Sean P. Fitzgerald

Peter A. Schmidt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Peter A., 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 Peter A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark E Rizik is Chair of the firm’s Taxation practices. He has extensive experience in matters regarding tax penalty cases, tax refund claims and litigation, estates and trusts as S corporation shareholders, employee and independent contractor classification, employee leasing, business transactions, and tax controversies. Mr. Rizik has tried hundreds of tax cases successfully. His cases have often resulted nationally published opinions. Mr. Rizik previously was a Senior Trial Attorney i...

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...

Kurt G. Yost is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Kurt G., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kurt G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John has extensive experience in corporate, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and real estate matters. His clients trust him to provide practical advice with respect to their complex legal needs and legal planning matters, and he serves as outside general counsel to companies across a wide spectrum of industries. John has served as lead counsel in numerous mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, financing transactions, real estate acquisition and dispositions, busi...

Eric is a seasoned business and corporate attorney who provides comprehensive legal counsel to startups, private and family-owned businesses, and multinational corporations across diverse industries, including automotive, manufacturing, technology, food and agriculture, venture capital and professional services. He supports clients throughout the entire lifecycle of their business, from the formation or acquisition stage through the ultimate sale or other exit – and all the legal issues...

William J. Leeder III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. William J., 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 William J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark represents physicians in professional liability actions, including those engaged in emergency medicine, family practice, general surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, internal medicine, neurology, anesthesiology, nephrology, obstetrics/gynecology, orthopedics, pathology, urology, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, radiology and other specialties. In addition to representing the medical practitioner, I have also served a number of hospital entities and defended claims made against ho...

Jon is a business and real estate attorney at Rhoades McKee. He represents clients in complex mergers and acquisitions, commercial real estate deals, succession and exit planning, private placements, and bank financing transactions. Jon was the first attorney in Michigan to become a Certified Merger and Acquisition Advisor through Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors. Learn more on the firm website .

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 litigate...