Varnum LLP

05/29/2026

To help celebrate the end of the school year at Buchanan Elementary, members of our team served ice cream to students. Varnum is proud to have supported the school for more than 30 years through a variety of partnerships and initiatives.

05/28/2026

Owning a winery, brewery, or distillery involves more than crafting a successful business; it also requires careful planning for the future. In our latest advisory, Varnum partners Rebecca Wrock and Chris Baker share key estate planning considerations for alcohol beverage businesses, including licensing compliance, succession planning, valuation, and preserving long-term business legacy. Read more here:

Estate planning for alcohol beverage businesses involves licensing compliance, ownership transitions, valuation, and operational continuity.

05/27/2026

Employee bonuses can trigger complex overtime obligations under the FLSA, and new reporting requirements under the OBBBA add another layer of payroll compliance considerations for employers. In Varnum’s latest advisory, attorneys Luis Avila, Carolyn Sullivan, and Cole Anderson outline key considerations related to bonuses, overtime calculations, and payroll compliance that employers should understand. Read more here:

Key considerations for calculating overtime, allocating bonus payments and complying with new OBBBA reporting requirements.

05/26/2026

Varnum immigration attorney Bob O'Malley was recently quoted by The New York Times regarding the Trump administration's new policy requiring most green card applicants to leave the U.S. and apply from their home countries. As questions remain about the policy's implementation and potential exceptions, Bob shared insights on the concerns many immigrants and families are facing. Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/22/us/politics/green-card-changes-trump.html

05/22/2026

Varnum’s sign is lit red, white, and blue this weekend for Memorial Day as we remember and honor the brave service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms. Their courage and dedication will never be forgotten.

05/21/2026

Varnum labor and employment partners Maureen Rouse-Ayoub and Beth Wells Skaggs recently presented at the MiBiz360 Talent & HR Summit, discussing challenging workplace issues facing HR professionals, including resignations, workplace conduct, flexible scheduling, and social media concerns.

05/20/2026

Sharp and Flat, Inc. is expanding access to music through its innovative Theraplaying program, which supports individuals living with Parkinson’s disease through music and occupational therapy modalities. Through Varnum’s MiSpringboard program, we have advised the company on intellectual property, trademarks, fundraising, and corporate matters since 2024. Read more here:

Sharp and Flat expands music accessibility through Theraplaying, a Parkinson’s-focused program combining music, therapy, and innovation.

05/19/2026

Varnum attorney Neil Youngdahl breaks down how certified questions to the Michigan Supreme Court work in his latest contribution to the State Bar of Michigan Appellate Law Section Journal. He explores why certified questions are rarely used and what recent opinions signal about when the Court will step in. Read more here:

Certified questions allow federal and out-of-state courts to ask the Michigan Supreme Court to resolve unsettled questions of Michigan law.

05/18/2026

Varnum partner Kim Clarke was recently quoted in Law360 on the potential impact of a U.S. Supreme Court case that may reshape how the Department of Labor enforces wage and hour violations and assesses penalties against employers.

In her comments, Kim noted that if these matters move to district court, it could provide “a new opportunity for the firms that are fined and penalized to challenge and have a fair hearing about the Department of Labor findings.”

Read the full article: https://www.law360.com/employment-authority/articles/2471691

05/12/2026

Varnum was proud to sponsor the 14th Annual Michigan Energy Innovators Conference, which brought together leaders across the state's advanced energy industry. Partner Laura Chappelle participated on a panel discussing important cases and vital wins, and Justin Ooms introduced a panel discussion focused on maximizing reliability and affordability for customers. Varnum attendees also included Seth Arthur, Tim Lundgren, Schuyler Pruis, Haylee Skank, and Bruce Goodman.

05/11/2026

Varnum is proud to be recognized in Grand Rapids Magazine’s Best of Grand Rapids 2026 for Estate Planning and Family Law. This recognition reflects our work with individuals and families across West Michigan on long-term planning, life transitions, and complex personal matters. Our teams provide guidance tailored to each client on succession planning, divorce, and custody issues. Read more about the recognition and our work in the region:

Varnum earned Best of Grand Rapids 2026 honors for Estate Planning and Family Law, recognizing trusted legal counsel across West Michigan.