Joe Belsito is an attorney in the firm's Grand Rapids office who practices in the areas of business law, real estate law, probate, trusts and estates. He has represented clients on such matters as entity formation and governance, liquor licensing, franchising, real property, contract review, FDA regulatory law, and other business transactions.
In the area of estates and trusts, Joe has counseled clients with their estate planning needs, probate issues, and their business succession planning needs. His business practice and trusts and estates practice allows Joe to also counsel the firm's health care law and life sciences clients on a variety of interrelated issues.
“My clients value the attention to detail, creative counseling, and honesty that I provide to them. I focus not just on solving their problems, but also on taking a proactive approach to help prevent problems from occurring. To do this requires thinking outside the box and crafting solutions that benefit everyone involved.”
– Joe Belsito
Joe lives in Grand Rapids with his wife Gretchen, and their two children, John and Violet.
Admitted to Practice
- State Bar of Michigan, 2005
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 2005
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 2007
Education
- Miami University (B.A., 2002)
- Michigan State University College of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2005), Law Review – Managing Editor
Noteworthy
- Listed as a Rising Star in “Michigan Super Lawyer” -- Estate Planning & Probate
Professional Affiliations
- State Bar of Michigan (Member, Business Law and Health Care Law Sections)
- American Bar Association
- Grand Rapids Bar Association (Member, Young Lawyers Section)
- American Health Lawyers Association
Previous Professional Experience
- Summer Associate – Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge
- Law Clerk – Michigan Court of Appeals Pre-Hearing Division
Publications
- "What's In a Name?", Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge Business Law Update, November 2009.
- "Landowner's Guide to Cell Tower Leases," Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge Legal Ease Newsletter, Fall 2009.
- "Collecting on a Debt," Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge Legal Ease Newsletter, Spring 2009.
- "Do You Need to Change Your Beneficiary Designations?", Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge Legal Alert, March 2009.
- "'S' Corporations: Navigating the Curves," Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge Business Law Update, November 2008.
- "The ABCs of FDIC: How to Get the Most Coverage Possible For Your Deposits," Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge Legal Ease Newsletter, Spring 2008.
- "Purchase Orders: Protecting Your Interests," Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge Legal Alert, February 2008.
- "Litigating Your Business Disputes in Federal Court," Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge Legal Alert, November 2007.
- "The Unique Challenges to Litigating Claims Involving Children: The Defense Attorney's Perspective," Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge Medical Malpractice Update, January 2007.
- “New & Exciting Improvements in Healthcare & Medicine Mean Keeping the FDA on Speed Dial,” The Grand Rapids Lawyer, November/December 2006.
- “Michigan Federal District Court Re-Affirms Defense Counsel’s Ability to Meet Ex-Parte with Plaintiff’s Treating Physician,” Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge Medical Malpractice Newsletter, February 2006.
- “Parental Fair-Procedure Interests in Child Custody Disputes: A Criticism of Michigan’s Established Custodial Environment Analysis and the Temporary Custody Order,” Holy Cross Journal of Law and Public Policy, 2005.