About Michael P.
Michael P. Witzke is a attorney at McDonald Hopkins PLC, located at 39533 Woodward Avenue, Suite 318 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. His legal career began in 1989, marking over three decades of dedicated service in the field. The firm specializes in various areas including estate planning, probate, elder law, and business law, providing comprehensive legal solutions to its clients. Witzke's practice primarily focuses on estate and gift tax planning, special needs planning, asset protection, charitable giving, elder law, and business succession planning.
Witzke earned his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School in 1989, the same year he began practicing law. Prior to that, he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Michigan State University in 1986. During his time in law school, he worked by clerking for the Michigan Court of Appeals, which laid the groundwork for his future legal expertise. His education and early experiences have gave him a understanding of the complexities involved in estate planning and related legal matters. His client base includes high-net-worth families, business owners, and physicians primarily in the metropolitan Detroit area, as well as in Chicago and South Florida.
Witzke's qualifications extend beyond traditional legal training; he is a Chartered Life Underwriter and a Chartered Financial Consultant. Additionally, he holds a Retirement Planning Specialist designation from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, reflecting his commitment to providing well-rounded financial and legal advice. Witzke is actively involved in professional organizations, including the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan Legal Financial Network. His contributions to the field have not gone unnoticed; he has been regularly recognized as a Michigan Super Lawyer from 2011 to 2017 and again in 2022-2023. His AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell further shows his reputation for excellence in legal practice.
Before joining McDonald Hopkins in 2016, Witzke was a partner at Butzel Long, where he led the estate planning and probate practice group. His leadership and expertise have significantly impacted the firms he has been part of. Furthermore, he has served as a director for Crossroads for Youth, showcasing his commitment to community service. Witzke is admitted to practice law in Michigan, Florida, and Illinois, and is an active member of both the State Bar of Michigan and the Oakland County Bar Association. His experience and accolades reflect his dedication to excellence in estate planning and elder law.
