John W. Sturgis
Partner
Education
University of Iowa College of Law
Iowa City, Iowa
J.D., summa cum laude, 2014
Order of the Coif
Iowa Law Review, Vol. 99, Managing Editor
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.A., cum laude, 2011
James B. Angell Scholar
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Real Estate Attorney
John is a member of Varnum’s Real Estate Practice Team. He regularly assists clients with real estate sales and acquisitions, commercial leasing matters on behalf of both landlords and tenants, and real estate financing transactions.
Experience
Prepared and negotiated multiple leases on behalf of statewide hospital system as both tenant and landlord.
Negotiated $2 million annual office lease on behalf of large insurance brokerage client.
Drafted documents and coordinated the closing of a $20 million shopping center sale involving the assumption of existing financing.
Assisted as bank counsel in annual Public School Academy State Aid Revenue Notes program.
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch, Construction Law, Real Estate Law, since 2024
Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Real Estate Law, since 2021
Professional Affiliations
Grand Rapids Bar Association
National Association of Bond Lawyers
State Bar of Michigan
Presentations
John W. Sturgis VII, Help! I Need Somebody! (Or Do I?): A Discussion of Community Caretaking and “Assistance Seizures” Under Iowa Law, 99 Iowa L. Rev 1841 (2014), cited by the Iowa Supreme Court in State v. Coffman, 914 N.W.2d 240, 258 (Iowa 2018)