Our Attorneys
Nicewander, Berens & DeVries in its various forms has served the Jenison and greater West Michigan community since 1975. During the past 50 years, our attorneys have had the opportunity to serve multiple generations of our community, including multiple generations of local family businesses. To serve small businesses and individuals we focus on providing holistic services because clients’ needs and concerns are rarely limited to one issue or area of law. We can provide these well-rounded services without compromising quality because we work collaboratively, allowing each attorney and staff member to have areas of expertise and experience that they lend to the cause of client service.
Terry L. Berens
Practice Emphasis in:
- Family Law
Divorce, Post Divorce, Paternity, Child Support and Custody - Civil Litigation, Collections, Landlord/Tenant (Landlord side)
- Probate and Trust Administration
Consultation and settlement of trusts and probate estates.
Education:
- Holland High School – 1980
- Hope College – 1984
- Cooley Law School – 1988
Joined Black and Nicewander in 1992 and became a partner in Nicewander, Berens and DeVries in 1998.
Community Involvement:
Past or current participation in church and civic groups, committees and boards including:
- Grand Rapids Bar Association Family Law Board
- Grand Haven Christian School Board, Board President
- First Christian Reformed Church, Board President
- Pheasants Forever, Banquet Co-Chair
James C. (Jim) DeVries
Practice Emphasis in:
- Estate Planning, Tax planning consultation, Preparation of Wills, Trust, Medical and Durable Powers of Attorney and Special Needs Trusts
- Probate and Trust Administration
Consultation and settlement of trusts and probate estates - Business Corporate Law
Tax planning consultation, creation and maintenance of corporations and limited liability companies; preparation and review of contracts and agreements; purchase and sale of businesses, mergers and acquisitions. - Real Estate
Preparation of Buy/Sell Agreements, Land Contracts, Mortgages, Deeds, and Leases.
Education:
- Valley Christian High School (Cerritos, CA), with high honors – 1978
- Calvin College (Grand Rapids, MI), Bachelor of Arts and Letters, Business Administration, with honors – 1982
- Case Western Reserve University School of Law (Cleveland, OH), Juris Doctor, with honors – 1985
Admitted to practice law in Michigan (active) and Ohio (inactive)
Adjunct Faculty:
- Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI, Professional and Graduate Studies Program, BA and MBA programs 2007-2010
- Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI, BA program, 2010-2017
Frequent presenter to business, professional and community groups on estate planning, probate, real estate, and business/corporate law issues.
Certificate of Completion in Probate and Estate Planning issued by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan, 2007
Community Involvement:
Member of Rusk Christian Reformed Church, Allendale, MI
Past or current participation in various church and civic groups, committees, and boards including:
- President, Jenison Christian School Education Foundation Board
- Sunset Association board and board Secretary
- Eastern Ottawa Christian School Planned Giving Committee
- Chapter President, Business Network International
- Elder, Twelfth Avenue Christian Reformed Church
- President of Council, Twelfth Avenue Christian Reformed Church
- Jenison AMBUCS
- Board of Directors, Jenison Chamber of Commerce
Mark N. Greidanus
Practice Emphasis in:
- Real Estate
Purchase and sale, leasing, easements, condominiums, homeowner associations, title issues, cottage planning, construction contracts, and real estate disputes - Corporate Law
Mergers and Acquisitions, Business formations or dissolutions, structuring, creating and maintaining corporations or LLCs, commercial contracts, and corporate governance - Estate Planning
Preparation of Wills, Trusts, Medical and Durable Powers of Attorney and Special Needs Trusts, Medicaid planning, Tax planning consultation, and coordination of estate planning with business ownership, structuring, and/or succession
Admitted to Practice in Michigan and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
Education:
- Grand Rapids Christian High School, 2010
- Calvin College (University), 2014
- Indiana University Maurer School of Law, magna cum laude, 2019
Completed the Hillman Advocacy Program
Presenter on real estate and other legal topics for local area groups.
Member of the State Bar of Michigan Real Estate Section and frequent attendee of continuing education programs provided by the Section.
Community Involvement:
- Grandville Jenison Chamber of Commerce board member.
- Currently a board member of Tall Turf Ministries, a Christian nonprofit focused on racial reconciliation.
- Member of First CRC in Grand Rapids.
- My wife owns (and I assist her with) a small local business called Fit4Mom Grand Rapids, which is focused on fitness for pre and post-natal mothers.
- Previously a coach at West Michigan Special Hockey and a volunteer at Degage Ministries.
About:
Born and raised in West Michigan, I love the West Michigan community and am energized by the fact that I get to serve its members and solve their problems as my job. I have had the opportunity to provide legal services for individuals, nonprofits, small businesses, and large corporations locally. I have assisted clients with the purchase or sale of hotels, auto repair shops, gas stations, retail stores, cleaning services, farms, farmland, greenhouses, dental practices, commercial properties of all types, and homes, to name a few.