Charles N. Ash, Jr.

Joe focuses on employment law and litigation and has experience in all areas of employment law including FLSA, ADA, wrongful discharge, the Elliott-Larson Civil Rights Act, Title VII, ADEA, Retiree Health Insurance, FMLA, the Whistleblowers’ Protection Act and others.

William H. Fallon is a Member of the firm and has been practicing law since 1981. His practice is focused on representing employers in employment and labor matters, including employment litigation. Labor and Employment Law Experience Mr. Fallon helps employers find successful, constructive solutions to their most difficult employment problems, in and out of court. Most employers prefer to stay out of court, which is accomplished by effective early management of potential legal problems. Mr. F...

Daniel J. James is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Daniel J., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Malson has more than 30 years of experience in estate planning for high net worth clients; business succession planning for owners of privately owned companies; and the representation of dentists, orthodontists and other doctors regarding practice purchases and sales, general business advice and dispute resolution. David also serves as outside general counsel for privately and publicly held companies. David works on estate plans ranging in size from moderate to extensive. Typical projec...

Richard (Dick) E. Hillary, II, is a member of Miller Johnson and has been practicing law since 1996. He is a commercial litigator. Mr. Hillary represents a wide variety of business entities and individuals; including hospitals, physician groups, large and small corporations, and individuals in all facets of litigation. Before joining Miller Johnson, Mr. Hillary served as law clerk for the Honorable William B. Murphy of the Michigan Court of Appeals. Health Care Reimbursement Mr. Hillary couns...

John D. Arendshorst is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. John D., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Wayne Roberts is the co-chair of Bodman’s Business Tax Group. His practice is focused on corporate, business and individual tax planning and federal, state and local tax controversies. He has been a recognized state and local tax (SALT) lawyer for more than 20 years. He has been involved in a majority of the significant legislative, administrative and case law developments that have taken place in Michigan taxation.His broad tax practice includes all aspects of federal and state tax pla...

Jeff chairs Varnum's employee benefits practice group. He has 25 years of experience working with employers, executives and third-party administrators on a wide range of employee benefit, executive compensation and individual retirement matters, including plan design, plan administration, benefit plan disputes and tax planning for retirement. He also helps solve complex tax issues in business and investment transactions, especially those involving pass-through entities and oil and gas activit...

Jeff’s practice is focused on financing transactions, from tax-exempt and taxable bond issues to commercial loans. He has served as bond counsel to State of Michigan departments and agencies as well as to local bond issuers. Jeff also represents letter of credit providers and underwriters in bond transactions.

John M. DeVries, a native of Grand Rapids, practices in the areas of litigation in federal and state courts, oil, gas and water law, eminent domain and zoning law. John received his bachelor's degree from Calvin College and his law degree from the University of Michigan, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif. He is a member of the Grand Rapids and Federal Bar Associations, the State Bar of Michigan, and is a life member of the Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference.