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James T. Haadsma

jhaadsma@mccroskeylaw.com
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Phone: 269-968-2215
Fax: 269-965-7157

395 South Shore Drive, Suite 308
Battle Creek, Michigan 49016

James T. Haadsma has practiced with the law firm since August, 1987.  He specializes in representing injured workers in workers’ disability compensation disputes before the Michigan Workers’ Compensation Agency, and in representing injured workers before the Social Security Administration’s Office of Disability Adjudication and Review.  Mr. Haadsma also occasionally represents a partially disabled employee in controversies with employers under the Americans with Disabilities Act/Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act.

Before joining the McCroskey firm in August, 1987, Mr. Haadsma practiced with the Muskegon office of Legal Aid of Western Michigan, between May, 1984, and August, 1987.  He then undertook successful Federal court challenges to a City of Muskegon ordinance, and to municipal mis-management of public housing programs, among other impact litigation advocacy.  Mr. Haadsma continues to represent workers who otherwise could not afford an attorney by his participation in the Legal Services of South Central Michigan’s pro bono panel program.  

Education

J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence, Wayne State University Law School, Detroit, Michigan, 1984

University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, 1980-1981

B.A., Bachelor of Arts, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 1980

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

Michigan, 1984
Federal District Court, Western District of Michigan
U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals

Professional & Bar Association Memberships

Michigan State Bar Association
Member Since: 1984
Board Member, State Bar of Michigan Social Security Section

Calhoun County Bar Association

Michigan Trial Lawyers Association
Sustaining Member

Community Involvement

  • Vice Chair of the Calhoun County Democratic Party, and served as Chair of the Party between 2000 and 2004;
  • State Central Committee member for the Michigan Democratic Party, from 2005-present;
  • Member of the Battle Creek Kiwanis, and served as Community Service Chair of that service club in 2003-5;
  • Vice-Chair of the Minges-Riverside Neighborhood Planning Council, on Battle Creek’s south side;
  • Executive Committee member of the Battle Creek Branch of the NAACP, and is a Life Member of the National NAACP organization;
  • Board member of the Inspire Community Development Credit Union, of Battle Creek;
  • Advisory board member of Legal Services of South Central Michigan, in Battle Creek;
  • Active member of the First United Methodist Church in Battle Creek;
  • Active member of the Bringham Audobon Society, Battle Creek.