Ronald G. DeWaard Partner
- Office
- Grand Rapids
- Phone
- 616/336-6480
- Fax
- 616/336-7000
- rgdewaard@varnumlaw.com
- Download
- V-Card, Resume
- Assistant
- Rose M. De Leon, 616/336-6465
- Network
Litigation and Trial Experience
Ron is a member of the litigation and trial practice group and has accumulated a vast amount of first chair trial experience across the country. Ron was a trial lawyer at the firm before accepting an appointment to become a federal prosecutor for the United States Department of Justice in Miami. He served in that position for nearly seven years, and tried many large criminal cases. In his final year as a federal prosecutor, he served as Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Division of the United States Attorney’s Office in Miami. Since returning to the firm in 2001, Ron has tried civil cases in courts across the United States including trials in Washington D.C., New York City, Kansas City, West Palm Beach, Memphis and Michigan. Ron’s broad trial and litigation skills allow him to represent clients in diverse types of disputes in nearly any locale in the country. He has handled complex commercial, corporate tax, patent, environmental, labor, and general liability cases for defendants and plaintiffs.
In 2008, he obtained a multi-million dollar jury verdict for a corporate plaintiff in a complex civil case. The verdict was listed as one of the Top Ten 2008 Verdicts in Michigan in Michigan Lawyers Weekly. As a former federal prosecutor, Ron also represents companies and officers in white collar criminal matters and conducts internal investigations.
Bar Admissions
- United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
- United States District Court for the Northern District of New York
- United States Tax Court
- United States Court of Claims
Recognition & Rankings
- Listed in Best Lawyers of America (2011)
- Listed in Michigan Super Lawyers (2010 - present)
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation (2010 – present)
- Fellow, Michigan State Bar Foundation (2008 - present)
- Received Special Commendations from the FBI, DEA, Secret Service, Customs, and the ATF
In 2008, Ron obtained a multi-million dollar jury verdict for a corporate plaintiff in a complex civil case, one of the top ten verdicts in Michigan, as compiled by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Professional Activities
- Federal Pro Bono Committee for the Western District of Michigan
- Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Michigan: Executive Committee (2006 - present; Officer, 2007-present)
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of Michigan
- Grand Rapids Bar Association
Community Activities
- Hillman Advocacy Clinic, Executive Committee (2006 - present; Chair, 2011; Vice Chairman, 2009 - 2010)
- Federal Pro Bono Committee for the Western District of Michigan
Education
-
University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 1990 -
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, Michigan
B.A., 1987