Carol D. Carlson

Dustin J. Daniels is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Dustin J. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Dustin J. Daniels since 2020. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in wh...

Elizabeth K. Bransdorfer received her bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts and her law degree cum laude from the Law School, both at the University of Minnesota. Liz specializes in divorce and family law using mediation, and collaborative practice as well as traditional litigation and arbitration. She is admitted to practice in all Michigan state courts, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the United States District Co...

Dan is a highly experienced attorney working primarily in the bankruptcy, workout, restructuring and finance-related world, where for more than 36 years he has represented lenders, borrowers, companies, and individuals in almost every kind of debtor-creditor related matter they might encounter. Along the way he’s handled all manner of bankruptcy cases, documented and restructured loans and other transactions, helped clients buy and sell companies, litigated insolvency related matters, a...

Tom’s practice includes design and implementation of sophisticated estate plans, active administration of trust accounts, settlement of decedent’s estates, estate taxation, and charitable gift planning. He advises many of Varnum's family business owners and is a member of our Family Business Team. Tom currently serves as the Firm's Executive Partner, one of our two Managing Partners. Previously, he served five years as the chair of the Firm's Estate Planning, Tax, and Employee Ben...

John G. Cameron, Jr., practices principally in the areas of real estate, construction, and general business law. He has written numerous chapters and articles and, in addition to writing the two-volume Michigan Real Property Law: Principles and Commentary (Michigan ICLE 3d ed) (often referred to as the “Bible” of Michigan real property law), is the author of the five-volume treatise Michigan Real Estate Forms & Practice (Aspen Publishers 1998) and A Practitioner’s Guide ...

Chris works intimately with clients and their advisors to create estate plans that enable families to plan for today as well as for future generations. Chris regularly prepares sophisticated estate plans, emphasizing probate avoidance, estate tax planning, and business succession planning. In addition, Chris has an emphasis on helping families with cottage succession planning. Chris's practice also includes a significant focus on post-death planning and estate and trust administration. Chris ...

Michael J. Roth is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Michael J. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Michael J. Roth since 2020. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Michael J. Roth is held by other lawyers.

Timothy J. Ryan is a Shareholder in the Grand Rapids, Michigan office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Mr. Ryan is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (J.D., magna cum laude ) and Aquinas College (B.A., magna cum laude). Mr. Ryan has practiced exclusively in the labor and employment area since 1987, when he was admitted to the Bar. He has obtained an “AV® Preeminent™” rating, which is the highest peer review rating from Martindale Hubbell. He has been selected by his peers f...

Kaplin concentrates his corporate practice on advising clients regarding choice of entity and transactional tax planning; structuring tax-free reorganizations and like-kind property exchanges; setting up and advising tax-exempt and nonprofit corporations; handling IRS audits and appeals hearings; commencing and settling tax litigation; formulating and drafting tax opinions; and preparing IRS ruling requests. Kaplin negotiates and structures the following types of transactions: asset and prope...

Mike has a multi-state practice focused on debt restructuring and complex commercial litigation. Mike serves many businesses, but specializes in automotive, agriculture and telecommunications. Mike also regularly represents health care research facilities, ambulance agencies, and other health care clients. Mike represents the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids. Mike served as a law clerk to the late Honorable David E. Nims, a United States Bankruptcy Judge. In the 1980s, Mike was an FBI a...