During March's summer-like weather, many Michigan fruit trees blossomed early, only to be hit with a series of freezing temperatures in April. The frosts killed many buds, as well as discouraged bees from pollinating buds that did survive the weather.  The rare weather patterns resulted in severe crop loss to Michigan cherries, pears, apples, and grapes, and has left many food processors to find fruit oversees for the first time in years.

"The crop loss affects more than the farmer and the fresh fruit consumer," said attorney Steve Kluting, co-chair of Varnum's food processing group. "Fruit processing is a large force in Michigan's economy, and it's been deeply affected by the crop loss. Many Michigan processors have never imported before or haven't in years. It's crucial for processors to be educated on the process and the regulations that apply to importing fruit, especially following the significant legal changes that have been implemented since 9/11."

Registration and breakfast will begin at 8:15 a.m. in the Hudson Bay room at Crystal Mountain Resort. Topics presented by Varnum's Food Law Group and the Van Andel Global Trade Center, an international consulting, training and resource  group, will include:   

• Understanding import transaction structures
• Buyer and seller responsibilities
• Financing international transactions
• Utilizing service providers - bankers, shipping companies, customs brokers, etc.
• Elements of the sales contract
• Resources available through government and other institutions 
• Legal considerations, including applicable FDA rules and regulations
• Effect of new legislation, like the Food Safety Modernization Act
• Foreign supplier verification programs
• Complying with certification maintenance requirements

The cost to attend is $15. To register, or for more information, visit www.varnumlaw.com/fruitimport.

Michigan Celebrates Small Business is an annual event that honors the achievements of small businesses across the state. More than 15 awards are presented to honor stand-out leaders and business achievements, including Small Business of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Women in Business Champion of the Year and a list of 50 Companies to Watch.

The keynote speaker will be Ari Weinzweig, entrepreneur and owner of Zingerman's Delicatessen in Ann Arbor. Weinzweig and his business partner Paul Saginaw started the business in 1982 armed only with an idea and a $20,000 loan. Today, their idea has grown into Zingerman's Community of Businesses, which includes a bake house, catering branch,  creamery, roadhouse, coffee company and mail order service that delivers Zingerman's products to customers across the nation. 

Varnum's support of Michigan Celebrates Small Business is a continuation of the firm's dedication to growing business in the state. Last year, Varnum committed $1 million in free legal services to new and growing businesses in Michigan through a program called MiSpringboard. Since then, the firm has partnered with more than a dozen economic development offices, investors and angel funds who refer clients to the program. Through MiSpringboard, Varnum attorneys have counseled 34 growing businesses in 24 cities across Michigan.

For more information, visit www.mispringboard.com.

More than a thousand rowers are expected to participate in the MACRA Regatta with an additional thousand onlookers and supporters attending the races. The event will include several heat races starting at 8:00 a.m. and will continue on through the afternoon. The 2,000-meter race begins at Riverside Park and ends just north of the Ann Street bridge. Participating teams include college and university rowing teams from across the nation, including University of Delaware and Big 10 teams such as Notre Dame and the University of Michigan.

To support the volume of rowers participating in the Regatta, the Grand Rapids Rowing Association will build a series of temporary docks and place buoys in the river marking the race route. The economic impact of the event is estimated to be $350,000. 

The MACRA Regatta was first held in Grand Rapids in 2007; since then, the event, as well as the popularity of rowing in West Michigan, has grown significantly, said Landon Bartley, president of the GRRA. The Rowing Association and the West Michigan Sports Commission worked to bring the regatta back to Grand Rapids, announcing their success in May 2011.

The history of rowing on the Grand River can be traced back more than 100 years to the 1890s. The sport of rowing continued until the Grand Rapids Rowing Association officially incorporated in 1986 as an effort to organize rowing in the area. The Association runs high school, collegiate and adult recreational and competitive rowing programs, including learn to row classes and rowing competitions, as well as community benefit events, such as the Eights for Hope regatta to benefit cancer research.

For more information on the MACRA Regatta or the Grand Rapids Rowing Association, visit the Grand Rapids Rowing association website.

The Building Bridges Award recognizes a non-Hispanic individual who has been an advocate for the Hispanic business community.

Velie joined Varnum's administrative management team in 1987 and brought her passion for advancing diversity and inclusion in the firm and community. Over the years, she has played a role in numerous events and initiatives within the Hispanic community and has hosted several community welcome receptions in effort to introduce Hispanic and other minority leaders to the West Michigan business community.

Most notably, Velie helped establish Varnum's Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council, an advisory group made up of community leaders who share our commitment to making Varnum – as well as our community – a more inclusive and welcoming place to live and work. Council members generously give their time, insight and perspective to strengthen Varnum’s internal programming, communications, recruiting and retention efforts.

In addition to the external council, Velie is a founding member of Varnum's internal Diversity Team, which has now been in place for nearly 20 years. She and the internal team work with the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council to provide programming for attorneys and staff that develops and advances the firm's diversity and inclusion efforts.

The MBA is the primary banking association in Michigan and represents its members in matters relating to state legislation and regulation. As a member of the Retail Lending Committee, Groendyk will assist in analyzing pending legislation and provide appropriate direction to legislators and regulators. Committee members serve a three year term.

Groendyk focuses his practice on creditor's rights law, including collections, bankruptcy, landlord-tenant, foreclosure and commercial and general civil litigation. His specialties also include fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act defense and compliance review.

Among other professional organizations, Groendyk is a member of the Commercial Law League of America, the National Association of Retail Collection Attorneys and Property Management Association of West Michigan. Outside his practice, Groendyk is a member of the board of LOVE Inc. in Allendale and active member of Cornerstone United Reformed Church.

Groendyk completed his undergraduate degree at Calvin College and earned his J.D. from Wayne State University Law School.

The Probate and Estate Planning Chair is charged with providing a cooperative and collegial forum for members of the Grand Rapids Bar Association interested in or engaged in the practice of Trusts and Estates law, in all of its forms.

Aten is an attorney in the Estate Planning and Administration group whose practice includes full-service estate plan preparation, estate and trust administration, guardianship and conservatorship services, and elder law. She is licensed to practice in both Michigan and Florida. Aten also serves as President of the Women Lawyer's Association of Michigan – Western Region. Outside of her practice, Aten is involved with Heart of West Michigan United Way, Inforum, the Western Michigan Estate Planning Council and the Grand Rapids Economic Club.

Varnum's Regulatory Group is made up of 10 regulation-based law practices, including water, environmental, food, agriculture, finance, hospitality, real estate and energy law. 

In addition to managing the 31-member group, Zimmerman will continue working with environmental and energy clients.  He spends a significant portion of his practice representing municipalities and private developers in water law matters, as well as working with developers of both traditional and renewable energy products.  Zimmerman recently celebrated his 30th year at Varnum.

Zimmerman received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Outside his practice, Zimmerman a member of the Board of Directors at Christian Legal Ministries, as well as a volunteer. He is an active member at Fifth Reformed Church.

The recognition puts Wooldridge in "an elite group of attorneys nominated solely and exclusively by clients in BTI's independent study, as delivering the absolute best in client services," noted Michael Rynowecer, President of BTI Consulting.

Analysis for the BTI Client Service All-Star Team for Law Firms 2012 draws on candid feedback from corporate counsel at the world's largest organizations. The report defines client service as driven by client focus, exceptional understanding of the client's business, outstanding results, outsized value, and legal skills.

Wooldridge focuses his legal practice on corporate governance, securities, and mergers and acquisitions. He has managed and led a variety of public equity and debt offerings for financial services and manufacturing companies. He is also active in advising clients in venture capital transactions.

BTI Consulting is the leading provider of strategic market research to law firms and professional services firms. They conduct the only continuous benchmarking study in the legal services industry based on more than 3,100 independent interviews with General Counsel and key decision makers who hire law firms. BTI regularly publishes research in independent publications, reports and summaries.

Papke's corporate and real estate practice was nominated for the Hispanic Business of the Year award, which recognizes a Hispanic-owned business that has demonstrated a history of growth and community participation.

Melissa Papke joined Varnum in 2004. Upon moving to Grand Rapids from New York City, she felt it was important to remain connected with her Latino heritage  and immediately sought out opportunities to serve the Hispanic community. In 2010, Papke was selected to serve as a member of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Papke makes significant efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within her practice and the firm. She is an active member of Varnum's Diversity Team, which includes selecting internal diversity programming for attorneys and staff, and represents a number of Hispanic-owned businesses and individuals and often serves as the contact point for Spanish-speaking clients.

Additionally, Papke spearheaded creating a Spanish portion of the firm website in an effort to meet the legal needs of the Spanish-speaking population, and maintains her social media sites in Spanish. Papke also serves as Varnum's liaison to Hispanic law student groups in effort to recruit attorneys of Hispanic descent.

Carroll Velie was nominated for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's Building Bridges Award, which recognizes a non-Hispanic individual who has been an advocate for the Hispanic business community. Velie joined Varnum's administrative management team in 1987 and brought her passion for advancing diversity and inclusion in the firm and community. Over the years, she has played a role in numerous events and initiatives within the Hispanic community and has hosted several community welcome receptions in effort to introduce Hispanic and other minority leaders to the West Michigan business community.

Most notably, Velie helped establish Varnum's Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council, an advisory group made up of community leaders who share our commitment to making Varnum – as well as our community – a more inclusive and welcoming place to live and work. Council members generously give their time, insight and perspective to strengthen Varnum’s internal programming, communications, recruiting and retention efforts.

In addition to the external council, Velie is a founding member of Varnum's internal Diversity Team, which has now been in place for nearly 20 years. She and the internal team work with the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council to provide programming for attorneys and staff that develops and advances the firm's diversity and inclusion efforts.

Award recipients will be announced at the 2012 Hispanic Chamber Annual Awards Banquet at the JW Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids on March 5, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.