Peter Armstrong

Peter Armstrong

Education

University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
LL.B., 1959

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
A.B., 1956

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Attorney

Peter handled a wide variety of civil litigation matters over a 40 year practice, including business, cable television, telecommunications, employment, retiree insurance, antitrust and defamation cases. He became Of Counsel on January 1, 2000.

Honors and Recognitions

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Community Involvement

ACLU of Michigan: Board of Directors, past vice president, past member; Privacy and Technology Committee, past chair; West Michigan Branch, past chair; West Michigan Lawyers’ Committee, co-chair

Grand Rapids Art Museum: Board of Trustees, past president, past member

Grand Rapids Bar Association: past trustee, past secretary

West Michigan Environmental Action Council: past Board member

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John D. Arendshorst

John D. Arendshorst

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Northwestern University School of Law
Chicago, Illinois
J.D., 2010
The Northwestern Journal of International Human Rights, Editor

Williams College
Williamstown, Massachusetts
B.A., 2004

Bar Admissions

Illinois

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Illinois state courts

All Michigan state courts

Employee Benefits Attorney

John leads the firm’s Employee Benefits Team. He counsels employee benefit plan sponsors with respect to compliance with ERISA and IRS requirements for 401(k) plans, ESOPs and other defined contribution plans, defined benefit plans and deferred compensation arrangements. John also advises clients on employee benefits issues in the context of corporate transactions, including qualified plan compliance issues, change-in-control agreements, continuation of health coverage and golden parachute payments under Section 280G. John is experienced in negotiating and drafting executive employment agreements and incentive plans on behalf of employers and executives, and advises clients with regard to compliance with Section 409A.

In addition, John helps businesses with issues regarding health and welfare plan design, Affordable Care Act implementation and compliance, and consumer-driven health arrangements, including high deductible health plans, health savings accounts, health reimbursement accounts, and wellness programs. He regularly advises clients with respect to claims procedures, medical and disability appeals, plan documentation, summary plan descriptions and other disclosures, third-party provider agreements, flexible benefits arrangements, taxation of dependent coverage, and subrogation and reimbursement, as well as portability, nondiscrimination and privacy matters arising under HIPAA. John has designed and performed comprehensive compliance reviews for health and welfare benefit plans.

Honors and Recognitions

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Employee Benefits Law, since 2019 

The Best Lawyers in America®, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, 2024

Professional Affiliations

State Bar of Michigan, Taxation Section, Employee Benefits Committee, since 2017

Community Involvement

Adoption and Foster Care Mentoring, 2006 – 2007

Center for Disability and Elder Law: Young Professionals Board, 2011 – 2012

City of East Grand Rapids, Commissioner, since 2019

East Grand Rapids Community Foundation Board, since 2019

East Grand Rapids Planning Commission, since 2015 

Grand Rapids Area Professionals for Excellence,  since 2015 

Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Health Care and Human Resources Committee, since 2017

Macatawa Bay Yacht Club, since 2021

IRS Great Lakes TE/GE Council, since 2017 

Minds Matter Mentoring, 2007 – 2010

West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition, Board, since 2019

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Jonathan W. Anderson

Jonathan W. Anderson

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

University of Notre Dame Law School
Notre Dame, Indiana
J.D., cum laude, 1982
Notre Dame Law Review, Member and Editor

Calvin College
Grand Rapids, Michigan
B.A., 1979

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Real Estate Attorney

Jon is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Team. His practice is transaction-oriented, assisting clients in real estate purchases, sales, exchanges, leasing, financing and development matters. He represents businesses, institutions, developers and investors in their real estate needs.

Experience

Represented a developer in the sale of a portfolio of office buildings for over $100 million.

Represented an investor in the refinancing of a multi-family portfolio for over $150 million.

Represented a real estate investment company in the acquisition of a 300-unit apartment complex in a reverse tax-deferred exchange under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, with the resulting ownership held as tenants in common among multiple related entities.

Represented a retail developer in the purchase of a regional power shopping center, established as a commercial condominium, in a transaction involving the client’s assumption of  commercial mortgage-backed financing, the creation of a single purpose entity with bankruptcy remote provisions and the issuance of a bankruptcy non-consolidation opinion.

Represented an institution in the acquisition of more than 100 contiguous residential properties in four tranches, assisted in the redevelopment of the land for institutional uses and completed the vacating of public rights of way within the project.

Represented an institution in the acquisition of property for development of a 1,200-space parking ramp, resolved environmental concerns with the site and prepared the condominium documents to establish the parking ramp in the condominium form of ownership.

Represented a regional retailer in the purchase of property contaminated by a prior industrial use on site, addressed the contamination under applicable state law, attended to the dividing of the land into several parcels, negotiated a reciprocal easement agreement among adjacent owners, and represented the retailer in the sale and lease back of its facility to an investment firm

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America® since 2007

Chambers USA©, Recognized Practitioner in Real Estate, 2018 and 2019

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

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Construction Law, 2021 – 2022

Leading Lawyers: Real Estate Law – Commercial; Real Estate Law – Finance

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Michigan State Bar Foundation, fellow

Who’s Who in American Law, 7th and subsequent editions

Professional Affiliations

Building Owners and Managers Association

Commercial Alliance of Realtors

Grand Rapids Bar Association, Real Property Section

International Council of Shopping Centers

State Bar of Michigan, Real Property Section, Commercial Leasing Committee, co-chair, 2007 – 2013; Condominium Committee, member

Urban Land Institute

Community Involvement

Cherry Street Health Services: treasurer, 1997; Board member, 1995 – 1998; Heart of the City Health Center Campaign, 2010 – present

Community Circle Theater, Board member, 2005 – 2007

Community Rebuilders, Housing First, Board member, 2018 – present

Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids: president, 1993; Board member, 1988 – 1994

Habitat for Humanity of Grand Rapids: president, 1990 – 1991; Board member, 1988 – 1992

Legal Aid of Western Michigan, president, 1999; Board member, 1998 – 2001

Rotary Club of Grand Rapids, member, 2013 – 2015

State Bar of Michigan Access to Justice Capital Campaign, regional chair, 2004 – 2007

Presentations

“Shopping Center Leasing: What Every Real Estate Professional Needs to Know,” International Council of Shopping Centers, Novi, Michigan (February 2017)

 “Anatomy of a Shopping Center Lease: Non-economic Provisions Boosting the Bottom Line,” Panel Moderator, International Council of Shopping Centers, Novi, Michigan (February 2015)

 “A Guide to Retail Development: A Checklist for Outlots, In-Fill and More,” Panel Moderator, International Council of Shopping Centers, Novi, Michigan (February 2014)

 “Overcoming Hurdles in ‘Closing the Deal’: How a Broker Can Facilitate a Signed Lease, a Rent-Paying Tenant, and a Well-Earned Commission,” International Council of Shopping Centers, Novi, Michigan (February 2012)

“Leasing Fundamentals,” Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Plymouth, Michigan (May 2011)

“Issues in Re-tenanting Surplus Retail Space,” International Council of Shopping Centers, Novi, Michigan (January 2011)

“Legal Perspectives on Leasing in Troubled Times,” International Council of Shopping Centers West Michigan Alliance, Grand Rapids, Michigan (March 2010)

“Key Shopping Center Leases – It’s a Whole New World,” Panel Moderator, International Council of Shopping Centers, Novi, Michigan (January 2010)

“Anatomy of a Shopping Center Lease: Exclusive Use Clauses,” International Council of Shopping Centers, Novi, Michigan (April 2009)

“Land Contracts and Seller Financing in the Current Economy,” Commercial Alliance of Realtors, Grand Rapids, Michigan (March 2009)

“Reviewing an Office Lease from a Tenant’s Perspective,” Grand Rapids Bar Association (May 1998)

“Jon Anderson at Varnum is one of the most thorough attorneys we have ever had the pleasure to work with.”

Client comment, U.S. News & World Report – Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms 2018 – 2019

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Justin A. Allen

Justin A. Allen

Practice Areas

Education

Vanderbilt University Law School
Nashville, Tennessee
J.D., 2020
Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law, Managing Editor

Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan 
B.A., Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy & Social Relations and Policy, 2016

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Attorney

Justin is an associate attorney on Varnum’s Litigation and ADR Practice Team. He represents clients throughout the litigation process, including at hearings, depositions, trial, and appellate proceedings. He focuses his practice on probate litigation, including will contests, trust disputes, contested guardian and conservator matters, and petitions for mental health treatment, and complex commercial litigation in a variety of fields. 

Justin has litigated cases involving proxy contests, environmental enforcement actions, contractual disputes, Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) claim defense, non-competition/non-solicitation agreements, and a variety of additional categories.  He also serves as an assistant prosecuting attorney for a number of municipalities in Western Michigan, prosecuting misdemeanor crimes and ordinance violations. 

Prior to joining Varnum, Justin served as an intern for U.S. Magistrate Judge Phillip J. Green of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. During law school, he worked in the criminal practice clinic and gained valuable advocacy experience representing indigent defendants in criminal court. Justin worked at a state government lobbying firm in Lansing prior to law school, where he gained extensive knowledge of the state legislative process and experience in policy analysis and coalition building.

Community Involvement

Heartside Downtown Neighborhood Association, Board Member

Heart of West Michigan United Way, Campaign Cabinet

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Mark S. Allard

Mark S. Allard

Practice Areas

Education

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 1985

University of Washington
Seattle, Washington
B.A., cum laude, Communications, 1980
Phi Beta Kappa

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth 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 Pennsylvania

United States Supreme Court

Insurance Claims and ERISA Litigation Attorney

Mark sues insurance companies when they fail to pay claims. Varnum represents only insureds in these matters. Mark has helped shape the landscape of Michigan insurance law since 1985. He is regularly asked to speak on insurance issues for continuing legal education programs and at other Bar-related activities.

Mark also handles litigation matters dealing with employee benefit issues under ERISA. He has handled all facets of employee benefit litigation, from benefit claims to multi-employer plan contribution issues. Mark has acted as benefit counsel for litigation matters on a national basis for a Big Three Auto Maker and a national food processor.

Mark was named Grand Rapids “Lawyer of the Year” for ERISA Litigation in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.

Mark’s practice has also allowed him to develop an extensive appellate practice. He has appeared at every level of state and federal court in the country, including the United States Supreme Court. His representation of the County of Kent in Northwest Airlines v The County of Kent, et al, 510 U.S. 355 (1994), culminated in a decision from the United States Supreme Court. Mark has also argued, en banc, before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, in Nixon v County of Kent, 76 F3d 1381 (6th Cir. 1996), en banc.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America® since 2013

Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Litigation – ERISA, Grand Rapids, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2023

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Litigation – Insurance, 2019 – 2022

Leading Lawyers: Employee Benefits Law; Insurance Coverage Law: Consumer Insureds; Insurance, Insurance Coverage & Reinsurance Law

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Professional Affiliations

Grand Rapids Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan

Community Involvement

American Cancer Society, Kent County unit, past president

Gerontology Network, Board

St. Thomas the Apostle School, Board

Women’s Resource Center, Board

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Scott D. Alfree

Scott D. Alfree

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Indiana University Maurer School of Law
Indianapolis, Indiana
J.D., summa cum laude, 1993
Indiana Law Review, Member and Editor

Calvin College
Grand Rapids, Michigan
B.A., with honors, Philosophy and Psychology double major, 1989

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

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Business and Health Care Attorney

Scott is a partner and member of the Health Care Practice Team. He focuses his practice in corporate and business law with an emphasis on health care law and life sciences, including all aspects of physician and hospital law, third party reimbursement, and public and private health care financing. Scott provides counsel on mergers and acquisitions, finance, securities, real estate development, construction contracting and succession planning. Scott is also a member of the firm’s Executive Committee.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America® since 2010

Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Health Care Law, Grand Rapids, 2019

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Health Care Law, since 2019

Leading Lawyers: Health Law; Publicly Held Corporations Law

Professional Affiliations

American Health Lawyers Association

Fleetwood Group, Inc., Board secretary

Grand Rapids Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan: Business Law Section; Health Care Law Section

West Michigan Better Business Bureau, past Board chair

Community Involvement

Bluebird Cancer Retreat, past Board member

Cherry Street Health Services, Board and Executive Committee member

Proaction Behavioral Health (formerly Project Rehab), past Board chair

The First Tee of West Michigan, Muskegon Advisory Board

Western Michigan Christian High School, Finance Committee

News and Insights

Jon M. Bylsma

Bylsma Jon Photo Web

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

University of North Carolina School of Law
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
J.D., with honors, 1993
North Carolina Law Review, Publication Editor, 1992-93
Order of the Coif

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.B.A., with high distinction, 1989

Calvin College
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Bar Admissions

Michigan

New York

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

United States District Court for the Federal District of Colorado

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 Texas

Litigation Attorney

Jon is a litigation attorney and currently serves as Chair of the firm. He formerly led the Litigation Practice Team and has served on the firm’s Policy Committee and Executive Committee. As a trial attorney, Jon is experienced in trials, arbitrations, and mediations related to supply chain disputes, asset purchase agreements, franchise agreements and other business-related litigation in Michigan and throughout the country. Jon has successfully represented investors and broker-dealers in the litigation and arbitration of securities and investor conflicts, including Ponzi-scheme clawback cases. His background in sophisticated matters includes bringing cases to summary judgment, trial and courts of appeal.

Jon is also experienced in alternative dispute resolution, including facilitative mediation and arbitration, where he serves as a mediator/arbitrator and has won several multimillion-dollar awards representing parties.

Jon was named Grand Rapids “Lawyer of the Year” in the area of Litigation – Banking and Finance in the 2021 and 2023 editions of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America® since 2011

Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Litigation – Banking and Finance, Grand Rapids, 2021 and 2023

Grand Rapids Top Lawyers: Litigation – Banking and Finance, 2019 and 2020; Litigation – Commercial; since 2019

Leading Lawyers: Commercial Litigation; Franchise & Dealership Law

Litigation Counsel of America, Senior Fellow

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Michigan Super Lawyers® since 2011

Professional Affiliations

Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Michigan, Board

Grand Rapids Bar Association

New York State Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan

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Steven T. Buquicchio

Steven T. Buquicchio

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Lansing, Michigan
J.D., 1997
American Jurisprudence Award Winner
Dean’s List

City University of New York, Queens College
New York, New York
B.A., Political Science, 1993
Dean’s List

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware

United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

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

Business, Creditors’ Rights, Credit Union, Banking and Finance Attorney

Steve is a trusted business lawyer, advisor and strategist who provides counsel and advice to individuals and companies on business and operational issues and serves as outside general counsel to a variety of businesses and organizations with an emphasis in credit union, financial services, agriculture and business representations. He routinely represents credit unions, agri-finance/farm credit institutions, banks, finance companies and businesses in:

  • commercial disputes and litigation
  • breach of contract actions
  • note defaults
  • collection actions
  • UCC disputes
  • claim and delivery/replevin actions
  • loan documentation and workouts
  • regulatory and compliance issues
  • contract negotiation
  • strategic planning

Steve, a board certified creditors’ rights attorney, also serves as national creditors’ rights counsel to small and large companies doing business throughout the United States and abroad.

Steve’s litigation practice is focused primarily on creditors’ rights and business litigation including federal and state receiverships, fraud litigation, loan workouts, collections and foreclosures, commercial litigation and consumer protection/Fair Debt Collection Practices Act/Fair Credit Reporting Act defense litigation. Steve also has extensive experience in asset tracing and recovery, judgment enforcement and judicial liquidations.

Experience

Serves as outside general counsel to credit union clients in a variety of representations including mergers and bank acquisitions, contract review and negotiation, regulatory compliance, contract disputes, regulatory actions and approvals, due diligence, CUSO creation and development, operational matters, strategic planning, field of membership expansion, litigation, claim and delivery, foreclosure and collection.

Served as lead counsel to a multibillion dollar in assets credit union during the merger due diligence process with another multibillion dollar in assets credit union.

Served as lead counsel to multiple credit unions of all sizes in multiple completed mergers with other credit unions.

Represented credit unions in statewide field of membership expansions.

Served and serves as lead counsel to multiple debt recovery and accounts receivable management companies in both individual and class action consumer protection/FDCPA/FCRA defense litigation as well as regulatory compliance review.

Represented international furniture maker in the design, implementation and maintenance of credit procedures and training program which resulted in the reduction of millions of dollars in bad debt write-offs to virtually zero.

Represented one of the country’s largest agricultural lenders in multiple multimillion dollar securitized transactions.

Served and serves as regional legal counsel to one of the country’s largest farm equipment financing companies in connection with loan defaults and workouts.

Honors and Recognitions

Business Review West Michigan, Business Leader Under 40

Grand Rapids Business Journal©, 40 Under Forty Business Leader

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Construction Law, since 2021; Bankruptcy and Creditor/Debtor Rights Law, 2023

Leading Lawyers: Banking & Financial Institutions Law; Commercial Litigation; Creditor’s Rights/Commercial Collections Law

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Leaders in the Law

Michigan Super Lawyers®, Top Rated Business Litigation Attorney (including Creditor Debtor Rights: Business; Business/Corporate)

The Best Lawyers in America®, Banking and Finance Law, 2024

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association: Litigation Section; Business Section; Committee on the Uniform Commercial Code; ABA Advisory Panel

American Board of Certification: Board Certified in Creditors’ Rights; past Board of Directors

Federal Bar Association, Michigan

Grand Rapids Bar Association: Litigation Section, past chair

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, past Board of Editors

State Bar of Michigan: Litigation Section; Business Section

Community Involvement

American Red Cross, past Board of Directors

Heart of West Michigan United Way – Project Blueprint/Schools of Hope

March of Dimes – Michigan Chapter, Grand Rapids Division, past Board member

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Robert A. Buchanan

Robert A. Buchanan

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Vanderbilt University Law School
Nashville, Tennessee
J.D., 1975

Denison University
Granville, Ohio
B.A., 1972

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

United States Court of Federal Claims

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

United States Supreme Court

Public Sector, Litigation and Real Estate Attorney

Bob focuses his practice on public sector, litigation and real estate matters. Within his public sector practice, he provides litigation services to cities, villages, townships, counties, and public authorities in the areas of land use, right-of-way acquisition, contract disputes and eminent domain. Bob has significant experience in street vacations and plat amendments under the Land Division Act for public and private developments.

Bob has a unique focus advising both general aviation and commercial service airports throughout Michigan on regulatory matters, operations, leases and agreements and real estate acquisition. 

Experience

Northwest Airlines v County of Kent, 510 US 355 (1994): Represented the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in an action involving airline rates and charges which were claimed to violate the Anti-Head Tax Act (AHTA) and the Commerce Clause for the Airlines’ use of the Airport; obtained a court decision upholding the rates and charges as reasonable.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year,  Municipal Law, 2017

Best Lawyers in America®, Municipal Law, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Municipal Law, 2019

Leading Lawyers: Aviation Law; Land Use, Zoning & Condemnation Law; Real Estate Law – Commercial

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Michigan Super Lawyers®, Real Estate and Aviation Law

Professional Affiliations

Grand Rapids Bar Association

Grand Rapids Bar Justice Foundation, life member

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

News and Insights

Adam J. Brody

Adam J. Brody

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Washington and Lee University School of Law
Lexington, Virginia
J.D., 2000

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan
B.S., 1996

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 Ninth Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

United States District Court for Colorado

United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Trial Attorney

Adam is a partner and member of the firm’s Litigation and Trial Practice Team where he concentrates on complex civil litigation in both state and federal courts. Adam has more than 20 years of experience representing clients at all levels of the automotive supply chain in connection with litigation in state and federal courts, private arbitrations, and product liability/recall issues. His practice has also expanded into the realm of mobility and data privacy, including representation of a national automotive trade association in connection with the Massachusetts “Right to Repair” legislation, as well as representation of association members involved in disputes regarding licensing and intellectual property.

Adam has extensive first-chair experience, including trial, appellate and alternative dispute resolution work. He has represented clients in a broad range of litigation matters, including intellectual property, tax and disputes involving not-to-compete covenants.

Experience

Successfully argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, obtaining affirmance of summary judgment in favor of limited liability company in case of first impression regarding distribution to withdrawing member of the company.

Trial counsel for municipality in Michigan Tax Tribunal proceeding involving multimillion dollar challenge to valuation of local department store. The municipality’s assessment was affirmed in its entirety.

Obtained reversal of Michigan Court of Appeals’ decision by Supreme Court of Michigan in case of first impression regarding governmental immunity and the contempt powers of Michigan courts.

Obtained FINRA arbitration award of $2.375 million for investors against national securities firm in case involving inappropriate investments and failure of securities firm to properly supervise its representatives. Award was ninth largest verdict in the State of Michigan in 2011, according to a report published by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.

Successfully represented plaintiffs in a multi-million dollar lawsuit against former financial advisor, national securities firm, and local securities firm, involving the loss of family fortune through fraud, inappropriate investments and failure of the securities firms to properly supervise.

Served as defense counsel for a national provider of health care software systems, in connection with computer copyright infringement claim in which the plaintiff sought $92 million in damages. Following substantial limitation of the plaintiff’s potential damages during the summary judgment process, case was resolved through settlement favorable to client.

Represented national trucking firm in defending against numerous wrongful death and personal injury cases, all of which were successfully resolved through either dismissal or settlement.

Honors and Recognitions

Leading Lawyers, Commercial Litigation

Michigan Super Lawyers®, Business Litigation since 2013

The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, 2024

Professional Affiliations

Grand Rapids Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan

Community Involvement

Arthritis Foundation Michigan, Board of Trustees

Bethany Open Planning Committee, 2011, 2012

Georgetown Little League, volunteer coach, 2007 – 2012

Gryphon Place, Board, 2019

Hidden Lake Estates Homeowners Association, president, 2011 – 2013

West Michigan Arthritis Foundation: Advisory Board, 2011 – present; chair, 2014

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