Sarah Kirkpatrick

Joe focuses on employment law and litigation and has experience in all areas of employment law including FLSA, ADA, wrongful discharge, the Elliott-Larson Civil Rights Act, Title VII, ADEA, Retiree Health Insurance, FMLA, the Whistleblowers’ Protection Act and others.

Energetic, confident and a natural-born negotiator, Grant Pecor focuses his practice exclusively on the representation of employers. As a result of negotiating hundreds of agreements over the course of his career, he instinctively knows which way to go and when – by watching all the moves and strategically playing all the cards he is dealt. Leaning on more than 20 years of knowledge and experience in reading a table, Grant seeks out common ground to reach his client’s objectives. ...

Melissa Neckers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law Arbitration. Melissa, 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 Melissa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark A. Van Allsburg, a native of Grand Rapids, received his bachelor’s degree from Calvin College in 1981, and he received his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1983. Mark is a member of the Grand Rapids Bar Association and the State Bar of Michigan (former Chairman of the State Oil and Gas Law Committee), the Michigan Oil and Gas Association and the Michigan and American Associations of Professional Landmen. Mark is a past chairman of the firm’s Management Committee....

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...

James Eardley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. James, 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 James is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

J. Scott Timmer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. J. Scott, who practices law in Norton Shores, Michigan, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Scott is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeffrey J. Fraser represents public and private employers across the country in employment and labor relations matters. He has extensive experience counseling employers regarding Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) [disability management] issues; anti-harassment matters; effective discipline and discharge, union avoidance, collective bargaining, employment discrimination avoidance, and administrative agency matters. Mr. Fraser has an advanced understanding o...

Dean F. Reisner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law. Dean F., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dean F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Floyd Gates heads Bodman’s Grand Rapids office. He is an experienced litigation, banking and corporate attorney. He has represented financial institutions throughout the country in connection with workout and related litigation along with the investigation of complex fraud schemes involving hundreds of millions of dollars in claims. Floyd has also handled significant real estate related litigation including representing numerous owners, contractors and suppliers in connection with multi...