Samantha M. VanTol
- Family Law (Divorce, Custody, Parenting Time & Child Support)
- Paternity
- Wills & Trusts
- Estate Planning & Administration
- Collaborative Divorce
- Mediation
Samantha M. VanTol was born and raised in West Michigan. Samantha earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Grand Valley State University where she graduated Cum Laude.
Samantha went on to attend Thomas M. Cooley Law School on a full-ride academic scholarship. Samantha was an actively involved student and participated as a member of the Board of Directors of the Student Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association while at Thomas M. Cooley. Samantha was also an associate editor on Law Review. Samantha graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Magna Cum Laude and was ranked eighth overall in her graduating class.
Samantha became affiliated with the American Divorce Association for Men in 2007 and was brought on to assist with Family Law, Wills & Trust and Estate Planning & Administration. Since 2007, Samantha has litigated and mediated hundreds of cases for Men in West Michigan. She has an impeccable reputation for being detail oriented and very responsive. While always focused on obtaining a reasonable settlement, she is fierce in the court room and has many success stories to her credit.
Professional Memberships & Association
- State Bar of Michigan, Family Law Section
- Grand Rapids Bar Association, Family Law Section
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Education
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan
J.D. magna cum laude
Honors: Scholarship Recipient - Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan
B.S. in Psychology cum laude
Honors: Phi Kappa Phi
Jeffrey P. Arnson
- Family Law (Divorce, Custody, Parenting Time & Child Support)
- Criminal Defense
- Paternity
- Personal Protection Orders
Jeff is a lifelong Grand Rapids resident. He attended Calvin College, where he majored in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Administration. Jeff went on to attend Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Prior to finishing law school, Jeff interned with the City of Grand Rapids Department of Law, clerked for the 17th Circuit Court Family Division, and worked as a research and writing clerk for a local law firm.
After law school, Jeff opened and ran his own successful law practice for over six years, focusing on civil litigation, family law and criminal defense. Jeff has extensive experience in most Michigan courts, and has drafted briefs for both the Michigan and United States Supreme Court. Jeff has proved to be an invaluable member of the ADAM team.
Professional Memberships & Association
- Grand Rapids Bar Association, Member
- State Bar of Michigan, Criminal Law Section, Member
Bar Admissions
- Michigan, 2008 – U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan, 2008
Education
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Grand Rapids, Michigan
J.D. – 2007
Honors: With Distinction - Calvin College
B.A. – 2004
Nancy Ballast
- Family Law (Divorce, Custody, Parenting Time & Child Support)
- Criminal Defense
Nancy has been a lifelong Grand Rapids resident. She attended Western Michigan University where she majored in English & Philosophy. She went on to attend Thomas M. Cooley Law School. While in law school, Nancy served on Law Journal, interned for 17th Circuit Court judges, and graduated Cum Laude. She also ran a successful solo law practice for 5 years, focusing on family law and criminal defense. She took many cases to trial during that time and is passionate about representing her clients.
Professional Memberships & Association
- State Bar of Michigan
- Federal Bar of Michigan (Western District)
- State Bar of Michigan Committee, Libraries, Legal Research and Legal Publications (member 2014-2015, char 2016-2017)
- State Bar of Michigan Section Membership: Family Law, Criminal Law, Elder Law, Marijuana Law, Real Property Law
- Grand Rapids Bar Association Section Member: Family Law, Real Property Law, Young Lawyers
Bar Admissions
- Michigan, 2013 U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan
Education
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Grand Rapids, Michigan J.D. cum laude – 2013
- Western Michigan University B.A. – 1994 Major: Philosophy & English
Ivan E. Shaw
- Estate Planning
- Estate Administration
- Trusts
- Probate
Ivan was raised in a military family and was blessed to be raised around the world including Europe, Asia, and the US. Ivan still enjoys traveling but has found a home in Michigan where he has lived since 1997 and in Grand Rapids where he has lived since 2002. He currently lives in Ada where he enjoys spending time with his wife and children, golf, pickleball and soccer.
Ivan graduated from Thomas Cooley Law School, cum laude, in 2001. In law school he focused on Estate Planning and Probate practice in his studies and internship opportunities while also participating in Law Review as an editor and Moot Court as a participant and judge. Ivan graduated 11th overall in his class.
Since 2001 Ivan practiced law as an associate and then principal at several firms including Shaw Law Group. In that time, he focused on Family Law, Mediation, Estate Planning, and Estate Administration. In his current role as founder of Bridge Estate Law and as Of Counsel for Arnson Vantol, PLC he narrowed his focus to Estate Planning and Estate Administration. He provides clients with tailored estate plans that are designed to meet their needs in death and disability, help their heirs with easily administered estates, and protect their heir’s inheritance.
Professional Memberships & Association
- State Bar of Michigan, Estate Planning Sections, 2001 – Present
- Grand Rapids Bar Association, Family Law and Probate & Estate Planning Sections, 2001 -2020
- IACP, Member 2019-2022
- Collaborative Divorce Professionals of West Michigan, Member 2019-2022
- Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan, Member 2019-2022
Bar Admissions
- Michigan, 2001 U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan, 2004
Education
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan J.D. cum laude – 2001
- Washington State University B.A. – 1997 Major: Political Science
Jason VanElderen
- Family Law (Divorce, Custody, Parenting Time & Child Support)
- Paternity
- Criminal Defense
Jason was born and raised in Grand Rapids. He attended Grand Valley State University where he received his degree in marketing. After college, he attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School on a full-ride academic scholarship, where he graduated cum laude. As a law student, Jason was an associate editor on Law Review.
Prior to joining Arnson VanTol, Jason ran his own practice on the lakeshore for several years, with a focus on family law, criminal defense, and estate planning. Jason prides himself on working diligently for his clients, with an eye towards negotiating settlements whenever possible, but he’s not afraid to fight for his clients in the courtroom. He is well-versed in many facets of family law, including divorce, custody, and stepparent adoption.
When he’s not practicing law, Jason enjoys golfing, mountain biking, and spending time with his wife and children.
Professional Memberships & Association
- State Bar of Michigan, Family Law Section
- Grand Rapids Bar Association, Family Law Section
Bar Admissions
- Michigan
Education
- Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan (B.S. in Marketing)
- Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan (J.D. cum laude)
Brian Keeler
- Family Law (Divorce, Custody, Parenting Time & Child Support)
- Personal Protection Orders
- International Custody Disputes
Brian Keeler is a lifelong Michigander, raised in Plainwell, just north of Kalamazoo. He earned his undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University, majoring in History with a minor in Social Studies Education. After a brief period working at the high school level, Brian pursued his passion for law, graduating from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2014.
Initially starting his career in family law, Brian explored other practice areas but quickly realized that his background in education uniquely positioned him to support clients navigating divorce and custody matters. His ability to explain complex legal concepts in a clear, compassionate manner has been invaluable to families facing emotionally charged situations. For the past several years, Brian has focused exclusively on family law, where he leverages his skills to help clients resolve issues efficiently and thoughtfully.
Brian is a solutions-oriented attorney who understands that no two families are alike. His approach is tailored to each client’s specific circumstances, recognizing the need for flexibility and creative problem-solving. Having a brother who is a combat veteran and children with special needs has made these issues deeply personal to him, driving his commitment to advocacy and support for families in challenging times.
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