ROBERT S. ZAWIDEH

Robert Zawideh is a Vice President, Director, and shareholder in The Kemp Klein Law Firm, which he joined in 2010. Mr. Zawideh primarily represents interested persons in high net worth trust and estate disputes. For more than 34-years Robert has successfully resolved complex litigation and business matters on behalf of individuals, businesses and municipalities. Robert has appeared in Michigan’s trial and appellate courts, including the Michigan Supreme Court, as well as before federal courts, state courts and arbitration panels across the United States. He has appeared in state and federal, trial or appellate courts in Michigan, Ohio, California, Illinois, Louisiana, and Washington, D.C., and has successfully argued before the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.  Recently, Michigan Lawyers Weekly recognized Robert as a Leader in the Law in 2024.

In the area of probate and trust litigation, as a skilled and experienced trial and litigation attorney, Mr. Zawideh has successfully guided his clients through extremely difficult financial and emotional issues that are inherent in probate litigation involving will and trust contests, accounting disputes, as well as guardianship and conservatorship proceedings. In addition to trust and estate litigation, Mr. Zawideh’s experience includes representing businesses and families involved in complex business and commercial litigation, employment claims, franchise matters, real estate claims and contract disputes.  

As a member of Kemp Klein, Robert serves on the firm’s Board of Directors, its Strategic Planning Committee, Associate Development Committee, chairs its Litigation Practice Group, and is the Director of Kemp Klein’s Annual Charity Golf Outing.  Outside of Kemp Klein, Robert also serves on the Board of Directors of the Jefferson-Douglass Academy, a charter school in the City of Detroit, and is a member of the Michigan Bar Journal Commission.

Robert received his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School in 1990, where he received awards for Best Oral Argument in two outside Moot Court competitions, and served on Wayne’s Moot Court Board.  Robert received his bachelor’s degree from James Madison College at Michigan State University.  He is a past contributor to the Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Journal, as well as to Laches, a publication of the Oakland County Bar Association.

Robert Zawideh was featured in the 2020 Michigan Edition of Leading Lawyers Magazine in the article, “Trust and Estate Lawyer Strives to Make a Lasting Difference.” He has been designated a “Leading Lawyer” in Civil Appellate Law, Commercial Litigation and Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law for the years 2018 to the present (a distinction granted to the top 1% of attorneys in Michigan).

Mr. Zawideh is “AV” rated as “Preeminent”, the highest peer review rating for attorneys by Martindale-Hubbell, which recognizes lawyers for strong legal ability and high ethical standards. He was also selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023, 2024 and 2025 in the fields of Arbitration and Litigation – Trusts and Estates. Additionally, Mr. Zawideh was selected by a vote of his peers to be included in DBusiness Magazine’s list of Top Lawyers in 2024 and 2025 for his work in Trusts & Estates. 

Mr. Zawideh was awarded the Inaugural Litigation Excellence Award by the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Recipients of this award effectively represent their clients, achieve favorable outcomes, and uphold the principles of justice that sets them apart as leaders in the legal community. This award celebrates their commitment to excellence and their significant contributions to the practice of law.

Robert Zawideh was chosen by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of their Leaders in the Law. Michigan Lawyers Weekly Leaders in the Law are recognized for outstanding contributions to the practice of law in Michigan, significant achievements through the practice of law, leadership in improving the justice system and important contributions to Michigan’s legal community and/or the community at large.

Mr. Zawideh was selected for inclusion in the 2024 edition of Michigan Super Lawyers magazine featuring the top 5% of attorneys in Michigan in the practice area of Estate & Trust Litigation.

Mr. Zawideh has celebrated numerous client successes at Kemp Klein. Many of those are featured on our Client Success Stories page. Below are some of his successes.

Zawideh Successfully Defends Son’s $2.1 Million Inheritance

Robert Zawideh Obtains Award Granting his Client Her Rightful Inheritance from Her Father’s Trust

Robert Zawideh Convinces Bank to Set Aside $540,000 Judgment in Exchange for Pennies on the Dollar

Zawideh Defends Widow’s Inheritance

Zawideh Successfully Defends Franchisee from Noncompete Claim by Franchisor

Undue Influence: What Rules Apply to This Species of Fraud; Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Journal, Winter 2020

Undue Influence: Rebutting the Need for Presumption; Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Journal, Summer 2020

Drafting and Litigating in Terrorem Clauses – Map Through the Minefield; Laches, Oakland County Bar Association Magazine, February 2018

Conflicts of Interest in Estate Planning and Litigation (or “How Many Hats Are Too Many?”); Michigan Probate & Estate Planning Journal, Winter 2016

Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission: SCOTUS Rules it’s About the Cake, Not the Customer; Commentator

Taking Your Chances: Michigan Supreme Court Asks Kemp Klein to Submit Brief of Your Right to Look Before You Leap; Commentator

When the Right Court May be the Wrong Court; Commentator