Education
University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 1982
Hope College
Holland, Michigan
B.A., Economics, summa cum laude, 1979
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
United States Tax Court
Employee Benefits and Tax Attorney
Jeff is a senior attorney in Varnum’s Employee Benefits practice. He has 35 years of experience working with employers, executives and third-party administrators on a wide range of employee benefits, executive compensation and individual retirement matters, including plan design, plan administration, benefit plan disputes and tax planning for retirement.
He also helps solve complex tax issues in business and investment transactions, especially those involving pass-through entities and oil and gas activities.
Chambers USA, which ranks top lawyers and law firms, notes Jeff’s “considerable expertise in tax issues relating to benefit and pension plans”. Sources say he is “a very strong lawyer” who is “very thorough in his approach – he will not rush into any matter.”
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax Law, since 2008
Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Tax Law, Grand Rapids, 2018, 2022
Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Grand Rapids, 2019, 2024
Chambers USA©: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
DBusiness, Top Lawyers, Tax Law, 2026
Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers: Employee Benefits Law 2019 – 2022; Tax Law, since 2019
Leading Lawyers: Employee Benefits Law; Tax Law – Business
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
Michigan Super Lawyers® since 2006
Professional Affiliations
Grand Rapids Bar Association
Great Lakes Area Tax-Exempt and Government Entities Council, member emeritus
State Bar of Michigan: Taxation Section