Timothy J. Lundgren
Joseph B. Levan
Practice Areas
Industries
Education
University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 1993
University of Notre Dame
South Bend, Indiana
B.B.A., Accountancy, magna cum laude, 1990
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
United States Tax Court
Corporate Attorney
Joe is a partner on the Business and Corporate Services Practice Team and has been with the firm since 1993. His practice focuses on corporate governance and counseling, securities matters, and mergers and acquisitions along with certain tax matters. He represents publicly-held and privately-held clients in a variety of industries and matters, from board governance to securities law compliance to buying and selling businesses, as well as structuring business transactions and successions.
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Corporate Law, since 2013; Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2024
Martindale-Hubbell® Distinguished™ Peer Review Rated
Professional Affiliations
Catholic Lawyers Association of West Michigan, member
Grand Rapids Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan
Community Involvement
Grand Rapids Symphony, Board member and Finance Committee
Kent Country Club, Membership Committee, director, vice president, secretary
News and Insights
Marilyn Lankfer
Practice Areas
Education
University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 1978
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
M.A. and B.A., with high distinction
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Estate Planning Attorney
Marilyn is an attorney on the Estate Planning Practice Team. Her practice includes estate planning, estate and trust administration, estate taxation and charitable giving. She was elected by her peers to be a fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Marilyn is semi-retired and is not taking on new clients or new matters.
Honors and Recognitions
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, fellow
Best Lawyers in America®, Trusts and Estates, since 1993
Best Lawyers in America®, Women in the Law Spring Business Edition, Trusts and Estates, 2017
Grand Rapids Community Foundation Philanthropic Leadership Award
Grand Rapids Magazine, Top 10 Lawyers in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Trusts and Estates, 2019, 2020, 2023
Leading Lawyers, Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Women in the Law, 2012
Michigan Super Lawyers®, 2005 – 2020
Michigan Super Lawyers®, Top 50 Women, 2009
Michigan Super Lawyers®, Top 100, 2009
YWCA, TRIBUTE – Professions Award
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
Grand Rapids Bar Association
Michigan Estate Planning and Probate Council, 2003 – 2010; past treasurer
Michigan Uniform Trust Code Committee, one of the drafters of Michigan’s new Trust Code
Michigan Women Lawyers Association Western Michigan Estate Planning Council, past officer
State Bar of Michigan
Community Involvement
Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Board of Trustees, past chair
Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Professional Advisory Committee and LGBT Fund Advisory Committee
Leadership Grand Rapids
Planned Parenthood of West Michigan, past chair
Fountain Street Church, past chair
News and Insights
Scott A. Huizenga
Practice Areas
Industries
Education
University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., 1988
Hope College
Holland, Michigan
B.S., Chemistry, 1985
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
United States Tax Court
Corporate Attorney
Scott is a member and past chair of Varnum’s Business and Corporate Services Practice Team. He works with clients in a variety of industries, including education, manufacturing, and food retail. Providing extensive experience as a business counselor, Scott also focuses on transactional work, including mergers, acquisitions, sales and joint ventures.
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Corporate Law, since 2007
Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Corporate Law, 2019 – 2021, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 2019, 2020, 2023
Leading Lawyers: Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Publicly Held Corporations Law, Securities & Venture Finance Law
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
Professional Affiliations
Better Business Bureau of West Michigan: director, 1996 – 2002; chair, 2001 – 2002
Grand Rapids Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan
Community Involvement
Grand Rapids Symphony, director, 2001 – 2005
Michigan Campus Compact, director, 2008 – 2011
Opera Grand Rapids, director, 2005 – 2008
St. Cecilia Music Society, director, 2012 – present
News and Insights
Robert M. Huff
Practice Areas
Education
University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., 2013
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
B.A., with honors, 2008
Bar Admissions
Florida
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Estate Planning and Business Attorney
Rob is a member of the Estate Planning Practice Team. He is experienced with all facets of advanced planning techniques, with a particular focus on the intersection of business matters and personal estate planning. Rob regularly works with estate planning vehicles including wills, various types of trusts, powers of attorney, prenuptial agreements and other documents. He also provides counsel on entity structuring, including LLCs, family limited partnerships and corporations in order to minimize estate and gift taxes as well as facilitate the efficient management and transition of family assets.
Working with Varnum’s corporate attorneys, Rob provides guidance from an estate planning perspective in transactional matters, ensuring that clients who buy or sell a business have assets properly and optimally incorporated into their estate plan.
Rob formerly practiced in Florida, using his experience to counsel clients who own property in Florida and those clients who relocate to Florida on a more permanent basis. His knowledge of Florida homestead matters is particularly helpful for transplanting clients.
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch, Trusts and Estates, since 2022
Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Trusts and Estates, since 2023
Professional Affiliations
Florida State Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan
Western Michigan Planned Giving Group: Membership Committee, director, vice chair
News and Insights
John M. Huff
Practice Areas
Industries
Education
Northwestern University School of Law
Chicago, Illinois
J.D., 1978
Albion College
Albion, Michigan
B.A., summa cum laude, 1975
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Personal Legal Services Attorney
John focuses his practice on personal legal services and public sector matters. Much of John’s day-to-day practice involves representing individuals with a high net worth and complex estates. Referred by other attorneys and professionals both within and outside the firm, John seeks solutions for client and family interests with regard to various business and personal assets, business succession planning, second marriage issues and blended families. He has experience in prenuptial agreements and trusts such as credit trusts, marital trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, irrevocable trusts, charitable trusts and other wealth transfer vehicles. John also helps clients navigate estate tax law changes, gift taxation, trust administration and probate issues. He has experience in follow-up administration for tax appeals, audits, estate negotiations among siblings involved in a family business and those not involved and provisions for disabled children.
Serving both as city attorney for East Grand Rapids and township attorney for Cascade Charter Township for more than 35 years, John also has extensive experience navigating the public/private interests that play out in municipal decision-making and initiatives to improve resident quality of life.
Some of John’s interests include election law issues, contracts, zoning and claims against government entities, to name a few. John is also called upon as special counsel in various municipalities to collaborate on negotiations and resolve conflicts – often acting as a neutral sounding board to hear the concerns of elected officials as well as citizens in order to support an effective and fair resolution.
Experience
Negotiated the purchase of a dormant dam on behalf of municipal client for refurbishing as electricity supplier to township residents. Dam was acquired for $1 as part of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) initiative. The dam has continued to supply electricity to the township since the 1980s, saving the taxpayers thousands of dollars annually.
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Trusts and Estates, since 2007
Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers: Municipal Law; Trusts and Estates; 2019 – 2021
Leading Lawyers: Closely & Privately Held Business Law; Governmental, Municipal, Lobbying & Administrative Law; Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law
Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
Michigan Super Lawyers® 2006 – 2020
Professional Affiliations
Albion College, Planned Giving Advisory Council
Grand Rapids Bar Association
National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAEPC), accredited estate planner
State Bar of Michigan: Probate and Estate Planning Section; Real Property Section
West Michigan Estate Planning Council
Community Involvement
East Grand Rapids Community Action Council
Mayflower Congregational Church, Endowment Committee
News and Insights
Herman D. Hofman
Practice Areas
Clerkships
District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Honorable Robert J. Jonker
Education
Michigan State University College of Law
East Lansing, Michigan
Michigan State Law Review
J.D., summa cum laude, 2016
Dordt College
Sioux Center, Iowa
B.A., 2013
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
Languages
Dutch
Spanish
Litigation Attorney
Herman is a member of the Litigation and ADR Practice Team based in the firm’s Grand Rapids office. He has extensive experience litigating for and advising manufacturing, collection and health care companies in legal matters in both individual and class action contexts. Herman has also successfully handled appeals spanning a broad range of subject matters in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth and Seventh Circuits, the Michigan Supreme Court and the Michigan Court of Appeals.
For the past three years, Herman has been named by Best Lawyers® as one of the “Ones to Watch,” a designation given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers in recognition of their outstanding professional excellence in private practice.
Before joining Varnum, Herman served as a law clerk for Chief Judge Robert Jonker of the District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
Experience
Obtained a 3-0 victory for a municipality in the Sixth Circuit in Reilly v. Ottawa County, Michigan, et al, Case No. 20-2220, (6th Cir. Sept. 2, 2021), affirming prior summary dismissal of federal constitutional and state tort claims.
Obtained a unanimous victory for a hip-hop artist in the Michigan Court of Appeals in Walker v. Maxwell, No. 345699, 2020 WL 815081 (Mich. Ct. App. Feb. 18, 2020), reversing a circuit court’s grant of judgment in the plaintiff’s favor.
Obtained a 3-0 victory for NRA Group in the Seventh Circuit in Bernal v. NRA Group, LLC, 930 F.3d 891 (7th Cir. 2019), affirming a judgment after trial against a class action and creating a circuit split on the issue of whether a collection letter permitting recovery of “any costs” authorizes the assessment of a fixed-percentage collection fee contingent on recovery of the subject debt.
Obtained a 3-0 victory for a municipality in the Sixth Circuit in Rayfield v. City of Grand Rapids, et al., 768 F. App’x 495 (6th Cir. 2019), affirming the prior summary dismissal of constitutional law claims.
Successfully obtained a judgment of non-dischargeability in favor of an insurance company after a trial.
Successfully obtained summary dismissal of claims in favor of sports equipment manufacturer in a contract dispute with a seller of sports equipment.
Successfully obtained summary dismissal of claims against former sales executive in a trade secret and contract dispute with a national chemicals company.
Served as lead associate for an industrial manufacturer in a multimillion-dollar “bet the company” trial. The parties eventually settled in a favorable outcome for the client, allowing the company to continue its operations unabated.
Obtained summary dismissal of constitutional claims against county treasurer in tax foreclosure case.
Obtained summary judgment of discrimination claims against an automotive company in an employment law case.
Served as lead associate for industrial manufacturer plaintiff in a successful trade secret and unfair competition case spanning four states.
Obtained summary dismissal of class action claims against collection agency in FDCPA case.
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, since 2021; Appellate Practice, since 2024
National Religious Liberty Writing Competition, first place
Billings, Exum & Frye National Moot Court Competition, quarterfinalist
Andrews Kurth Moot Court National Championship, quarterfinalist
Eve August Moot Court Scholarship Award
Professional Affiliations
Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Michigan: Bench Bar Committee; Young Lawyers Section
State Bar of Michigan
Community Involvement
First Netherlands Reformed Church, Ministerial Management Committee, president
Plymouth Christian School, Legal Advisory Committee
News and Insights
William R. Hineline
Practice Areas
Industries
Education
University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., 1967
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio
B.S., 1963
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Employee Benefits Attorney
Bill provides general business counsel to clients primarily in the area of employee benefits, including benefit administration matters, selection of plan types and representation before the IRS, DOL and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). He has a strong focus on the health care industry as well as family-owned and other closely held businesses. Bill also provides counsel for business clients on various corporate and business matters, employment agreements and contract issues. For those same clients, he has served as counsel on family ownership dynamics and succession planning issues.
Bill is past president of Law Weathers, his former firm, and past chair of that firm’s health care law practice. For more than 45 years, Bill was one of the foundational business builders at Law Weathers, growing the health care law practice from the ground up and introducing marketing and client service activities before it became common among law firms.
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, since 1991
Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2014
Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Construction Law, 2022
Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Health Care Law, 2021
Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Employee Benefits Law, since 2019
Leading Lawyers: Closely & Privately Held Business Law, Employee Benefits Law
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
Professional Affiliations
Grand Rapids Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan: Taxation Section; Business Section
Community Involvement
D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s Home, Advisory Council
John Ball Zoo Society Board of Directors, former member, 1985 – 2014
News and Insights
Scott J. Hill
Practice Areas
Industries
Education
Wayne State University Law School
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., 2003
The Wayne Law Review, Survey Editor
Dean’s Scholar
Alma College
Alma, Michigan
B.S., magna cum laude, Chemistry/Business, 2000
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Corporate Attorney
Scott is a member of the Corporate Practice Team and currently serves as the firm’s Executive Partner. His practice focuses on business representation, including transactions, planning, and counseling. Specifically, Scott deals with supply chain opportunities and risks on a variety of levels and works with several closely-held businesses on their succession planning needs. He also spends a portion of his time counseling clients on sales, mergers, and similar transactional issues.
Experience
Supply side and customer side terms and conditions analysis.
Long Term Supply Agreement negotiation from award to renewal phase.
Several succession planning engagements involving two or more generations of planning.
Acquisition by material handling integrator of software development company to assist with vertical integration strategy.
Acquisition of assets of automotive supplier ($54 million).
Sale of assets of laser cosmetic surgery and related services provider with more than 200 individual customer centers to private equity fund involving subordinated seller financing ($225 million).
Merger transaction involving the consolidation of multiple automotive suppliers and subsequent sale transaction to a private equity fund, including equity rollover considerations ($415 million).
Management buyout of food processing company from private equity owner ($75 million).
Sale of a chain of 33 gas stations and convenience stores to a private equity fund ($31 million).
Representation of a food processing company in its recapitalization and sale ($63 million).
Joint venture transaction combining automotive body panels company with a tooling design and build company to offer an integrated solution for engineering, tooling, stamping, and assembly.
Acquisition of equipment dealer involving real estate and post-closing transition consideration.
Merger of two privately-held service businesses operating with public and private clients.
Several sale, acquisition, and joint venture transactions involving medical practices, food processing companies, and automotive suppliers.
Honors and Recognitions
Leading Lawyers, Leading Lawyer, 2021
Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Corporate Law, 2023
Michigan Super Lawyers®, Rising Star, 2013
The Best Lawyers in America®, Corporate Law, since 2023
Grand Rapids 200, since 2020
Professional Affiliations
Alma College, President’s Advisory Council, 2014 – 2017
Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan: Board, 2011 – 2016; Executive Committee, 2012 – 2015
Economic Club of Grand Rapids, 2009 – present
Grand Rapids Bar Association
Grand Rapids Chamber – Governance Committee, 2022 – present
State Bar of Michigan
Western Michigan Roundtable, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Community Involvement
AYSO coach, 2011 – 2016
Bite Cancer Foundation, Board, 2016 – present
Clarkston Basketball Foundation, Board, 2013 – present
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Grand Rapids, Class of 2017
Youth basketball coach, 2014 – 2021
Youth baseball coach, 2012 – present
Presentations
Panelist, Strategic Discussion with West Michigan Family-Owned Businesses, MiBiz, January 17, 2022
Panelist, Strategic Discussion with West Michigan Automotive Suppliers, MiBiz, August 19, 2019
Panelist, Strategic Discussion with West Michigan Automotive Suppliers, MiBiz, August 20, 2018
Panelist, Strategic Discussion with West Michigan Automotive Suppliers, MiBiz, August 20, 2017
Panelist, Conversation with West Michigan Automotive Suppliers, MiBiz, August 4, 2016
Panelist, Startup Blunders and Barriers: So You’ve Got Capital. Now What?, June 2012
Speaker, Pure Michigan Business Connect – West Michigan, August 2011
Panelist, Exit Strategies: Guiding the Family Business Through a Critical Transition, May 2010
“Scott Hill of Varnum provides my company excellent and valuable advice, service and support in the areas of best business practices as well as contractual review with our clients and vendors.”
President, material handling equipment supplier
News and Insights
Laura J. Harner
Practice Areas
Education
Lansing Community College
Lansing, Michigan
Post Bachelor Certificate, Paralegal Program, 1991
Central Michigan University
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
B.S., Political Science, 1990
Litigation Paralegal
Laura works in the Litigation and Trial Services Team, with extensive experience in all aspects of complex commercial litigation matters including contract disputes, class actions, insurance coverage disputes, labor and employment issues and property tax appeals.
She focuses her attention on the implementation of litigation support technology throughout the litigation process including electronic discovery, complex document management and trial presentation/assistance.
Honors and Recognitions
Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Unsung Legal Heroes award, 2017
Professional Affiliations
Association of Litigation Support Professionals (ALSP)
State Bar of Michigan, Paralegal Section