Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge is announcing the addition of an Ann Arbor office to its existing locations in Grand Rapids, Lansing and Traverse City. The new office is intended to offer more convenient services to existing SHRR clients who have corporate and legal interests on the southeast side of the state. It will also enable locally-based organizations and residents to utilize SHRR’s full range of legal services.

The Ann Arbor office will be headed by Edward R. Stein, who was more recently a partner with Stein, Moran, Raimi and Goethel, P.C. A graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, Mr. Stein has forged a distinguished career that has earned him a listing in The Best Lawyers in America. He will continue to teach at the University of Michigan Law School even as he assumes his new position with SHRR.

“We’ve been planning a southeast Michigan office for some time now,” says Craig S. Neckers, Chief Executive Officer of the firm. “We’ve just been looking for the right person to direct it. “

Neckers says Stein is a firm believer in SHRR’s unique client service approach. “For many people, the legal process is complicated, confusing and intimidating. We strive to eliminate that anxiety, in ways large and small. For example, our attorneys are specialists in their fields, so they ‘speak the same language’ their clients do. We give clients a direct line to their attorneys, so there are no telephone hurdles to overcome. And we minimize the physical distance between us and our clients, so time is spent working on a case rather than travelling.”

The new SHRR office is at 320 North Main Street, Suite 101, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48104. This office will begin formal operation on January 1, 2002.