Firm Wire items are announcements made by the firms themselves. The desk confirms that the announcement was published and reproduces its factual content. It does not verify the claims in it, and publication is not an endorsement.
Varnum said it published a guide to estate planning for lawful permanent residents who are not U.S. citizens. The firm said the article examines cross-border assets, differences between residency and domicile, federal estate and gift taxes, and transfers between spouses with different citizenship statuses.
Varnum said it featured Detroit-based advanced manufacturing company Averra, a structural-scale 3D metal printing business, as a client of its MiSpringboard program. The firm said its lawyers, led by partner Matt Bower, supported the company on corporate, transactional, intellectual property and dispute-related matters, including formation, governance, trademark and patent work.
Varnum said it advised SxanPro on its acquisition by Vizient, supporting the healthcare inventory technology company from the letter of intent through due diligence and the purchase agreement. The firm said SxanPro’s technology uses device identification scanning to help healthcare organizations manage inventory.
Varnum said it published a guide to including digital assets in an estate plan. The firm said the article addresses how families and fiduciaries can locate accounts, obtain access and manage online property after death, covering practical planning steps alongside the legal authority needed to administer those assets.
Varnum said it was selected for Legal Aid of Western Michigan’s 2026 Michael S. Barnes Award for pro bono contributions benefiting Legal Aid clients. The firm said it will be honored at the organization’s award ceremony and pro bono reception in Grand Rapids on October 29.
Varnum said four of its attorneys were selected for Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s inaugural Michigan Legal 250. The firm said the publication’s editorial team recognized lawyers for sustained professional success, responsiveness to changing client needs and legal developments, and engagement with their communities.
Varnum said it published an October 16 overview of what can happen without an estate plan. The firm said the article examines default inheritance arrangements and decision-making during incapacity, discussing documents used to designate people to handle financial matters and medical care.
Varnum said Executive Partner Adam Brody was selected for Crain’s Grand Rapids Business’s 2026 Who’s Who in West Michigan. The firm said the recognition replaces the publication’s previous 200 Most Influential Leaders program and that Crain’s editorial team selected honorees based on leadership, expertise and regional business influence.
Varnum said it published an alert on California laws signed September 30 governing workplace AI and automation. The firm said the package addresses AI-based emotion and neural monitoring, automation-related layoff notices and human review of disciplinary decisions, with most requirements beginning as early as January 1, 2027.
Varnum said attorney Jordan Valentine was selected for the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit Class of 47. The firm described the program as a nine-month initiative for executives in southeast Michigan and said Valentine belonged to its Litigation and ADR Practice Team.
Varnum said partner Jessica Visser was selected for Crain’s Grand Rapids Business’s 2026 40 Under 40 list. The firm said she advised educational institutions and businesses, including K-12 schools, colleges and universities, on matters affecting their operations, students and athletics programs.
Varnum announced that attorney Jordan Valentine had been elected board chair of Ele’s Place Ann Arbor after previously serving on its board. The firm described the nonprofit as providing grief-support centers for children, teenagers, young adults and families in Michigan, and identified Valentine as a litigation lawyer.
Varnum announced that Karen Younkins had joined its Ann Arbor office as a partner in its Litigation and ADR Practice Team. The firm said she brought more than 16 years of experience in patent, trade-secret and technology disputes, with clients across software, medical devices and other industries.