Practice Areas
Education
Northwestern University School of Law
Chicago, Illinois
J.D., 1992
Hope College
Holland, Michigan
B.A., 1989
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Estate Planning and Trust Administration Attorney
Tom’s practice includes design and implementation of sophisticated estate plans, settlement of decedent’s estates, estate taxation and charitable gift planning. He advises many of Varnum’s family business owners and former business owners. Tom also works with several Michigan-based nonprofit organizations as a trustee and advisor.
Tom has held many leadership roles at Varnum during his career, including as chair of the firm’s Estate Planning, Tax and Employee Benefits Practice Teams, as a member of the Policy Committee and as the firm’s Executive Partner.
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America® since 2006
Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year – Trusts and Estates, Grand Rapids, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2024
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
Professional Affiliations
Grand Rapids Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan
West Michigan Estate Planning Council
West Michigan Planned Giving Group, 2003 – 2010; president, 2009
Community Involvement
Citizens Research Council of Michigan, Board of Directors, 2019 – present
DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2007 – present; vice chair, 2013 – 2017
Spectrum Health Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2001 – 2007
Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2016 – present
Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Professional Advisor Committee, 2011 – present
Hope College Alumni Association, Board of Trustees, 2010 – 2017; president, 2014 – 2016
East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2011 – 2017
Heart of West Michigan United Way, Professional Advisor Committee, 1999 – 2003; chair, 2003
Leave a Legacy, West Michigan Chapter Steering Committee, 2002 – 2005
Garfield Park Neighborhoods Association, treasurer, 1994 – 1997
Presentations
Presenter, “Long-Term Estate Planning in a Short Term World,” West Michigan Tax Symposium, Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, Grand Rapids, November 29, 2011 and National Committee on Planned Giving, Western Michigan Chapter, Grand Rapids, December 1, 2011
Presenter, “Fiduciary Ethics and Family Business: I Know I Owe a Duty, but to Whom??,” Midwest Trust and Wealth Management Conference (Cooperative Effort of Michigan, Indiana and Illinois Bankers Associations), Ann Arbor, October 12, 2011
Presenter, “120 Years of Gift Planning Experience: Past Presidents Share Tales from the Road,” National Committee on Planned Giving, Western Michigan Chapter, Grand Rapids, May 25, 2011
Presenter, “Charitable Gift Planning – Essentials and More,” Western Michigan Association of Financial Services Professionals, Grand Rapids, November 11, 2010
Presenter, “The Federal Estate Tax: Past, Present, and Future,” National Committee on Planned Giving, Western Michigan Chapter – Annual Meeting, Grand Rapids, December 3, 2009
Presenter, “What Every Estate Planner Needs to Know About the GST Tax,” Michigan Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 44th Annual Probate Seminar, Traverse City, May, 2004
Presenter, “Planning Challenges for the Young Family,” ICLE, 2002
Presenter, “Generation Skipping Transfer Tax: Essentials and Exotica,” ICLE, 1999
Presenter, “Marital Deduction Formulas: Drafting and Implementation,” ICLE Seminar, 1998
Moderator, Michigan Institute for Continuing Legal Education Advanced Estate Planning Institute, Grand Rapids, 1997