Peter Alan VanGelderen

PRO

Peter Alan VanGelderen

also known as Peter VanGelderen

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 16 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Grand Rapids, MI
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Federal Crime, DUI & DWI, Expungement

300 Ottawa Avenue NW, Suite 810, Grand Rapids, MI

Free Consultation

About Peter

Biography

Committed to honest, passionate, and thorough representation of clients facing criminal prosecution.

Arrested for OWI? We are here to help you navigate through the case and protect your interests.

Committed to honest, passionate, and thorough representation of clients facing criminal prosecution.

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 50%

Drug charges, medical marijuana defense, other misdemeanors and felonies.

16 years

50%
Federal Crime 25%

15 years

25%
DUI and DWI 20%

Operating while intoxicated; operating while under the influence of a controlled substance; operating in the presence of controlled substance; other alcohol related driving offenses

16 years

20%
Expungement 5%

16 years

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Top Contributor
Top Contributor
2015

Licenses

Licensed in Michigan for 16 years

State: Michigan

Acquired: 2009

Active in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Willey & Chamberlain LLP

300 Ottawa Avenue NW, Suite 810, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

willeychamberlain.com

Peter Alan VanGelderen's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

5 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (5) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Communication Style

Posted by anonymous | June 27, 2014 | Criminal Defense

Excellent Attorney

Peter did an excellent job handling my case. He made sure I had a fair resolution and never settled for anything less. Peter was able to successfully negotiate a plea bargain for me that kept a OWVI of my record. He was very responsive and willing to communicate in person, over the phone and through ...email. I would highly recommend Peter, he is a very knowledgeable individual who cares about his clients.

See All Client Reviews

Peter Alan VanGelderen's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Peter
Heath Michael Lynch headshot
Heath Lynch

Federal crime lawyer | May 30

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I litigated against Peter during my years as a Federal prosecutor. He is smart, diligent, and a zealous advocate for his clients."

Andrew Sterling Longcore headshot
Andrew Longcore

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Peter is a great asset to the community. I don't think I have ever not seen him on the go getting work done. I would definitely recommend him."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Apr 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Rock Christopher Lee headshot
Rock Lee

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jul 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I know Peter as an exceptional lawyer and came highly recommended to me when I was looking for DUI attorneys in MI to represent a former client of mine. I refer all my Michigan DUI cases to Peter."

Steven Bylenga headshot
Steven Bylenga

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Peter is extremely knowledgeable and experienced in all areas of criminal defense. He is well respected in the legal community for his work ethic, passion for defending his clients, and innovative legal strategies. I highly recommend Peter for any criminal defense matters in either state or federal court."

Kathryn Maddox Springstead headshot
Kathryn Springstead

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 28

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have worked with Peter on several complex federal cases and can attest to his impressive skills as an attorney. His knowledge combined with a stellar work ethic make him an asset in any setting, whether it be a complex multi-defendant federal case or a single defendant state matter. I endorse Peter wholeheartedly and anyone looking to hire an attorney should not hesitate to hire him."

Britt Cobb headshot
Britt Cobb

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 26

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Peter. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Gary K. Springstead headshot
Gary Springstead

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 12

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have worked with Peter on two pretty high-profile cases, one in federal court and one in state court, and have been impressed him. We often relied on his mastery of the facts because he was so detail-oriented and hardworking. He also has a good sense for practical considerations, i.e., how a jury might interpret the evidence, and legal nuance. His insights proved invaluable. I would definitely recommend Peter if you are looking for a criminal defense attorney in Grand Rapids."

Michael R. Bartish headshot
Michael Bartish

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 05

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Peter is an outstanding young attorney and truly a rising star in the criminal defense bar. I have worked with Peter on a number very complicated cases and have consistently been impressed with his knowledge of the law, his natural instinct, and his representation of clients in contested trials. He consistently achieves excellent results for his clients. I would not hesitate to refer criminal defense clients to Pete because I know they will be taken care of."

Gerald R. Lykins headshot
Gerald Lykins

Criminal defense lawyer | May 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly endorse Peter Van Geldren in the area of criminal defense. Peter and I worked together for over a year and Peter is very competent, capable of handling any level of criminal case and most of all a smart and zealous advocate for his clients. If you retain Peter, you would not be disappointed!"

Peter Michael Kulas headshot
Peter Kulas

Unknown lawyer | Nov 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Jason L. Jansma headshot
Jason Jansma

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Peter is a top notch criminal defense attorney who fights hard for his cliets and does so with class and integrity."

View All Endorsements
Julia Anne Kelly headshot
Julia Kelly

Criminal defense lawyer

Heath Michael Lynch headshot
Heath Lynch

Criminal defense lawyer

Keith Nicolas Grafos headshot
Keith Grafos

Litigation lawyer

Amy Lynn Riley headshot
Amy Riley

Family lawyer

Thomas W. Griesheimer headshot
Thomas Griesheimer

Unknown lawyer

Timothy A. Slais headshot
Timothy Slais

Criminal defense lawyer

Joshua Mark Pease headshot
Joshua Pease

Criminal defense lawyer

Rock Christopher Lee headshot
Rock Lee

Unknown lawyer

Steven R. Simkins headshot
Steven Simkins

Unknown lawyer

Diana Suzanne Miers headshot
Diana Miers

Unknown lawyer

David Allen Edsenga headshot
David Edsenga

Unknown lawyer

Benjamin H. Hammond headshot
Benjamin Hammond

Unknown lawyer

Steven Bylenga headshot
Steven Bylenga

Unknown lawyer

Charles E. Chamberlain Jr. headshot
Charles Chamberlain

Criminal defense lawyer

Kathryn Maddox Springstead headshot
Kathryn Springstead

Criminal defense lawyer

Gary K. Springstead headshot
Gary Springstead

Criminal defense lawyer

Michael R. Bartish headshot
Michael Bartish

Criminal defense lawyer

Gerald R. Lykins headshot
Gerald Lykins

Criminal defense lawyer

Britt Cobb headshot
Britt Cobb

Criminal defense lawyer

Peter Michael Kulas headshot
Peter Kulas

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2021

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2020

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2019

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2018

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2017

Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers

2017

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2016

Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers

2016

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2015

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

2019 - Present

Partner, Willey & Chamberlain

2011 - 2019

Associate Attorney, Willey & Chamberlain

2010 - 2011

Owner, Law Office of Peter VanGelderen PLLC

Associations

2014 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

2014 - Present

Michigan Association of OWI Attorneys

2012 - Present

Federal Bar Association (Western District of Michigan chapter)

2011 - Present

Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan

2009 - Present

Grand Rapids Bar Association

2009 - Present

State Bar of Michigan

2009 - 2014

Young Lawyers - Grand Rapids Bar Association

Education

2009

Thomas M. Cooley Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

2005

University of Michigan

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

Activity

Top Contributor

Peter earned significant contribution points in 2015.

Avvo Rating

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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