Attorney, licensed in Michigan
Anne Buckleitner puts her more than 30 years in government and law to work for clients in the areas of civil rights, employment law, criminal defense, facilitative mediation and neutral workplace investigations. She litigates in both federal and state courts. Anne is an accomplished litigator and counselor, an experienced problem solver and a strong advocate. Through negotiation, litigation and mediation, Anne identifies and obtains the best possible results for her clients. Anne makes good communication with her clients a priority.
Anne was born and raised in St. Joseph, Michigan. She spent the first chapter of her career working for the federal government in Washington, D.C. – primarily on national security law and issues for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. She was awarded the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement from the Director for Central Intelligence for her work in intelligence analysis. Upon leaving the government, she developed a private practice with an emphasis on civil rights, employment law and criminal defense.
Anne practiced for many years as a partner in Smietanka, Buckleitner, Steffes & Gezon in Grandville, Michigan. In 2019, she returned to her St. Joseph roots, joining Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers to develop civil rights and employment law practice areas for the firm.
Anne is proud of her accomplishments – career highlights include obtaining compensation for wrongly convicted individuals using actions brought under 42 USC 1983, as well as Michigan’s Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act. She has also effectively litigated using Title IX and 42 USC 1983 for students who experienced peer and educator sexual harassment. She obtained summary judgment on behalf of a high school student who had notified school administrators of a peer sexual assault, but received an inadequate administrate response. Doe v. Forest Hills Sch. Dist., No. 1:13-CV-428, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 175321, 2015 WL 99026260 (W.D. Mich. March 31, 2015). Anne also worked with legislators on behalf of a Kurdish client facing deportation to introduce a series of private bills to protect him from deportation.
She was recently acknowledged by Martindale-Hubbell’s 2021 Peer Review and Client Review Ratings. She was rated AV Preeminent, the highest peer rating standard, for her level of professional excellence in legal expertise, communication skills and ethical standards. Anne also received the 2021 Gold Client Champion award based on client reviews and ratings. Her Martindale-Hubbell client recommended rating is 100 percent.
Anne graduated from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, where she studied history, English and political science, and then Valparaiso University School of Law. She and her husband have two grown daughters. Anne is active in community events, and was on the executive board of Hospice at Home (now known as Spectrum Health Lakeland Caring Circle) for 16 years.