Peter A. Smit

Peter A. Smit

Practice Areas

Education

Wayne State University Law School
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 1977

Calvin College
Grand Rapids, Michigan
B.A., English, cum laude, 1974

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 Supreme Court

Litigation and ADR Attorney

Peter is a partner at the Varnum law firm, having begun his practice in 1977. Peter has been a trial attorney for over 45 years, and has gained membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates, having certified a minimum of 20 trials taken to jury verdict. Peter represents clients in a variety of personal injury and commercial matters, including wrongful death and auto and trucking litigation. His practice also includes a significant focus on business litigation, including labor, environmental, and product liability matters. 

Additionally, Peter is certified in Alternative Dispute Resolution for practice in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan and in Michigan circuit courts. Peter is included on the mediation and arbitration panels of counties throughout Michigan. He has received mediator training, including advanced training through the University of Windsor, as well as the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan in general civil mediation technique and philosophy.

Peter also serves as a member of the State of Michigan Attorney Disciplinary Board, which oversees the conduct of attorneys throughout Michigan.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Litigation – Intellectual Property, 2022

American Board of Trial Advocates, 2020 – present

Benchmark Plaintiffs, leading Plaintiffs star in Michigan, 2012

Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation, Banking and Finance; Intellectual Property; Labor and Employment; since 2013

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Personal Injury, 2019

Leading Lawyers, Commercial Litigation

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Professional Affiliations

American Board of Trial Advocates, Associate

State of Michigan Attorney Disciplinary Board, member

Sixth Circuit Judicial Conference, lifetime member

State Bar of Michigan, Litigation Section

Business Counsel, Inc., Board of Directors

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Elizabeth Wells Skaggs

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 1993

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.A. with honors, 1990

Bar Admissions

District of Columbia
Illinois
Michigan

Court Admissions

All District of Columbia courts

All Illinois state courts

All Michigan state courts

United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

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 Northern District of Indiana

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 Eastern District of Texas

Labor and Employment Attorney

Beth is a partner with the Labor and Employment Practice Team, focusing on employment issues and litigation. She has counseled business clients on a variety of matters affecting the workplace, including effective employee handbooks and policies, disciplinary and dispute resolution procedures, discrimination issues, disability accommodation, wage-hour matters, family medical leave, and harassment and litigation prevention. When litigation is unavoidable, Beth has significant experience representing employers under the numerous state and federal statutes that govern the employment relationship, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Beth has experience in both single plaintiff cases and complex class and collective actions.

Experience

Represented transportation client in case alleging sexual harassment, sex discrimination and retaliation under Title VII and state law, and violations of the ADA. Successfully secured summary judgment in client’s favor on all claims.

Represented banking client in case alleging age, gender and disability discrimination under the ADEA, Title VII and the ADA. After extensive discovery, obtained summary judgment for the client on remaining claims and case was dismissed in its entirety.

Represented manufacturing client in case under Title VII, the FMLA and state law alleging multiple claims of sexual harassment, gender discrimination and FMLA violations. Secured summary judgment and/or dismissal on majority of claims.

Represented high-end food processor in collective and class action suit under the FLSA and state law alleging the food processor had failed to pay employees for all time spent donning and doffing uniforms and protective gear and for walking to and from locker rooms and break areas. Successfully defeated plaintiffs’ motion to certify a collective action of several hundred employees, and prevailed on motion to dismiss class action and state law claims.

Represented employer at trial in lawsuit brought by former employee alleging retaliation in violation of the FLSA. After four day jury trial, jury returned a verdict in favor of the client on all counts.

Represented employer in medical field in arbitration against employee for breach of severance agreement and misappropriation of intellectual property. Obtained judgment for client.

Represented manufacturing client in case alleging unlawful discharge for making a safety complaint. Secured favorable verdict for client following trial before administrative law judge.

Represented power industry client in collective action under the FLSA challenging the status of certain groups of employees as exempt from overtime. Following multiple appeals to the Sixth Circuit, secured summary judgment for the client on all claims in the collective action.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America® since 2012

Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Litigation – Labor and Employment 2014 and 2018

Best Lawyers in America®, Women in the Law Spring Business Edition, Labor and Employment Law, 2017

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers: Labor and Employment Law, 2019 – 2022; Litigation – Labor Employment Benefits; since 2019

Leading Lawyers, Employment Law – Management

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Go To Employment Lawyer, 2021

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Women in the Law, 2014

Michigan Super Lawyers® since 2015

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association: Labor & Employment Law Section; Litigation Section

American Employment Law Council

Bar Association of the District of Columbia

Federal Bar Association, Western Michigan Chapter

Grand Rapids Bar Association: Judicial Review Committee, 2016; Nominating Committee, 2012

Grand Rapids Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law Section

Illinois State Bar Association

Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), Labor & Employment Law Advisory Board, 2016 – 2019

Society for Human Resource Management

State Bar of Michigan, Labor & Employment Law Section; Litigation Section

U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, Merit Selection Panel for Reappointment of Magistrate Judge, 2021

Community Involvement

ACT – Artists Creating Together, Board member, 2006 – 2018; Secretary, 2011 – 2013; Chair, 2013 – 2015; past Chair, 2015 – 2018

East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation, Board member, 2017 – present; Secretary, 2019 – 2021; Vice President, 2021 – 2022; President, 2022 – 2023

Go Red for Women Campaign, American Heart Association, Midwest Affiliate, Executive Leadership Team, 2014 – 2016

Hillman Advocacy Clinic held by the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan; Faculty Member, 2022

Legal Assistance Center, Board member, 2017 – 2022

West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology (WMCAT), Board member, 2022 – present

Presentations

Varnum’s Fall 2021 Labor & Employment Webinar, “OSHA’s Covid-19 Vaccine and Testing Rules: What Employers Need to Know,” November 2021

Varnum’s Fall 2020 Labor & Employment Webinar, “HR Legal Issues for the New Year,” December 2020

Michigan Chamber of Commerce, “2020 Employment Law Update,” January 2020

Varnum’s Labor and Employment Law Seminar, “Plenary Session: New Developments in Labor and Employment Law” and “Employee Leaves of Absence: Applying the FMLA and the ADA in the Real World,” March and April 2019

Michigan Chamber of Commerce, “2019 Employment Law Update,” January 2019

Varnum’s Labor and Employment Law Seminar, “Plenary Session: Sexual Harassment – New Awareness and Strategies to Address an Old Problem,” March and May 2018

Varnum’s Labor and Employment Law Seminar, “How to Say Goodbye Without Getting Sued: Best Practices for Employment Terminations,” March and May 2017

Lakeshore Advantage/West Coast Chamber of Commerce, “More Overtime Pay for More Workers? Upcoming Changes to the White Collar Exemptions,” September 2016

Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce CEO Roundtable, “DOL Final Rule on Salary Threshold for Exempt White Collar Employees,” August 2016

Varnum’s Labor and Employment Law Seminar, “Compensable Time ‒ Ensuring FLSA Compliance in the Modern Workplace,” March 2014

Priority Health’s Shape Michigan Forum, Panel Moderator, “Workplace Wellness,” January 2013

MISHRM Annual Conference, “The Continuing ADA/FMLA Conundrum,” October 2012

Michigan Manufacturer’s Association, “Wage and Hour Lawsuits: The Growing Litigation Threat,” June 2011

MISHRM Annual Conference, “Harassment Avoidance and Prevention,” and Legal Panel, October 2010

“We have worked extensively with Elizabeth (Beth) Skaggs at Varnum. She is phenomenal. As an HR office of one for a campus with about 500 employees, Beth’s knowledge of employment laws has been indispensable. She always makes herself available, and she is so knowledgeable and thorough. She has provided us with guidance and options on a variety of topics ranging from FMLA administration, ADA compliance, severance agreements, handling of EEOC claims and more.”

Human Resource Director, Michigan liberal arts college

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Mary Kay Shaver

Mary K. Shaver

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Wayne State University Law School
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 1999
Law Review, Assistant Editor
Order of the Coif

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan
B.S., Hospitality & Tourism Management, magna cum laude, 1996

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Public Finance and Corporate Finance Attorney

Mary Kay has a diverse practice focusing on public finance, corporate finance and creditors’ rights issues. In the area of municipal finance, she advises clients on tax-exempt financing issues, establishing special taxing districts, election procedures and “blue sky” law issues, and acts as bond counsel, underwriter’s counsel, bank’s counsel and issuer’s counsel in various tax-exempt and taxable bond transactions. These financings include general obligation (limited and unlimited tax) bonds, revenue bonds, capital improvement bonds, special assessment bonds, tax increment financing bonds, refunding bonds, installment purchase agreements, tax anticipation notes and state aid anticipation notes. Mary Kay represents all types of entities, including cities, townships, villages, district libraries, downtown development authorities, public schools, charter schools, community colleges and hospitals.

Mary Kay’s corporate finance practice includes advising clients on working capital loans, asset-based lending loans, equipment lease transactions and Article 9 issues. This practice involves single lender transactions, syndicated transactions and transactions for diverse industries, such as the trucking, food packaging and automotive industries. Mary Kay also acts as local counsel for transactions needing opinions relating to Michigan perfection issues. Mary Kay has extensive experience advising clients on the Paycheck Protection Program provided for under the CARES Act. In addition to guiding numerous clients through the process, she has written extensively and served as a media source on this program and its implementation.

Mary Kay’s creditors’ rights practice includes advising clients on issues relating to distressed customers and customers who have filed bankruptcy. This involves advising clients on rights prior to a customer filing bankruptcy, such as demands for adequate assurances, reclamation demands and refusal of delivery, except for cash and tooling liens under Michigan law. It also involves advising client of rights and obligations once a customer files bankruptcy, such as the restrictions of the automatic stay, rights of a debtor to assume or reject an executory contract, treatment under a plan of reorganization and treatment under critical vendor motions and Section 503(b)(9) motions. A significant portion of Mary Kay’s practice in this area is spent assisting clients in defending preference claims. Mary Kay has handled over 250 preference matters.

Experience

Public Finance

Representation of governmental issuers in issuing tax-exempt bonds, notes and other obligations with principal amounts ranging from $100,000 to $135 million.

Representation of universities and colleges in issuing tax-exempt obligations with principal amounts ranging from $6 million to $44 million.

Representation of underwriters in taxable and tax-exempt transactions with principal amounts ranging from $1 million to $85 million.

Advising municipal clients in drafting ballot language for the approval of revenue bonds, truth-in-taxation and Headlee rollback issues.

Acting as bond counsel and counsel to public school academies in issuing tax-exempt obligations.

Corporate Finance

Representation of corporate borrowers in taxable and tax-exempt transactions with principal amounts ranging from $2.5 million to $7 million.

Representation of corporate borrowers in lending transactions with principal amounts ranging from $2.5 million to $175 million.

Acting as local counsel in lending transactions with principal amounts ranging from $5,000 to $500 million.

Creditors’ Rights

Representation of various clients in over 75 matters arising from issues in a customer‘s bankruptcy, with over 50 matters involving $1 million to $5 million at issue.

Representation of various clients in over 150 preference claims ranging from $4,000 to $13.5 million.

Honors and Recognitions

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Banking and Financial Service Law, since 2019

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Women in the Law, 2020

The Best Lawyers in America®, Banking and Finance Law, since 2018; Public Finance Law, 2024

The Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Banking and Finance Law (Grand Rapids), 2023

Professional Affiliations

Grand Rapids Bar Association

Michigan Association of Public School Academies

Michigan Council of School Attorneys

National Association of Bond Lawyers

State Bar of Michigan

Community Involvement

Habitat for Humanity, volunteer

Michigan Women in Finance: member, 2009 – present; president, 2015 – 2016

Rockford Education Foundation, trustee

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Vimi I. Sharma

Vimi I. Sharma

Practice Areas

Education

Douglas College
New Westminster, British Columbia
Legal Assistant Certification, 2002

Languages

Hindi

Litigation Paralegal

Vimi serves as a paralegal on the Litigation Practice Team. She attended Douglas College in New Westminster, British Columbia where she received her Legal Assistant Certification. Vimi was recognized by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as an Unsung Legal Hero in 2018.

Vimi focuses on complex litigation, including no-fault insurance issues. She is particularly skilled in the use of technology to manage cases throughout the litigation process.

Honors and Recognitions

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Unsung Legal Hero, 2018

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Stephanie R. Setterington

Stephanie R. Setterington

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., 1997

Western Michigan University, Lee Honors College
Kalamazoo, MI
B.A., magna cum laude, 1992

Bar Admissions

Michigan

New York

Wisconsin

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 Northern District of Indiana

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

United States Supreme Court

Labor and Employment Attorney

Stephanie advises employers on a wide variety of labor and employment matters, with an emphasis on employment litigation defense, the identification and development of best practices in the area of human resources, and affirmative action. She has worked extensively as labor and employment counsel for publicly-traded and privately-held companies that vary from single-site businesses to multistate or global entities. She works with each client to ensure compliance with labor and employment-related legal requirements, develop effective human resource operations, and achieve the successful resolution of employment-related disputes.

Stephanie defends employers in state and federal trial and appellate courts, and before state and administrative agencies. She also assists unionized employers with contract and grievance administration issues. Her experience includes defending clients in grievance arbitrations, as well as in National Labor Relations Board proceedings at the trial and appellate levels.

The Best Lawyers in America© has named Stephanie the Grand Rapids “Lawyer of the Year” for Labor and Employment Litigation in the 2021 guide.

Stephanie also maintains a focus on representation of educational institutions. She regularly assists higher education institutions and independent schools regarding specialized matters of compliance, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), and other federal, state and local laws relating to students and employees of educational institutions. Stephanie represented one of three Michigan universities in litigation before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court regarding the constitutionality of Michigan’s voter-enacted ban on the use of affirmative action in college admissions.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation – Labor and Employment, 2021 and 2022

Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Litigation – Labor and Employment, 2021

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Labor and Employment, since 2021

Professional Affiliations

Federal Bar Association, Western District of Michigan

National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA)

State Bar of Michigan

Community Involvement

Davenport University, Paralegal Program Advisory Board, 2009 – present

Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids, Board, 2018 – present

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Eric J. Schneidewind

Eric J. Schneidewind

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., 1970

University of California
Berkeley, California
B.A., 1967

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Energy Attorney

Past co-chair of Varnum’s Energy and Telecommunications Practice Team, Eric’s legal practice focuses on electrical retail wheeling, non-utility electric power marketing, cogeneration projects, waste to energy, utility scale natural gas and wind generating plants. His clients include large government and private development entities and generation hosts. Eric assists in the purchase of natural gas and  environmental permitting, as well as the negotiation of fuel, equipment, lease and power purchase agreements relating to electric generation projects. On behalf of his clients, Eric secured the first licenses to market electricity in the service territories of both Consumers Energy and Detroit Edison .

Eric served on the national Board of Directors for AARP for several year, serving as national president from 2016 to 2018. The 22-member board is the governing body of AARP and approves all policies, programs, activities and services for AARP’s 40 million members. Eric is a past AARP Michigan president and has devoted many years to public service. He was chairman of the Michigan Public Service Commission for six years and also worked for the state Housing Authority, Securities Bureau and Insurance Bureau.

Eric was named the Lansing “Lawyer of the Year” in the area of Energy Law in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America® since 2003

Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Energy Regulatory Law, 2020 and 2021

Leading Lawyers: Energy Law; Environmental Law; Mineral & Natural Resource Law

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Professional Affiliations

Electric Power Supply Association

Ingham County Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan, Administrative Law Section

Community Involvement

AARP: national board member; president, 2016 – 2018; member, 2012 – 2018; Michigan state president, 2006 – 2012

Loaves and Fishes Homeless Shelter, volunteer

Michigan Insurance Bureau, deputy director for Policy and Consumer Protection

Michigan Public Service Commission: chairman; commissioner; director of policy

Michigan State Housing Development Authority, real estate attorney

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Peter A. Schmidt

Peter A. Schmidt

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

University of Wisconsin Law School
Madison, Wisconsin
J.D., cum laude, 2007

Albion College
Albion, Michigan
B.A., English, 1998

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Wisconsin

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Real Estate Attorney

Peter Schmidt has a wide range of experience in complex commercial real estate, construction and property development transactions. From office, retail and industrial projects, land acquisition, leasing transactions to condominium developments, Peter has an extensive background in the real estate industry. He also works on real estate financing matters, including securitized loans and build-to-suit transactions.

Peter frequently represents developers of sustainable energy projects, including securing large land areas by way of easement or lease, real estate due diligence matters, resolving complex title issues and preparing opinion letters regarding real estate and financing matters.

Peter has unique experience representing property owners across the country regarding cell tower leases, including the sale of cell leases and future leasing rights. He structures these transactions to protect not only the client’s use of the property for its primary purpose but also for future development. Peter’s clients include institutions (real estate companies, municipalities, schools, churches, businesses) as well as individuals (landowners, real estate developers) and trusts.

Experience

Managed leasing and legal affairs with respect to a 30-plus floor office building in downtown Detroit and numerous high profile buildings in downtown Grand Rapids.

Representing industrial client in numerous real estate acquisition and lease transactions in connection with merger and acquisitions across the country.

Represented Entente Spirits (Round Barn Winery, Free Run Cellars and Round Barn Public House) in acquisition of Tabor Hill Winery, including 25 acres of vineyards, a restaurant and three retail locations. Drafted purchase agreement and coordinated filings with Liquor Control Commission.

Represented Detroit Public Schools on a sale to Crown Castle of approximately 24 cell tower leases and future leasing rights, involving development of a Request for Proposals and bidder’s list and negotiation of a Master Prepaid Easement to convey the leases and future lease rights via multiple closings.

Represented client in $20 million acquisition of companies that own and operate multi-family housing projects in south Florida, and advised on company and real estate due diligence and financing-related matters.

Represented client in $70 million acquisition of multi-use building in Michigan.

Represented client in acquisition of anchor unit in large scale, newly-formed condominium project. Negotiated purchase agreement, master deed and bylaws; managed real estate due diligence and closing matters.

Managed the transfer of 175 parcels of real estate in connection with a client restructuring.

Represented wind developer in connection with a wind energy project spanning over 500 parcels of real estate, including leasing and resolving complex title and survey matters.

Represented shopping center developers and negotiated real estate leases with respect to various major national retailers and franchisee tenants.

Represented owners in negotiating design and construction contracts for build projects ranging from $2 million to $10 million.

Represented national solar developer in connection with more than 20 Michigan solar projects, including leasing and resolving complex title and survey matters and local counsel opinion work.

Honors and Recognitions

American College of Mortgage Attorneys, Fellow

Michigan Lawyers Weekly – Michigan’s Go To Lawyers for Commercial Real Estate, 2023

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

Michigan Super Lawyers®, Rising Star, 2017

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association

Building Owners and Managers Association

International Council of Shopping Centers

Michigan Economic Developers Association

State Bar of Michigan

State Bar of Wisconsin

Community Involvement

Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Grand Rapids, Class of 2019

Land Conservancy of West Michigan, past Board member

West Michigan Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, past Board member

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Joan Schleef

Joan Schleef

Practice Areas

Industries

Clerkships

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Honorable Wendell A. Miles

Education

University of Cincinnati College of Law
Cincinnati, Ohio
J.D., cum laude, 1985
University of Cincinnati Law Review,
Lead Articles Editor,
Order of the Coif

Indiana University
Bloomington, Indiana
Bachelor of Music, with distinction, 1982

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Banking Attorney

Joan is a member of the Financial Services Practice Team. She represents commercial and asset-based lenders (including banks) in documenting, negotiating and closing numerous commercial loan transactions, including working capital and formula-based loans; real estate acquisition and development loans; and leveraged buyout financing.

Joan also represents lenders in connection with borrower insolvencies, loan restructurings and workouts; banks in various matters concerning regulatory compliance issues; and various corporate and commercial clients regarding general commercial matters.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Banking and Finance Law, 2013

Best Lawyers in America®, Banking and Finance Law, since 2013

Best Lawyers in America®, Women in the Law Spring Business Edition, Banking and Finance Law, 2017

Grand Rapids Magazine, Top Lawyers, Banking & Financial Service Law, 2023

Martindale-Hubbell® Distinguished™ Peer Review Rated

Professional Affiliations

Federal Bar Association, Bankruptcy Law Section

Grand Rapids Bar Association

Ohio Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan, West Michigan Chapter

“Varnum, and especially Joan Schleef and her team, has done a great job for the bank and my team. The responsiveness is very good and the expertise is very strong. They understand our clients and work through issues internally and with the client in a very professional manner.”

Senior vice president, investment bank and financial services company

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Jeffrey L. Schad

Jeffrey L. Schad

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., magna cum laude, 1973
Order of the Coif

Harvard University Law School
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
B.A., magna cum laude, 1970
Member, Honors College
Phi Beta Kappa

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Banking Attorney

Jeff’s practice is focused on financing transactions, from tax-exempt and taxable bond issues to commercial loans. He has served as bond counsel to State of Michigan departments and agencies as well as to local bond issuers. He also represents letter of credit providers and underwriters in bond transactions.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Banking and Finance Law, since 2016

Grand Rapids Magazine, Top Lawyers, Banking & Financial Service Law, 2023

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Professional Affiliations

Grand Rapids Bar Association

National Association of Bond Lawyers

State Bar of Michigan

Community Involvement

East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation, past Board member

Fountain Street Church Foundation, past Board member

Grand Rapids Public Schools, tutor

News and Insights

Erika Salerno Shadowens

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Chicago, Illinois
LL.M., Health Care, cum laude, 2014

Drake University Law School
Des Moines, Illinois
Drake Law Review, Editor
J.D., cum laude, 1996

Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
B.A., cum laude,1993

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Wisconsin

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Family Law Attorney

Erika Salerno Shadowens is a partner at Varnum LLP. Erika’s practice is entirely devoted to family law matters specializing in divorce, child custody and family law litigation including change of domicile, interstate and international child custody matters. Erika is also a trained mediator and collaborative lawyer. She adamantly advocates for her clients in Kalamazoo, Kent, Allegan, Berrien, Van Buren, St. Joseph, Barry, Calhoun, Eaton, Ionia, and surrounding counties. Her 26 years of experience lends itself well to complex high asset cases involving closely held family businesses, and challenging child custody matters. Her knowledge of the law, diligence and tenacity help her accomplish her client’s goals in their family law matters.

Erika has litigated cases in all levels of the court system, including the Michigan Supreme Court. Media outlets call on her to share her expertise. Erika is a former Council Member of the State Bar of Michigan Family Law Section and currently serves as a Board Member for the Girls on the Run of Greater Kalamazoo. 

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Family Law, 2021 and 2022

National Law Review, Thought Leader Award (Family Law Practice Team), 2020

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Women in the Law, 2014

Kalamazoo County Bar Association, Vlachos Award, 2013

Professional Affiliations

Kalamazoo County Bar Association

Kalamazoo County Family Law Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan, Family Law Section

Community Involvement

Girls on the Run of Greater Kalamazoo, Board Member

East Kentwood High School Marching Band, Volunteer

Red Storm Robotics Team, Volunteer

Western Michigan University, Adjunct Professor

Leadership Kalamazoo, 2014

Client Testimonials

Erika is a no nonsense attorney that tells you straight forward what your options are from a legal standpoint and advise you how best to proceed. Meanwhile, always leaving the final decision with you. She always made me feel as if my case was the most important because though I am merely one of many clients, Erika communicated with me like I was the only one.

– Kandy

Erika did a fantastic job with our case even when it got very heated between the other side & their lawyer towards the end. She got us sole legal and physical custody of our daughter which we thought was near impossible. She really cares about her clients and always has their best interests in mind.

– Luke

I have hired Erika twice for two separate occasions. The most recent case she helped me with was a custody issue. She was able to help me keep custody of my son, and to be able to move out of state. With both occasions Erika showed compassion and genuine concern. She goes in to battle and stands strong on the battle for you! I highly recommend Erika and will use her again!

– Lisa

*Statements concerning past results do not assure similar outcomes in any other matter.

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