By Tom Kirvan
Legal News
Rob Buchanan, the new president of the State Bar of Michigan, is an adventurer in his personal or professional life.
“Evidently it's in my DNA,” Buchanan said. “I like to explore, to experience what life has to offer.”
He did it as a student at Kalamazoo College, where he spent six months at the Instituto Internacional in Madrid, Spain.
After returning stateside, he was an aviation intern at the Ionia airport, obtaining his commercial glider’s license and private pilot certification for single engine planes.
Following law school, his love of flying would lead to part ownership of a 1940 L4 Piper Cub. “There’s nothing quite like flying at 1,500 feet with the windows open – incredible views, invigorating airflow, and soothing purr of the motor,” said Buchanan.
After graduating Wayne State University Law School, cum laude, his first job was as a commercial litigation associate with Warner Norcross + Judd, spending 6 years there before starting the Buchanan Firm. He limits his plaintiff practice to only large, catastrophic medical malpractice and vehicle crash claims.
“As a plaintiff attorney, I am always helping the little guy, the underdog to right wrongs,” he said.
“I enjoy being their metaphoric David figure in single combat against powerful and moneyed Goliaths. Giants are arrogant and terrifying bullies, and they try pummeling the little guy with their superior size, weapons, and brute strength. No one fights them unless it's a death wish.
“I like the challenge of knocking out a giant.”
Buchanan has had more than his share of triumphs, earning recognition from The Best Lawyers in America for more than 16 years and Michigan Super Lawyers annually since 2006.
Buchanan always has made time to volunteer for bar association services for more than 32 years, first for the Grand Rapids Bar Association. He became chair of the Young Lawyers Division in 1995 and then a trustee from 2007-10.
In 2003, Buchanan became a member of the State Bar Representative Assembly, and in 2010 West Michigan elected him as its commissioner to the Board of Commissioners.
“As a State Bar Commissioner, I’ve especially enjoyed working on public policy issues, helping educate lawmakers about bad or unjust legislation. I also enjoy the challenge of looking ahead as a legal profession over the horizon to determine how we should best respond to coming changes.
“It’s particularly important now during this pandemic, with seismic disruptions, delays, accelerated changes, and the swerve to remote communications and hearings. What we choose to do now will have long-lasting value and impact.”
One of three children, Buchanan is sandwiched between an older brother and younger sister. His brother, Jack, is a commercial real estate developer. His sister, Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Jane Beckering, earned her law degree at the University of Wisconsin. She practiced law in Chicago before returning to Grand Rapids to work with her legally talented family.
Rob and Jane learned from one of the finest trial attorneys in the state, Grand Rapids attorney John C. Buchanan, whose legal influence is now global as founder and CEO of the International Society of Primerus Law Firms.
“My father has had an amazing legal career and has been an excellent trial attorney for over 50 years,” said Buchanan.
“He was not only gifted in the courtroom, but also passionate about protecting the integrity, reputation, and trust of the legal profession. That’s why he started Primerus, a global network of firms that ascribe to the precept: ‘Good People Who Happen to Be Good Lawyers.’”
Buchanan’s mother, Sheila, serves as the Events and Meetings Coordinator for Primerus.
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