John C. Buchanan

Daniel R. Kubiak received his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and obtained his law degree from Wayne State University in 1980. Dan's practice areas include commercial, secured transactions, lien laws, real property, foreclosures, bankruptcy, creditors' rights, corporate and real estate law. He is a member of the Real Property Section of the State Bar of Michigan, Business Law Section of the American Bar Association, and Bankruptcy Section and Steering Committee of the Federa...

Gary J. Mouw is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation. Gary J., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gary J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Thomas R. Behm is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Thomas R., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeff’s practice focuses on business law, real estate, and estate planning. He works with many small- and medium-sized companies and handles all of their legal issues, including business transactions, financing, contracts, licensing matters, and real estate transactions. Jeff has special expertise in commercial real estate development and financing and in the ownership, management and transfer of family cottages, farms and vacation properties. He also represents clients in the agricultur...

Fred is a member of the Estate Planning Practice Group. He has been assisting his clients with their estate planning needs since he first began his practice, and he has during that time handled a wide variety of estate settlements and estate settlement issues. His particular focus is on counseling clients on techniques to minimize estate and gift taxes, and drafting the documents to accomplish that objective. Fred is also a trusted personal advisor to many of the families he has worked with o...

Tom’s practice includes design and implementation of sophisticated estate plans, active administration of trust accounts, settlement of decedent’s estates, estate taxation, and charitable gift planning. He advises many of Varnum's family business owners and is a member of our Family Business Team. Tom currently serves as the Firm's Executive Partner, one of our two Managing Partners. Previously, he served five years as the chair of the Firm's Estate Planning, Tax, and Employee Ben...

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.

Luis E. Avila is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Labor Law - Management. Luis E., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Luis E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tom's representative clients are individuals and small, closely held businesses. Tom helps these West Michigan businesses in all business matters, including but not limited to, estate and tax planning, commercial and real estate transactions, and mergers and acquisitions.

Scott focuses his practice in corporate and business law with an emphasis on health care law and life sciences, including all aspects of hospital and nursing home law, third party reimbursement, public and private health care provider financing, and commercialization of physician inventions and ideas. He provides counsel on mergers and acquisitions, finance, securities, real estate development, labor relations, construction contracting and business succession planning.