The recognition puts Wooldridge in "an elite group of attorneys nominated solely and exclusively by clients in BTI's independent study, as delivering the absolute best in client services," noted Michael Rynowecer, President of BTI Consulting.

Analysis for the BTI Client Service All-Star Team for Law Firms 2012 draws on candid feedback from corporate counsel at the world's largest organizations. The report defines client service as driven by client focus, exceptional understanding of the client's business, outstanding results, outsized value, and legal skills.

Wooldridge focuses his legal practice on corporate governance, securities, and mergers and acquisitions. He has managed and led a variety of public equity and debt offerings for financial services and manufacturing companies. He is also active in advising clients in venture capital transactions.

BTI Consulting is the leading provider of strategic market research to law firms and professional services firms. They conduct the only continuous benchmarking study in the legal services industry based on more than 3,100 independent interviews with General Counsel and key decision makers who hire law firms. BTI regularly publishes research in independent publications, reports and summaries.

Papke's corporate and real estate practice was nominated for the Hispanic Business of the Year award, which recognizes a Hispanic-owned business that has demonstrated a history of growth and community participation.

Melissa Papke joined Varnum in 2004. Upon moving to Grand Rapids from New York City, she felt it was important to remain connected with her Latino heritage  and immediately sought out opportunities to serve the Hispanic community. In 2010, Papke was selected to serve as a member of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Papke makes significant efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within her practice and the firm. She is an active member of Varnum's Diversity Team, which includes selecting internal diversity programming for attorneys and staff, and represents a number of Hispanic-owned businesses and individuals and often serves as the contact point for Spanish-speaking clients.

Additionally, Papke spearheaded creating a Spanish portion of the firm website in an effort to meet the legal needs of the Spanish-speaking population, and maintains her social media sites in Spanish. Papke also serves as Varnum's liaison to Hispanic law student groups in effort to recruit attorneys of Hispanic descent.

Carroll Velie was nominated for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's Building Bridges Award, which recognizes a non-Hispanic individual who has been an advocate for the Hispanic business community. Velie joined Varnum's administrative management team in 1987 and brought her passion for advancing diversity and inclusion in the firm and community. Over the years, she has played a role in numerous events and initiatives within the Hispanic community and has hosted several community welcome receptions in effort to introduce Hispanic and other minority leaders to the West Michigan business community.

Most notably, Velie helped establish Varnum's Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council, an advisory group made up of community leaders who share our commitment to making Varnum – as well as our community – a more inclusive and welcoming place to live and work. Council members generously give their time, insight and perspective to strengthen Varnum’s internal programming, communications, recruiting and retention efforts.

In addition to the external council, Velie is a founding member of Varnum's internal Diversity Team, which has now been in place for nearly 20 years. She and the internal team work with the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council to provide programming for attorneys and staff that develops and advances the firm's diversity and inclusion efforts.

Award recipients will be announced at the 2012 Hispanic Chamber Annual Awards Banquet at the JW Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids on March 5, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.

Honorees were selected by a Lawyers Weekly editorial panel who considered such details as: exemplifying the noble tradition of the legal profession, coupled with commitment to practicing law in Michigan; a record of winning cases, solving problems or coming to judicial conclusions that reflect the utmost integrity; possessing the ability to achieve success in his or her respective practice, while also displaying the strength of character that transcends results; being passionate and aggressive on behalf of both clients and the legal community.

John Allen's Commercial Law and Litigation career spans 40 years during which he has displayed not only an impressive record, but a passion for the legal profession and a commitment to integrity. He has consistently held leadership positions for the Federal Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan and the American Bar Association, with a particular dedication to ethical and professional responsibility committees.

Allen is a Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate, by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He has written and co-written dozens of articles and books, and speaks frequently to business and law groups.
Allen was elected to membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates, an elite, invitation-only recognition of jury trial lawyers in the United States and has been listed in the Best Lawyers® in America since 2005. Recently, he listed on the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Michigan.

The Grand Rapids Business Journal surveyed hundreds of women throughout Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties to select candidates for the 2012 recipients. This year's judges, Michelle Richards, executive director of the Center for Empowerment & Economic Development and Anne Doyle of Anne Doyle Strategies, made the final selection for the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan.

All 50 women will be profiled in the March publication of the Grand Rapids Business Journal.

Fossel focuses her legal practice on business and commercial litigation, including employment claims, health care litigation and contested probate matters. In 2010, Fossel was named the Firm's Diversity and Inclusion Council and now leads the Firm in its diversity and inclusion efforts, including diversity scholarships, internships, Varnum's internal diversity committee and community initiatives and donations. In 2011, Fossel was appointed to the State Bar of Michigan's Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.

In addition to her active practice, Joy leads the firm in donating hours of pro bono services through Legal Aid of Western Michigan. In 2010, she was the recipient of the Michael S. Barnes Award in recognition of exemplary dedication to pro bono service. In 2011, the State Bar of Michigan selected Fossel as the recipient of the John W. Cummiskey Award,  which recognizes her pro bono service at the state level.

Velie has been part of Varnum's administrative management team since 1987.  She is committed to supporting an inclusive culture that balances the needs of the Firm with those of the people working there. Velie was key in establishing Varnum's Diversity and Inclusion Council, which is  made up of men and women from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities and experiences. The council provides a broader perspective and awareness to Varnum's strategic planning effort.

Velie has been recognized as the NALS Legal Professional of the Year and a YWCA Woman of Achievement. Velie is a member and past president of the Association of Legal Administrators, a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and Inforum, a professional women's association. Velie serves on the advisory board for Gilda’s Club and is the co-chair of Laugh Fest. She is a board member for Hello West Michigan, an organization that works with local companies to attract and retain top talent in West Michigan.

Fossel, Velie and the 48 other recipients will be honored at a luncheon on March 7, 2012 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. The luncheon will feature keynote speaker Susan Ford Bales, who will  be honored with her late mother, former first lady Betty Ford.

DesNoyers focuses her practice on Corporate Law and Estate Planning. Outside of her practice, she is very involved in the local Grand Haven community. She's active in the Grand Haven Chamber of Commerce and its Leadership Connect Program, class of 2010/2011. DesNoyers also serves as the Treasurer of the Grand Haven Young Professionals. Additionally, she's involved in the Michigan American Legion Auxiliary and St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spring Lake.

The Litigation Counsel of America is an honorary trial and appellate lawyer society. Fellowship in the LCA is highly selective and by invitation only. Fellows are selected based on excellence and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, as well as superior ethical reputation.

Mark Hills is a civil trial attorney who focuses his practice on commercial, banking/bankruptcy, construction,  real estate and family law matters. He is a member of the Litigation Section of both State Bar of Michigan and Wisconsin Bar Association. Hills is a member of the Grand Rapids Bar Association and its Litigation Section, Real Property Section, and Jury Representation Committee. Outside of his practice, Hills is a member of the Rotary Club of Grand Haven and serves on the Planning Commission for the City of Grand Haven.

The Council is a new initiative to help Michigan stay current on issues of technology as it affects government performance and to understand and provide feedback to the Michigan Chief Information Officer with regards to the ever-changing expectations of Michigan citizens in terms of government through technology.

Emily Broderick is a Business and Corporate Services attorney who focuses her practice on mergers and acquisitions, distressed asset and restructuring and commercial transactions. Broderick is very active in the west Michigan community, serving as Western Michigan Regional Officer of the Michigan Federalist Alumni Network, as well as being a member of Inforum, Kent County Young Republicans, Grand Rapids Young Professionals and Grand Rapids Economic Club.

In addition to the recommendation of the firm, Benchmark also acknowledges several individual attorneys. Stephen Afendoulis and William Rohn are recognized as a "Local Litigation Star" and Ron DeWaard and Brett Rendeiro are recognized as "Future Stars".

Afendoulis is a trial and appellate advocate with a focus in the areas of complex commercial litigation; partnership, shareholder and LLC disputes; personal injury; real estate; and trademark and unfair competition.

Rohn is the chairman of Varnum’s Trial Practice Group. He has served firm clients for nearly three decades in litigation matters that have been resolved through arbitrations, mediations, and bench and jury trials.

DeWaard has accumulated a vast amount of first chair trial experience across the country. He has handled complex commercial, corporate tax, patent, environmental, labor, and general liability cases for defendants and plaintiffs.

Rendeiro is the lead litigator in Varnum’s Metro Detroit office. Originally part of Varnum’s nationally-recognized Employment Law Group, Rendeiro has evolved into a trial advocate with substantial experience in complex commercial, real estate, lending and employment disputes.

Seth Ashby is a member of the corporate services and business law group and focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, securities, distressed asset and restructuring, and commercial transactions.

Gary Mouw is a member of the Litigation and Trial Services Practice Group and is experienced in handling both appellate and trial court matters in federal court. Additionally, Mouw has represented clients in a wide range of cases including criminal tax defense, gross negligence and immunity issues, and constitutional claims.

In addition, four Varnum attorneys were recognized with "Lawyer of the Year" status in their areas of practice.

Varnum's First Tier Rankings were in the following areas and geographic locations:

In Detroit, Varnum received a First Tier ranking in the area of Tax Law, and two Detroit-based Varnum attorneys were named Lawyer of the Year in their respective areas of practice. Paul L. B. McKenney was recognized for Tax Litigation and Controversy, and Thomas H. Bergh was recognized in the area of Trusts and Estates Litigation.

In Grand Rapids, Varnum received First Tier Rankings in:

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Corporate Law
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employment Law – Management
Environmental Law
Health Care Law
Labor Law – Management
Land Use & Zoning Law
Litigation – Intellectual Property
Litigation – Municipal
Litigation – Real Estate
Litigation – Tax
Litigation – Trusts & Estates
Municipal Law
Real Estate Law
Tax Law
Trusts & Estates Law
Workers' Compensation Law - Employers

The two Grand Rapids-based Varnum attorneys named Lawyer of the Year in their respective areas of practice are John Patrick White for Employment Law/Management and Marilyn Lankfer for Trusts and Estates.

In Kalamazoo, the firm received First Tier rankings in:

Commercial Litigation
Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
Legal Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
Litigation – Banking & Finance
Litigation – Land Use & Zoning
Product Liability Litigation – Defendants

In Lansing, the firm received First Tier rankings in:

Communications Law
Energy Law

The methodology for "Best Law Firms" involved surveying thousands of law firm clients, leading lawyers and law firm managers, partners and associates, and marketing officers and recruiting officers.

In addition to the First Tier Rankings, Varnum also ranked in the second tier for 19 additional areas of law.