State Years

Michigan - MI 24 years

Wisconsin - WI 27 years
Licensed for 24 years

State MI

Acquired 1999

Status
Active in Good Standing No misconduct found
Licensed for 27 years

State WI

Acquired 1996

Status
Good Standing No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Erika Salerno Shadowens

Family Attorney at Kalamazoo, MI

About
Contact
Reviews
Cost
Resume

Best in Kalamazoo area for child custody

Outstanding! A Powerhouse! Highly Recommended!

I live in Nevada and needed an attorney for my custody trial in Michigan. As I was researching online, I ran across Erika on AVVO, Calling her was the best decision I made. Erika fights for her clients like no other! She will take the time to listen and will keep you on the right track! She is very well prepared and will make sure you go in ready for battle. She is very aggressive with witnesses while on the stand and due to years of experience can see the openings to "Call a Spade a Spade" so to speak. I couldn't have found a better attorney for my case! That being said, If you need a powerhouse, I feel she is the best one out there!

About Erika

Learn Erika’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

Child custody

30%

Erika Salerno views her relationship with every client as a partnership. She sees her role as one of empowering clients with the knowledge to make informed decisions, and when necessary, zealously advocating for their interests.
... Read more
27 years
Divorce and separation

30%

Erika Salerno views her relationship with every client as a partnership. She sees her role as one of empowering clients with the knowledge to make informed decisions, and when necessary, zealously advocating for their interests.
... Read more
27 years
Family

30%
Business

5%
Mediation

5%

A DIVORCE IS ONE OF THE MOST PERSONAL LEGAL ISSUES AN ATTORNEY CAN HANDLE. TRUST EXPERIENCE.

Litigator, negotiator, mediator and trusted advisor, Erika Salerno views her relationship with every client as a partnership. She sees her role as one of empowering clients with the knowledge to make informed decisions, and when necessary, zealously advocating for their interests. Erika’s training and vast experience in Mediation and Collaborative Law serve as the foundation for her style which focuses on developing practical and creative solutions to client matters.

For over 15 years, Erika has been assisting clients with primarily family law matters including everything from drafting cohabitation and prenuptial agreements to divorces involving complex marital estates. In 2013, Erika obtained her masters of law degree in healthcare, and is a valued member of the Kreis Enderle healthcare law team. Erika’s healthcare practice focuses on analyzing healthcare business ventures under the Stark and Anti-Kickback laws, as well as handling HIPAA compliance matters.

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Contact Erika

Varnum LLP

(269) 443-1689 Office

(269) 382-2009 Fax

211 East Water Street

Suite 400

Kalamazoo, MI, 49007

varnumlaw.com/people/erika-s-shadowens/

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Varnum, LLP

(269) 443-1689 Office

333 Bridge St., NW

Suite 1700

Grand Rapids, MI, 49501

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Reviews

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4.8 / 5.0

25 customer reviews

5 Star

96%

4 Star

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

Posted by Doug | March 25, 2015

Best in Kalamazoo area for child custody

Erika took my out of state case with limited time before trial, and minimal prep. She researched, prepped, litigated, and was a god send. Very intelligent, informative, professional, and highly knowledgeable about child custody laws. Will definitely refer Erika to everybody I can.

Posted by Michael | July 4, 2017

Outstanding! A Powerhouse! Highly Recommended!

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Cost

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

Divorce and Family Law Trial Attorney and Mediator
Varnum LLP
2017 - Present

Adjunct Professor
Western Michigan University
2011 - Present

Shareholder
Kreis Enderle
2006 - 2017

Shareholder
Herrling Clark
2000 - 2006

Adjunct Professor
Blackhawk Technical College
1997 - 2000

Associate
Consigny, Andrews, Hemming, & Grant
1997 - 2000

Associate
Voegeli & Ewald
1996 - 1997

View all work experience

Education

Loyola University Chicago
LL.M - Master of Laws
2013

Drake University Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
1996

Michigan State University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1993

Legal Cases

In re the Estate of James W. Miltenberger v. Sandra Swartz
Denied.

Friend v. Friend

Associations

Cass County Bar Association
Member
2016 - Present

Berrien County Bar Association
Member
2013 - Present

Michigan Family Law Section Council
Member
2007 - Present

Kalamazoo County Bar Association, Family Law Section
Member
2006 - Present

State Bar of Michigan
Member
2000 - Present

State Bar of Wisconsin
Member
1996 - Present

Leadership Kalamazoo
Member
2011 - 2011

Bach Festival
Board Member
2009 - 2011

PEAKS Networking Group
Founding Member
2009 - 2011

Executive Women's Golf Association
Board Member
2008 - 2011

Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan
Board Member
2006 - 2013

Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin
Board Member
2003 - 2006

Outagamie County Bar Association
Member
2000 - 2006

Rock County Bar Association
Member
1998 - 2000

Green County Bar Association
Member
1996 - 1998

View all associations

Honors and Awards

Women in the Law
Michigan Lawyers Weekly
2014

Vlachos Award
Legal Aid of West Michigan
2013

BV Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2012

CV Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2011

CV Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2010

CV Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2009

CV Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2008

CV Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2007

Outstanding Service Award
Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin
2006

CV Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2006

Drake University Law Review
Drake University Law School
1993

View all awards

Publications

Michigan Family Law Journal
The Impact of Obamacare on Former Spouses
2013

Michigan Family Law Journal
Appellate Case Summaries
2012

Michigan Family Law Journal
Appellate Case Summaries
2011

Michigan Family Law Journal
Early Retirement: A Golden Opportunity or a Mirage for Support Payers
2010

Michigan Family Law Journal
Ethical Considerations for the Michigan Collaborative Lawyer
2007

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Speaking Engagements

Family Law Institute
The Affordable Care Act and Families
2014

Leadership Kalamazoo
Taxes and Public Education
2011

Annual Meeting
Mediation and Difficult Discussions
2010

Family Law Section Summer Seminar
Child Custody and Homeschooling
2009

Collaborative Practice and Mediation -- Rivals or Siblings
Collaborative Practice and Mediation
2008

View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (7)

Given (4)

Endorse Erika

Jolene Schneider

Divorce and separation Attorney | Jan 18
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I highly recommend Erika Salerno. Erika was opposing counsel on many of my cases when she practiced in Wisconsin, both in litigated and collaborative matters. Erika was always prepared, organized and an effective advocate for her clients. She possesses an extremely high level of intellect, creativity and integrity. She is hard-working and tenacious in problem-solving for her clients. I recommend her without reservation."

Jeff Murphy

Divorce and separation Attorney | Dec 17
Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. As a mediator, I frequently am asked by clients for the names of lawyers to represent them in the process. Erika Salerno is always at the top of the list I recommend. Erika has a strong commitment to the resolution of divorces through mediation and the collaborative law process. She shares my belief in obtaining fair and equitable settlements and avoiding costly and emotionally damaging court fights. She has a thorough knowledge of the law and is a true professional and worthy advocate for her clients. Having her represent a party in my mediations makes my work easier. I highly recommend her services."

Bruce Uridge

Family Attorney | Nov 20
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have been a MI attorney for 36 years and a MI divorce mediator for 20+ years and have mediated a number of Erika's cases for her. She is prepared, knowledgeable and a skilled attorney in divorce cases. Bruce Uridge P25959"

Colleen Markou

Family Attorney | Nov 20
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Erika is a true professional. She diligently represents her client's interest and strives to assist them through the difficult process. Erika's dedication and knowledge are qualities that every attorney should strive for."

Gail Towne

Family Attorney | Jul 26
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

Mark Schubert

Family Attorney | Jun 23
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I had the privilege of getting to know Erika Salerno during the time she practiced law here in Appleton, WI. We had numerous cases in which we represented opposing parties in divorce and family law matters, including both traditional cases as well as many cases utilizing the collaborative family law process. We also served together on two boards of directors, and worked closely in promoting the collaborative process in this area. Erika's ethics and legal and advocacy skills are of the highest caliber. Moreover, she was a well respected leader in our local legal community. Erika played a crucial role in bringing the collaborative process to our area, and in the effort to help local professionals to organize and coordinate their approach to collaborative practice. I have nothing but the highest regard for Erika in all respects, personal and professional. She embodies the highest ideals of the legal profession. I am pleased to endorse her without hesitation."