Karen J. VanderWerff

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.

Daniel J. Broxup practices in the areas of commercial litigation and securities litigation and arbitration. He regularly litigates business disputes in state and federal courts, representing a diverse group of clients from industries such as auto manufacturing, construction, transportation, retail, banking, and finance. In addition, he represents victims of investment fraud and malpractice in state- and federal-court litigation and in arbitration proceedings administered by FINRA, AAA, and JA...

Mike has a multi-state practice focused on debt restructuring and complex commercial litigation. Mike serves many businesses, but specializes in automotive, agriculture and telecommunications. Mike also regularly represents health care research facilities, ambulance agencies, and other health care clients. Mike represents the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids. Mike served as a law clerk to the late Honorable David E. Nims, a United States Bankruptcy Judge. In the 1980s, Mike was an FBI a...

Jeffrey G. Muth has been practicing law since 2000 and is chair of the firm's Privacy and Data Security practice. His practice involves complex commercial litigation and corporate counseling with a niche in insurance coverage. In addition, he is experienced in alternate dispute resolution including arbitration and mediation. Mr. Muth attended and completed the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School “Mediating Disputes.” He is also an approved mediator for the United States D...

James R. Peterson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Litigation - Environmental, Litigation - Real Estate and Trade Secrets Law. James R., 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 James R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Aaron M. Phelps is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - ERISA. Aaron M., 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 Aaron M. 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.

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...

Gary A. Maximiuk is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Gary A., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gary A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...