Areas of Practice

Keith P. Walker

Member

Keith Walker concentrate his practice on real estate, business transactions and estate planning with the aim of helping clients maximize profits and minimize taxes.

Although Keith’s commercial real estate work runs the gamut through all phases of the development process from acquisition to zoning to disposition, he is particularly adept at structuring tax-favored transactions for developers, investors, and property owners. He has specific expertise in condominium law, conservation easements, and structured limited liability company transactions.

In many instances, Keith serves as a client’s outside general counsel, overseeing various real estate, business, commercial, and corporate matters. He also advises on tax-advantaged estate plans for business owners and other high net-worth individuals, and represents bank trust departments in real estate matters.

Clients value Keith’s pragmatism and no-nonsense approach; some refer to him more often as their counselor more than as their attorney. His explanation of legal concepts and issues is straightforward and always with an eye to how they relate to the business objectives, as is his formulation of alternative strategies and likely outcomes. Keith communicates how the law works in the real world, not on a law school exam. His commitment to identifying clients’ economic and business goals, and implementing legal tactics to achieve those goals, has been a cornerstone of the practice he’s built over the past 40 years.

Since moving to Grand Rapids from Los Angeles in 1977 to join McShane & Bowie, Keith has fully embraced a west Michigan lifestyle including Lake Michigan sailing and sunsets.

Representative Matters

Documented over 150 condominium projects including residential, commercial, parking and “dockominiums”, including mixed use and new urbanism projects.

Documented over 275 estate plans, including complex estate planning for family-owned businesses, generational wealth transfers, and family cottages.

Innumerable real estate purchase agreements, leases, easements, mortgages, trust agreements, and limited liability company agreements.

Rezoned multiple projects for development including P.U.D.’s.

Bar Admission:

• Michigan
• Illinois
• Ohio (Inactive)

Education:

• UCLA School of Law, Juris Doctor, 1977
• University of Illinois, Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science, 1974

Honors & Awards:

• AV Preeminent Lawyer (Martindale-Hubbell)
  • Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence

Professional Associations and Membership:

• State Bar of Michigan
  • Probate & Estate Planning, and Real Property Law Sections
• Grand Rapids Bar Association
• Western Michigan Estate Planning Council

Community Involvement:

• Ox-Bow School of Art and Artists’ Residency
  • Member, Board of Directors
• Shorewood Association 
  • Member, Board of Directors