Mike’s passion is helping people.  Whether it’s his career in estate planning, business coaching, or the gym he runs out of his garage, helping others gets him out of bed everyday (at 4:30am!).  Mike’s legal career started in workers’ compensation insurance defense, where he would focus the majority of his practice until 2010, when many people in Mike’s life began having children. Out of this change, bore his love for estate planning, where he was able to use his skills as an attorney to help others plan for the future.  From there, Mike’s passion expanded into Elder Law, where he has been successful in using legal techniques to protect his clients’ hard-earned life savings from the tremendous expense of long-term care. 

Recognizing his expertise in the area of estate planning, the State Bar of Michigan has asked Mike to speak about Trusts and other estate planning topics. He has been a featured speaker throughout Metro Detroit at numerous events, from corporate engagements to university forums. Mike also regularly educates the public about the necessary elements of estate planning through monthly educational workshops, where he provides answers to questions from those in attendance. A networker by nature, Mike also regularly hosts events for business professionals, and his Meet Up group has grown to include over 1,100 members and is ranked 2nd in the Detroit area. 

Mike was born and raised in Rochester, Michigan, where he now lives with his wife, three daughters, and two Labrador Retrievers. Mike devotes his time away from the firm to being with his family.  He truly commits himself to being around for his kids, taking them to various activities, soccer practices, etc. after work daily. (So please don’t keep him too late on a weeknight!)  He also enjoys golfing, CrossFit, skiing, and running. Mike has completed four marathons, three triathlons, and numerous CrossFit competitions around South East Michigan. 

Now for the boring stuff… 

Mike’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a major in Sales and Business Marketing from Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business. Mike earned his Juris Doctor, with a concentration in Business Transactions, through Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School’s challenging accelerated two-year program. Before starting the Rutkowski Law Firm, Mike spent six years at the fast-paced firm of Evans Pletkovic, PC, advising clients on business formation, negotiation, and contracts, as well as handling numerous workers’ compensation and employment law matters.