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
Specialties
- 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
- Collaborative Divorce
- Divorce
- Real Estate
Ivan Shaw has been practicing law since 2001 when he graduated cum laude from Thomas Cooley Law School in Lansing, MI. He focuses on estate planning and estate administration and works closely with his clients to identify the right solutions for their needs.
Ivan’s primary focus is estate planning, estate administration, and related real property law. Ivan was the owner of the area’s largest Family Law Firms in West Michigan for many years and continues to provide some divorce, collaborative divorce, and divorce mediation services.
Ivan is married and the father of two beautiful children. He enjoys golf, soccer, pickleball, and traveling. His love of travel started when, as a child of the United States Air Force family, he lived around the US, Europe and Asia.
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, 2025
- Collaborative Divorce Professionals of West Michigan, Member 2019-2022, 2025 – present.
- Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan, Member 2019-2022
- Dispute Resolution Center, Mediator, 2017 – present.
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)
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