SBBL Law

Attorney Michael R. Bartish

is a founding member of SBBL Law. He regularly defends and represents clients in state courts throughout Michigan and federal courts nationwide. Mike is a former active-duty officer in the Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps. During his time on active duty, Mike served as senior trial counsel and defense counsel in military court. 

After four years on active duty, Mike entered private practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan, working with two other law firms before joining Gary Springstead to start the firm in 2011.

Bar Admissions:

• State Bar of Michigan
• State Bar of Ohio
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

Education:

• University of Cincinnati College of Law, JD (with honors)
• University of Notre Dame, BA (cum laude)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, Board Member
• State Bar of Michigan, Criminal Law Section
• National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
• National College of DUI Defense (NCDD)
• Michigan Association of OWI Attorneys (MIOWIA)
• Published in the Federal Lawyer

Attorney Matthew G. Borgula

is an American College of Trial Lawyers member and a seasoned trial attorney. He has defended and prosecuted hundreds of criminal and civil cases. Before joining SBBL Law, he was on the leadership team at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan. As the Deputy Criminal Chief and head of the financial crimes unit and drug unit, Matt handled every type of federal case, from investigations to grand jury indictments through trial. Before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he worked in Chicago for the law firm of Jenner & Block, where he represented clients in securities fraud, commercial disputes, class actions, and Consumer Protection Act claims.

Bar Admissions:

• U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Education:

• University of Michigan School of Law, JD (cum laude)
• Northwestern University, BA History

Attorney Heath M. Lynch

is a seasoned trial attorney who has defended and prosecuted hundreds of criminal and civil cases and now represents individuals and businesses in criminal prosecutions and grand jury investigations brought by state and federal agencies. He seeks to mitigate client risk by efficiently analyzing and evaluating investigation evidence and attempting to anticipate the prosecution’s objectives and strategy, often before criminal charges are filed. Where charges are unavoidable, Heath assists clients with critical decisions about whether to take a case to trial, weighing the risks and benefits of any course of action. If an acceptable resolution cannot be reached, Heath has significant trial experience and will vigorously defend his clients’ interests.

Bar Admissions:

• Michigan
• Pennsylvania

Education:

• Villanova School of Law, JD (magna cum laude)
• Taylor University, BA (magna cum laude

Attorney Tessa K. Muir

is an accomplished trial attorney as a former federal prosecutor and former Army JAG officer. As an Assistant US Attorney in the Western District of Michigan, Tessa served as the lead prosecutor in over 150 federal criminal cases and Sixth Circuit appeals. She worked closely with and trained dozens of law enforcement agencies on search warrants, computer investigations, and human trafficking — including the Michigan State Police, FBI, DEA, ATF, Homeland Security, police departments, and sheriffs’ offices throughout Michigan. 

She has earned commendations for her work as a federal trial attorney from the FBI, Homeland Security, and the State Bar of Michigan. Since 2015, she has been selected by fellow attorneys and federal judges in the Western District of Michigan as a Steering Committee member and instructor for the Hillman Trial Advocacy Program —the district’s premier federal trial practice program.

Bar Admissions:

• Michigan
• New York
• US District Court, Western District of Michigan
• US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
• US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
• US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Education:

• Georgetown University Law Center, JD (cum laude) 
• Princeton University, AB (Distinguished Military Graduate)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• State Bar of Michigan
• New York State Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association – West Michigan Chapter (Past Board Member)
• Grand Rapids Bar Association (Board Member)
• Ottawa County Bar Association (Board Member)
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (Past Board Member)
• Hillman Trial Advocacy Program (Steering Committee & Trial Practice Instructor)
• Women in Leadership Certificate Program, University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business

Attorney Gary K. Springstead

is one of the leading criminal defense attorneys in Grand Rapids and Fremont, Michigan. As a trial attorney, he defends clients in federal cases nationwide and in state courts throughout Michigan. Before practicing law, Gary was an FBI Special Agent, investigating and assisting in prosecuting a broad range of federal crimes — from sophisticated white-collar crimes and violent crimes to terrorism and national security matters. This included investigating numerous high-profile cases in the United States and abroad. 

Gary routinely travels to work with clients facing federal investigations and charges throughout the country. Gary brings his unique knowledge and experience as a former FBI agent to advocate for his clients in complex and high-profile cases — including RICO conspiracies, murder-for-hire, the attempted kidnapping of the Michigan Governor, the January 6th investigations, and large-scale drug charges and conspiracies.   

Bar Admissions:

• Michigan
• US District Court, Western District of Michigan
• US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
• US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Education:

• Wayne State University Law School, JD 
• University of Michigan, BA (with distinction)

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM) (Board Member)
• National College of DUI Defense (NCDD)
• Michigan Association of OWI Attorneys
• Constitutional Warrior, Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan
• FBI Agents Association
• Federal Bar Association, Western District of Michigan
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
• Newaygo County Bar Association (Past President)
• Oceana County Bar Association (Past President)
• State Bar of Michigan, Criminal Law, and Litigation Sections

Attorney Jessica L. Armstrong

is a former Assistant Public Defender with the Eaton County Public Defender Office, where she advocated in court for the best outcomes for her clients in cases involving domestic violence, retail fraud, OWI, and other driving-related offenses. Before that, she worked with the Miami-Dade County Public Defender Office and the Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Florida, where she assisted on cases involving juveniles, smuggling, fraud, capital punishment, and search and seizure issues.

Before entering the legal field, Jessica worked in higher education at Florida Atlantic University and the University of Missouri Athletic Department. Utilizing her former work with students and student-athletes, Jessica approaches her cases as a collaborative process between her and her clients. She strives to help every client make an informed decision by fully understanding the ins and outs of their case and the legal process. Jessica represents clients in state and federal cases from the investigation stage through appeal. She also leverages her experience in higher education to assist clients facing Title IX issues involving campus sexual assault and sexual harassment.

Education:

• University of Miami School of Law, JD
• University of Missouri, M.Ed., Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis
• University of Missouri, BA, English, Sociology (cum laude)

Attorney Mikayla S. Hamilton

is a zealous advocate for her clients both in and outside the courtroom. She brings a unique perspective as a former Assistant Corporation Counsel defending Chicago Police Officers and the City of Chicago in civil rights suits. Mikayla now defends individuals and corporations in various federal and state criminal charges, including white-collar crime, drug and firearms charges, police misconduct, OWIs, domestic violence, and sex crimes. She also represents complainants and respondents in Title IX sexual assault investigations and school misconduct cases.   

Bar Admissions:

• Michigan
• Illinois
• US District Court, Western District of Michigan
• US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
• US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
• US District Court, Northern District of Indiana
• US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
• US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit 

Education:

• William Mitchell College of Law, JD (magna cum laude)
• University of Wisconsin-Madison, BA 

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• National Trial Lawyers — Top 40 Under 40 (Michigan)
• Michigan Bar Association
• Chicago Bar Association
• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
• Korean American Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association, West Michigan

Attorney Laura J. Helderop

Laura is a fierce advocate for her clients in state and federal court, as well as Title IX investigations and school misconduct cases. She uses her expertise in state and federal court to provide exceptional and attentive criminal defense representation to her clients. Laura has tried felony cases to verdict, including obtaining a not-guilty verdict on all six counts in a jury trial for attempted murder and firearms charges for a client who was wrongfully accused. Laura’s areas of expertise include felony drug and firearms cases, criminal sexual conduct, juvenile cases, Title IX investigations, white-collar crime, and expungements. Laura has also argued before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and authored numerous criminal appeals for complex state and federal cases. The Grand Rapids Lawyer Magazine selected several of Laura’s legal articles for publication to share her expertise with the Grand Rapids Bar Association. 

Before coming to SBBL Law, Laura served in the Ottawa County Office of the Public Defender, where she fought for her clients' rights in criminal cases throughout Ottawa County, including cases involving DUI, assault, battery, and domestic violence.  Prior to that, she worked in private practice litigating for companies’ rights and interests as an insurance defense attorney. 

Bar Admissions:

• Michigan
• US District Court, Western District of Michigan
• US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
• US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Education:

• Case Western Reserve University School of Law, JD (cum laude)
• Hope College, BA (magna cum laude) 

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• Member of the State Bar of Michigan
• Grand Rapids Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association (Western Michigan)
• Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (Board Member)

Attorney Kathryn M. Springstead

is a former FBI Special Agent. She defends clients in courts throughout West Michigan and leaves no stone unturned. She is frequently called upon in complex criminal cases to assist the other attorneys with her keen investigative skills, incisive insight on a case or investigation, thorough legal research, and persuasive writing skills. Her compassionate and friendly approach—coupled with her unique ability to take apart an investigation, a prosecution, or write a winning brief or appeal—has earned the honor of winning Avvo’s Client Choice Award and an Avvo 10.0 “Superb” rating.

Education:

• Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, DC, JD
• Boston University, Brussels, Belgium, MA, International Relations
• Clemson University, Clemson, SC, BA

Professional Memberships and Achievements:

• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
• Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM)
• Michigan Association of OWI Attorneys (MIOWIA)
• Newaygo/Oceana County Bar Association
• State Bar of Michigan
• FBI Agents’ Association

Attorney Nicole E. Springstead-Stolte

Nicole graduated summa cum laude from Michigan State University College of Law and was seventh in her class. She also earned academic awards for the highest grade in several law school classes and top brief awards in appellate competitions, including a top brief award in a national criminal appellate competition.

Before joining SBBL Law, Nicole worked for a criminal defense firm, fighting for client's rights in cases involving various allegations across Michigan. She also worked for the Michigan Attorney General’s office, where she analyzed and summarized issues in civil and criminal cases, including problems involving Michigan Sentencing Guidelines and lifetime juvenile sentences. Nicole also assisted in civil litigation on behalf of the State of Michigan and has experience working in a large corporate law firm with offices throughout the United States and abroad.

Bar Admissions:

• Michigan
• US District Court, Western District of Michigan

Education:

• Michigan State University College of Law, JD (summa cum laude)
• Michigan State University, BA (with honors)

Attorney Clint W. Westbrook

A Wisconsin native, Clint came to Michigan to attend Hillsdale College, after which he received his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law. In addition to graduating summa cum laude at the top of his class from law school, he co-founded and led several on-campus groups, including being a contributor to law review. 

Clint began his practice as a litigator, defending clients in multi-million dollar civil and criminal cases at a major law firm in West Michigan. With a focus on complex legal issues, he has briefed and argued cases from the investigation stage all the way through appeals in federal Circuit court. Protecting his clients’ interests and bettering the justice system continue to be of paramount importance in Clint’s practice.

Bar Admissions:

• Michigan
• US District Court, Western District of Michigan
• US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Education:

• Michigan State University, JD (summa cum laude)
• Hillsdale College, BA (magna cum laude)