About John Joseph Rizzo
John Joseph Rizzo III began his path to the law with a liberal arts foundation. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Miami in 1995 and spent time at Emory University School of Law during 1995. He completed his Juris Doctor at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 1998.
After law school Rizzo joined Dingeman, Dancer & Christopherson, PLC as an associate in 1998. He worked on a range of matters there as a young attorney and moved into private practice soon after. In 2000 he established Rizzo & Associates, PLC, taking on the responsibilities of firm ownership while building a local client base.
Rizzo’s career took a different turn in 2007 when he accepted an in-house role as legal counsel for Bay Area Caskets, LLC. The position required an attention to regulatory detail and contract work, and it broadened his experience beyond traditional firm practice. He returned to firm work later and began concentrating more on issues that affect older adults and their families.
By 2016 Rizzo was practicing elder law at Swogger, Bruce & Millar Law Office, P.C. That role placed him squarely in matters common to aging clients: estate planning, long-term care and guardianship issues, and related probate matters. In 2019 he launched Up North Elder Law, PLC, where he serves as owner and elder law lawyer. The move signaled a shift toward a practice tailored to older clients and the professionals who serve them.
Rizzo is licensed to practice in Michigan and is admitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He maintains an active presence in the local legal community and is a current member of the Grand Traverse–Leelanau–Antrim Bar Association.
Over the course of his career he has alternated between private practice, firm ownership and in-house counsel work. That variety has given him experience in transactional matters, client counseling and court proceedings. In elder law he draws on that background when advising families about estate planning instruments, Medicaid eligibility and the probate process.
Today Rizzo practices from Up North Elder Law, PLC, where he concentrates on elder law matters for clients in Michigan and proceedings before the Sixth Circuit when needed. His current practice focuses on elder law, estate planning and related probate work.
