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ATTORNEY BIO

Keary W. Sawyer

KEARY W.SAWYER

Mr. Sawyer currently resides in Grand Rapids Township with his wife Allie; he has five (5) children, Colton, Travis, Kyle, Sean, and Kristen.

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COLTON

Colton (13) is engaged full time in Spanish immersion and youth sports (football, skiing, track, etc.). Colton is a superior student and athlete; nine (9) touchdowns in four (4) games; regional Junior Olympics in skiing. 

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TRAVIS

Travis (27) is a University of Michigan Graduate (Economics and Spanish).  He was the VP and A-side player on University of Michigan's Rugby Team.  He has completed overseas studies in Spain and an internship in the Office of Michigan Governor.  Travis has been employed at Western Alliance Bank Corp in Phoenix, AZ in the finance/credit.  He also is a TA in computer coding-science (FINTECH) for a national firm. 

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KYLE

Kyle passed away on November 1, 2011 at age 21.  He had been residing in Santa Barbara, California. He was going to school and pursuing radio/film and photography. He is missed daily.

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SEAN

Sean (32) graduated in April 2011 from University of Michigan, with honors in Spanish, and a dual major in Cellular Molecular Biology. He graduated from New York Medical College in 2017 and completed his residency in emergency medicine at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing in 2020.  He has also received a US Air Force Medical Scholarship and is now a Captain in the US Air Force and Emergency M.D. stationed at Joint Base Andrews outside of Washington D.C. 

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KRISTEN

Kristen (married to Al Thuma) is residing in Phoenix, Arizona with three (3) talented, young sons; JP, Nick, and Sam.                                                                                              

MR.SAWYER'S INTERESTS INCLUDE:

  • Backpacking / Fly-fishing

  • Boating / Waterskiing

  • Sailing – Past Queen’s Cup Racing

  • Stock Car Racing – Vermont Enduro 200 (1987 – 2000)

  • Football

  • Coaching Youth Football (12 years) and Past President of Forest Hills Youth Football League 

  • Scuba Diving – licensed in 1965 and relicensed in 2010

  • Private Pilot’s License – Single engine land (1970)

  • MHSAA Wrestling Referee (1970s)

  • Coached Youth Wresting (1970s)

  • Competition Wresting (High school, and NCAA DI for University of Colorado)

  • Snow Skiing 

  • Breeding and Racing Quarter Horses (As Owner)

  • Farming/Gardening – Apple Orchards

  • Photography

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Education

  • Rockford and East Grand Rapids High School(s)

    • (1969)

  • University of Colorado-Boulder

    • B.A. (1973)

  • Chapman College – Orange, California

    • Semester at Sea – Foreign Studies (1974)

    • Japan, China, Indonesia, India, and Africa

  • Intern – U.S. House of Representatives (1974)

  • Vermont Law School

    • Juris Doctorate (1978)

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PROFESSIONAL

Licensed to Practice Law

  • State of Michigan (1978)

  • State of Colorado (1992)

 

Admitted to Practice

  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan (1978)

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan (1989)

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit (1981)

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit (1992)

  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado (1992)

  • U.S. Supreme Court (1982)

 

Professional Organizations and Distinctions

  • Mediator for Circuit Courts in Kent, Barry, and Allegan Counties (Michigan) 1987 to present.

  • Fellow of the Michigan State Bar Foundation (life)

  • Member of Michigan Association for Justice (Michigan Trial Lawyers Association)

  • Member of American Association for Justice (American Trial Lawyers Association or ATLA since 1978)

  • Member of Colorado Trial Lawyers Association

  • Member of Negligence, Criminal and Master Lawyer Sections of Michigan State Bar

  • Former Faculty Member of Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) through State Bar of Michigan, University of Michigan Law School (and others), teaching OWI/DUI cross-examination technique(s), breath and blood test cross-examination and arrest/standard field sobriety test cross examination.

  • Michigan Real Estate Broker’s License – 1986 to present.

 

Former Law Partnerships and Legal Experience

  • Murphy Burns & McInerney, P.C. – Grand Rapids, Michigan (1978-1983)

  • Timmons & Sawyer, P.C. – Grand Rapids, Michigan (1983-1985)

  • Sawyer & Thieme, P.C. – Grand Rapids, Michigan (1985-1986)

  • Sawyer Law Offices.com, P.C. – Grand Rapids, Michigan (1986 – present)

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Image by PartTime Portraits
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

  • Michigan Legal Assistants Association re: Personal Injury

  • Daughters of the Revolution re: US Constitution

  • Association of Quality Control and Safety Engineers re: Product Liability

  • Testified before the Michigan State Legislature Commerce Committee re: Proposed Changes in Product Liability Laws in Michigan and Tort Reform (1986)

  • Guest Lecturer - Cooley Law School, Grand Rapids, Michigan – Regarding Drunk Driving Defense (2010-2015)

  • Speaker – Mecosta Area Law Enforcement Educational Seminar – Regarding Cross Examination (2010)

  • Faculty – Michigan State Bar / ICLE Seminar on Teaching Drunk Driving Defense to Michigan Attorneys

  • 2008 – ICLE; Teaching Cross Examination of Arresting Officer

  • 2009 – ICLE; Teaching Cross Examination of State Blood Lab Technician (Forensic Scientist)

  • Guest Speaker – Wood Radio, Brunch with Attorneys re: Drinking-Driving Laws, Personal Injury, and Negligence, etc. (numerous appearances over the last 10 years)

  • Past Guest Speaker – WGVU Television re: Various Legal Topics, Criminal Law, Personal Injury, and Civil Litigation, etc.

  • Speaker to the Freshmen Class of Vermont Law School (1989), re: "Trial Tactics"

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