Mark A. Kleist
Shareholder

Phone: 616.842.3030
Fax: 616.846.6621
Email: mkleist@scholtenfant.com

Legal Assistant:
Deb Cutler

Practice Areas:
Business and Tax Law
Real Estate

Areas of emphasis/expertise:
Mark represents and helps many closely-held and family-owned businesses with all of their legal needs including entity formation, general contract matters, commercial transactions, tax planning, shareholder/owner issues and disputes, employee compensation and incentives, real estate matters, and business succession planning and implementation. Mark has represented many buyers and sellers in taxable and non-taxable mergers and acquisitions. Mark has extensive experience in real estate, including commercial and residential development, condominium formation and like-kind exchanges. Mark also has extensive experience with loan and financing matters and represents lenders, including banks and the SBA, and borrowers, in all aspects of the loan process.

Bar Memberships/Professional Activities:
American Bar Association
State of Michigan Bar Association
Ottawa County Bar Association (Secretary 1986-1987)

Education:
Western Michigan University (Bachelor of Arts, 1974)
Wayne State University (Juris Doctor, 1977)

Professional Activities:
Co-Editor of the Michigan Business Formbook, Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 1989 and updates; Member of the Business Law, Taxation Law and Real Property Law Sections of the State Bar of Michigan; Member of the Taxation Section of the American Bar Association; Member of the Ottawa County Bar Association (Secretary 1986-1987).

Personal:
Born Grand Haven, Michigan, December 22, 1950. Married to wife, Betsy, two children, Erin and Dean.

Community Activities:
Mark has a strong commitment to the Grand Haven community. He is the Chairperson of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce of Grand Haven, Spring Lake & Ferrysburg for years 2004-2006. Mark is a member of the Rotary Club of Grand Haven and is a past President (1996-1997). Mark is a past Chairperson of the Tri-Cities Area United Way (1992-1993) and with his wife, Betsy, co-chaired the 1991 fundraising campaign. Mark served on the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival Board for many years and is a past President. Mark has served on the Board Directors of Grand Haven Bank since 1995.

Publications:
Co-Editor: “Michigan Business Formbook, Institute for Continuing Legal Education”, 1989 and updates