Alane & Chartier, PLC

Mary Chartier won a hard-fought jury acquittal on three out of three felonly charges against her client in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan.  Charged with money laundering and two conspiracy drug charges, her client was facing dozens of years in prison.  Thanks to Ms. Chartier’s outstanding litigation skills and passionate advocacy, the jury rejected the prosecution’s claims and acquitted.  Congratulations, Mary!

The Michigan Court of Appeals has granted Natalie Alane’s application for leave to appeal a spousal support matter out of Ingham Circuit Court.  In the case, the ex-wife was awarded spousal support that was only to continue if she did not cohabit with an unrelated male.  After cohabiting with an unrelated male and admitting to same, the trial court permitted her spousal support to continue.  Because of the procedural posture, Ms. Alane’s client had to petition the Court of Appeals to hear the case.  That request has been granted.  Stay tuned for the final result!

Both Mary Chartier and Natalie Alane were selected to speak at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s highly regarded Family Law Institute in Plymouth, Michigan.  Combining their respective expertise in criminal and family law, the partners presented a high-spirited session on the intersection of Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Act and custody and parenting time issues.  Over 300 attorneys attended, and both presenters received rave reviews!

After a peer nomination and committee selection process, Natalie Alane was chosen by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of Michigan’s top Women in the Law!  Ms. Alane was honored at an awards ceremony in Troy, Michigan, attended by colleagues, friends, and family.  She was featured in the September issue of Michigan Lawyers Weekly for this tremendous honor.

Alane & Chartier, P.L.C. has completed our relocation to 403 Seymour Avenue, just a few blocks from our prior building.  We are on the corner of Seymour and Shiawassee, just west of Capitol Avenue and still close to LCC.  We have a lovely Victorian building built in 1898, with great amenities such as free parking! 

We look forward to seeing you in our new location soon!  Our phone, fax, and emails all remain the same.

Natalie has made her debut at the Institute of Continuing Legal Education’s premiere family law event — the 9th Annual Family Law Institute.  Natalie presented a segment on how to ensure that a child support calculation has been done correctly, and how to object to an incorrect Friend of the Court calculation.  Her presentation was highly evaluated, and she looks forward to returning to the FLI next year.

Having just returned from the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan’s annual conference in Traverse City, Mary is now a esteemed member of the prestigious CDAM faculty.  Mary’s presentation, “The Right to Prepare a Defense,” was met with wide appreciation by her large audience.  Mary also got the opportunity to learn from nationally known experts who spoke on multiple topics of interest to the criminal defense bar.

Natalie just returned from the annual forum of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals that was held in Washington, D.C.  The session by Natalie and her two colleagues on the timely topic of collaborative session notes was well attended and evaluated very highly by the participants.  This acclaimed annual event provides collaborative practitioners from every profession and many countries across the globe with the opportunity to network and to sharpen their collaborative skillsets.  While there, Natalie also had the opportunity to attend the Jon Stewart “Rally to Restore Sanity,” which she found optimistic, moving, and invigorating.

On September 4, 2010, Alane & Chartier, P.L.C., celebrates it third birthday.  On this day in 2007, Mary and Natalie exuberantly opened the doors of their new law firm, amid boxes of office supplies and computer equipment.  In the whirlwind of activity since, Mary and Natalie have tirelessly represented well over 300 criminal and family law clients, handled over 35 appeals, given multiple lectures, been featured in several articles, scored two Michigan Supreme Court victories, served on various boards and committees, received the Pro Bono Circle of Excellence from the state bar, and championed a winning softball team.  A&C also expanded by hiring its fantastic full-time legal assistant, Kim Thelen. 

Mary & Natalie are thrilled to continue their vibrant law firm in downtown Lansing, Michigan, and they wish to thank each and every one of their clients, colleagues, friends, and family members for their loyalty and support.