Practice Areas
Education
Detroit College of Law
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., magna cum laude, 1996
Member, Managing Editor Outside Articles, Detroit College of Law Review
Indiana University
Bloomington, Indiana
B.S., Management & Organizations, 1990
Bar Admissions
Federal Eastern Bar Association
Federal Western Bar Association
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Family Law Attorney
Julia is the chair of the Family Law Practice Team and has experience in a broad range of family law matters including divorce, child custody, child support and parenting time. She has particular expertise with international custody cases, international abduction cases, and valuation and division of high net worth marital estates. Her practice also includes cases involving the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA), where she has successfully handled numerous complex, multi-jurisdictional custody disputes.
Julia is a certified mediator specializing in family law, where she helps clients address sensitive issues and work toward fair resolutions. Beyond her family law practice, Julia has handled also civil litigation disputes involving automotive suppliers and other supply chain disputes, asset purchase agreements and other business related litigation.
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Family Law, since 2018
Best Lawyers in America®, Ann Arbor Lawyer of the Year, Family Law, 2024
Crain’s Detroit Business, Notable Leader in Law, 2026
DBusiness, Top Lawyers, Family Law, since 2018
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Women in the Law, 2016
Michigan Super Lawyers®, 2018, 2020, 2021
National Law Review, Thought Leader Award (Family Law Practice Team), 2020
Professional Affiliations
Detroit Bar Association, member, 2016 – present; Board of Directors, 2017 – present
Detroit Mercy Law, Family Law adjunct professor, 2004 – 2017
Oakland County Family Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan
Wayne County Family Bar Association
Community Involvement
City of Canton Planning Commission, 2015 – 2020
Culinary Challenge Core Committee, 2010 – 2018
Girls Rock Detroit Board, 2021 – 2022
Kids Talk Advisory Committee, 2005 – present
University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, adjunct professor, 2022-2025
Presentations
Presenter, ICLE webinar:Â Family Law Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic, May 14, 2020
Presenter, ICLE webinar: Demonstration: Family Law Deposition, July 13, 2020
Presenter, ICLE webinar: Fundamentals of Divorce and Procedure, November 10, 2021
News and Insights
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Six Varnum Partners Recognized as Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting, and Law by Crain’s Detroit and Crain’s Grand Rapids
August 10, 2026Read More » -
Varnum Practice Teams, Attorneys Named to The Best Lawyers in America® 2026
August 21, 2025Read More » -
Varnum Secures Arbitration Victory in School Placement Dispute
June 24, 2025Read More »
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