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 21 - 25 of 28 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by Ashley Miggins | January 27, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

A great attorney

I would like to start off and say that it has been a great pleasure having Nathaniel J. Keleefey as my attorney. He was very understanding and he worked hard to help me out in my court situation. Nathaniel has expertise in what he does and it shows in his attention to detail and dedication to his cli...ents. His constructive advice, our positive meetings, and his phone calls were very helpful to me. He assisted me through this court experience which was an extremely difficult time for me. I greatly appreciate everything he did to support the home environment I have provided for my son and me.

Posted by Laura | December 05, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Update from my March 2016 review

Update, fall 2016: I ended up hiring Nathaniel to file for separate maintenance, and I am very happy that I did. Nathaniel truly worked for me and advocated for me. He made it easy to say, "Talk to my lawyer," because I knew that he would work for my best interests and those of my children. His co...mmunication was clear, as was that of his paralegal. He asked for things that I either didn't think of or was scared to ask for, showing me how these things were truly in the best interests of my family and my situation. I ended up with an even better result than I could've hoped for, and I credit that to Nathaniel's advocacy, to his practice of diffusing situations and talking reasonably and respectfully to my husband, and to his knowledge of how things should be and were likely to go. I am so glad that I hired Nathaniel, and I am truly grateful for his expertise and advocacy.

Posted by Mike | July 29, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Thorough, Bold, & Concise

Mr. Kaleefey & his staff were great! Always quick to respond, frank, courteous, and thorough. We achieved the results I wanted in a child custody matter. Highly recommend!

Nathaniel Kaleefey

Replied last July 29, 2016

Mike, thank you so much for your endorsement. You came to me after your son's mother obtained a PPO against you under false pretenses. We aggressively objected to the PPO, and the Court dismissed the PPO. With that crisis resolved, we negotiated a permanent resolution to underling custody, parenting time, and child support concerns of yours. Thank you for your cooperation throughout this ordeal. I am extremely happy with the results, and I'm glad you are, too.

Posted by Laura | January 07, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Highly Recommended Attorney and Firm

I hired Nathaniel Kaleefey through Kaleefey, Attorney At Law, PLLC. Partway through my proceedings, he was hired into a firm, Verspoor Waalkes PC. The transition did not impact our agreement and everyone I interacted with at the firm was always pleasant and helpful. I appreciated having the extra res...ources beyond just my attorney. Nathaniel advised me through a very difficult period by representing me in my divorce. He helped me to understand a process that was new and very confusing. The legal system is not a quick or friendly experience. He was patient in explaining the delays and reassured me that he was doing everything he could to move things forward. At times, I was too emotional about the change that I was undergoing and did not thoroughly think through all of my actions or choices. Nathaniel always listened and helped guide me in the right direction, even when I was reluctant and frustrated. As with any divorce, compromises were necessary. Nathaniel kept my focus on the things that were most important to me. He helped me to understand that I needed to be flexible with others to secure them. At the time, I did not always understand why he didn't just agree with me, but now I recognize it was his job as my legal adviser to counsel me and he did that very well. Nathaniel was my advocate. He was diligent from start to finish in ensuring the decisions I made were well thought out, not reactive to the emotions of the situation, and in the best interests of me and my children long-term. In the end, I was very pleased with the judgement that we entered. If I need legal representation or advisement in the future, I will definitely be using his services. I highly recommend Nathaniel Kaleefey and his firm, Verspoor Waalkes PC, to anyone that needs legal services.

Posted by Jeff | June 10, 2015

Grateful

Nathaniel Kaleefey helped navigate unfamiliar territory where there is no one way to proceed. He's a man of principal and competent regarding the legal process and options. We sensed genuine concern and supported not only legally be emotionally. He is efficient and strategic and clearly explains al...l aspects of his representation.

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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  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
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