James R. Samuels Big Rapids, Michigan Phone:  (231) 796-8858  Fax:  (231) 796-8856  Email:  jsamuels@charter.net Jim Samuels is a trial attorney with over 25 years of courtroom experience.  He served as the elected Prosecuting Attorney in Mecosta County for 12 years and also served on the Board of Directors for the Prosecuting Attorney's Association of Michigan.  He has taught advanced trial practice to prosecutors throughout the state.  After returning to private practice in 1996, Jim Samuels focused the majority of his practice on criminal defense.  He's been recognized by other criminal lawyers around Michigan for his trial skills in criminal cases.  He is on the faculty of the Criminal Defense Attorneys Trial College and provides training for other criminal defense attorneys.  He serves as the Vice-President of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan and is the Chairman of the Thomas M. Cooley Innocence Project Commission.    Jim Samuels has written and published on the topic of false confession and also on issues related to confessions by the mentally retarded.  He is currently promoting legislation that would require law enforcement to record interrogation and is working within the criminal justice system to implement reforms on eyewitness identification.  Mr. Samuels is Vice-President of Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan and was appointed to the State Bar of Michigan's Task Force for recording interrogations. He received the prestigious 2006 Justice for All Award from the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan  for exceptional dedication and service to the cause of justice. James Samuels was recently selected as one of Michigan's "Super Lawyers" in the area of criminal defense.  Super Lawyers are selected based on a number of criteria including, but not limited to: representation of clients, experience, awards, peer evaluation, and professional activities.  Only 5% of the lawyers in the state are chosen for Super Lawyer status.  Mr. Samuels professional activities include: Criminal Law Section of the State of Michigan  National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys  Chairman of the Innocence Commission,  which oversees the Cooley Law School Innocence Project Recipient of the Justice for All Award State Bar of Michigan Task Force for recording interrogations Michigan Super Lawyer

Stacy Flanery Big Rapids, Michigan Phone: (231) 796-8858 Fax: (231) 796-8856 Email: sflanery@charter.net Stacy Flanery, a senior associate attorney, graduated with honors from Michigan State University and earned a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in Criminal Justice.  She then attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School and graduated Magna Cum Laude.  While attending Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Ms. Flanery was the editor-in-chief of the Thomas M. Cooley Law Review.  Additionally, she worked at the Sixty Plus Inc., Elderlaw Clinic, providing free legal services to elderly residents in the Lansing area.  Ms. Flanery completed an externship with the Honorable Kathleen A. Feeney at the 17th Circuit Court, Family Division and worked as a prehearing attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals.  Ms. Flanery's practice focuses primarily on family law including: divorce, abuse and neglect, child custody, and juvenile delinquency.  She received a certificate of completion in the area of Family Law sponsored by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the State Bar of Michigan.  She does appellate work for family and criminal law matters.  Ms. Flanery is also experienced in probate and estate planning. Ms. Flanery's professional and community activities include: State Bar of Michigan (Family Law Section) Big Rapids Jaycees  Vice Chair for the Board of Directors for W.I.S.E. Leadership Mecosta Alumni Year of the Dawg Community Art project   National Baby Food Festival Committee Member

Erin Carrier Big Rapids, Michigan  Phone: (231) 796-8858 Fax: (231) 796-8856 Email: erincarrier@charter.net   Erin Carrier, an associate attorney, graduated from Michigan State University and earned a B.A. in English. She then attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School and graduated Cum Laude. While attending Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Ms. Carrier was an associate editor for the Thomas M. Cooley Journal of Practical and Clinical Law. She worked at the Washtenaw County Public Defenders Office where she provided legal representation to clients in criminal matters. In addition, she worked at the Sixty Plus Inc., Elder Law Clinic where she provided free legal services to the elderly in the Lansing area. Ms. Carrier completed the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan Trial College in August of 2008. She is also currently participating in Leadership Mecosta.  Erin Carrier's practice focuses primarily on Criminal Defense and Juvenile delinquency.  Erin also has experience in general civil cases, probate and estate planning, and family law.   Ms. Carrier's professional and community activities include: State Bar of Michigan Big Rapids Jaycees Leadership Mecosta