$ 350-500 per hour
Liisa R. Speaker
About Liisa
Biography
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.
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. She is a council member and the current recording secretary for the State Bar of Michigan Family Law Section, as well as a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). She was also previously appointed by the Michigan Supreme Court to two four-year terms on the Court Reporter and Recorder Board of Review. Liisa lives in Lansing with her husband, two daughters, two Great Danes and a turtle.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Appeals
100%
27 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Michigan for 22 years
State: Michigan
Acquired: 2003
No misconduct found
Licensed in Texas for 26 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 1999
No misconduct found
Location
Speaker Law Firm
819 N. Washington Ave., Lansing, MI, 48906
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Liisa R. Speaker's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
13 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 13 reviews
Posted by Shelley Kester, Esq. | April 21, 2021 | Appeals
The Cream of the Crop
Liisa Speaker is a true leader of the law in Michigan. Liisa's analysis of legal issues are clear, compelling and persuasive. She is responsive, engaging and accessible. Liisa is recognized for her substantial contributions to continuing legal education, particularly during the pandemic. When others ...
Posted by Kip | April 24, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Effective, Successful, Professional
Over the last 15 years of post divorce, I have worked with various lawyers. Not one can compares to Liisa. She was amazingly prepared and thorough throughout the appeal process. Knowing she had multiple other cases much larger than mine, she always took the time to update and communicate with me. It...
Posted by stephen | January 23, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
hands down the best
I hired Speaker Law over the phone about one year due to a recommendation by my local attorney. I had very little time to do any research because my case was extremely time sensitive. All my contacts with Speaker Law were over the phone or email including payments and signatures. I only have good ...
Posted by Laura | October 20, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Appeals
Outstanding appellate attorney!
I couldn't be happier with Speaker Law Firm! Liisa and her team worked diligently on my appeal, communicating with me the process, filings, timelines and all possible outcomes. After the case was won the opposing team appealed to the supreme court. Liisa and her team were persistent and never stoppe...
Posted by anonymous | October 19, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Appeals
Content with Closure
Speaker Law handled our appeal with great communication, building trust and confidence along the way. I highly recommend Liisa and her team!
Liisa R. Speaker's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Liisa is an appellate whiz. I have worked for her, with her, and been opposing counsel with her, and under all of those professional relationships, she has been knowledgeable, pleasant and professional. She is the REAL DEAL."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"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."
"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!"
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer. She got a bad probate decision reversed by the COA for my client."
"Liisa Speaker is an excellent appellate attorney that I recommend without hesitation."
"Lisa is the best."
"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 ."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Liisa is a great appellate attorney with numerous reported and unreported legal decisions that won important battles for her clients."
"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."
"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."
"Ms. Speaker is a talented and determined lawyer. A great choice to handle any legal matter you may be facing."
"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."
"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."
"Liisa is an extremely talented and knowledgable attorney. I routinely recommend her for all appellate work. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
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Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Women in the Law, Michigan Lawyers Weekly
2012
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2009
Distinguished Brief Award, Thomas M. Cooley Law School Law Review
Work Experience
2007 - Present
Owner, Speaker Law Firm
2005 - 2007
Associate, Hicks Mullett & Gregg
2003 - 2005
Associate, Gallagher Law Firm
Associations
2020 - Present
American Academy of Matrimonial LawyersMember
2008 - Present
Ingham County Bar AssociationPast President
2007 - Present
State Bar of Michigan, Family Law SectionMember and Amicus Committee
2005 - Present
Appellate Practice Section, State Bar of MichiganImmediate Past Chair
2008 - 2016
Ingham County Bar AssociationBoard Member
2005 - 2013
Appellate Practice SectionBoard Member
Sample of Legal Cases
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
Education
1999
The University of Texas School of Law
JD
1994
Trinity University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2012
Webinar
New Circuit Court Appeal Rules
2012
Family Law Section Mid-Summer Seminar
To appeal or not to appeal? Reversal in Custody Cases
2008
Mid Summer Seminar
Hot Topics in the Michigan Supreme Court and Court of Appeals
2007
Employment Law Seminar
Cases you need to have in your hip pocket
Publications
2017
Michigan Association for Justice Journal
Court of Appeals Changes the Prenuptial Agreement Landscape
2012
State Bar of Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Journal
Using Motions to Remand in Probate Appeals
2011
State Bar of Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Journal
The Mysterious World of Stays Pending Appeal in Probate Matters
2010
Family Advocate (ABA)
Communicating with Children in Custody Disputes
2008
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
2007
Appellate Practice Section Newsletter of State Bar of Michigan
A Review of MCR 7.215--Execution and Enforcement of Court of Appeals Orders
Languages
English
Spanish