Swing to Cure Diabetes was founded by former University of Michigan football player and Varnum attorney Rich Hewlett and his late wife, Chris. The couple began to raise money and awareness for juvenile diabetes after their son, Jeffrey, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of four. To date, over $225,000 has been raised by this annual golf outing. Proceeds from the outing go to the Michigan Comprehensive Diabetes Center and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

The outing includes 18 holes of golf, a boxed lunch on the course and dinner afterwards, a live silent auction, and photo opportunities with University of Michigan football celebrities, including current head coach Brady Hoke - who will speak at and golf in the event. Current and former Wolverines are also expected to participate.

There is a current clinical trial underway at UMCDC that could reduce the number of insulin shots a Type 1 diabetic is required to give themselves each day. The lead researcher on this trial, Dr. Massimo Pietropaolo is expected to be in attendance at the golf outing.

Hewlett is a trial attorney who lives and works in Southeast Michigan. He has extensive experience in construction law, business litigation and disputes,  contracts and sports law.

For more information about how to play, sponsor or register, visit www.swingtocure.org.

Varnum is the lead sponsor of this year's Swing to Cure Diabetes event.

MiEIBC, formed in 2012, is made up of Michigan companies and businesses at the forefront of the new energy economy. Its goal is to accelerate the growth of Michigan's advanced energy sector and create partnerships to expand business opportunities. Members are engaged in clean energy manufacturing and other areas of new energy initiatives in order to create opportunities and jobs in Michigan.

Goodman practiced environmental law for more than 20 years before turning his focus to the advanced energy industry. In addition to his law practice, he has been a strong advocate for energy manufacturers in Michigan, organizing and convening the West Michigan Bio Energy Consortium, the West Michigan Wind Manufacturing Network, and the West Michigan Solar Supply Chain.

Goodman is one of 13 individuals elected to the EIBC board. The complete roster includes:

• Roger Cope – Chairman, Astraeus Wind Energy - Chairman of the Mi-EIBC Board of Directors
• Lauren Bigelow – President, Growth Capital Network
• Anand Gangadharan – President, Novi Energy
• Amanda Godward – President, Ecotelligent Homes
• Jeff Metts – President, Dowding Industries
• James Moran – President, Advanced Energy Group
• Seth Roberts – Director of Energy and Climate Change, The Dow Chemical Company
• David Simon – President, TOGGLED
• Ann Marie Sastry – President, Sakti3
• Rachel Tronstein – Principal, First Energy Finance
• Rich VanderVeen – President, Wind Resource LLC
• Scott Viciana – Vice President of Business Development, Ventower Industries
• Bruce Goodman – Partner, Varnum LLP – Secretary to the Mi-EIBC Board of Directors

“The Board of Directors elected by the membership represents the full spectrum of advanced energy companies in Michigan, and positions the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council as the business voice of advanced energy in Michigan,” said Mi-EIBC President Dan Scripps. “From global leaders like The Dow Chemical Company to start-ups like TOGGLED and Sakti3, and companies in the wind, solar, bioenergy, geothermal, energy storage and energy efficiency businesses, board members bring a rich mix of backgrounds and perspectives to guide Mi-EIBC’s continued growth and development.”

More information about EIBC can be found at their website, www.mieibc.org

Fossel will be presented with the President's Award at the Law Day Celebration & Award Luncheon hosted by Thomas M. Cooley Law School and the Grand Rapids Bar Association on April 30, 2013. 

A trial attorney, Fossel is well known for her pro bono efforts. She was recently recognized in the ABA Journal for her ongoing commitment to social justice through pro bono work and was the 2011 recipient of the John W. Cummiskey Award, in recognition of outstanding pro bono contributions.  In addition, she leads Varnum's Diversity and Inclusion Team, coordinating the firm's internal and external diversity and inclusion initiatives. She has also been a key player in developing and overseeing a legal internship program for University Prep Academy students interested in law; she recently co-hosted the students on a trip to the Michigan Supreme Court to view a trial and receive a comprehensive tour of the courthouse.

Varnum Estate Planning Attorney Marilyn Lankfer was recently quoted in Michigan Lawyers Weekly regarding the importance of these types of digital assets. Lankfer related a case in which there was no reference to digital assets in the estate of a recently deceased husband, which prevented the widow from accessing accounts in which he traded stock online. "We actually had to open up a probate estate just to access the account," Lanker said. 

Lankfer explains that it is now standard practice to include questions about digital assets and online accounts along with the traditional questions regarding things such as property ownership and bank accounts when working with clients on their estate plans.

See full text of the Michigan Lawyers Weekly article here- http://milawyersweekly.com/news/2013/04/22/digital-assets-passwords-accounts-files-are-concerns-for-estate-planners/

NALS is an association for legal professionals that began in 1929 as the National Association of Legal Secretaries. Its purpose is to enhance the competencies and contributions of members in the legal services profession. NALS of Michigan was chartered in 1961 and consists of eleven local chapters and is a part of Region 3, along with Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia.

Garber has been involved with NALS for 13 years and over that time has held various leadership positions at the local, state, and national levels. At the local Level (NALS of West Michigan), she served as the chapter president from 2004 – 2006, certification chair from 2006 – 2009, and has been the technology and publications chair since 2009.  At the state level she has served on the executive committee since 2008, the annual meeting committee since 2005 and membership committee from 2010 - 2012. At the National level, she served on the education committee from 2011 - 2012. Garber has also received various awards and certifications through her involvement with the organization.

The Council consists of business and community leaders who reflect the various racial, ethnic, age, gender and sexual orientations that make up the West Michigan Community.   Its purpose is to provide insight and perspective to Varnum in the firm's continuing effort to address issues of diversity and inclusion, both internally and externally.

The 13 new members of the Council are:

• George Aquino – Vice President/Managing Director, Amway Hotel Corporation
• Chris Arnold - Director, Grand Rapids Community College - Woodrick Diversity Learning Center
• Ben Bufford - Lead Engineer/Technologist, GE Aviation
• Valeda Collins - VP of Philanthropy, Grand Rapids Public Museum
• Paul T. Doyle – Consultant, Paul T. Doyle & Associates
• Dana Friis-Hansen - Director/CEO - Grand Rapids Art Museum
• Dwight Hamilton - Assistant VP for Affirmative Action, Grand Valley State College
• Cheryl Kern – Principal, Global Diversity, Inclusion & Engagement, Amway
• Stephanie Leonardos – President and CEO, Amerikam
• David Luna – VP Multicultural Affairs, Saint Mary's Health Care
• Kim McLaughlin – Director of Inclusion and Community Leadership, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce
• Bonnie Nawara – CEO, Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW)
• Mindy Ysasi-Castanon – HR Consultant, Herman Miller

Council members serve for a period of two years, during which they convene for quarterly business meetings as well as attending other firm meetings, receptions, and community events throughout the year.

The Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council at Varnum was originally established in 2009. The idea for the Council grew out growing concern that women and minority law professionals tended to leave West Michigan law firms to move to larger markets. Illustrating this trend was a 2010 National Association of Law Professionals survey in which Grand Rapids ranked poorly in retaining women and minority lawyers as compared to 43 similar metropolitan areas.

"When the council was first established, we weren't sure where the path would lead us, but we anticipated revelations of import as we brought people together and heard other perspectives," said Joy Fossel, Varnum's Diversity & Inclusion Counsel. "As we began sharing information about firm programs and policies, the Council became comfortable providing feedback on things like our summer associate program, and on recruiting and retention issues. That kind of feedback on our programs and policies has been invaluable as we work to become a more inclusive firm."

Fossel said that over the years, the influence of the Council has grown beyond the walls of Varnum and is now reaching into the broader community as well – and that's a good thing.

"We began this effort because diversifying our work force and fostering inclusion was the right thing to do. Today we know that research has clearly shown a connection between sustained regional growth and inclusion," she said. "Consequently there is an economic case for building and supporting a diverse and inclusive community, not only at Varnum, but in West Michigan overall."

Specifically, the brief addresses the 2012 decision of the Illinois Appellate Court to keep in place a monopoly that limits the trading of important financial instruments, options on the Standard and Poor's 500 Index, and Dow Jones Industrial Average to a single entity - the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE). The brief argues that, because of its monopoly position, the CBOE is able to charge disproportionate fees and maintain expensive and inefficient spreads in the market for these options.

The brief was filed on behalf of business professors at Columbia University, Georgetown University, University of Notre Dame, and Syracuse University, all of whom are financial economists and professors who teach and write on financial economics generally, and about economics, operations and industrial organization of securities markets specifically. In the brief, the professors offer their views on the effects that opening index options to inter-exchange competition would likely have. They argue that the current monopoly costs consumers billions of dollars per year.

The amicus brief was filed Feb. 28. It is one of three amicus briefs filed on behalf of the International Securities Exchange's petition for a writ of certiorari. The Court should render a decision on whether to hear the case by early May.

Dugan is no stranger to Supreme Court litigation. Prior to joining Varnum, he practiced with the Department of Justice and the Supreme Court boutique firm Bancroft PLLC, where he was involved in numerous matters in front of the Supreme Court and the Federal Court of Appeals. Prior to working at the Department of Justice, Dugan clerked for then-Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Dugan, a trial and appellate law attorney at Varnum, has orally argued a dozen cases in seven different Federal Courts of Appeals and has handled a variety of matters in Federal District Court.

The firm will celebrate throughout the year with client-centric events as well as internal efforts focused on the history and people of the firm.

"Looking back on the firm's history allows us to reflect on how our past has shaped where we are today," said Executive Partner Tom Kyros. "As we celebrate this significant milestone, we are grateful for a culture that has allowed us to grow and serve the community for 125 years. Not many organizations can say that."

Varnum's roots begin in 1888 when former 17th Circuit Judge Robert Montgomery joined McGeorge Bundy (grandfather and namesake of President John Kennedy's National Security Advisor) in private practice in Grand Rapids. The firm was originally known as Montgomery & Bundy. The name of the firm evolved over the years as partners joined and left, culminating in the 1983 merger which created Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett.  While this is still the firm's legal name, today it is known simply as Varnum.

Varnum is aided in its recognition of the firm's long history by various written chronicles of the early days of the firm. Most notable of these is "A History of Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett" by the late John L. Wierengo, a former name partner who compiled the history on the cusp of the firm's 100th anniversary.

In addition to standard research documents, Wierengo had access to some of the firm's early partners who were still alive at the time, including Laurent K. Varnum. The resulting story includes not only detailed facts of the early days and growth of the partnership, but also some fascinating and occasionally humorous stories about people, the practice of law, and the West Michigan community in general. Varnum himself left several volumes of miscellaneous writings which give insight into the development of Grand Rapids and the practice of law during the latter half of the 20th century. The 1983 merger with Schmidt, Howlett, Van't Hoff, Snell and Vana factors significantly into the make-up and culture of the present day firm, and the history of that firm will also be drawn upon in recognition of the anniversary.

Throughout the year, the firm will share anecdotes and fun facts from its history on the website and through social media channels Twitter (@varnumlaw) and Facebook (Facebook.com/VarnumLaw).

Chronology

1888 - Montgomery & Bundy
1890 - Montgomery, Bundy & Travis
1911 - Bundy, Travis & Merrick
1912 - Travis, Merrick & Warner
1921 - Travis, Merrick, Warner & Johnson
1928 - Travis, Merrick, Johnson & Judd
1929 - Travis, Merrick, Johnson & McCobb
1930 - Travis Merrick & Johnson
1941 - Travis, Merrick, Varnum & Riddering
1948 - Varnum, Riddering, Wierengo & Christenson
1983 - Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP
 

In an article published by Crain's Detroit Business,  Nemeth commented on the recent appointment of Kevyn Orr to the position of Emergency Manager of Detroit. Orr will begin by focusing on both quick fixes as well as more urgent financial matters. The first steps of this process require Orr to gather data and information and establish a priorities list.

Orr has said he welcomes private-sector help as he work's to fix the city's finances. Having an EM on board will increase the business community's efforts to help revive Detroit, says Nemeth. "The larger the business community, there's going to be people willing to jump in now because they feel there's room for progress."

Read the full article from Crain's Detroit Business

"It's all about building the eco-system, the climate that encourages and fosters newer growth companies," states Koning, who routinely works with entrepreneurs as part of Varnum's MiSpringboard program.

Click to read the article in its entirety.