Karen J. VanderWerff

Neil specializes in business, estate and gift tax planning, estate planning, probate, business succession planning, and real estate law, representing numerous individuals and businesses with their planning and business issues since 1984. Neil is a member of the estate planning, probate, real property, and business and taxation sections of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan, and the Grand Rapids Bar Association. Neil is a member of the Western Michigan Estate Planning Coun...

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...

Jacob A. Droppers is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Jacob A. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Jacob A. Droppers 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 Jacob A. Droppers is held by other lawyers.

Elizabeth K. Bransdorfer received her bachelor’s degree from the College of Liberal Arts and her law degree cum laude from the Law School, both at the University of Minnesota. Liz specializes in divorce and family law using mediation, and collaborative practice as well as traditional litigation and arbitration. She is admitted to practice in all Michigan state courts, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the United States District Co...

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...

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...

Gary J. Mouw is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation. Gary J. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Gary J. Mouw 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 Gary J. Mouw is held by other lawyers.

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

Kurt G. Yost is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Kurt G. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized Kurt G. Yost since 2013. 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 Kurt G. Yost is held by other lawyers.

John T. McFarland is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. John T. practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan Best Lawyers has recognized John T. McFarland 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 John T. McFarland is held by ot...