JAKE MERTES
Jake Mertes recently joined the firm and brings a wealth of energy and practical experience. Prior to joining the firm, Jake was the Clerk for the Honorable Judge Carniak at the 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills. His years at the court provided him with a unique insight into municipal matters, including code enforcement actions, misdemeanor ordinances and state prosecutions, felony matters, and the mechanics of litigation from the initiation of a civil suit or filing of criminal charges to post judgment motions or probation. Prior to working at the Court, Jake practiced civil litigation throughout the Metro-Detroit area in both District and Circuit Court. While at the University of Wisconsin Law School, Jake demonstrated his commitment to community service as a leading participant in clinics providing free legal services to nascent entrepreneurs and early-stage companies.
Areas of Practice
- Municipal & Government
- Civil Litigation
- Prosecutions
- Criminal Defense
- Election Law
- Freedom of Information and Open Meetings
- Income Tax Enforcement and Collection
- Collections
- Legal Research and Writing
Bar Admissions
- State Bar of Michigan, admitted 2018.
- State Bar of Wisconsin, admitted 2018.
Professional Leadership/Memberships
- Oakland City Bar Association, 2022
Education
- University of Wisconsin Law School, Madison, Wisconsin, J.D.
- Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, B.A. in Political Science
