Lauren M. Parker

Parker Lauren Web

Practice Areas

Education

University of Wisconsin Law School
Madison, Wisconsin
J.D., cum laude, 2021
Wisconsin Law Review, Managing Editor

Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
Honors College
B.A., magna cum laude, Finance, 2018

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Wisconsin

Corporate Attorney

Lauren is a member of Varnum’s Business and Corporate Team, where her focus is in business and transactional work with a strong emphasis on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity, and other commercial transactions. Lauren has experience advising clients on the legal aspects of day-to-day business issues and a wide variety of other matters, with particular expertise in securities law matters and corporate governance issues. Her client experience ranges from early stage startups to mature, publicly-held businesses of all sizes.

Professional Affiliations

State Bar of Michigan

State Bar of Wisconsin

Gage M. Selvius

Practice Areas

Education

Michigan State University College of Law
East Lansing, Michigan
J.D., summa cum laude, 2021 
Order of the Coif                   
Michigan State Law Review, Staff

University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
B.A., summa cum laude, Political Science and Economics, 2018

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Litigation Attorney

Gage is an associate attorney on Varnum’s Litigation, Trial Practice, and ADR Team.  He focuses his practice on complex commercial and environmental litigation.  Gage has experience handling large-scale class action lawsuits.  He has litigated cases in a variety of fields, including property disputes, employment issues, environmental tort claims, construction matters, and high-profile multimillion dollar family law cases.  Gage also has had success enforcing and collecting judgments for his clients, including through adversary proceedings in bankruptcy court.

Gage is a skilled legal writer and researcher who has drafted numerous successful dispositive motions to win cases for his clients prior to trial in both state and federal court.  Gage was recently the first-chair attorney in a matter in which he secured an approximately $3 million judgment for his client.  He passionately advocates for clients throughout the litigation process, and has experience handling depositions, discovery, hearings, trials, and appellate proceedings.  In addition to Michigan, Gage has litigated matters in Florida, North Carolina, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Gage graduated summa cum laude from both the University of Alabama and the Michigan State University School of Law.  During law school, he was a member of the flagship law review at Michigan State University.  Gage served as a law clerk for the Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Michigan before joining Varnum, which provided an opportunity for him to be extensively involved in federal court proceedings early in his career.

Experience

Successfully obtained summary disposition in defense of a products liability claim for a multi-national corporation.

Successfully obtained summary disposition in an environmental tort claim in Allegan County.

Successfully obtained summary disposition in defense of a construction dispute in Kalamazoo County.

Successfully obtained an injunction in federal court to protect his client’s business against unfair competition.

As lead counsel, successfully secured an approximately $3 million judgment in a case involving business tort claims.

As lead trial counsel, won a bench trial in Oakland County in a property dispute.

As lead trial counsel, successfully defended against over $300,000 of alleged damages in a bench trial in Ottawa County.

Negotiated a settlement in excess of a million dollars on a breach of contract claim.

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan

Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Michigan

Grand Rapids Bar Association

Hillman Advocacy Clinic – United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, 2022

Christopher A. Aguilar

Christopher A. Aguilar

Education

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
B.A., Accounting

Director of Finance

Chris Aguilar oversees the firm’s accounting department. He has over 18 years of public accounting and senior executive finance experience. He is a Certified Public Accountant and has experience in both industry and public accounting, including serving as audit manager for a large accounting firm and as CFO for a private company.

Certifications

State of Michigan, Certified Public Accountant

Staci R. DeRegnaucourt

Staci R. DeRegnaucourt

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Michigan State University College of Law
East Lansing, Michigan
J.D., magna cum laude, 2011                    Michigan State Law Review, Articles Editor

Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
B.S., Civil & Environmental Engineering, 2008

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 Patent and Trademark Office

Intellectual Property Attorney

Staci is a registered patent attorney with an engineering background, who provides a full range of intellectual property services, including trademark, copyright, and patent clearance, procurement, licensing, and enforcement; anti-counterfeiting; IP portfolio and brand management; startup consulting; IP transactions and technology transfers; and IP due diligence. She serves as co-chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Team.

Serving a diverse client group including Fortune 100 companies, SMEs, start-ups, and solo entrepreneurs, including a variety of well-known and famous brands, Staci maintains a business-minded, client-centric, holistic, and worldwide approach to intellectual property. Staci understands that clients invest in intellectual property in order to protect and improve their marketplace position, and she works to strategically compile intellectual property portfolios, unique to the client, that not only boast valuable brick-and-mortar intellectual property rights, but that also allow such intellectual property rights to be commercialized, enforced, and leveraged as revenue-generating and market-safeguarding tools.

Staci advises clients that operate in the mechanical, electro-mechanical, and material engineering arts and has prepared and prosecuted utility patent applications in a variety of technology areas including: OEM and aftermarket automotive systems, components, and control strategies for conventional (ICE) vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV); HVAC systems; aerospace systems; energy absorption devices; structural barriers and traffic management systems; coastline restoration products and apparatuses; industrial equipment; tooling for manufacturing systems; manufacturing systems and processes; automation systems; robotic components; medical devices; building products; consumer goods; and sporting goods and equipment.

Staci also assists clients in a broad range of market sectors, to procure and enforce design patent and trade dress rights for the ornamental characteristics embodied in, or applied to, their respective products including, unique product configurations; unique product ornamentation; ornamental product packaging; computer-generated icons; and static, dynamic, and animated graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
Staci attends to all aspects of intellectual property in the corporate and commercial contexts including IP due diligence and the evaluation of the strength and breadth of IP portfolios in the context of commercial and technology transactions, including joint ventures. Staci also routinely structures, drafts, negotiates, and advises in commercial and transactional contexts on a variety of technology agreements including joint development agreements, technology research agreements, collaboration agreements, technology supply agreements, and technology licensing and ownership agreements with regard to traditional IP in a variety of technological sectors, as well as, software, SaaS, PaaS, and the like.

Moreover, Staci routinely counsel’s clients in domestic and international trademark, trade dress, unfair competition, false advertising, and domain name matters including the selection and adoption of trademarks, the management and prosecution of trademark portfolios, and the worldwide enforcement of trademark rights related to traditional brand management strategies, anti-counterfeiting, and cybersquatting. Staci also represents clients in trademark opposition, cancellation, and appeal proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) and coordinates such matters with foreign counsel internationally.

Staci has also represented clients in intellectual property litigation, enforcement matters, and proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB), the International Trade Commission (ITC), Copyright Claims Board (CCB), Uniform Domain Dispute Resolution (UDRP) administrative bodies, and United States courts.

Honors and Recognitions

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Go To Lawyer for Intellectual Property Law, 2022

Michigan Super Lawyers®, Rising Star, Intellectual Property, 2017 – 2024

World Trademark Review, WTR 1000, World’s Leading Trademark Professional, 2015 – 2024

World Trademark Review, WTR 1000, Global Leaders, 2019 – 2024

DBusiness Magazine, Top Lawyers, Intellectual Property & Patent Law, 2016

Professional Affiliations

Michigan State University College of Law, Adjunct Professor of Law – International Intellectual Property

International Trademark Association, Non-Traditional Marks Committee, 2024 – Present

International Trademark Association, Designs Committee, 2020 – 2024

Michigan Intellectual Property Law Association

Michigan Intellectual Property Inn of Court

Society of Women Engineers

State Bar of Michigan

Publications

Article: “Verified or Not? The Inform Consumers Act and the Future of E-Commerce Marketplaces.” The Grand Rapids Lawyer (May 2023)

Comment, “I Can Do Bad All By Myself: A Proposal for Streamlining the Claim Construction Process in Patent Litigation,” 38 Rutgers Computer & Tech. L.J.1 (2011)

Comment, “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better & Without Consequences: The Public University Monopoly on Research Technologies and the Educational Market,” 2010 MICH. St. L. REV. 471 (2010).

Presentations

Panelist, Communicating the Importance of Brand Protection Across the Enterprise or Organization, Brand Protection Strategy Summit (2024), Hosted by the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection at Michigan State University.

Guest Speaker – IP Lawyer Lunch Series, Michigan State University College of Law (Fall 2022)

Guest Speaker – Trademark Counterfeiting and Gray Market Goods, Trademark Counterfeiting Course 533Y, Michigan State University College of Law (Spring 2021).

Panelist, E-Commerce and Counterfeits:  Evolving Consumer Behaviors, A Brand’s New World (2020), Hosted by the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection at Michigan State University.

Panelist, Distribution and Retail, World IP Day – Bridging the Intersection of Intellectual Property and Regulations (2019), Hosted by the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection at Michigan State University

Richard R. Symons

Richard R. Symons

Practice Areas

Education

Wayne State University Law School
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., 1989

Central Michigan University
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
B.S., cum laude, 1986

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Labor and Employment Attorney

Rick is a member of Varnum’s Labor and Employment Practice Team. He focuses on the defense of employers in workers’ compensation litigation, from managing contested cases in an aggressive and efficient manner to assessing cost-containment methods. He represents employers at all levels of the court system, including the Workers’ Compensation Appellate Court, the Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court.

Rick has handled multiple Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) inspections and appeals, including appeals of citations following a complaint, serious injury or death of an employee.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers, since 2005

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Workers Compensation Law, 2019 and 2020

Leading Lawyers, Employment Law – Management

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Professional Affiliations

Grand Rapids Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan

Community Involvement

Certified soccer referee

Registered Michigan high school baseball umpire

Youth baseball coach

Youth soccer coach

John W. Sturgis

John W. Sturgis

Practice Areas

Education

University of Iowa College of Law
Iowa City, Iowa
J.D., summa cum laude, 2014
Order of the Coif
Iowa Law Review, Vol. 99, Managing Editor

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.A., cum laude, 2011
James B. Angell Scholar

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Real Estate Attorney

John is a member of Varnum’s Real Estate Practice Team. He regularly assists clients with real estate sales and acquisitions, commercial leasing matters on behalf of both landlords and tenants, and real estate financing transactions. 

Experience

Prepared and negotiated multiple leases on behalf of statewide hospital system as both tenant and landlord.

Negotiated $2 million annual office lease on behalf of large insurance brokerage client.

Drafted documents and coordinated the closing of a $20 million shopping center sale involving the assumption of existing financing.

Assisted as bank counsel in annual Public School Academy State Aid Revenue Notes program.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch, Construction Law, Real Estate Law, since 2024

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Real Estate Law, since 2021

Professional Affiliations

Grand Rapids Bar Association

National Association of Bond Lawyers

State Bar of Michigan

 

Presentations

John W. Sturgis VII, Help! I Need Somebody! (Or Do I?): A Discussion of Community Caretaking and Assistance SeizuresUnder Iowa Law, 99 Iowa L. Rev 1841 (2014), cited by the Iowa Supreme Court in State v. Coffman, 914 N.W.2d 240, 258 (Iowa 2018)

Fredric A. Sytsma

Fredric A. Sytsma

Practice Areas

Education

University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., 1968

Michigan State University
Lansing, Michigan
B.A., 1964

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States Tax Court

Estate Planning Attorney

Fred is a member of the Estate Planning Practice Team. He has been assisting his clients with their estate planning needs since he first began his practice, and during that time has handled a wide variety of estate settlements and estate settlement issues. His particular focus is counseling clients on techniques to minimize estate and gift taxes, and drafting documents to accomplish that objective. Fred is also a trusted personal advisor to many of the families he has worked with over the years.

Honors and Recognitions

American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, fellow

Best Lawyers in America®, Trusts and Estates, since 1987

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Trusts and Estates, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023

Leading Lawyers, Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Michigan Super Lawyers® since 2011

Professional Affiliations

State Bar of Michigan, Probate and Estate Planning Law Section

Western Michigan Estate Planning Council, past president

Hilary F. Snell

Hilary F. Snell

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., 1959

Colgate University
Hamilton, New York
A.B., magna cum laude, 1956

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Estate Planning Attorney

Hilary’s practice focused on estate planning with an emphasis on entire families and three generational planning often coupled with a closely-held family business. In the past three decades, he served twice as the firm’s managing partner. In this capacity, Hilary acted as the firm’s CEO and chaired the Management Committee.

Honors and Recognitions

Leading Lawyers: Closely & Privately Held Business Law; Trust, Will & Estate Planning Law

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Professional Affiliations

Grand Rapids Bar Association

Republican National Lawyers Association

State Bar of Michigan

Community Involvement

Priority Health: Board of Directors, 2000 – 2009; chairman, 2004 – 2007

Willard G. Pierce and Jessie M. Pierce Foundation, president and trustee, 1996 – present

Gregory K. Smith

Gregory K. Smith

Practice Areas

Education

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan
M.B.A., Finance, 1995

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee
B.A., Economics major, 1988

Professional Trustee

Greg is a member of Varnum’s Estate Planning Practice Team. With 20 years of trust banking experience, he is highly skilled in all aspects of relationship management and trust administration.

Certifications

American Bankers Association, Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) designation, 1998

National Association of Estate Planners & Councils, Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) designation, 2010

Professional Affiliations

West Michigan Estate Planning Council: current member; past board member, 1997 – 2000

Community Involvement

Junior Achievement, volunteer

Rosewood Reformed Church, treasurer, 1999 – 2002

Third Reformed Church, treasurer, 2005 – 2008

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

Associate

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