Katherine Smith "Kathy" Kennedy

Eric is a seasoned business and corporate attorney who provides comprehensive legal counsel to startups, private and family-owned businesses, and multinational corporations across diverse industries, including automotive, manufacturing, technology, food and agriculture, venture capital and professional services. He supports clients throughout the entire lifecycle of their business, from the formation or acquisition stage through the ultimate sale or other exit – and all the legal issues...

Peter helps businesses and individuals respond to legal problems that typically arise in transactions for real and/or personal property, including the sale, leasing, financing, or development of real property or business assets. In addition, he helps lenders and commercial borrowers utilize financial transactions to structure real property and business financing. Peter has also assisted many businesses, including financial institutions, in a variety of litigation and loan work-out matters.

Dustin Jackson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Dustin, 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 Dustin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Scott Dienes is a real estate, municipal and finance attorney assisting clients with complex projects that define and shape communities. With a strong municipal and real estate background, along with tax-exempt bond and public finance experience, Scott keeps projects on track and on budget. Scott has served as general counsel to municipal clients his entire career. He acts on behalf of local governments, development authorities, school districts, water and sewer authorities, district librarie...

Ron has accumulated a vast amount of first chair trial experience. As an Assistant United States Attorney in Miami for seven years, he tried several large criminal cases. In his final year as a federal prosecutor, he served as Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Ron’s broad trial and litigation skills allow him to represent clients in diverse types of disputes in nearly any locale in the country. Since joining Varnum, Ron has tried and litigate...

Stephen Hulst is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Stephen specializes in Personal Injury Law, No-Fault Law, and Commercial Litigation. His experience with both the No-Fault Act as well as personal injury claims allows him to provide comprehensive representation to his clients who are not only dealing with the pain, suffering, and limitations from their injuries but also often find themselves overwhelmed by medical bills and issues. St...

Jeffrey D. DenBraber is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Jeffrey D., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Peter G. Roth is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Peter G., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

Fred is a member of the Estate Planning Practice Group. He has been assisting his clients with their estate planning needs since he first began his practice, and he has during that time handled a wide variety of estate settlements and estate settlement issues. His particular focus is on counseling clients on techniques to minimize estate and gift taxes, and drafting the documents to accomplish that objective. Fred is also a trusted personal advisor to many of the families he has worked with o...