Adam J. Brody
Practice Areas
Education
Washington and Lee University School of Law
Lexington, Virginia
J.D., 2000
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan
B.S., 1996
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
United States District Court for Colorado
United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Trial Attorney
Adam is a partner and member of the firm’s Litigation and Trial Practice Team and currently serves as the firm’s Executive Partner. He has focused on complex civil litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts for nearly 25 years.
While Adam has extensive first-chair experience with nearly every type of commercial dispute, including automotive supply, restrictive covenants, real estate, tax, and post-closing transactional disputes, his practice has expanded in recent years into the realm of mobility and data privacy. There, he has counseled clients on a wide range of litigation matters, including alleged violations of the Video Privacy Protection Act, the Biometric Information Privacy Act, and other state and federal privacy laws, as well as intellectual property and licensing disputes.
Experience
Successfully argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, obtaining affirmance of summary judgment in favor of limited liability company in case of first impression regarding distribution to withdrawing member of the company.
Obtained reversal of Michigan Court of Appeals’ decision by Supreme Court of Michigan in case of first impression regarding governmental immunity and the contempt powers of Michigan courts.
Obtained summary judgment in favor of international website operator of claims for violation of various state privacy laws, and successfully resolved additional claims against same client via AAA arbitration proceedings.
Obtained FINRA arbitration award of $2.375 million for investors against national securities firm in case involving inappropriate investments and failure of securities firm to properly supervise its representatives. Award was ninth largest verdict in the State of Michigan in 2011, according to a report published by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
Successfully represented plaintiffs in a multi-million dollar lawsuit against former financial advisor, national securities firm, and local securities firm, involving the loss of family fortune through fraud, inappropriate investments and failure of the securities firms to properly supervise.
Served as defense counsel for a national provider of health care software systems, in connection with computer copyright infringement claim in which the plaintiff sought $92 million in damages. Following substantial limitation of the plaintiff’s potential damages during the summary judgment process, case was resolved through settlement favorable to client.
Trial counsel for municipality in Michigan Tax Tribunal proceeding involving multimillion dollar challenge to valuation of local department store. The municipality’s assessment was affirmed in its entirety.
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, since 2024
Crain’s Grand Rapids Business, Notable Leader in Law, 2026
Leading Lawyers, Commercial Litigation
Michigan Super Lawyers®, Business Litigation since 2013
Professional Affiliations
Grand Rapids Bar Association
Law360 Michigan Editorial Advisory Board, 2026
State Bar of Michigan
Community Involvement
Former member, West Michigan Arthritis Foundation Advisory Board
Former member, Arthritis Foundation Michigan, Board of Trustees
Former member and Vice-Chair, Gryphon Place Board
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 Attorneys Named to Law360’s Editorial Boards
April 7, 2026Read More » -
Adam J. Brody Elected as Varnum’s Executive Partner
January 7, 2026Read More »
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