Tessa Muir

• New York
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation., 2024
• Michigan
• Women in Leadership Certificate Program, University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business
• Hillman Trial Advocacy Program (Steering Committee & Trial Practice Instructor)
• Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (Past Board Member)
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Ottawa County Bar Association (Board Member)
• Grand Rapids Bar Association (Board Member)
• Federal Bar Association – West Michigan Chapter (Past Board Member)
• New York State Bar Association
• State Bar of Michigan
• US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
• US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
• US District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
• US District Court, Western District of Michigan

• Middle school student found not responsible for brushing a female student's breast and leg, after we were able to prove that the female student only made this report after our client's parents called the police on her boyfriend for assault, 2023.
• Secured suspended sentence (resulting in no conviction) for felony indecent exposure charge for first-time offender, 2023.
• Secured HYTA resolution for young client in a criminal weapons charge involving transporting hunting knives in his vehicle, resulting in no criminal record for the client upon successful discharge from probation, 2023.
• Won a Title IX hearing for a complainant who was violently sexually assaulted on a college campus. The respondent was found responsible of multiple Title IX violations, but his original punishment would have allowed him to continue with his program and graduate. Won the appeal and secured the expulsion of the student, 2023.
• Won Title IX appeal for a college student who was suspended from campus and all classes for at least two years as a result of being found responsible for sexual harassment. We were able to overturn the sanctions portion to permit him to return to campus to complete his degree, with a mutual no-contact order, 2023.
• College student found not responsible for Title IX sexual assault allegations. We were able to prove that our client reasonably believed based on context, verbal affirmations, and body language that the conduct was consensual, 2023.
• College professor found not responsible for Title IX violations alleging sexual harassment and stalking. We were able to prove at the hearing through extensive records and live testimony that all communications were non-sexual and non-threatening, 2023.
• Elementary student found not responsible for Title IX violations after a classmate accused him of touching her inappropriately under the table and in the middle of the classroom. We were able to prove through a multitude of inconsistent statements and missing pieces of the investigation that a preponderance of the evidence did not support the allegations, 2023.
• Settlement with state university in a Title IX case after client was found not responsible for sexual assault at a two-day Title IX hearing, followed by an appeal that ordered a second hearing, and then another "not responsible" finding after the second hearing, 2022.
• Successfully represented students from kindergarten through college as either respondents or complainants in Title IX campus sexual assault and sexual harassment cases. Represent students from the initial investigation stage through the final decision-making, including through a hearing and appeal. Successful outcomes resulting in positive results in 90% of cases, including disproving false and exaggerated claims, persuading schools to redo entire investigations, disqualifying investigators and hearing officers for bias, and allowing students to avoid unjust expulsions, 2023.
• No jail-time sentence ordered in federal health care fraud case, below the sentencing guidelines, for a doctor accused of fraudulent billing, 2022.
• Three counts of not guilty in criminal sexual conduct case in Kent County after jury trial, resulting in a sole conviction on the final count and a three-year sentence, as opposed to the mandatory minimum 25-year sentence as charged, 2022.
• Motion for directed verdict of acquittal granted in criminal sexual conduct case in juvenile trial in Muskegon County, resulting in case dismissal, 2021.
• Motion to suppress traffic stop and vehicle search granted in Newaygo County District Court, resulting in drug case dismissal, 2020.

• A brief overview of strategies for representing clients in Title IX cases., Title IX Investigations, Title IX, Education Law, 2023
• An overview of SBBL Law., SBBL Law: Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense, 2022

• Doctors accused of health care fraud Large-scale real estate developers under federal investigation for wire fraud and tax evasion Juveniles accused of school threats or criminal sexual conduct College students undergoing Title IX investigations as either the complainant or respondent, and Defendants facing criminal charges in federal court for drugs and firearms who are entitled to a federally court-appointed attorney, 2023.

• Notre Dame Mendoza School of Businesswomen in Leadership Certificate, 2020

• US District Court for the Western District of Michigan -- Mediator for Prisoner Early Mediation Program, 2020
• Hillman Trial Advocacy Program Steering Committee Member and Faculty Member, 2024
• President, Ottawa County Bar Association, 2024
• Volunteer trial skills instructor and steering committee member for Hillman Trial Advocacy Program (2015 to present)., 2023
• Silent Observer of Kent County - Past Board Member, 2017
• Hillman Trial Advocacy Program - Steering Committee Member and Faculty Member, 2015
• Children's Advocacy Center of Kent County - Past Board Member, 2014
• Junior League of Grand Rapids (Women's Leadership Development Organization) - Member and Past President, 2013

• State Bar of Michigan: Unsung Hero Award
• Princeton University: Distinguished Military Graduate and Shapiro Prize for Academic Excellence
• Georgetown University Law Center: Excellence in Trial Practice Award
• National Trial Lawyers — Top 40 Under 40 (Michigan)
• Avvo 10.0 “Superb” Rating
• West Michigan Woman Brilliance Award: Social Change Agent

• Georgetown University Law Center, JD (cum laude)
• Princeton University, AB (Distinguished Military Graduate)

• An overview of criminal sexual assault laws in Michigan., Author, What is a Sexual Assault Charge?: An In-Depth Overview of Sexual Crimes All Articles Sex Offenses Defining and Differentiating Sexual Battery from Other Sex Crimes, Criminal Defense, 2023
• Winning strategies from a Title IX practitioner representing complainants and respondents in campus sexual assault and harassment cases., Author, How to Win a Title IX Case: Strategies to win a school sexual assault or sexual harassment case, Title IX, Education Law, 2023
• An overview of Title IX in the context of campus sexual assault and sexual harassment claims., Author, What is a Title IX Investigation?, Title IX, Education Law, 2023
• A comprehensive overview of what makes some criminal cases federal and others not., Author, Federal Criminal Defense: What Makes a Case Federal?, Criminal Defense, 2022
• Organized, facilitated, and co-presented to members of the West Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association on how to obtain social media records and enter them as evidence in federal court., Facilitator and Presenter, Social Media as Evidence: How to Obtain It, Interpret It, and Use It in Court, West Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, Federal Law, 2021

• First female partner at SBBL Law. Led firm through a complete rebranding, new website, and national marketing campaign in first year as a partner. Established the firm's Title IX practice, which became a national brand within the first year, 2022.

• Criminal Law
• Education
• Title IX

“Tessa is an incredible litigator with endless compassion and dedication to her clients.”

“Ms. Muir brings a wealth of experience to every client's case regardless of the issue or venue. Her approachable and friendly manner complement her zealous advocacy perfectly. She is an asset to her firm, the legal community, the justice system, and above all, her clients.”

“Tessa is a highly respected attorney and leader in the Grand Rapids community. Tessa is a former federal prosecutor and JAG officer. She now handles Title IX and criminal cases for one of the top small law firms in Grand Rapids.”

“I first met Tessa when she was Assistant US Attorney in the Western District of Michigan and volunteering on a human trafficking task force in our county. I was impressed by Tessa then, and I continue to be impressed by her as I've watched her become one of the most highly respected attorneys in Grand Rapids. Tessa is truly unmatched in her commitment to fighting injustice; her fierce advocacy and compassion for her clients; her strong presence in every board room, conference room, or courtroom she's in; and her dedication to supporting and mentoring women and young people in our community. I regularly recommend her services to potential clients because, simply put, she's the best of the best.”

“Certainly one of the best and toughest criminal defense attorneys in the country. She's respected by her colleagues and judges while still being a fierce advocate.”