Practice Areas
Education
Michigan State University College of Law
East Lansing, Michigan
J.D., summa cum laude, 2008
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan
M.B.A., with honors, 2007
University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.A., with highest distinction, 2002
Bar Admissions
Florida
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Estate Planning Attorney
Laura is an attorney on the firm’s estate planning team where she helps individuals and families to identify their estate planning goals and to create plans tailored to meet their specific needs. Laura’s practice includes a full range of estate planning and estate settlement services including the preparation of basic or complex estate plans, tax planning, business succession planning, cottage planning, charitable gift planning, and estate and trust administration services.
As a member of the Family Business Team, Laura assists business owners with the design and implementation of succession plans that will facilitate the transfer of decision making authority and ownership interests in the event of an owner’s disability or death. Clients benefit from her regular access to Varnum colleagues who serve the unique needs and challenges of family businesses, including the business and corporate services, labor and employment relations, family law and litigation teams.
Laura is a frequent speaker on estate planning topics including cottage succession planning and business succession planning. She has also written numerous articles on how to protect and preserve the family cottage.
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, since 2018
Best Lawyers in America®, Trusts and Estates, since 2019
Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Trusts and Estates, since 2019
Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Women in the Law, 2021
Professional Affiliations
Grand Rapids Bar Association
Grand Rapids Bar Association, Probate and Estate Planning Section, past Vice President, past Treasurer
State Bar of Michigan
State Bar of Florida
United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Community Involvement
Gilda’s Club Red Council, past member
Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Professional Advisory Committee
Grand Rapids Partnership for Philanthropic Planning
Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities Organization, President, 2013 – 2015; Vice President, 2011 – 2012
Western Michigan Planned Giving Group