Crystal J. Bultje
Crystal Bultje wears her passion on her sleeve. Straightforward, confident, compassionate, and hardworking, Crystal started her career as a social worker and legal advocate for an agency serving victims of domestic and sexual violence. Driven to do more in advocacy, she returned to school to pursue a degree in law. Doing more is embedded in Crystal’s being. As a law student she immersed herself in every opportunity—including competing on the Appellate Moot Court and Trial Advocacy Board, through which she earned the National Champion title in the ABA’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition. Before joining PSFK, Crystal spent several years as a municipal and labor lawyer. At PSFK, she has come full circle, back to her roots in advocacy and translating her experience, knowledge, and passion to her work in civil rights and discrimination law. She’s a compassionate listener, a practical and critical thinker, and friend to all. When she’s not working and advocating, you’ll find Crystal at the beach, connecting with friends, or enjoying an evening at home with her partner and their rescue dogs.
Expertise
- Civil rights
- Workplace discrimination
- Appellate practice
Education
- BA, Hope College, Political Science, Psychology, Women’s Studies, 2008
- JD, Michigan State University College of Law, 2015
Memberships
- American Bar Association
- Michigan State Bar Association
- Grand Rapids Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association, Western District of Michigan
- Progressive Women’s Alliance, board member
- American Civil Liberties Union, member and volunteer
- Federal Bar Association (West Michigan Chapter)
Recognition & other experience
- National Champion, ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition
- Articles Editor, Michigan State Law Review
- Jurisprudence Achievement Award in Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis
- Intern, Michigan Court of Appeals, The Honorable Mark T. Boonstra
- Associate, municipal practice group, Dickinson Wright PLLC
Cases of note
- OMILIAN v. BEDFORD, HERBERT and VILLAGE OF MATTAWAN, U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids
- NEWMAN v. GOURMET INTERNATIONAL, LTD. et al., U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids
- GUEST AND FAIR HOUSING CENTER v. LARSEN et al, U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids
Katherine Smith Kennedy, Partner
Sarah Riley Howard, Partner
Erin Dornbos, Partner
Crystal J. Bultje, Partner
H. Rhett Pinsky, Of Counsel
Michael L. Fayette, Of Counsel
Pamela K. Bratt, of Counsel
Edward M. ("Ned") Smith, in Memoriam
WHO’S WHO IN AMERICAN LAW • BEST LAWYERS OF AMERICA • LAWYERS OF THE YEAR
TOP 100 MICHIGAN SUPER LAWYERS • AV PREEMINENT—MARTINDALE HUBBELL’S TOP RATING
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan • Rising Stars
TOP 100 MICHIGAN SUPER LAWYERS • AV PREEMINENT—MARTINDALE HUBBELL’S TOP RATING
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan • Rising Stars