W. Todd Van Eck

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.

David assists businesses and financial institutions in navigating complex commercial transactions. His experience is broad in scope from facilitating the transaction on the front end to providing solutions when problems arise. After gaining an understanding of the needs of our clients, he works collaboratively with them to plan the best route to achieve the desired outcome, whether that outcome requires an “all hands on deck” approach or, as is frequently the case, a simple solution.

Frank E. Berrodin is a Member of the firm and has been practicing law since 1987. Mr. Berrodin’s practice is devoted primarily to employee benefit and executive compensation issues, particularly the design, drafting and administration of qualified and non-qualified retirement and welfare plans for both taxable and tax-exempt entities. A significant portion of Mr. Berrodin’s practice involves the resolution of disputes that arise between employers and employees regarding the benefi...

David has served as counsel in hundreds of real estate, lending and workout transactions and matters, and is particularly experienced in the negotiation and closing of sale and lease transactions for office, retail, multifamily and health care clients. Dedicated to providing practical legal advice in a responsive way when it comes to negotiating and closing even the most complex and challenging real estate transactions, David is committed to providing a high degree of attention to detail with...

A former attorney for the Internal Revenue Service, Terry concentrates his practice helping individuals and businesses to make informed decisions regarding transactions to receive tax benefits and advantages. If an individual or business is audited by a tax authority, he also provides representation to ensure that the merit of their position is properly advocated to the tax authority and if necessary to the appellate or adjudication levels. Learn more on the firm website.

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...

Steve Afendoulis is a partner and past chairman of the trial practice group. He is a trial and appellate advocate with a focus in the areas of complex commercial; partnership, shareholder and LLC disputes; personal injury; real estate; and trademark and unfair competition. He is a certified facilitative mediator and is trained in advanced alternative dispute resolution.

Alexandre M. Zucco is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Alexandre 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 Alexandre M. 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...

Luis E. Avila is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Labor Law - Management. Luis E., 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 Luis E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.