John Combs

Kimberly A. Baber is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Kimberly A., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kimberly A. 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.

William A. Horn received his bachelor's degree with honors from the University of Wisconsin and graduated cum laude from the University of Wisconsin Law School. Bill specializes in environmental, oil and gas, eminent domain, water and riparian rights, land use and public utility law, as well as civil and administrative litigation, and has been representing and counseling private and public sector clients in these areas since 1982. In addition to having served as an adjunct professor for a law...

Bill has been the chairman of Varnum’s Trial Practice Group since 2007. He has served firm clients for over three decades in litigation matters that have been resolved through arbitrations, mediations, and bench and jury trials. Bill also oversees Varnum's construction litigation practice area. He is one of two Varnum partners who serve as a Practice Management Leader, through which he assists and guides Varnum lawyers in the conduct of their practice efforts.

Peter A. Schmidt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Peter 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 Peter A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nikole L. Canute’s areas of practice include: labor and employment law, employment litigation, energy litigation, civil litigation, fraud investigation and litigation and securities litigation. She is very skilled in handling employment investigations, electronic discovery and matters involving computer forensic investigations. Nikole also specializes in energy matters, including condemnation. Her experience includes working with local municipal authorities and law enforcement during pr...

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 activit...

Katie has a broad practice that allows her to serve many different individuals and families. She creates estate plans of all types – from those with estate tax issues and succession planning for business owners to young families planning to protect their young children. Katie helps families determine what steps to take after the loss or incapacity of a loved one and works through any probate, guardianship and conservatorship, or trust administration that may be required. She has signifi...

John T. McFarland is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. John T., 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 John T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

With numerous multi-million dollar deals to his credit, Jeffrey G. York focuses his practice on corporate, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, succession planning, finance, construction, entrepreneurial, manufacturing, and real estate. He represents corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships in the acquisition or sale of a wide range of businesses, including automotive component manufacturers, tool-and-die businesses, food and equipment manufacturers, automobile dealership...