Nathaniel James Kaleefey

PRO

Nathaniel James Kaleefey

5.0
Rating: 9.5

Licensed for 17 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Grand Rapids, MI
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Family ... +4 more

40 Pearl St. NW, Ste. 1020, Grand Rapids, MI

Virtual Consultation Available

About Nathaniel

Biography

Providing trustworthy advice to people in West Michigan with family law cases and vigorously advocating on their behalf in court.

Providing trustworthy advice to people with family law cases and vigorously advocating on their behalf in court.

Providing trustworthy advice to people with family law cases and vigorously advocating on their behalf in court.

Providing trustworthy advice to people with family law cases and vigorously advocating on their behalf in court.

Practice Areas

7

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 55%

55%
Child Custody 20%

20%
Child Support 5%

5%
Domestic Violence 5%

5%
Family 5%

5%
Marriage and Prenuptials 5%

5%
Uncontested Divorce 5%

5%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2025 2024 2023
...
+ 8

Licenses

Licensed in Michigan for 17 years

State: Michigan

Acquired: 2008

Active in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Verspoor Waalkes, PC

40 Pearl St. NW, Ste. 1020, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

vwlst.com/about-vwlst-attorney-grand-rapids/nathaniel-kaleefey/

Nathaniel James Kaleefey's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

100 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 100 reviews

Posted by Jesse | March 08, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Top Notch Divorce Representation

During my divorce I worked with several attorneys, and Nathaniel Kaleefey was exceptional. From the beginning he was highly responsive, trustworthy, and brought a clear strategic focus to achieving meaningful outcomes. Nathaniel and his team—including Sean, Umberto, and others—worked relentlessly, we...re extremely organized, and approached the case with creativity and determination. Rather than waiting for developments, they were proactive in building the case, assembling a substantial amount of evidence in a short period of time that proved critical in court filings and the FOC memorandum. What stood out most was how collaborative and engaged the entire team was from day one. They brought energy, thoughtful strategy, and real tenacity to every step of the process. Nathaniel was not only an outstanding advocate, but also a trusted thought partner during a very challenging time. I would highly recommend him and his team to anyone looking for a skilled, strategic, and dedicated family law attorney

Posted by Elman | February 20, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Nathaniel is no joke and would recommend him to anyone dealing with child custody and support. I thank God I found him.

I want to share my experience about Nathaniel Kaleefey as my attorney. An outstanding attorney when it becomes about child custody and child support. He’s very trustworthy and responsive when it becomes about your situation. If you have any questions he will respond right away. I would like to point ...out to never lie or hide things from him because he will find out but it’s always to work and care about you. He’s brutally honest and from my experience it’s not to bring you down but it’s just the reality of life. He’s very honest and doesn’t hide anything from you. He works very hard on your case and doesn’t hide anything from you. Always remember your timeline to explain every detail to him. Even the little things because he does care. I recommend him as a Family Lawyer. Nathaniel and his team (Sean and Umberto) care about your case and will explain every detail to you. When Nathaniel tells you that he cares and wants to work on your case BELIVE HIM!. It doesn’t matter if it’s the simplest thing they are there for you. Nathaniel Kaleefey doesn’t play. He knows a lot of strategy's to work on your favor. I wouldn’t wish nothing but the best for him and his team. It was a good battle with my ex and he knows what I’m talking about but at the end it worked in my favor. Not on her favor. Thanks to Nathaniel and his team. At first I thought I was loosing my case but Nathaniel reassured me that this is going to work in my favor and I trusted him. Right now I’m with my daughter. She screams and laughs out of excitement with me. We are watching her movies. I feel like it’s a dream because I never thought I will have this opportunity to be with her. But thanks to Nathaniel Kaleefey this happened. Blessings to him, his family and his team. I can’t thank him enough!!! This is in Spanish: Quiero compartir mi experiencia con Nathaniel Kaleefey como mi abogado. Es un abogado excepcional en temas de custodia y manutención infantil. Es muy confiable y receptivo con su situación. Si tiene alguna pregunta, le responderá de inmediato. Me gustaría destacar que nunca le mienta ni le oculte nada, porque se enterará, pero siempre se trata de trabajar y preocuparse por usted. Es brutalmente honesto y, según mi experiencia, no lo hace para desanimarlo, sino simplemente es la realidad de la vida. Es muy honesto y no le oculta nada. Trabaja muy duro en su caso y no le oculta nada. Siempre recuerde su plazo para explicarle cada detalle, incluso los detalles más pequeños, porque a él le importa. Lo recomiendo como abogado de familia. Nathaniel y su equipo (Sean y Umberto) se preocupan por su caso y le explicarán cada detalle. Cuando Nathaniel le diga que se preocupa y quiere trabajar en su caso, ¡créale! No importa si es la cosa más simple, ellos están ahí para usted. Nathaniel Kaleefey no juega y es serio. Conoce muchas estrategias para favorecerte. Le deseo lo mejor a él y a su equipo. Fue una buena batalla con mi ex y él sabe de qué hablo, pero al final me benefició a mí, no a ella. Gracias a Nathaniel y a su equipo. Al principio pensé que estaba perdiendo el caso, pero Nathaniel me aseguró que esto me beneficiaría y confié en él. Ahora mismo estoy con mi hija. Grita y se ríe de la emoción conmigo. Estamos viendo sus películas. Siento que es un sueño porque nunca pensé que tendría esta oportunidad de estar con ella. Pero gracias a Nathaniel Kaleefey, esto sucedió. Bendiciones para él, su familia y su equipo. ¡No puedo agradecerle lo suficiente!

Posted by anonymous | April 03, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Strategic, Supportive, and Detail-Oriented Divorce Lawyer

Navigating my divorce settlement felt overwhelming until I started working with Nathaniel Kaleefy. I recommend him. His attention to detail was apparent right away (he correctly identified the house we were dealing with from the first email where I didn't even include much information). As an LGBTQIA...+ client, I felt genuinely welcomed and affirmed by him, which made a difficult process easier. Nathaniel's legal advice was consistently trustworthy and insightful. He and his team were responsive and collaborated with me, making sure my knowledge contributed to our strategy. He also understood the personal dynamics involved and helped me advocate for my own best interests, countering my tendency to people-please, especially during tense negotiations. For anyone needing a divorce attorney who is knowledgeable, strategic, and supportive, Nathaniel is the one.

Posted by Curt | February 21, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Fast, Efficient & Effective

Nathaniel and his team are true professionals. After wasting 8 months and plenty of cash with my first attorney and getting nowhere but deeper in trouble, I sought Nathaniel’s assistance with my divorce. His team were all business from the first moment. Very clearly skilled and obviously highly kn...owledgeable, they began ripping into my case like cheetahs chasing a gazelle! Methodical and precise like a well oiled machine they brought my case to a fair and equitable close in 2 months after basically starting from scratch. Even as I often became a bit passionate about the cause, Nathaniel was able to guide me back in the right direction and got me to focus on the big picture solution. I highly recommend Nathaniel and his team as they are consummate professionals. My only regret is not having been referred to him on day one. Thank you again, Nathaniel and your incredible team. A special acknowledgment and thanks to Sean and Umberto who were on the core team.

Posted by Teajae | February 20, 2025 | Hired Attorney

Awsome divorce lawyer!

Knocked it out the ball park for me! Would use again! I would definitely hate him again.

Nathaniel Kaleefey

Replied last February 21, 2025

TJ, it was a pleasure representing you in your divorce. We negotiated and enforced a deal that protected you. I hope you have a lot of peace from now on.

See All Client Reviews

Nathaniel James Kaleefey's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Nathaniel
Derek Jacques headshot
Derek Jacques

Family lawyer | Oct 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Nathaniel James Kaleefey is a great family law attorney. I had the distinct pleasure of seeing his legal expertise in action and I would not hesitate to recommend this lawyer to any client in need."

Justin Reed Wheeler headshot
Justin Wheeler

Family lawyer | Sep 18

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Nathaniel was always responsive and civil as opposing counsel. He drives a hard bargain and his clients should always trust he is doing everything he can to further their interest."

Justin H. Van Den Heuvel headshot
Justin Van Den Heuvel

Real estate lawyer | Feb 27

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Nathaniel is an aggressive attorney who is highly responsive and trustworthy because he keeps his word."

Howard G. Van Den Heuvel headshot
Howard Van Den Heuvel

Real estate lawyer | Feb 27

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Nathaniel is an honest and exceptional attorney. He works hard and drives a harder bargain."

Mark David Dodge headshot
Mark Dodge

Family lawyer | Feb 17

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have collaborated very closely with Nathaniel on several matters. He, and his firm's, expertise and work ethic impressed me enough that I now send friends/family/clients to him on Family Law needs. Highly recommended."

Timothy D. VandenBerg headshot
Timothy VandenBerg

Family lawyer | Jan 07

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"As opposing counsel, I would highly recommend the services of Mr. Kaleefey. He advocated zealously and effectively for his client while maintain a spirit of professionalism to Court and counsel."

Paul A. Ledford headshot
Paul Ledford

Litigation lawyer | Jul 22

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I assisted and advised Mr. Kaleefey in an FAA employment discrimination claim. Mr. Kaleefey proved himself both a competent and tough minded litigator, willing to push the advantage where it existed, and to admit to his client's legal challenges where they were found as well. I have known Mr. Kaleefey for a number of years and have come to respect his competency and professionalism such that I refer potential clients to him from time to time that lie outside my practice area without hesitation."

Michael Bruce Brown headshot
Michael Brown

Family lawyer | Jun 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Nathaniel since we were interns with the Wayne State University Free Legal Aid Clinic, and I have become reacquainted with his work since coming back to west Michigan. I have been fortunate to work together with Nathaniel on several criminal matters, and he is a source of knowledge in family law matters. Nathaniel possesses a rare mix of qualities that make him an excellent and trustworthy attorney. He is an aggressive and confident litigator driven by high ethical standards, superior intellect, and excellent organizational skills. I endorse Nathaniel not only for family law but also for criminal and employment law. Anyone faced with legal issues looking for a straight-shooting legal fighter should call him today."

View All Endorsements
Justin Reed Wheeler headshot
Justin Wheeler

Business lawyer

Justin H. Van Den Heuvel headshot
Justin Van Den Heuvel

Litigation lawyer

Howard G. Van Den Heuvel headshot
Howard Van Den Heuvel

Real estate lawyer

Mark David Dodge headshot
Mark Dodge

Criminal defense lawyer

Michael Bruce Brown headshot
Michael Brown

Criminal defense lawyer

Paul A. Ledford headshot
Paul Ledford

Litigation lawyer

David Christian Hill headshot
David Hill

Real estate lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.5 (Superb)

Honors

2018

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2017

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2016

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2015

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2014

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2012

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

2018 - Present

Principal, Verspoor Waalkes PC

2015 - Present

Associate, Verspoor Waalkes, PC

2009 - 2015

Owner, Kaleefey, Attorney at Law, PLLC

2008 - 2009

Clerk, Federal District Court For The Western District Of Michigan

2007 - 2007

Clerk, Federal District Court, Eastern District of Michigan

Associations

2009 - Present

Grand Rapids Bar Association

Member

2008 - Present

State Bar of Michigan

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Assault & Battery - Great Result

Success

Civil Infraction - Success

Success

See More Legal Cases

Education

2008

Wayne State University Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

2004

Calvin College

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2018

Counselor Round Table

Family Law

Publications

Languages

English

German

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution