Steven A Harms
Steven A. Harms is a partner in Muller, Muller, Richmond, Harms & Myers, with offices in Birmingham, Grand Rapids and Traverse City, Michigan.Steve is a frequent lecturer and an author in addition to being a full time collection attorney. He also teaches in the MBA program at Walsh College, Troy, Michigan, live and online (winning an outstanding instructor award for online).Publications include many articles and seminar materials plus chapters of books including Michigan Basic Practice Handbook and Michigan Business Formbook.
He co-authored International Commercial Secured Transactions with David Franklin, published 2010 by Thomson Reuters Publishing, a look at secured transactions around the world, with each country's requirements included.
He is also sole author of the following books:
Handling the Collection Case in Michigan, ICLE, revised, 4th Edition 2009, a 700 page comprehensive book covering all aspects of creditor's rights, all rules, cases and statutes cited.
Credit and Collections Kit for Dummies (Dummies Series), Wiley Publishing, 2009. a 360 page collector's or credit manager's guide to all aspects of extending credit and collecting past due obligations, with how-to check lists and hundreds (yes, hundreds) of forms!
He is also listed in “Who’s Who in American Law” (since 1985) and Michigan Super Lawyers in Creditor’s Rights (since 2008) by the publishers of “Law and Politics.”
Areas of Practice
- 100% Debt Collection
Litigation Percentage
- 75% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Certified Legal Specialties
- Board Certified in Creditors' Rights, American Board of Certification, 2011
Bar Admissions
- Michigan, 1975
Education
- Detroit College of Law, Detroit, Michigan
- J.D. - 1975
- Hope College, Holland, Michigan
- B.A. - 1970
- Major: Political Science
Published Works
- "Handling the Collection Case in Michigan, A Creditor's Guide", Institute of Continuing Legal Education, February, 2003
- "A Credit Manager's Guide to Collection Law in Michigan", March, 2003
- Co-Author, "Michigan Collection Techniques and the Law", Professional Education Systems, Inc., 1985
- Co-Author, "Michigan Business Form Book", Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1990
- Co-Author, "Michigan Basic Practice Handbook", Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1991
- Co-Author, "Michigan FDCPA Update", National Business Institute, June, 2000
- Co-Author, "Attorney Fee Agreements in Michigan", ICLE, 1994
- "Credit and Collections Kit for Dummies", Wiley Publishing, 2009
Classes/Seminars
- Lecturer, Collection of Judgements
- Lecturer, Oakland County Bar Association
- Lecturer, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, State Bar of Michigan
- Lecturer, Professional Education Services
- Lecturer, American Commercial Collectors Association
- Lecturer, NACM
- Lecturer, Cable Television Network of the Commercial Law League of America
- Lecturer, National Business Institute
- Lecturer, The General Practitioner Newsletter, of the General Practice Section, State Bar of Michigan
- Adjunct Professor, Business Law, Walsh College, Troy, Michigan
- IACC Seminar on the Litigation Process, IACC, 1991 - Present
- ICLE Seminar on Collections, ICLE, 1980 - Present
Honors and Awards
- Michigan Super Lawyers, 2007 - 2010
- Online Instructor of the year, Alliance for Excellence in Online Education, 2007 - Present
- AV Preeminant Attorney, Martindale Hubbell
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Oakland County Bar Association, Member
- State Bar of Michigan, Member
- Commercial Law League of America, Member, 1975 - Present
- YMCA of Oakland County, Board Member and Past Chairman
- International Association of Commercial Collectors, Member, 1991 - Present
Past Employment Positions
- Walsh College, Adjunct Professor, 1991 to Present
