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Helmkamp, Ellis, Abraham, Engerer & Ghannam is an association of individual attorneys and counselors and is not a partnership.

the official logo for Helmkamp, Ellis, Abraham, Engerer and Ghannam
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  • AttorneysExpand
    • Alan C. Helmkamp
    • Mark Ellis
    • Douglas C. Abraham
    • Joseph D. Engerer
    • Jeffrey Ghannam
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    • Personal Injury
    • Criminal Defense
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(734) 591-3737
the official logo for Helmkamp, Ellis, Abraham, Engerer and Ghannam
  • three people gathered around a desk with an open laptop and books on top of it. The only view of the people are their arms and hands.
    Criminal Defense

    What is a Criminal Pretrial Conference? What should I expect at mine?

    In Michigan, a criminal pretrial conference is a procedural step in the legal process that occurs after the arraignment and before the trial. It serves as an opportunity for the prosecution and defense to discuss the case, negotiate potential plea agreements, and address any procedural matters before proceeding to trial. During a pretrial conference, the…

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  • A metal statue of Lady Justice who is blindfolded and holding scales. Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash
    Criminal Defense

    What is a Preliminary Examination? What should I expect at mine?

    In Michigan, a preliminary examination is a crucial step in the criminal justice process for felony cases. This pretrial proceeding is conducted in district court and serves to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed the felony offense(s) charged against him or her. During the preliminary examination, the prosecutor presents…

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  • inside of an empty jury room with many wooden chairs in front of the jury box, an empty desk with two chairs in the foreground, and a witness stand.
    Criminal Defense

    What to Expect at a Criminal Trial

    A criminal trial is a formal legal proceeding where the prosecution presents evidence to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and the defendant has the opportunity to present a defense. The trial process typically involves several key stages: Navigating a criminal trial requires legal expertise and experience to effectively advocate for the defendant’s…

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  • Angled shot of the inside of a court house with four columns on the left and a windowed ceiling to the top right allowing light into the room. Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash.
    Criminal Defense

    What is an Arraignment? What should I expect at mine?

    A criminal arraignment is a critical stage in the criminal justice process where the accused individual appears before a judge or magistrate to formally hear the charges against them and enter a plea. It typically occurs shortly after an arrest and serves as the official beginning of the criminal proceedings. During the arraignment, the judge…

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About Us

Helmkamp, Ellis, Abraham, Engerer and Ghannam is an association of attorneys founded by Alan Helmkamp, Mark Ellis, and Douglas Abraham in 1982.  Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience handling matters of all sizes and complexities.

Advisory Areas

Personal Injury

Criminal Defense

Estate Planning

Contact Us


342 E. Main Street, Suite 1
Northville, Michigan 48167

T : +1 (734) 591-3737
F : +1 (734) 591-6275

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  • Home
  • About
  • Attorneys
    • Alan C. Helmkamp
    • Mark Ellis
    • Douglas C. Abraham
    • Joseph D. Engerer
    • Jeffrey Ghannam
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury
    • Criminal Defense
    • Estate Planning
  • Results
  • Blog
  • Contact