Michael J. Jones

Melissa leads the Real Estate Practice Team, and focuses her practice on corporate and real estate matters, with an emphasis on commercial sales, acquisitions, leasing, redevelopment, and construction law. She has extensive experience in structuring primary and replacement real estate financing with banks, private investors, and joint ventures, including mezzanine and other uniquely structured secured loan facilities. Melissa offers her clients significant experience in negotiating commercial...

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

Jeremy Tiedt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Jeremy, 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 Jeremy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Wayne Roberts is the co-chair of Bodman’s Business Tax Group. His practice is focused on corporate, business and individual tax planning and federal, state and local tax controversies. He has been a recognized state and local tax (SALT) lawyer for more than 20 years. He has been involved in a majority of the significant legislative, administrative and case law developments that have taken place in Michigan taxation.His broad tax practice includes all aspects of federal and state tax pla...

Brian Kersey concentrates his practice in aviation law and commercial finance matters. He brings nearly 30 years of wide-ranging experience as a lawyer and as a banker to bear in providing practical solutions and guiding his clients to successful outcomes quickly and efficiently. Mr. Kersey is Co-Chair of Bodman's Aviation Law and Finance Practice Group. His aviation law practice encompasses a wide variety of areas, including purchase and sale transactions, regulatory compliance, risk managem...

David J. Gass is an experienced trial lawyer who represents clients in a wide variety of complex commercial and general civil litigation in state and federal courts. He has a strong record of successful results. Mr. Gass’s litigation experience has been remarkably varied, but generally focuses on complex commercial cases. He has successfully tried many cases to judges, juries, and arbitration panels. His expertise is not confined to any specific subject area; rather, his expertise is in...

Bruce, an experienced commercial litigator, represents clients of all sizes in trial and appellate courts throughout Michigan. A former president of the State Bar of Michigan, Bruce is also a court-approved mediator in the U.S. District Court and has served as an arbitrator for disputes involving insurance coverage issues, employment, and general business. Bruce’s expertise includes litigating, mediating and arbitrating complex disputes involving multimillion-dollar construction project...

Mike has a multi-state practice focused on debt restructuring and complex commercial litigation. Mike serves many businesses, but specializes in automotive, agriculture and telecommunications. Mike also regularly represents health care research facilities, ambulance agencies, and other health care clients. Mike represents the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids. Mike served as a law clerk to the late Honorable David E. Nims, a United States Bankruptcy Judge. In the 1980s, Mike was an FBI a...

Kimberly A. Clarke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Immigration Law. Kimberly A., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kimberly A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rick is a member of Varnum's Labor and Employment Practice Group. He focuses on the defense of employers in workers’ compensation litigation, from managing contested cases in an aggressive and efficient manner to assessing cost-containment methods. He represents employers at all levels of the court system, including the Workers’ Compensation Appellate Court, the Michigan Court of Appeals, and Michigan Supreme Court. Rick has handled multiple Michigan Occupational Safety and Health...