Michigan Lawyers Weekly has named Varnum attorney Tim Monsma to the 2018 list of Up and Coming Lawyers.
Honorees for the annual list are young attorneys who, in their first ten years of practice, have excelled in their profession and among their peers. Monsma and others who made the list will be recognized at an awards luncheon on December 13 in Troy.
Monsma is a partner in Varnum’s Litigation and Trial Team. His practice focuses on helping clients resolve business disputes, including complex commercial tort and contract litigation, supply chain disputes, trade secret and unfair competition matters, and corporate governance issues. He has represented clients in a broad range of industries including automotive, banking, energy, construction, manufacturing, trucking and logistics, and health care. He also regularly represents clients in cases involving complex employment-related matters.
Monsma has practiced at Varnum since graduating magna cum laude from Wayne State University Law School, where he was a member of Order of the Coif honor society. He earned his undergraduate degree from Calvin College.
At Varnum, Monsma has earned the respect of his fellow partners, as well as others within the broader legal community. He has been recognized as a ‘Rising Star’ by Super Lawyers for the past six years.
Varnum senior partner Larry Murphy has collaborated with Monsma on a number of complex litigation matters and highly recommended him for recognition as an Up and Coming Lawyer.
“Tim has demonstrated outstanding litigation skills. His ability to assess the issues and create and implement strategies for successful outcomes places him above his peers,” Murphy said. “His writing skills are second to none, and his oral advocacy is well beyond his years of practice.”
Varnum’s Litigation and Trial Team chair Ron DeWaard noted that Tim’s talent and confident, composed demeanor make him a sought-after team member on complex matters.
“Tim is among the best young attorneys we have on the trial team. His ability and work ethic make him a standout,” DeWaard said. “I would not hesitate to include him on any matter, including bet the company litigation.”
Monsma’s civic involvement is impressive as well. Even as a busy associate, he became involved in several nonprofit organizations focused on underserved communities. He served for four years — including as vice chair — on the board of SECOM (South End Community Outreach Ministries), which connects families and community resources and provides educational and empowerment programs for low income children and families.
In addition, he served for four years on the board of Heart of West Michigan United Way Project Blueprint, a leadership development program with the goal of increasing the number of ethnically diverse professionals providing volunteer leadership to the boards and committees of West Michigan nonprofit organizations.
Monsma currently serves on the boards of:
- Conductive Learning Center, which serves children from birth to age 26 with motor disorders related to complications of premature birth, cerebral palsy, spina bifida or brain injury.
- The Literacy Center of West Michigan, which provides one-on-one tutoring, work-related classes and family literacy programming.
- West Michigan branch of the Arthritis Foundation, the largest private, nonprofit contributor to arthritis research in the world.
Within the firm, Monsma serves on the Associate Recruiting and Retention Committee, supporting the hiring process of new associates, from initial assessment and recruiting to interviewing and hiring. He also co-leads the firm’s summer associate program, serving as an unofficial mentor to the associates, as well as a liaison for associates to the firm’s various practice teams, attorneys and leadership.