David B. Wakefield specializes in estate planning, business planning and post-death administrations. David works with many different types of clients, ranging from young families looking to select guardians for their minor children to experienced business owners looking to sell their business and build a succession plan.

David attended Michigan State University where he obtained a finance degree and took part in the Wealth Management and Financial Planning program. In this program, David completed courses such as Estate and Income Tax Planning, Principles of Insurance and Risk Management, and Financial Planning and Wealth Management.  

After Michigan State University, David obtained his law degree from Wayne State University while he worked as a probate law clerk, elder law student attorney for a legal aid clinic, and a teaching assistant for Wayne State University Law School’s Trusts and Estates course. David also worked part time for multiple estate planning firms (including Wakefield Law, P.C.) during his time in law school.

David has been a guest on the Michigan State Wealth Management Association podcast and has been a speaker on estate planning for various financial companies and nonprofit organizations.

David is on the young professionals committee of the Community Foundation of Greater Rochester, a participant in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk Planning Committee, and is involved with the Troy, Clarkston, and Rochester Chamber of Commerce. 

Outside of the office, David enjoys cheering for Michigan State and Detroit sports teams, mountain biking, running, golfing and spending time in northern Michigan.

Areas of Practice

• Estate Planning
• Business Planning
• Wills
• Trusts
• Powers of Attorney
• Deeds
• Tax Planning
• Trust Administration
• Probate
• Guardianships
• Conservatorships

Education

• Michigan State University, Bachelors in Finance
  • Graduated with Honors
• Wayne State University Law School

Bar Admissions

• State Bar of Michigan, 2022

Honors and Awards

• Wayne State University Moot Court Team Member
• Vice President of Wayne State University Sports and Entertainment Law Society
• 2nd Place Wayne State Law School NFL Contract Competition
  • 2020 and 2021

Community Engagement

• Alzheimer Association’s Walk Planning Committee, Member
• Clarkston High School Building Wealth Class, Judge
• Community Foundation of Greater Rochester, Young Leader 
• Detroit Economic Club, Member
• Clarkston Chamber of Commerce, Member
• Troy Chamber of Commerce, Member
• Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Member

Professional Associations and Memberships

• State Bar of Michigan, Member
• Institute of Continued Legal Education, Member
• Financial and Estate Planning Council of Metro Detroit, Member
• State Bar of Michigan, Probate and Estate Planning Section, Member
• State Bar of Michigan, Tax Section, Member
• State Bar of Michigan, Elder Law and Disability Rights Section, Member
• State Bar of Michigan, Young Lawyers, Member
• Michigan State University, Wealth Management and Financial Planning Association, Member

Seminars and Education

• 5 Reasons to Plan Your Estate Now, Alzheimer’s Association, 2025
• Estate Planning Red Flags, Large Financial Planning Firm, 2024
• Estate Planning 101, Local Bank, 2025
• Estate Planning Seminar, Catholic Church in Sterling Heights, 2024
• Estate Planning Common Mistakes, Large Financial Planning Firm, 2024
• Fundamentals of Estate Planning, Large Financial Planning Firm, 2024
• Michigan State University Wealth Management Podcast,  2023
• Probate & Estate Planning Institute, 64th Annual Attendee