Stephen R. Drew

Joan is a member of the Financial Services Practice Group. She represents commercial lenders and asset-based lenders (including banks) in documenting, negotiating and closing numerous commercial loan transactions, including working capital and formula-based loans; real estate acquisition and development loans; and leveraged buy-out financing. She also represents lenders in connection with borrower insolvencies, loan restructurings and workouts, banks in various matters concerning regulatory c...

Michael E. Wooley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Immigration Law. Michael E., 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 Michael E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Maxwell N. Barnes is a Member in the firm’s business section and has been practicing law since 1997. He concentrates his practice on advising clients in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and general business matters. General Business/Transactional Experience Mr. Barnes assists businesses of all sizes and their owners in addressing their day-to-day legal needs. This involves counseling clients on organizing and structuring new entities, employment issues, equity i...

Nathan D. Plantinga has been practicing law since 1997 and is the chair of the firm's employment and labor section. He enjoys a busy counseling practice for union and nonunion clients, advising employers on the full spectrum of employment matters, including civil rights charges, difficult medical leave issues, employee discipline and discharge, wage and hour, and unemployment. Mr. Plantinga also specializes in traditional labor work involving collective bargaining, labor arbitrations, unfair ...

Nicholas B. Missad is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Nicholas B., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicholas B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Daniel J. Parmeter, Jr. specializes in general business law, including entity formations, mergers and acquisitions, sales, finance, commercial transactions, and joint venture agreements; and in general real estate law, including acquisitions, sales, construction, leasing, condominiums, development and finance. Dan received his bachelor's degree from Hope College and his law degree from Case Western Reserve University where he graduated cum laude. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.

Raj A. Malviya has been practicing law since 2005. His practice is focused on estate and tax planning and asset protection for individuals and organizations, planning and tax compliance for individuals and families with foreign ties, and all aspects of estate and trust administration. Estate and Wealth Transfer Planning Mr. Malviya works with private clients such as business owners and licensed professionals in high risk professions including physicians, dentists, chiropractors, architects, a...

John M. Roels is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Insurance and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. John M., who practices law in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John works with business and health care clients, mainly helping them manage their relationships with their workers. This may involve developing contracts, bargaining agreements or benefit plans, guiding clients through the regulatory maze that now governs every aspect of the employment relationship, or handling investigations, arbitrations or litigation. He has extensive experience in complex commercial contract litigation and cases involving unfair competition, as well as defending class an...

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...