The History of Conybeare Law Office

In January, 1965, Bruce Conybeare, a recent graduate from the University of Michigan Law School, returned to his hometown of Benton Harbor, Michigan, and joined the law partnership of Seymour & Seymour. Located on Main Street in Benton Harbor, the partnership that was formed in 1942 by brothers, Dale Seymour and Dalton Seymour, principally handled personal injury and property damage matters for insurance companies. In 1968, the firm changed its name to Seymour, Seymour & Conybeare and, after relocating to St. Joseph in the early 1970s, continued to grow, maintaining a general practice for all types of legal matters. By March, 1982, the firm had become one of the largest law offices in Southwest Michigan, primarily handling litigation matters, including civil and criminal trials.

After 20 years as a successful insurance defense attorney, in 1984 Bruce Conybeare began his career as a plaintiff's personal injury attorney. In the process, the law firm split up and the departing lawyers established an insurance defense practice. The remaining law firm was renamed Conybeare Law Office, P.C., and quickly established itself as a successful plaintiff’s personal injury law firm. In 1994, Barry Conybeare moved home and joined his father in the practice. Shortly thereafter, the firm completed construction of a new office building at 519 Main Street in St. Joseph. Today, Conybeare Law Office continues to serve Southwest Michigan, handling plaintiff's personal injury and wrongful death claims, worker's compensation and Social Security disability claims.

Over the years, Conybeare Law Office has consistently maintained a highly qualified staff, with experienced trial attorneys.

• Kevin Haight, who was born and raised in nearby Hartford, Michigan, joined as a member of the firm from 1991 until his retirement in 2011.  
• In 2001, after 23 years of practice at Butzbaugh & Ehrenberg, Robert Ehrenberg joined Conybeare Law Office when his former partner retired.
• In 2005, Bruce Conybeare retired from the active practice of law and became "Of Counsel" for the firm.
• In 2009, Conybeare Law Office welcomed the staff of Smit & Kragt, a long time personal injury firm practicing in the areas of Worker's Compensation and Social Security Disability into the firm, to create a full service personal injury practice for Southwest Michigan.
• In 2011, Michael D. Marrs joined Conybeare Law Office, bringing his 40 years of legal experience to the firm.

Conybeare Law Office is currently staffed with the six active attorneys, Barry Conybeare, Robert Ehrenberg, Michael Marrs, Matthew Conklin, Marian Burkett and Nate Harrington; three of counsel attorneys, Bruce Conybeare, Len Smit and Tim Kragt; and ten dedicated support personnel.