Ronald G. DeWaard Partner
- Office
- Grand Rapids
- Phone
- 616/336-6480
- Fax
- 616/336-7000
- rgdewaard@varnumlaw.com
- rgdewaard@varnumlaw...
- Download
- V-Card, Resume
- Assistant
- Rose M. De Leon, 616/336-6465
- Network
Litigation and Trial Experience
Ron has accumulated a vast amount of first chair trial experience. As an Assistant United States Attorney in Miami for seven years, he tried several large criminal cases. In his final year as a federal prosecutor, he served as Deputy Chief of the Major Crimes Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Ron’s broad trial and litigation skills allow him to represent clients in diverse types of disputes in nearly any locale in the country. Since joining Varnum, Ron has tried and litigated cases in courts acrioss the country including trials in Washington, D.C., New York City, Kansas City, West Palm Beach, Memphis, Kentucky and Michigan. He has handled complex commercial, banking, corporate tax, patent, environmental, labor, and general liability cases for plaintiffs and defendants.
Ron has obtained numerous, multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for clients, including one of the Top Ten Verdicts in Michigan as recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. He has also obtained a number of defense verdicts in high damages cases. As a former federal prosecutor, Ron represents companies and officers in white collar criminal matters and government investigations and also 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 as Lawyer of the Year for Bank and Finance Litigation by Best Lawyers of America® (2013)
- Listed as a leading commercial litigation plaintiffs star in Michigan by Benchmark Plaintiffs (2012)
- Listed in Best Lawyers of America (2011 - present)
- 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 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, 2012-2013; Vice Chairman, 2010 - 2011)
- Federal Pro Bono Committee for the Western District of Michigan
Education
-
University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 1990
Order of the Coif -
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, Michigan
B.A., 1987