Our Attorneys
- MSU College of Law, 2010
- MSU B.A. Criminal Justice and Corrections, 2007
About
Marcus Garske was born and raised in Bay City, Michigan, graduating from Bay City All Saints before heading to Michigan State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Juris Doctorate in Law. After law school, Marcus came home to Bay City where he has been practicing law since 2010. An active member of the community, Marcus is a past President of the Bay County Bar Association, President-Elect of the Bay City Morning Rotary, is on the advisory board for the Salvation Army, and is involved with the Bay City Lions Club along with other community projects.
An enthusiastic advocate for clients, Marcus is most comfortable in the courtroom, where his expertise in criminal defense, personal injury claims, and license appeals/restoration.
Marcus is a husband and father as well as a self-proclaimed sports nut who regularly attends Michigan State and Detroit sporting events. Not content to just watch sports, though, Marcus is also involved in high school basketball and has been officiating high school hoops for twelve years.
Education
- SVSU, B.A. 1997
- MSU College of Law
About
Matthew Hewitt was born and raised in Essexville. After graduating from Garber High School, Matt did his undergraduate work at Saginaw Valley State University and Michigan State University, earning a degree in Business Administration and Finance. Matt returned to Michigan State to study law, graduating Cum Laude and earning his Juris Doctorate in 1999.
Upon graduation from law school, Matt returned to Bay City where he has been practicing law, with his primary focus on tax and estate planning, real estate and commercial law and elder law. In addition to Michigan, Matt is also licensed to practice law in the state of Florida to better work with clients who split their time between the two states.
Matt moved back to Essexville where he lives with his wife Amy. He is an enthusiastic supporter of the Great Lakes Bay Region and is involved with several local organizations including Morning Rotary Club, the Lion’s Club, the SBYC, and the Knights of Columbus. Matt is also a licensed pilot, although he laments the fact that he doesn’t get as much time in the air as he’d like. Matt is an avid traveler, exploring new destinations at every opportunity.
Education
- Thomas M Cooley Law School, 2007-2010
- SVSU, B.A. Political Science and Government
About
Aaron Rodenbo was born and raised in Kingston, MI, graduating from Kingston High School in 2001. After high school, he attended Saginaw Valley State University for undergrad and followed by Western Michigan University Thomas Cooley Law School. He graduated in 2010 with Cum Laude Honors and was one of only three recipients of the Leadership Achievement Award. Aaron Rodenbo was born and raised in Kingston, MI, graduating from Kingston High School in 2001. After high school, he attended Saginaw Valley State University for undergrad and followed by Western Michigan University Thomas Cooley Law School. He graduated in 2010 with Cum Laude Honors and was one of only three recipients of the Leadership Achievement Award.
Aaron began his law career with a firm in Nashville, TN, where he worked with music artists including Bon Jovi, Big Rich, Gretchen Wilson, James Otto, and Kenny Rogers. In 2012, Aaron had the opportunity to return to Michigan and has been practicing law in Bay City ever since, handling cases involving personal injury, auto accident, estate planning, criminal law and drunk driving.
Aaron is a recent President of the Bay County Bar Association. In addition, he has volunteered locally for various organizations, such as Bay City River Roar, Bay City Fireworks and Bay City Summer Jams. In his free time, you will often find Aaron rooting his beloved Michigan Wolverines football and basketball teams.
Education
- Western Michigan University Cooley Law School 2018
- Saginaw Valley State University B.B.A 2011
About
Brandon T. Poltorak was born and raised in Auburn, Michigan. Brandon attended Bay City Western High School before attending Saginaw Valley State University to attain a Bachelors in Business Administration. Brandon went on to graduate from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School’s weekend program in 2018. Brandon is an active member in the community volunteering his time with the Michigan Junior Chamber of Commerce – Auburn Jaycees Chapter serving in several capacities over the years on the local board of directors.
Brandon is the most recent attorney to join the Garske Hewitt legal team in 2018.
Brandon is a husband and father committed to bettering the communities in which he lives and practices law. Brandon enjoys spending his free time with his family and working on classic car restorations.
Education
- University of Illinois Law School
- Western Michigan University 1975
About
Stephan was born in Saginaw and has spent his legal practice working out of Saginaw based firms, though he has long ties with Bay County. His mother was Nate Doan’s sister and most of his aunts and cousins are Bay County residents. Last year Stephan married Mary Shore-Gaus, also a lifetime resident of Bay County. Together they have 5 children and 8 grandchildren.
Stephan attended Western Michigan University graduating magna cum laude in 1975. He then attended law school at the University of Illinois. He is admitted to practice before all Michigan State and Federal Courts.
Stephan brings to Garske Hewitt many years of experience in civil injury litigation. He spent the first years of his practice working with insurance companies defending people being sued. In the later years of his practice, he has concentrated on representing injured parties. This experience of working “both sides of the fence” gives him a broad understanding of how injury claims get resolved.
Carrie Harp
Family Law, Probate Cases, Education, Employment Law
carrie@garskelaw.com
Education
- University of Southern California Law School
- University of Michigan
About
Carrie Harp is an experienced attorney specializing in family law, probate cases, education, and employment law. She is a dynamic legal professional with a demonstrated history of representing clients with utmost dedication and integrity. She is highly respected for her legal acumen, sound judgment, and empathetic approach to sensitive cases.
Carrie is currently an Attorney at Garske Hewitt PLC in Bay City, Michigan, where she manages complex cases spanning six counties. Prior to joining, she was an Attorney at Legal Services of Eastern Michigan in Saginaw, Michigan, where she resolved a broad range of cases involving divorce, custody, child support, paternity, guardianship of a minor, and probate matters. During her tenure, she also played a crucial role in mentoring new attorneys, paralegals, and interns, and led community education events covering various legal topics.
Before embarking on her legal career, Carrie served as a Student Attorney at the University of Southern California Law School’s Domestic Violence Clinic, where she successfully represented clients in obtaining restraining orders, custody and support orders, and divorces.
Carrie received her Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California Law School in 2006. She also holds a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies and Psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 2006 and the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Michigan in 2008.