Community Involvement is at the Heart Of Gruel Mills

At the law firm of Gruel Mills, our attorneys and staff are deeply involved in the communities in which we live, play, and work. We believe it is our responsibility to provide assistance and care to the individuals and families in West Michigan, using the talents and resources we have been blessed to attain.

Our firm’s dedication to integrity and honor applies not only our law practice but our lives outside of the office. While the law is a noble calling, we seek to better the lives of those around us through gifting our time back into the community.

Recent Community Events and Philanthropy

Lawyers and staff regularly participate in and sponsor events that support local non-profits and community health:

AQUME Foundation 5k: Firm members recently participated in this event to support the AQUME Foundation, which focuses on the advancement of Black communities in Michigan.
Arbor Circle Support: The firm is an active supporter of Arbor Circle, an organization providing mental health and family services in Grand Rapids.
Kids Food Basket: Firm members volunteer at the Kids Food Basket, a community organization which provides nutritious meals to children, helping to fuel healthier bodies and happier lives throughout Western Michigan
Legal Aid of Western Michigan: Attorneys at the firm provide pro bono legal services and counsel to support underserved populations in the area.

Educational and Civic Outreach

Gruel Mills attorneys engage in programs aimed at mentoring students and promoting civic awareness:

Mock Trial Tutorials: Associate attorneys participate as mentors and tutors for high school students through the Michigan Center for Civic Education’s Mock Trial Committee.
Faculty/Mentors: Firm members volunteer during the school year for the Grand Rapids Bar Association 3Rs Program, helping local students understand their rights, responsibilities and realities of the constitution, civic and governmental issues, and the legal profession and community.
Moot Court: Firm members have served as coaches and judges at various moot court competitions at Cornell Law School and Michigan State University College of Law.

Supporting Legal Access in Our Community

Gruel Mills is proud of its long-standing partnership with the Legal Assistance Center (LAC) and its mission to ensure equal access to justice across West Michigan. As a Past President of the LAC, attorney Thomas R. Behm helped guide the organization’s efforts to provide essential legal guidance and self-help resources to thousands of individuals navigating the court system. Watch the documentary below to learn more about the LAC’s vital role in our community and our ongoing commitment to supporting its work.

Leadership and Board Service

Individual partners and staff have held leadership roles in various West Michigan organizations, including:

Hope Network: Serving on the board of the Hope Network, which is dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities and mental health issues to thrive as independently as possible.
Holland Home: Involvement with Holland Home, a nonprofit which provides creates and maintains independent living communities that serve seniors in the community.
Heartside Ministry: Leading and volunteering at Heartside Ministry/Mel Trotter Ministries, which seeks to end homelessness in West Michigan.
Local Education Boards: Servicing on the boards for Grand Rapids Christian High School and the Forest Hills Public Schools Foundation.
Faith and Youth Organizations: Holding key leadership and volunteer roles at West Michigan faith communities, including Ada Bible Church, Calvary Church, Ada’s new Frontier Church, Camp Geneva, and the Two Fish Foundation.

At Gruel Mills, we are honored to serve people and clients throughout Western Michigan from our Grand Rapids office location. If you need help with a legal issue, please contact us. And please feel free to say hello if you see us at a community event or elsewhere in your town.