Wendy P. Holtvluwer

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 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...

Scott Dienes is a real estate, municipal and finance attorney assisting clients with complex projects that define and shape communities. With a strong municipal and real estate background, along with tax-exempt bond and public finance experience, Scott keeps projects on track and on budget. Scott has served as general counsel to municipal clients his entire career. He acts on behalf of local governments, development authorities, school districts, water and sewer authorities, district librarie...

Although Jim's legal practice is broad, much of his work involves conflict resolution. He often represents businesses and individuals who find themselves in crisis – they may have been named as a defendant in a lawsuit, have a disagreement over a contract, or have a dispute with a tenant. Jim's role is to learn as much as possible about the legal problem and the individuals involved, help his client understand the potential consequences, weigh potential solutions, and assist the client ...

Greg J. Ekdahl is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Greg J., 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 Greg J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gregory G. Timmer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. He helps public and private organizations and individuals resolve litigation issues at all levels of the state and federal courts as well as the appellate courts, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. His appellate practice focuses on all phases of the appeal process including drafting appellate briefs and motions, oral...

Mark is a State and Federal Court Approved General Civil Mediator, with regular appointments by the Kent County Circuit Court and the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. He has extensive representative experience handling claims in excess of one million dollars and has handled some of the largest (30 million plus) and longest (eight week jury trial) cases in Kent County history. Mark assists clients in developing policies, procedures and documents that address n...

Douglas A. Donnell graduated magna cum laude from Miami University with a bachelor's degree in Economics and received his law degree with honors from Boston College Law School. Doug specializes in environmental law and commercial litigation and has represented both public and private sector clients and individuals in these areas since 1979. He is a member of the Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Section of the American Bar Association and the Environmental Law Section of the Michigan ...

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...

Robert D. Brower is a Member of the firm and has been practicing law since 1972. His practice is focused on representing a wide range of closely held business owners and executives, their families, fiduciaries, and other individuals in matters involving business and estate planning, probate and trust administration, and contested estate matters. Contested Trust, Estate and Fiduciary Matters Mr. Brower has extensive experience in representing individual and corporate personal representatives, ...