Varnum LLP
For 130 years, clients have trusted Varnum for excellence, innovation and superior results in the delivery of legal services. Over the years, as the needs of our clients have become more complex, we have kept pace by constantly expanding our areas of practice, our understanding of evolving trends and issues, and our ability to harness technology effectively.
Today, Varnum is firmly established as one of Michigan's premier law firms. A full-service provider of legal counsel, Varnum has a strong core of experience.
Varnum is a regional business law firm with more than 150 lawyers, serving clients in a full range of practice areas. We have built our reputation by helping clients identify opportunities, negotiate and close commercial transactions, win lawsuits and benefit from up-to-the-minute legal advice. Our clients range from large world-leading companies to smaller businesses who want world-class attention and service.
Varnum clients represent a diverse range of business and legal interests: manufacturers, financial institutions, health care providers, professional groups, municipalities, colleges and universities, school districts, developers, publishers, retailers, governmental units, transportation, trade associations and charitable organizations.
Contributing authors from Varnum LLP:
Varnum attorneys have practical experience serving the needs of agricultural producers, food processors and their suppliers. Our team approach provides expertise in each legal area while...
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Paul works with Varnum's Litigation and Trial Practice Team developing a strong background in mass tort, toxic tort and environmental litigation. He also has experience in multiple aspects...
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Scott is a partner and chair of the Health Care Practice Team. He focuses his practice in corporate and business law with an emphasis on health care law and life sciences, including all...
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John has over 40 years of experience, focuses his practice on business and commercial litigation, and is a certified civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is...
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John is a member of the firm’s Employee Benefits Team. He counsels employee benefit plan sponsors with respect to compliance with ERISA and IRS requirements for 401(k) plans, ESOPs and...
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Seth is a member of the Labor and Employment Practice Team. He has experience with employment disputes, labor disputes and employment agreements. He has also worked on commercial litigation...
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Seth is a partner and member of the firm’s Business and Corporate Services Team. He is experienced in business representation, planning and counseling. He focuses on mergers and...
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Good business sense combined with good people sense. That's perhaps the best way to describe our approach to labor and employment law at Varnum.
Our labor and employment attorneys...
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Luis focuses his practice on labor, employment and immigration issues. Luis has a wide range of experience in traditional labor matters, including grievances, arbitrations, collective...
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Kim is an attorney in the Corporate Practice Group where she represents both publicly-traded and private businesses at all stages of growth in a variety of transactional matters. Although...
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Chris is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Team. He has significant experience representing retail license holders, including resorts, hotels, restaurants and retail developers....
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Chris focuses his practice on estate planning, trust administration, nonprofit organizations, taxation and business planning. He counsels clients on wealth management matters including...
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Tom has over 30 years of experience in helping clients efficiently and effectively define theirestate planning goals and to arrange their affairs accordingly. His expertise includes...
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Brendan focuses his practice on restructuring, workouts and bankruptcies, representing creditors, debtors and other parties in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, out-of-court workouts and...
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Ethan Beswick is an associate attorney with a business and corporate service practice and additional experience in tax, real estate and aircraft matters. He provides general business and...
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Jeff’s practice focuses on business law, real estate, estate planning and aircraft transactions. He works with many companies and family businesses to handle their legal issues, including...
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Matt is a partner on the Business and Corporate Services Practice Team, and participates in both the Startup and Emerging Companies and Intellectual Property Practice Teams. His practice...
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Adam is a partner in the Litigation Practice Team concentrating on complex civil litigation in both state and federal courts. He has extensive first-chair experience, including trial,...
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Bob focuses his practice on public sector, litigation, and real estate matters. Within his public sector practice, he provides litigation services to cities, villages, townships, counties,...
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Varnum LLP represents municipalities nationwide on cable and telecommunications matters such as wireless projects, cell tower leases and zoning, and cable franchise renewals and...
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Chris is a partner and leads Varnum's Estate Planning team. Chris is acutely aware that advising clients on estate planning and wealth succession requires an intimate understanding of the...
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Alex is an associate attorney focusing on corporate and real estate matters. He assists with mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance matters, and securities-related projects.
Prior...
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Steve is a member of Varnum's Tax Practice Team. He has substantial experience in federal, state and local taxation, in both planning and controversy. Steve previously held positions at...
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Laura Chappelle focuses on regulatory and legal policy issues involving energy, telecommunications and advanced communications sectors. She has more than 20 years experience in wholesale...
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Kim focuses her practice on immigration matters, including nonimmigrant petitions, both employment- and family-based permanent residence applications, expatriation and foreign visa issues....
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Kristiana's practice focuses on serving the needs of the agriculture industry. She has experience in several areas of agricultural law including labor and employment matters, H-2A labor,...
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Chloe is an associate currently working in Varnum’s litigation practice. She also provides support to the firm’s corporate and health care practices. Chloe has experience drafting...
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Kristy focuses her Employee Benefits practice on retirement plans. In addition to drafting plans, she submits plans to IRS for opinion and determination letters, and submits plans to IRS...
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Brad is a partner and member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Team, concentrating in commercial litigation in state and federal courts. He focuses his practice on commercial contract...
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Jeff is a partner and leads the Employee Benefits Team. He has 30 years of experience working with employers, executives and third-party administrators on a wide range of employee benefit,...
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Ron is a trial lawyer and former federal prosecutor who concentrates his practice in civil and white collar litigation, as well as internal investigations. He is a fellow in the American...
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Brion is a member of the Litigation Practice Team. He is experienced in commercial and environmental litigation in state and federal court. Brion has represented clients in a wide range of...
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Ashleigh is an associate attorney currently working with the labor and employment group. She also works with higher education clients and provides support on a variety of litigation matters...
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Jacob is a member of the firm’s Corporate Services Team and focuses on areas of corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, private offerings, corporate finance and other commercial...
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Tim focuses his practice in media law, advertising law, intellectual property, e-commerce, litigation (including commercial/business) and international law. Tim’s litigation practice also...
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Jailah is an associate at Varnum. She is a skilled researcher with experience in real estate, labor and employment, bankruptcy, commercial litigation and corporate matters. Prior to joining...
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From finance and siting issues to regulation and tax incentives, energy law is a diverse and thriving practice at Varnum. Our client-focused, service team approach has made us a beacon in...
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At Varnum, we believe that each person has a vision for life and the legacy he or she will leave behind. The vision changes and matures but at any one time it is expressed as an objective...
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MMatt's vast experience includes general environmental law, environmental compliance counseling, transactional due diligence, administrative law, civil and administrative enforcement...
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Shaquari assists national and local companies in securing financing for expansion via real estate construction or acquisition, mergers and other areas of corporate growth. She works with...
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Varnum's Family Law Team is comprised of lawyers who have dedicated their careers to achieving successful outcomes for individuals facing one of the most difficult times in their lives. ...
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Mallory is an attorney on Varnum’s Business and Corporate Services Practice Team, focusing on general corporate transactions and financial matters. She provides counsel to public and...
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Varnum's Food Law practice includes more than a dozen attorneys experienced in the sophisticated areas of law that apply to food regulation. We help regulated businesses bring their...
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Tom is a real estate and corporate attorney. He counsels clients on complex transactional, corporate and real estate matters, including the acquisition, financing, sale, leasing and...
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Since 1981, Rick has represented employers exclusively in solving labor and employment lawproblems in the workplace. He devotes most of his time to advising employers about how to avoid...
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Tony is a senior member of the firm's Family Law Practice Team. His principal focus is representing clients in contested divorce and custody matters; and a substantial element of his...
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Stacey focuses her practice on real estate matters and represents business owners with commercial real estate holdings, residential real estate developers, residential and commercial...
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Regan is a member of the Litigation and Trial Team. She represents clients in a variety of civil and criminal litigation matters and internal investigations. Her experience includes RICO,...
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Linsey is a partner in the Estate Planning Practice Team. Her practice includes full-service estate plan preparation, estate and trust administration, guardianship and conservatorship...
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Bruce practices energy law, environmental law, and construction law. His energy background includes negotiating electric power sales agreements (both for wholesale sellers of energy and for...
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Erin is a member of the Business and Corporate Services Team. Her practice spans a broad array of corporate areas in connection with capital markets transactions, including public and...
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Randy focuses his practice on creditor's rights law, including collections, bankruptcy, landlord-tenant, claim and delivery, foreclosure, and commercial and general civil litigation. His...
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Janelle works with Varnum’s Estate Planning Team as well as the Business and Corporate Services Practice Team. She has experience drafting estate plans, assisting with estate...
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Charyn is a member of the Litigation and Trial Services Practice Team. A significant part of her practice focuses on probate litigation, including will contests, guardianship/...
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Erin is a member of Varnum's Tax Practice Team. As a former senior auditor for the Michigan Department of Treasury, she is experienced in Michigan tax compliance and controversy matters. ...
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Laura works in the Litigation and Trial Services Team, with extensive experience in all aspects of complex commercial litigation matters including contract disputes, class actions,...
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Rich is a partner on the Litigation and Trial Services Team where he focuses on construction law and litigation, business litigation and commercial matters, contracts and sports law. Rich...
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Scott is a partner and the leader of Varnum's Corporate Practice Team. His practice focuses on business representation, including transactions, planning and counseling. Specifically, Scott...
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Mark is a member of the firm's Litigation Practice Team, and chair of the Family Law Team, with more than 20 years' experience in federal and state court jury and non-jury trials,...
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Bill provides general business counsel to clients primarily in the area of employee benefits, including benefit administration matters, selection of plan types, and representation before...
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Herman is a member of the Litigation and Trial Practice Team based in the firm's Grand Rapids office. He formerly served as a clerk for Chief Judge Robert J. Jonker in the District Court...
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Dick Hooker has had significant experience in traditional labor relations, state/federal agency work, employment litigation, union election campaigns, unemployment insurance taxation...
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Kaplin leads the Corporate Practice Team and advises clients regarding business formation and transactions, including choice of entity, joint ventures and LLCs, mergers and acquisitions,...
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Tom is a partner on the firm's Tax Practice Team. His practice includes civil and criminal tax litigation. Previously employed by the Department of Attorney General, Tom acted as legal...
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Dave’s “client-centered” practice involves a variety of labor and employment issues. He provides practical and confidential ongoing advice and consulting on a number of sensitive and...
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Jeff is member of the Litigation and Trial Services Practice Team with a focus on general commercial litigation and family law. His appellate experience includes arguing before the United...
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Harvey is a partner and leads the Banking, Finance and Restructuring Practice Team. He represents a wide variety of businesses and has substantial experience with mergers, acquisitions and...
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Kyle’s practice is commercial litigation. He has represented clients in a wide array of litigation, including trials, administrative trials, and on appeal. He has unique experience in...
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Tim is a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property and Corporate Law Practice Teams. He has extensive experience in many legal business areas including intellectual property and contract...
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Yvonne focuses her practice primarily on employment and family-based immigration in addition to general corporate matters. She assists clients with employment and family-based permanent...
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Tim is a partner in the Environmental, Energy and Natural Resources team. On energy issues, Tim represents clients before the Michigan Public Service Commission, including energy suppliers...
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Richard is a corporate and business law attorney with a comprehensive corporate transactional practice involving all areas of corporate, business and commercial law. His works includes...
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Mike has a multi-state practice focused on debt restructuring and complex commercial litigation. He serves many businesses, but specializes in automotive, agriculture and telecommunications...
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Paul’s practice focuses upon representation of business and individual taxpayers in federal tax planning as well as in controversies at administrative levels and the tax court and before...
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Zachary Meyer is a member of the Corporate Practice Group and assists clients in matters of business law. Zachary practices in the areas of corporate governance and structuring, mergers...
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Bob is a partner and co-chair of the Banking, Finance and Restructuring Team concentrating on commercial and real estate finance, loan restructurings and workouts, receiverships,...
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Tim is a partner on the firm's Litigation and Trial Services Team. His practice focuses on helping clients resolve business disputes, including complex commercial tort and contract...
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Gary’s practice is primarily focused on representing companies and individuals – in Michigan and across the country – in connection with government enforcement actions and white collar...
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Mike concentrates on estate planning, estate and trust administration, and estate taxation. He is frequently called upon as a valuation expert and spends a great deal of time reviewing and...
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Larry is an experienced trial attorney concentrating on the defense of individuals and organizations in employment litigation, including matters involving discrimination, harassment,...
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Shalini is a member of the Family Law Practice Team. She specializes in family law litigation, including high-income and high-asset divorces, custody and parenting time, child support,...
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Angelique is a member of Varnum’s Tax Team. Her practice includes all aspects of federal and state tax controversy and tax planning, including: tax audits, appeals, and litigation; tax...
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Eric is a partner and leads the tax team. He concentrates on tax and financial controversy (IRS and various States) from examinations appellate conferences, criminal investigations, witness...
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Deborah has extensive experience handling all levels of property tax appeals. She has represented both Petitioners and Respondents in matters involving assessed values, taxable values,...
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Ola is an associate attorney on the litigation team. She has experience in a variety of litigation issues related to property disputes and toxic tort claims. Ola also has experience in...
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Melissa is a partner and leads the Real Estate Practice Team. She focuses her practice on corporate and real estate matters, with an emphasis on commercial sales, acquisitions, leasing, and...
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Julia is the chair of the Family Law Team and works with clients in family law matters including divorce, child custody, child support and parenting time matters. She has unique experience...
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John is a member of the firm's Environmental, Energy and Natural Resources Team. Since 1996 he has represented property owners across the country (businesses, developers, schools, churches...
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For over 15 years, Aaron's practice has been focused on complex commercial and environmental litigation - in Michigan and around the country. Aaron has represented clients in contract and...
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Eric is a business and corporate attorney who advises startups, private and family-owned businesses, and multinational companies in the automotive, manufacturing, technology, retail and...
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Lauren works with Varnum's Litigation, Real Estate, Corporate and Estate Planning Teams. She has a particular focus on litigation and has experience in commercial and environmental...
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Dave is a member of the Environmental Practice Group and the Energy Law Practice Group. He works in the defense of federal and state environmental enforcement actions involving air quality...
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Laura is an attorney in the firm’s estate planning team where she helps individuals and families to identify their estate planning goals and to create a plan that is tailored to meet their...
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John is a certified public accountant who focuses on federal and multi-state controversies, audits, tax planning and litigation support.
John was formally employed by the Michigan...
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Dean is a partner in Varnum's Corporate, Real Estate and Estate Planning Practice Teams. He concentrates his practice on business transactional matters, general corporate work, real estate...
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Dale has extensive experience in the area of nonprofit and tax exempt entities, and works with a wide range of exempt organizations, including charities, social service agencies, cultural...
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If you own land that touches or is bounded by a natural body of water, you are entitled to riparian rights. This very specialized aspect of real estate law presents unique challenges which...
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Bill has served firm clients for over three decades in litigation matters that have been resolved through arbitrations, mediations, and bench and jury trials. He also oversees Varnum’s...
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John represents clients in various types of complex commercial litigation and provides counsel on matters including regulatory compliance, licensing and insurance coverage. He has...
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Michael Romaya represents lenders and borrowers in a wide variety of commercial financial transactions. He has structured, negotiated, and documented numerous senior and subordinate debt...
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Katie is an associate in the firm’s tax practice team. She focuses on federal income tax matters for both foreign and domestic clients and issues pertaining to employee benefits and...
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Mike focuses his practice on commercial litigation and trademarks. He also serves as a federal mediator. He has tried and arbitrated numerous commercial cases.
Mike’s experience...
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Counsel Erika handles family law litigation matters including complex divorces, initial and post judgment child custody matters, change of domicile, paternity, minor guardianship and third-party...
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Partner Bonnie has 25 years of experience representing people and families whose lives have been affected by catastrophic personal injury and death. She has been involved in investigating,...
269-553-3508 www.varnumlaw.com |
Partner Pete focuses on real estate, finance and municipal matters. His practice is transaction oriented, working with businesses, institutions, developers, and investors in real estate purchases,...
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Partner Fred provides general legal counsel to private business interests and nonprofit organizations. He has over 30 years of experience assisting for-profit and nonprofit companies with advice,...
269/553-3514 www.varnumlaw.com |
Partner Stephanie advises employers on a wide variety of labor and employment matters, with an emphasis on employment litigation defense, and the identification and development of best practices in...
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Partner Mary Kay has a diverse practice focusing on public finance, corporate finance and creditors' rights issues. In the area of municipal finance, she advises clients on tax-exempt financing...
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Partner Beth is a partner in the labor and employment practice group, focusing employment issues and litigation. She has counseled business clients on a variety of matters affecting the workplace,...
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Partner Peter is a partner and leads the Personal Injury Practice Team. His practice focuses on business litigation defense (FSLA, Product Liability Defense, Malpractice Defense) as well as...
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Associate Tiffany is a member of the firm's Labor and Employment Team. She has a depth of experience in employment matters, having served as a senior account manager at a regional staffing firm for...
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Counsel Jeffrey is a technology-focused corporate attorney with broad legal authority in autonomous and connected vehicles. He previously served as autonomous vehicle counsel for a major global...
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Nina focuses her practice on business and family-based immigration matters. Her experience encompasses nonimmigrant visa petitions including H-1B visas, L-1A and L-1B visas, TN visas under...
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Will is an associate attorney who works in both the Novi and Detroit offices. His legal experience includes serving as a judicial intern for the Honorable Sean F. Cox of the U.S. District...
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John is a partner in Varnum's corporate practice. Over the course of his career, he has advised on dozens of complex transactions whose aggregate value totals more than $10 billion. John...
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Although Larry has retired from active practice, he is available to consult with clients in the areas of his previous practice, which included:
representing employers on employee benefit...
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Kristen is an associate in the finance and corporate practice groups, and focuses her practice on both financial matters, and business and corporate matters. She represents lenders and...
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Joe Vogan has litigation experience in all areas of employment law, including wrongful discharge, the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, Title VII, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA...
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Bryan helps companies successfully resolve business disputes, representing clients in a wide range of industries including manufacturing, health care, and professional services. Bryan...
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Bill is an associate at Varnum. He is a skilled researcher with experience in the labor and employment area as well as litigation matters. While in law school, Bill worked as an intern at...
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Pat's practice concentrates on the full spectrum of civil rights issues including race, gender and disability matters, free speech and electronic privacy issues in the workplace. In...
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As a member of the Health Care Practice Team, Sarah's unique practice includes working with physicians, physician groups, hospitals and health care entities on mergers and acquisitions,...
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Mike is a partner on the firm's Corporate Practice Team and formerly served as the chair of the firm’s Policy Committee. His practice focuses on corporate governance, securities, and...
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Rebecca is a member of the Estate Planning Practice Team. She advises clients on all aspects of estate planning and trusts, including probate avoidance, asset protection, special purpose...
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