Edward P. Perdue

Joe is a partner in the Corporate Services Practice Group and has been with the firm since 1993. His practice focuses on corporate governance and counseling, securities matters, and mergers and acquisitions along with certain tax matters. He represents publicly-held and privately-held clients in a variety of industries and matters, from board governance to securities law compliance to buying and selling businesses, as well as structuring business transactions, and successions. Joe is also inv...

Michigan Trial Attorney William M. Azkoul specializes in personal injury law, complex commercial litigation, banking and credit union law, securities and alternative dispute resolution. Community Service Board of Elders, Calvary Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2014-2017, Chairman 2000-2013 Grand Rapids Bar Association 3Rs Program, Instructor of Civics Education Program at Ottawa Hills High School, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2014 – present Facilitative Mediator for the Dispute Resolution Ce...

Kelley Stoppels is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Labor Law - Management. Kelley, who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kelley is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

John works with business and health care clients, mainly helping them manage their relationships with their workers. This may involve developing contracts, bargaining agreements or benefit plans, guiding clients through the regulatory maze that now governs every aspect of the employment relationship, or handling investigations, arbitrations or litigation. He has extensive experience in complex commercial contract litigation and cases involving unfair competition, as well as defending class an...

Patrick A. Miles, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Governance Law and Corporate Law. Patrick A., 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 Patrick A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark sues insurance companies when they fail to pay claims. Varnum represents only insureds in these matters. Mark has helped shape the landscape of Michigan Insurance Law since 1985.He is regularly asked to speak on insurance issues for continuing legal education programs, and at other bar related activities. Mark is also Varnum's lead attorney in litigation matters dealing with employee benefit issues under ERISA. He has handled all facets of employee benefit litigation, from benefit claims...

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...

Jeffrey G. Muth has been practicing law since 2000 and is chair of the firm's Privacy and Data Security practice. His practice involves complex commercial litigation and corporate counseling with a niche in insurance coverage. In addition, he is experienced in alternate dispute resolution including arbitration and mediation. Mr. Muth attended and completed the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School “Mediating Disputes.” He is also an approved mediator for the United States D...

Steve Afendoulis is a partner and past chairman of the trial practice group. He is a trial and appellate advocate with a focus in the areas of complex commercial; partnership, shareholder and LLC disputes; personal injury; real estate; and trademark and unfair competition. He is a certified facilitative mediator and is trained in advanced alternative dispute resolution.