Ronald G. DeWaard

Ronald G. DeWaard

Grand Rapids, MI recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2012
Varnum LLP

102 Best Lawyers awards

Varnum LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Bet-the-Company Litigation Commercial Litigation Litigation - Banking and Finance

Biography

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 litigated cases in courts acrioss the country including trials in Washington, D.C., New York City, Kansas City, West Palm Beach, Memphis, Kentucky and Michigan. He has handled complex commercial, banking, corporate tax, patent, environmental, labor, and general liability cases for plaintiffs and defendants.

Ron has obtained numerous, multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for clients, including one of the Top Ten Verdicts in Michigan as recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. He has also obtained a number of defense verdicts in high damages cases. As a former federal prosecutor, Ron represents companies and officers in white collar criminal matters and government investigations and also conducts internal investigations.
Varnum LLP

102 Best Lawyers awards

Varnum LLP logo

Overview

  • The University of Michigan Law School, J.D., graduated 1990
  • Calvin College, BA, graduated 1987

  • Michigan, State Bar of Michigan
  • Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association
  • Indiana, Indiana State Bar Association
  • New York, New York State Bar Association

  • Federal Bar Association - Western District of Michigan, Executive Committee 2006-present, Officer 2007 – 2012, Programs, Secretary, Treasurer
  • Federal Pro Bono Committee - 2010 - present
  • Grace CRC - Counsel Member, 2005 - 2008
  • Heartside Ministries - President, Board of Directors 2001 - 2005
  • Hillman Advocacy Clinic held by the federal court for the Western District of Michigan - Executive Committee, 2006 - present; Chair, 2011 - 2012; 2006-present, Officer 2007 – 2012, Programs, Secretary, Treasurer
  • Land Conservancy of West Michigan - Board of Directors, 1992 - 1995
  • Log Cabin vocational training program for disabled - Board of Directors, 1998-2001
  • West Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association - President, 2014 - present
  • Michigan, State Bar of Michigan
  • Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association
  • Indiana, Indiana State Bar Association
  • New York, New York State Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association - Western District of Michigan, Executive Committee 2006-present, Officer 2007 – 2012, Programs, Secretary, Treasurer
  • Federal Pro Bono Committee - 2010 - present
  • Grace CRC - Counsel Member, 2005 - 2008
  • Heartside Ministries - President, Board of Directors 2001 - 2005
  • Hillman Advocacy Clinic held by the federal court for the Western District of Michigan - Executive Committee, 2006 - present; Chair, 2011 - 2012; 2006-present, Officer 2007 – 2012, Programs, Secretary, Treasurer
  • Land Conservancy of West Michigan - Board of Directors, 1992 - 1995
  • Log Cabin vocational training program for disabled - Board of Directors, 1998-2001
  • West Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association - President, 2014 - present
  • The University of Michigan Law School, J.D., graduated 1990
  • Calvin College, BA, graduated 1987

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Litigation - Banking and Finance
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance, Grand Rapids (2013)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions
Awards:
  • Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year for Metropolitan Area in Banking and Finance Litigation 2013
  • Listed in Michigan Super Lawyers (2010 – present)
  • Listed as a Leading Commercial Litigation Plaintiffs Star in Michigan by Benchmark (2012)
  • Fellow, American Bar Foundation (2010 – present)
  • Fellow, Michigan State Bar Foundation (2008 - present)
  • Special Commendations from the FBI, DEA, Secret Service, Customs, and the ATF
  • Department of Justice Volunteer Service Award, 1999

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