Jordan C. Valentine

Jordan C. Giles

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Michigan State University College of Law 
East Lansing, MI 
J.D., magna cum laude, 2020

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI
B.A., summa cum laude, Political Science and Philosophy, 2016

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Attorney

Jordan is an associate at Varnum. She is a skilled researcher with experience in litigation, corporate, labor and employment, immigration, privacy and mobility, and family law matters. Prior to joining Varnum, she served as an intern at a variety of legal offices where she drafted contracts, lease agreements and court documents and provided analysis and assistance with other legal issues.

Jordan was part of the Varnum litigation team that successfully defended a Detroit-based beverage manufacturer in a breach of contract dispute resulting in a dismissal of a $650,000 alleged claim. She regularly provides litigation support in the successful settlement of cases worth millions of dollars. In her first week at Varnum, she provided important support in a matter involving the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act that was ultimately decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.
 
Jordan also assists the Privacy and Mobility team, drafting memorandums and conducting research for Varnum’s autonomous and connected vehicle clients.

Experience

Served on the Varnum team that successfully defended a Detroit-based beverage manufacturer in a breach of contract dispute resulting in a dismissal of a $650,000 alleged claim.
 
Served on the team securing a win for Varnum client in Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) matter,  successfully defending client through extensive appeals process and ultimate ruling by U.S. Supreme Court.

Professional Affiliations

State Bar of Michigan

Community Involvement

Michigan State University College of Law, Mock Trial and Moot Court teams, Judge

Growing Hope, Board of Directors – Secretary

Eastern Michigan University, Mock Trial and Moot Court teams, Judge

Hillman Advocacy Clinic held by the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, 2022

Thomas W. Forster

Forster Tom Web

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Wayne State University Law School
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 2000
Associate Editor, Wayne State Law Review
Order of the Coif

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.G.S., Philosophy and Psychology, 1996

Bar Admissions

Florida

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

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Real Estate and Corporate Attorney

Tom is a real estate and corporate attorney. He counsels clients on complex transactional, corporate and real estate matters, including the acquisition, financing, sale, leasing and subleasing of commercial property; the negotiation of joint ventures; asset and stock purchase transactions; the syndication of membership interests; and the acquisition, financing, exchange (1031 exchange), preservation and sale of multifamily, office, industrial, retail shopping center, condominium and mixed use developments. Tom represents a range of clients from publicly-held companies to closely-held family businesses, individuals, investors, builders, developers, lenders, real estate brokers, family officer and property managers.

Chambers USA, which ranks top lawyers and law firms, notes Tom’s “ability to advise on the full gamut of real estate transaction work” makes him “a deal maker and tough negotiator.” A client concluded that “whatever comes up, I have confidence he can handle it.”

Experience

Represented client in the acquisition and financing of a seven shopping center portfolio with properties in four states.

Advised client regarding an equity investment in a portfolio of 21 student housing projects valued more than $500 million.

Represented client in an office building refinance loan of $92 million with multiple lender participants.

Represented joint venture investor with respect to a $65 million senior housing project.

Sale of investment in a regional chain restaurant portfolio.

Counseled client on acquisition, preservation, financing and tax credit syndication of four projects with a value in excess of $40 million.

Represented client with joint venture involving more than 30 properties relating to concrete and sand and gravel operations.

Advised client regarding portfolio of industrial leases, with combined matter value in excess of $400 million.

Guided client in development of a shopping center with more than 400,000 square feet of leasable area.

Served as intern to the Honorable Justice Patricia Boyle of the Michigan State Supreme Court.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Real Estate Law, since 2017

Chambers USA©: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as a Leader in the field of Real Estate

Community Alliance Star Award, 2012

DBusiness© Top Lawyers, Real Estate Law, 2013, 2020, 2021, 2022

Michigan Super Lawyers® since 2008

Michigan Super Lawyers® Rising Star, 2008 – 2012

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan, Real Property Section

The Florida Bar, Real Property Section

University of Michigan Alumni Association

Wayne State Law School Alumni Association

Community Involvement

Leadership Ann Arbor, Class of 2009

Matthew W. Bower

Matthew W. Bower

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
New York, New York
J.D., cum laude, 2002

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.F.A., Theatre, 1995

Bar Admissions

Michigan

New York

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Business Law Attorney

Matt serves as outside general counsel to a wide range of emerging and middle market companies. His particular industry concentrations include software, SaaS, information technology, IoT, data analytics and other technology-based companies, as well as manufacturing, automotive, advanced materials, pharma, medical devices, publishing, digital advertising and media, retail, and food and beverage.

Matt advises middle market companies on general internal corporation matters including shareholder agreements, corporate governance, equity incentive plans and investor relations. Matt also acts as general outside counsel to middle market companies, providing advice and assistance in connection with general contract matters concerning vendors, suppliers, customers, licensors and other day-to-day business transactions. He is a member of Varnum’s Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) Taskforce, which specializes in CTA compliance, guidance and analysis. Visit our CTA Resource Center for more information.

Matt advises emerging companies on capital fundraising, including SAFE financing, convertible debt, preferred equity financing, as well as securities law compliance. He works closely with companies from cradle (formation and organization) to liquidity (sale or merger) and all stages of development in between. Matt’s experience in the early-stage capital markets includes fund representation, fund formation and investments.

Matt also has extensive experience in a broad range of intellectual property matters particularly protection and commercialization, including development, licensing and SaaS agreements.

Matt is a member of the Business and Corporate Practice Team, and participates in the Intellectual Property, the Data Privacy and Cybersecurity, and the Venture Capital and Emerging Companies practice teams. He is also the lead partner of the firm’s Ann Arbor office.

Experience

$7 million Series A financing for SE Michigan pharmaceutical company.

$8 million Series A financing for SE Michigan enterprise XR company.

$2 million Series Seed financing for Detroit SaaS company.

$2 Series A financing for West Michigan SaaS company.

$1 million Series Seed financing for Ann Arbor-based Y Combinator company.

$2.5 million convertible debt financing and $2 million equity financing for Detroit-based customer relationship management (CRM) company.

Formation of $30 million Michigan-based, seed-stage investment fund.

$1 million Series Seed financing for Ann Arbor-based data analytics company.

$500,000 Series Seed financing for Detroit-based, minority-owned SaaS company.

$2 million convertible debt financing for Detroit-based, minority-owned and woman-owned cosmetics company.

$1 million financing for S.E. Michigan cannabis business (Class C Grower).

$1 million SAFE financing for SE Michigan, women-owned fintech company.

Honors and Recognitions

Arts, Communications, Entertainment, and Arts Section of the State Bar of Michigan: Hensel Award Recipient, 2020

Michigan Super Lawyers®, Rising Star since 2012

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Leaders in the Law, 2020

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Up and Coming Lawyer, 2009

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association, Intellectual Property Section

Copyright Society of the U.S.A.

New York State Bar Association: Entertainment Section; Intellectual Property Section

State Bar of Michigan: Arts, Communications, Entertainment and Sports (ACES) Section, past chair; Business Section; Intellectual Property Section

TechTown, Board Member

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, Arts and Entertainment Law Clinic, Adjunct Professor and Co-Director

Community Involvement

Ann Arbor Art Center; Board

Detroit Regional Chamber, Leadership Detroit, Class XXXVIII

Presentations

Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), “Doing Business Online,” program section and publication YouTube and Beyond: The Law of Online Content Sharing, presented June 5, 2007

ICLE, “Movie Making in Michigan: A Lawyer’s Guide,” program section and publication Serving as General Counsel for a Film Project, presented on June 3, 2010

ICLE, 4th Annual Information Technology Law Seminar, program and publication Representing the Web-based Business, presented on September 21, 2011

Christopher P. Baker

Christopher P. Baker

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Wayne State University Law School
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., 1988

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan
B.S., Political Science, 1985

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Licensed Beverage Control and Real Estate Attorney

Chris is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Team. He has significant experience representing retail license holders, including resorts, hotels, restaurants and retail developers. Chris also works with licensed suppliers, including brewers, distillers and wineries in all areas of alcoholic beverage regulatory matters, including licensing, enforcement and trade practice issues. He is well versed with the wholesale, distributor and importer provisions of the Michigan Liquor Control Code and regularly represents clients before the Michigan Liquor Control Commission in enforcement actions. 

Chris routinely represents and counsels developers and property owners in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions, sales, like-kind exchanges and leases. His work includes land use such as site plan review and zoning.

Experience

Represented Entente Spirits (Round Barn Winery, Free Run Cellars and Round Barn Public House) in acquisition of Tabor Hill Winery, including 25 acres of vineyards, a restaurant and three retail locations. Drafted purchase agreement and coordinated filings with Liquor Control Commission.

Obtained first brew pub permit issued by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau for a Michigan community college’s craft brewery program.

Represented a Michigan licensed brewer with state and local permits required for a supplemental taproom with brewery operations.

National coordinator for multistate licenses and permits for a western United States distillery applicant.

Successful development and creation of a multi-unit condominium project within a B-Hotel resort licensed hotel in Michigan, with approval from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.

Represented multiple location retailers with statewide off-premises and secondary permits for gas pump operations.

Handled the permitting and related land development planning for MiSpringboard clientele, including zoning approval and the required federal, state and local license requirements.

Professional Affiliations

Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys

American Mead Makers Association

Global Alliance of Hospitality Attorneys

Michigan Brewers Guild

National Licensed Beverage Association

State Bar of Michigan: Business Section, Alcoholic Beverage and Hospitality subcommittee, past chair

State Bar of Michigan: Real Property Section, Real Estate Ownership and Investment Entities, Mortgages and Related Security Devices subcommittees

Presentations

Panelist, West Michigan Brewers Discuss Changing Craft Beer Industry, MiBiz April 29, 2019