Biographical Sketches

Timothy W. Denney is an attorney who has been practicing law since 1987.  He has been with the firm since 1990.  He attended Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music (now Cornerstone College).  He is a graduate of Kellogg Community College where he received an Associate’s Degree in General Studies, a graduate of the University of Michigan where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree, and a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School where he received his Juris Doctor Degree in 1986.  Mr. Denney is a member of the Christian Legal Society, the Michigan Bar Association, and the Lapeer County Bar Association.  One particular focus of his practice is advising and assisting individuals, churches, and other religious organizations in defending and taking full advantage of their religious freedom under the law.  Mr. Denney has published an article in the Michigan Bar Journal entitled "Student Religious Meetings in the Public Schools: The Rules have Changed", Michigan Bar Journal (Feb., 1992).  He also self-published a book entitled "Religious Freedom 101: A Christian Civil Rights Handbook" (2008 ed.).  Mr. Denney also had the wonderful opportunity to attend the National Litigation Academies of the Alliance Defense Fund in 1999 and 2008 and is now affiliated with hundreds of other attorneys nationwide who provide legal services to defend the rights of religious freedom, the sanctity of human life, and family values.  Mr. Denney’s practice includes a particular focus on general civil lawsuits, representing individuals starting or running small and medium-sized businesses, estate planning (wills, trusts, powers of attorney), representing several township governments, and advising clients regarding real estate, zoning, and other land use matters. Timothy, his wife, Dawn, and their five children reside in Lapeer, Michigan.

Mark A. Leichliter is a Associate Attorney with the firm.  He joined the firm of Rickard, Denney, Garno & Associates in the Lapeer office in 2008.  His practice focuses on municipal law, landlord-tenant law, general civil litigation, estate planning and religious freedom law.  Mr. Leichliter grew up near Flint, Michigan, until he left to attend Patrick Henry College in Virginia, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Government in 2005. After a summer spent working landscaping, he then began attending Regent University of Law in Virginia Beach, where he received his Juris Doctorate in 2008. During his time in law school, he served as a law clerk for a judge in the Chesapeake Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, interned at the Suffolk Public Defender’s Office and worked at a small general practice law firm in Virginia Beach. Mr. Leichliter is admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan, and is a member of the Michigan and Lapeer County Bar Associations.  Mr. Leichliter lives in Lapeer County with his wife, Erin, and their young family.

Alisha M. Alexander is a Legal Assistant with the firm. She has been with Mr. Denney’s firm since 1998. She assists Mr. Denney with business entity formation, case management, civil litigation matters, estate planning, probate estate administration, real estate transactions, and trust administration.  She also attends most civil litigation trials with Mr. Denney.  Alisha attended Davenport University where she earned her Associate’s Degree in Business Administration in 2000.  She is also certified as a Legal Assistant with the State of Michigan.

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