James M. Shade
Mr. Shade specializes in the formation and maintenance of small business entities (corporations and limited liability companies); sales and purchases of businesses; business succession planning; employee benefits, including pension and profit sharing plans, 401(k) plans, cafeteria plans, and health, life, and disability insurance plans; estate planning, including preparation of wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, and patient advocate designations; probate of decedents’ estates and administration of decedents’ trusts; and real estate transactions, including sales and purchases of property and commercial leasing.
Outside of the office, Mr. Shade enjoys attending concerts and playing the guitar with his wife, Marsha.
Glenn L. Smith
Mr. Smith is a shareholder and president of Wheeler Upham, P.C. He practices primarily in the areas of employment law, civil litigation, postal contracts, business law, contracts, construction law, federal government contracts, and postal law. He has extensive litigation experience in these areas and has appeared before federal district courts, courts of appeal, bankruptcy courts, boards of contract appeal, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Merit System Protection Board, and state courts and administrative agencies.
Mr. Smith has successfully assisted clients with document drafting, discrimination claims, disability and Family Medical Leave Act compliance issues, federal disability retirement claims, federal workers’ compensation or OWCP claims, employee handbook questions, and postal contract disputes including holdover tenant claims. Mr. Smith’s litigation experience enables him to spot issues and propose solutions for his clients, thereby saving them time and money by avoiding and addressing legal issues before problems arise.
Each year since 2018, Mr. Smith has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America in the category of Employment Law – Individual. He was the 2014 and 2016 chairman of the Grand Rapids Bar Association's Labor and Employment Law Section.
Prior to joining Wheeler Upham, Mr. Smith was in-house counsel with the U.S. Postal Service, where he handled some of its most complex litigation involving personal injury, construction claims, leasing issues, and contract disputes. He has unique expertise in federal sector employment law and represents employees of federal agencies in many forums. Mr. Smith handles litigation against the federal government that other attorneys shy away from, including claims arising under the various civil rights laws, the Federal Torts Claim Act, the Freedom of Information Act, and the Contract Disputes Act.
Mr. Smith has published articles in the Michigan Bar Journal on mail disputes and bankruptcy appeals.
John M. Roels
Mr. Roels maintains a general civil practice that includes litigation and resolution of personal injury, product liability, property, construction, foreclosure, and employment issues. He is a certified mediator who mediates disputes for state and federal courts and for private parties. He is recognized locally and nationally as a Best Lawyer.
Mr. Roels lectures locally on law-related subjects, serves on church and nonprofit boards, and remains an avid baseball fan.
Kenneth E. Tiews, PH.D. In Memoriam
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Kenneth E. Tiews, who died unexpectedly at his home in Grand Rapids on August 8, 2022. He practiced at Wheeler Upham for 45 years. Dr. Tiews began his legal career with the firm in 1977 and was still enjoying a full-time practice here at the time of his passing.
Dr. Tiews specialized in the law of trusts, estate planning, estate and gift taxation, probate proceedings, will and trust contests, guardianships, adoptions, ecclesiastical law, the formation of foundations and nonprofit organizations, Medicaid and elder law counselling, and noncommercial real estate transactions. He was an excellent attorney, a consummate gentleman, a sparkling conversationalist, and a dear and wonderful friend.
Born in 1948, Ken obtained four degrees from the University of Michigan: a BA in 1970, a JD in 1973, and an MA and a PhD, both in philosophy, in 1975 and 1977, respectively. In addition to becoming one of Michigan’s preeminent probate and estate planning attorneys, he also served his community as a board member for a number of non-profit organizations.
Ken had a lifelong thirst for learning, expressed through numerous personal and professional study groups in addition to his extensive reading. As recently as 2021 he was recognized by Best Lawyers with an award for Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Periodically he found time to pass on his love of learning by teaching at Aquinas College and Calvin University. While Ken excelled professionally, he mostly excelled at being a human being. He was a great family member and friend. His wit, humor, conversational skills, and multiple interests made him a joy to all those who knew him. He was a lively and entertaining conversationalist, balancing engaging wit with active and attentive listening. Ken lived with a unique style that brought graciousness to relationships and environments. He was a brilliant cartoonist and illustrator. Although published in several books, he mainly used his skills to delight his family and friends.
Ken is greatly missed.
