Mark J. Chasteen
Charlotte E. Jolly
Louis F. Ronayne
Practice Areas
Industries
Education
Michigan State University College of Law
East Lansing, Michigan
J.D., magna cum laude, 2017
Journal of Business and Securities Law, Executive Editor and Assistant Publication Editor
Adrian College
Adrian, Michigan
B.A., cum laude, Political Science, 2014
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 District Court for the Western District of Michigan
Litigation Attorney
Louie is a member of the Litigation and ADR Team. He represents clients in a wide range of business and commercial litigation matters, from high-stakes automotive supplier disputes to suits involving state and local units of government. He is experienced in emergency litigation including actions for temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions. He also represents clients in a variety of contract and real estate disputes. Louie has first chair trial and appellate experience, including before the Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court.
Following law school, Louie served as a research attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals, then as a judicial law clerk at the Michigan Supreme Court for the Hon. Brian K. Zahra.
Experience
Obtained emergency temporary restraining order in state circuit court for tier-1 automotive supplier in high-stakes dispute.
Obtained mandatory preliminary injunction in federal court on behalf of tier-1 automotive supplier and successfully defending it on appeal.
Obtained summary dismissal in arbitration on behalf of former investor in restaurant franchise facing seven figures in liability.
Obtained six-figure settlement for purchaser of a restaurant after dispute arose following the transaction, without litigation.
Obtained numerous judgments quieting title in cases where it was necessary to the client developer to close a large transaction.
Negotiated favorable settlement on behalf of non-profit in case involving deed fraud against six parcels of real property.
Successfully represented large agricultural processor in public nuisance action by obtaining results that allowed the company to keep operating, following a bench trial.
Representation of large tier-1 supplier in four automotive defect class actions, large plastics manufacturer against buyer in high-stakes contract and unfair competition dispute, investors committee against several global banks stemming from notorious international fraud scheme, several entities in the construction and infrastructure industries, and several LLC member and contract disputes, and real estate disputes.
Authored successful merits brief in Turner v Farmers Ins, 953 NW2d 204 (2021).
Obtained summary disposition on behalf of a bank against a disgruntled commercial borrower.
Favorably resolved real estate dispute without litigation on behalf of a residential seller after purchaser repudiated.
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, Appellate Law, since 2022; Construction Law, since 2023
Professional Affiliations
State Bar of Michigan
Detroit Catholic Central Shamrock Bar Association
Community Involvement
Hearts of Hope International, volunteer
Northridge Church, member
Northville Christian School, volunteer
Sandra L. Fox
Practice Areas
Education
Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, Michigan
Dorsey Business School
Administrative Assistant Program
Paralegal
Sandy is a paralegal with more than 20 years law firm experience, focused on Family Law. Sandy also has worked with attorneys practicing in litigation, national bankruptcy, corporate and estate planning, as well as assisting experts in forensic accounting / record review.
Thomas J. Kenny
Practice Areas
Education
Detroit College of Law
Detroit, Michigan
J.D.
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan
B.A., Mathematics
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Tax Attorney
Tom is a member of the Tax Practice Team. His practice includes civil and criminal tax litigation. Previously employed by the Department of Attorney General, Tom acted as legal counsel to the Department of Treasury in litigation matters before the Michigan Tax Tribunal, Court of Claims, Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Prior to his employment with the Michigan Attorney General, he was an assistant prosecuting attorney in Detroit and handled criminal litigation and appeals.
Tom’s tax practice focuses on the representation of Fortune 1000 companies in State and Local Tax (SALT) litigation, which includes sales, use, corporate income, motor fuel, tobacco, real and personal property and Michigan Business Tax matters. He has represented clients before administrative agencies and courts in Michigan and around the country. The multistate representation includes tax cases in Indiana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
Experience
Tribal Tax
Counsel for the twelve federally recognized Michigan tribes in the negotiation of the Tribal-State of Michigan Tax Compact (December 2002)
South Dakota Tribal Taxation: Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Tax Seminar (South Dakota, 2006), instructor
Representative Tax Litigation
People v. Shami, 501 Mich. 243 (2018)
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community v. Department of Treasury, 322 Mich. App. 46 (2017)
Total Foundations v. Department of Treasury, Michigan Court of Appeals Docket No.: 322983 (2016)
General Motors Corporation v. Department of Treasury, Michigan Court of Appeals Docket No.: 303822 (2012)
William Davidson a/k/a Detroit Pistons Basketball Company v. Department of Treasury, Michigan Court of Appeals Docket No.: 308175 (2012)
Automotive Components Holding Company/Ford Motor Company v. Ypsilanti Township, Michigan Tax Tribunal Docket No.: 327618 (2010)
AutoAlliance International Inc. v. Department of Treasury, 282 Mich. App. 492 (2009)
Freightliner LLC v. Indiana Department of Revenue, Indiana Tax Court Case No.: 49T10-0611-TA-102 (2007)
UBS Financial Services (f/k/a PaineWebber) v. Ohio Department of Taxation, Ohio Board of Tax Appeals Docket No.: 2003-P-1139 (2005)
Compuware Corporation v. Department of Treasury, Michigan Tax Tribunal Docket No.: 303847 (2005)
Elsheick v. Department of Treasury, 225 Mich. App. 575 (1997)
Lindsey Anderson Sagar Trust v. Department of Treasury, 204 Mich. App. 128 (1994)
Caterpillar v. Department of Treasury, 440 Mich. 400 (1992), cert. denied, 506 U.S. 1014 (1992) (Amicus Curiae)
J.C. Penney v. Department of Treasury, 171 Mich. App. 30 (1988)
Honeywell, Inc. v. Department of Treasury, 167 Mich. App. 446 (1988)
Kelser v. Department of Treasury, 167 Mich. App. 18 (1988)
Professional Affiliations
American Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan: Taxation Section, State and Local Tax Committee, chair, 2000 – 2002; Council member, 2002 – 2005
Maureen Rouse-Ayoub
Practice Areas
Industries
Education
Detroit College of Law
Detroit, Michigan
J.D., 1992
Madonna University
Livonia, Michigan
B.S., 1988
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Labor and Employment Attorney
Maureen is a partner and leads Varnum’s Labor and Employment Practice Team. She represents clients in all areas of labor and employment. She advises clients on labor management relations including union election proceedings, collective bargaining and contract enforcement in arbitration and before the National Labor Relations Board. Maureen defends employment-related claims including discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, Whistleblowers’ and Fair Labor Standards Act violations in federal and state courts, administrative proceedings and arbitration hearings. She counsels clients on drafting, implementation and enforcement of workplace policies. She has significant experience working with companies in a variety of industries including manufacturing, automotive, logistics and health care.
Maureen regularly writes and speaks on a variety of labor and employment matters. She is a frequent presenter for Michigan Chamber of Commerce programs.
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation – Labor and Employment, 2021 and 2022
BTI Client Service All-Star since 2020
DBusiness© Top Lawyers, Labor and Employment Law, since 2016
Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Influential Women of Law, 2022
Michigan Super Lawyers® since 2012
Professional Affiliations
Detroit Bar Association
Oakland County Bar Association
State Bar of Michigan
Michigan Chamber of Commerce Health and Human Resources Committee
Community Involvement
Northern Michigan Adaptive Sports
Presentations
Reasonable COVID Accommodations, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, July 2021
HR Issues to Look for in the New Year, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, December 2020
What Employees Need to Know About the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, 2020
FMLA and ADA: Managing Leave Request Doesn’t Need to be Complicated, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, November 2020
COVID-19 Legal Updates, Comerica, October 2020
Put To the Test: When You Are Faced With a Workplace Investigation, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, July 2020
Best Practices for Managing Return to Work After COVID, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, June 2020
New Workplace Norms Will Greet Workers as They Get Back on the Job, Fox 17 News Interview, April 2020
With Michigan Schools Out, Businesses Grapple with Productivity Woes, Crain’s Detroit Business, April 2020
Fear of the Workplace – What to Expect, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, April 2020
Employment Law Update: Top 10 Hot Topics, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, January 2020
Leadership Training, Silver Pine Medical Group, September 2019
Employee Handbooks – What to Include and Why, MIRS, July 2019
Preventing Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace, BCS Automotive, June 2019
HR “Hot Button” Topics in the Green Industry, MGIA Trade Show Presentation, May 2019
Employment Law Update, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, January 2019
Workplace Harassment: New Awareness and Strategies to Address an Old Problem, 2018 MISHRM Conference, October 2018, Traverse City, MI
It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye: Employment Terminations; and Supreme Court Decisions: Recent Rulings and Potential Landmines in 2018, Varnum Labor and Employment Seminar, May 22, 2018, Detroit, MI
2018 Employment Law Update: Top Ten Hot Button Topics, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, January 2018, Novi, MI
Responding to HR Sticky Situations 2, Co-Presenter, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, December 2016, Novi, MI
FLSA Overtime Rules Take Effect for Exempt Employees on December 1: Are You Prepared?, Bodman Sunrise Series Meetings, November 10, 2016, Ann Arbor, MI; November 15, 2016, Detroit, MI; and November 17, 2016, Troy, MI
HR Sticky Situations: How Would You Respond?, Co-Presenter, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, June 2016, Novi, MI
Disability in the Workplace, ADA, FMLA, Workers’ Comp, December 8, 2015, Lansing, MI
FMLA Update on Same-Sex Spouses Benefits Rule, Co-presenter, Bodman Sunrise Series Meetings, March 31, 2015, Ann Arbor, MI; April 1, 2015, Detroit, MI; and April 2, 2015
Your Computer or Mine – Employees’ Right to Employers’ E-mail Systems and Other Electronic Systems (Management’s Perspective), The Bernard Gottfried Memorial Labor Law Symposium, October 2015, Detroit, MI
Is Your Workplace Prepared for Increased Government Scrutiny?, Bodman PLC, November 10, 2014, Detroit, MI
Annual FMLA Update, Crittenton Hospital Medical Center, 2008-2013, Rochester, MI
Face Off With Facebook, Washtenaw Dental Association, June 2012, Ann Arbor, MI
What Every Employer Needs to Know to Survive 2012, Bodman PLC, Detroit, MI
Monitoring and Controlling Employee Use of Social Media, Bodman PLC, October 21, 2010, Livonia, MI
FMLA, COBRA and Ledbetter: Are You Compliant?, Bodman PLC, Workplace Forward Series, May 28, 2009, Livonia, MI
Restoring Employee Rights in a Unionized Workplace, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, November 20, 2008, Lansing, MI
Employment Law Under the New Administration, Bodman PLC, Workplace Forward Series, November 8, 2008, Lansing, MI
Managing Leaves of Absence, Crittenton Hospital Medical Center, October 2008, Rochester, MI
The Bernard Gottfried Memorial Labor Law Symposium, Panel Discussion Member, October 2008, Detroit, MI
Boosting Employee Morale, Howell Area Chamber of Commerce, April 2007, Howell, MI
Remaining Union Free, CEO Roundtable, Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce, September 9, 2005, Owosso, MI
Basic Training: The 3R’s, Recruiting, Records & Retention, Health Care Recruiters Association of Metro Detroit – Keynote Speaker, September 30, 2004, Detroit, MI
Civil Rights Law: Avoiding Discrimination in the Workplace, American Society of Employers, March 11, May 7 and October 23, 2003, Southfield, MI
Understanding US/Canadian Labor and Employment Law, Michigan Chamber Services, March 12, 2002, Livonia, MI
Managing Disability and Leaves of Absence in Michigan, Lorman Education Services, September 7, 2000, Livonia, MI
John C. Ray
Certified Public Accountant
John is a certified public accountant who focuses on federal and multi-state controversies, audits, tax planning and litigation support.
John was formerly employed by the Michigan Department of Treasury as an auditor, audit supervisor and audit manager for Michigan sales, use, personal income, motor fuel and single business taxes audits.
David F. Wrublewski
Practice Areas
Education
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan
B.S., Accounting, 1971
Tax Professional
David is a tax investigative specialist in the tax group. He specializes in matters of civil and criminal investigations and defense, including complex forensic accounting and advanced investigatory techniques. Prior to joining Varnum, he was a special agent with the Internal Revenue Service for over 30 years.
Kristen M. Veresh
Practice Areas
Education
Northwestern University School of Law
Chicago, Illinois
J.D.
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.S., Industrial and Operations
Engineering
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Finance Attorney
Kristen is the head of the Banking, Finance and Restructuring Practice Team. Her practice focuses on the representation of lenders and borrowers in a variety of commercial finance transactions involving real estate, construction financing, acquisition financing and asset-based lending. She has led and closed numerous commercial finance transactions involving various structures including multi-currency facilities, single and multi-bank transactions, and syndicated loan transactions.
Experience
Represent lender as lead finance counsel in the following transactions:
- Representation of lender as administrative agent in syndicated $210,000,000 secured revolving credit facility involving pari passu term debt from non-bank group members, requiring negotiations of multiple inter-creditor arrangements.
- Representation of lender as administrative agent in syndicated $85,000,000 secured term loan facility, secured by multiple owner-occupied locations in multiple states.
- Representation of lender as administrative agent in multi-currency, syndicated loan facilities involving foreign and domestic loan parties and revolving, term and CAPEX loan facilities.
- Representation of lender in a $30,000,000 ESOP loan transaction
Representation of borrowers as lead finance counsel in the following transactions:
- Multi-currency, syndicated $210,000,000 secured revolving credit facility, featuring U.S. and Canadian borrowing bases, swing line and letter of credit sublimits.
- $150,000,000 syndicated ESOP loan transaction
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, 2023
Best Lawyers in America®, Ann Arbor Lawyer of the Year – Banking and Finance Law, 2024
DBusiness© magazine, Top Lawyers, Banking and Financial Services Law, Since 2022
Michigan Super Lawyers®, Rising Star, since 2018
Professional Affiliations
Association for Corporate Growth
Oakland County Bar Association
Risk Management Association
State Bar of Michigan
Community Involvement
Northwestern University, Alumni Association
University of Michigan, Alumni Association
Nina A. Thekdi
Practice Areas
Industries
Education
Michigan State University College of Law
East Lansing, Michigan
J.D., summa cum laude, 2006
Michigan State Law Review, Editor
Oakland University
Rochester, Michigan
M.S., Systems Engineering, 2002
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.S., Industrial and Operations
Engineering, 2000
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
Immigration Attorney
Nina focuses her practice on business and family-based immigration matters. Her experience encompasses all nonimmigrant visa petitions including H-1B, E, L-1A, L-1B, TN under the USMCA (formerly NAFTA) treaty and O-1 visas. She also assists clients with employment-based permanent residence petitions including the EB-2/EB-3 labor certifications process, EB-1 extraordinary ability, EB-1 outstanding professor and researchers and EB-1 multinational managers and executives petitions; family-based permanent residence applications; naturalization applications; and foreign visa issues. She guides clients through the process of obtaining short-term visas and permanent residence status for skilled personnel, including technical professionals, accountants, scientists, managers and executives. Nina also provides counsel regarding effective immigration compliance programs.
Nina’s clients range from emerging companies to multinational organizations in industries such as food processing, manufacturing, information technology and financial services.
Honors and Recognitions
Lawyers of Color Hot List – Midwest Region, 2013
Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Up and Coming Lawyer, 2014
Professional Affiliations
American Immigration Lawyers Association
Inforum
State Bar of Michigan
Community Involvement
Gleaners Community Food Bank, Development Committee member