Practice Areas
Education
Cornell University Law School
Ithaca, New York
J.D., 1984
Moot Court Board
Alma College
Alma, Michigan
B.A., cum laude, 1981
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Corporate Attorney
Mike is a partner on the firm’s Corporate Practice Team and formerly served as the chair of the firm’s Policy Committee. His practice focuses on corporate governance, securities, and mergers and acquisitions. He represents several of the firm’s clients whose securities are traded publicly in corporate governance, securities law compliance, and mergers and acquisitions. He has managed and led a variety of public equity and debt offerings for financial services and manufacturing companies. Mike is also active in advising clients in venture capital transactions.
As a trusted advisor to several of Michigan’s most respected businesses, Mike has extensive experience advising officers and directors on strategic and general business law issues, governance and compliance matters, executive compensation, disclosure requirements and corporate structure. He also assists clients with corporate transactional matters such as contract negotiations and workforce management.
Honors and Recognitions
The Best Lawyers in America®, Corporate Law, since 2005; Mergers and Acquisitions Law, since 2024
BTI Consulting Group, Inc., Client Service All Star, 2012 (only four attorneys in Michigan were recognized for this honor)
Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Corporate Law, since 2019
Leading Lawyers: Mergers & Acquisitions Law; Securities & Venture Finance Law
Martindale-Hubbell® Distinguished™ Peer Review Rated
Professional Affiliations
American Society of Corporate Secretaries
Grand Rapids Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan
UFPI Board of Directors
Community Involvement
Blythefield Country Club, past President, 2006 – 2017
YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids; Board member, Chair of Governance Committee
“Varnum is a great firm. I work primarily with Michael Wooldridge. Mike is a thoughtful individual, and you always know he is thinking of you and your company’s legal issues. His practice is general corporate, and I find myself talking to him often about issues we are facing. He is intelligent, witty and a great guy to hang out with as well.”
General counsel, global furniture manufacturer