Laura A. Chappelle

Laura A. Chappelle

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Western Michigan University
Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Lansing, Michigan
J.D., 1988

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.A., 1985

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Illinois

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Supreme Court of the United States

Energy Policy Attorney

Laura focuses on regulatory and legal policy issues involving the state and federal energy sectors. She has more than 25 years of experience in state, wholesale and regional energy issues. Laura previously served as a regulatory policy advisor for both the Michigan House and Senate, assistant counsel for former Speaker of the House Paul Hillegonds, deputy legal counsel for former Governor John Engler, and was appointed by Gov. John Engler as the chairman of the Michigan Public Service Commission in 2001, where she served as commissioner from 2003 until 2007. Laura was a key advisor in the drafting and implementation of Michigan’s retail electric choice law, as well as Michigan’s nationally-recognized “Broadband” telecommunications law that, in part, coordinated and streamlined local and state right-of-way regulations for telecommunications and Internet providers.

Laura previously served as a regulatory policy advisor for both the Michigan House and Senate and was appointed by Gov. John Engler as the chairman of the Michigan Public Service Commission in 2001, where she served as commissioner from 2003 until 2007. Laura was a key advisor in the drafting and implementation of Michigan’s retail electric choice law, as well as Michigan’s nationally-recognized “Broadband” law that, in part, coordinated and streamlined local and state right-of-way regulations for telecommunications and Internet providers.

For more information, please contact Laura Chappelle at 616/336-6920 or [email protected]

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Alexander K. Campbell

Alexander K. Campbell

Practice Areas

Education

Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
Villanova, Pennsylvania
J.D., 2019

Hope College
Holland, Michigan
B.A., 2014

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Corporate Attorney

Alex is an associate attorney focusing on corporate matters. He assists with mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance matters and securities-related projects.

Prior to joining Varnum, Alex served as a legal intern for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, where he examined brokerage records, financial statements and SEC filings and assisted with investigations and trial preparation with regard to securities law violations. He also served as a judicial extern for the 17th Circuit Court in Grand Rapids.

Professional Affiliations

State Bar of Michigan

 

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch, Corporate Law, 2025

 

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Christopher J. Caldwell

Christopher J. Caldwell

Practice Areas

Education

University of Pittsburgh School of Law
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
J.D., magna cum laude, 2002

Hope College
Holland, Michigan
B.A., cum laude, History, 1998

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Estate Planning Attorney

Chris is a partner on Varnum’s Estate Planning Practice Team. Chris regularly advises clients regarding complicated estate planning, succession, and tax planning, recognizing that such advice requires an intimate understanding of the client’s hopes, desires and concerns in order to achieve the client’s goals. As such, he works intimately with clients and their advisors to create estate plans that enable families to plan for the immediate concerns of today, as well as for future generations.

Chris prepares sophisticated estate plans, focusing on probate avoidance, estate tax planning and business succession planning. In addition, Chris regularly assists families with cottage succession planning and navigating both the emotional, interpersonal and legal complexities of maintaining a family cottage. Chris also maintains a significant focus on post-death planning, and estate and trust administration.

Experience

Advising multiple second-generation members of a significant farming operation on estate planning, focusing on estate tax minimization, business succession planning and philanthropic planning. Implementing structure to involve next generation members in business operations.

Working with the majority owner of a large food-service operation to take advantage of tax minimization strategies while also simplifying a complex structure for maximum efficiency and flexibility for future planning.

Representation of an individual trustee regarding the settlement of a complex estate following the death of both parents; assisting in probate litigation regarding validity and interpretation of estate plan documents.

With several generations of multiple families involved in a variety of businesses, working to establish consistent business succession plans within context of very individualized estate plans, and with an emphasis on transfer tax minimization, asset protection for future generations and business operation efficiency.

Working with a couple owning eight-figure qualified retirement plans to prepare an estate plan with a goal to maximize benefits to individual beneficiaries and charities in the context of income tax, estate tax, and cash flow concerns.

Representing holding valuable Lake Michigan real estate to address property tax concerns while creating a cottage management structure for future generations.

Representing owners of an automotive supplier to implement various irrevocable trusts and transfers; Coordinating various irrevocable trusts and establishments of agreements among beneficiaries to reallocate ultimate disposition of various trust held assets.

Representing owner of business in medical support field regarding sale of nine-figure ownership interest to “dynasty” trust to maximize generalized wealth transfer for many generations while minimizing estate tax.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Trusts and Estates, since 2013

Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Trusts and Estates (Grand Rapids), 2023

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Trusts and Estates, since 2019

Leading Lawyers, Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law

Professional Affiliations

Grand Rapids Bar Association

Michigan Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE)

State Bar of Michigan: Probate and Estate Planning Section, Council member; Charitable and Exempt Organizations Committee, Chair

West Michigan Estate Planning Council, past President and Board member

West Michigan Planned Giving Group, past Board member

Community Involvement

Fountain Street Church Foundation, past Chair and Board member

Home Repair Services, past Chair and Board member

Porter Hills Planned Giving Committee, past Committee member

Widowed Persons Service, past Board member

Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Foundation,  Board of Directors

 

Presentations

ICLE, Planning Techniques for the Taxable Estate, “Overview of the Estate and Gift Tax,” December 5, 2019

Varnum’s Annual Institute for Tax Practitioners, Grand Rapids, 2017, 2018, 2019

ICLE, Fundamentals of Estate Administration, “Information Gathering and Commencement of Proceedings,” October 9, 2018

MICPA, West Michigan Tax Symposium, “Laying a Strong Basis for Your Estate Planning,” November 29, 2017

ICLE, Planning Techniques for the Taxable Estate, “Overview of the Estate and Gift Tax,” December 1, 2016

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David T. Caldon

Caldondave Web

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Pepperdine University School of Law
Malibu, California
J.D., 1999

Pepperdine University
Malibu, California
B.A., cum laude, 1995

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Real Estate, Land Use and Municipal Attorney

Dave focuses his practice in real estate, land use and municipal law. He serves as the City Attorney for the cities of Grandville and Belding and has experience representing both private developers and municipalities in all aspects of municipal and transactional real estate law. He also regularly represents developers of renewable energy projects.

Dave represents commercial developers, including developers of renewable energy projects, throughout all phases of their commercial development projects, including initial land acquisition, permitting, construction contracting, construction financing and permanent securitized financing. He also has broad experience with commercial and residential condominium development, having drafted condominium documents for many local prominent business and residential condominium projects. He serves as general counsel to many Michigan condominium associations. Dave also has significant experience with leasing of all types of real property, including office, commercial, retail and industrial properties.

In the public sector area of his practice, Dave represents cities, villages, and townships on general municipal issues and works with municipal officials to review and respond to applications for land divisions, rezoning, planned unit developments, and other zoning approvals, and to provide counsel on complex development issues.

Dave’s experience with real estate from both private and governmental perspectives provides him with a unique understanding that benefits his clients and helps to inform his practical and cost-effective advice to clients.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Real Estate Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law, since 2018

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Real Estate Law, 2019  – 2022

Michigan Super Lawyers® Rising Star

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association: Litigation Section; State and Local Government Law Section

State Bar of Michigan: Litigation Section; Public Corporation Law Section; Real Property Law Section

Grand Rapids Bar Association: Litigation Section; State and Local Government Law Section

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Richard D. Fries

Richard D. Fries

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Lansing, Michigan
J.D., 1981

University of Dayton
Dayton, Ohio
M.B.A., 1977

Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, Michigan
B.A., 1975

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Texas

Wisconsin

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

All Texas state courts

All Wisconsin state courts

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Labor and Employment Attorney

Since 1981, Rick has represented employers exclusively in solving labor and employment law problems in the workplace. He devotes most of his time to advising employers about how to avoid workplace crises, comply with state and federal labor and employment laws and regulations, and prevent litigation. He routinely works with clients in the application and enforcement of collective bargaining agreements.

Rick has first-chaired over 100 labor arbitrations on behalf of management, and for 30 years has successfully bargained both initial and successor labor contracts on behalf of employers against unions in both the private and public sectors. He has successfully represented clients in formal administrative proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC). He also represents school districts in labor and education law matters. Rick routinely speaks to industry groups and authors articles regarding labor and employment law.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, since 2013

Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Employment Law – Management, 2019

Leading Lawyers: Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management

Martindale-Hubbell® Distinguished™ Peer Review Rated

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section

Kalamazoo Area Labor/Management Committee, member

Kalamazoo County Bar Association

MASB Council of School Attorneys, past president, 2002

Michigan Negotiators Association

NASB Council of School Attorneys

State Bar of Michigan: Labor and Employment Section; Public Corporations Section; Labor Relations Section

State Bar of Texas: Labor and Employment Section; School Law Section

State Bar of Wisconsin, Labor and Employment Law Section

Community Involvement

Greater Kalamazoo Area Chapter of the American Red Cross: Board of Directors, past member; Personnel/Human Resources Committee, Chair; Board Secretary

Safety Council of West Michigan, past Board member

Presentations

“Managing Employee Attendance,” ABA Section of Labor & Employment Law, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, February 2000

“The Family & Medical Leave Act,” Battle Creek Employers Association, February 2000

ADA & FMLA:  “Impact on No-Fault Attendance Program,” University of Louisville Labor Law Symposium, May 2000

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Matthew B. Eugster

Matthew B. Eugster

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Wayne State University Law School
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., 2001
Wayne State Law Review

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan
M.A., magna cum laude, Political Science, 1997

Curtin University
Perth, Western Australia
Graduate coursework, 1996

Aquinas College
Grand Rapids, Michigan
B.S., Business Administration, 1994

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Environmental Attorney

Matt’s vast experience includes general environmental law, environmental compliance counseling, transactional due diligence, administrative law, civil and administrative enforcement defense, environmental insurance, brownfield redevelopment and financing, agricultural law and energy/alternative energy law. He routinely reviews environmental site assessments, directs remediation projects and has done extensive work with clients involved in the Michigan Baseline Environmental Assessment (BEA) program. He is a recognized authority on Michigan environmental issues and has served as an expert source for industry publications.

Matt also has a depth of experience in food regulatory matters. He handles issues related to FDA inspections, labeling, and compliance with the food safety modernization act. He is well versed in assisting companies in compliance issues, both before and after an inspection.

Matt is routinely involved in the negotiation of environmental matters in conjunction with the purchase or sale of large and small business entities and similar transactions, and has experience representing farms and agricultural associations in environmental matters. In addition, Matt has assisted in the development of various energy and alternative energy projects. He currently heads up the Environmental, Energy and Natural Resources Practice Team.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Environmental Law, since 2013

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Environmental Law, since 2019

Professional Affiliations

Grand Rapids Bar Association, Environmental Law Section

State Bar of Michigan, Environmental Law Council

West Michigan Air & Waste Management Association, chair

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James M. Eardley

James M. Eardley

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., 1990

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Bachelor of Arts, Economics,
with high distinction, 1986

Bar Admissions

Illinois

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Illinois state courts

All Michigan state courts

United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

United States Supreme Court

Corporate and Finance Attorney

Jim is a member of the firm’s Business and Corporate Services Practice Team, as well as the Finance Practice Team, with an emphasis in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, private offerings, asset based lending, real estate finance, project finance and franchising. He has extensive experience counseling mature and emerging closely held businesses with regard to structure, planning and succession, governance and general commercial matters.

Jim serves on Varnum’s Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) Taskforce, which specializes in CTA compliance, guidance and analysis. Visit our CTA Resource Center for more information.

Experience

Represented publicly-traded Chinese company in its acquisition of a southeast Michigan-based designer/manufacturer of conveyor and material handling systems.

Represented the selling shareholders of a Tier 1 supplier of intelligent components and assemblies serving the automotive infotainment connectively sector to a worldwide manufacturer of electrical and interconnect systems, specialty cables and sensors.

Represented a provider of professional architectural and engineering services in multiple acquisitions of regional firms.

Represented a manufacturer of recreational marine products in the sale of a division to a publicly-traded manufacturer and distributor of marine products.

Represented a company engaged in the development, manufacture, testing and filling of pharmaceutical products, in its sale to a pharmaceutical-focused private equity group.

Represented a regional wholesaler and distributor of convenience store products in its sale to a privately-held strategic buyer.

Represented a manufacturer of aerospace components in its sale to an industry-focused private equity group.

Represented a company engaged in metalforming in the structuring and formation of a joint venture with a subsidiary of a global diversified metals manufacturing company.

Represented an oil and gas exploration company in the acquisition of a privately-held oil and gas exploration company.

Represented various lenders in complex commercial loan and real estate loan transactions.

Represented numerous clients in a variety of exempt, multistate private offering transactions.

Represented numerous clients in structuring and negotiating complex commercial arrangements, including supply arrangements, financing arrangements, joint ventures and other strategic ventures.

Honors and Recognitions

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Corporate Law, 2022

Michigan State Bar Foundation, Fellow

The Best Lawyers in America®, Corporate Law, 2024

Professional Affiliations

Association for Corporate Growth, West Michigan, past board member

Grand Rapids Bar Association

Illinois Bar Association

Michigan State Bar Foundation, GRBA Justice Foundation, fellow

State Bar of Michigan

Community Involvement

D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s Home, Capital Campaign cabinet

Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids, past board member

Precision Metalforming Association, board member

St. Stephen Parish, Faith Formation Committee

University of Michigan Club of Grand Rapids, past board member; past president

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Timothy E. Eagle

Timothy E. Eagle

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

The Ohio State University College of Law
Columbus, Ohio
J.D., with honors, 1985
Order of the Coif
Harter Award for Trial Advocacy
National Moot Court Team
Order of the Barrister

The Ohio State University College of Engineering
Columbus, Ohio
B.S., Metallurgical Engineering, 1982
National Merit Scholar
Ohio Academic Scholar
Tau Beta Pi
Alpha Sigma Mu

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Ohio

Court Admissions

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal 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 Northern District of Ohio

United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

United States Patent and Trademark Office

United States Supreme Court

Litigation Attorney

Tim focuses his practice in media law, advertising law, intellectual property, e-commerce, litigation (including commercial/business) and international law. Tim’s litigation practice also includes defense of law enforcement personnel, civil rights litigation, constitutional litigation, death in custody and use of force litigation, and condition of confinement litigation in trial and appellate courts.

Tim’s media law practice includes representation of broadcast entities, publishers and reporters in matters relating to newsgathering, courtroom access, defamation and litigation. His practice also includes advertising clearance advice, sweepstakes/promotions advice and false advertising class action defense. Tim’s international law practice includes representing foreign entities from diverse locations in litigation in United States courts and before United States tribunals. He also advises clients on international law issues such as European Union privacy standards.

Tim is a frequent speaker on issues such as e-commerce, trademarks, copyrights and litigation.

Honors and Recognitions

American Bar Foundation, Life fellow

Best Lawyers in America®, Trademark Law, 2021, 2022

Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Trademark Law, Grand Rapids, 2022

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

State Bar of Michigan Foundation, fellow

Professional Affiliations

ASM International

American Bar Association

Grand Rapids Bar Association

International Trade Council

Ohio Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan, Litigation Section

Teaching

Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, Michigan), adjunct instructor

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Jacob A. Droppers

Jacob A. Droppers

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Indiana University Maurer School of Law
Bloomington, Indiana
J.D., magna cum laude, 2012
Indiana Law Journal, Managing Editor

Hope College
Holland, Michigan
B.A., Economics, with honors, 2008

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Corporate, Mergers and Acquisitions Attorney

Jake is a member of Varnum’s Corporate Services and M&A Team. Jake’s focus is in business and transactional work with a strong emphasis on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity, family office, venture capital and other commercial transactions. Jake also has experience with day-to-day business issues from a legal perspective and has experience in corporate structuring, succession planning, securities regulation and a wide variety of other commercial transactions. He has experience working with businesses ranging from early stage startups to mature, privately-held businesses of all sizes.

In addition to general corporate services, Jake works with clients in the food processing industry.  His food law experience includes compliance with FDA labeling requirements and the Food Safety Modernization Act. Jake also has representative experience with agricultural cooperatives and the Capper Volstead Act.

For the past several years, Jake 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.

M&A Experience

A sample of representative M&A transactions are as follows:

Represented regional c-store distributor in negotiation and consummation of sale to privately-owned competitor.

Represented fruit juice manufacturer in sale to publicly-traded company.

Represented various startups and growing business in connection with capital raises and exit transactions.

Represented outdoor industry company in numerous acquisitions and divestitures in North America.

Roll-up acquisitions for insurance brokerage, risk management benefits design firm (more than 300 transactions to date since July 2013).

Represented family office in connection with acquisition of financially-distressed produce broker and apple packer.

Represented TransNav, a privately-held plastic injection molding company in its sale to Groupe Plastivaloire, a family-controlled and publicly-traded auto components molder headquartered in France.

Represented a leading carbon steel service center in its sale to a private equity fund.

Represented private equity firm Blackford Capital in several acquisitions.

Represented Granger Energy Services division’s sale of 16 landfill gas-to-energy sites across six states to an Australian company.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch, Corporate Law, since 2021; Mergers and Acquisitions Law, since 2024

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, since 2022

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Go To Lawyer for Business Law, 2022

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Up & Coming Lawyer, 2016

Professional Affiliations

Association for Corporate Growth

Grand Rapids Bar Association

Mid America Cooperative Council, Inc.

State Bar of Michigan

News and Insights

Ashleigh E. Draft

Draftashleigh Web

Practice Areas

Industries

Clerkships

Michigan Court of Appeals, Judge Jane Beckering

Education

Michigan State University College of Law
East Lansing, Michigan
J.D., summa cum laude, 2019

Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, Illinois
M.A., 2007

Calvin College
Grand Rapids, Michigan
B.A., 2004

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Labor and Employment Attorney

Ashleigh is an associate attorney on the Labor and Employment Practice Team, with additional experience in corporate and education matters. She is experienced in workplace investigations, defending clients in labor arbitrations, and successful resolution of employment-related disputes. She also advises clients on compliance with federal and state labor and employment laws and other workplace matters, including effective employee handbooks and policies, discrimination, disability accommodation, and wage-hour issues.

In addition to her labor and employment practice, Ashleigh works with school districts and institutions of higher education. In her representation of educational institutions, Ashleigh assists with student affairs, school discipline issues, and specialized matters of compliance, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 (Title IX).

Professional Affiliations

Michigan Council of School Attorneys, Board of Directors

State Bar of Michigan, Labor and Employment Section

ICLE Employment Law for Michigan Employers, chapter author

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch, Labor and Employment Law – Management, since 2024

Michigan State University School of Law, Jurisprudence Award for Professional Responsibility

Community Involvement

Baxter Community Center, Board of Directors

Grand Rapids Ballet, Board of Directors

Literacy Center of West Michigan, Board of Directors

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