Varnum partners Adam Brody, Jon Bylsma, Laura Radle, Matthew Bower, Julia Perkins, and Michael Romaya have been recognized as Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting, and Law by Crain’s Detroit and Crain’s Grand Rapids. The honor highlights leaders who are guiding clients through complex financial decisions, transformative business strategies, and high-stakes legal matters while helping their own firms innovate and grow.
Brody is Varnum’s Executive Partner and a member of the Litigation and Trial Practice Team in the Grand Rapids office. He maintains a litigation practice with first-chair experience spanning commercial disputes, mobility, data privacy, intellectual property, licensing, probate, tax, and post-closing corporate disputes. In his role as Executive Partner, Brody chairs the firm’s Executive Committee, where he helps oversee policy implementation, lean processes, and attorney development. He also serves on the Law360 Michigan Editorial Advisory Board.
Bylsma is Firm Chair and a member of Varnum’s Litigation and Trial Practice Team in the Grand Rapids office, maintaining a national practice focused on trials, arbitrations, and mediations involving business disputes. His work includes advising clients regarding supply chain issues, post-transaction disputes, securities and investor conflicts, and other business-related litigation. As Firm Chair, Bylsma guides firm leadership, chairing Varnum’s Policy Committee and also serving on the firm’s Executive Committee. He also serves as a mediator for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan and several Michigan circuit courts.
Radle is a partner in Varnum’s Grand Rapids office who advises individuals, families, and business owners on estate planning, trust administration, tax planning, charitable giving, cottage planning, and succession strategies. A member of Varnum’s Estate Planning and Family and Closely-Held Business Practice Teams, she works with clients on multigenerational planning and ownership transitions for closely held and family-owned businesses, helping families preserve wealth, plan for future generations, and navigate family dynamics. Beyond her client practice, Radle is a member of Varnum’s highest governing body, the Policy Committee, where she helps guide the firm’s long-term business strategy and overall direction.
Bower advises companies, investors, and entrepreneurs on governance, growth, transactions, and securities matters, with a particular focus on venture capital and startup companies. He chairs Varnum’s Venture Capital and Emerging Companies Practice Team and is a key contributor to the firm’s MiSpringboard initiatives. His work includes advising clients on fundraising and financing transactions, including supporting companies through multiple rounds of investment. Bower also serves as lead partner of Varnum’s Ann Arbor office and spearheads the firm’s lateral partner and counsel hiring efforts.
Perkins is a partner in Varnum’s Novi office who advises clients through significant personal and financial matters involving divorce and family law. Her practice includes custody, child support, parenting time, high net worth marital estates, valuation and division issues, international custody disputes, and family law mediation. She is frequently engaged in matters requiring discretion, judgment, and steady advocacy, helping clients pursue practical resolutions when possible and providing courtroom representation when necessary. Perkins also serves on Varnum’s Executive Committee and as a Practice Management Leader, where she supports firm strategy and the coaching and mentoring of partners.
Romaya is the lead partner in Varnum’s Birmingham office, advising privately held companies on strategic transactions, financing, growth, governance, and ongoing business needs. A member of the Banking, Finance and Restructuring Team, he counsels clients through significant transactions and financing matters, including acquisitions and other business combinations. Romaya is also a member of Varnum’s highest governing body, the Policy Committee, where he helps guide the firm’s long-term business strategy and overall direction.
Crain’s Detroit and Crain’s Grand Rapids have published special sections profiling all Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting, and Law recipients, including Brody, Bylsma, Radle, Bower, Perkins, and Romaya.
