Our Team

Matthew Ferri, J.D., M.B.A., is a licensed attorney in the State of Michigan.  During law school, Matt focused his studies on business law while simultaneously earning his MBA.  Shortly after graduation, Matt started his own firm with the goal of helping individuals and their families develop estate plans that work.  Matt’s primary practice areas include estate planning, business formation and succession planning, and wealth transfer planning.

He received the rating of AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communicationskills and ethical standards.  In 2021, he was named to Rising Stars in Estate Planning by Super Lawyers. This is a designation that is given to no more than 2.5% of the attorneys in the State of Michigan each year.

He earned a certificate in Probate and Estate Planning from the Institute of Continuing Legal Education.  Matt continues his legal education by attending the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys’ semi-annual collegiums. This is an experienced, cutting-edge group of forward thinking lawyers who collaborate and educate on the latest estate planning laws and techniques.  He is VA accredited and is an instructor for Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) programs and Insurance continuing education credit.  He offers several programs that discuss ILITs, qualified plans, and estate planning.

Matt lectures frequently both locally and nationally.  Locally, he has spoken to various groups on estate planning related topics such as disability planning, estate planning for women, and using powers of attorney. He also holds monthly estate planning workshops at his office titled The Truth About Estate Planning™. Nationally, he presented on: Digital Assets, how to protect them and how to transfer them to family members, Providing Value to Financial Advisors, and Generational Issues in Marketing.

Education:

•  University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, JD
•  University of Detroit Mercy College of Business Administration, MBA
•  John Carroll University, BSBA Finance

Admitted to Practice:

• State of Michigan
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
• VA Accreditation

Memberships:

• State Bar of Michigan
  • Probate and Estate Planning Section
  • Elder Law and Disability Rights Section
• Life Care Planning Law Firms Association
• ElderCounsel
• WealthCounsel
• Michigan Forum of Estate Planners
  • President
• Italian American Bar Association of Michigan
• Purposeful Planning Institute

Counsellor and Attorney

Andrea Baade, J.D., is a licensed attorney in the State of Michigan. She pursued her law degree at Michigan State University College of Law. While in law school, Andrea worked at the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, which assists individuals who are blind or visually impaired maintain employment and independence. At our Law Office, Andrea has worked on designing client plans, and coordinating client “funding” – transferring assets and accounts to help ensure clients are protected and their plans work as intended. She recently began focusing more on Elder Law and Settlement to provide further aid to our clients and their families as they age and their needs change.

Andrea enjoys being an estate planning attorney because it gives her the opportunity to help people plan and be prepared for the future while protecting themselves and their loved ones.

Education:

• Michigan State University College of Law, JD
• Saginaw Valley State University, BA Criminal Justice

Admitted to Practice:

• State of Michigan

Memberships:

• State Bar of Michigan
  • Probate and Estate Planning Section
  • Young Lawyers Section
• Life Care Planning Law Firms Association
• ElderCounsel
• WealthCounsel

Counsellor and Attorney

The finest employee who takes his job of security to heart, Nash alerts all to the impending danger of deliveries or squirrels.  He is a miniature Australian Shepherd and was a gift from a National Network colleague in Arizona.  He is a registered therapy dog and has achieved his AKC Canine and Community Good Citizen awards. In his spare time he can be found running dog agility or enjoying a treat.

Zoe, a Maltese Pomeranian mix rescued from the Animal Shelter Society Inc. in Zanesville, Ohio, literally rounds out the group.  She is also a registered therapy dog and has achieved her AKC Canine and Community Good Citizen awards.  During office hours, she can be found attending meetings, keeping laps warm, and living up to her nickname “Mayhem.”

In Memoriam – Annie was the office greeter and sometimes the first face clients saw. She was a Shih-tzu Maltese mix rescued from the Cascades Humane Society. When she was not providing companionship, she could be found napping and participating in dog charity walks.

Chief Security Officer

Chief Morale Officer

Chief Canine Officer