Our Attorneys

Personal Injury and Negligence cases at Bolhouse Law Offices are primarily handled by the attorneys at our firm who concentrate their practice in the areas of personal injury and negligence, but who may be assisted by other members of the firm whose expertise in other areas of the law may be required. The members of the firm include:

Michael P. Risko Mike Risko has been with Bolhouse Law Offices since 2000 and concentrates his practice in the areas of personal injury and negligence. His education background includes Western Michigan University and Wayne State University Law School. He was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1994 and is admitted to practice before all Michigan State Courts. He is also admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of Michigan. He is a certified mediator for the Third Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan. Mike's memberships and activities include the State Bar of Michigan, the Healthcare Law and Criminal Law Sections of the State Bar of Michigan, and the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association. Born in Detroit and raised in Grand Rapids, Mike and his wife, Rebecca, make their home in Grand Haven. He can be reached at miker@bolhouselaw.com.

Richard L. Bolhouse A founding partner of the firm, Rick Bolhouse concentrates his practice in the areas of Personal Injury, Family Law and Collections. His education background includes Calvin College and Valparaiso University School of Law. He was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1978 and is admitted to practice in all Michigan trial courts, the Michigan Court of Appeals, and the Michigan Supreme Court. He is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, the United States Tax Court, and the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Rick's memberships and activities include: Current chairman of the Grandville Downtown Development Authority; Past chairman of the Grandville Senior Neighbors Association; Past professor at Grand Rapids Community College; Grand Rapids Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan; Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan; and Kent County Mediator. Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Rick and his wife, Holly, have 2 grown children and make their home in Grandville. He can be reached at rickb@bolhouselaw.com.

Thomas R. Vander Hulst Tom has been with Bolhouse Law Offices since 1989 and concentrates his practice in the areas of Probate and Estate Planning, Taxation and Business Law. His expertise in the areas of Probate/Estate Planning and Taxation is sometimes needed in Personal Injury cases. Tom’s education background includes Calvin College and Valparaiso University School of Law. He was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1989 and is admitted to practice before all Michigan State Courts, the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court. He is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan and the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Tom's memberships and activities include the State Bar of Michigan, the Ottawa County Bar Association, the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan, and member of the Board of Directors of Greater Ottawa County United Way. Born and raised in Holland, Tom and his wife, Carrie, and their 3 children make their home in Hudsonville. He can be reached at tomvh@bolhouselaw.com.

Joel W. Baar Joel Baar has been with Bolhouse Law Offices since 2003 and concentrates his practice in the areas of Business Law, Municipal Law, Real Estate, Employment Law/Civil Rights and Civil Litigation. His expertise in the areas of Civil Rights and Civil Litigation is sometimes needed in Personal Injury cases. His education background includes Grand Valley State University's Honors Program and Valparaiso University School of Law. He was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1998 and is admitted to practice in all Michigan State Courts, the Federal Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, and the United States Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit. Joel's memberships and activities include the State Bar of Michigan, the American Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Michigan, and Board Member - Eaglecrest Youth Ministry Services. Born in Grand Rapids and raised in Jenison, Joel, his wife, Renee, and their two children make their home in Hudsonville. He can be reached at joelb@bolhouselaw.com.

David S. Lefere David Lefere joined Bolhouse Law Offices in the summer of 2005 and concentrates his practice in the areas of Business Law, Real Estate, Family Law, Municipal Law and Civil Litigation. His education background includes Albion College's Economics and Management Honors Program, where he graduated magna cum laude, and Michigan State University College of Law, where he received his juris doctorate degree magna cum laude. While at Michigan State University College of Law, David served as the Director of Oral Advocacy and Competitions for the Moot Court Program and received the Jurisprudence Award in the Research, Writing & Advocacy Class. Admitted to practice in 2000, David is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Michigan and is admitted to practice in all Michigan State Courts, the Federal Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, and the United States Court of Appeals - 6th Circuit. Born and raised in Jackson, Michigan, David, his wife, Carey, and their daughter make their home in Heritage Hill in Grand Rapids. He can be reached at davidl@bolhouselaw.com.

Mark D. Hofstee Mark joined the firm in 2007 and focuses his practice in the areas of Probate & Estate Planning, Real Estate/Construction Law, and Business Planning. A graduate of Hope College, Mark received his Juris Doctor degree from Michigan State University College of Law. Prior to joining the firm, Mark was a partner with the Battle Creek firm of Blaising & Hofstee. Admitted to practice in 2003, he is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Calhoun County Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association, and is admitted to practice in all Michigan State Courts and the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. Mark and his wife, Alissa, and their daughter make their home in Plainwell. He can be reached at markh@bolhouselaw.com.

Jeannine L. Bolhouse Jeannine joined our firm as a Law Clerk in 2006 and as an Associate Attorney in 2008. She is currently focusing her practice in the areas of Family Law, Collections & Creditors' Rights and General Litigation. Jeannine earned her Bachelors Degree from the University of Michigan in 2004 and her law degree, Cum Laude, from Michigan State University College of Law where she served as a Judicial Clerk/Extern in the Kent County Circuit Court Family Division. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and is admitted to practice in all Michigan State Courts and the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. Jeannine and her fiance, Adam, will be married in September, 2008 and make their home in Jenison. Jeannine can be reached at jeannineb@bolhouselaw.com.