L A U R A J. H E L DE R O P
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.
Education
Case Western Reserve University School of Law, JD (cum laude)
Hope College, BA (magna cum laude)
Bar & Court Admissions
Michigan
US District Court, Western District of Michigan
US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Associations
Member of the State Bar of Michigan
Grand Rapids Bar Association
Federal Bar Association (Western Michigan)
Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (Board Member)
Awards
National Trial Lawyers — Top 40 Under 40 (Michigan)
Grand Rapids Bar Association 3 in 10 Award — awarded to 3 attorneys demonstrating excellence in their first 10 years of practice
Best Lawyers — Ones to Watch Award