Varnum partner Jessica Visser has been named Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s Influential Women of Law, Class of 2025. This recognition honors women attorneys and judges for their excellence in advocacy, community commitment, and service to the profession.
Visser is a member of the firm’s Corporate Practice Team and co-chair of its Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Practice Team. Her work spans federal government contracting compliance, education law, and commercial transactions. She advises clients on service agreements, vendor contracts, licensing deals, and partnerships. As a former associate general counsel at a major university, Visser brings an in-house perspective that informs her approach to private practice.
In her NIL practice, Visser advises athletic departments, coaches, student-athletes, and NIL collectives, both in Michigan and nationally, on structuring, compliance, and governance. She advises colleges and universities on a range of issues, including regulatory compliance, Title IX, disability law, investigations, and high-value contracts. She also co-edits a widely used state-by-state NIL compliance guide and is frequently quoted in national media on NIL topics.
In addition to her practice, Visser serves on the board of the Rockford Education Foundation, supporting local students and schools through grantmaking and volunteer leadership. At Varnum, she mentors junior attorneys and contributes to firmwide initiatives related to client service and professional development.
A special section of the August 12, 2025, edition of Michigan Lawyers Weekly will feature a profile of Visser, along with the other honorees.
