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About Liisa
Since graduating from The University of Texas School of Law, one of the nation’s top law schools, Liisa Speaker has become well known for her excellent written and oral advocacy. Her appellate skills have helped clients obtain victories in appeals ranging from custody disputes to no-fault automobile insurance litigation to real property case and to probate appeals.
Liisa has represented clients in the federal appellate courts for the Fifth and Sixth Circuits as well as the appellate courts of Michigan and Texas. She has been recognized by her peers for her appellate advocacy, receiving the 2009 Distinguished Brief Award, presented by the Cooley Law Review from among the briefs submitted to Michigan Supreme Court in the prior year. The award honored her writing efforts for the amicus curiae brief she submitted in the USF&G v Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association case in the Michigan Supreme Court.
Liisa drafted and submitted amicus briefs on behalf of organizations such as the Family Law Section for the State Bar of Michigan, the Family Defense Attorneys of Michigan, the Appellate Practice Section for the State Bar of Michigan, the Coalition Protecting Auto No-Fault, and the Michigan Association for Justice. These briefs aided the Court in drafting opinions or orders that had profound impacts on the law in Estes v Titus; USF&G v MCCA, Rowland v Washtenaw County Road Commission, Beaver v Barton Malow, U of M Regents v Titan Insurance, and McCormick v Carrier, to name a few.
She has also obtained favorable rulings for her clients, resulting in published opinions. For example, in In re Keast she obtained a victory in a published opinion in the Michigan Court of Appeals in an adoption case which is now one of the most frequently cited cases in Adoption Law. In Rose v Rose, Ms. Speaker's efforts led to a published opinion addressing whether a party who waived his right to modification of spousal support can obtain relief from judgment. In Glaubius v Glaubius, the Court of Appeals held that a couple's divorce judgement did not bar the mother from later seeking a revocation of her ex-husband's paternity. She has achieved great success in obtaining the rarely-granted peremptory reversals for clients in the Michigan Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. In Romans v Michigan DHS she obtained a reversal from 6th Circuit of trial court's grant of summary judgment on an employee's Family Medical Leave Act claim.
In addition to a demonstrated history of effective appellate advocacy, Ms. Speaker is highly involved in the legal community. She was appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court to two four-year terms on the Court Reporter and Recorder Board of Review. She is a past chair of the Appellate Practice Section for the State Bar of Michigan. She is also Past President to the Ingham County Bar Association. Through her written and oral advocacy, Ms. Speaker has demonstrated a passion for developing an appellate practice that gives her clients a voice, while contributing to the legal community. Liisa lives in Lansing with her husband, two daughters, two Great Danes and a cat.
Practice areas
- Appeals: 100%
Appeals of all types, including family law, plaintiff's personal injury, real estate, probate, and more.
20 years
Languages spoken
English, Spanish
Photos and videos
Contact
Speaker Law Firm
819 N. Washington Ave.
Lansing, MI, 48906
Website
Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| MI | Active And In Good Standing | 2003 | 09/23/2019 |
| TX | Inactive | 1999 | 07/18/2019 |
| Legal answers | 0 |
| Legal guides | 0 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| Women in the Law | Michigan Lawyers Weekly | 2014 |
| Distinguished Brief Award | Thomas M. Cooley Law School Law Review | 2009 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Speaker Law Firm | 2007 - Present |
| Associate | Hicks Mullett & Gregg | 2005 - 2007 |
| Associate | Gallagher Law Firm | 2003 - 2005 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ingham County Bar Association | Past President | 2008 - Present |
| State Bar of Michigan, Family Law Section | Member and Amicus Committee | 2007 - Present |
| Appellate Practice Section, State Bar of Michigan | Immediate Past Chair | 2005 - Present |
| Ingham County Bar Association | Board Member | 2008 - 2016 |
| Appellate Practice Section | Board Member | 2005 - 2013 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Association for Justice Journal | Court of Appeals Changes the Prenuptial Agreement Landscape | 2017 |
| State Bar of Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Journal | Using Motions to Remand in Probate Appeals | 2012 |
| State Bar of Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Journal | The Mysterious World of Stays Pending Appeal in Probate Matters | 2011 |
| Family Advocate (ABA) | Communicating with Children in Custody Disputes | 2010 |
| Family Law Journal of the State Bar of Michigan | What happens to custody of child when adoption falls apart? | 2008 |
| Appellate Practice Section newsletter of the State Bar of Michigan | An overview of stays pending appeal | 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| Appellate Practice Section Newsletter of State Bar of Michigan | Michigan Supreme Court's Citation to Wikipedia | 2008 |
| Appellate Practice Section Newsletter of State Bar of Michigan | A Review of MCR 7.215--Execution and Enforcement of Court of Appeals Orders | 2007 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas School of Law | JD | 1999 |
| Trinity University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1994 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Webinar | New Circuit Court Appeal Rules | 2012 |
| Family Law Section Mid-Summer Seminar | To appeal or not to appeal? Reversal in Custody Cases | 2012 |
| Mid Summer Seminar | Hot Topics in the Michigan Supreme Court and Court of Appeals | 2008 |
| Employment Law Seminar | Cases you need to have in your hip pocket | 2007 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| In the Matter of Alyssa and Amber Keast, Minors | http://publicdocs.courts.mi.gov:81/OPINIONS/FINAL/COA/20080205_C279820_48_42O-279820OPN.PDF |
| In the Matter of Steven Zimmerman Minor | http://publicdocs.courts.mi.gov:81/opinions/final/coa/20080103_c279696_44_3o.279696.opn.coa.pdf |
| In the Matter of Steven Zimmerman Minor | http://publicdocs.courts.mi.gov:81/opinions/final/coa/20080103_c279696_44_3o.279696.opn.coa.pdf |
| United States v. Stuart | https://casetext.com/case/us-v-stuart-5 |
| Rose v Rose | http://publicdocs.courts.mi.gov:81/opinions/final/coa/20100622_c286568_51_94o-286568-final.pdf |
| In re Keast | http://publicdocs.courts.mi.gov:81/OPINIONS/FINAL/COA/20080205_C279820_48_42O-279820OPN.PDF |
|---|---|
| Glaubius v Glaubius | http://publicdocs.courts.mi.gov:81/opinions/final/coa/20140715_c318750(49)_rptr_96o-318750-final.pdf |
| Romans v Michigan DHS | http://www.opn.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf/12a0046p-06.pdf |
| Madson v Jaso | http://publicdocs.courts.mi.gov/opinions/final/coa/20160825_c331605_36_331605o.opn.pdf |
Effective, Successful, Professional
Posted by Kip
Tue Apr 24 2018
hands down the best
Posted by stephen
Tue Jan 23 2018
Attorney endorsements
(20)Darren Findling, Probate Attorney on Jul 31, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer.
Darren Findling, Probate Attorney on Jul 31, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer.
Lana Panagoulia, Divorce and separation Attorney on Mar 28, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Liisa Speaker is a top Michigan appellate attorney. She is very knowledgeable in the law and procedure of appeals, prompt and a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend Liisa Speaker.
Angela Borders, Divorce and separation Attorney on Mar 27, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I referred a former client to Ms.Speaker for an appeal. He later contacted me to thank me for the referral and informed me of the hugely successful results. I would refer to her again in a heartbeat!
John Bursch, Appeals Attorney on Mar 27, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Liisa is a delightful person and has a great deal of experience litigating appeals, especially in the area of child custody. I have referred matters to her in the past, and she has handled those with aplomb.
Dan Barrett, General practice Attorney on Mar 27, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. She got a bad probate decision reversed by the COA for my client.
Deborah Adams, Family Attorney on Mar 27, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Liisa Speaker is an excellent appellate attorney that I recommend without hesitation.
Susan Philpott-Preketes, Family Attorney on Mar 22, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Lisa is the best.
Tiffany DeBruin, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 4, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. She poured her heart and soul into each case. You will never be just another number to this lawyer. I have sent her many cases for appeal and intend to send her anymore. She is a fantastic lawyer and a genuinely wonderful person .
Byron Gallagher, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 19, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I refer clients to Liisa for appellate work with confidence. I always receive positive feedback as to Liisa's work from the clients I refer to Liisa.
Joseph Poprawa, Family Attorney on Feb 7, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Loyd Bourgeois, Social security Attorney on Jan 20, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Liisa is a great appellate attorney with numerous reported and unreported legal decisions that won important battles for her clients.
Saraphoena Koffron, Divorce and separation Attorney on Mar 25, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
As with any other group of professionals, it is important for attorneys to have a strong community of peers that are trustworthy and skilled in their area of practice. Liisa is undoubtedly one of the foremost experts in Family Law in Michigan. She is a reliable person to call on whether there is a need to conduct an in-depth analysis of a change in the law, or simply a need for a "sanity check." As her focus is appeals, she is often aware of new changes to Family Law before others in our professional community, which makes her a valuable resource for attorneys (like me) who have a primary practice of Family Law litigation at the trial level. When I am unable to represent clients for certain appeals, I regularly refer them to Liisa because I know that they will receive phenomenal representation. I give Liisa the highest endorsement and praise.
Bridget Powers, Real estate Attorney on Mar 21, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. I have had the opportunity to work with Ms. Speaker on behalf of a mutual client and have also served as her opposing counsel. She is a competent, professional, ethical, and dedicated attorney.
Michelle Steffen, Family Attorney on Nov 3, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Ms. Speaker is a talented and determined lawyer. A great choice to handle any legal matter you may be facing.
Brandon Gardner, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 1, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Ms. Speaker for a few years and have come to respect her ability as an advocate. She is the first attorney I think of when someone asks for a referral to an appellate attorney.
Laurie Longo, Appeals Attorney on Apr 22, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I strongly endorse attorney Liisa Speaker for family law appeals. She is knowledgeable, experienced and uses the utmost care to protect her client's interests. She is also a delight to work with and, as a result, judges respond well to her and to her clients.
Gail Towne, Estate planning Attorney on Mar 20, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Liisa is an extremely talented and knowledgable attorney. I routinely recommend her for all appellate work. I endorse this lawyer.
Scott Zochowski, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Sep 24, 2012
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer.
Alecia Ruswinckel, Ethics and professional responsibility Attorney on Jun 27, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Liisa Speaker is a stellar appellate lawyer and member of the bar.
Cost
- Hourly Rates$350-$500/hour
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