James J. Steffel

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...

Michael J. TerBeek is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Michael 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 Michael J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mel and his firm concentrate on securities and business disputes, including: Securities Litigation; FINRA Arbitration and Related Court Cases; Defending Investment Firms and their Financial Professionals against Investor Claims; Litigating Enforcement of Confidentiality Agreements, Non-solicit Agreements, Non-competes, and other Restrictive Agreements; FINRA Expungement hearings; Advising Clients on Securities Law and Compliance; Business Disputes, especially closely held firms. Mel is also a...

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...

Mark represents physicians in professional liability actions, including those engaged in emergency medicine, family practice, general surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, internal medicine, neurology, anesthesiology, nephrology, obstetrics/gynecology, orthopedics, pathology, urology, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, radiology and other specialties. In addition to representing the medical practitioner, I have also served a number of hospital entities and defended claims made against ho...

Jennifer A. Puplava practices primarily in the areas of intellectual property law and technology law. She helps clients protect their trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property, and she assists clients with the negotiation, drafting and enforcement of, and compliance with, related agreements, policies, terms and conditions and other documents. She counsels clients regarding a wide range of technology law issues, including the acquisition and maintenance of domain na...

Andrew Blum focuses his practice in complex business litigation, particularly eminent domain and land use litigation, oil and gas rights disputes, business fraud/tort cases, and material supply agreement disputes in the automotive industry. Before joining Bodman in May 2024, Andrew was a Principal with a large Michigan-based business law firm where he served as Resident Director of the Grand Rapids office. Andrew has represented both landowners and condemning authorities in eminent domain cas...

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

Jeffrey D. DenBraber is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Jeffrey D., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...