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

Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, since 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

News and Insights

Jeffrey W. Beswick

Jeffrey W. Beswick

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 1987

Hope College
Holland, Michigan
B.A., summa cum laude, 1984

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Business, Aviation and Estate Planning Attorney

Jeff’s practice focuses on business law, real estate, estate planning and aircraft transactions. He works with many companies and family businesses to handle their legal issues, including business transactions, financing, contracts, licensing matters and real estate transactions. Jeff advises clients on aviation matters, including the purchase, sale, fractional ownership, leasing and operation of aircraft. He is also experienced in commercial real estate development and financing, and in the ownership, management and transfer of family businesses, cottages, farms and vacation properties. In addition, Jeff represents clients in the agriculture and food industries, and he regularly assists clients with wills and trusts, estate taxation counsel, and trust and estate administration.

Jeff is consistently recognized by Best Lawyers in America®  for his work in corporate law and estate planning. He led the Varnum team in a matter that was recognized in 2023 as Transaction of the Year by the Detroit Turnaround Management Association.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Trust and Estates, since 2013

Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, since 2023

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Trusts and Estates, 2020, 2021

G.W. Haworth Strength of Community Award for Exemplary Community Leadership, 2010

Leading Lawyers: Agriculture Law; Closely & Privately Held Business Law; Real Estate Law – Commercial; Real Estate Law – Residential; Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law

Martindale-Hubbell® Distinguished™ Peer Review Rated

Professional Affiliations

Ottawa County Bar Association

National Business Aviation Association

State Bar of Michigan

Community Involvement

Central High School, mentor, 2017 – 2020

Grand Haven Area Community Foundation: Board chair, 2011 – 2012; Board of Trustees, 2006 – 2012

Grand Haven Area Public Schools, bond campaign co-chair, 2014

Grand Haven Aviation Association, 2018 – present

Grand Haven Bank, Board, 2004 – 2008

Greater Ottawa County United Way: campaign chair, 2008 – 2009; volunteer, 2000 – present

Hope College, Adjunct Faculty – Law and Legal Advocacy, Spring 2021 and 2023

Loutit District Library: Board of Trustees, 2003 – 2009; Board chair and capital campaign chair, 2006 – 2009

Love In The Name of Christ Ministry Center, capital campaign chair, 2010 – 2012

North Ottawa Community Health System: capital campaign co-chair, 2014 – 2016; Board chair, 2017 – 2019; Board of Trustees, 2012 – 2022

Private pilot – instrument rated

Rotary Club of Grand Haven, past president, 1993 – 2022

St. Patrick/St. Anthony Parish, capital campaign co-chair, 2014 – 2018

Tri-Cities Family YMCA: Vice Chair, 2021 – 2022; Board, 2019 – present; Capital Campaign co-chair, 2023 – present

Trinity Health Muskegon, Board, 2022 – present

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Thomas H. Bergh

Thomas H. Bergh

Practice Areas

Education

Wayne State University Law School
Detroit, Michigan
LL.M., Taxation, 1985

Wayne State University Law School
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., 1980

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.S., 1976

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

United States Tax Court

Trust and Estate Attorney

Tom has over 40 years of experience in helping clients efficiently and effectively define their estate planning goals and then set up a plan to reach them. His expertise helps clients develop a clear and custom-tailored strategy, and then implement the plan by drafting clear and understandable legal documents. These strategies include protecting client wealth, transitioning closely held businesses to the next generation, reducing potential estate and income taxes, and limiting postmortem expenses. He also has experience in dealing with the IRS in administrative hearings and litigation, in developing creative tailored solutions for business succession planning, and in creating and operating charitable trusts and private foundations.

Tom is a frequent speaker and author on estate planning, employee benefits and charitable planning, and is the past chair of the Financial and Estate Planning Council of Metropolitan Detroit. He is a member of the Community Foundation of Southern Michigan’s Legal/Financial Advisor Network and the Tannahill Society of the Detroit Institute of Arts.

He is a resident in the firm’s Birmingham and Grand Rapids offices. 

Experience

Represented a leading carbon steel service center in its sale to a private equity fund. Negotiated the purchase agreement and provided counsel regarding the transaction structure, employee benefits, tax matters and antitrust filings under the Hart Scott Rodino Act. Assisted the selling family in creating and implementing its estate plan and the creation and operation of a family foundation.

Drafted a complete estate plan for a new client on three hours notice and personally delivered it to the client after midnight at the Intensive Care Unit of the University of Michigan Hospital for review and signing moments before the client’s emergency surgery.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Trusts and Estates, since 2012

Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Litigation – Trusts and Estates (Troy), 2023

DBusiness© Magazine’s Top Lawyer, Trusts and Estates, since 2017

Five Star Wealth Manager, 2010 – 2012

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Trusts and Estates since 2022, Employee Benefits Law, 2022

Leading Lawyers: Tax Law – Individual; Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Michigan Super Lawyers® since 2008

Top Rated Lawyers™ in Tax Law, 2013

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association: Taxation Section; Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section

Oakland County Bar Association: Taxation Committee, past chair

State Bar of Michigan: Probate and Estate Planning Law Section; Taxation Section; Business Law Section

The Financial and Estate Planning Council of Metropolitan Detroit, past president

Thomas Cooley Law School, former adjunct professor of law

Community Involvement

Chamber Music Society of Detroit, Board of Directors

Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan, Planned Giving Committee

Detroit Institute of Arts, Tannahill Society

Planned Giving Roundtable for Southeast Michigan

Wayne State University, Planned Giving Committee, past chair

News and Insights

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Kimberly A. Baber

Baberkim Web

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., 2000

Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
Honors College
B.A., Business Administration, 1997

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Corporate Attorney

Kim is a member of the firm’s Corporate Practice Team where she represents both publicly-traded and private businesses at all stages of growth in a variety of transactional matters. Although Kim regularly counsels clients on a variety of business law matters, she focuses her practice on securities law matters, corporate governance issues, and mergers and acquisitions.

Kim has significant experience representing community banks, including with respect to mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, shareholder disputes, and regulatory matters. She also works regularly with a variety of private funds and other investor groups on fund formation, governance and capital raising efforts.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, since 2019

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers: Banking and Financial Service Law since 2019; Securities Law 2019 – 2022; Corporate Law 2018-2021

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Women in the Law, 2018

Professional Affiliations

Grand Rapids Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan, Business Law Section

Community Involvement

Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes, Board, 2015 – present

Grand Rapids Public Museum Foundation, Counsel

MSU Alumni Association

Heartside Ministry, past Board member

YWCA West Central Michigan, past Finance Committee member

News and Insights

Stephen P. Afendoulis

Stephen P. Afendoulis

Practice Areas

Education

University of Toledo College of Law
Toledo, Ohio
J.D., magna cum laude, 1982
Class Valedictorian
University of Toledo Law Review, Editor
Order of the Coif, Most Outstanding Oral Advocate, Moot Court Competition

Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, Michigan
B.A., Political Science, 1978

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

United States District Court for the Northern District of California

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

Litigation Attorney

Steve is a past chairman of the firm’s Litigation and Trial Practice Team. He is a trial and appellate advocate with a focus in the areas of complex commercial litigation; partnership, shareholder and LLC disputes; personal injury; real estate; employment claims; and trademark and unfair competition. Steve represents and advises independent studios and filmmakers in the entertainment industry and professional race car drivers in the motorsports industry. He is a certified facilitative mediator and is trained in advanced alternative dispute resolution.

Honors and Recognitions

Benchmark Litigation©, top 50 trial attorneys in Michigan

Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Real Estate, since 2007

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Personal Injury, 2022; Commercial Litigation, 2023

Leading Lawyers: ADR Law – Commercial Litigation; Arts, Entertainment & Sports Law; Commercial Litigation

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Michigan State Bar Foundation, fellow

Professional Affiliations

Federal Bar Association

Grand Rapids Bar Association

Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference, life member

State Bar of Michigan

Community Involvement

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Clearwater, Florida: active member

News and Insights