John R. "Jack" Oostema

Mark E Rizik is Chair of the firm’s Taxation practices. He has extensive experience in matters regarding tax penalty cases, tax refund claims and litigation, estates and trusts as S corporation shareholders, employee and independent contractor classification, employee leasing, business transactions, and tax controversies. Mr. Rizik has tried hundreds of tax cases successfully. His cases have often resulted nationally published opinions. Mr. Rizik previously was a Senior Trial Attorney i...

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...

Kimberly A. Clarke is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Immigration Law. Kimberly A. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Kimberly A. Clarke since 2019. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Kimberly A. Clarke is held by other lawyers.

Rick is a member of Varnum's Labor and Employment Practice Group. He focuses on the defense of employers in workers’ compensation litigation, from managing contested cases in an aggressive and efficient manner to assessing cost-containment methods. He represents employers at all levels of the court system, including the Workers’ Compensation Appellate Court, the Michigan Court of Appeals, and Michigan Supreme Court. Rick has handled multiple Michigan Occupational Safety and Health...

Peter Lozicki is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law and Commercial Transactions / UCC Law. Pete serves as an attorney and trusted adviser to businesses and business owners. He helps navigate organizations through sophisticated transactions, including mergers and acquisitions and commercial financing. Peter, who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on ...

William J. Leeder III is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. William J. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized William J. Leeder III since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which William J. Leeder III is held by other lawyers.

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...

Stephen J. van Stempvoort is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Stephen J. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Stephen J. van Stempvoort since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Stephen J. van Stempvoo...

Harvey Koning is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group and is active in the firm’s Financial Institutions Industry group. He works with a wide variety of businesses, from start-ups to public companies. He represents companies involved in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and also initial and secondary public offerings. Harvey’s corporate practice also includes private equity, venture capital, securities regulation and executive compensation. He works extensively with a numbe...

Fredric N. Goldberg practices in the area of corporate and business law, with an emphasis in transactional practice, and in the area of college and university law. In addition, he has developed substantive expertise in the field of water law and the law of natural resources generally. He was recently recognized in the 2010 Best Lawyers publication for his water law expertise. Fred is a member of the Grand Rapids Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan. He received his bachelor's degree ...