Practice Areas
Industries
Education
University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 1987
Hope College
Holland, Michigan
B.A., summa cum laude, 1984
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Business, Aviation and Estate Planning Attorney
Jeff’s practice focuses on business law, real estate, estate planning and aircraft transactions. He works with many companies and family businesses to handle their legal issues, including business transactions, financing, contracts, licensing matters and real estate transactions. Jeff advises clients on aviation matters, including the purchase, sale, fractional ownership, leasing and operation of aircraft. He is also experienced in commercial real estate development and financing, and in the ownership, management and transfer of family businesses, cottages, farms and vacation properties. In addition, Jeff represents clients in the agriculture and food industries, and he regularly assists clients with wills and trusts, estate taxation counsel, and trust and estate administration.
Jeff is consistently recognized by Best Lawyers in America® for his work in corporate law and estate planning. He led the Varnum team in a matter that was recognized in 2023 as Transaction of the Year by the Detroit Turnaround Management Association.
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Trust and Estates, since 2013
Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, since 2023
Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Trusts and Estates, 2020, 2021
G.W. Haworth Strength of Community Award for Exemplary Community Leadership, 2010
Leading Lawyers: Agriculture Law; Closely & Privately Held Business Law; Real Estate Law – Commercial; Real Estate Law – Residential; Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law
Martindale-Hubbell® Distinguished™ Peer Review Rated
Professional Affiliations
Ottawa County Bar Association
National Business Aviation Association
State Bar of Michigan
Community Involvement
Central High School, mentor, 2017 – 2020
Grand Haven Area Community Foundation: Board chair, 2011 – 2012; Board of Trustees, 2006 – 2012
Grand Haven Area Public Schools, bond campaign co-chair, 2014
Grand Haven Aviation Association, 2018 – present
Grand Haven Bank, Board, 2004 – 2008
Greater Ottawa County United Way: campaign chair, 2008 – 2009; volunteer, 2000 – present
Hope College, Adjunct Faculty – Law and Legal Advocacy, Spring 2021 and 2023
Loutit District Library: Board of Trustees, 2003 – 2009; Board chair and capital campaign chair, 2006 – 2009
Love In The Name of Christ Ministry Center, capital campaign chair, 2010 – 2012
North Ottawa Community Health System: capital campaign co-chair, 2014 – 2016; Board chair, 2017 – 2019; Board of Trustees, 2012 – 2022
Private pilot – instrument rated
Rotary Club of Grand Haven, past president, 1993 – 2022
St. Patrick/St. Anthony Parish, capital campaign co-chair, 2014 – 2018
Tri-Cities Family YMCA: Vice Chair, 2021 – 2022; Board, 2019 – present; Capital Campaign co-chair, 2023 – present
Trinity Health Muskegon, Board, 2022 – present