Justin W. Stemple

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...

Laura A. Chappelle is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Energy Law and Energy Regulatory Law. Laura A. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Laura A. Chappelle since 2017. 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 Laura A. Chappelle is held by other lawyers.

An accomplished legal counselor with years of experience advising on the complex issues employers face daily, Jenny serves as a skilled problem-solver and defender of employers across the country. Through negotiation, mediation, court dismissals and representation before juries, Jenny brings to bear a pragmatic approach to risk management. Jenny’s labor and employment practice is national in scope, and Fortune 500 multinational clients and other public and private companies seek her rep...

Mark is a State and Federal Court Approved General Civil Mediator, with regular appointments by the Kent County Circuit Court and the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. He has extensive representative experience handling claims in excess of one million dollars and has handled some of the largest (30 million plus) and longest (eight week jury trial) cases in Kent County history. Mark assists clients in developing policies, procedures and documents that address n...

Bryan R. Walters is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Bryan R. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Bryan R. Walters 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 Bryan R. Walters is held by other lawyers.

Steve Afendoulis is a partner and past chairman of the trial practice group. He is a trial and appellate advocate with a focus in the areas of complex commercial; partnership, shareholder and LLC disputes; personal injury; real estate; and trademark and unfair competition. He is a certified facilitative mediator and is trained in advanced alternative dispute resolution.

Greg J. Ekdahl is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Greg J. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Greg J. Ekdahl since 2024. 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 Greg J. Ekdahl is held by other lawyers.

James R. Peterson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Litigation - Environmental, Litigation - Real Estate and Trade Secrets Law. James R. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized James R. Peterson since 2020. 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 James R. P...

Daniel J. Parmeter, Jr. specializes in general business law, including entity formations, mergers and acquisitions, sales, finance, commercial transactions, and joint venture agreements; and in general real estate law, including acquisitions, sales, construction, leasing, condominiums, development and finance. Dan received his bachelor's degree from Hope College and his law degree from Case Western Reserve University where he graduated cum laude. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.

Kaplin concentrates his corporate practice on advising clients regarding choice of entity and transactional tax planning; structuring tax-free reorganizations and like-kind property exchanges; setting up and advising tax-exempt and nonprofit corporations; handling IRS audits and appeals hearings; commencing and settling tax litigation; formulating and drafting tax opinions; and preparing IRS ruling requests. Kaplin negotiates and structures the following types of transactions: asset and prope...