Varnum LLP

102 Best Lawyers awards

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Awarded Practice Areas

Trusts and Estates

Biography

Marilyn is a partner in the Estate Planning Practice Group. Her practice includes estate planning, estate and trust administration, estate taxation and charitable giving. She was elected by her peers to be a Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Marilyn was recently honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of the 2012 Women in the Law.
Varnum LLP

102 Best Lawyers awards

Varnum LLP logo

Overview

  • The University of Michigan Law School, J.D., graduated 1978

  • Michigan, State Bar of Michigan

  • American Bar Association - Member
  • Michigan Women Lawyers Association - Member
  • State Bar of Michigan - Member
  • Grand Rapids Community Foundation - Past Chair of the Board of Trustees
  • Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education - Lecturer and Author on the new Michigan Trust Code
  • Michigan Trust Code Drafting Committee - Member
  • Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Council - Treasurer
  • Michigan, State Bar of Michigan
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • Michigan Women Lawyers Association - Member
  • State Bar of Michigan - Member
  • Grand Rapids Community Foundation - Past Chair of the Board of Trustees
  • Michigan Institute of Continuing Legal Education - Lecturer and Author on the new Michigan Trust Code
  • Michigan Trust Code Drafting Committee - Member
  • Michigan Probate and Estate Planning Council - Treasurer
  • The University of Michigan Law School, J.D., graduated 1978

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2012 - Trusts and Estates
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Trusts and Estates, Grand Rapids (2012)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Trusts and Estates
Special Focus:
  • Estate Planning
  • Fiduciary Duties
  • Gift Planning
  • Nonprofit Organizations and Charitable Giving
  • Planning for Closely Held Businesses
  • Probate
  • Succession Planning
  • Tax
  • Trust Administration
  • Wealth Management
Awards:
  • YWCA Professional Tribute Award
  • Women's Resource Center Pillar Award
  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
  • 50 Most Influential Women Grand Rapids Business Journal
  • Recipient of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation Philanthropic Leadership Award
  • Featured in Grand Rapids Magazine - Top 10 Lawyers in Grand Rapids
  • Listed in Michigan Super Lawyers

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