West Michigan Defense Team: Strategic, honest defense in Grand Rapids.
West Michigan Defense Team is a Grand Rapids-based defense firm located at 29 Pearl St NW Ste 305. Clients praise Mark Hunting for attentive, honest guidance and effective advocacy, including pro bono work. Jeff Kortes is credited with successful license restoration. Some reviews note mixed experiences with other attorneys and occasional communication gaps, reflecting the firm’s varied client experiences.
29 Pearl St NW Ste 305, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
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Comprehensive legal representation for felony and misdemeanor charges, including assault, DUI, and other criminal cases.
Expert assistance in restoring driving licenses, with tailored strategies for Secretary of State hearings and legal requirements.
Initial case evaluations and pro bono work, providing honest advice and risk assessments to help clients make informed decisions.
Aggressive courtroom defense, including cross-examination, plea negotiations, and trial advocacy to protect clients' rights.
Ongoing legal support with responsive communication, case updates, and strategic planning throughout the legal process.
Overall rating
Jason Bynum
Mark Hunting did some pro bono work for me.I consider him 1 of the elite.He presented me with the options and the risks involved.He caught the plantiff in multiple lies in a matter of minutes.Then getting angry for lying they looked like a fool.Then caught the prosecutor in a lie as well.Very impressive in action. Id hire and advise hiring him in a second. Thanks Mark.
Marybeth Knapp
Although it has been five years (yay!) I am celebrating my freedom by thanking the person who made it happen. My case was unique and complicated, Mark Hunting just took off running like we have known each for years. Impressive availability, excellent response time, and mist important, his ability to listen and give advice based on your situation. I know sometimes the truth hurts, but Mark Hunting will not lie. He advised me the choice that he felt was fair, all the while extending an understanding if I wished to go another route. I did take Marks advice, I did get a little incarceration stint, and if course probation. How is that something good you ask? Because I did six months, 4 1/2 after good time while someone with the very same charges for 5-20 years. I am older so jail was not too bad, but Mark prepared me the best he could. I have watched my grandchild grow and attend kindergarten, all because Mark Hunting made it happen. If you are searching for the best, you feel as though your life is ending from a situation, let me tell you, I have been there. Give Mark Hunting a call and if it can be done, he will accomplish it Thank you Mark!
Luke Van
I had Jeff Kortes as an attorney. I was seeking a license restoration from 3 D.U.I.'s He was very thorough and tailored my case to highlight my accomplishments, and also addressed my past life that involved alcohol. It was clear that Jeff had expertise in the legal system as well as the workings of the Secretary of State. My license was successfully restored thanks to Jeff's hard work and knowledge. I would recommend him to anyone needing to restore their license.
Ruby Pendergrass
I have no knowledge of the other partners in this firm, but Jason Jansma did not defend my son to the best of his abilities. He never even told us of the last plea deal that was presented to him. Before our last court date, I remember his exact words, which were "ugh..let's get this over with." We all looked at each other in shock as to how an attorney could say that before court. I'd suggest that if you have a more important and complicated case, do not hire Jason as your attorney. He will just want to "get it over with" and not give you the important details of your case. We never got one piece of mail and took forever to get a call or message back from him. It's sad that as our attorney before we hired a better one, He did not do his due diligence for his client, my son. My son is now facing over a decade in prison for this attorneys antics. Edited to add since response by the law firm, we were told the entire time the prosecutors deal was to plea to 2 charges. When we went in front of the judge during trial, the judge only read one charge for the plea deal. We were never informed of any other plea deal. We were told by Jason that they would take a deal of a second and a third degree. When we were in front of the judge, the judge only read a third degree. If we had been informed of the plea to a third, only it would have been taken, and my son would have been free instead of spending a decade in prison. There wasn't much any of us could do when he was in front of the judge during trial. We would have been in contemp if we had spoken up. Our family was there, and all looked at each other when it was read and could only sit and watch. We were misrepresented. My son didn't understand why he was not informed of the latest plea, neither did we.
Brennan Fassett
Would recommend seeking other attorneys. The only time they were really attentive is the initial consultation when they are getting ready to ask for money as a retainer. After that my defense attorney was a lay down and was easily pushed around by the opposing counsel. He seemed to be well known, but certainly did not have enough clout to get good results for me. I was 42 years old at the time with a clean record , a veteran, and had NEVER been in any trouble before. I was charged with Felony Assault. Not only did I end up with the felony, but from day he never got an inch from the other attorney and kept telling me how it was the best we could do. I believe many other attorneys could have had the charge reduced and I likely would have ended up with a misdemeanor. At one point I had to call and email my attorney no less than 6 times over a 2 week period with no response. I had to complain to another attorney at the firm to get a response. My attorney continued to tell me what he would do, but NEVER followed through without repeated requests or follow up on my part. Very non-responsive and maybe they just take too many clients at once. On top of that, he knew I was a veteran and didn't even tell me I could have been eligible to be tried or have my case go through the veterans courts. I likely would not have even had a felony. I made the mistake that got me in trouble, no doubt about that, but the other mistake I made was trusting this firm to represent me. Your money would be better spent elsewhere. Also, used the family division of this firm through a divorce. Had to fire them and hire a different firm which made the attention I was getting from Jason at WMDT look like a joke. I got farther and more answers from MI Family Law Center in a few days than this firm got me in 2 months. Thank goodness I switched! I plan to have my felony expunged when I can. I will not use this firm for that unless they offer to do it free for doing such a poor job TWICE.
