Atty. Douglas W. Van Essen

Atty. Douglas W. Van Essen

Douglas W. Van Essen is a lawyer practicing civil appeals, commercial litigation, class actions and 1 other area of law.

Grand Rapids Grand Rapids 45 yrs experience 45 year
Call (616) 616-6248 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Douglas W. Van Essen at a glance

Douglas W. Van Essen is a Member based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, practicing at Silver & Van Essen, P.C.. They have 45+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1981. Their practice focuses on business, class action, litigation, government, and appellate. Admitted to practice in Michigan U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit U.S. District Court, Eastern Distri (1981). Educated at University of Notre Dame (J.D., 1981) and Calvin College (B.A., 1978). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Grand Rapids and American Bar Associations State Bar of Michigan The Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Serands clients in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Douglas W. Van Essen is a lawyer practicing civil appeals, commercial litigation, class actions and 1 other area of law
  • Douglas W. received a B.A. degree from Calvin College in 1978, and has been licensed for 45 years
  • Douglas W. practices at Silver & Van Essen, P.C. in Grand Rapids, MI

Practice Areas Explained

Douglas W. Van Essen's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Douglas W. Van Essen handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Douglas W. Van Essen is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Michigan →

Class Action

Douglas W. Van Essen is one of 26,424 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in Michigan →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Douglas W. Van Essen is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Michigan →

Government & Administrative Law

Attorneys for administrative law, agency hearings, government contracts, licensing, and public benefits.

Douglas W. Van Essen is one of 132,225 government attorneys indexed nationally. Browse government attorneys in Michigan →

Appellate Practice

Appellate attorneys for civil and criminal appeals at state and federal court.

Douglas W. Van Essen is one of 86,319 appellate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse appellate attorneys in Michigan →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Michigan

Practicing law in Michigan. Legal matters in Michigan are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Grand Rapids are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Michigan state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Michigan brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Michigan courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Michigan attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Grand Rapids or all attorneys in Michigan.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Douglas W. Van Essen

Where is Douglas W. Van Essen's law office located?
Douglas W. Van Essen's law practice is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The firm is Silver & Van Essen, P.C.. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Douglas W. Van Essen handle?
Douglas W. Van Essen focuses on business, class action, litigation, government, appellate. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Michigan.
How long has Douglas W. Van Essen practiced law?
Douglas W. Van Essen has 45+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1981.
Where did Douglas W. Van Essen go to law school?
Douglas W. Van Essen earned their education at (J.D., 1981); (B.A., 1978).
How can I contact Douglas W. Van Essen for a consultation?
You can contact Douglas W. Van Essen directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Douglas W. Van Essen received?
Douglas W. Van Essen's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Education

J.D.
University of Notre Dame
- 1981
B.A.
Calvin College
- 1978

Awards

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions

Michigan U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit U.S. District Court, Eastern Distri
Admitted: 1981

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