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Practice Areas

Education

Michigan State University College of Law
East Lansing, Michigan
J.D., summa cum laude, 2008

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan
M.B.A., with honors, 2007

University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.A., with highest distinction, 2002

Bar Admissions

Florida

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Estate Planning Attorney

Laura is an attorney on the firm’s estate planning team where she helps individuals and families to identify their estate planning goals and to create plans tailored to meet their specific needs. Laura’s practice includes a full range of estate planning and estate settlement services including the preparation of basic or complex estate plans, tax planning, business succession planning, cottage planning, charitable gift planning, and estate and trust administration services.

As a member of the Family Business Team, Laura assists business owners with the design and implementation of succession plans that will facilitate the transfer of decision making authority and ownership interests in the event of an owner’s disability or death. Clients benefit from her regular access to Varnum colleagues who serve the unique needs and challenges of family businesses, including the business and corporate services, labor and employment relations, family law and litigation teams.

Laura is a frequent speaker on estate planning topics including cottage succession planning and business succession planning. She has also written numerous articles on how to protect and preserve the family cottage.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, since 2018

Best Lawyers in America®, Trusts and Estates, since 2019

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Trusts and Estates, since 2019

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Women in the Law, 2021

Professional Affiliations

Grand Rapids Bar Association

Grand Rapids Bar Association, Probate and Estate Planning Section, past Vice President, past Treasurer

State Bar of Michigan

State Bar of Florida

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Community Involvement

Gilda’s Club Red Council, past member

Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Professional Advisory Committee

Grand Rapids Partnership for Philanthropic Planning

Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities Organization, President, 2013 – 2015; Vice President, 2011 – 2012

Western Michigan Planned Giving Group

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