Practice Areas
Industries
Education
Wayne State University Law School
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., 2003
The Wayne Law Review, Survey Editor
Dean’s Scholar
Alma College
Alma, Michigan
B.S., magna cum laude, Chemistry/Business, 2000
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Corporate Attorney
Scott is a member of the Corporate Practice Team and currently serves as the firm’s Executive Partner. His practice focuses on business representation, including transactions, planning, and counseling. Specifically, Scott deals with supply chain opportunities and risks on a variety of levels and works with several closely-held businesses on their succession planning needs. He also spends a portion of his time counseling clients on sales, mergers, and similar transactional issues.
Experience
Supply side and customer side terms and conditions analysis.
Long Term Supply Agreement negotiation from award to renewal phase.
Several succession planning engagements involving two or more generations of planning.
Acquisition by material handling integrator of software development company to assist with vertical integration strategy.
Acquisition of assets of automotive supplier ($54 million).
Sale of assets of laser cosmetic surgery and related services provider with more than 200 individual customer centers to private equity fund involving subordinated seller financing ($225 million).
Merger transaction involving the consolidation of multiple automotive suppliers and subsequent sale transaction to a private equity fund, including equity rollover considerations ($415 million).
Management buyout of food processing company from private equity owner ($75 million).
Sale of a chain of 33 gas stations and convenience stores to a private equity fund ($31 million).
Representation of a food processing company in its recapitalization and sale ($63 million).
Joint venture transaction combining automotive body panels company with a tooling design and build company to offer an integrated solution for engineering, tooling, stamping, and assembly.
Acquisition of equipment dealer involving real estate and post-closing transition consideration.
Merger of two privately-held service businesses operating with public and private clients.
Several sale, acquisition, and joint venture transactions involving medical practices, food processing companies, and automotive suppliers.
Honors and Recognitions
Leading Lawyers, Leading Lawyer, 2021
Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Corporate Law, 2023
Michigan Super Lawyers®, Rising Star, 2013
The Best Lawyers in America®, Corporate Law, since 2023
Professional Affiliations
Alma College, President’s Advisory Council, 2014 – 2017
Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan: Board, 2011 – 2016; Executive Committee, 2012 – 2015
Economic Club of Grand Rapids, 2009 – present
Grand Rapids Bar Association
Grand Rapids Chamber – Governance Committee, 2022
State Bar of Michigan
Western Michigan Roundtable, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Community Involvement
AYSO coach, 2011 – 2016
Bite Cancer Foundation, Board, 2016 – present
Clarkston Basketball Foundation, Board, 2013 – present
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Grand Rapids, Class of 2017
Youth basketball coach, 2014 – present
Youth baseball coach, 2012 – present
Presentations
Panelist, Strategic Discussion with West Michigan Family-Owned Businesses, MiBiz, January 17, 2022
Panelist, Strategic Discussion with West Michigan Automotive Suppliers, MiBiz, August 19, 2019
Panelist, Strategic Discussion with West Michigan Automotive Suppliers, MiBiz, August 20, 2018
Panelist, Strategic Discussion with West Michigan Automotive Suppliers, MiBiz, August 20, 2017
Panelist, Conversation with West Michigan Automotive Suppliers, MiBiz, August 4, 2016
Panelist, Startup Blunders and Barriers: So You’ve Got Capital. Now What?, June 2012
Speaker, Pure Michigan Business Connect – West Michigan, August 2011
Panelist, Exit Strategies: Guiding the Family Business Through a Critical Transition, May 2010
“Scott Hill of Varnum provides my company excellent and valuable advice, service and support in the areas of best business practices as well as contractual review with our clients and vendors.”
President, material handling equipment supplier