John W. Allen

John W. Allen

recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2005
Awarded Practice Areas
Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants Litigation - Banking and Finance Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Awarded Practice Areas
Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants Litigation - Banking and Finance Litigation - Trusts and Estates
John W. Allen
John W. Allen
Kalamazoo, MI
Works at
Varnum LLP

102 Best Lawyers awards

Varnum LLP logo

Biography

John Allen focuses his practice on business and commercial litigation. He is a Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate, by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. With over 30 years experience handling legal problems, John has written and co-written dozens of articles and books, and speaks frequently to business and law groups. On a regular basis, he teaches courses in law and trial practice to other lawyers, and often serves as an expert witness. He is a certified arbitrator and mediator.
Works at
Varnum LLP

102 Best Lawyers awards

Varnum LLP logo

Locations

Education

  • The University of Michigan Law School, J.D., graduated 1972

Bar Admissions

  • Michigan, State Bar of Michigan
  • Indiana, Indiana State Bar Association
  • Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association
  • Florida, The Florida Bar
  • Minnesota, Minnesota State Bar Association
  • Wisconsin, State Bar of Wisconsin

Affiliations

  • Golf Association of Michigan - Board of Governors
  • Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce - Chair, 1996 - 1997
  • Michigan PGA and USGA - Tournament Rules Official

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Litigation - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Kalamazoo (2025)
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Kalamazoo (2021)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Family Law
  • Legal Malpractice Law
  • Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
  • Litigation - Antitrust
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
Special Focus:
  • Antitrust
  • Banking
  • Bankruptcy and Creditors'-Debtors' Rights
  • Business Disputes
  • Complex Litigation
  • Construction
  • Insurance
  • Intellectual Property
  • Lawyer Ethics
  • Mediation
  • Professional Malpractice
Awards:
  • National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate
  • American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
  • Martindale-Hubbell Rated, AV® Preeminent™
  • Certified in Advanced Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Listed in Michigan Super Lawyers®

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