Dawn | November 15, 2015

Excellent attorney

Donald Baranski has advised me on several legal matters. His advice has truly helped me. He is very knowledgeable and really does seem to understand his clients needs. He does all that it takes to help and is very patient. He has made sure that I understand fully the matter at hand. He is an excelle...nt attorney and defiantly worth having him as your attorney.

See All Client Reviews

Donald J. Baranski's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Donald
Daniel J. McCarthy headshot
Daniel McCarthy

Family lawyer | Mar 31

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Don is a compassionate lawyer and he is very well-respected by his peers and, most important, the judiciary. Don is a legal scholar in the law and has spent much time mentoring and educating younger attorneys. Don gets great results for his clients and I would recommend him for any family law matter, including adoption and probate, as well as criminal defense."

View All Endorsements

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Experience

Rating:  9.4 (Superb)

Honors

1998

Effective Teaching Award, Western Michigan Cooley Law School

1997

Effective Teaching Award, Western Michigan Cooley Law School

Work Experience

1989 - Present

Adjunct Professor, Jackson College

1988 - Present

Owner, Dr. Donald J. Baranski

1994 - 1995

Village Attorney, Village of Springport

1993 - 2000

Adjunct Professor, Western Michigan Cooley Law School

1987 - 1988

Judicial Clerk, Hon. Paul F. O'Connell

Sample of Legal Cases

People of the State of Michigan v Dakota Shorter

Reversed and remanded, new trial for the defendant

See More Legal Cases

Education

2018

Harvard University Law School

Cert of Bioethics: Reprod Tech and Genetics

2018

University of Pennsylvania Law School

Certificate of Achievement Intellectual Property Law and Policy

1987

Michigan State University College of Law

Juris Doctor,

1985

Michigan State University

MA - Masters

1982

Michigan State University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

1978

Fraser High School

High School Diploma

Speaking Engagements

2019

Michigan State University College of Law

Professional Ethics

2018

Michigan State University College of Law

Professional Ethics

2017

Michigan State University College of Law

Professional Ethics

2015

Eaton Rapids Community Education

Small Claims Court

2015

Eaton Rapids Community Education

Adoption Law

2015

Eaton Rapids Community Education

Divorce/Custody

2015

Eaton Rapids Community Education

Last Will/Probate

2015

Eaton Rapids Community Education

Bankruptcy Law

2014

Sensations Memory Care

Guardian/Conservator

2014

Michigan State University College of Law

Professional Ethics

2014

Magistrates of District Courts of Michigan

Small Claims Court

2014

Eaton Rapids Community Education

Small Claims Court

2013

Michigan State University College of Law

Professional Ethics

2013

Island City Assisted Living

Wills/Guardianships

2012

Michigan State University College of Law

Professional Ethics

2011

Michigan State University College of Law

Professional Ethics

2010

Michigan State University College of Law

Professional Ethics

2009

Michigan State University College of Law

Professional Ethics

2004

Emergency Medical Tech Law

Emergency Medical Technicians

1999

Planned Parenthood

Adoption Law for newborns

1997

Ingham Medical Center

Adoption Law for newborns

1996

Hayes Green Beach Hospital

Adoption Law for newborns

1995

Western Michigan Cooley Law School

Law Office Management

1995

Ingham County Bar Association

Setting and Collecting Your Fee

Publications

2013

Book Small Claims Court in Michigan

2004

Book Emergency Medical Technicians

1999

Booklet Adopting a Newborn In Michigan

1998

Book Adoption Law and Procedure

1994

Book Setting Attorney Fees

1993

Book Law Office Management

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
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