Dennis J. Donohue

Ron has accumulated a vast amount of first chair trial experience. As an Assistant United States Attorney in Miami for seven years, he tried several large criminal cases. In his final year as a federal prosecutor, he served as Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Ron’s broad trial and litigation skills allow him to represent clients in diverse types of disputes in nearly any locale in the country. Since joining Varnum, Ron has tried and litigate...

Christy McDonald is an employment lawyer and litigator. She is passionate about working with employers on their legal challenges and opportunities. She provides daily counseling for employers on all aspects of employment law and provides proactive advice on litigation avoidance and risk management. As a seasoned trial advocate, Christy has significant experience achieving favorable results for clients in employment and commercial cases.

Robert D. Wolford is a member of the Firm’s Management Committee and has been practicing law since 2001. He is a corporate lawyer who represents automotive suppliers and other manufacturers ranging from publicly traded to closely held as well as nonprofit. He has significant experience in mergers and acquisitions as well as workouts and bankruptcy. Mr. Wolford serves as the Legal Counsel to several groups including the Economic Club of Grand Rapids. He is one of the founders of the West...

Daniel J. James is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. He has been recognized since 2025. He represents clients in insurance coverage disputes, both property and liability, arising under a wide variety of policies, including CGL, auto, homeowner, renter, landlord, and professional liability. He has significant experience with claims arising under the Michigan auto no-fault sta...

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...

Amy is experienced in representing employers in the retail, hospitality, warehouse, distribution, manufacturing, food production, transportation and healthcare industries. She advises and trains clients on employee relations, union avoidance, collective bargaining strategies, sexual harassment and compliance with state and federal employment laws. Amy also offers an in-depth understanding of Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA),...

Joseph J. Gavin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Insurance. Joseph J. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Joseph J. Gavin since 2027. 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 Joseph J. Gavin is held by other lawyers.

John T. McFarland is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. John T. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized John T. McFarland since 2024. 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 John T. McFarland is held by ot...

Conor is a skilled litigator who draws on his years of experience with the Department of Justice and in private practice to help navigate clients from a lawsuit’s inception through its successful completion. Conor expertly tries cases, frames the issues in the trial court for potential appeal, and develops a successful appellate strategy. Conor has a varied litigation practice. He has tried multiple federal cases and handled significant pre-trial discovery and motions practice. In one f...

Harvey Koning is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group and is active in the firm’s Financial Institutions Industry group. He works with a wide variety of businesses, from start-ups to public companies. He represents companies involved in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and also initial and secondary public offerings. Harvey’s corporate practice also includes private equity, venture capital, securities regulation and executive compensation. He works extensively with a numbe...