David C. Sarnacki

Nyal is a partner in the Real Estate Practice Group. He focuses his practice on conveyance and lease transactions, land use approvals for various development projects including shopping centers, resorts, residential subdivisions, marinas and commercial projects, construction and permanent lending, on behalf of lenders and borrowers and real estate investment trusts. He has unique municipal experience having served as a member of the East Grand Rapids City Commission and Chairperson of its Pla...

Mary Kay Shaver is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Public Finance Law. Mary Kay, who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mary Kay is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Aaron M. Phelps is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - ERISA. Aaron M., 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 Aaron M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Peter helps businesses and individuals respond to legal problems that typically arise in transactions for real and/or personal property, including the sale, leasing, financing, or development of real property or business assets. In addition, he helps lenders and commercial borrowers utilize financial transactions to structure real property and business financing. Peter has also assisted many businesses, including financial institutions, in a variety of litigation and loan work-out matters.

Kimberly A. Clarke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Immigration Law. Kimberly A., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kimberly A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Smith practices primarily in the areas of employment law, civil litigation, contracts, business and corporate law, construction law, federal government contracts, and postal law. He has unique expertise in federal sector employment law and represents employees of federal agencies in many forums. Mr. Smith has extensive litigation experience in these areas and has appeared before federal district courts, courts of appeal, bankruptcy courts, boards of contract appeal, the Equal Employment O...

Ryan P. Duffy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Health Care. Ryan P., 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 Ryan P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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.

Neil P. Jansen received his bachelor's degrees in Political Science and International Studies from Michigan State University in 1984 and his law degree from Wayne State University in 1988, where he was a member of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court team and Chancellor of the Moot Court Program. Neil practices in the areas of civil and real estate litigation, probate litigation, estate planning and eminent domain. He is a member of the Grand Rapids and American Bar Associations,...