Laura A. Jeltema

Joe focuses on employment law and litigation and has experience in all areas of employment law including FLSA, ADA, wrongful discharge, the Elliott-Larson Civil Rights Act, Title VII, ADEA, Retiree Health Insurance, FMLA, the Whistleblowers’ Protection Act and others.

Jeff’s practice is focused on financing transactions, from tax-exempt and taxable bond issues to commercial loans. He has served as bond counsel to State of Michigan departments and agencies as well as to local bond issuers. Jeff also represents letter of credit providers and underwriters in bond transactions.

Although Jim's legal practice is broad, much of his work involves conflict resolution. He often represents businesses and individuals who find themselves in crisis – they may have been named as a defendant in a lawsuit, have a disagreement over a contract, or have a dispute with a tenant. Jim's role is to learn as much as possible about the legal problem and the individuals involved, help his client understand the potential consequences, weigh potential solutions, and assist the client ...

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...

Andrew Oostema is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law and Litigation - Health Care. Andrew, who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Andrew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert D. Wolford is a member of the Firm’s Management Committee and has been practicing law since 2001. He is a corporate lawyer who represents automotive suppliers and other manufacturers ranging from publicly traded to closely held as well as nonprofit. He has significant experience in mergers and acquisitions as well as workouts and bankruptcy. Mr. Wolford serves as the Legal Counsel to several groups including the Economic Club of Grand Rapids. He is one of the founders of the West...

Stephanie R. Setterington is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Stephanie R., 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 Stephanie R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dan is a highly experienced attorney working primarily in the bankruptcy, workout, restructuring and finance-related world, where for more than 36 years he has represented lenders, borrowers, companies, and individuals in almost every kind of debtor-creditor related matter they might encounter. Along the way he’s handled all manner of bankruptcy cases, documented and restructured loans and other transactions, helped clients buy and sell companies, litigated insolvency related matters, a...

David Hall is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Commercial Finance Law. David, 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 David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dave’s “client-centered” practice involves a variety of labor and employment issues. He provides practical and confidential ongoing advice and consulting on a number of sensitive and complex labor and employment matters, from problem employee situations to multi-facility collective bargaining negotiations. His representative clients include diverse industries (such as automotive, printing, transportation and hospitals) throughout the nation.