Nycolle Schindlbeck

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...

Ross A. Leisman graduated with honors from Calvin College in 1984, and with honors from the University of Michigan Law School in 1988. Ross has served as chairman of the firm's Local Government Practice Group, has served on the firm's Management Committee and is a member of the Litigation Group. Ross specializes in civil litigation, bank disputes, land use and municipal law. He has served on several community boards, including the Kent County Building Authority, the Ada Township Planning Comm...

Kelley Stoppels is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Labor Law - Management. Kelley, who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kelley is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert C. Rutgers, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law and Family Law. Robert C., 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 Robert C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal pract...

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.

Mr. Smith practices primarily in the areas of employment law, civil litigation, contracts, business and corporate law, construction law, federal government contracts, and postal law. He has unique expertise in federal sector employment law and represents employees of federal agencies in many forums. Mr. Smith has extensive litigation experience in these areas and has appeared before federal district courts, courts of appeal, bankruptcy courts, boards of contract appeal, the Equal Employment O...

Brandon Hewitt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Brandon, who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brandon is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

James R. Brown concentrates his law practice in municipal law and real property law. He represents many townships, villages, cities and other municipal bodies throughout West Michigan and elsewhere in the state. His law practice has a particular emphasis in the representation of townships, and he serves as general counsel for a large number of townships in Kent County and in surrounding counties. Jim is also an experienced township official, having served for 25 years as chairperson of the Gr...

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...