Atty. Joan E. Schleef
Joan is a member of the Financial Services Practice Group. She represents commercial lenders and asset-based lenders (including banks) in documenting, negotiating and closing numerous commercial loan transactions, including working capital and formula-based loans; real estate acquisition and development loans; and leveraged buy-out financing.
Profile Summary
About Joan E. Schleef at a glance
Joan E. Schleef is a business attorney based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, practicing at Varnum Llp. Admitted to practice in Michigan, State Bar of Michigan and Ohio, Ohio State Bar Association. Educated at University of Cincinnati (J.D., 1985) and Indiana University Bloomington (BA, 1982). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Banking and Finance Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026), and Lawyer of the Year — Banking and Finance Law (Grand Rapids) (2013). Serands clients in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Joan is a member of the Financial Services Practice Group
- She represents commercial lenders and asset-based lenders (including banks) in documenting, negotiating and closing numerous commercial loan transactions, including working capital and formula-based loans
- real estate acquisition and development loans
- and leveraged buy-out financing
- She also represents lenders in connection with borrower insolvencies, loan restructurings and workouts, banks in various matters concerning regulatory compliance issues and various corporate and commercial clients regarding general commercial matters
- Prior to joining Varnum, Joan served as Judicial Clerk to the Honorable Wendell A. Miles, United States District Court, Western District of Michigan from 1985 to 1988
Practice Areas Explained
Joan E. Schleef's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Joan E. Schleef handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Joan E. Schleef is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Michigan →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Michigan
Practicing law in Michigan. Legal matters in Michigan are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Grand Rapids are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Michigan state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Michigan brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Michigan courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Michigan attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Grand Rapids or all attorneys in Michigan.
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