You or someone you love just suffered a life-changing injury or disability. Now what? You're overwhelmed by all the advice your friends and family are giving -- or maybe you're not getting any direction. You need answers you can trust from someone who knows your legal rights. You want to know what is fair compensation. Or how to stand up to the games insurance companies, government agencies or employers play to stop you from getting your money and benefits. You need the attorneys at Conybeare Law Office, P.C. Let's talk about what happened. We'll work on making your life better.
Social Security & Disability Law Attorneys, Personal Injury Law Attorneys, Automobile Accident Attorneys, Employee Benefits & Worker Compensation Attorneys, Medical Malpractice Attorneys
Anne Buckleitner puts her more than 30 years in government and law to work for clients in the areas of civil rights, employment law, criminal defense, facilitative mediation and neutral workplace investigations. She litigates in both federal and state courts. Anne is an accomplished litigator and counselor, an experienced problem solver and a strong advocate. Through negotiation, litigation and mediation, Anne identifies and obtains the best possible results for her clients. Anne makes good communication with her clients a priority.
DUI/DWI
Every year, hundreds of people are injured and some are killed in car accidents across West Michigan. In 2020, there were nine fatal accidents and 236 accidents causing injury in Cass County, with common causes being driver distraction and drunk driving. If a negligent driver has left you with injuries, a Cass County car accident lawyer can help you pursue maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Wrongful Death
If you’ve been left injured or disabled in a crash involving a commercial vehicle, the truck accident attorneys at Conybeare Law Office will fight for the financial recovery you need and deserve. We have the highest verdict ever in Cass County – $1,914,000 – in a truck accident case that ended in a wrongful death.
Traffic Violations
The number of fatalities caused by truck accidents is higher than any other type of road accident. Trucks are much larger than passenger vehicles, so they can inflict catastrophic injuries like broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Fatigued, distracted, and speeding drivers cause most truck accidents, so if you’ve been injured, let the truck accident lawyers at Conybeare Law Office hold the at-fault parties accountable.
Sex Crimes
Actions by police including sexual assault, shootings, the use of clubs or tasers, the use of pepper spray that causes burns on the skin or eyes, and the use of racial slurs or epithets may be police brutality. The courts recognize that sometimes a use of force is necessary to protect a police officer’s safety or the safety of bystanders, but in other cases, law enforcement officers may abuse their authority and cause serious injuries to a suspect or witness. Police officers should not consider themselves above the law and are not entitled to abuse others as part of their job.
Misdemeanors
While Bob was building his career, he was building a family as well. After welcoming their first two children, Bob and his wife decided to relocate from Chicago to southwest Michigan. This is where they first met and where Bob was born and spent his summers. He challenged himself by switching from civil to criminal litigation, joining the Berrien County Public Defender Office in 2019. In the three and a half years he practiced criminal defense, he honed his litigation skills representing over 600 clients charged with misdemeanor and felony violations. He successfully defended multiple clients securing not guilty verdict at trial.
Assault
Homicide
When there is a deadly car accident, a tragic suicide or the devastating homicide of a family member in Berrien County, sheriff deputies are often the first on the scene. “These are the worst moments in peoples’ lives,” said Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey. “They need comfort and compassion. We are fortunate to have volunteer...
In 2019, Anne Buckleitner from St. Joseph joined Conybeare Law Office, bringing 30 years of experience in civil rights, employment law, facilitative mediation, and neutral workplace investigations. She entered the profession not knowing exactly where it would take her, but it has led her to fighting back against bullies. With her addition to the team, people in Southwest Michigan now have a local firm to represent them in wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment at work and at school, police brutality, and wrongful convictions.
Employment Discrimination
School districts that receive federal funding must ensure that all students have equal access to education. Schools’ responsibilities are created by a federal statute called “Title IX.” For example, if a teacher or another student has sexually harassed a student, the school is responsible for taking action to ensure that the harassment does not interfere with the student’s access to education. A school may be legally responsible if it knows about and is deliberately indifferent to sex discrimination on its campus or in its programs or activities. Schools are also required to evaluate their policies and practices, adopt and publish a policy against sex discrimination, and implement grievance procedures providing for a prompt and equitable resolution of student and employee sex discrimination complaints. In addition, schools must publicly appoint at least one employee to coordinate their compliance with the law (usually called a “Title IX Coordinator”).
Employment Contract
Some employees may have a claim for breach of contract. If an employee is not an “at-will employee” and instead has a contract agreeing that the employee may be fired only for certain reasons (such as committing financial malfeasance or gross misconduct), the employer may fire the employee only for those reasons. Otherwise, the employee may have a claim for breach of employment contract.
Severance Agreement
If the circumstances of your firing suggest that it might have been illegal, you may want to consult with an employment lawyer. A lawyer can review the facts and assess whether you have any potential legal claims. If so, a lawyer can help you think through what you want to do (if anything) to assert your rights. For example, you might want to try to negotiate a severance package, demand a settlement, or file administrative charges or a lawsuit against the employer. On the other hand, you may decide it makes more sense just to move on. But the only way to know for sure how strong your claims are and what options you have is to talk to a lawyer.
Sexual Harassment
You may be able to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and/or a lawsuit in court if your rights have been violated under Title IX. If you are an employee who has experienced sexual harassment or assault, you may also be able to file a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) or the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.
Bruce and Barry’s work together grew Conybeare Law Office to be the largest full-service personal injury law firm in Southwest Michigan. We represent victims of automobile accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, premises liability, animal attacks, recreational accidents involving boats and ATVs, and almost any other manner in which people are hurt by the negligence of another. Conybeare Law Office has employed many of the area’s top lawyers at different points in their careers. We are proud to have worked with and learned from Kevin Haight, Robert Ehrenberg, and Michael Marrs on personal injury matters until their retirement.
Property Damage
The Kalamazoo truck accident lawyers at Conybeare Law Office aren’t deterred by commercial truck insurers and their attorneys. We use our legal skills to help ensure that you receive a fair settlement for your medical bills, wage loss, property damage, and pain and suffering. To schedule a free consultation with a Kalamazoo car accident lawyer, contact our office today. We represent clients throughout Kalamazoo County, Berrien County, Cass County, Van Buren County, and West Michigan.
Conybeare Law Office was founded by Benton Harbor native Bruce Conybeare. Bruce handled a variety of legal matters since starting his practice in the 1960s. By the 1980s, the firm was the largest insurance defense firm in Southwest Michigan. In 1984, Bruce decided that specializing in plaintiff’s personal injury law would best serve the community. He was well known for his successful jury trial work in the personal injury field, as he was willing to fight insurance companies and corporate defendants for the money his clients deserved.
Medical Malpractice
When you’re a victim of medical malpractice it comes as a shock to you. An error, a careless oversight or professional negligence has hurt you or damaged or destroyed the life of a loved one. Now, because of the injury, you need a way to cushion its impact upon you and your family. You quickly discover it is not a level playing field.
Auto Accidents
Social Security Disability
Bruce retired in 2005 and Barry has led the firm since. Under Barry’s leadership, Conybeare Law Office expanded its practice areas to meet the needs of Southwest Michigan. In 2009, Conybeare Law Office merged with Smit & Kragt, the pre-eminent Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability law firm serving Southwest Michigan.
Dog Bites
After law school, Bob focused his efforts on helping people navigate the complicated processes that come after suffering an injury at the hands of another. He represented individuals injured in automobile collisions, dog bites, and premises liability actions. He worked closely with his clients, their healthcare providers, billers, health insurance companies, and liability insurers to resolve claims, and took cases to trial when appropriate. Notably, he secured a jury verdict on a disputed liability case after his client, a bicyclist, was hit by a car turning right on a red light. The verdict was over two times more than the last settlement offer.