Stephen A. Hilger

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...

John M. DeVries, a native of Grand Rapids, practices in the areas of litigation in federal and state courts, oil, gas and water law, eminent domain and zoning law. John received his bachelor's degree from Calvin College and his law degree from the University of Michigan, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif. He is a member of the Grand Rapids and Federal Bar Associations, the State Bar of Michigan, and is a life member of the Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference.

Nyal is a partner in the Real Estate Practice Group. He focuses his practice on conveyance and lease transactions, land use approvals for various development projects including shopping centers, resorts, residential subdivisions, marinas and commercial projects, construction and permanent lending, on behalf of lenders and borrowers and real estate investment trusts. He has unique municipal experience having served as a member of the East Grand Rapids City Commission and Chairperson of its Pla...

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

An accomplished legal counselor with years of experience advising on the complex issues employers face daily, Jenny serves as a skilled problem-solver and defender of employers across the country. Through negotiation, mediation, court dismissals and representation before juries, Jenny brings to bear a pragmatic approach to risk management. Jenny’s labor and employment practice is national in scope, and Fortune 500 multinational clients and other public and private companies seek her rep...

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

Lauretta K. Murphy is a Member of the firm and has been practicing law since 1988. Her practice areas include elder law and disability planning, and probate and estate planning. She knows how to explain things in plain English and puts people at ease even in complex estate planning or elder law situations. She recently edited Advising the Older Client or Client with A Disability for the Institute for Continuing Legal Education. Wills and Trusts Trust and Estate administration Estate and gift ...

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...

Timothy P. Monsma is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Timothy P., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeffrey A. Michael is a partner in the firm's Grand Rapids, Michigan, office, and a member of the Intellectual Property and Technology Departments, as well as the Nanotechnology Practice Group. Jeffrey serves corporate and individual clients by obtaining intellectual property protection in the United States and foreign countries and concentrates this portion of his practice primarily in the areas of electrical, electro-mechanical, mechanical, and computer-related inventions. He also counsels ...