Michael J. Caywood began practicing law in 1991 and joined the firm in 1999. Prior to joining the firm, Michael practiced in Phoenix at the law firm of Snell & Wilmer and in Chicago with Ungaretti & Harris (since merged into Nixon Peabody LLP) and the Division of Enforcement for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. While in Phoenix and Chicago, Michael’s practice included complex commercial, medical products, intellectual property, and securities litigation in both State and Federal Courts, as well as intricate technology transactional agreements.
Michael has developed a broad practice since joining the firm. Michael’s practice currently includes civil litigation, real estate, business law, banking law, intellectual property, and other commercial issues. Michael has particularly enjoyed assisting several local businesses organize and implement key strategic measures—whether it be an acquisition of another business, the negotiation of key operational agreements, or guiding a business through a sale and the winding down process.
Michael’s current practice also includes estate planning, probate administration, and trust administration. Michael has been particularly active in probate and trust disputes, but has garnered greater satisfaction in conflict avoidance and orderly succession planning.
As an adjunct to Michael’s broad practice, he is a Court approved mediator in Michigan. Michael has successfully mediated resolutions for all types of disputes both prior to and during litigation. To support this mediation practice, both the Sturgis and Coldwater offices have conference rooms to accommodate the shuttle diplomacy of the mediation process. Michael splits his time between the Coldwater and Sturgis offices based upon client needs.
Michael grew up in Hillsdale County, Michigan and received his Bachelor of Arts in 1988 from the University of Michigan. In 1991, he received his Juris Doctor with distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law. In addition to Michigan, Michael is licensed to practice in Indiana, Illinois, Arizona, and the District of Columbia. Michael participates in the Litigation, Intellectual Property, Probate and Estate Planning, and Business sections of both the American and Michigan State Bar Associations. He is a past President of the St. Joseph County Bar Association and is a court approved mediator in Michigan.
Michael is very active in both the Sturgis and Coldwater communities. Michael is currently a board member for the Coldwater Downtown Development Authority, a board member of the Coldwater Economic Development Corporation, a member of the City of Sturgis Planning Commission, and the St. Joseph County Recruiting Coordinator for the University of Michigan Alumni Association Student Recruitment Program. Michael has previously served the community as a Board Member for Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County; Board Member for the West Michigan Youth Soccer Association; Board Member and Secretary for the West Michigan Broncos Youth Travel Baseball Club; Board Member of the Sturgis Gridiron Club; President of the Sturgis Soccer Club; a Board Member, Ambassador, and a co-chair for Michigan Week for the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce; President of the Sturgis Kiwanis Club; President of the St. Joseph County Bar Association; Board Member of the City of Sturgis Planning Board (Vice Chairman from 2002 to 2004); a founding member of the Open Door Gallery in Sturgis; and chair of the St. John’s Episcopal Church Rector Search Committee. Michael and his wife Laurie recently moved to Coldwater after living in Sturgis for 20 years. Their daughter and son are both recent college graduates.