Scott A. Dienes
Cole D. Anderson
Schuyler C. Pruis
Silas M. Kok
Practice Areas
- American Indian Law
- Antitrust
- Appellate
- Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors Rights
- Business and Corporate
- Data Privacy and Cybersecurity
- Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation
- Environmental and Natural Resources
- Estate Planning
- Family and Closely Held Business
- Family Law
- Immigration
- Insurance
- Intellectual Property
- Labor and Employment
- Litigation and ADR
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Nonprofits
- Personal Injury
- Private Equity
- Real Estate
- Restructuring
- Securities and Capital Markets
- Tax Planning, Compliance and Litigation
- Toxic Torts and Product Liability
- White Collar Defense and Government Investigations
Industries
Education
Notre Dame Law School
Notre Dame, Indiana
J.D., 2024
Notre Dame Law Review, Senior Proof Editor
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA
B.A., 2018
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Corporate Attorney
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Honors and Recognitions
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Professional Affiliations
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Community Involvement
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Isaac L. Houskamp
Michael E. Wooley
Practice Areas
Industries
Education
University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., 1993
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
B.A., magna cum laude, Psychology, 1988
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Languages
Spanish
Immigration Attorney
Mike focuses his practice on non-immigrant and immigrant business visas, including PERM filings and National Interest Waivers. He serves numerous Michigan-based companies and organizations across the U.S. Mike excels in defending USDOL PERM audits and interfacing with immigration related federal agencies. He advises clients in various industries including mining, financial services, higher education, and a strong emphasis in health care.
Having served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador, Mike is fluent in Spanish, both oral and written. He frequently delivers talks on immigration topics to diverse professional organizations and enjoys training clients’ human resources teams.
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Immigration Law, 2025
A Lawyer Helps Pro Bono Honor Roll, State Bar of Michigan, Tier 2, 2020-21
Leading Lawyers Magazine Michigan – Immigration Law, 2021
Leading Lawyers Client Distinction Award – Immigration Law: Employment, 2017
Martindale-Hubbell® Client Satisfaction Award, 2013-2016
Top Michigan Lawyers – Immigration, Detroit News, 2006
Professional Affiliations
Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Human Resources and Workforce Council Member, present
American Immigration Lawyers Association, Michigan Chapter, Former Member of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Liaison Committee; Mentor (2020-Present)
Board of Visitors, Ave Maria School of Law, Ann Arbor, Michigan (2000-2009)
Bay County Bar Association, Board of Directors (1998-2004); President (2002-2003)
Community Involvement
St. Boniface Catholic Church, Bay City, Michigan (1999-Present)
International Association of Lions Clubs, Bay City, Michigan (2008-Present)
New Dimensions, Board member (2007-Present)
Japanese Cultural Center, Tea House and Gardens of Saginaw, Board Member (2011-Present)
Knights of Columbus, Charter Member, St. Stanislaus Kostka Council 12423, Bay City, Michigan (1999-Present); Deputy Grand Knight (2000-2001); Color Corps Member, Bishop Murphy Assembly, Bay City, Michigan (2000-Present)
Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, Ambassador (2008-Present)
Amanda L. Hirt
Education
Davenport University
Grand Rapids, MI
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, 2023
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan
B.S., 2014
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids, Michigan
A.A., 2010
Paralegal
Amanda is member of the firm’s Quality Control Team. She prepares matter intake reviews, provides conflict analysis and manages the file screening process when conflicts arise. She provides litigation support to the firm’s General Counsel and assists with file transfers. Amanda serves as an administrator and provides internal support for the firm’s cloud-based new business intake management system.
Amanda has a background in retail and service industries, performing a variety of research and analysis responsibilities.
Francesca L. Parnham
Practice Areas
Education
Michigan State University College of Law
East Lansing, Michigan
J.D., magna cum laude, 2023
Law Review, Executive Board
University of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont
B.A., Business Administration, 2014
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Attorney
Francesca currently supports the litigation practice team. She is a skilled researcher and is experienced in a wide variety of complex litigation matters, including renewable energy disputes, land disputes, contract disputes and corporate governance/shareholder disputes. She is additionally experienced in labor and employment litigation, including before the National Labor Relations Board.
Francesca additionally has a background in corporate transaction work as well as employment and real estate matters.
Professional Affiliations
State Bar of Michigan
Shelby J. Martinie
Practice Areas
Industries
Education
Michigan State University College of Law
East Lansing, Michigan
J.D., summa cum laude, 2023
The Geoffrey Fieger Trial Practice Institute
University of Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
B.A., magna cum laude, Sociology, 2015
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Litigation Attorney
Shelby supports Varnum’s Litigation and Trial Practice Team. She focuses on general civil litigation, complex commercial litigation, and criminal litigation. Shelby has experience in a variety of areas, including internal investigations, auto-supply disputes, property matters, and general contract disputes. Shelby has achieved successful results for clients on cases involving non-competition agreements, property disputes, arbitration awards, and defamation claims.
Professional Affiliations
State Bar of Michigan
Carolyn M. H. Sullivan
Practice Areas
Education
Michigan State University College of Law
East Lansing, Michigan
J.D., magna cum laude, 2020
Michigan State Law Review, Executive Editor
Grand Valley State University, Frederik Meijer Honors College
Allendale, Michigan
B.A., English, 2016
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
Labor and Employment Attorney
Carolyn is an experienced labor and employment attorney whose practice focuses on compliance with federal and state labor and employment laws and other workplace matters. She provides counsel on a wide range of matters including effective employee handbooks and policies, discrimination, ADA compliance, sexual harassment, MIOSHA, and wage-hour issues. She litigates and defends employers in federal and state courts, as well as on administrative charges, including unemployment and EEOC matters.
Carolyn has additional experience counseling on employee benefit plans, including 401(k) plans and Section 125 Cafeteria Plans.
In addition to her client work, Carolyn is a frequent contributor to labor and employment industry publications.
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan
Grand Rapids Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section – Treasurer
Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, Programming Committee, Historic Preservation Committee
Community Involvement
Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, Board of Directors
Presentations
Annual EEO Case Law Update, State Bar of Michigan Labor and Employment Midwinter Meeting, contributor, 2020
Understanding Mandatory Reporting Requirements for Amateur Sports Organizations and College Athletic Programs, ABA State and Local Government Law Section, October 2021