Atty. Wayne D. Roberts

Atty. Wayne D. Roberts

Wayne Roberts is the co-chair of Bodman’s Business Tax Group. His practice is focused on corporate, business and individual tax planning and federal, state and local tax controversies.

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Litigation and Controversy - Tax & More Attorney · Serving Grand Rapids, MI

Profile Summary

About Wayne D. Roberts at a Glance

Wayne D. Roberts is a tax and tax litigation attorney based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, practicing at Bodman PLC. Admitted to practice in Michigan, The Supreme Court, Ohio, The Supreme Court, United States, Tax Court, and Michigan, United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Educated at The Ohio State University (J.D., 2001) and Grand Valley State University (—). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Litigation and Controversy - Tax (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026). Serves clients in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated October 2026

About Wayne D. Roberts

  • Wayne Roberts is the co-chair of Bodman’s Business Tax Group
  • His practice is focused on corporate, business and individual tax planning and federal, state and local tax controversies
  • He has been a recognized state and local tax (SALT) lawyer for more than 20 years
  • He has been involved in a majority of the significant legislative, administrative and case law developments that have taken place in Michigan taxation.His broad tax practice includes all aspects of federal and state tax planning, structuring, and tax litigation
  • He has represented both closely-held and publicly traded companies in transactional tax matters, including mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations and dispositions
  • He has also represented numerous businesses and individuals in tax disputes with the IRS, the Michigan Department of Treasury and revenue departments in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Tennessee, New York, California and several other state and local taxing jurisdictions
  • His broad tax practice includes all aspects of federal and state tax planning, structuring, and tax litigation
  • He has represented both closely-held and publicly traded companies in transactional tax matters, including mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations and dispositions
  • He has also represented numerous businesses and individuals in tax disputes with the IRS, the Michigan Department of Treasury and revenue departments in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Tennessee, New York, California and several other state and local taxing jurisdictions
  • Wayne was a founding member of the task force that created the Michigan Tax Conference, an annual event that is the largest tax conference in the state of Michigan for local state and national tax professionals
  • Before becoming an attorney, He worked as a CPA with international public accounting firms, focusing on federal, state, local, and international tax

Practice Areas Explained

Wayne D. Roberts's Areas of Legal Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Wayne D. Roberts handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Grand Rapids.

Tax Law in Grand Rapids

Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation.

Wayne D. Roberts is one of 84,606 tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax attorneys in Michigan →

Tax Litigation in Grand Rapids

Wayne D. Roberts is one of 3,087 tax litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax litigation attorneys in Michigan →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in Grand Rapids

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 venue, 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.

Grand Rapids Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a Grand Rapids-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.

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

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About Wayne D. Roberts

Where is Wayne D. Roberts's law office located?
Wayne D. Roberts's law practice is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The firm is Bodman PLC. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Wayne D. Roberts handle?
Wayne D. Roberts focuses on tax, tax litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Michigan.
Where did Wayne D. Roberts go to law school?
Wayne D. Roberts earned their education at (J.D., 2001); (—); (B.B.A.).
How can I contact Wayne D. Roberts for a consultation?
You can contact Wayne D. Roberts 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 Wayne D. Roberts received?
Wayne D. Roberts's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Litigation and Controversy - Tax; Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law; Best Lawyers in America — Awards:; Best Lawyers in America — State Bar of Michigan Taxation Section L. Hart Wright Service Award Recipient, 2015; Best Lawyers in America — Listed in Michigan Super Lawyers, 2014.

Professional Profile

Why Clients in Grand Rapids Choose Wayne D. Roberts

Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Wayne D. Roberts's practice in the field of tax and tax litigation.

Multi-State Bar Admission

Licensed in Michigan, The Supreme Court, Ohio, The Supreme Court, and United States, Tax Court, Wayne D. Roberts can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.

Broad Practice Area Coverage

Covering tax and tax litigation, Wayne D. Roberts can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.

Local Presence in Grand Rapids

A Grand Rapids-based practice means Wayne D. Roberts attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.

Case Types

Common Legal Issues Wayne D. Roberts Handles in Grand Rapids

Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Wayne D. Roberts has experience with under Michigan law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.

IRS audit representation
Tax
Tax lien and levy defense
Tax
Offer in compromise
Tax
Business tax planning
Tax

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Wayne D. Roberts directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Search Reference

How People Find Wayne D. Roberts Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in Grand Rapids commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like Wayne D. Roberts.

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If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with Wayne D. Roberts directly.

Wayne D. Roberts's Practice Areas & Specializations

Education & Law School Background

J.D.
The Ohio State University
- 2001
—
Grand Valley State University
- In Progress
B.B.A.
Western Michigan University
- In Progress

Awards & Professional Honors

Best Lawyers in America — Litigation and Controversy - Tax
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — State Bar of Michigan Taxation Section L. Hart Wright Service Award Recipient, 2015
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Listed in Michigan Super Lawyers, 2014
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation & Controversy ? Tax and Tax Law, since 2013
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Michigan State Bar Foundation, Fellow, admitted 2012
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation and Controversy - Tax (Grand Rapids)
- 2025
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation and Controversy - Tax (Grand Rapids)
- 2023
Lawyer of the Year — Tax Law (Grand Rapids)
- 2023
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation and Controversy - Tax (Grand Rapids)
- 2022
Lawyer of the Year — Tax Law (Grand Rapids)
- 2021
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation and Controversy - Tax (Grand Rapids)
- 2017
Lawyer of the Year — Tax Law (Grand Rapids)
- 2017
Lawyer of the Year — Tax Law (Grand Rapids)
- 2014

Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions

Michigan, The Supreme Court
Ohio, The Supreme Court
United States, Tax Court
Michigan, United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

Client Reviews & Ratings — Wayne D. Roberts

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