Sandra S. Hamilton

Mark sues insurance companies when they fail to pay claims. Varnum represents only insureds in these matters. Mark has helped shape the landscape of Michigan Insurance Law since 1985.He is regularly asked to speak on insurance issues for continuing legal education programs, and at other bar related activities. Mark is also Varnum's lead attorney in litigation matters dealing with employee benefit issues under ERISA. He has handled all facets of employee benefit litigation, from benefit claims...

Salvatore W. Pirrotta is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Salvatore W., 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 Salvatore W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Fred is a member of the Estate Planning Practice Group. He has been assisting his clients with their estate planning needs since he first began his practice, and he has during that time handled a wide variety of estate settlements and estate settlement issues. His particular focus is on counseling clients on techniques to minimize estate and gift taxes, and drafting the documents to accomplish that objective. Fred is also a trusted personal advisor to many of the families he has worked with o...

D. Andrew Portinga has been practicing law since 1996. He is a litigator, and has extensive experience in both federal and state courts. He has represented both Fortune 500 companies and family owned businesses, and Mr. Portinga has handled complex cases involving myriad issues. General Commercial Litigation Mr. Portinga has handled a wide variety of complicated commercial cases. His clients have included oil and gas producers, a manufacturer of implantable medical devices, a national communi...

Robert M. Huff is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Robert M., 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 Robert M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Emily specializes in real estate and environmental law. Her real estate practice focuses on buying, selling, and leasing commercial real estate, although she also helps businesses, individuals and financial institutions with a variety of other real estate matters. She routinely advises clients regarding environmental compliance and regulatory issues relating to underground storage tanks, waste management, permitting, environmental enforcement, and the investigation, cleanup and regulatory clo...

Gregory G. Timmer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. He helps public and private organizations and individuals resolve litigation issues at all levels of the state and federal courts as well as the appellate courts, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. His appellate practice focuses on all phases of the appeal process including drafting appellate briefs and motions, oral...

Steve is a partner and member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Team. He is experienced in corporate transactions and real estate matters.

Joe is a partner in the Corporate Services Practice Group and has been with the firm since 1993. His practice focuses on corporate governance and counseling, securities matters, and mergers and acquisitions along with certain tax matters. He represents publicly-held and privately-held clients in a variety of industries and matters, from board governance to securities law compliance to buying and selling businesses, as well as structuring business transactions, and successions. Joe is also inv...

Matt is a member of the Environmental and Energy Practice Groups. A significant portion of Matt’s practice involves representation of municipalities and private developers in regard to water law matters, including: the permitting, operation and expansion of water supply/treatment/distribution systems and wastewater collection and treatment systems; sewer use ordinance drafting and enforcement including industrial pretreatment programs; stormwater management including ordinance drafting,...