Emily S. Rucker

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.

Richard K. Grover, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Richard K., who practices law in Grandville, Michigan, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Jeffrey A. Michael is a partner in the firm's Grand Rapids, Michigan, office, and a member of the Intellectual Property and Technology Departments, as well as the Nanotechnology Practice Group. Jeffrey serves corporate and individual clients by obtaining intellectual property protection in the United States and foreign countries and concentrates this portion of his practice primarily in the areas of electrical, electro-mechanical, mechanical, and computer-related inventions. He also counsels ...

Laura A. Chappelle is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Energy Regulatory Law. Laura A., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laura A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Peter G. Roth is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Peter G., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

Rick is a partner in the Kalamazoo office. Since 1981, he has represented employers exclusively in solving labor and employment law problems in the workplace. He devotes most of his time to advising employers about how to avoid workplace crises, comply with state and federal labor and employment laws and regulations, and prevent litigation. He has significant experience counseling employers on how to stay union-free, and routinely works with clients in the application and enforcement of colle...

Dan's practice includes the capitalization and structure of business entities, strategic and governance issues for public and private companies and structuring and negotiating mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances. He has worked with large and small businesses and regularly advises directors on corporate and strategic issues.

Susan has extensive experience in the public finance area. She has served as bond counsel to the State of Michigan, its departments and authorities, as well as to many cities, counties, villages, townships, school districts, district libraries, other public authorities and Indian tribes. In addition to serving as bond counsel, Susan has also served as underwriter’s counsel, bank counsel, tax counsel and obligor’s counsel for numerous tax-exempt financings, including governmental o...