Laura Johnson

Pam helps individuals, families, and business owners preserve their legacy through proper estate planning and by working with them to resolve family strife during times of disability or death. This includes listening and understanding the client’s concerns so that she can recommend and prepare proper estate plans, establishing guardianships and conservatorships where appropriate, working through various potential tax issues, attending hearings and other matters at the probate court when...

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...

With a background in finance and accounting, and with specialized training in business valuation, Paul helps clients determine the value of privately held business interests, often in high-stakes, complex and (sometimes) contentious shareholder and family law disputes. Business valuation expertise is critical to his clients with respect to shareholder and governance issues, shareholders looking to exit companies who either have or lack liquidity rights, families in multi-generational business...

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...

Benjamin A. Zainea, a native of Grand Rapids, graduated from Northview High School in 1992. He attended the University of Michigan School of Business Administration, where he served as president of the professional/service fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi and graduated with high distinction in 1996. He earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1999. Ben specializes in business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, business formation, general business and real estate la...

Mary Kay Shaver is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Public Finance Law. Mary Kay, who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mary Kay 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.

Aaron has successfully represented a wide range of clients—states, countries, Fortune 100 companies, law firms, and individuals—in cases of great significance, spanning numerous areas of law, including administrative, constitutional, contract, criminal, environmental, and tax. Specifically, he has represented clients in complex litigation at all levels of the state and federal courts, including in 13 cases on the merits at the U.S. Supreme Court, twice presenting oral argument. He...

J. Paul Janes focuses his practice in the areas of personal injury litigation, medical malpractice, product liability, automobile no-fault law, class action litigation and civil rights litigation.

Dan's practice includes the capitalization and structure of business entities, strategic and governance issues for public and private companies and structuring and negotiating mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances. He has worked with large and small businesses and regularly advises directors on corporate and strategic issues.