BLOOM SLUGGETT, P.C. - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Real Estate and Municipal Law
Blake focuses his practice on municipal and real estate law.
Blake earned his Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio. While in law school, Blake clerked for the City of Cleveland's Law Department and the Office of the United States Attorney, Northern District of Ohio.
In his real estate practice, Blake routinely handles real estate sale and purchase transactions and leasing matters for both government and private clients. He has particular experience in the resolution of title, survey, and other due diligence issues to ensure that transactions are closed in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Blake also serves as general counsel for a number of Condominium Associations.
Blake has extensive prior experience with a major utility company and a deep knowledge of utility matters, including the negotiation and acquisition of easements and other property interests along with condemnation and eminent domain law.
In his municipal practice, Blake represents a wide variety of cities, townships, villages, and other public-sector entities in general municipal matters. He has particular experience working with communities on voter-approved millages. Additionally, Blake has served as grantee's counsel in connection with Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant applications and as applicant's counsel in connection with United States Department of Agriculture - Rural Development grant and loan applications and closings.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- General Legal Counsel for over 25 Michigan
- General Legal Counsel for the Michigan Lake & Stream Associations, Inc
Practicing primarily in the areas of real estate, riparian law and municipal/public sector law, Cliff has over 36 years of legal experience. Originally from Grand Rapids, he received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Michigan and was admitted to the Michigan bar in 1983. He has practiced law in Grand Rapids ever since.
Having lectured on a variety of real estate and municipal topics, Cliff has served as general legal counsel for over 25 Michigan townships, and as general counsel for the City of Newaygo, the City of Stanton, the City of White Cloud, and the Village of Lake Isabella. He has extensive experience in zoning and planning matters and has lectured on those issues for various organizations including the Michigan Townships Association (MTA).
Cliff is the general legal counsel for the Michigan Lake & Stream Associations, Inc. Among his various printed works, Cliff also authors a regular column for the Michigan Riparian Magazine.
Dave focuses his practice on public sector and municipal law. He represents a wide variety of cities, townships, villages, and other public-sector entities and was recognized in the 2024 edition of "Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch" for his work in municipal law.
Dave frequently presents on a variety of public sector and municipal topics, and he has particular experience with the Open Meetings Act, Freedom of Information Act, planning and zoning, wind and solar regulation, marihuana regulation, Metro Act applications, small cell wireless facilities regulation, incorporation of public authorities, payments in lieu of taxes for affordable housing developments, and code enforcement.
Dave earned his Bachelor of Arts from Calvin University and his Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law. He is a credentialed Master Citizen Planner. Before joining Bloom Sluggett, Dave served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Ionia County. Dave is an Army veteran, having most recently served as a civil affairs officer in the Army Reserve. He resides in Lowell Charter Township with his wife and children.
A graduate of the University of Oregon Law School, Jeff has over 30 years' experience in the legal field. His practice is devoted to public sector legal work and he was recognized in 2017-2024 for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America for his practice in the area of municipal law. Additionally, Jeff was named the 2019 "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers for his municipal practice. He has extensive experience in a wide range of municipal legal issues and represents over 20 communities and public authorities as general counsel throughout Michigan. The longstanding relationship that Jeff enjoys with many of his clients is the aspect of his practice that he most values.
Clients, other municipal counsel, and municipal administrators and officers often look upon Jeff to participate in various speaking engagements regarding municipal legal topics. He is also a contributor to Michigan Municipal Law, published by the Institute for Continuing Legal Education of the State Bar of Michigan and has published in other venues on numerous occasions.
In addition to being a ten-time recipient of the Michigan Super Lawyers rating in the area of public sector law, Jeff has also received the highest designation of AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbell for over 20 years and was selected in 2010 as a Distinguished Michigan Attorney of the Year by the Michigan Associates of Municipal Attorneys upon the recommendation of his clients. He was recognized for the past three years by The Grand Rapids Business Journal / Grand Rapids Magazine as a "Top Lawyer" for his practice in Land Use and Zoning as well as Municipal Law. As a former chairperson of the Public Corporation Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan (2007-2008), Jeff continues to actively serve on that body. In addition, he is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Grand Rapids Bar Association and the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys.
Michelle graduated from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor with a BA degree in 1980 and attended law school at The Detroit College of Law where she obtained her Juris Doctorate in 1980. Michelle has been a litigator her entire career handling almost all types of property and casualty insurance matters. Michelle is proud to join Bloom Sluggett PC to handle litigation matters. She served as National Coordinating Counsel for a Fortune 500 company for approximately 10 years. Michelle is also an ICLE trained facilitator/mediator serving as a facilitator or mediator in State Court. Michelle was the chair of the USDC-Western Division, VFM Advisory Committee for about 4 years and she sits on the VFM panel of approved federal court facilitators. Michelle is also a court approved case evaluator. Michelle worked as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer for 10 years working with wards of the Court in abuse and neglect cases. In her spare time, Michelle likes to bike, ski and take long walks with her family, friends and her beloved dogs.
Olivia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Legal Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice from Grand Valley State University in 2021. She then joined Bloom Sluggett PC in the fall of that same year.
Before joining Bloom Sluggett, Olivia worked for a firm that delt in debt collection. Since joining Bloom Sluggett, her role at the firm as a paralegal entails assisting in tax appeals, general municipal work, litigation, and ordinance enforcement for multiple municipalities.
She currently resides in Jenison with her fiancé Connor, Greyhound Phoebe, and Rat Terrier Zoey. She enjoys exotic plant propagation and hiking in her spare time.
Toby earned his Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University Law School in Detroit, where he served as Senior Note and Comment Editor of the Wayne Law Review, and interned with the Navy JAG Corps in Washington D.C. Prior to law school Toby earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Grand Valley State University in Allendale.
Before joining Bloom Sluggett, Toby worked as a research attorney at the Michigan Court of Appeals, served as a judicial law clerk to the honorable Mary Beth Kelly of the Michigan Supreme Court, and to the Honorable Stephen L. Borrello of the Michigan Court of Appeals. Following his time working for the judiciary, Toby served as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Grand Rapids where he specialized in municipal tax defense and municipal litigation.
Toby resides in Courtland Township near Rockford. He enjoys spending time with his wife and son and enjoys being outdoors in all four seasons in Michigan. Toby is also an avid runner who has completed the 25k Riverbank Run on multiple occasions and recently ran the Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City.
Tonya Voakes has over 23 years of experience in litigation, property tax, real estate law, and municipal legal support. She supports attorneys who serve as counsel for communities large and small throughout Michigan. Municipality litigation projects include complex cases of eminent domain, street vacation, and parcel vacation matters as well as zoning, property, ordinance, and appeal matters. For our private sector clients, Tonya provides document drafting and discovery support with the firm's riparian litigation cases. Prior to joining Bloom Sluggett, PC, Tonya was the senior support assistant for the Department of Law with the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, worked for a small Criminal Defense Firm, and a large Corporate Law Firm. When she is away from the office, Tonya enjoys her perennial flower gardening and exploring culture throughout Michigan.