James A. Radgens

James A. Radgens

Practice Areas

Education

Michigan State University’s Eli Broad Graduate School of Management
E. Lansing, Michigan
M.B.A., 1995

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.B.A., 1993

 

Director of Personal Tax Services

James is a certified public accountant, specializing in high net-worth tax planning and compliance with an emphasis on gift and estate taxes. He is also well-versed in individual, trust, private foundation, and partnership accounting and taxation. Through his tenure as a public accountant, James has acquired a broad knowledge base to aid families and businesses through the complexities of the Internal Revenue Service Code.

Professional Affiliations

Grand Valley State University, adjunct accounting professor

Community Involvement

Grand Rapids Public Museum Foundation, Finance Committee

Kent County Sheriff Department, special deputy

University of Michigan Grand Rapids Alumni Association, Board member

Matthew D. Zimmerman

Matt Zimmerman

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 1981

Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
B.A., with high honors, 1978

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Environmental and Energy Attorney

Matt is a senior member of the Environmental, Energy and Natural Resources Practice Team. A significant portion of Matt’s practice involves representation of municipalities and private developers in regard to water law matters, including: the permitting, operation and expansion of water supply/treatment/distribution systems and wastewater collection and treatment systems; sewer use ordinance drafting and enforcement including industrial pretreatment programs; stormwater management including ordinance drafting, permitting and enforcement and property owner representation in Drain Code projects; riparian rights issues; and submerged lands transactions.

He represents both municipal and private clients in a wide variety of projects involving land use, including condemnation, permitting of development in protected natural resource areas (regulated wetlands, critical sand dunes, flood plains, etc.), solid waste management, zoning, brownfield redevelopment and remediation of contaminated real estate. Matt also represents developers of energy products including both traditional and renewable energy projects, primarily regarding permitting and contracting.

Honors and Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America®, Administrative/Regulatory Law, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law, since 2010; Water Law, since 2024

The Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Land Use and Zoning Law, 2017, 2022; Water law, 2025

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning, 2019 – 2021, 2023

Leading Lawyers: Environmental Law; Land Use, Zoning & Condemnation Law

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Professional Affiliations

Grand Rapids Bar Association, Environmental Law Section

Michigan Water Environmental Association

State Bar of Michigan: Environmental Law Section; Public Corporation Law Section

The Land Conservancy of West Michigan

Water Environment Federation

Community Involvement

Beacon Hill at Eastgate, Board

Bible Study Fellowship

Mel Trotter Ministries, Christian Legal Advisory Services

Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, Board

Kurt G. Yost

Kurt G. Yost

Practice Areas

Education

University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., 1984

Albion College
Albion, Michigan
B.A., magna cum laude, 1979

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Business Law Attorney

Kurt has more than 25 years of experience as a business lawyer helping entrepreneurs and businesses achieve their goals and objectives. He works with a wide variety of businesses from startups to public companies. Kurt focuses his practice in business, corporate and commercial law, with an emphasis on business transactions, including merger and acquisition, financing and private investment transactions.

A significant part of Kurt’s practice involves helping clients in a broad range of commercial transactions that are the heart of their business activities, including product and service development, distribution and sale, global sourcing of goods and services, formation and operation of strategic alliances and joint ventures, and business protection and licensing. Kurt also regularly counsels closely-held businesses on corporate structure, governance, and succession planning matters.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America® since 2013

Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year – Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law, 2014, Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers: Corporate Law; Mergers & Acquisitions Law; 2019 – 2021, 2023

Leading Lawyers: Closely & Privately Held Business Law; Mergers & Acquisitions Law; Publicly Held Corporations Law

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Michigan Super Lawyers®, 2006 – 2016

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association, Business Law Section

Association for Corporate Growth, West Michigan Chapter

Grand Rapids Bar Association, Business and Taxation Section

State Bar of Michigan: Business Law Section; Taxation Section

News and Insights

Susan M. Wyngaarden

Susan M. Wyngaarden

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Duke University School of Law
Durham, North Carolina
J.D., 1983

University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
B.A., magna cum laude, 1980

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Public Finance and Banking Attorney

Susan is a co-leader of the Banking, Finance and Restructuring Practice Team. She has extensive experience in the public finance area. She has served as bond counsel to the State of Michigan, its departments and authorities, as well as to many cities, counties, villages, townships, school districts, community colleges, district libraries, other public authorities and Indian tribes. In addition to serving as bond counsel, Susan has also served as underwriter’s counsel, bank counsel, tax counsel and obligor’s counsel for numerous tax-exempt financings, including governmental obligations and private activity bonds for manufacturing facilities and qualified 501(c)(3)bonds.

Susan also represents financial institutions in negotiating and documenting the direct purchase or letter of credit backing for both tax-exempt and taxable bonds/notes, including conduit bond and note transactions issued by state and local authorities for the benefit of higher education, hospital and other nonprofit organizations, pooled revenue note transactions, and State Revolving Fund match bonds and bond anticipation notes. In addition, Susan also works with financial institutions in the direct purchase of bonds and notes from governmental entities including, but not limited to, counties, cities, school districts and authorities. She also represents lenders in providing a variety of taxable loans to governmental and nonprofit organizations.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America® in multiple categories since 2003

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

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Public Finance Law; Municipal Law, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023

Leading Lawyers, Public Finance Law

Martindale-Hubbell® Distinguished™ Peer Review Rated

Michigan Super Lawyers® since 2006

Professional Affiliations

Michigan Council of School Attorneys

Michigan Women in Finance, past president and member of Board of Directors, 2005 – 2010

National Association of Bond Lawyers

State Bar of Michigan: Taxation Section; Public Corporation Section

Community Involvement

Holland Home: Audit Committee; Governance and Compliance Committee

News and Insights

Michael G. Wooldridge

Michael G. Wooldridge

Practice Areas

Education

Cornell University Law School
Ithaca, New York
J.D., 1984
Moot Court Board

Alma College
Alma, Michigan
B.A., cum laude, 1981

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Wooldridge Mike 1280 x 720

Corporate Attorney

Mike is a partner on the firm’s Corporate Practice Team and formerly served as the chair of the firm’s Policy Committee. His practice focuses on corporate governance, securities, and mergers and acquisitions. He represents several of the firm’s clients whose securities are traded publicly in corporate governance, securities law compliance, and mergers and acquisitions. He has managed and led a variety of public equity and debt offerings for financial services and manufacturing companies. Mike is also active in advising clients in venture capital transactions.

As a trusted advisor to several of Michigan’s most respected businesses, Mike has extensive experience advising officers and directors on strategic and general business law issues, governance and compliance matters, executive compensation, disclosure requirements and corporate structure. He also assists clients with corporate transactional matters such as contract negotiations and workforce management. 

Honors and Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America®, Corporate Law, since 2005; Mergers and Acquisitions Law, since 2024

BTI Consulting Group, Inc., Client Service All Star, 2012 (only four attorneys in Michigan were recognized for this honor)

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Corporate Law, since 2019

Leading Lawyers: Mergers & Acquisitions Law; Securities & Venture Finance Law

Martindale-Hubbell® Distinguished™ Peer Review Rated

Professional Affiliations

American Society of Corporate Secretaries

Grand Rapids Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan

UFPI Board of Directors

Community Involvement

Blythefield Country Club, past President, 2006 – 2017

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids; Board member, Chair of Governance Committee

“Varnum is a great firm. I work primarily with Michael Wooldridge. Mike is a thoughtful individual, and you always know he is thinking of you and your company’s legal issues. His practice is general corporate, and I find myself talking to him often about issues we are facing. He is intelligent, witty and a great guy to hang out with as well.”

General counsel, global furniture manufacturer

Jordan R. Holzgen

Education

National Paralegal College
Grand Rapids, Michigan
PBA Certification, 2018

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan
B.A., 2011

Corporate Paralegal

Jordan is part of the Quality Control Team. He prepares matter intake reviews, provides conflict analysis and manages the file screening process when conflicts arise. He assists with file transfers and provides litigation support for quality control team matters. Jordan serves as an administrator and provides internal support for the firm’s cloud-based new business intake management system. He also serves on Varnum’s Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) Taskforce, which specializes in CTA compliance, guidance and analysis. Visit our CTA Resource Center for more information.

Jordan’s background includes management of compliance documents and records in a highly-regulated industry, including management of product submissions and facility registrations with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He formerly provided an array of law firm support services as a clerk for a global business process automation company.

John Patrick White

John Patrick White

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

University of Illinois College of Law
Urbana, Illinois
J.D., magna cum laude, 1981
Master of Labor and Industrial Relations, 1981

Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan
M.A., Elementary Education, with highest honors, 1976
Phi Kappa Phi

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.A., with distinction, 1973

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 Northern District of Indiana

United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan

United States Supreme Court

Labor, Employment and Education Attorney

Pat’s practice concentrates on the full spectrum of civil rights issues including race, gender and disability matters, free speech and electronic privacy issues in the workplace. In addition to litigation, he also does traditional labor work, including negotiation and arbitration, both for public and private sector clients. He also maintains a strong background in education law, representing school districts, community colleges and colleges and universities, both with respect to employment issues as well as student issues.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America® since 2005

Best Lawyers in America®, Employment Law – Management, 2012, 2016, 2022; Labor Law – Management, 2013, 2022

College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, fellow

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Labor and Employment Law, 2020

Leading Lawyers: Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management; School Law

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Michigan Super Lawyers® since 2011

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association: Labor Relations Section; Litigation Section, EEO Subcommittee

Grand Rapids Bar Association, Labor Section

Michigan Association of School Boards, Council of School Attorneys, past president

Michigan Employment Relations Commission, Advisory Council, past member

National Association of School Boards, Council of School Attorneys

National Association of College and University Attorneys

State Bar of Michigan, Labor Relations Law Section

Community Involvement

Community Rebuilders, Board president

Senior Neighbors, Inc., past Board president

Joseph J. Vogan

Joseph J. Vogan

Practice Areas

Education

Wayne State University Law School
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., cum laude, 1978
Wayne State Law Review

Oakland University
Rochester, Michigan
B.A., magna cum laude, 1975

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

United States District Court for the Southern 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 Texas

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

United States Supreme Court

Labor and Employment Attorney

Joe focuses on employment law and litigation and has experience in all areas of employment law including FLSA, ADA, wrongful discharge, the Elliott-Larson Civil Rights Act, Title VII, ADEA, Retiree Health Insurance, FMLA, the Whistleblowers’ Protection Act and others.

Experience

LaFave v. Huntington (USDC WD MI, 2017).  Sex harassment and retaliation.  Summary judgment for employer. 

Gartner v. Dean Transportation (USDC WD MI, 2017).  Handicap discrimination.  Summary judgment for employer and costs. 

Bunting v. Kellogg (USDC Dist. CT, 2016).  Race discrimination.  Summary judgment for employer. 

Marshall v. Super Service, LLC (USDC ED KY, 2016).  Gender discrimination and retaliation.  Summary judgment for employer. 

Garrett v. Southwestern Medical Clinic, P.C. (USDC WD Mich, 2014).  Race discrimination.  Summary judgment for employer.  Summary judgment affirmed by Court of Appeals (2015). 

Maben v. Southwestern Medical Clinic, P.C. (USDC WD Mich, 2015)  Race discrimination.  Summary judgment for employer.  Summary judgment affirmed by Court of Appeals (2015). 

Owsiany v. MPI Research, Inc. (USDC WD Mich, 2015).  Pregnancy discrimination.  Summary judgment and sanctions for employer. 

Robert W. Cummings v. Dean Transportation, Inc. (USDC ED Mich, 2014).  ADA discrimination.  Summary judgment and costs for employer. 

Recchia v Kellogg Co. (USDC  DNJ, 2013).  Age discrimination, disability discrimination and retaliation.  Summary judgment and costs for employer. 

Belleville v. SAF Holland (USDC WD Mich, 2012).  Fraud.  Summary judgment for employer. 

Cordell v Lakeland Regional Health System (Berrien Co Cir Ct, 2012).  Age discrimination.  Summary judgment and costs for employer. 

Glander v NGK Spark Plugs, (USDC ED Mich, 2012).  FMLA retaliation.  Summary judgment for employer. 

Fear v Lakeland Regional Health System (USDC WD Mich, 2012).  ADA discrimination.  Judgment for Employer. 

Vice v. Graphic Packaging (USDC  WD Mich, 2011).  Retaliation.  Summary judgment and costs for employer. 

Thomas v Bradford White, Inc. (USDC  WD Mich, 2011).  Harassment and retaliation.  Summary judgment for employer. 

White v S2 Yachts, Inc. (Ottawa Co Cir Ct, 2011).  Unpaid sales commissions.  Summary judgment for employer.  Cost and fees awarded to Defendant in the amount of $38,866.90. 

Gulow v West Shore Community Hospital (Manistee County Circuit Court, 2011).  Wrongful discharged/breach of contract.  Summary judgment for employer. 

Dean v TLC (Osceola County Circuit Ct., 2010).  Whistleblowers Protection Act.  Summary Judgment for Employer.

Phifer v MC Sports, W.D. Mich (2010).  Race discrimination and harassment. (Title VII & §1981).  Summary judgment for employer. 

Pacheco et al. v Boar’s Head Provisions, W.D. Mich. (2009-2010) Represented employer in suit under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to recover for time spent donning and doffing sanitary and protective gear. Plaintiffs sought a class/collective action of several hundred individuals. 

Renfro, et al. v. American Electric Power Co., W.D. Mich. (2001-2008) (and related cases) Represented employer in collective action under FLSA alleging certain employees were improperly classified as exempt. 

Jimenez, et al. v. Lakeside Pic-N-Pac, W.D. Mich. (2006-2008)  Represented employer is suit under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act and the FLSA. Plaintiffs sought class/collective action of several hundred individuals. 

Riggs, et al. v. Mark IV Industries, Inc., et al. W.D.N.C. (2005-2006)  Represented employer in class action under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA) involving retiree health benefits. 

Galaviz-Zamora et al. v. Brady Farms, Inc., et al. W.D. Mich. (2004 -2006)  Represented employer in highly publicized suit under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act and the FLSA. Plaintiffs sought class/collective action of over 900 individuals. 

Rojas Bautista, et al. v. Twin Lakes Farms, Inc., et al.  W.D. Mich. (2004-2006)  Represented employer in suit under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act and the FLSA. Plaintiffs sought class/collective action of several hundred individuals.

Bartlett, et al. v. Light Metals Corp., W.D. Mich. (2005-2006)  Represented employer in class action under ERISA involving retiree health benefits. 

LaForest, et al. v. Honeywell, Inc. v. Mark IV Industries, Inc., W.D.N.Y. (2002- 2006)  Represented employer/third-party defendant in class action involving retiree health benefits under ERISA and LMRA. 

Baldwin, et al. v. Mark IV Industries, Inc., et al., W.D.N.Y. (2002-2006)  Represented defendant in class action involving retiree health benefits under ERISA and LMRA. Plaintiffs sought class action of approximately 75 retirees. 

Trull, et al. v. Mark IV Industries, Inc., et al., W.D.N.C. (2001-2006)  Represented employer in class action involving retiree health benefits under ERISA and LMRA.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America® since 2007

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Litigation – Labor Employment Benefits, 2019, 2023

Leading Lawyers: Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management

Martindale-Hubbell® Distinguished™ Peer Review Rated

Michigan Super Lawyers®, Employment Litigation Defense

Professional Affiliations

Federal Bar Association, Employment and Labor Relations Law Committee

Grand Rapids Bar Association

Michigan Labor Letter, Editorial Board member

State Bar of Michigan, Labor Law Section

Carl E. Ver Beek

Carl E. Ver Beek

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Indiana University Maurer School of Law
Bloomington, Indiana
J.D., with honors, 1962
Indiana Law Journal, Editorial Board Member
Order of the Coif

Hope College
Holland, Michigan
A.B., with honors, 1959

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Labor and Employment Attorney

Carl’s practice has focused on various aspects of labor and employment relations and dispute resolution. He has mediated and/or arbitrated hundreds of cases for the National Center for Dispute Settlement, Michigan Employment Relations Commission, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), The Dispute Resource Center of West Michigan and the National Arbitration Forum. Carl is a frequent speaker at the Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) and American and State Bar meetings on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and at Labor Arbitration Institute forums. He serves on many nonprofit, professional and business boards.

Dispute Resolution Experience

American Bar Association, Member of Dispute Resolutions Section Council

American Arbitration Association, Labor Panel arbitrator

National Center for Dispute Settlement

Michigan Employment Relations Commission, arbitrator

National Arbitration Forum, arbitrator

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), arbitrator

Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan, mediator

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America® since 1989

College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, fellow

Dispute Resolution Center, Local Peacemaker of the Year, 2017

Hope College: Distinguished Alumni Award, 2009; Second Century Club Annual Outstanding Services Award, 2001

Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Academy of Law Alumni Fellows, 2017

Leading Age of Michigan, Trustee of the Year, 2013

Leading Lawyers: ADR Law – Employment; Employment Law – Management

Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated

Michigan Health and Hospital Association, Special Recognition Award, 2007

Midwest Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research Center, Community Award, 2019

Senior Neighbors, 16 over 60 Award, 2019

State Bar of Michigan: Hudson Award, 2014 (highest State Bar award); Labor and Employment Section, Distinguished Service Award (highest Section award); Modernizing the Practice Committee, 2015

Who’s Who in American Law

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association: Dispute Resolution Section Council; Labor and Employment Section Council; Arbitration Committee, chair

American Employment Law Council

Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Board chair

Grand Rapids Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section

Modernizing the Practice Committee, 2015

State of Michigan: Attorney Grievance Commission, chair; Attorney Discipline, Board member

State Bar of Michigan: Labor and Employment Section, Character and Fitness Committee, chair

 

Community Involvement

Bethany Christian Services, past Board chair

Faith Hospice, past Board chair

Grand Rapids Downtown Rotary Club

Health Net of West Michigan, Board chair

Holland Home, past Board chair

Hope College, past Board and Executive Committee

Kent Health Plan Corporation, past Board chair

Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Board member

Reformed Church in America, Executive Committee

Presentations

Frequent presentations to the Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), American Bar Association – Alternative Dispute Resolution, and the Labor Arbitration Institute.

News and Insights

Terry E. Tobias

Terry E. Tobias

Practice Areas

Industries

Education

Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Grand Rapids, Michigan
J.D., 1991

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan
B.S., 1987

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Public Sector and Litigation Attorney

Terry focuses his practice in the areas of public sector law, litigation and criminal defense work. Prior to practicing law, Terry was a police officer for 21 years, serving as police chief for the Kentwood Police Department and deputy police chief for the Battle Creek Police Department.

Professional Affiliations

Grand Rapids Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan: Criminal Law Section; Labor Law Section