Jeffrey A. DeVree
Awarded Practice Areas
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Litigation and Controversy - Tax Tax Law
Biography
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 activities.
Overview
Grand Rapids, Michigan
- The University of Michigan Law School, J.D., graduated 1982
- Michigan, State Bar of Michigan
- Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce - Tax and Regulatory Affairs Committee, Health and Human Resources Committee
- Great Lakes Area Tax-Exempt and Government Entities Council - Member Emeritus
- Michigan Oil and Gas Association - Member, Chair of Tax and Industry Economics Committee
- National Center for Employee Ownership - Member
- The ESOP Association - Member
- United States Tax Court
- United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Michigan, State Bar of Michigan
- Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce - Tax and Regulatory Affairs Committee, Health and Human Resources Committee
- Great Lakes Area Tax-Exempt and Government Entities Council - Member Emeritus
- Michigan Oil and Gas Association - Member, Chair of Tax and Industry Economics Committee
- National Center for Employee Ownership - Member
- The ESOP Association - Member
- The University of Michigan Law School, J.D., graduated 1982
- United States Tax Court
- United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus

Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Grand Rapids (2024)
- Tax Law, Grand Rapids (2022)
- Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Grand Rapids (2019)
- Tax Law, Grand Rapids (2018)
- Tax Law, Grand Rapids (2016)
- Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Grand Rapids (2015)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
- Litigation and Controversy - Tax
- Tax Law
Special Focus:
- Corporate and Partnership Transactions
- COVID-19
- ESOPS
- Tax
Awards:
- Martindale-Hubbell Rated, AV® Preeminent™
- Listed in Michigan Super Lawyers since 2006
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2008, Employee Benefits Law and Tax Law
News & Media
Publications
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