Practice Areas: Family Law, Criminal Defense, Civil Litigation; view more
Licensed in Michigan since: 2006
Education: Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2024 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2013 - 2016 Call today:
616-341-1218
Core Legal, PLC
250 Monroe Ave NWSuite 400
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Visit website
Details
Christopher M. Wirth is a dedicated attorney with a comprehensive practice encompassing state and federal litigation, family law, criminal law, commercial law and mediation. With a career marked by extensive courtroom experience, he has represented clients in over 3,000 court hearings and tried more than 150 cases to verdict. Serving the Grand Rapids law firm of Core Legal, PLC, in Michigan, his successful legal practice spans across numerous counties in the state, including Kent, Ottawa, Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Ingham, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Macomb, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Osceola, Van Buren, and Wayne.
Additionally, Mr. Wirth has successfully represented clients in the federal courts for both the U.S. District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of Michigan. His commitment to child welfare is evidenced by his representation of over 500 children who were victims of abuse and neglect, as well as his defense of constitutional parenting rights violations. His involvement with the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC), an organization with an ABA-recognized certification in Child Welfare Law, underscores his dedication to this field. He has also served as a special assistant attorney general for Michigan, on behalf of the Michigan Public Service Commission, and gained early legal knowledge through externships and internships in federal and county courts.
Recognized by his peers and the community, Mr. Wirth has been voted the “Best of the Best” family law attorney by Grand Rapids Magazine in 2023 and the “Best of the Best” criminal law attorney in 2022. He holds an Avvo rating of 10. His advocacy in child welfare earned him a Special Tribute from the Michigan Legislature and Governor Whitmer in 2019, and he was nominated Guardian Ad Litem of the Year by the Michigan Foster Care Review Board in 2018.
Mr. Wirth represents the 20th Circuit on the Representative Assembly of the State Bar of Michigan and has been appointed to various task forces and committees by the Michigan Supreme Court and the State Bar of Michigan. His teaching roles at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School and Grand Valley State University, along with his training sessions for the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, highlight his obligation to educate future legal professionals and improve child welfare practices.
A solutions and outcome-oriented attorney, Mr. Wirth is an experienced mediator, certified in domestic facilitative mediation, meeting all Michigan State Court Administrative Office's requirements. He holds a Juris Doctor cum laude from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, an M.B.A. from Grand Valley State University and a B.A. from Hope College. He is an active member of the State Bar of Michigan, the Ottawa County Bar Association and the National Association of Counsel for Children.
Practice areas
Family Law, Criminal Defense, Civil Litigation: Plaintiff, Civil Litigation: Defense, Criminal Defense: White CollarFocus areas
Adoption, Alimony & Spousal Support, Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Child Support, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Criminal Law - Federal, Custody & Visitation, Debt, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, Failure to Pay Child Support, False Accusations, Father's Rights, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Juvenile Law, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Name Change, Overdrawn Bank Account, Parole, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements, Probation, Prosecution, Same Sex Family Law, Sex Offenses, Tax Evasion, Theft, Traffic Violations, White Collar Crime
- 40% Family Law
- 30% Criminal Defense
- 10% Civil Litigation: Plaintiff
- 10% Civil Litigation: Defense
- 10% Criminal Defense: White Collar
First Admitted: 2006, Michigan
Professional Webpage: https://www.corelegalplc.com/attorneys/christopher-wirth/
- Michigan, 2006
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- State Bar of Michigan
- Ottawa County Bar Association
- Member of the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC), the only organization with an ABA-recognized certification in Child Welfare Law.
- Representative Assemble, Michigan State Bar, 2018
- Michigan Supreme Court, Court Improvement Task Force on Child Welfare Law, 2018
- Governor's Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect, law and policy committee, 2017
- Grand Rapids Bar Association, Corporate Section Member and member of GRBA Continuing Legal Education Committee and GRBA Community Interaction Committee, 2012
- Judicial Qualifications Committee, Michigan State Bar, 2018
- Chair, Grand Rapids Bar Association Subcommittee on Civic Education, 2012
- Board Director Ottawa County Bar Association, 2015
- State Bar of Michigan, Business Law Section, 2006
- 1993-1996 United Way Children's After School Program, tutor
- 2007-2009 Interfaith Hospitality Network, providing temporary shelter to homeless.
- 2004 United States Secret Service, Vice-Presidential Debates Volunteer.
- 1999-2002 Children's Environmental Trust Foundation, member Board of Directors (Board President 2002)
- 2009 Regional Judge, Michigan High School Mock Trial Tournament.
- 2012 Grand Rapids Bar Association Community Interaction Committee member
- 2000-2002 Macatawa Greenway Project, member Board of Directors
- 1996-2002 Lake Macatawa Triathlon Volunteer
- 2007-2009 Business Ethics Committee member, Grand Valley State University
- 2006-2010 Various cases for Legal Aid of Western Michigan Pro Bono Program
- Voted “Best of the Best” family law attorney by Grand Rapids Magazine survey 2023.
- Received the Paul J. Hergenroeder Award for Outstanding Success in Trial Advocacy.
- Publicly endorsed in his 2016 judicial campaign by Kent County Judges TJ Ackert, Patrick Hillary, Jeff O’Hara, George Quist, and Paul Sullivan.
- Nominated Guardian Ad Litem of the Year, Michigan Foster Care Review Board, 2018.
- Awarded a Special Tribute from the Michigan Legislature and Governor Whitmer for advocacy in Child Welfare, 2019.
- AVVO Attorney Rating of “Superb” in business law, family law, and criminal law.
- Voted “Best of the Best” criminal law attorney by Grand Rapids Magazine survey 2022.
- Included in the List of Super Lawyers in Litigation, 2024.
- Grand Valley State University Seidman School of Business, M.B.A., Master of Business Administration, 2004
- Case Western Reserve University Law School, Juris Doctor, cum laude, 2006
- Hope College, B.A., Bachelor of the Arts, 1996
- 2010-2012 Visiting Professor of Law at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, teaching UCC Article 9 Secured Transactions, Sports Law, and Entertainment Law.
- 2009-2010 Adjunct Professor at Grand Valley State University, teaching Business Law.
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Christopher Wirth is a superior defense attorney with significant trial experience.”
“Excellent results for family law clients especially men. Superior criminal defense attorney as well.”
“Named one of GR Magazines top attorneys. Attorney Wirth has taken on and successfully represented clients in Family Law, Child Welfare, and Criminal Defense.”
Office location for Christopher M. Wirth
250 Monroe Ave NW
Suite 400
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616-341-1218
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2024
- Rising Stars: 2013 - 2016
